Resolution 2024-33426RESOLUTION NO, 2024-33426
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPEALING TO HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP
THOMAS WENSKITO URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO RECONSIDER THE
REDUCTION IN EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS - A DRASTIC PIVOT FROM ITS
LONGSTANDING SERVICES THAT WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE MOST
VULNERABLE IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY - AND TO FURTHER
URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO UPHOLD ITS LEGACY OF COMPASSIONATE
CARE WHILE PROTECTING THE DIGNITY AND WELL-BEING OF THE
HOMELESS.
WHEREAS, the Camillus House, rooted in the compassionate hospitality of St. John of
God, has dedicated itself for more than six decades to improving the qualityof life of the vulnerable
and homeless in South Florida through a continuum of housing and supportive services; and
WHEREAS, the founding mission of Camillus House began with a simple yet profound act
of kindness in 1960, when Brother Mathias Barrett offered a bowl of corn Flakes and milk to a
hungry Cuban exile, laying the foundation for an enduring ministry that has since brought hope,
healing, and dignity to hundreds of thousands In need; and
WHEREAS, Camillus House Is one of the largest and oldest service providers for the
homeless in South Florida, embodying the Catholic values of charity, compassion, and care for
the most vulnerable members of the community; and
WHEREAS, the newly enacted Florida law, effective October 1, 2024, barring local
governments from allowing people to sleep on public property, places additional burdens on the
unhoused population, further underscoring the need for accessible emergency shelter services;
and
WHEREAS, citing rising costs, Camillus House has recently announced its intention to
double rates for emergency shelter beds, a move that would exacerbate the hardships faced by
the homeless and result in widespread displacement and suffering of unprecedented proportions;
and
WHEREAS, such a drastic increase runs counter to the foundational mission and values
of Camillus House, as it prioritizes financial concerns over the well-being of those it is called to
serve; and
WHEREAS, the Miami Herald reported on November 29, 2024, that three-quarters of
emergency shelter beds at Camillus House are no longer available due to ongoing contractual
disputes with local governments, driven by increased operational costs and shelter Internal
reorganization; and
WHEREAS, Camillus House reduced the number of available emergency shelter beds in
September from approximately 320 to just 136, with only 90 of those beds currently occupied;
and
WHEREAS, as a result, hundreds of Camillus House clients have been adversely
impacted by the shelter's downsizing, including 50 vulnerable individuals who were abruptly
relocated to a hostel in Miami Beach, a facility lacking onsite medical and health professionals or
staff that is experienced in addressing the complex and specialized needs of individuals
experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Camillus House is not a business, and its purpose must remain firmly
grounded in the compassionate care and service of the vulnerable, reflecting the teachings of
Christ and the Church's commitment to justice and compassion; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of Miami Beach implore His Excellency, the
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami, to reaffirm the Church's commitment to
protecting the most vulnerable among us and to guide Camillus House in aligning its policies with
its sacred mission, ensuring that it remains a beacon of hope, hospitality, and compassion for
those in greatest need; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of Miami Beach wish to respectfully appeal
to His Excellency to urge Camillus House to reconsider the proposed increase in emergency
shelter rates, which would result in a doubling of current rates; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission further call upon the Archdiocese of Miami
to support efforts to mobilize the South Florida community to engage in charitable giving and
fundraising initiatives to close financial gaps faced by Camillus House, ensuring the continuation
of its critical mission without compromising the dignity and well-being of the homeless.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby appeal to His Excellency
Archbishop Thomas Wenski to urge Camillus House to reconsider the reduction in emergency
shelter beds - a drastic pivot from its longstanding services that would adversely impact the most
vulnerable in the South Florida community - and to further urge Camillus House to uphold its
legacy of compassionate care while protecting the dignity and well-being of the homeless.
PASSED and ADOPTED this jy day of ptceabor 2024.
ATTEST: teven Meiner, Mayor
OPEC ; 2 2921
Rafael . Granado, City Clerk rg';
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez)
I
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
Resolutions - C7 P
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Crty Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: December 11, 2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPEALING TO HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP
THOMAS WENSKI TO URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO RECONSIDER THE
REDUCTION IN EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS - A DRASTIC PIVOT FROM ITS
LONGSTANDING SERVICES THAT WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE MOST
VULNERABLE IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY - AND TO FURTHER
URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO UPHOLD ITS LEGACY OF COMPASSIONATE
CARE WHILE PROTECTING THE DIGNITY AND WELL-BEING OF THE
HOMELESS.
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner Alex
Fernandez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
NIA
Does this Ordinance require a Business impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: h"ps:f/www.miamibeachfi.gov/city-hallicitycferk/meetinu-notices!
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Page 371 of 1452
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2.177 ro' ct7
No
hn
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code See, 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in Iobbyina7 No
H so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(S)
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Co-soonsor(sl
Condensed Title
Appeal to Archbishop Wenski to Urge Camillus House to Reconsider the Increase in Rates.
(Femandez) CA
Page 372 of 1452
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beoch, 1700 Convention Ce,w Dr,, , M,omt BeocF, Fl,,nda 33139, . rr'.-ba.chfl.gr,
Office of the City Clerk
fel_ 305673-7a11
December 16, 2024
Eddie Gloria, Chief Executive Officer
Camillus House
1603 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33136
Dear Chief Executive Officer Gloria,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2024-33426:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPEALING TO HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP
THOMAS WENSKI TO URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO RECONSIDER THE
REDUCTION IN EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS - A DRASTIC PIVOT FROM
ITS LONGSTANDING SERVICES THAT WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE
MOST VULNERABLE IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY - AND TO
FURTHER URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO UPHOLD ITS LEGACY OF
COMPASSIONATE CARE WHILE PROTECTING THE DIGNITY AND WELL-
BEING OF THE HOMELESS.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez)
This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach on December 11. 2024.
Respectfully,
Rafael E. Granado
City Clerk
c: Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez
MIAMi BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Hanna 33139, www.mlamibanchFl.yov
Office of the Cry Clerk
Tel 305-673-74; 1
December 16, 2024
Brother Gary Hill, O.H.
Camillus House
1603 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33136
Dear Brother Hill, O.H.,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2024-33426:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPEALING TO HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP
THOMAS WENSKI TO URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO RECONSIDER THE
REDUCTION IN EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS - A DRASTIC PIVOT FROM
ITS LONGSTANDING SERVICES THAT WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE
MOST VULNERABLE IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY - AND TO
FURTHER URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO UPHOLD ITS LEGACY OF
COMPASSIONATE CARE WHILE PROTECTING THE DIGNITY AND WELL-
BEING OF THE HOMELESS,
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez)
This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach on December 11, 2024.
Respectfully,
Rafael E. Granado
City Clerk
Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 17QO Convention Center Drive, MIom1 Beach, Flondo 33139, v,voir'omlbei
Office of the City Cloi
lel, 305.673-741 I
December 16, 2024
Brother Sean Mclsaac, O.H.
Camillus House
1603 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33136
Dear Brother Mclsaac, O.H.,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2024-33426:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPEALING TO HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP
THOMAS WENSKI TO URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO RECONSIDER THE
REDUCTION IN EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS - A DRASTIC PIVOT FROM
ITS LONGSTANDING SERVICES THAT WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE
MOST VULNERABLE IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY - AND TO
FURTHER URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO UPHOLD ITS LEGACY OF
COMPASSIONATE CARE WHILE PROTECTING THE DIGNITY AND WELL-
BEING OF THE HOMELESS.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez)
This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach on December 11, 2024.
Respectfully,
Rafael E. Granado
City Clerk
Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Reach, 1700 Convent, on Center Drive, Mioml Beach, Florida 33139, t mbm lbeachfl. got
Office of the City Clerk
Tel 305 673 7411
December 16, 2024
Archbishop Thomas Wenski
Archdiocese of Miami
9401 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami Shores, FL 33138
Dear Archbishop Wenski,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2024-33426:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPEALING TO HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP
THOMAS WENSKI TO URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO RECONSIDER THE
REDUCTION IN EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS - A DRASTIC PIVOT FROM
ITS LONGSTANDING SERVICES THAT WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE
MOST VULNERABLE IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY - AND TO
FURTHER URGE CAMILLUS HOUSE TO UPHOLD ITS LEGACY OF
COMPASSIONATE CARE WHILE PROTECTING THE DIGNITY AND WELL-
BEING OF THE HOMELESS.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez)
This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach on December 11, 2024.
Respectfully,
Rafael E. Granado
City Clerk
C: Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez