C7D-Lift Moratorium And Set Public Hearing Barbara Capitman Memorial -Bower-COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A resolution lifting the moratorium on naming requests, accepting the recommendation of the Neighborhoods/
Community Affairs Committee to erect a memorial honoring Barbara Baer Capitman to be installed in Lummus Park
and setting a public hearing to be scheduled for the City Commission meeting of April11, 2012.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Increase community satisfaction with City government
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): Miami Beach Customer Survey indicates 5% of residents
and 68% of businesses rated Miami Beach city government as excellent or good in meeting their needs and
expectations.
Issue: I Shall the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution?
Item Summary/Recommendation:
In an April 11, 2011 correspondence sent to Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, a request was made by the Miami Design
Preservation League (MDPL) to place a memorial in Lummus Park recognizing Barbara Capitman's many contributions
and accomplishments. The item was referred to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee by the Commission at
the January 11, 2012 meeting. The memorial request was discussed at the Committee's February 27, 2012 meeting.
Prior to taking action on the request, the Committee recommended exempting the proposed memorial from the
moratorium on naming requests that was recommended by the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee at its
January 11, 2011 meeting, pending the adoption of guidelines to limit these requests in the future. The
recommendation for the moratorium, and the request for the Administration to draft guidelines to limit these requests,
was also approved by the City Commission at its February 9, 2011 meeting. As directed, the Administration and City
Attorney's Office prepared an amendment of the City's Naming Ordinance, which includes the requested additional
guidelines, and which has been included in the March 21, 2012 City Commission meeting on first reading.
At the February 27, 2012, Committee meeting, after recommending the exemption on the moratorium, the Committee
unanimously recommended the setting of a public hearing, as required pursuant to Section 82-504 of the City Code,
recommending erection of the Capitman memorial to be installed in Lummus Park. As part of this resolution (given the
fact that the Naming Ordnance amendment will also be considered at this Commission Meeting and, further, in order to
avoid an appearance, whether direct or indirect, of being arbitrary), the City Attorney's Office recommends lifting the
moratorium on naming requests altogether (rather than just exempting the Capitman Memorial proposal) and set the
public hearing to consider such request to be scheduled for the City Commission meeting of April11, 2012.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account
Funds: 1
I I
2
3
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary: The Capitman Family has committed to underwrite the proposed memorial.
Ci Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin :
Kevin Smith, Parks & Recreation Director
Si n-Offs:
Department Director City Manager
KS JMG
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MIAMI BEACH 235
AGENDA ITEM ----:L----=7--:D---:-_
DATE J-J./-/2-
~ MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: March 21, 2012
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, LIFTING THE
MORATORIUM ON NAMING REQUESTS AND, FOLLOWING
WHICH, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO
ERECT A MEMORIAL HONORING BARBARA CAPITMAN, IN
THE FORM OF A BRONZE BUST RESTING ON A TERRAZZO
PLINTH, TO BE INSTALLED IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF LUMMUS
PARK, AND FURTHER SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO
CONSIDER SUCH REQUEST TO BE SCHEDULED FOR THE
CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 11,2012.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution
KEY INTENDED OUTCOME SUPPORTED
Increase community satisfaction with City government
BACKGROUND
In an April 11, 2011 correspondence sent to the attention of Mayor Matti Herrera Bower
from the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) and signed by the Capitman
Memorial Committee Chairman Michael Kinerk, a request was made for the approval to
place a memorial recognizing Barbara Capitman in the 1100 block of Lummus Park
honoring Ms. Capitman for her many contributions and accomplishments including
creating the world famous Art Deco District, being the founder of the Miami Design
Preservation League and her involvement in the worldwide movement to preserve Art
Deco. (Attached please see a copy of the April 11, 2011 correspondence and a
conceptual design/site plan of the proposed memorial).
ANALYSIS
the MDPL request was subsequently referred by the City Commission to the
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) at the City Commission meeting of
January 11, 2012 and as required by City Code, the placement of the memorial honoring
Ms. Capitman was discussed by the at its February 27, 2012 Committee meeting.
236
Commission Memorandum
March 21, 2012
Lifting Moratorium on Naming and Setting of Public Hearing for Capitman Memorial
Page 2 of4
Prior to taking action on MDPL's request to erect the memorial honoring Ms. Capitman,
the Committee was advised of the existing moratorium on naming requests; so being
advised, it recommended exempting the proposed memorial from said moratorium which
was initially recommended by the Committee last year at its January 11, 2011 meeting,
pending the adoption of guidelines to limit these requests in the future. It should also be
noted that the recommendation for the moratorium on naming requests, and the request
for the Administration to draft guidelines to limit these requests, was also approved by
the City Commission at its February 9, 2011 meeting. As directed, the Administration
and City Attorney's Office have prepared an amendment of the City's Naming
Ordinance, which includes the requested additional guidelines, and which is forwarded
to the City Commission, for consideration on first reading, as a separate agenda item on
the March 21, 2012 City Commission meeting agenda.
At the February 27, 2012, NCAC meeting, the members unanimously recommended
approving the memorial in honor of Ms. Capitman. Accordingly, setting of a public
hearing is required pursuant to Section 82-504 of the City Code. It is recommended the
public hearing to consider the MDPL's request to erect a monument honoring Ms.
Capitman in Lummus Park be scheduled for the City Commission meeting of April 11,
2012.
Following an approval to proceed with the Capitman memorial the following steps will be
taken as presently stipulated under Section 82-504 -Monuments or memorials of the
City Code:
• (6) Notice of a public hearing regarding the establishment of the monument or
memorial shall be published at least 10 days prior to the hearing in a newspaper
of general circulation in the city;
• (7) At the close of the public hearing, the city commission may approve the
establishment of the monument or memorial. In approving the establishment, the
commission shall be governed by its established selection criteria. Additionally,
any proposal to establish a monument or memorial must be approved by a five-
sevenths vote of the city commission.
• (8) Upon approval of the establishment of the monument or memorial, the city
commission shall forward the proposal to the arts in public places committee.
The arts in public places committee will then make recommendations to the city
commission regarding the location, aesthetic quality, maintenance, and other
related issues, in accordance with the established criteria.
Given the fact that the amendment for the Naming Ordinance will also be considered on
first reading at the March 21, 2012 Commission Meeting and, further in order to avoid an
appearance, whether direct or indirect, of being arbitrary, the City Attorney's Office
recommends that the City Commission hereby lift the moratorium on naming requests
altogether (rather than just exempting the Capitman memorial proposal).
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends the adoption of the attached Resolution which lifts the
moratorium on naming requests and accepts the recommendation of the
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee honoring Barbara Capitman, in the form of
a bronze bust resting on a terrazzo plinth, to be installed in the 11 00 block of Lummus
Park; and further sets a public hearing to consider the request to be scheduled for the
City 5,~ission meeting of April 11, 2012.
J~S
T:\AGENDA\2012\3-21-12\Setting of Public Hearing-Ba2J 'lapitman Memorial Bust-Approval Commission Memo 3-
Commission Memorandum
March 21, 2012
Lifting Moratorium on Naming and Setting of Public Hearing for Capitman Memorial
Page 3 of4
' ·:
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(I/ A,
MIAMI DESIGN PAESEAVAnON LEAGUE
1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beaclt,FI. P.O. BOX 190180, Miami Beach, PL 33119-0180
www.mdpl.org Phono; (30.5) 67!2-201<1
The Honorable Matti Herrera Bower·
Mayor, the City of Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Florlda33139
Dear Mayor Bower:
April11, 2011
We are writing to you to make a formal proposal that a memorial be e~d to honor
Barbara Beer Capltman, (1920·1990), the person most responsible for creating our world-
famous Art Deco Historic District, and also founder ofthe Miami Design Preservation League
and a worldwide movement to preserve Art Deco. We· believe the memorial should be
placed In Lummus Park to recognize forever the contribution she made to the People and
City of Miami Beach, Florida, as well as the American historic preservation movemf!!nt and
global appreciatiGn of the Art Deco style, The Miami Beach Art Deco" District which stie
promulgated has become a world-recognized destination and centerpiece In a sustained
revival of Miami Beach's tC?Urlsm lndust~ and our city's quality of life •
. The capltman family has COI"flmltted to underwrite the proposed memorial. We have
re1alned Laurlnda Spear of ARQU/TECTONICAGEOto plan the memorial. It would consist of
a bronze b~st of Barbara sculpted around 1940 by her mother, (the artist Myrtle Bachrach
Beer), resting on a terrazzo plinth to be located within Lummus Perk. . ·
Barbara Beer Capltman's creative and courageous genius deserves such a permanent
memorial. When she founded the Miami Design Preservation League In 1976, Miami Beach's ·
touristic appeal had reached a low point. Trained as an art historian and with a long career.
as a writer on design and a publidst for Industrial designers, Barbara ·Identified the
architecturally-significant character of our"1930s buildings, organized surveys required to
attain historic district status and set In motion the process that granted national recognition
for the South Beach neighborhood when It was declared the nation's first Twentieth
Century Historic District In 1979 •
. Our Board has unanimously endorsed the concept of this memoria!. In making this proposal,
MDPL looks forward to working with all Miami Beach elected officials and city executives to
bring the Barbara Beer capltman Memorial to reality. We would be most grateful if you
also_ endorse this concept and act to move It for.Nard through appropriate channels.
M,lchael D. Klnerk . ·
Chairman, MD~L ~pH:man Me!llo~ial-comm~:·
MDPL Ch11/rman Emeritus ·
,: ·.'• .·
I '
238
Commission Memorandum
March 21, 2012
Lifting Moratorium on Naming and Setting of Public Hearing for Capitman Memorial
Page 4 of4
RESOLUTION NO.-----
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, LIFTING THE MORATORIUM ON NAMING
REQUESTS AND, FOLLOWING WHICH, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO ERECT A MEMORIAL HONORING BARBARA
CAPITMAN, IN THE FORM OF A BRONZE BUST RESTING ON A
TERRAZZO PLINTH, TO BE INSTALLED IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF
LUMMUS PARK, AND FURTHER SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO
CONSIDER SUCH REQUEST TO BE SCHEDULED FOR THE CITY
COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 11,2012.
WHEREAS, in an April 11, 2011 correspondence sent to the attention of Mayor Matti
Herrera Bower, a request was made by the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) to place
a memorial in the 11 00 block of Lummus Park recognizing Barbara Capitman's many
contributions and accomplishments with respect to historic preservation in the City of Miami
Beach; and
WHEREAS, the item was subsequently referred by the City Commission to the
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee at the City Commission meeting of January 11,
2012; and
WHEREAS, as required by City Code, the placement of the memorial honoring Ms.
Capitman was discussed at THE February 27, 2012 Committee meeting; and
WHEREAS, prior to taking action on MDPL's request to erect the memorial honoring Ms.
Capitman, the Committee was advised of the existing moratorium on naming requests; so being
advised, it recommended exempting the proposed memorial from said moratorium (which
moratorium was initially recommended by the Committee at its January 11, 2011 meeting,
pending the adoption of guidelines to limit these requests in the future); and
WHEREAS, the recommendation for the moratorium on naming requests, and the
request for the Administration to draft guidelines to limit these requests, was also approved by
the City Commission at its February 9, 2011 meeting; and
WHEREAS, as directed, the Administration and City Attorney's Office have prepared an
amendment to the City's Naming Ordinance, which includes the requested additional guidelines,
and which will be forwarded to the City Commission, for consideration on first reading, as a
separate agenda item at the March 21, 2012 City Commission meeting; and
WHEREAS, at its February 27, 2012, the Committee unanimously recommended the
memorial in honor of Ms. Capitman; accordingly, the setting of a public hearing is now required
pursuant to Section 82-504 of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, said public hearing is to be scheduled for the City Commission meeting of
April 11, 2012; and
240
WHEREAS, as part of this Resolution (given the fact that the amendment for the Naming
Ordinance will also be considered at this Commission Meeting and further, in order to avoid an
appearance, whether direct or indirect, of being arbitrary), the City Attorney's Office
recommends that the City Commission hereby lift the moratorium on naming requests
altogether (rather than just exempting the Capitman memorial proposal).
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 lift the moratorium on naming requests and, following which, accept the
recommendation of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee to erect a memorial
honoring Barbara Capitman, in the form of a bronze bust resting on a terrazzo plinth, to be
installed in the 11 00 block of Lummus Park, and further set a public hearing to consider such
request, with such hearing to be scheduled for the City Commission meeting of April 11, 2012.
PASSED and ADOPTED this----day of March, 2012.
ATTEST:
ROBERT PARCHER, CITY CLERK
MATTI HERRERA BOWER
MAYOR
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Resolution 3-21-12-RA 3-7-12.doc
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APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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