“Colleagues, before I walk through this presentation, I want to take a step back and talk about what we're really trying to do here. The status quo in Washington undeniably is a downward trajectory. You know, we've tried several surface level fixes, like landscaping, lighting, tree wrapping. Those help, but they do not change the fundamentals. Today, we still see vacant storefronts, foreclosures, homelessness, nuisance businesses, and an overconcentration of adult oriented uses and smoke shops in a roughly one mile stretch.”

Introducing Washington Avenue Residential Plan explaining need for comprehensive rezoning

“Does this opt in and opt out only apply to the next tier of condominiums? For example, right now it's 1 to 4. Correct. It is 2 to 8. Well, 1 to 8 units would go on the residential contract with this. It would be 9 to 16 would be add. Right. So what if there's someone under under eight or under four. Does this apply to what if I own a four plex and a 12 unit building? Would I be if now I own a four plex, would I be able to opt my four plex out of the residential contract to be able to negotiate a better deal with 24 unit building that I have?”

Questioning scope of opt-out provisions for different building sizes

“I've had many residents come with me over the last couple of years and say, 'Hey, look, we're trying to get a slip at the Miami Beach Marina and the wait is two years.' I think there should be a policy that if you're a Miami Beach resident, you get ahead of the line for whatever boat slip or size that you're asking for. Since it is our Marina. Is that something that you can work into this deal?”

Proposing Miami Beach resident preference for Marina slips

“Since the Inspector General was the one who had some issues with this, I'd like to make sure we have your blessing on this, Joe.”

Requesting Inspector General comment on Marina settlement

“I don't know if we're left with many options. But it's going to have to come from somewhere, right? Jose, can you get a letter to Commission by midweek next week on how many trolleys do we have and how many are wrapped currently with advertising? And I really need you and your team to come up with more creative ways for which we can raise money to plug some of that.”

Requesting detailed information on trolley advertising and alternative revenue strategies

“I just want to caution my colleagues that with the last meeting we passed the rollback rate. And if this is going to be an additional $1.4 million, that's going to come out of our budget. We really don't have it. It's going to have to come from somewhere else. We're going to have to take some more money from somewhere else and put it to this. $1 million is a lot of money.”

Expressing concern about trolley rate increase impact on city budget

“Meg, glad to have you. You know, one of the issues that we have was there's no transparency. Would you be willing to subject at least part of your organization to the Sunshine Laws, similar to what we have to go through in terms of if you're going to have a meeting on an item? I'd like to be noticed. I'd like minutes to be taken.”

Questioning Art Deco Historic District on transparency and potential Sunshine Law application

“I'd also like to call up the Inspector General to share a few thoughts because he reached out to me personally and said, 'Hey, I don't think this is a good idea to vote on until we get some clarification.' So I want I would like Joe to come up and speak, because we did get a deluge of emails in support of extending this contract for three years, and I don't understand why there was a call to action email sent to your membership knowing that there is a pending Inspector General report. And that puts us in a very precarious situation.”

Concern about MDPL's call to action email campaign during pending investigation

“Now that we're on this topic, I think the last time we discussed this, you know, at least in committee, we wanted to see what changes were made at MDPL as it relates to lobbying fees being collected from developers. And maybe changes to your bylaws to really prevent what was an egregious abusive behavior from your previous director.”

Discussion of MDPL governance issues and previous director misconduct

“I'm not a public safety expert. I'm just a regular guy who lives in Miami Beach. I think I have to take the advice from the Chief and the City Manager. And if they feel like they need the flexibility for us to move the parking rates up to $100 at this point, I mean, who am I to argue with that? I think we've done a very successful job transitioning March from a party all you can day and night for spring break to now a fitness destination.”

Explaining trust in professional expertise and supporting flexibility measures

“So I would appreciate it if you can update your members and tell them, 'Hey, the reason why this wasn't called and why the Commission didn't vote was because there's a pending investigation.' Okay.”

Request for MDPL to inform members of reason for deferral

“And there's a reason why you have a new director, right? And you're I know you're new on the job, and I'm sure you're going to do a great job. But, you know, there's been serious concerns over the last decade that really has metastasized. And, you know, unfortunately for the previous director, it was like a house of cards. And now it has all fallen down. It has to the point now where the ethics commission has is basically found probable cause for for, for finding your previous director in violation of our city lobbying code. And that's going to happen, I believe, next week, and we'll see where that goes.”

Commissioner Suarez discussing ethics commission findings against previous MDPL director

“No, no, no, it seems like you guys are putting the cart before the horse, and, you know, he's our inspector general is telling us it's really not a good idea to vote on this until, you know, you get some more clarity on things that I've found. And then we're getting pressure from residents and members of your organization saying, you need to vote on this. You know, it's important to us. And so, you know, obviously there's a disconnect. I mean, I certainly don't, you know, appreciate it. Okay. It seems like we're getting strong armed into this, when in reality we should be able to have full transparency on what's going on because, you know, let's be honest, some of the issues that he's finding, I found.”

Commissioner criticism of pressure campaign and lack of transparency

“Because, you know, you guys are under a very long, you know, since last summer investigation. We have a pending report. From what I understand, it keeps on getting delayed because the Office of Inspector General keeps on finding new information that raises more and more serious questions. So, you know, I think if you guys really want to be in good faith, at least with me, I mean, I certainly wouldn't appreciate call to actions to your membership, having them try to get us to vote on an item that really needs a little bit more clarity, especially from one of our charter officers.”

Criticism of MDPL for not disclosing investigation and sending call to action

“I'm sorry. Sometimes the members feel that we're not MDPL is not supported. So they want us to know what can they do? What do you mean not supported that that they that our building is in jeopardy. Our lease is in jeopardy. And they they legitimately just want to help. Okay. Did you notify your members that you are under an investigation from the Inspector General office. I don't believe we did. No. Okay, well, that's a problem, right?”

Questioning MDPL about failure to disclose investigation to members

“And let me follow up with Roger. So, Roger, you're the chair of the organization. Why was there a call to action letter sent out, knowing full well that this has been going on since last summer?”

Questioning MDPL chair about timing of call to action email

“I support the Urban Development Boundary Line. My concern with this is that this is outside of our jurisdiction, outside of our decision making. We tell Tallahassee, we don't want you to tell us what to do with our zoning. In the same way we tell the County, we don't want you to tell us what to do with our zoning. But this we're telling the County what to do with their zoning in areas of Miami-Dade County. Are we going to get any sort of pushback on other initiatives that we're trying to advance with the County where we're going to need their cooperation?”

C7-BC, expressing concerns about the resolution to support preservation of Miami-Dade Urban Development Boundary despite agreeing with the environmental goals

“The North Beach CRA, 10% of the budget has to go to affordable housing. And I've been very cautious of conflicts of interest. I think the more far removed away from we are, whether it's advisory, non-advisory, I think it just puts us in a better position for public trust. That's all. But that's like saying a florist can be there because more development will drive more husbands to go buy flowers for their wives. That's a stretch. Respectfully, that's a stretch when you have a monopoly on property management. It's not a flower shop.”

Rebutting Fernandez's comparison to other business owners

“I can't support this appointment and believe we should choose someone whose private livelihood isn't as clearly separate from the development and property management in North Beach.”

Concluding position on Vatia's appointment

“One company already holds a near monopoly in North Beach property management, and that company is Urban Resource. Whether or not anything improper ever happens, the public will reasonably question whose interests are really being served.”

Explaining public trust concerns

“The perception problem gets worse when you look at the family's business connections. Her brother and business partner previously served on the CRA on planning bodies and worked closely with major developers shaping North Beach projects. From the outside, it looks like the same small circle of people influencing redevelopment decisions year after year, even if the names on the stage changes.”

Detailing conflict of interest concerns regarding Laura Vatia

“I want to be very clear. Again, this is not personal, and it's not about questioning anyone's integrity. It's about common sense, government and public trust. The North Beach CRA is not a symbolic board. It controls redevelopment policy and public money, and it is expected to play a role in housing, including affordable housing and workforce housing. Appointing the co-owner of a property management firm creates a built in conflict of interest, because CRA decisions that lead to more housing units and higher density also creates more properties that need to be managed.”

Objecting to Laura Vatia's appointment to North Beach CRA

“For this committee's credibility and the well-being of our staff members, I urge my colleagues to carefully reconsider these concerns and vote against this confirmation.”

Calling for vote against Knapp's appointment

“I've heard directly from our City Manager, Eric Carpenter, who has confirmed that he and others have described Miss Knapp's interactions with staff as combative, abrasive, including instances where coworkers are berated to the point of tears both internally and during public board meetings.”

Supporting objection to Knapp's appointment

“In my own experience, Miss Knapp has publicly referred to me as a puppet bitch commissioner. That alone reflects a level of hostility and disrespect that is incompatible with a leadership role meant to foster dialogue, inclusion, and mutual respect.”

Explaining reasons for opposing Knapp's appointment

“I want to clearly state my objection to Amanda Knapp's appointment as Chair of the Human Rights Committee, or to her appointment, and why I believe she should not be confirmed for the sake of the committee's effectiveness, credibility, and its working relationship with staff. This is not about ideology or disagreement. It's about temperament, professionalism and whether someone is suited to chair a committee whose mission is human rights.”

Objecting to Amanda Knapp's appointment to Human Rights Committee

“I don't personally particularly like these whatsoever. I do think that they unnecessarily clog our sidewalks, but we are preempted by the state. So we're trying to put some guardrails around here.”

Response to public comment about delivery robots

“I shared Commissioner Dominguez concern. If they're in the middle of the street and they can't get out in time because I know some of our crosswalks are not functioning properly and the timing is not adequate.”

Supporting concerns about speed limits and noting inadequate crosswalk timing

“Before I, before I talk to some of the points that were raised, I'd really like to hear some more of my colleagues. Commissioner Bhatt you know, you have an item on this agenda for a study for, you know, affordable housing in North Beach. You know, this is this speaks right to the heart of affordability, to Miami Beach. I'd really love your input on this.”

Asking for Commissioner Bhatt's input on affordable housing

“I support the Urban Development Boundary Line. My concern with this is that this is outside of our jurisdiction, outside of our decision making. We tell Tallahassee, we don't want you to tell us what to do with our zoning. In the same way we tell the County, we don't want you to tell us what to do with our zoning. But this we're telling the County what to do with their zoning in areas of Miami-Dade County. Are we going to get any sort of pushback on other initiatives that we're trying to advance with the County where we're going to need their cooperation?”

C7-BC, expressing concerns about the resolution to support preservation of Miami-Dade Urban Development Boundary despite agreeing with the environmental goals

“The North Beach CRA, 10% of the budget has to go to affordable housing. And I've been very cautious of conflicts of interest. I think the more far removed away from we are, whether it's advisory, non-advisory, I think it just puts us in a better position for public trust. That's all. But that's like saying a florist can be there because more development will drive more husbands to go buy flowers for their wives. That's a stretch. Respectfully, that's a stretch when you have a monopoly on property management. It's not a flower shop.”

Rebutting Fernandez's comparison to other business owners

“I can't support this appointment and believe we should choose someone whose private livelihood isn't as clearly separate from the development and property management in North Beach.”

Concluding position on Vatia's appointment

“One company already holds a near monopoly in North Beach property management, and that company is Urban Resource. Whether or not anything improper ever happens, the public will reasonably question whose interests are really being served.”

Explaining public trust concerns

“The perception problem gets worse when you look at the family's business connections. Her brother and business partner previously served on the CRA on planning bodies and worked closely with major developers shaping North Beach projects. From the outside, it looks like the same small circle of people influencing redevelopment decisions year after year, even if the names on the stage changes.”

Detailing conflict of interest concerns regarding Laura Vatia

“I want to be very clear. Again, this is not personal, and it's not about questioning anyone's integrity. It's about common sense, government and public trust. The North Beach CRA is not a symbolic board. It controls redevelopment policy and public money, and it is expected to play a role in housing, including affordable housing and workforce housing. Appointing the co-owner of a property management firm creates a built in conflict of interest, because CRA decisions that lead to more housing units and higher density also creates more properties that need to be managed.”

Objecting to Laura Vatia's appointment to North Beach CRA

“For this committee's credibility and the well-being of our staff members, I urge my colleagues to carefully reconsider these concerns and vote against this confirmation.”

Calling for vote against Knapp's appointment

“I've heard directly from our City Manager, Eric Carpenter, who has confirmed that he and others have described Miss Knapp's interactions with staff as combative, abrasive, including instances where coworkers are berated to the point of tears both internally and during public board meetings.”

Supporting objection to Knapp's appointment

“In my own experience, Miss Knapp has publicly referred to me as a puppet bitch commissioner. That alone reflects a level of hostility and disrespect that is incompatible with a leadership role meant to foster dialogue, inclusion, and mutual respect.”

Explaining reasons for opposing Knapp's appointment

“I want to clearly state my objection to Amanda Knapp's appointment as Chair of the Human Rights Committee, or to her appointment, and why I believe she should not be confirmed for the sake of the committee's effectiveness, credibility, and its working relationship with staff. This is not about ideology or disagreement. It's about temperament, professionalism and whether someone is suited to chair a committee whose mission is human rights.”

Objecting to Amanda Knapp's appointment to Human Rights Committee

“Before I, before I talk to some of the points that were raised, I'd really like to hear some more of my colleagues. Commissioner Bhatt you know, you have an item on this agenda for a study for, you know, affordable housing in North Beach. You know, this is this speaks right to the heart of affordability, to Miami Beach. I'd really love your input on this.”

Asking for Commissioner Bhatt's input on affordable housing

“Colleagues, before I walk through this presentation, I want to take a step back and talk about what we're really trying to do here. The status quo in Washington undeniably is a downward trajectory. You know, we've tried several surface level fixes, like landscaping, lighting, tree wrapping. Those help, but they do not change the fundamentals. Today, we still see vacant storefronts, foreclosures, homelessness, nuisance businesses, and an overconcentration of adult oriented uses and smoke shops in a roughly one mile stretch.”

Introducing Washington Avenue Residential Plan explaining need for comprehensive rezoning

“Does this opt in and opt out only apply to the next tier of condominiums? For example, right now it's 1 to 4. Correct. It is 2 to 8. Well, 1 to 8 units would go on the residential contract with this. It would be 9 to 16 would be add. Right. So what if there's someone under under eight or under four. Does this apply to what if I own a four plex and a 12 unit building? Would I be if now I own a four plex, would I be able to opt my four plex out of the residential contract to be able to negotiate a better deal with 24 unit building that I have?”

Questioning scope of opt-out provisions for different building sizes

“I've had many residents come with me over the last couple of years and say, 'Hey, look, we're trying to get a slip at the Miami Beach Marina and the wait is two years.' I think there should be a policy that if you're a Miami Beach resident, you get ahead of the line for whatever boat slip or size that you're asking for. Since it is our Marina. Is that something that you can work into this deal?”

Proposing Miami Beach resident preference for Marina slips

“Since the Inspector General was the one who had some issues with this, I'd like to make sure we have your blessing on this, Joe.”

Requesting Inspector General comment on Marina settlement

“I don't know if we're left with many options. But it's going to have to come from somewhere, right? Jose, can you get a letter to Commission by midweek next week on how many trolleys do we have and how many are wrapped currently with advertising? And I really need you and your team to come up with more creative ways for which we can raise money to plug some of that.”

Requesting detailed information on trolley advertising and alternative revenue strategies

“I just want to caution my colleagues that with the last meeting we passed the rollback rate. And if this is going to be an additional $1.4 million, that's going to come out of our budget. We really don't have it. It's going to have to come from somewhere else. We're going to have to take some more money from somewhere else and put it to this. $1 million is a lot of money.”

Expressing concern about trolley rate increase impact on city budget

“Meg, glad to have you. You know, one of the issues that we have was there's no transparency. Would you be willing to subject at least part of your organization to the Sunshine Laws, similar to what we have to go through in terms of if you're going to have a meeting on an item? I'd like to be noticed. I'd like minutes to be taken.”

Questioning Art Deco Historic District on transparency and potential Sunshine Law application

“So I would appreciate it if you can update your members and tell them, 'Hey, the reason why this wasn't called and why the Commission didn't vote was because there's a pending investigation.' Okay.”

Request for MDPL to inform members of reason for deferral

“And there's a reason why you have a new director, right? And you're I know you're new on the job, and I'm sure you're going to do a great job. But, you know, there's been serious concerns over the last decade that really has metastasized. And, you know, unfortunately for the previous director, it was like a house of cards. And now it has all fallen down. It has to the point now where the ethics commission has is basically found probable cause for for, for finding your previous director in violation of our city lobbying code. And that's going to happen, I believe, next week, and we'll see where that goes.”

Commissioner Suarez discussing ethics commission findings against previous MDPL director

“No, no, no, it seems like you guys are putting the cart before the horse, and, you know, he's our inspector general is telling us it's really not a good idea to vote on this until, you know, you get some more clarity on things that I've found. And then we're getting pressure from residents and members of your organization saying, you need to vote on this. You know, it's important to us. And so, you know, obviously there's a disconnect. I mean, I certainly don't, you know, appreciate it. Okay. It seems like we're getting strong armed into this, when in reality we should be able to have full transparency on what's going on because, you know, let's be honest, some of the issues that he's finding, I found.”

Commissioner criticism of pressure campaign and lack of transparency

“Because, you know, you guys are under a very long, you know, since last summer investigation. We have a pending report. From what I understand, it keeps on getting delayed because the Office of Inspector General keeps on finding new information that raises more and more serious questions. So, you know, I think if you guys really want to be in good faith, at least with me, I mean, I certainly wouldn't appreciate call to actions to your membership, having them try to get us to vote on an item that really needs a little bit more clarity, especially from one of our charter officers.”

Criticism of MDPL for not disclosing investigation and sending call to action

“I'm sorry. Sometimes the members feel that we're not MDPL is not supported. So they want us to know what can they do? What do you mean not supported that that they that our building is in jeopardy. Our lease is in jeopardy. And they they legitimately just want to help. Okay. Did you notify your members that you are under an investigation from the Inspector General office. I don't believe we did. No. Okay, well, that's a problem, right?”

Questioning MDPL about failure to disclose investigation to members

“And let me follow up with Roger. So, Roger, you're the chair of the organization. Why was there a call to action letter sent out, knowing full well that this has been going on since last summer?”

Questioning MDPL chair about timing of call to action email

“I'd also like to call up the Inspector General to share a few thoughts because he reached out to me personally and said, 'Hey, I don't think this is a good idea to vote on until we get some clarification.' So I want I would like Joe to come up and speak, because we did get a deluge of emails in support of extending this contract for three years, and I don't understand why there was a call to action email sent to your membership knowing that there is a pending Inspector General report. And that puts us in a very precarious situation.”

Concern about MDPL's call to action email campaign during pending investigation

“Now that we're on this topic, I think the last time we discussed this, you know, at least in committee, we wanted to see what changes were made at MDPL as it relates to lobbying fees being collected from developers. And maybe changes to your bylaws to really prevent what was an egregious abusive behavior from your previous director.”

Discussion of MDPL governance issues and previous director misconduct

“I don't personally particularly like these whatsoever. I do think that they unnecessarily clog our sidewalks, but we are preempted by the state. So we're trying to put some guardrails around here.”

Response to public comment about delivery robots

“I shared Commissioner Dominguez concern. If they're in the middle of the street and they can't get out in time because I know some of our crosswalks are not functioning properly and the timing is not adequate.”

Supporting concerns about speed limits and noting inadequate crosswalk timing

“I'm not a public safety expert. I'm just a regular guy who lives in Miami Beach. I think I have to take the advice from the Chief and the City Manager. And if they feel like they need the flexibility for us to move the parking rates up to $100 at this point, I mean, who am I to argue with that? I think we've done a very successful job transitioning March from a party all you can day and night for spring break to now a fitness destination.”

Explaining trust in professional expertise and supporting flexibility measures