163-1999 LTCCITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\~ci.miami-beach.fl.us
L.T.C. No. 163-1999
LETTER TO COMMISSION
July 26, 1999
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City mmission
Se. rgio Rodriguez
R AT CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS
Recent disruptions during meetings of the City Commission and the request to have offenders
removed from the Chambers, prompted the Chief of Police to research the issue of the proper legal
protocol for removing disruptive persons from City Commission meetings. There has been some
confusion among police officers with respect to what action to take and by whose legal authority
they should take action.
The City Attomey's Office has researched the issue and advises that the Mayor, or the Vice-Mayor
in the absence of the Mayor, as presiding officer at the meeting, has the authority to regulate
disruptive behavior.
The following protocol is recommended to ensure a professional and consistent response:
1. The Mayor/Vice Mayor recognizes that the person' s conduct is disruptive.
2. The Mayor/Vice Mayor requests the person cease such conduct and warns him/her that a
continuation of such conduct may cause his/her removal.
3. The Mayor/vice Mayor orders the removal of the disruptive person.
4. A police officer removes the person from the Chambers and warns him/her not to return
to that particular meeting.
In addition, I would place signs advising persons entering the Chambers that they can be removed
for disruptive behavior and the procedures that will be followed for their removal. The signs would
be placed on or near the entrance doors, inside the Chambers, and on the podium.
Please review this recommendation and advise if you wish that these procedures be implemented.
SP~/DDL/PS
F:\CMGR\$ALL~LTC.99\DISRUPTI.WPD