98-22792 RESO
RESOLUTION NO.
98-22792
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA ACCEPTING
THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGE ROBERT
NEWMAN TO SERVE AS CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
COMMENCING JUNE 23, 1998 AND ENDING DECEMBER
23, 1998, WHO SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO HOLD ADMIN-
ISTRA TIVE HEARINGS REGARDING APPEALS FROM
CITATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF MIAMI BEACH CITY
CODE CHAPTERS AND DENIALS, SUSPENSIONS AND
REVOCATIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES AND
CERTIFICATES OF USE AND TO APPOINT SUCH OTHER
SPECIAL MASTERS AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED
TO CONDUCT SUCH HEARINGS PURSUANT TO CITY
ORDINANCES.
WHEREAS, pursuant to City of Miami Beach Ordinances, upon prior recommendation of
the City Manager, the City Commission by a majority vote may appoint a Chief Special Master who
shall be authorized to hold hearings and impose fines, liens and other non-criminal penalties against
violations of City Ordinances, and who shall be authorized to hear appeals from citations for
violations of Miami Beach City Code provisions and to conduct hearings regarding denials,
suspensions and revocations of occupational licenses and certificates of use, and who shall also be
authorized to appoint such other Special Masters as may reasonably be required to conduct such
hearings pursuant to City Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the use of Special Masters under the direction of a Chief Special Master
has proven to be an expeditious, cost effective and fair means of adjudicating issues relating to code
violations; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the appointment of Judge Robert Newman
as the Chief Special Master for a six month term commencing June 23, 1998 and ending December
23, 1998, or until a successor has been appointed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the City Commission
hereby accepts the recommendation of the City Manager, and appoints Judge Robert Newman to
serve as Chief Special Master who shall be authorized to hold hearings and impose fines, liens and
non-criminal penalties against violators of City Ordinances and who shall be authorized to hear
appeals from citations for violations of Miami Beach City Code provisions and to conduct hearings
regarding denials, suspensions and revocations of occupational licenses and certificates of use and
who shall also be authorized to appoint such other Special Masters as may reasonably be required
to conduct such hearings as may be required pursuant to City Ordinances.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 17 th day of June, 1998.
ATTEST:
~J
/ . A YOR
~(~~
CI Y CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & lANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
{{.{. Y1~~! j --
6/~'1S
Dot"
;ITY OF MIAMI BEACH
-y HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
J:\\cLmiami-beach. fl. us
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. )1 ~ -C( 8
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
DATE: June 17, 1998
FROM:
Sergio Rodriguez, City Manage
Murray Dubbin, City Attorne
SUBJECT:
APPOINTMENT OF JUDGE ROBERT NEWMAN TO SERVE AS CHIEF SPECIAL
MASTER
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the attached Resolutions.
BACKGR6UND AND ANALYSIS:
In accordance with Chapter 9B of the City Code, the term of the Chief Special Master is six (6)
months. The Chief Special Master's current term expires on June 22, 1998. The Chief Special
Master in turn appoints Special Masters to handle specific matters.
Two of the attached Resolutions provide for the appointment by the City Commission of Judge
Robert Newman, based upon my recommendation. The City Attorney and I have determined that
Judge Newman has the knowledge, skills and abilities, to perform as Chief Special Master. One
Resolution appoints Judge Newman as Chief Special Master for code enforcement violations under
Chapter 9B of the City Code; the other Resolution appoints Judge Newman as Chief Special Master
for appeals from citations and violations or denials, suspensions, and revocations of occupational
licenses and certificates of use pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Miami Beach City Code.
The third attached Resolution provides for limiting the Chief Special Master's compensation to a
base rate of One Hundred Dollars ($100) per hour, up to a maximum of Two Thousand Dollars
($2,000) per six month term without further Commission approval unless it appears that the Chief
Special Master will exceed this cap.
In addition to his role as Chief Special Master, Judge Newman will actively hear cases under
Chapter 9B and Chapter 20 of the Miami Beach City Code at a rate of One Hundred Dollars ($100)
per hour, with a maximum payment of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) per hearing session.
Judge Ne\vman will serve this City with distinction, and his appointment will best serve the interests
of the City.
CONCLUSION:
The subject Resolutions should be adopted.
~t,r'
SR:R~P:LRM:lm
AGENDA ITEM~
DATE
~- tt--qe
May-26-9B 10:5/A
""'.02
JUDGI: ROBEltT JL NEWMAN (JaT)
It ISLAND A VJ:" APT. 1604
Miami BadI, l1or1da 3313'
(3e5) 531.1601
;",,.
Miami Beach High School
Colleae. University of Miami .. 19jO
t.a.w School: University Miami.. 1.0.1952
Mediator with Mediation. Inc., & group of former judges and
experl~ tria! .nomqa providing neutral third party intervention
to settle nuQor palWng litigation throughout the US,A
Certified Circuit Court McdiatOl". State of Florida
EDUCATION:
MEDIA nONI :
NEGOTIATION
LAW PRACOCt: 1952.1959 PrivlltO Pra~ce
19S2-1961 AsaistInt Stare Attorney
1961-1963 Assistant U.S. Attorney
1963-1978 Priwlo Practice
JUDICIAL JUSTORY: ^wOiDted to the Courrty Court 1978
Appointed to the CiIcuit Court 19S2
Administrative Ju.d&C Probate & Guardianship Divisi<la
PROF.f,.SSIONAL ACl'MTlES &. ASSOClA nONS.
u.s. SupAmc Court (Admitted to practice before)
SecretarY National Board oflnmces, 1Aukentia Society of America. Inc,
and ChaitnWl, planned Givins Committee and By-LAws Conucittoo
Past President., Temple Beth Am
Past Member of the Faculty otPlorida N~ Judp College
Inm-uctor at Dade County Community CoUege Paralegal progra.m
~)
--' u:J
co
-' :u
-"-
r::~' .~~ jjJ
r- -<
,--;- "-.J C)
'-".' G\ i
-', . t
C r :-~ ,-
-- ~-....
,-J in
'1 'CJ
c; f".)
r-: -
TOO 10
R:l J80)(1J. 3:J([lIf
lO/:!l O~C SOC.g
H:80 96/liVSO