LTC 443-2025 Cultural Arts Council Motions - October 16, 2025Docusign Envelope ID: 169C45B2-551C-4E02-8AF8-68F39030DE76
MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk 1J:t;;.Ow\,O.,J.,o
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LTC #443-2025
TO:
FROM:
DATE: October 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Cultural Arts Council Motions -October 16, 2025
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (L TC) is to provide an update regarding motions made
during the October 16, 2025, Cultural Arts Council (CAC) meeting.
1.On September 11, 2024, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution 2024-
33265, which suspended the grant agreement and all related disbursements between the
City and the South Florida Art Center, Inc., also known as Oolite Arts. This action
temporarily halted the execution of any future grant agreements, pending further direction
from the Mayor and Commission, to allow Oolite time to hire a new Executive Director and
to enable the City Commission to review and approve Oolite's statement of internal
controls. Oolite Arts' CEO John Abodeely presented the organization's updated exhibition
procedures to the Council for review.
Motion: The Cultural Arts Council motions to support and recommend the release of past
funds based upon the policies that Oolite Arts has put into place, which includes the
changing of staff and leadership.
The above motion was made by Orlando Garcia, seconded by Sarah Leddick, and passed
unanimously.
2.Motion: The Cultural Arts Council motions to affirm that the funding for the Miami Beach
Anchors and Presenters is vital to the City of Miami Beach, it's tourism, safety and
economic development. This funding should not be eliminated as the $1.05 million
investment creates over $200 million in economic impact to the City of Miami Beach. All
Cultural Arts Council funded programming takes place on Miami Beach.
The above motion was made by Alberto Ravelo, seconded by Tiffany Lapciuc, and passed
unanimously.
Members in attendance: Chair David Sexton, Vice Chair Lauren Cohen, Orlando Garcia, Judith
Vigil, Barbara Herskowitz, Tiffany Lapciuc, Sarah Leddick, Alberto Ravelo, Marla Stegman and
Rachel Unger.
Docusign Envelope ID:169C45B2-551C-4E02-8AF8-68F39030DE76
For more information,please contact Lissette Garcia Arrogante,Director,Tourism and Culture
Department at lissettearrogante@miamibeachfl.gov or x26597.
cc:MH/LGA/FV/DB