Resolution 2025-33548 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33548
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REAFFIRMING OUR
STRONGEST POSSIBLE SUPPORT FOR OUR SISTER CITY,
ODESSA, UKRAINE.
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2022. the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No.
2022-32114, approving and endorsing a Sister City affiliation with the City of Odessa, Ukraine;
and
WHEREAS, known for its beautiful beaches, Odessa is a major seaport and transit hub
located on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea: and
WHEREAS, Odessa is also a multicultural enclave with a rich history of literature and
culture: and
WHEREAS, on or about February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation (Russia") launched
an unprovoked full-scale military invasion into the country of Ukraine ("Ukraine") which has
become one of the deadliest and most destructive conflicts in the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, Russia still occupies roughly 20 percent of the country after gaining over four
thousand square kilometers of territory in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Western officials have claimed that, by scope, the war could be the largest in
Europe since 1945; and
WHEREAS, through December 2024, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) has verified about 12,500 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the
beginning of the fighting, (although those are likely undercounted), and there has been an
increase in the past few months not seen since the earliest days of the invasion; and
WHEREAS, Russia continues to attack Odessa, including strikes by Russian drones on
Odessa's port infrastructure as recently as last week; and
WHEREAS, through January 2025. more than 2,000 instances of damage to civilian
structures, including to education and health care facilities— which should be protected under
international humanitarian law — have been confirmed, and one in ten homes have been
damaged or completely destroyed; and
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2025, Russia, in an exceptionally dangerous act of
aggression, attacked and damaged the containment shield protecting Ukraine. Europe, and the
rest of the world from nuclear waste from the Chernobyl disaster. This follows the playbook from
early 2022, where during intense fighting near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)
Russian troops "violated every principle of nuclear safety, according to IAEA Director General
Rafael Grossi; and
WHEREAS, through the end of 2023, nearly 3.7 million Ukrainians (particularly women,
children and the elderly)have been internally displaced within Ukraine, and another 6 million have
been forced to flee to neighboring countries (through mid-2024): and
WHEREAS, in light of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the people of Ukraine — including
the residents in our Sister City of Odessa — are in dire need of humanitarian aid to assist in their
safety and well-being, as they face enormous welfare, economic and social challenges: and
WHEREAS. the City of Miami Beach prides itself on being a diverse, inclusive international
community with respect for the rule of law and democratic institutions, with the Mayor and City
Commission routinely supporting measures that promote human rights and dignity.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby reaffirm our strongest possible support for our Sister City, Odessa, Ukraine;
and direct the City Clerk to transmit this Resolution to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the
U.S. Delegation to the United Nations, and the City of Odessa Government.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 26th day of February, 2025.
ATTEST: •
Steven Meiner, Mayor
APR 0 7 2025
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Vice Mayor Tanya K. Bhatt)
BEq'c, APPROVED AS TO
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MAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: February 26, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REAFFIRMING OUR STRONGEST POSSIBLE
SUPPORT FOR OUR SISTER CITY, ODESSA, UKRAINE.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution has been placed on the February 26, 2025 City Commission meeting
agenda at the request of Vice-Mayor Tanya K. Bhatt.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? No
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meetinq-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? Project?
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)
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Support for Sister City, Odessa, Ukraine. (Bhatt) CA
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
