Resolution 2025-33689 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33689
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING FLORIDA SENATORS ASHLEY MOODY
AND RICK SCOTT, AS WELL AS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE MARIA
ELVIRA SALAZAR, TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMMEDIATE REVIEW,
REEVALUATION, AND REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAID-OFF
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)
SCIENTISTS AND STAFF TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFETY AND
WELL-BEING OF MILLIONS OF FLORIDIANS WHO DEPEND ON
NOAA'S WORLD-CLASS HURRICANE TRACKING AND WEATHER
FORECASTING SYSTEMS.
WHEREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays
a critical role in safeguarding lives and property by providing accurate weather forecasts,
severe weather alerts, and emergency information;
WHEREAS, recent workforce reductions have led to the termination of
approximately 880 NOAA employees, including 375 probationary National Weather
Service (NWS) staff members, representing about 10% of NOAA's workforce;
WHEREAS, these layoffs have raised concerns among meteorologists and
experts regarding NOAA's capacity to deliver essential services, particularly during
severe weather events; and
WHEREAS, many of those affected by these layoffs are dedicated public servants
and scientists who specialize in hurricane research and forecasting, potentially
compromising the accuracy of future hurricane predictions; and
WHEREAS, probationary classification may apply to employees with substantial
experience who were placed on probation after transferring between agencies or
assuming new senior positions, resulting in the dismissal of highly skilled and committed
professionals; and
WHEREAS, the loss of scientific personnel may hinder NOAA's ability to study and
respond to the rapid intensification of hurricanes, a phenomenon that poses significant
threats to coastal communities such as the City of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the state of Florida is highly susceptible to hurricanes and other
severe weather phenomena, and relies heavily on NOAA's expertise for timely and
accurate information to protect its residents; and
WHEREAS, the integrity of NOAA's data collection and modeling efforts is
essential for effective emergency preparedness and response strategies; and
WHEREAS, Governor Ron DeSantis has acknowledged the valuable contributions
of NOAA forecasters, especially during recent hurricanes Helene and Milton; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that thorough steps be taken to reexamine the layoffs
at NOAA, ensuring that vital personnel are not unjustly dismissed and that national
weather forecasting capabilities remain robust and fully functional; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the urgency of restoring NOAA's full operational
capacity and is committed to assisting in any way possible to facilitate the reinstatement
of these vital employees, whether through legislative advocacy, or collaboration with state
and federal officials; and
WHEREAS, thus, the Mayor and City Commission wish to urge Florida Senators
Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, as well as House Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, to
advocate for the immediate review, reevaluation, and reinstatement of the laid-off NOAA
scientists and staff to ensure the continued safety and well-being of millions of Floridians
and residents of other coastal states who depend on NOAA's world-class hurricane
tracking and weather forecasting systems.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the Mayor and the City
hereby urge Florida Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, as well as House
Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, to advocate for the immediate review, reevaluation,
and reinstatement of the laid-off National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) scientists and staff to ensure the continued safety and well-being of millions of
Floridians who depend on NOAA's world-class hurricane tracking and weather
forecasting systems.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this a/ _day of y (1 , 2025.
ATTEST:
teven Meiner, Mayor
MAY 2 7 2525
Rafael E. ranado, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO
(Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Tanya K. Bhatt) FORM &LANGUAGE
&&FOR/I EXECUTION
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Resolutions - R7 L
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: May21, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, URGING FLORIDA SENATORS ASHLEY MOODY AND RICK SCOTT,
AS WELL AS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR, TO
ADVOCATE FOR THE IMMEDIATE REVIEW, REEVALUATION, AND
REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAID-OFF NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) SCIENTISTS AND STAFF TO ENSURE THE
CONTINUED SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF MILLIONS OF FLORIDIANS WHO
DEPEND ON NOAA'S WORLD-CLASS HURRICANE TRACKING AND WEATHER
FORECASTING SYSTEMS.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUNDMISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Vice-Mayor Tanya K. Bhatt.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
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.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meetinq-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
1949 of 2719
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(s1
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
NR- Urge Florida Senators/House Rep. to Advocate for NOAA Workforce. (Bhatt) CA
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Onlvl
Not reached on 4/23/2025 - R7 I
1950 of 2719
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miaml Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachtl.gov
Office of the City Clerk
Tel:305-6137411
May 28, 2025
Senator Rick Scott
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Scott,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33689:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, URGING FLORIDA SENATORS ASHLEY MOODY AND RICK
SCOTT, AS WELL AS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR,
TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMMEDIATE REVIEW, REEVALUATION, AND
REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAID-OFF NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) SCIENTISTS AND STAFF TO
ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF MILLIONS OF
FLORIDIANS WHO DEPEND ON NOAA'S WORLD-CLASS HURRICANE
TRACKING AND WEATHER FORECASTING SYSTEMS. (Sponsored by
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt)
This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach on May 21, 2025.
Respectfully,
•
Rafael E. Granado
City Clerk
c: Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gav
Office of the City Clerk
Tel:305-673-7411
May 28, 2025
Senator Ashley Moody
B4OB Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Moody,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33689:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, URGING FLORIDA SENATORS ASHLEY MOODY AND RICK
SCOTT, AS WELL AS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR,
TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMMEDIATE REVIEW, REEVALUATION, AND
REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAID-OFF NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) SCIENTISTS AND STAFF TO
ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF MILLIONS OF
FLORIDIANS WHO DEPEND ON NOAA'S WORLD-CLASS HURRICANE
TRACKING AND WEATHER FORECASTING SYSTEMS. (Sponsored by
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt)
This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach on May 21, 2025.
Respectfully,
Rafael E. Granado
City Clerk
c: Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive.Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfgov
Office of the City Clerk
Tel:305-673-7411
May 28, 2025
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar
2162 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congresswoman Salazar,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33689:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, URGING FLORIDA SENATORS ASHLEY MOODY AND RICK
SCOTT, AS WELL AS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR,
TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMMEDIATE REVIEW, REEVALUATION, AND
REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAID-OFF NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) SCIENTISTS AND STAFF TO
ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF MILLIONS OF
FLORIDIANS WHO DEPEND ON NOAA'S WORLD-CLASS HURRICANE
TRACKING AND WEATHER FORECASTING SYSTEMS. (Sponsored by
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt)
This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach on May 21, 2025.
Respectfully,
•
Rafael E. Granado
City Clerk
c: Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt