HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-34178RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34178
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO ASSERTAND MAINTAIN COMPLETE CONTROL OVER
ALL ASPECTS OF CITY -SPONSORED SENIOR EVENTS, INCLUDING THE
SENIOR HOLIDAY PARTY, SENIOR PROM, SENIOR SUMMER BASH,
SENIOR POLICE BALL, SENIOR FAMILY DAY (TWICE PER YEAR), AND THE
SENIOR ART GALLERY (ONCE PER YEAR), ALL OF WHICH ARE
ORGANIZED BY THE CITY'S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT;
LIMIT ATTENDANCE TO MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS WHO ARE 55 YEARS OF
AGE OR OLDER, AND EMPLOYEES, ELECTED OFFICIALS ATTENDING IN
THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITIES TO PERFORM THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES, AND
OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS NECESSARY TO STAFF AND EXECUTE THE
EVENTS, INCLUDING PROGRAMMING AND ENTERTAINMENT; AND
ENCOURAGE ALL ATTENDEES TO REFRAIN FROM CAMPAIGNING FOR
ANY POLITICAL OFFICE OR CAUSE WHILE ATTENDING THE EVENTS.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach hosts several senior events each year at the Miami
Beach Convention Center and other City facilities, including the Senior Holiday Party, Senior
Prom, Senior Summer Bash, Senior Police Ball, Senior Family Day (twice per year), and the
Senior Art Gallery (once per year), all organized by the City's Parks and Recreation Department;
and
WHEREAS, the purpose of these events is to provide the City's seniors with a fun,
entertaining, and nonpolitical atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, Resolutions Nos. 2024-33134 and 2025-33670 were previously enacted to
permit City Commissioners and other declared candidates for election to attend these senior
events with one additional guest while restricting the distribution of promotional materials to
designated tables outside the event space; and
WHEREAS, to maintain the integrity and purpose of these senior events, the Mayor and
City Commission rescinded Resolution Nos. 2024-33134 and 2025-33670 and enacted
Resolution No. 2026-34153 to authorize and direct the City Administration to assert and maintain
complete control over all aspects of four (4) City -sponsored senior events at the Miami Beach
Convention Center organized and sponsored by the City's Parks and Recreation Department,
limit attendance as specified, and encourage all attendees to refrain from campaigning; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission wish to extend the same rules to two
additional official City senior events: (1) Senior Family Day (held twice per year), and (2) the
Senior Art Gallery (held once per year), all also organized by the City's Parks and Recreation
Department; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission wish to allow all declared candidates for
political office (whether aspiring or incumbent) to distribute materials and speak to willing and
interested attendees at designated "Meet the Candidates" tables outside of the event space; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach organizes, funds, and presents its senior events as
City -sponsored programming that conveys the City's own message of recreation, community
engagement, and support for senior residents; and
WHEREAS, under the government -speech doctrine, when the government is the speaker,
it may select the views and messages it wishes to convey without creating a corresponding right
for private individuals to express their own messages through the government's program; and
WHEREAS, these events are curated, programmed, staffed, and administered exclusively
by the City —specifically through its Parks and Recreation Department —and all expressive
components are chosen by the City to advance its municipal message, thereby constituting
government speech; and
WHEREAS, because the events constitute government speech, they do not create a
public forum, limited public forum, or designated public forum for private expression, and the City
may regulate attendance, participation, and conduct, including restrictions on political expression,
to preserve the City's intended message; and
WHEREAS, affirming that the senior events constitute government speech ensures that
the City may maintain a safe, apolitical, and enjoyable environment for senior residents without
transforming the events into platforms for private expressive activity.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby authorize and direct the City Administration to assert and maintain complete
control over all aspects of City -sponsored senior events —including the Senior Holiday Party,
Senior Prom, Senior Summer Bash, Senior Police Ball, Senior Family Day (twice per year), and
the Senior Art Gallery (once per year) —all of which are organized by the Parks and Recreation
Department; to limit attendance to Miami Beach residents who are 55 years of age or older, and
employees, elected officials attending in their official capacities to perform their official duties, and
outside contractors necessary to staff and execute the events, including programming and
entertainment; and to encourage all attendees to refrain from campaigning for any political office
or cause while attending the events.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this �8 day of mQ C/I202`�„
even Meiner, Mayor
ATTEST: WAR 2 0 2026
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM
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Resolutions - C7 X
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: March 18, 2026
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN COMPLETE CONTROL OVER
ALL ASPECTS OF CITY -SPONSORED SENIOR EVENTS, INCLUDING THE
SENIOR HOLIDAY PARTY, SENIOR PROM, SENIOR SUMMER BASH, SENIOR
POLICE BALL, SENIOR FAMILY DAY (TWICE PER YEAR), AND THE SENIOR ART
GALLERY (ONCE PER YEAR), ALL OF WHICH ARE ORGANIZED BY THE CITY'S
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT; LIMIT ATTENDANCE TO MIAMI
BEACH RESIDENTS WHO ARE 55 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, AND
EMPLOYEES, ELECTED OFFICIALS ATTENDING IN THEIR OFFICIAL
CAPACITIES TO PERFORM THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES, AND OUTSIDE
CONTRACTORS NECESSARY TO STAFF AND EXECUTE THE EVENTS,
INCLUDING PROGRAMMING AND ENTERTAINMENT; AND ENCOURAGE ALL
ATTENDEES TO REFRAIN FROM CAMPAIGNING FOR ANY POLITICAL OFFICE
OR CAUSE WHILE ATTENDING THE EVENTS.
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatl.
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 govlcity-hall/city-clerk/meeling-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
661 of 1677
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
M
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaaed in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsorial
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Direct Admin, Maintain Complete Control Over City -sponsored Senior Events. (Bhatt) CA
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
662 of 1677