Please take your seats.

The meeting is about to begin.

Remember to speak into the microphone as this meeting is being recorded for public record.

Please stand by.

Congratulations to everyone today for uh our awardees.

And thank you to my colleagues for uh for being here.

So before we start off, I want to acknowledge that March is women's we celebrate women's history month and certainly uh the contributions that women have made to the city of Miami Beach and to our nation.

And uh of course, my wife is sitting in the crowd, so I'll acknowledge Shannon as well.

Um, and actually we're gonna start with a very special woman today.

Uh we're gonna start with uh Michelle Sack up.

And thank you, Alex Fernandez.

I'll turn it over to you.

And by the way, some of this uh I uh the order I pick is uh partly due to scheduling issues, and uh so I I try to do it that way.

Today you see Michelle brought a lot of her friends who need to get back home to their family, so uh we're gonna start it up.

And thank you, uh, Commissioner Fernandez.

And thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

And it really is such an honor to start off this meeting as you well mentioned, Women's History Month.

Uh, and recognizing someone whose work truly reflects the very best of Miami Beach, uh community's creativity, our Miami Beach's compassion, our sense of community.

And that's exactly what Michelle Saka has built.

It's something very special.

And through Miami Food Yenta, she has helped shine a light on the vibrant culture culinary scene here at Miami Beach, uplifting both local restaurants, entrepreneurs, the chefs of our community, while also connecting thousands of people through through through food to our culture, to our hospitality in our community.

But it has to be said that Michelle's impact goes so much more beyond uh QC and restaurants and food and hospitality.

She is a devoted mother, a passionate advocate, someone who has turned a her personal experience into meaningful action.

She is an agent of change as a mother of children with special needs.

She has worked tirelessly as her mission to support neurodiversion families and ensure that children facing medical challenges are treated with dignity, are treated with compassion and are treated with the care that they deserve.

Her partnership, her very beautiful partnership with Nicholas Children's Hospital, uh has been an effort to create sensory support bags for hospitalized children.

It's just one of the examples of how she transforms her empathy, her care, her love, her mission into real solutions and real change for children and families in our community.

Michelle, your work is a reminder to our community that everyone, everyone can do extraordinary things with our talents, with our passions, and most importantly, with kindness, with drive and with heart.

And because of that, on behalf of our mayor, on behalf of our city commission, but most importantly, on behalf of this community that loves you, it's our honor to declare today, March 4th, 2026, as Michelle Saga Day in the city of Miami Beach.

And you have a fan club.

If you want to come, if you want to say anything, if your fan club wants to join you, because I know you have a big following, not just locally, but around the world.

And Mr.

Mayor, I've seen her following when you go to the restaurants.

Uh people go up to her to you and they know you.

Always asking for a selfie.

It's incredible.

It really is incredible.

Welcome.

Thank you so much for this opportunity and this honor.

This is really so meaningful.

Uh it's I'm so lucky that you know, 19 years ago, my husband was like, hey, you want to marry me and move to Miami Beach?

Yeah, this has been a great city to live in.

Um thank God my husband's family has been here for over 70 years.

Uh so very proud Miami Beach citizens.

So thank you.

Um I just want to say um, you know, I've been blessed with the opportunity of being in a situation that's difficult with two profoundly disabled children, and being able to find the light in it, the silver lining, and to be able to take my experiences of living in the hospital at Nicholas Children's Hospital for 10 weeks at a time, even and taking that and turning my experiences into something good that can help somebody else.

And I think that's what life is all about is using our life experiences to help the next people.

So I just want to say thank you so much.

This is the coolest thing in the entire world.

Um, yes, the national and international followers uh will be celebrating, and we'll make sure to have a special on every uh March 4th going forward at all the local restaurants.

I love it.

And I want to thank Robin Jacobs uh who brought light to the incredible and inspirational job that you do and Robin sitting in the in the audience and your own right, you're being recognized as well during women's history month uh in our city's experience, and it's great to see the following of amazing women in our community who are here to support you who are doing great things every single day.

Michelle, congratulations.

Thank you so much.

I did I just want to add, um, yes, it is women's uh month uh recognition month, and I like to say women supporting women.

Again, I would not be here without my girlfriend Robin.

I really appreciate it, and for all my girlfriends who are here.

I love you guys so much, and thank you for taking time during the witching hour to escape from your children and families and be here for this special honor.

So thank you guys.

Thank you so much.

All right.

Robin We have the first lady of Miami Beach.

We do have the snow guys.

Oh, uh, you guys want to come up?

You can.

Girls?

Okay, great guys.

You're gonna be on social media.

Oh, several.

Julie.

Okay, let's go right here.

One, two, three.

All right.

Ralph, let's call uh PA6 next.

PA6 is proclamation, American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

So, one of the things I'm very proud of our commission is our focus on residents' quality of life, but something that doesn't often get recognized is the efforts that we've taken to protect our environment, our Biscayne Bay, our beaches, water quality.

Um we are we are expending funds that really go unmatched by any other city.

In addition, obviously, there's funds that come from the state and the county.

Um, but uh we as a city are taking efforts as well, and obviously led by uh Amy Knowles and Lindsay.

So we really appreciate all your all your efforts.

So I want to do this proclamation, but um well, let me I want to hear from you before I before I go through it.

Well, thank you so much, Mayor Minor, for acknowledging this proclamation for this association.

You know, about 50 years ago, we started our city's first beach renourishment effort, and we barely even had a beach before that, which is crazy to think about.

Now it is like the gold standard in our country, and this association is very important to us, to our city, and really um upholds us as a wonderful example.

You know, we have about 20 million dollars of protective value economically every year for because of our dune system and our beaches.

Um, there's estimates that says every one dollar in renourishment efforts uh creates 550 dollars in reinvestment in our community.

So I mean it's really really important to acknowledge these these works in this this group, and um, we're just happy to do this every day.

And uh Lindsay, I'll let you talk about the association.

Thank you, Mayor and Commissioners.

It is an honor to accept this proclamation on behalf of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association as the city's deputy resilience officer and assistant director of environment and sustainability.

I serve as the city's representative on the board of directors of ASBPA in addition to the executive and nominating committees.

I am grateful for the trust placed in me by you, our residents, um, to really be our community's voice on this national stage.

ASBPA has spent a century championing beach and coasts and just really protecting everything that this country has to offer along our shorelines.

Um residents and businesses benefit every day from what ASBPA champions in Washington, from federal funding for beach nourishment to the national understanding of why beaches are so important as an economic engine and as coastal storm risk infrastructure.

ASBPA often highlights Miami Beach as one of the best examples after the economic downturn in the 70s.

Our beaches are really what turned us around.

We now have a tourism economy that outpaces even the combined visitation of all U.S.

national parks because of our beaches.

The association uh rec the association's recognition of Brittany Bay Park in 2025 also underscores how innovation and stewardship are really the cornerstones of our community.

Thank you for this proclamation and for allowing me to serve on the board of directors on behalf of our community.

Thank you.

I'm just gonna read a portion of the proclamation.

The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the American Shore and Beaches Preservation Association, ASBPA, which is dedicated a century to advancing coastal restoration protection for uh fostering collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and communities.

The commitment was exemplified in 2025 when ASBPA awarded Brittany Bay Park the best restored shore award, celebrating its innovative hybrid living shoreline seawall design.

So we celebrate the ASBPA centennial and strengthen our resolve to collaborative coastal preservation for current and future generations.

Now, therefore, do we, as mayor and the commissioners of the city of my beach, hereby proclaim March 4th, 2026 as commemorating the 100th anniversary of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

Thank you.

Let's call PA one.

PA1 is proclamation principal of the year, Miami Dade County Public Schools, North Region Finalist Alfred Torreson.

All right, come on up.

So I think on most of these, we're all in agreement, right?

There's not much, but you know, but every we got like four people, four of us added our names to you, and yesterday at the ADL event, you got like this reception.

You are you are absolutely beloved.

But before we read, and I don't know, do you wanna do you want to speak first or do you what you want Alfred to say a few words?

Well, we have Commissioner uh I'm one of the on the sponsor along with uh Commissioner Dominguez, Commissioner Fernandez, and Commissioner Mateo Salinas.

Yeah, it was funny because when we're uh selecting people that we want to honor, normally we each have two or three, and uh four of us had you as one of our three.

Um so we did combine it.

I think you're terrific.

I met you a few years ago, and um every time that I've reached out, you've been responsive.

And one of my most favorite uh memories was last year when I said, Can you guys get Miami Bee Tie into the academic world quest?

And then not only did you get B Tie to participate, but with the help of uh Russ Wywell, you won!

Uh Dade County.

And I also appreciate all of the um extra efforts that the band and the different departments that the school does with our sister city and Fujisawa.

They love the relationship with Miami Beach High, and that's uh because of you, and we really appreciate and value having you in our city.

Commissioner Mateus Salinas.

Hi, Mr.

Tarosian.

It's really an honor to be able to recognize you today.

Um, I know you're a finalist, and might I point out it's you're one of four principals in how many in the district?

Over 350.

350 principals, and you're one of the four finalists, which is such a big deal.

Um, and it was an honor for me to participate in the panel that you had at school recently.

Um, I I couldn't say enough great things about you.

You've really run that school so well.

My two boys attend Beach High.

They're having a great time at Beach High.

It's such a fantastic school, and it really is a testament to your leadership.

I have to say that you know, we all know that a true leader is measured not by how many followers he has, but by how many leaders he creates.

And that's you.

Every single staff person at that school is a leader in their own right.

Every single administrator, every single teacher, and every single student in that school is a leader because of the example that you've set.

And I thank you for that.

And I do feel like you're gonna win this year.

Thank you.

I hope they're watching.

Yes, me too.

Well, thank you for your uh commitment, your excellence.

Um it's our public schools in our in our city.

You know, we we often say, well, it's kind of the Miami Day system, it's outside Miami Beach, but we as a city make a big commitment to it.

But um, with our STEM Plus and trying to really add and enhance wherever we can.

But it takes people like you to really uplift our schools, and I'm hearing that.

Whereas years ago, people would question, well, do I want to move my family here?

Uh, do I want to send my kids to school here?

And we're really you don't hear that uh anymore because of the quality of education that we're we're providing.

So obviously it's set uh it's set with uh leadership like yourselves.

So I'm gonna read part of this.

I'm not gonna read the whole thing, but uh well, actually, why don't you say a few words before I read it?

I I just want to thank you know uh Mayor Minor, the whole the entire commission.

Um, you know, this is a uh in our hundredth year this year, which is even more special um being the the leader of that school, and and like I tell all the all the parents, I'm not just the principal, I'm also a parent.

Uh my son graduated there from two years ago.

My daughter is currently a sophomore there, so you know, we're entrenched at Beach High, and and we're part of this community.

And uh it is a special place in my heart, and in our hundredth year with the support that the city continues to provide for uh all the public schools in the beach, but but as well as Beach High.

I'm sure there's some people sitting in the audience that maybe graduated from Beach as well.

Um, you know, that's one of the first things that I ask when we have student orientation.

Okay, raise your hand.

Uh how many of you guys graduated from here?

The parents, they raise their hands.

They go, how many grandparents are sitting in this orientation?

Uh raise your hands.

And you see, grandparents raise their hands.

And you know, that's very powerful.

Not many schools can say that.

Um, and we are the second oldest school in Dade County.

So uh again, I I thank you guys all for your support.

Um, and uh this is an amazing year for all of us, and and I'm truly humbled by this honor.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

So before we go down and take some pictures, um Alfred Teresina is a proud product of Miami Dade County Public Schools and has served the district for 25 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator since July 2022.

I'm not gonna say he has served, you have served as the principal of Miami Beach Senior High, where he has been instrumental in revitalizing school culture and academic performance.

Your recent recognition as a North Region finalist for the MD C PS, principal of the year, highlights your standing as a future-focused educational leader with within our community who has had a profound impact on our youth.

I'll tell you, I can't think of something that's more important than educating that next generation.

So thank you for that.

Now, therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners of the City of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim March 4th, 2026 as Principal Alfred Tarossian Day.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

I know it's everyone.

Thank you so much.

One, two, three.

Thank you.

Ralph, if we can call PA2.

PA2 is proclamation, Miami Beach Senior High School 100 year anniversary.

Commissioner Dominguez.

Thank you.

Hard to believe, but here we are celebrating a hundred years of Miami Beach High, and I know that there are so many events that will take place this year to commemorate uh throughout the school year.

And I'll read some uh details here about the school.

Miami Beach Senior High School founded in 1926 that's proudly celebrating its 100th anniversary, making a century of academic achievement, student growth, and community service.

The first high school in Miami Beach has educated generations of students, shaping leaders in government, business, art, science, athletics, public service, and continues to inspire excellence and civic pride.

Miami Beach Senior High School has grown into a vibrant, diverse and inclusive institution serving thousands of students who represent the multicultural spirit of Miami Beach and Greater Miami Dade County.

Miami Beach High for the last hundred years has remained a cornerstone of the community, fostering not only academic achievement, but also a strong tradition of athletic performing arts and extracurricular activities that bring students, alumni, and families together.

The school's dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff have shaped the lives of countless students, instilling values of perseverance, service, and pride.

The Miami Beach Senior High School alumni community spans the globe, proudly carrying forward the school's legacy of excellence and embodying and enduring the spirit of the Miami Beach high tides.

So today, March 4th, now, therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners of the City of Miami Beach, proclaim Miami Beach Senior High School 100 Year Anniversary Day in the City of Miami Beach.

I just wanted to uh say thank you so much.

And and what I what I asked was a couple of the uh teachers and faculty and staff that are alumni to also join us for the picture, um, and including uh Bister Leslie, which is he's my secretary, class of 1961, and he's here today as well, and he still works every single day and comes to Beach High.

So that's the type of special place it is.

Um again, I'm truly blessed to be the leader, but I'm just a little small piece of of the history of that place.

So again, I would like to have every alumni come up to take the picture.

And if there's anybody sitting in the audience that's an alumni as welcome, please join us.

Wow, that's your own.

This is before cracking the last time.

Right up here too.

Ralph called PA PA eight.

PA eight is proclamation, Transportation Department for Miami Beach Water Taxi.

All right.

Jose, comment comment up.

So this one, even though I have a proclamation in front of me, this one uh uh I'm loving this.

This was uh this was years in the making.

Um there were people who thank you.

I know you're you've been uh you're I I know I deal with Eric and Jose, but I hear you're uh a driving force behind this.

Years in the making, and and there were people who told me uh several years ago when we were trying to push this water taxi that is free that is now launched.

We launched on January 20th between Miami Beach by Sunset Harbor to Miami, the Venetian Marina.

People said there's no way it's never going to happen.

It is never going to happen.

Nobody in this room obviously said that, but um, but it's something that uh we believe that could uh be instrumental in bringing uh transporting people in a fun scenic, environmentally friendly way, and try to reduce traffic and congestion, which we all know is uh is a major issue, and it is multiple components to try to reduce traffic, but this is a major part of it.

And um I wanted to bring this award because uh certainly uh I I was driving it, our commission was driving it, and uh and I was asking Eric and you for literally weekly updates to make sure that we were making the progress, and and you did it.

You did it.

We got the grant funding from the state.

We we we put in 600,000, and we're doing this.

We're having this water taxi launch, which by the way, when I when I go and speak, a lot of people have taken it.

We're getting we're over a thousand riders a day now.

It keeps it keeps going up, right?

We hit 800 and we thought that was a great milestone, and now we're over a thousand a day.

And um there's an excitement about it, and because I think people recognize that it's it could it's it is already a bit of a game changer, but when we continue to develop this and grow it, it's gonna be a major uh game changer.

So very appreciative of the work uh that you've done.

And what's it what's happening since then is it's generated an excitement that we're getting other departments, other municipalities that are interested in joining with us, meeting with the county, the state, federal government, private partnerships that are already reaching out to us, uh, and I've been reaching out as well to get private partnerships involved as well to not only increase the usage, because right now we have it every hour starting at 7 a.m.

till 4 30, then it's every half hour.

And we want to increase the time so we can run every, let's say 10 minutes or so, increase the number of pickup and drop-off points.

So we have it from let's say south of fifth in North Beach, and then connect it north and south within Miami Beach.

So we can have you can get go from I I love the reaction, thank you for that.

Uh we could get it from First Street to 87th Street, and you could pick it up in various points throughout the city.

But obviously that takes funding, but we're working on that.

And this this vision of it's never going this this this it's never going to happen, it's going to happen.

It's literally a matter of time at this point.

Uh, I've had neighboring sister uh our neighboring cities have uh have reached out to me uh about joining with us and participating in this.

There's a there's an excitement, it's just it's just a matter of time, and obviously the faster we can move this um the better.

But thank you for your work and your hard work to make this happen because I I say this about policing sometimes, like we could pass all the laws here, but if we don't have our police force out there doing the work, all the laws in the world are just pieces of paper.

And it's the same here.

It without the work that you put into it, literally, as we were driving you to keep pushing this forward.

It's just it's just us speaking and passing legislation.

But you got the work done and made it happen.

So thank you for that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor, and uh want to thank you for your your steadfast leadership support regarding this water taxi project.

I think it's it's a great success.

Uh I want to just highlight the connectivity that our water taxi has on both sides of the bay.

So in the city of Miami Beach, it connects to our freebie service, our trolley service, and our city bike service on the Miami Beach on the Miami side, it connects to the same same services, plus the people movers just a few, you know, just uh few hundred feet away, walking distance to the Omni Terminal.

So it has very good connectivity.

I think this is a great starting point.

We need to build upon it, we need to expand it.

Uh we want to serve our our residents.

We started with this regional piece, the east-west piece, which is important because it's it's what's going to alleviate traffic congestion on our causeways, but ultimately we want to serve our community, our residents, and be able to connect South Beach to uh to North Beach.

So I want to thank you.

I wanted to thank Mikael, Misha, for his uh diligence and his hard work in making this happen.

Thank you.

You want to say something, Misha?

No, thank you.

It's great to see you like it's this is a like this is a perfect example, though, and I think we all recognize this up here uh as the elected body that certainly Eric and Jose, but Misha, there's there's there's someone like you who's doing so much work that doesn't always get recognized.

Um, but you should know, and and and this really I'm speaking to the entire city uh staff that we recognize the hard work that you do, and it's it's much appreciated.

And you know who really appreciates this?

Our residents.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Um so I think we've actually said everything that's in this proclamation.

So uh, but I'll just read the last where as clause.

Um, and again, thank you, Jose.

Thank you, Misha.

Thank you, Eric.

And we're gonna continue driving this uh because as we discussed, there's so much more to do.

There the success is there, people see it, and that's and that's really the the reality is that until our private partnerships, other municipalities, other other governmental agencies saw the success, we couldn't get to that next level.

But now we've had such success.

I took it one morning uh I took the 8 a.m.

to to to Miami.

The the boat was pretty the the water taxi was pretty full, but the way back there was not a seat to be had.

It was full.

And during Art Basel, we know we ran it, um, we had 30,000 passengers over what five days.

Absolutely.

And the biggest, the only complaint that we had is there weren't enough, there were not enough boats because people couldn't always get on the boat.

It's it's a it's a capacity of 55, and there were more than 55 people waiting.

And the next steps also are maybe having some shaded canopy for people and maybe some benches for people to sit on, and these are things we're we're working out.

But it's been an incredible success.

So again, thank you.

Thank you.

Uh the launch of the water taxi service services I find they uh as a foundation for a future waterway network that aims to eventually connect South Beach all the way to North Beach, and I'm guessing even beyond.

Now, therefore, do we as mayor and commissioner of the city of Miami Beach here by proclaim March 4th, 2026 as Transportation and Mobility Department Day in the city of Miami Beach.

Thank you.

Thank you.

PA 9.

PA9's proclamation, Miami Beach Fleet Department.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

This proclamation is for the Fleet Department.

Uh which has been led under the direction of Carlos Beris.

And please, and I really have to give Mr.

Breeze so many accolades.

This again, true leader, true leader, and what you've done with the fleet department is phenomenal.

And most people don't know this, but the city has approximately 1,500 vehicles, would you say?

And every single one of those city vehicles comes through the fleet department for maintenance.

It's really impressive what you do, the services that you provide, the quickness with which you provide it, and always with a smile.

And a laugh.

Thank you, Mr.

Baris.

And what's really more important is that you guys actually won some distinguished awards.

Um, the uh National Association of Fleet Administrators operating the seventh greenest fleet garage in North America for 2025, as well as the highest rank public fleet in the state of Florida.

Yes.

Whole state in Miami Beach is number one under your leadership, sir.

This prestigious achievement reflects the city's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and the adoption of industry-leading best practices in municipal fleet operations.

Our fleet maintenance department garage has earned this recognition for the second consecutive year.

So great legacy.

Demonstrating exceptional consistency and innovation and environmental responsibility.

And the Miami Beach Fleet Management Division Department continues to raise the standard for public fleets by improving environmental performance.

Distinguishing Miami Beach among more than 38,000 public fleets nationwide.

Thank you, Carlos.

Thank you.

Now, therefore, do we as mayor and commissioners in the city of Miami Beach hereby come proclaim March 4th, 2026 as Fleet Department Day in the City of Miami Beach.

Would you like to say something, Cardinals?

Thank you.

Uh Mayor, Commissioners, Mr.

Carpenter.

One thing that we did is the saying working inside the box, we threw the box away, and we look at things very differently.

Um, just because we did something five years ago in a certain way, doesn't mean that we're gonna be looking at it in the future.

Uh there's a lot of cool things that we're working on, and um, and you're gonna see a lot of great things coming out of fleet.

So I would like to thank Elizabeth, um, Mr.

Texas, and Mr.

Manager.

Uh, we really get incredible support, and uh, you know, it's the return on investment.

We we really take we don't take for granted what is given to us, and we want to make sure that we the return on investment is absolutely there.

So thank you so much.

Thank you.

If I can just add Carlos Elizabeth, I as you remember, I took a tour.

It's a first class operation that you that you run, and um really appreciative.

I know other organizations, nonprofits have also reached out to you.

You've been an incredible helping hand to people.

Um, and uh just keep up the great work.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

DA PA uh 14.

P 14 is proclamation fire chief Abello, first and only woman fire chief at Miami Day County.

Commissioner Mateo Salinas.

All right.

Chief this means so much to me to be able to recognize you during Women's History Month and being really such a groundbreaking role model, the only first and only woman chief in Miami Dade County.

I don't that's such a big deal, and I know you know, and we all know.

You know, really truly, it's I I'm so proud I'm almost speechless up here, and I've I it's it's hard to get me speechless, but Chief, I I just can't thank you enough for the work and the dedication and the leadership that you give our fire department and ocean rescue and and the 911 Service Center and Paramedics, everybody.

It just, you know, you're you're beloved, you're respected.

You are the best woman for the job.

Thank you.

Let me read about Chief Dignat.

Chief Digna Abello has dedicated her distinguished career to protecting and serving the residents, businesses, and visitors of our community with integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment.

Through her historic appointment as the first and only woman to serve as fire chief in Miami Date County in the city of Miami Beach, Chief Abello has broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of women in public safety.

Her leadership reflects the highest standards of professionalism, innovation, and accountability, strengthening the mission of fire rescue services while exemplifying resilience, excellence, and dedication that motivates those within the fire service and young women throughout our community.

Under her guidance, our fire department has continued to uphold its proud tradition of service, preparedness, and compassion, responding to emergencies with skill, bravery, and a steadfast commitment to saving lives and protecting property and every single resident and visitor in the city of Miami Beach.

Now, therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim March 4th, 2026 as Fire Chief Digma Abello Day in the City of Miami Beach.

Thank you.

We love you.

Yeah, thank you.

I appreciate it.

Mr.

Mayor.

Oh, I thought you were gonna, but uh Commissioner Fernandez, I just want to say Chief is the chief is such an inspiring person.

Um she is the first woman chief, not just in Miami Beach, but as a vice mayor mentioned in the region.

Um, but that's not the focus.

It's never been her focus.

Her focus are her credentials.

That's what she's incredibly proud of, the achievements of the department, the men and the women that she leads in the department every day, how she pushes them and pushes the department to the next level of excellence.

And most importantly about Chief Abello is her compassion.

Her compassion, making sure that the office that the firefighters are well supported, making sure that our residents feel loved, feel the presence of their fire department in the most difficult of times.

And even during COVID, Chief Abello was such an important part of making sure that our city, that our loved ones had the resources available, and Mr.

Mayor, you were such a big part of that as well, uh, to to make sure that we were able to get through this pandemic.

The most important thing is your heart.

Last week we lost a very dear resident in our community, Gary Rugg, uh, Wendy Ruggs uh beloved and longtime husband.

And you picked me up and you were and you were like, we're gonna go visit Wendy, and we're gonna be Wendy.

And Gary was still there in uh and at Sands, and we were there, and you went there and you hugged Wendy, and you showed her the compassion of what it means to be a Miami Beach community.

We can talk about fire stations, about buildings, about parks, about budgets, but true community is in the people, and you represent the very best, not only of our organization, but of the Miami Beach community, and you bring such great honor to the city of Miami Beach.

Madam Vice Mayor, thank you for honoring our fire chief because it is so well deserved.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Commissioner Bott.

Um, you know, I got to know Chief Dign Abello, or Diggy, um, as I like to call her.

Um, as I um was a neophyte, a baby commissioner.

And I am proud to not only call Chief Abello an incredible professional and colleague, but a friend.

And I have seen, as I've learned um from the inside um rather than from the outside looking in, what it means to lead a department of women and men who will rush into the dangerous situation as opposed to take cover elsewhere.

And there is a reason why the fire department, the police department are heroes in our community because they do the scary things that the rest of us are like, I don't think so.

And you lead this organization of really tough women and men, really excellently trained and prepared women and men to do these really hard things, and it always makes me laugh when residents say, Well, why does the fire department get so much?

I mean, we never have fires in Miami Beach.

I'm like, exactly.

Exactly.

Because you stop them before they start.

You're there to um help people in their darkest hour.

Uh you're there to provide medical assistance when it's needed from unexpected circumstances.

Your department, under your leadership, does so much, and you are an incredible leader for this incredible department.

We're so lucky in Miami Beach to have the best police department and the best fire departments in the country.

And we don't I I I'm going to speak for my colleagues here.

I think it's not going out on a limb to say that we don't take it for granted.

Um, and it's leadership like yours that sets the tone.

And what I will say is that under your leadership, the changes that have happened in the department are tangible.

We were already fantastic under Chief Fernandez, but now, you know, talking to veteran firefighters as well as young, you know, baby firefighters, talking about the change in the culture, the change in the permission to talk about the hard things.

It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help.

It is a sign of strength, and that is something that you are championing.

You're doing it with your colleagues in putting together networks and peer support groups.

Um, you're doing it with having a service dog for the first time ever, I think, in Miami Beach.

Um, and you're you're doing it by opening this culture so that people can um not pretend they're okay if they're not okay, because that is so damaging.

We we see we've seen people take their own lives in the fire service, and it is devastating to their families and to your fire service family.

And you are bringing the change, you are being the change that we all want to see, in addition to all of your other myriad qualifications, and I can't understate that enough, overstate that enough.

Sorry, I can't overstate that enough because it's so important that everybody has the support that they need to continue doing the really important jobs they have.

So, in addition to everything else that has been said and I'm sure will be said, you know, that is another big big feather to put in your cap.

So thank you.

Thank you.

My turn, Chief Abello.

So we we were chatting last week for a while, and uh your story is an incredible one.

You should write a book someday, but it's your story to tell.

And uh so when you when you tell it, but it's amazing how you've chose this career path and then moved up the ranks, especially as you pointed out.

I will say one thing you did say in a career, especially when you started, there were not many women becoming firefighters, and you chose this profession, and not only obviously succeeded, but rose to the very top.

And you're doing a great job.

Um, your leadership speaks for itself on a number of fronts.

Commissioner Fernandez outlined it and others.

But what I think is amazing, and I think of uh I actually think about this a lot is that when Chief Virgil retired and it was becoming known that he retired.

You were like the and we have an incredible staff.

There's probably many, many people who could have filled this position, and that's not taken away from you.

That's actually a sign of leadership.

But you were the name that was mentioned, and everyone in the fire department supported you.

That speaks volumes about you, the level of support that you had uh literally unanimously.

So thank you.

Thank you for what you do for the city of Miami Beach.

Thank you for making our job so much easier to have a chief like yourself.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Chief, I'll I'll say uh don't mistake my brevity for a lack of respect.

Thank you for all that you do.

I don't lose too much sleep for what goes on the fire department because I know you've got that, so thank you.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Actually, if I could add, I just had a meeting earlier about emergency management, and somebody asked me that like what keeps you up at night about emergency management.

And I actually said with our fire department, with our police department, our emergency management team with our Chief Abello.

I I don't lose a lot of sleep about it because we we spend the time preparing for it in advance.

So Bravo.

Commissioner Dominguez.

Thank you.

Uh Chief, congratulations on this honor.

You really are doing an outstanding job.

And when I see you uh in the station or at commission meetings and out in the field, you are focused and positive and energized, ready to do the job.

And it's also touching on casual moments when you're with your family, you bring them to the beach, and I see you as a human instead of this hero that we have in front of us.

And you're just wonderful.

So congratulations.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

So thank you, uh, mayor, commissioner, commissioner, for bringing this forward.

Um, it's very humbling.

And you know, uh, I'm sure you hear this a lot.

The recognition is not something we look forward to because it's day-to-day.

But like you said, if it wasn't for the men who chose to work for me, I would not be as successful and uh be given such praise because you we really cannot do this alone.

Um, but more importantly, is the shock of a hundred and twenty-something years that a woman has to rise to this occasion, but not just here, it's also all of Miami Dade County among some amazing fire departments.

So the pressure is heavy to not disappoint and my own pressure to make sure that you know you can just stay humble, and and that's what's most important for me is just to stay humble because at the end we are humans.

Uh you do have hard times, you do see things over and over, and you can remember details that no other person should ever have to remember.

So I rather take that burden than to let my men and women have to take it because we didn't have a training in place or someone wasn't gonna be their voice.

Um, you know, and to be given that honor, it's because of the men and women that have given me the motivation and inspiration, and um, you know, just keep doing it because, you know, like you said, it's through and through I have all of Ocean Rescue, that's 38 towers, millions of people that they have to oversee.

I have the 911 call center.

Um, you know, Chief Jones and I operation-wise, we we come unified to ensure that we're giving the best um service to the firefighters and the police officers, but to the residents and the visitors are calling.

And then I also have the life safety portion of it.

Um, you know, every life that's inside these structures or residents, we're looking at those permits, you know, special events, you know, that's a heavy burden on someone.

So to be given this honor, it's not because I did it by myself, but it is because you know how a lot of friends here, the police department, you know.

I I deal with day and day with special events, but it's to have that trust and those bonds and that communication with everyone, and above all is the support of our city manager that appointed me, and the support of you.

Um, I love my family, and my wife is probably watching right now because she feels if I don't know what you're doing, then I'm not present because it's 24-7 for me because it is that pressure.

I have to make sure that the men and women go home every night.

So, for that, thank you.

I thank my staff here as well that you know they supported me yesterday, but if it's because of them and each and every one of you that has that faith and confidence in me.

So thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

P PA4, PA4 certificate of recognition, Michael Goldberg service as board of adjustment chair.

Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh, and tonight we we recognize someone who has given an extraordinary amount of time of care, of thoughtful leadership to the city of Miami Beach, and that's Michael Goldberg.

Serving on the Board of Adjustment, a lot of times you gotta deal with complicated work.

It's not it's not always easy.

Uh, they have cases that can be complicated, technical, sometimes controversial and contentious, but they're incredibly important because they help shape how Miami Beach, how our city, how our communities take form and how they grow while respecting the character, the individual, and the beautiful characters of our neighborhoods.

Uh, Michael has approached that responsibility with always with seriousness, always with fairness, always with a deep commitment uh to the work that he's doing and making sure that the work that he's doing, he's doing it right uh for the for the residents of our city.

Since joining the board, I believe, uh uh in 2020.

Was that when you joined the board?

Yeah, six years, yeah, six years.

2020.

Michael has participated in dozens of meetings, 65 various, various projects have gone before the board, five appeals of the planning direction of the planning director, um, but always guiding the board through these very complex matters through these very complex variances where you need to consider objective criteria, where you need to go in with a high level of independence.

Uh, he's gone through these complex cases with professionalism and an incredible level of efficiency.

But what makes tonight, I believe, uh incredibly special and meaningful as well, is that Michael's service represents something even larger, and it's part of his family's legacy of dedication and Michael's family's legacy of service.

In fact, Michael's father uh who many in the in the community know, and I'm just gonna call as the original Goldberg.

We just coined that term tonight, the original Goldberg uh joining us in the in the audience tonight.

He's here with us, an incredible example that he has said uh, and Michael, I don't want to steal your thunder.

And Michael, I don't want to steal your thunder.

You asked me not to, but your dad has been here in Miami Beach for 88 years and served on the zoning board of adjustment for nearly three decades.

And just imagine that serving your community for it's it's an entire lifestyle lifetime of service, helping shape the city of Miami Beach that we know today.

And that kind of commitment to our community is rare.

It speaks volumes of the values of the Goldberg family, of their dedication, of their legacy of contributing to our city with integrity and dedication.

And that's just part of what Michael Goldberg does, because Michael Goldberg is also a very active member of our Chamber of Commerce, helping businesses succeed, helping our economy move forward.

And because of that, Michael, on behalf of our mayor, on behalf of our city commission, but on behalf of our residents, it's our honor to present you today with this certificate of recognition, honoring not just you and your service, but honoring your family's incredible legacy of giving back to the future of our city.

Thank you for your service to Miami Beach.

If you don't mind, Michael, I want to.

I knew you weren't gonna let me off this mayor.

Now I'm gonna give it now I'm gonna haze you now.

I'm gonna echo, I'm gonna be I'm gonna be brief, but your commitment to our city in every which way, Board of Adjustments, your leading First Horizon Bank.

I love to tell the story.

It's like a Saturday night at 11 o'clock at night, and I'm texting you, and you respond right away.

And you it's not just because it's me.

You do that for everybody.

And the one thing you mentioned, uh Commissioner Fernandez, you mentioned your dad.

I I I distinctly remember when we first got to know each other and you hold the 41st Street committee meetings in your in the bank.

You would always show me pictures of your dad, awards that your dad got.

I mean, it speaks volumes of who you are, yeah, that you focus so much on your dad.

Um, because you know that's where the roots are.

I'm sorry, I'm getting emotional thinking of my dad.

You're getting emotional.

So it's it's it speaks it speaks valuable.

So thank you for all you do, and of course, the chamber of commerce as well.

You're really you're really a valuable, valuable member of our Miami Beach Miami Beach community.

Ms.

Mary, you you hit on something because you cannot it's so true, you cannot speak to Michael Goldberg about anything related to Miami Beach without Michael mentioning his father.

And a lot of times people will speak about their own service, about what they do.

But to give that deference, that deference to your parent, to your father, to for him to be your inspiration.

I think Michael, and perhaps you want to talk about this.

You're mentioning that you and your dad are the only father and sons to have both chaired not only the Board of Adjustment, but also the Chamber of Commerce, which is of course an incredible institution in our community.

If you want to say a few words about that.

He stole my speech.

You know, people ask me a lot of times why do I do what I do?

It's simple, and some of you may have heard this.

This city has been good to three generations of the Goldberg family.

I am honored to have my father, I make it emotional, here, who's 92 years old, graduated Beach High.

It's so fitting that Beach High is having their 100th anniversary.

My dad graduated Beach High in 1951, most likely to succeed, I should say.

And he did a pretty good job for those of you who have been around the beach and remember Jefferson National Bank.

I'm the youngest of three.

I graduated in 1981.

It gets better.

My son was the third generation Goldberg to graduate from Beach High in 2015.

He got into Wharton, and that's because of the schools on Miami Beach, North Beach.

And my joke is he gets into Wharton, and the only reason why I was able to afford it, because I didn't have to pay for private school.

So thank you.

And that's why I'm a big proponent of public education.

And then my daughter, love her, graduated in 2017.

So everyone knows I'm passionate.

When I speak about Miami Beach, I'm very passionate about what I do.

Um, and I'll keep doing it, you know, for for a long time to come.

Yeah, fun fact is my dad was chairman of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce from 1974 to 76.

Um, and I was chairman of the board from 2013 to 16.

Um, he no term limits when he chaired it for 26 years, but then came back on it about eight years ago and was on and got turned down.

And then my dad whispers to me, why don't you go on the zoning board of adjustment to keep the Goldberg tradition going?

That's why I did it.

I don't know if I ever told you that, Commissioner.

Um, which is really cool.

And I believe we're the only father and son that are in the Miami Beach Senior High Hall of Fame.

So we love the city, we thank the city.

Um I will keep doing what I'm doing.

And I and thank you for mentioning my bank, my employer, because it takes resources and time, and and First Horizon Bank has supported me.

And thank you for mentioning that, Mr.

Mayor, because I can't do it without you know the employer.

You know, I have a job.

We have to work for a living.

But I will continue to do what I do to support the city.

I want to recognize um our chamber leader, some of our change chamber leadership is here.

Um raise your hand, chamber leadership, Brittany Bassan, our CEO, Robin Jacobs, a former chair, Seth Fuhrer is going to be honored, Marcy, Kim Haber.

Did I forget anybody?

Freddie Peterson was somewhere.

Uh I mean, the relationships that I've developed over the years are uh it just I'm just blessed to have doing I'll keep doing it.

I thank you for the recognition.

It was a surprise, Commissioner.

I didn't I really did not expect to be recognized.

So I thank you.

And we and we continue on the chamber.

We look forward to continue to working with you on any issues that affect the businesses and quality of life of the residents will be there to support you, and and thank you for what you do.

You know, it's a thankless job being up there, and thank you for for being out there and doing what you did.

And Mr.

Mayor, I just want to add to to that, and you've said it so beautifully, but today, and recently we've been celebrating the centennial so many institutions in our community, whether it be the fountain uh up in North Beach, whether it be Miami Beach Senior High, whether it be the Miami Beach Chamber of Gala Chamber of Commerce celebrating its centennial, which by the way, I'm still talking about last year's gala because I will never forget last year's gala.

That one coming up in May.

We hope to see you all there.

But 100, I mean, and and of course, Miami Beach is celebrating uh a hundred and eleven years, and it's such a beautiful number, you know.

Um it's such a beautiful number, actually, in which to be celebrating so many centennials.

But these are the families.

You can have a hundred years and a hundred years, nothing could happen in a hundred years, but when you have a world class city like Miami Beach, it's because of the community, the people, the families and the legacies that are being passed down from one generation to the next.

And it's not just civically, it's in business, it's in is in nonprofits, is throughout all segments of of the community.

And so it really is so incredible as we celebrate 11 years of our city and the centennial of so many institutions that we get to celebrate the incredible families and the incredible individuals that have carried that forward that will continue to do so in the future.

Congratulations, Michael.

Thank you.

That's got to be in the picture.

Now we need mom and the chamber family.

So we've seen someone.

Okay, now we look here.

Thank you.

GA 7.

PA 7 is proclamation, Jonathan Frieden, Civic Civic Leadership.

Yay.

All right.

Commissioner Dominguez.

Thank you.

Well, I am so excited to honor Jonathan Friedan.

I met him probably about uh 10 years ago at a SAVE parade.

And it was very exciting.

We were neighbors for a very long time, and I think he only just moved to Sunset Harbor.

But I've seen your work on the planning board.

I um have seen your work as an attorney, and you are just such an all-around terrific person.

You really deserve this honor.

And I'm going to read about you so that the public can learn more about the superstar that they have living in Miami Beach.

Jonathan E.

Friedan is a dedicated Miami Beach resident of Sunset Harbor, where he lives with his husband, Ben and their children, Eliana and Noah.

Jonathan serves as managing partner at Freedon Brown PA, where his trial practice focuses on medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, product liability, and wrongful death cases in state and federal courts.

Jonathan previously clerked for the Honorable Donald M.

Middlebrooks in the U.S.

District Court for the Southern District of Florida and has since earned numerous professional honors, including recognition by Martin Dale Hubble, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Florida Trend Magazine, and the Daily Business Review.

Jonathan has done demonstrated exceptional civic lever leadership, serving as chairman and board member of Save, completing multiple terms on the Miami Beach Planning Board, and contributing to the Art Deco Cultural District Panel and the Mayor's Panel on Ocean Drive.

Jonathan also serves on the statewide board of directors of the Florida Justice Association and has secured significant verdicts and recoveries on behalf of his clients, including multi-million dollar results in cases involving medical negligence, wrongful death, and Medicare fraud.

Jonathan graduated cum laudi from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he served on the Florida Law Review and earned his undergraduate degree, Summa cum laudi from the George Washington University.

He resides in Miami Beach in the Sunset Harbor neighborhood with his family.

So now, therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners of the City of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim March 4th, 2026 as Jonathan E.

Freedom Day.

Thank you so much, Commissioners and Mr.

Mayor.

You know, we were talking about legacy earlier.

My dad is uh here, my mom is watching on TV or on Zoom.

Both of them are uh Beach High graduates, although only my mom is uh was in the Hall of Fame there.

Uh and uh uh but my legacy of my family's legacy of giving back to the city really goes back to my grandfather, who is a Miami Beach resident who uh played a really significant role in in changing the laws so that Jews could buy property on the Sunset Islands.

Um it's really truly an honor to be able to carry forward that legacy to stand up for LGT LGBTQ rights, uh, for my clients' rights, and also to play even a small part uh charting the the city's future on the planning board.

So I thank you for your trust in me on the planning board, uh, and I also thank you for this uh unexpected but very much appreciated, appreciated uh recognition.

Thank you.

Commissioner Bott.

Um Jonathan, I did not know you at all before I was appointed to the planning board years ago, and you were already on there, and you're um uh uh uh a great um role model for me.

And then I got to know you a little bit, and you're just a wonderful human being.

But the the calm, thoughtful, measured, curious way you approach things on the planning board and in the rest of your life, um, is really uh uh something that we should all aspire to.

Um open-minded, curious, um, fair, um, kind, and um generally lovely.

So, you know, thank you for being a part of our city, you make it better.

Thank you.

Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I might get in trouble for for saying this, but I have to say Jonathan has been the most celebrated member of the planning board that we have ever voted on.

Whenever residents engage with you, they always feel that you're fair.

And our community, rightfully so, can be very critical.

You know, they have high expectations of those who serve them, and those who have uh who have their trust.

And uh, and it's not always easy to earn their praises, and you have.

And I think that that truly speaks volume of that demeanor that Commissioner Bond uh was just was just referencing.

But beyond that is, I think is your high level of decency.

And something as an openly gay man myself and someone who aspires to have uh family one one day, that example is so important, especially right now, for people to see that they're good, strong, professional, contributing members of our society that can have strong families and set such a great example for all families.

Uh so thank you for that.

It really is so much more than just your civic service here, it's your greater contribution to society.

And again, it's such a beautiful meeting because you know, as we're celebrating so many centennials and so many anniversaries in our city, yet another family legacy of a family that has done incredible contributions to our community.

Thank you for that, Janet.

Thank you so much.

And I'll just uh I'll just add Jonathan, you have so much on your plate as we've heard.

The fact that you're willing to give back to our city in the way you do is speaks volumes about you and keep up the great work on all fronts.

Thank you.

One more here also.

One two.

Thank you.

PA five.

PA5 is certificate of recognition.

Chef Fuhr service as police citizens' relations committee chair.

Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

It really is an honor for me to present this certificate of recognition tonight is the police citizens' relations committee has a very special place uh in my heart.

Uh that's because before being elected to the city commission, I had the privilege of serving as chair of the police citizens' relations committee.

And uh and it's one of the most meaningful ways residents can serve our community, bringing to together neighbors, bringing together business uh leaders, uh our police department to build trust, uh, to strengthen that communication between officers and the community that they serve to support public safety.

And during my time there, I had the incredible honor of serving alongside Seth Fior.

There's one thing everyone quickly learns about Seth, is that he cares deeply about this city.

He loves Miami Beach.

No one loves Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Police Department like Seth Fiore.

And you know, and it's not just about the police department, it's about the men and women.

He deeply cares, specifically personally.

He knows their name, he knows what they're going through.

He has a personal relationship on the men and women who put on the uniform every day to protect our community.

And Seth doesn't just talk about supporting of our officers, he talks to them.

You know, people talk that they support the department, that they back the blue.

No, Seth talks, but he talks to the officers.

He listens to the officers, he advocates for public safety, for law enforcement, and works tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between our community and the Miami Beach Police Department.

He advocates for public safety, for law enforcement, and works tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between our community and the Miami Beach Police Department.

And as chair of the police citizens' relations committee, and I have to say it really was such an honor to pass the baton on to you, because you have carried the baton with uh such honor, providing very thoughtful leadership.

Um during very important moments in our city, even during challenging moments like spring break, where you very quietly behind the scenes bring together leaders from this different segments of the community.

You care to bring business leaders to the table and residents to the table with law enforcement and help craft creative win-win solutions so that no one is left behind.

So no one is forgotten about, so that our city can progress, but businesses can prosper and people can feel safe.

Seth, you always bring people together.

You guide conversations around public safety, but always with deep respect for our officers.

And Seth, for that sincerity, for your support of our community, for your commitment to building bridges when so many people are just focused on creating tension, on creating division, on creating hate.

You are a shining light at a time our officers needed most.

So on behalf of our residents, on behalf of my colleagues on the City Cop Commission, and I'm gonna take the liberty to say on behalf of our chief of police and our entire community, it's our honor to recognize you with this certificate of recognition for all the love and all the passion you put towards making our community better.

Thank you, Seth.

Thank you.

Of course.

Um like Mr.

Goldberg, I'm first generation Miami Beach.

But in the last two years, I had my mother and my father move to the city.

My father's two weeks in here.

When he got here two weeks ago, welcome.

Um, my um Saturday was my mom, my mom's aides, Lucelli Dayoff.

She calls me in a panic.

Your mom's loss.

I'm like, what do you mean my mom's loss?

She goes, with your father, she's lost.

I'm like, I'm sure she's okay.

No, and she's like, Why aren't you worried?

I'm like, Lucelli.

I'm like, there's nothing to worry about with our police department, with our fire department.

Chief Digna's gone.

Um, you know, give them 10 minutes, they'll find her.

There's nothing to worry about.

Um, and that's the community that we're all talking about tonight.

When I look around this room and I see who has been involved with the police department, the police citizens' relations committee.

Um Commissioner Smooleon appointed me initially, and then Alex continued the baton, and you sponsored us for the spring break subcommittee.

We did COVID, we did spring break, we did all of the above.

Um, Mayor Minor, City of Law and Order, it takes a village.

Chief Divina, she's spoken at the committee several times.

I remember you came and spoke with us once or twice when you were Commissioner Fernandez's aid.

You know, I can look around the room, there's no shortage of this.

It takes a village.

The chamber cafecito with a cop tomorrow morning, 9 a.m.

in Avalon, 700 Ocean Drive.

Please come hang out with us.

Um, you know, it's just an amazing place to live.

Um, I grew up in a similar community to this when I grew up in New York, and when I came here up on my own, not knowing anyone to see where we are today, you guys really all make me feel at home.

And um, it's together that we were able to get to this point, and I just thank everybody, and I also want to discurse someone in the room.

I won't say who I don't know who for making these guys come out here tonight in the middle of March during spring break month.

So, and and also the incredible relationship that I have forged with our incredible police chief.

It's just so meaningful.

He's such an incredible person.

I work with three police chiefs, and I have never seen anyone command the respect of the department and just makes so much great progress here.

Two more years at minimum, please.

And thank you guys for everything.

Yes.

Seth, I'll just echo uh what uh Commissioner Fernandez said so eloquently.

Um our police department and our police chief have many, many supporters, really our our entire city, the entire city.

But if there was one poster person, it's you of uh really uh a supporter, a fan of our police department, and you do a great job leading the police citizens' relations committee.

Uh when I had items that I really wanted to make sure that we got the commission votes for, whether it be on uh on on homeless laws, uh which we're making great strides in, whether it be prosecutions, you you were always very receptive, giving me that opportunity to speak to people and to address and to make sure that people understood what we were trying to accomplish as a city together with our police department, and and I appreciate your leadership.

Thank you.

I term out this year, and there is an opportunity for a business police relations committee, so let's do it.

Thank you.

Commissioner Dominguez.

And you mentioned it, Seth, but a couple years ago when we had a tough or a few years ago when we had a tough spring break.

I had suggested a spring break task force.

And while I did not have the votes on the commission for that, uh they were uh agreeing when I mentioned, well, can we have that be a subcommittee with the police citizens committee?

And I met with you and I attended several of the meetings, and you took charge and you really took it seriously and came back with amazing suggestions.

And I also remember you and I marching down up and down Ocean Drive and Collins and Washington Avenue.

So it wasn't just about sitting at the police station or in the office and coming up with solutions or ideas.

Uh you were out there pounding the pavement to make sure that uh what you were envisioning to suggest to the police department was something that was feasible.

So thank you for your passion.

I appreciate all that you did for that, and congratulations on uh this recognition.

Thank you.

I'd love to, yes, I'd love to it.

Um good evening, Mayor Commission.

Um so Commissioner Fernandez, thank you for recognizing the work of this beautiful wonderful man.

Um because of Seth's role, he and I speak regularly.

And uh he has a few great loves, I I think.

One of them uh uh is traveling quite a bit.

Every time I call him, he seems to either be getting off a plane or getting on one.

And I don't know if he's lying to me or he just doesn't want to talk to me and want to keep it short.

Um but he he he does that a lot.

He loves being in real estate, uh, which is his passion.

Um and then he loves the city, and I think his service on the PCRC is really just an extension of his love uh uh to this the city.

And he and I oftentimes have these really really intense conversations, a really opinionated fellow, actually.

Uh we have these really intense conversations, um, all sitting around how do you make the city um better than it is today.

And uh I I say to him, I I said to him even tonight.

I mean, you're an angel of a man.

And I I never realized why he is who he is.

And uh until I met his his parents, um, his mom many, many times, and then his dad is here tonight.

And so I I think we got to recognize them too as we recognize him, but not for them, they're parenting.

Um he wouldn't be the man yesterday, and so um thank you for giving him this recognition.

Let's do this.

Let's go.

Celia uh dad.

Oh, yeah.

Salian, that's about Silia.

All right, great smiles right here.

Okay, right here.

One, two, three.

One more.

One, two, three.

And the last one over here.

One last spring break.

Sat was out there in the streets, and who was with that?

We'll see you next week.

We'll see you next week.

PA 10.

PA 10 is proclamation, Dr.

Fromm celebrating achievements.

Commissioner Dominguez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Well, Annette.

Dr.

Annette B.

Fromm.

I've known her, known you for uh many years now at different cultural institutions.

I've seen you out and about.

We've uh had communications on uh things that are happening on Alton Road, and you're always so delightful, and the more I get to know you, the more admiration that I have.

And I found it fitting during Women's History Month to recognize such an extraordinary woman that we have living in Miami Beach, and I'm going to let the rest of the city know a little more about you.

A proclamation here, whereas Dr.

Annette B.

Fromm, a distinguished folklorist and museum specialist, has enriched Miami Beach and South Florida since relocating in 1998, bringing a deep commitment to museums, folklore, and community service.

She has contributed to major cultural institutions, including the Jewish Museum of Florida, the Deering Estate of Cutler, and Florida International University, where she served as coordinator and assistant professor of museum studies, and has consulted for organizations such as the Low Art Museum, History Miami Museum, the Bake House Art Complex, the Curtis Mansion, Biscayne National Park, the Florida Pioneer Museum, and the Fort Pierce, Florida Highway Men Museum.

Whereas her international work as a Fulbright Senior Specialist includes teaching museum studies in South Korea and India and supporting global academic exchange through the South Florida Fulbright chapter.

She remains a leader in folklore as chair of the Florida Folk Life Council and a longtime volunteer at the Florida Folk Festival.

Dr.

Fromm also served in the Peace Corps in Jamaica.

Her civic engagement in Miami Beach includes service on the Sister Cities Committee, where she helps strengthen international cultural ties.

She has supported youth and community initiatives through years of volunteer leadership with the Girl Scout Troop, 1239, where many girls earn the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, and through her role as a two-time survivor chair for relay for life following her own breast cancer journey.

Whereas her lifelong love of the arts is reflected in her volunteer work as an usher with the New World Symphony and Miami New Drama.

She currently serves as historian and librarian at the Betsy Hotel, where she became the hotel's first community librarian curating and expanding a collection of more than 10,000 books that enhances the property's reputation as a cultural haven.

When asked what she's doing these days, Dr.

Fromm modestly replies, it depends on the day of the week.

A fitting reflection of a life defined by curiosity, service, and cultural stewardship.

So now, therefore, do we as Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Miami Beach hereby proclaim March 4th, 2026 as Dr.

Annette B.

Fromm Day.

Would you like to share anything?

Oh.

No, please go.

Please.

Mr.

Mayor and Commissioners and everybody else here.

When I got a phone call last week from Commissioner Dominguez's aide, I did not know the caliber of people that I would be standing with today.

I know that Miami Beach has amazing leadership, uh, astounding achievements and such, but I didn't think or imagine that I would be in such an honored group.

And I'm humbled by this.

Commissioner Mateos Salinas, you haven't yet gotten my letters.

Sorry, Commissioner Fernandez is not here.

But I often write to you saying, what can we do about the uh the skaters on the public library that are the post office that are ruining the steps?

What can we do about this?

What can we do about that?

Um, because I'm a citizen of this city, and I like to look after it.

Um, one of the most fun things that I think I've experienced in ushering a new world is when colleagues from FIU come and they're like, what are you doing here?

And I say, well, I believe in giving back to the city where I live and volunteering is that.

So thank you very much for this honor.

Thank you.

Commissioner Bach.

Just very quickly, I I didn't know you before I was an elected official, but I've gotten to know you a little bit, and it has been a pure delight.

You always have thoughtful comments and great eyes and ears on the ground to let us know what's going on where when we can't be there.

But one of my favorite things, and there are many about going to see performances at the Colony Theater, but is seeing you because not only do you know your way around that theater like nobody's business, but you also always have a salient point to make either about the production or somebody who just walked in because you know everybody, or you know, I just saw my way over.

Can we fix this?

And it's awesome.

It's like the best of all things about being a Miami Beach commissioner.

And as a point of personal privilege, if you will allow me, I would like to talk to you offline by connecting you with my mom, who is an art historian, a lifelong art educator, has lived all over the world, and I think you guys would get along like a house of fire.

So let's do that.

Cool.

Okay.

Congratulations.

Well deserved.

And I would love to walk the streets during spring break and be part of that team.

For sure.

We'll be there.

Yeah.

We'll do that.

Well, we're going to see if we're going to see it in the block here on the screen.

Overall here, please.

Thank you.

And my daughter is a beach library.

Yes, it's yes.

PA 12.

PA12 Proclamation of Cinema 15 year anniversary.

Commissioner Bach.

So it is fitting to be recognizing O Cinema and Vivian Martell, the woman who is, I call her the Doyen of O Cinema, during March, the month of March, which is Women's History Month, and also on the day that I pick movie theaters just filed for bankruptcy.

Because it is a tough enterprise to be a movie theater in this day and age when there's so many alternate ways to see great films.

And in many cases, in quality, even better than what you find at some movie theaters.

So I want to celebrate this cultural institution that is so important to the city of Miami Beach and specifically your leadership.

And so I'm going to brag about you and the organization for a little bit as we celebrate this 15th anniversary.

O Cinema is a not-for-profit independent cinema and multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to presenting innovative film, immersive media, and community-centered cultural program that enriches the lives of residents and visitors throughout Miami Beach and Greater Miami.

And I will say that we are so lucky to have an outpost here in Miami Beach.

And so it's a real treat.

Hopefully, we'll get you back up in North Beach sooner rather than later.

Ocinma currently operates year-round programming at its 72-seat South Beach Theater located within the historic old city hall at 1130 Washington Avenue.

The venue formerly housed the Miami Beach Cinema Tech and has since flourished under your leadership.

And it is the city's leading first-run independent movie theater, and is sadly at this time the only cinema serving all of Miami Beach.

Situated in the heart of the Art Deco district, O Cinema South Beach functions not only as a theater but also as a gallery and community gathering space, presenting award-winning local, national, international films from globally renowned festivals, including Sundance, South by Southwest, Venice, Conn, Tribeca, Toronto, and Berlin.

And through first run screenings, curated series, filmmaker conversations, and festival partnerships, O Cinema has established a distinguished, excuse me, distinguished reputation for artistic excellence, cultural relevance, and community engagement.

By showcasing diverse voices, which is so important in this day and age, nurturing local talent, providing residents and visitors with access to world-class independent film.

O Cinema enriches the city's dynamic arts and culture ecosystem and reinforces Miami Beach's identity as a global destination for artistic expression and storytelling.

The city of Miami Beach recognizes and celebrates your 15-year anniversary as it continues to deepen its impact and reaffirm its long-standing commitment, or your long-standing commitment at advancing the cultural life of Miami Beach.

So therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners of the City of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim March 4th, 2026 as O Cinema Day.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I want to thank everybody on this commission, mayor, vice mayor, and the commissioners.

10 of them have been serving this community.

And we love it, and we want to serve some more.

Having said that, I also have to uh praise you and acknowledge you citywide for the commitment to arts and culture.

You are a gem, a global Mecca for arts and culture, and um not just me, but the other cultural institutions in this community really appreciate and really value being in this community.

The residents we love to serve.

They're always, you know, we have regulars that come in early and sit down and want to talk to us about the films and everything that we're doing, and um we really appreciate it.

Um it's an honor and a privilege uh to be able to open our doors.

And um, I'd like to say that the movies is an accessible commodity for everyday person to be able to tap in to the arts.

It's a gateway, perhaps, if they can't afford to go to the opera to the symphony, they can come in and um celebrate and experience a piece of art and culture and storytelling and the cinematic arts.

Um, and I think that's it's a it's a it's a wonderful burden to carry.

Um, and it's a wonderful thing to serve up to our community.

So um, thank you very much.

Really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you, and last but definitely not least, PA13.

PA13 Proclamation Filmgate Miami, 12th year interactive media festival to Miami Beach.

Commissioner Bott.

Uh no, it's coming.

Sorry.

It's fine.

Hi, Hermateo Salinas.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Hi, Deliana.

It's so wonderful to be able to give you this recognition today.

And for Filmgate, Miami, um, you've been in the city of Miami Beach and Miami, both cities shuttling back and forth this film festival for the past 12 years, and it was wonderful getting to know you a little bit better.

You're a Miami Beach resident, and you've lived here now for 16 years, and it was very clear that you love Miami Beach just like we all love Miami Beach, and it's wonderful that you're also bringing the arts here to Miami Beach, so we thank you for that.

And I know this March, the film festival, this is the 12th year here, correct?

Yes, great.

So let me tell everyone a little bit about Filmgate.

Filmgate Interactive has spent 12 years hosting its ground big groundbreaking immersive media festival in the city of Miami Beach, elevating our community as a premier destination for innovative storytelling and emerging technologies.

The Filmgate Interactive Festival brings together filmmakers, artists, technologists, and creative professionals from around the world, strengthening Miami Beach, Miami Beach's cultural landscape and advancing its reputation as a leader in interactive and experiential arts.

The festival showcases cutting-edge creators who explore new frontiers in film, immersive media, sound, artificial intelligence, and interactive art, presenting a dynamic slate of experiences from exhibitions and labs to master classes, talks, music-driven installations, and live programming that engage audiences and innovative forms of storytelling.

Through its dedication to innovation and community engagement, Filmgate Interactive has become an enduring cultural partner to the City of Miami Beach, showcasing immersive work that reflects the vibrancy and artistic character of our community.

And now, therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners of the City of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim March 4th, 2026 as Filmgate Interactive Festival Day in the City of Miami Beach.

Thank you and congratulations.

Thank you so much.

I know it's been a long night.

Um, and I I can't believe I'm gonna be the only one that's reading, but there's a reason why I'm a film producer and not an actor because I always forget my lines when I get nervous.

But on behalf of Filmgate Miami and uh Filmgate Intractive, I want to sincerely thank you, Commissioners and Mayor and the City of Miami Beach for this recognition.

It means a great deal to our team and to the entire creative community that makes our work possible.

Our team right now is working tirelessly.

That's why I'm here alone, because our festival is in two weeks right here on Lincoln Road at the Pass Museum at the New World Symphony.

So we invite you all to come and experience it.

Um it's amazing to see the future of storytelling, and some of the most innovative experiences from around the world will be right here in Miami Beach.

We're so happy to be coming back here after um we've been in downtown Miami, but uh we got a VCA grant, and he invited us back, and we we're really, really happy to be uh back in Miami Beach, and we hope that more uh more uh uh more of our projects will happen here.

Uh filmgive Miami became uh began with a simple mission to support storytellers into create a space where filmmakers, artists, technologists, and innovators come together to explore the future of media.

Uh over time, the idea has grown into a platform that connects local talent with global creators and partners.

We have become a top 10 interactive festival of the world up there with Sundance and Conn and Tribeca.

And then also uh we won best of uh new times uh festival last year.

So that was really cool.

Um today, the creative industries are not only cultural drivers.

As you know, they're powerful economic engines.

They attract talent, spark entrepreneurship, create jobs, and help position cities like Miami Beach as a global center of innovation.

Through our festival, labs and year on programs, we are proud to contribute to the growing ecosystem and to showcase the incredible creativity that lives right here.

So we hope we have more Oscars coming, uh, more films made here, more uh moonlights that are coming out of here, and we are one of the organizations that supports that.

So thank you so much and uh have uh I appreciate you so much.

This is a great honor.

Thank you.

Thank you to my colleagues.

Thank you.

Thank you to my colleagues, thank you everyone.

Congratulations to all the well deserved honorees tonight and awardees, and uh have a great night.

God bless you all.

God bless you.