“We're on an international stage now. When you hear people all across the globe, when they hear about Miami Beach, South Florida, it's no longer a secret. This is the place. This is literally the place people want to be throughout the world. And we have a great opportunity to capitalize on it.”

Statement about Miami Beach's international reputation and competitive advantage

“Public safety is always going to be paramount. But this is literally on that short list of issues that it's we really have to get it right. We have to do it well, and we have to make sure that we synthesize the process and make it easier for businesses and our residents to move forward.”

Prioritization of permitting reform alongside public safety

“I went to FIU for an event, and Mayor Higgins was there and I was talking with her and she told me her number one priority is fixing the permitting system in Miami. I'm like, wow, sounds like something I've heard before. So certainly that's that's top of mind across the board.”

Acknowledgment that permitting reform is a regional priority

“The business ready program, which we were doing quarterly and now we're doing, we're going to be transitioning to do that monthly. And what that does is allows businesses to get their tours if they're small grants or business loans, really to help our businesses out. And you have all the departments there in one shot.”

Discussion of increased frequency of business support programs

“I visited early this morning our building department. Two things were going on simultaneously. One is the walkthroughs, which we do three times a week. And it's great to see in person, to see it working well, to see our residents and businesses telling, giving me feedback, how they're appreciative that we're doing the walkthroughs again, which had been on hiatus for a long time.”

Personal observation of building department improvements

“When we issue permits, it's an economic impact. It creates jobs, it's investment, it's housing, it's a tax base. And it's a continued opportunity for our city.”

Explanation of why permitting reform is economically important

“Capital is coming to Miami Beach in a big way. We're seeing the inflow of capital. We're seeing businesses moving here. We're seeing companies, private and public companies moving their headquarters here. We see family offices, hedge funds. You just look at the headlines literally almost every day and you see that it's coming down to South Florida, it's coming to Florida.”

Discussion of economic growth and business attraction to Miami Beach

“The goal and the reason why we're having this special commission meeting is to make Miami Beach the preeminent city in America to do business. And part of that is getting businesses open quickly. Obviously, this also impacts residents and doing work there as well. But certainly we're highlighting the businesses.”

Statement of purpose for the special commission meeting on permitting improvements

“WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOFTWARE THAT WE USE FOR THIS ONLINE WHEN PEOPLE SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ONLINE. YES, SIR. IS IT A GOOD PROGRAM? IS IT THE BEST PRACTICE? WHAT'S YOUR ASSESSMENT, SIR?”

Mayor questioning assessment of software platform

“By the way, Tucker Carlson reached out to me after the Vendome incident. I didn't go on that show because I don't want to give a platform for somebody who is spreading hate and lies against the Jewish people. I'm not going to do it.”

Explaining decision to decline media appearance

“To accuse me of saying something so horrific that I've clearly never even remotely said I support Israel. I'm so proud of it. But I've also said that the tragic loss of life from any innocent civilians is tragic. Except I blame Hamas, not Israel. That's the difference.”

Defending his position on Israel and Palestine

“It is anti-Semitism 101 to portray Jews as trying to commit violence against others. It's blood libel. It goes through thousands of years of Jewish history. That's how it starts.”

Explaining historical context of anti-Semitic tropes

“This is a real moment for us. It's been a difficult moment. It's been a difficult moment for Jewish people in general since October 7th... The thought of America not being the greatest country ever for Jewish people outside of the State of Israel wasn't a thought on almost every Jewish person's mind. It is on every.”

Emotional statement on anti-Semitism and the current climate

“There are many municipalities even nearby. They once the 30 minutes hit, they shut it off. I am not doing that. I'm letting every person who wants to speak to speak. But we have city business and I am getting complaints from people that we're spending too much time.”

Mayor explaining decision to limit speaking time while allowing all speakers

“I think it's good to for us to get together in a room and because we can't really talk about it outside of Sunshine. I think we should have a discussion about our chartered offices and see what the thoughts are for each of us. Since it's been so long, we could do it both times. This one makes up for last year and then we do it in July.”

C4-A, City Manager's annual performance evaluation, supporting the early evaluation

“I want to say I meant to, but I'd like to change my vote. If that's the case, that would mean that there's a tie vote for Lissette Garcia and Adrian Gonzalez, which would require a new vote altogether to break the tie on just those two individuals.”

VCA board appointment, correcting his vote on Corey Rice to vote for Adrian Gonzalez instead

“I move the item, as amended. I trust you and the Chief so much I'll put my name as a co-sponsor of R7V of your program, because we're all in this together. If things go well, we're all together. If something happens because it's a dangerous society out there, because the state changed laws that allow people to bring in weapons pretty much anywhere, we're here to back you. But we also need to back our community, our businesses and those who want to enjoy and prosper in our city.”

Expressing trust in City Manager and Police Chief while committing to co-sponsor the amended resolution

“Before the measures we took two years ago as a body, we had murders on our street, a level of chaos that is unacceptable. Stampedes. People's lives were put in danger, and we took measures that saved people's lives. That is an absolute fact.”

Justifying Spring Break measures taken in prior years

“For the last two years, the measures we have taken as a collective body, as a commission, but also obviously our city administration, our police department, working together with our state law enforcement partners and our county partners and local sister neighboring cities, police departments. We have a lot to be proud for.”

Opening discussion on Spring Break 2026 and past successes

“This is leadership. This is leadership. And that's why Miami Beach is one of the greatest cities in the world. And we're going to continue that way.”

Affirming unified commission response and city values

“By the way, Tucker Carlson reached out to me after the Vendome incident. I didn't go on that show because I don't want to give a platform for somebody who is spreading hate and lies against the Jewish people. I'm not going to do it.”

Explaining decision to decline media appearance

“To accuse me of saying something so horrific that I've clearly never even remotely said I support Israel. I'm so proud of it. But I've also said that the tragic loss of life from any innocent civilians is tragic. Except I blame Hamas, not Israel. That's the difference.”

Defending his position on Israel and Palestine

“It is anti-Semitism 101 to portray Jews as trying to commit violence against others. It's blood libel. It goes through thousands of years of Jewish history. That's how it starts.”

Explaining historical context of anti-Semitic tropes

“I move the item, as amended. I trust you and the Chief so much I'll put my name as a co-sponsor of R7V of your program, because we're all in this together. If things go well, we're all together. If something happens because it's a dangerous society out there, because the state changed laws that allow people to bring in weapons pretty much anywhere, we're here to back you. But we also need to back our community, our businesses and those who want to enjoy and prosper in our city.”

Expressing trust in City Manager and Police Chief while committing to co-sponsor the amended resolution

“This is a real moment for us. It's been a difficult moment. It's been a difficult moment for Jewish people in general since October 7th... The thought of America not being the greatest country ever for Jewish people outside of the State of Israel wasn't a thought on almost every Jewish person's mind. It is on every.”

Emotional statement on anti-Semitism and the current climate

“Since you're not the Mayor, you may not get the complaints I have. I get numerous complaints from residents that we are using. We are taking away from the city business. There are many ways to reach us. We have emails, texts, voicemails and we are giving everybody. I am not turning a single person down.”

Mayor's response to request for longer speaking time

“Before the measures we took two years ago as a body, we had murders on our street, a level of chaos that is unacceptable. Stampedes. People's lives were put in danger, and we took measures that saved people's lives. That is an absolute fact.”

Justifying Spring Break measures taken in prior years

“For the last two years, the measures we have taken as a collective body, as a commission, but also obviously our city administration, our police department, working together with our state law enforcement partners and our county partners and local sister neighboring cities, police departments. We have a lot to be proud for.”

Opening discussion on Spring Break 2026 and past successes

“There are many municipalities even nearby. They once the 30 minutes hit, they shut it off. I am not doing that. I'm letting every person who wants to speak to speak. But we have city business and I am getting complaints from people that we're spending too much time.”

Mayor explaining decision to limit speaking time while allowing all speakers

“Since you're not the Mayor, you may not get the complaints I have. I get numerous complaints from residents that we are using. We are taking away from the city business. There are many ways to reach us. We have emails, texts, voicemails and we are giving everybody. I am not turning a single person down.”

Mayor's response to request for longer speaking time

“I think it's good to for us to get together in a room and because we can't really talk about it outside of Sunshine. I think we should have a discussion about our chartered offices and see what the thoughts are for each of us. Since it's been so long, we could do it both times. This one makes up for last year and then we do it in July.”

C4-A, City Manager's annual performance evaluation, supporting the early evaluation

“I want to say I meant to, but I'd like to change my vote. If that's the case, that would mean that there's a tie vote for Lissette Garcia and Adrian Gonzalez, which would require a new vote altogether to break the tie on just those two individuals.”

VCA board appointment, correcting his vote on Corey Rice to vote for Adrian Gonzalez instead

“This is leadership. This is leadership. And that's why Miami Beach is one of the greatest cities in the world. And we're going to continue that way.”

Affirming unified commission response and city values