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The meeting is about to begin.

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

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We are going on air in five, four, three, two, one.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, everyone for being here.

We got a packed uh packed house here at City Hall.

So thank you, everyone.

Very uh very excited about all the honorees and proclamations, but uh and of course the support from everyone being here.

Um thank you to my colleagues uh as well.

We'd like to start off with the Pledge of Allegiance, as we always do, and I am going to ask Regla Maria Diaz from Rebecca Towers to uh love it, love the turnout and the energy.

So thank you.

Uh why don't you come on up?

Regula.

And we'll wait for your cue, and then we'll all say it along with you.

Come to uh yeah, the to the mic, I think it's the best.

Either way.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Perfect.

Yeah.

Now it's my honor to ask uh Father Sid from the Miami Beach of St.

Patrick's to uh offer us uh some words of prayer, an invocation.

Please, Father Sid.

Let us pray.

God of mercy and love.

You teach us that what we do to the least of our brothers and sisters, we do to you.

We give you thanks for those who have worked hard to make our community better, who will be honored today and presented with awards.

We ask you to uh increase our desire to serve you in the least in the lost, in those who are struggling.

And never forget that if we can love others, it is because you have loved us first.

We ask this in your most holy name, which is above every other name.

Amen.

Uh we'll we'll be up to you soon as well as we have something uh special for you.

Um before we start off, and and by the way, when I when I go through, uh I try to uh you know, there's a lot of people here, there's no first and there's no last, but uh, I do have some uh requests from from my colleagues.

Also, there are some people who have some commitments, so I'm gonna try to do it as fairly as possible, but please don't take uh any slight if you're not on on the uh the first ones called.

Before we get started with the proclamations, I I I'd like to, and uh and uh and my colleagues share with me uh really a tremendous success for our city on another incredible month of March.

Uh we cannot, we cannot overstate how devastating the month of March was to our city before the last three years.

We had seen so many years of chaos, lawlessness, violence, shootings, fatalities on our streets.

And I could tell you, and I've said this before, I was a commissioner at the time, I wasn't mayor, but it hurts when somebody gets hurt in your city, and you think that you didn't do enough.

I know I used to think is there something more I could have done to have saved a life.

And we collectively, as a commission, it took legislation, it took our police department, it's taken other police agencies, state uh sheriff's office, um, but really every department in our city, because we focus on the police, but there's so many different departments that were involved.

Sanitation, fire, code.

Um, the numbers are really incredible all around.

Our crime stats all uh were down citywide 15% in March, uh 25% in the designated area of South Beach, uh, which we call the spring break zone.

Um code compliance saw 18% lower calls for service.

Our fire department had 60% lower calls uh for service in that area and 50% citywide.

Our communications department, 22 billion impressions from the campaign.

And it really took all the work from from up here on uh every one of my colleagues and along with our city.

So really could not thank everyone enough.

But I also want to thank our businesses and our residents because we couldn't have done this alone without the buy-in and the support, and everyone was supportive.

And this year, our our commission took the lead in in sort of reducing some of the measures, and and it worked really uh really a tremendous success.

So thank you to all of you.

And uh thank you.

You know, how many people are here, how many city employees are actually here right now?

I wouldn't mind.

Can we do like a quick picture with everyone together just sort of celebrate the moment because spring break uh is is not just a success for the month of March, it's a success it that carries on through uh the year.

Our our hotel rates, for example, in the month uh the first quarter of this year is over where we're well beyond even the second place city.

The second place city is like 50, 60 percent behind us, and I believe that it's it's it's a multiple of factors, but including that we have cleaned up the reputation of our city in a big way.

Uh so uh let's celebrate the moment.

Some people get up there.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

All right.

First item I'd like to call PA1.

PA1 is a proclamation of St.

Patrick Catholic Church to mark its 100th anniversary.

And thank you, uh Vice Mayor uh Dominguez for co-sponsoring with me, although I I'm pretty sure that we are all united uh on this one.

Um but Father Sid, uh, if you want to come up.

So you have the distinction of being the first Catholic parish on Miami Beach.

Um the first mass was celebrated at Miami Beach Gardens Theater on 41st Street in Alton on Sunday, May 13th, 1926.

So we are upcoming on a hundredth year anniversary.

Um I'll let you I want to mention a couple of facts, but obviously uh I want to hear uh from you, but just a couple of I thought were interesting facts.

For example, during World War II, we had hundreds of thousands of service members here in Miami Beach, and um certainly uh St.

Patrick served uh served them well in uh and having someplace for them to go to go pray.

Um we lost Ard Martinow not too long ago.

Um a Miami Beach police officer who was loved by many, his wife Deborah is known by many.

Um and his funeral mass was at at St.

Patrick's.

My much of my team actually uh does Mass at St.

Patrick's.

Uh my chief of staff's son was baptized in your church.

Uh and I know she goes to Mass there.

My deputy chief of staff, Blake, Veronica's my chief staff Blake, and uh Daphne, who's uh my communications officer also does Mass.

There's I understand that on Ash Wednesday this year in the evening mass, there were significant amount of city employees who went to St.

Patrick's.

Um, so you're serving the community.

I know you you have food service as well.

You really service um the entire Miami Beach community, and uh we really wanted to recognize this pivotal hundredth year anniversary, and you're still going strong.

I will also mention that your neighbors with actually a very important yeshiva and synagogue in our community.

I know you have an outstanding relationship with them, and I love seeing that when um when interface can can work together, and it's not just can are doing that because it's so important for us to uh to be united, and I think you're a big part of that.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Miller.

So, yeah, uh thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Yes, uh St.

Patrick has been part of the uh history of Miami Beach.

As a matter of fact, in 2015, on the eve of March 26th, on March 25th, we had a special mass for the centennial of the city of Miami Beach, attended by the mayor at the time, and also with the uh orchestra of Florida International University playing playing a um a um a mass by uh Schubert.

It was a beautiful occasion and celebrated by the then auxiliary bishop of Miami.

And uh the St.

Patrick has such a rich uh history and very very much steeped in the community.

Uh, you mentioned uh some uh important uh milestones, of course.

Uh we also work um uh very closely with Mount Sinai Medical Center, uh trying to alleviate the suffering of those who who are going through boats of disease or or fighting disease.

We uh with the Miami Beach Fire Department, we uh were able to uh cooperate in the uh vaccination during the COVID uh uh 19 uh crisis and uh they would they would come and uh and what it was one of the uh places where they uh very effectively and and with great care and love uh distributed the vaccine when it was in its early stages.

I mean, there are so many so many milestones and and uh and so many ways in which uh the history of our parish is uh intertwined and inextricably linked to the city of Miami Beach that I could go on forever, but but uh I'm going to spare you that.

So uh well thank you, thank you, and thank uh to the commission for uh for this honor that uh that I will receive on behalf of the honorable parishioners because it I am the parish, of course, has a long history and rests on the shoulders of giants like uh the its founding pastor Monsignor William Barry.

And um, so thank you very much for the for this great honor.

And uh I hope you will join us in the events uh in the celebratory events that uh we're having through the year.

Thank you.

And Father Sid, since you're too humble to mention, I'm gonna mention that besides leading St.

Patrick's Catholic Parish, you're uh you're a Port of Miami chaplain.

You're a U.S.

co U.S.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Chaplain.

I've actually been at an event with you there, and you're also a Miami Beach fire chaplain.

So thank you for your service all around.

Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor, and I want to thank you for uh leading this this proclamation to celebrate the centennial anniversary of St.

Patrick's, because while we may be of different faiths, we're united by the same God, and it's one of the things that make a community beautiful, uh, our faith-based organizations that exist and coexist along each other, enriching the fabric and strengthening the uh the bonds between our communities.

And I think one of the most wonderful things is that long before Miami Beach became what we know today, before the skyline rose before this city, before um before the beautiful architecture that has made this city famous, before the artists, before all the glamour and all the fame that eventually settled in this little tiny barrier island.

There stood the bell tower of St.

Patrick's Catholic Church, welcoming people from around the world to this uh beautiful paradise.

And it indeed welcomed uh the earliest of families who crossed Biscayne Bay, who settled here, who uh made home uh here, offering them a church uh but also offering them a community, a place to pray, a place to connect, continue their connection with God.

They may be at a new home, but this continued their connection with with God.

And and as you well mentioned mentioned, Mr.

May, uh, throughout the history of St.

Patrick's Church, the soldiers, as you well mentioned during during times of war, but also communities of exiles uh who settled in this community that found hope, that found faith, that found a helping hand at St.

Patrick's.

Um people who rose um in figure uh who became international names uh but are part of the history of St.

Patrick's themselves, like Desi Arnaz.

Um, you know, when we unveiled our our historic plaque uh for Dasi over by Collins Park, you know, part of the story is that he attended uh school uh at St.

Patrick's.

Um but he is just one of the many notable figures.

Shakira has attended service uh at St.

Patrick's.

Uh Monsignor Barry was a mentor to Desiernace when he was at the end of the day.

No way.

Yeah, he in his uh please in his autobiography, Desiernes recounts how he didn't speak English, and Monsino Barry, the pastor of St.

Patrick at the time, encouraged him to persevere in his studies and opened the door and um made accommodations so that he could continue to study and and uh he's uh he's very uh grateful in in his autobiography and uh St.

Patrick's played uh huge role in his upbringing and uh and his insertion in American culture, yes.

And and it was Desi Arnaz, and then over the years it's been Shakira, and then over the years, Andre Boscelli, uh that's that's that's been there.

Um it truly is so extraordinary.

Uh energy where where this history lives, but most importantly, the history of families.

Uh children who were brought forward for for baptism and the beginning of their faith journey, couples who want to get married in the most beautiful of settings, uh, a godly setting uh that they find at St.

Patrick's.

Um for me personally, St.

Patrick's holds a special place in my public service uh because when I was 15 years old, um, before I ever imagined getting involved in public service, my dad brought me uh to mass uh to a Saturday morning 8 a.m.

Mass at uh St.

Patrick's.

Um, I mean, I guess at this point it was about 25 years ago.

I remember it was a June, a Saturday morning in June, that my dad took me to the 8 a.m.

Mass at uh at St.

Patrick's, and we and we met uh one of the parochial vicars uh there at the time, and uh and from there flourished this idea to start a charity to support Camilla's house.

And from there started the foundation of my public service.

And for me, St.

Patrick's holds a very special place because of that.

So it truly is such a wonderful moment in the history of our city to celebrate this place of faith and of unity for everyone, regardless of our of our religions.

So thank you for joining us today, Father, to celebrate this beautiful moment.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Thank you very much.

Vice Mayor Dominguez.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Well, a big congratulations to St.

Patrick's Church.

I love getting your newsletter and seeing all of the centennial celebrations and events that you're having throughout the year.

And I plan on attending the uh event uh next month at the convention center as well.

Uh St.

Patrick is the church that I attend services at.

My brother was married there, my niece and nephew were both baptized there when it's the um the feast of the animals.

Uh Wendy goes for a blessing, and you've given it to her every year, yes.

And um, and I'm really excited about your your celebration and congratulations.

Thank you, Commissioner.

St.

Francis of the City.

Yeah.

Commissioner Bach.

So uh congratulations.

This is an uh a rare milestone in a country as young as ours.

And um, I echo all of the things that my colleagues have said.

On a personal note, I just want to tell you a small um anecdote.

When I moved here in 2003, I moved to the Bayshore neighborhood, and I would take my babies at that point, one and three, now they're they're 24 and 26, but I would take them out for a stroll on Sunday mornings, and it is a very diverse neighborhood, and there would be a lot of other moms, Orthodox or Hasidic moms with their babies and strollers, and we'd all say, hello, good morning, we'd admire each other's babies.

And in the background, I would hear the church bells.

Yes.

And it was this magical, like this is everything that we aspire to to have these communities living in harmony together.

And the other thing that's so interesting to me is that you know, I tell people when I travel, I live in Miami Beach, and they say, Oh, I grew up in Miami Beach.

I said, Great, that's so cool.

I went to St.

Pat's.

I went to school.

My my grandparents went to St.

Pat's.

My kids have gone to school at St.

Pat's.

And so it's it's not just the church, which is such an important part of our community, but it's the school, which is foundational to making really wonderful human beings, and I commend you because that is at least as important as the work that happens in the church itself.

It's the the work that happens in the community.

So thank you for all that you do and your colleagues do, and your and your parishioners do, because it really is a community effort.

Thank you very much, Commissioner.

Thank you.

And I never missed Mr.

Mayor, not to mention that all of us, the Miami Beach City Commission, uh voted to support the uh gala, the centennial gala uh for St.

Patrick's at the uh at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

So that brings us great honor.

But we're also working on a historical plaque, uh, historical marker that I know my my aide, Cindy Alonso has been meeting with you, father, about advancing this, and and that's a wonderful initiative that will document the beautiful history of this uh important truss in our community.

And and we're very grateful uh for that, uh Commissioner, and especially for your support, for your constant support.

Thank you.

Of course.

All right, thank you.

PA14 is proclamation to Gerardo Sea.

Commissioner Commissioner Bach.

Hello, welcome.

Um, just kidding.

The manager of Prima Pasta.

Um so speaking of um a safe haven for community and taking a village and a haven for immigrants.

There's a perfect segue to introduce you.

Jerry, as everybody knows and loves you.

Um, you have been a pillar of the community in North Beach for decades, over 30 years.

Prima pasta has been a gathering spot in the community for delicious, affordable, home cooked Italian food that takes everybody back to their grandparents or the grandparents they wish they had.

It is before I even moved to North Beach, everybody said you have to go get food at Prima Pasta.

And I know people who eat there multiple times a week.

And it is such a testament to who you are and who your family is and who your colleagues are who have created this incredible community outpost, really.

It's a it's a home away from home for so many people, and you walk in.

For those of you who haven't yet been, I highly encourage you to go visit.

You walk in and you feel like you're going into a time machine.

The walls are lined with photographs, um, funny photographs, photographs of famous people, photographs of families, people celebrating events, going through 30 plus years.

Um, and this business has thrived.

Um, it was opened on a wing in a prayer.

I know you went through very serious hardships to make this work.

You had some setbacks, you found a tiny little space that you could make work, and and you poured your heart and soul into it.

Your family poured their heart and soul into it, and your employees, many of whom who've been there, you know, almost as long as you this is a real treasure.

And in this day and age when we hear how difficult it is to run a business and how difficult it is to make it work here in Miami or really in Miami Beach, or really anywhere, you are a testament to what a good business is in terms of the offerings, the community engagement, the passion and heart, and I want to commend you as a pillar of the community as a testament to how important immigrants are to our community and how much we are enriched by our our friends and neighbors who might not have been born here, but who came here and made a life here and made a business.

And um, and oh, by the way, it's flipping delicious.

Oh, thank you, thank you.

Let's not forget the most important part of this.

But so through your unwavering effort and your culinary passion and your your family unity and your colleagues' unity, um, along with early encouragement and steadfast encouragement from local residents and notable visitors.

As I mentioned, Cafe Prima Pasta has been a steadfast in in the net uh steadfast outpost in the neighborhood, and you grew from uh 28 seats when you first opened to 140 seats, and boy, if we could give you more space, you would fill it.

Um it's you know, you're celebrated for everything that you offer.

And so, therefore, today do we, as mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach hereby proclaim April 15th, 2026 as Gerardo Saya Day.

Congratulations.

Wow.

Thank you, thank you.

Free wine, free wine for everybody.

I want to do you know, thing the city of uh Miami Beach because every time that I need you, it I you know you respond for the last 33 years.

I remember when we arrived to 71st Street was no no lights.

And I came to the city and you guys respond right away.

And even today, when I need something, thank you, Tanya.

Thank you, all of you.

Um you always there for you know the people in Miami Beach, the business, and I wanted to thank you for that because that really helps.

That's why we're here.

And thank you.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's it.

I don't like the chairs.

Three, two, one.

Okay, thank you.

All right.

Well, PA4 and PA5.

PA4 is certificate of recognition.

Jason Du Bois representing Miami Beach in 206, 2026, showhand for Fujizawa City Marathon and PA5, certificate of recognition, Maria Triana for the Miami Beach 26 for the Cruzage City Hall Marathon.

All right.

Well, I'm very excited.

These two uh proclamations um are the ones that I'm bringing forward, and it was very exciting to witness it as well.

So both of you represented the United States and the city of Miami Beach and the Fujisawa half uh Shonen half marathon this year.

Fujisawa is our longest serving sister city with 68 years and counting, and we have a tremendous relationship with them.

And I'm gonna read a little bit about each of you and um present you with a special recognition for being such outstanding citizens when you were out there.

I will start out with Maria.

Proudly representing the city of Miami Beach.

Your dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to personal and community well-being made you an exceptional ambassador for our city.

As an occupational therapist at Mount Sinai Medical Center, you discovered running during the pandemic and embraced it wholeheartedly after completing your first virtual 5K.

Since then, you've become an active member of the Clandestino Runners, completed your first half marathon at Disney World, and have gone on to finish seven half marathons.

Your journey's been marked by extraordinary resilience, including overcoming a cancer diagnosis while training for the New York Marathon.

Choosing to postpone surgery until after you successfully cross the finish line.

Your strength, courage, and determination continue to inspire your colleagues, your running community, and all who know your story.

Thank you on behalf of the city of Miami Beach for participating in the half marathon and for your experience there.

And you're welcome to say a few words before I read Jason's.

Thank you so much.

I just wanted to say thank you for that opportunity.

They welcomed us.

We had an amazing time.

The vice commissioner was I mean, it was an amazing experience, and I wanted to thank you guys for giving me that opportunity.

Jason Dubois.

Thank you also for participating.

And I'll read a little bit about you.

So this is in recognition of your participation in the Shonen Fujisawa City Half Marathon and completing your personal best, which was pretty impressive as well.

A dedicated fitness industry professional and proud graduate of the University of Miami, Go Keynes.

You have long made Miami Beach, especially the Sunrise Boardwalk, your training ground and your passion for running has taken you around the world, including completing the Boston Marathon.

Yet it was a particular privilege to have you represent Miami Beach at Fujisawa, a country whose culture and discipline have inspired you both personally and professionally.

So I wanted to thank you for your participation for helping strengthen the bonds between Fujisawa and the city of Miami Beach.

And I'd love to hear from you as well.

Yeah, thank you guys for letting me represent you.

And any chance I do get to represent the city or that I live in and love so much.

I'm very honored to do so.

And I think one of the things that I took away from it uh was that the way that they treated us when we were there, it kind of reminds me that any time somebody comes and visits our city, I want them to have that kind of experience because I really want them to leave and understand why I love this city so much.

So it made me just want to think about any time somebody comes to visit, I want to give them that same level of experience.

So it was an honor, and it was uh it was a great, great experience out there.

So thank you guys for letting me have that experience.

Thank you so much.

Wonderful, thank you.

Thank you both for participating.

And before I go down to take a picture with you, um, very soon, the sister cities committee and uh Heather Shaw from the Economic Development Department will be sending out applications for anyone interested in participating in the 2027 uh Shonen uh half marathon in Fujisawa.

And um there's there will be a list of criteria.

So sometime in June, uh applications will be out, and those interested in being considered, please apply.

We'd love to have a representation again from Miami Beach as we do each year.

Thank you.

Oh, my sister city is a good thing.

That one over there.

Thank you.

Three, two, one, three.

Thank you so much.

PA thirteen.

PA thirteen is certificate of recognition, Manuel Sanchez.

Manuel, you win the prize for bringing the largest contingency with you today.

So thank you all for that.

And by the way, this is very indicative, and I know I I I I know I'm speaking on behalf of my colleagues as well of our senior community.

That you come out, you support very high energy, always.

And and the fact that everyone's here to support you.

But the reason why and there's so many there's so many people that are worthy of getting a recognition, and hopefully we'll get to to others in in future meetings.

But the reason why I picked I picked you is every time I come to a senior event.

And you really do capture the moments.

So thank you.

Would you like to say a few words?

I feel honored for this uh uh day and the decision that you dec uh creative for me.

Uh I respect it, but uh I take it and I will never forget.

Thank you very much, everyone.

Thank you.

Ready?

Three, two, one.

All right.

PA fifteen.

And thank you.

Thank you all for being here.

Really, it's so meaningful it adds to the uh it adds to our to our day.

Thank you.

PA 15.

PA 15 is a proclamation, education, and sharing day.

Please.

Thank you for being here.

Thanks.

I'll lead it off, but then I'm gonna turn it over to all of you.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you.

So I'm actually gonna give you credit, uh Rabbi Zalman Rudd, who's here, and uh I'll give you had mentioned to me several years ago about doing a proclamation for the Rebbe, Rabbi Milachem Mendel Schneerson, who passed away 40 years ago, but his greatness and what his legacy literally you you see it every day uh for what he built, not only for the Lababacha Jewish community, but really for the Jewish community, but literally worldwide.

Because that's one of the greatness about the Lababature Rebbe and talking about all the things he did.

But this is education and sharing day, the importance of education.

He reached across the aisle.

He worked with everyone, um Jewish, non-Jewish.

He was a pillar.

There was not a an elected official in New York who did not come.

Any not just elected official, anyone who was thinking of running, went to go see the Rebbe for his guidance, his support, a word of wisdom.

And this first award of education and sharing day was given by President Carter, I believe, right?

So he was a world leader that was recognized by the president of the United States.

And every year to this day, that award is given.

So certainly here in Miami Beach, we want to recognize the Rebbe and his contributions.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you, Commissioner, Commissioners.

Why don't you all introduce yourself as well?

And uh Blake, of course, I don't see him.

He's here, he's listening.

Okay, he's always listening.

And he always makes sure to get this done for us, and we really really appreciate it.

I have with me um Rabbi Mendy Levy, he's uh chaplain at the Mount Sunday hospital.

I have Rabbi Label, Kazanowski.

Um it's good enough.

And he's uh works at the Chabad now here in South Beach, and then my son Mendy, um who's here with us, but I actually wanted to ask him to say a few words because along with what you're saying, there are this global outreach um, not just locally here in South Florida, New York, America, but extends as far out even all the way to New Zealand, where my son spends a lot of his time um helping with the Jewish community, the local community.

Um so maybe I'll ask him to say a few words if he prepared.

Sure.

Thank you, Mayor Commissioners.

Very appreciate very much appreciate the proclamation.

I guess my father mentioned, I was able to go to many different places around the world, to Japan actually, close by to the city.

I don't know how to pronounce it where they ran the marathon, it was there.

Uh there's many Chabad rabbis all around the world, thanks to the rabbi's leadership.

He came to America from war torn Europe, and he focused very strongly on education.

It's called education and sharing day, not just because we educate, because it's so important to share, to spread the important things of of morality and sharing goodness and kindness to everyone around to be a beacon of lights to the communities around us.

And that was something he stressed very, very importantly.

Uh to my beach, to Florida, and to around the world.

So thank you very much for uh presenting this award, this proclamation.

We very much appreciate it.

I just want to mention, if I may, um it's an honor to be here today for the education and sharing day, as well as um Father Sid is still here.

But I'm the chaplain and Rabbi at Mount Sinai, and we work very, very closely with Father Sid, shoulder to shoulder.

We've done many uh events and uh things together.

So part of the the Rebbe's dream was to bring people together of all faiths, of all backgrounds, and to share and to educate our children, our communities.

It's a big honor to be here today, and thank you, Mayor and Commissioners in the city.

Thank you.

Since it's the Rebbe's education and sharing day, I'm not gonna highlight each one of you, but I could I know that each one of you has a tremendous impact on Miami Beach in each in your own roles.

events and uh things together so part of the the reb's dream was to bring people together of all faiths of all backgrounds and to share and to educate our children our communities it's a big honor to be being here today and thank you mayor and commissioners in the city thank you since it's the Rebbe's education and sharing day I'm not gonna highlight each one of you but I could I know that each one of you has a tremendous impact on Miami Beach and each in your own roles um so thank you thank you for that and thank you for for being here I'm gonna read the last paragraph so the official day was March 29th and we actually had something in my uh a very small uh uh ceremony in my office that day but we wanted to certainly highlight this today the city of Miami Beach proudly joined cities and states nationwide and recognizing education and sharing day 2026 honoring the Rebbe's teachings and the lasting inspiration they continue to provide to people of all backgrounds now therefore do we as mayor and the commissioners of the city of Miami Beach here a pipe a claim March 29th 2026 as education and sharing day in the city of Miami Beach.

Commissioner Bottom you know it's Beshared because may March 29th is actually my birthday so there you go across the distance um you know I think it's so telling and it's so as you mentioned it's such a beautiful moment because too often through millennia religion has been a divisive point where people literally and figuratively hurl stones at each other and worse and um what this day commemorates and what the teachings commemorate are what at the is at the heart of all religions um when when done properly which is how to be a better person how to care for your loved ones and your neighbors in your community and how to extend a helping hand to somebody in need and how to be a mench for lack of a better word you know how to be a decent human being and that is really what this is all about and it is it's such a valuable reminder and it's such um I feel so privileged to not only live in but serve um the res the city of Miami Beach and its residents and and its community pillars in all of their forms because it's something we strive for we value and we prioritize and I think it's very telling that we have so many people from so many different backgrounds who feel at home here and choose to make Miami Beach their home and have for decades and we keep attracting new people and so thank you for for keeping the lights on and keeping the faith literally and figuratively and for sharing the good word um and and reaching out wherever you have the opportunity thank you.

Thank you very much Commissioner Fernandez thank you Mr Mayor and we were at the police department uh for the pre-Passover um meeting uh the same week that that it happened to be the Rebbe's uh birthday and Commissioner Bott and I we had actually an interesting interaction at that at that um meeting uh when we had an interaction about that it was a funny story actually for for for another day but you know one of the one of the lessons that I've learned from this very inspir inspirational um judaic traditions uh that that truly bring great blessings to to our community is that there's always a a struggle between good and evil that in society and the world in our own lives there's always the balance between good and evil and that the Rabbi's teaching was when you one of the important things was mitzvah and that each one of us whether you know in this case whether you're Jewish or not you have the ability to do good deeds and you show the world and you teach the world through the deeds that you perform and how how one simple deed can go ahead and tip the scales between good and evil and that I think is the lasting an incredible lasting legacy that as I learn about the beautiful Jewish traditions that has influenced me significantly and the importance to share these these to these teachings that we have to be kind of like the elephant the bridge between heaven and and earth God and and those here amongst us so that we keep on spreading goodness and hopefully this legacy of of the Rabbi and you Mr.

Mayor declaring today education and sharing day brings inspiration to to our community and not just the Jewish community but to all of us that whether we're religious or not whether we're Jewish or not whatever our our faith or those of no faith that we can draw inspiration from each other just to be a better community just to have goodness outweigh the constant evil that's always present in our society.

So I want to thank you Mr.

Mayor for highlighting this very positive day that hopefully brings great inspiration to everyone in our community that's watching.

Let's do a picture.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Oh, PA three.

PA three's proclamation, Gary Haynes contribution to Miami Beach Real Estate Community.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

And I want to invite Gary to uh come forward.

Um and I actually I want to invite Valerie Navarrad, if she's here to come forward as well.

Valerie reached out to our office a few weeks ago.

And you know, she reminded us that they are generations of individuals, people who have been quietly working in our community to shape the Miami Beach that we are today.

Earlier today, we had the opportunity to recognize an institution like St.

Patrick's, it's been around for 100 years in our community.

But then you have other individuals that haven't been around for 100 years, but have been part of the modern history of our city, helping shape not just uh not just the real estate of our community, but the character and the spirit and helping individuals find their homes and make of Miami Beach their forever paradise where they continue to build upon their their families.

And Gary has been a steward of this beautiful community uh for over three decades.

I that is that is true legacy right there.

And when you listen to the story of those who know Gary, and by the way, over three decades, he has built quite a portfolio of individuals who he has helped set their roots, plant their roots here in Miami Beach.

What you hear is that he's approached his work with deep respect for the history of our community, with an appreciation for the unique architecture of Miami Beach and an understanding of what strengthens the fabric of this community, which is the people who live here and who have decided to embrace the beauty of this community.

And so through Gary's leadership, we've seen we've seen our community reimagined, we've seen people open their doors, fulfilled their dreams, their American dream of setting roots here in in Miami Beach.

And most importantly, he's a good soul.

Yes.

Someone who's always smiling, someone who loves this city, someone that has given opportunities to countless real estate professionals throughout our city.

And for the impact that you have had on those professionals, Gary, and for the impact that you have had for every single resident whose doors have opened, you've opened to this city.

We congratulate you.

We thank you.

And we declare today on behalf of the mayor and city commission as Gary Heaney's Day in the city of Miami Beach.

Gary, if you'd like to say a few words.

And your fellow internal commissioners.

And the mayor, um, I'm the most reluctant person to be recognized.

So it's a quite an honor.

Um after all these years, I feel very honored to be part of uh Miami Beach.

To be supportive of the different neighborhoods, different backgrounds that people come in.

I think selling real estate before the internet and before it was the most popular occupational choice that someone could make was interesting.

In those days, nobody really wanted any of the real estate that was here.

Um was really at the very beginning of something happening.

And it was uh proud moment for me to recognize uh some parts of the historic idea of Caputman and then the new hope that the area brought um but mostly based on the history.

My grandmother, Dorothy Jacobs lived at the Sherry Frontenac Hotel, Mike uh Uncle Joe, and Rita Singer lived on uh Biscayne Point.

I had my um uh Rose and Apes uh singer lived at 14th and Meridian and uh you know my nana was quite a quite a unbelievable woman.

She was uh here in the nineteen fifties and forties and sixties and seventies, and to be on Lincoln Road with her and to see it through her eyes really meant something.

And um I think that's harder today where people envision our barrier island in so many different ways.

We want to kind of look at it one way.

And uh I look at it as one big great place to be, not just South of Fifth or Lincoln Road area or museum or North Bay Road, it's one community, and we're all striving to make it a better place to find the mench within and to try to be a better person and not look at everything um you know quite the way that some other people do.

But again, it's such an honor and such a real honor to meet all of you and to be here and to have Valerie um suggest me for this and to be here with my friends.

My brother Randy is here.

Your friends are with me today, and I really would like to say thank you.

It's mean deeply meaningful and uh really gonna it's very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

And I thank you.

Before before we go down for the picture, you know that someone truly deserves a recognition like this when you contact them and you tell them we want to honor you and we want to honor you with something special, something that not everyone gets, but that you deserve.

And you said no.

You said I can't.

And in fact, and we had it scheduled and we had to cancel it, and it took Valerie and it took uh people calling you to convince you that no, we have to do this because it's the j is the generations that came before you and the community you've helped shape and the balance you've helped bring to our community.

The fact that we had to convince you that you are so humble that you were unwilling to accept this, that in itself speaks volumes of the goodness to which you you contribute to your profession.

Thank you so much.

Why not?

Yes, okay, let's go.

Okay.

Okay.

And our group picture.

I'll take the picture, don't worry.

You go to the picture.

Or you go to the picture.

I'll take pictures.

That's a big uh, we have to do that.

Let's go.

I'm I'm gonna take the picture.

Oh my god.

Gary Haney.

Everybody got a little closer.

One.

Here we go.

Two.

And then this camera over here.

Three, two, one.

Three, two, one.

Thank you.

Punch.

PA10.

We're gonna take them up first.

PA 10 is certificate of recognition, participating, Miami Dade County Public Schools and ADL education.

All right.

That's a new one.

ADL no place for hate.

Good evening.

Oh, thank you.

Sorry.

Sorry, Mayor.

Go ahead.

Thank you, uh, Dr.

Ozavell.

I'll just lead it off.

So Friday, I actually was at an event by the Chamber of Commerce.

Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce to uh to honor uh a number of awardees.

So I just want to mention something that I that I said there that you know when I think back, and I think this is true of everyone.

When you think back on your elementary school and your high school, I could literally name most of my teachers going through.

But when starting a college or maybe one law school, maybe one.

It's the impact that our educators, our teachers have on us at that young age is obviously significant because that's what you remember.

And um this is about something specific, but I wanted uh to mention that uh how important it is.

And really our our Miami Beach schools are are are excellent and they're getting better.

So, which is uh which is a testament to all of you being here.

Specifically, and I'll turn it over in a minute, but wanted to tee this up the anti-defamation league, ADL, no place for hate to combat bullying, which we all know is a major major issue.

Um, and to hear some of the stories.

Thank God I don't think I I never bullied anyone, and I don't think I was ever bullied.

I was very lucky, I guess, growing up.

But you hear the stories um that are that are frightening, and the obviously the negative impact that it has on on a on a young student.

So thank you for the work that you do.

And we had um an excellent event at the Miami Beach Banchell on March 3rd to highlight highlight this.

Um I want each of you to introduce yourselves, but I want to mention each of the schools that participated that are here today.

Biscayne Beach Elementary.

Miami Beach Feinberg Fisher K8.

Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School.

Miami Beach Senior High School.

Miami Beach South Point Elementary, North Beach Elementary.

Ruth K.

Broad, Bay Harbor K 8 Center, Treasurer Island Elementary.

Please tell me I got them all, right?

All right.

So um thank you for your work.

I'm gonna talk turn it over to Dr.

Leslie Rosenfeld, our chief education and performance officer, and thank you for all the work that you do with uh all our schools.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, commissioners.

Uh we are so fortunate to have such a strong partnership with our Miami Dade County public schools.

We have been partners uh officially since um we executed an education compact in 2008, and this is this partnership uh for each of our public schools to earn the anti-defamation league's no place for hate designation uh has been around for well over a decade.

And uh we're just so proud of our students and of our school site administration for continuing to partner with us in this very very important space.

We have with us Amanda Dawes from the uh anti-defamation league who would like to say a few words.

Please.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you, Mayor Minor, and Vice Mayor Dominguez and Commissioners and esteemed guests.

And a heartfelt thankful thank you to you, Leslie, for over a decade, as you mentioned, of unwavering commitment to bringing no place for hate to Miami Beach Public Schools.

And to Nasdaq Duarte for your help in making today possible.

As Leslie mentioned, I'm Amanda Dawes, I'm program director at the ADL.

And for over a century, we have committed to stopping the defamation of the Jewish people and securing justice and fair treatment to all.

We believe every child deserves a school environment free from bullying and full of acceptance.

And that's why we're so grateful for our long-standing partnership with Miami Beach to bring anti-bullying education to your community.

Today is a celebration.

We're here to recognize the eight schools that you mentioned for earning this prestigious no place for hate designation.

It's not just about checking a box, but rather it's about action.

And to the principals, system principals, counselors, club leaders, coaches, teachers, we thank you.

You are the foundation of this movement, ensuring that schools are places where every student can feel safe and valued and empowered.

And to the students, they are the true reason we are here.

They're the leaders of this movement.

Through their actions, they show that respect and empathy can reshape our world.

But our work doesn't stop here.

There's gonna always be new challenges and new opportunities to build a more inclusive future.

And I have no doubt that together we're gonna rise to meet them.

So congratulations to all the no place for hate schools.

This achievement belongs to you.

And congratulations to the city of Miami Beach for earning the community of respect designation as well.

Thank you.

Does anybody want to say anything?

Oh Commissioner Mateo Salinas.

I just want to say thank you all so much for all that you do in our schools.

And you really truly, I know many of you, I've known you for years.

You've taught my children, you've led the schools my children have been in, and you really take your job so seriously.

And what you do for our community speaks volumes.

So thank you so much for all being here tonight, and thank you for being a partner with us in this important endeavor.

Thank you.

When I was in college, I was a substitute teacher for a fifth grade class, and it is not an easy job, I can tell you.

That's uh God bless you all, and it's a very tough job.

Okay.

Oh, we have certificates.

Thank you.

Anyway, PA eight is proclamation.

Dr.

Noel Castillo, excellent hostage negotiator on saving a man's life.

Dr.

Casillo, hello.

Hello, good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Um, about uh, I think it was 2018 or maybe 2017, I don't remember, but you taught the Citizens Police Academy, of which I'm a graduate, and I remember being so impressed by you.

And I remember being so impressed by you.

And let me say that Miami Beach Police Department, we have the best police department in the country, hands down.

No contest.

And I was so impressed by your knowledge and what you shared with us in the police, Citizens Police Academy.

And then fast for fast forward about a year later, I saw you I was walking my dog and I saw you in the neighborhood arrive in the in the SWAT truck at a hostage negotiation, which was successful.

And then about a month ago, we had an incident here on South Beach of a man who was suicidal and who was you know he was gonna jump off the building.

Um you saved his life.

And I'd like to show uh if we could the news uh clip that I have.

Um, if we could show that real quick to um highlight what you did.

Southwest corner of the roof.

Beach cops on the move.

We can get you whatever help you need on a life-saving mission.

That can be summed up in two words.

Don't jump.

Come over here to us, at least on this side of the wall.

Monday, 3 a.m.

hour.

A man threatens to end it all.

You need to work with us.

But crisis expert cops are on it.

Literally talked a man off of the lines of a building.

1200 Lincoln Road is where that man threatened to jump from the building's roof.

You're a good one, you're not in trouble.

They say he was seen pacing on the ledge of the hotel.

They tried getting closer to him to talk him down.

Dr.

Castillo, how are you?

Then the department's lead hostage negotiator arrives.

I'm here to help you.

I work for the for the city.

Dr.

Noel Castillo earns his trust.

Castillo eventually is allowed close enough to help him down and end the threat.

Yes, please.

Okay.

I'm coming.

A different kind of policing.

The kind where cops have to save somebody from themselves.

We've seen it before.

Cops showed us this 2024 close call on a south of Fifth Balcony.

After officers stormed the condo in the nick of time to stop a suicidal would-be jumper.

They saved a life then.

You want me to help you?

And on Monday morning.

I'm trying to help you.

Dr.

Noel Castillo sat down, took his time, empathized, and listened to the smell who was in crisis, which led to establishing that rapport and saving this guy's life.

Thank you.

Dr.

Castillo, the impact that you have is so great.

And and I'm honored, we're honored to present this proclamation to you today.

Thank you.

Um, if I can make a couple comments, I promise to keep my comments like my stature short.

Um first of all, it was a total team effort on there.

Uh kudos to the patrol team, the patrol officers who contained the scene, secured the scene, allowed us to work, secured Alton Road to make sure no one else was at risk.

Kudos to the staff of the hotel who saw something, said something, and got us uh over there.

The first negotiators on scene were able to gather information, establish a level of rapport, and get more information from family members as well.

And then it it came all together.

Uh you saw exercise excerpts there.

It was about three hours.

You know, a lot of times people think of de-escalation like a verb, like something you do to somebody, like hypnotism or some sort of Jedi mind trick.

It's not, it's more like a noun, right?

It's a process.

And that process takes time.

A lot of active listening, a lot of uh talking to the person.

Well, more listening than talking, rapport building, and then that eventually can lead to providing options.

Right?

So about three hours over there, everybody worked together.

Kudos to my fire brothers and sisters.

I saw them here earlier, putting the harness on my partner, Officer Azikri.

We were able to get close, and then when he wanted to come back on the other side, I'm 5'4, 150 pounds, I'm not lifting anybody over anywhere.

I'm not lifting anybody over anywhere.

And my partner, Officer Aziki was able to bring them over.

So total team effort.

And there's a saying, an old adage you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of training when real things happen.

I've been fortunate to be trained by the best.

Chief Morgalo accepted me into the negotiator unit about 16 years ago.

I got to see him in action a lot.

The departments invested in training from negotiators from NYPD, negotiators that respond to the Golden Gate Bridge.

So we've gotten great training.

I've stood on the shoulder of giants and just continued that on over here.

And that day, a lot of young officers were there.

So they got to observe some of that as my generation retires and they take the torch, pick it up, and move forward.

So thank you all and total team effort on that.

Accept the you know the proclamation on behalf of everybody that was now that Dr.

Castillo, we've talked about this a little bit before, and people who know me have heard the story.

But um, you know, this is deeply personal.

Um this is something I my family obviously knows that I talk about and not using it opportunistically, but my younger daughter, 11 years ago um tried to take her life.

And were it not for the Miami Beach Fire Department, she would have succeeded.

She her heart stopped three times before she got to the hospital.

So if the fire department's still in the house, you know I love you.

Um people say that Miami Beach, well, police officers cause a ruckus.

Um, and that's often what gets put into the news, or you know, they come in with a SWAT team and do something big and heroic.

What often doesn't get discussed enough is the kind of work that you exemplified.

Um, and you're right, it is it is um de-escalation is a process, it's not a rapid response verb.

Um, and in the Jewish faith, we have an expression um uh philosophy that if you save one life, you save the world.

And my daughter, God thank God, and thanks to incredible amount of work she's put in to the process, is thriving.

She'll always have issues.

Um, and I've watched that process of work that happens, um, and it is through professionals like you who meet the person where he or she is and makes him or herself available throughout the process because you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

Um every time you are successful, you give that person a new opportunity to find their way, not back but forward into a different future, a different path.

And that entire butterfly effect of the people around him or her, it is it's so powerful what you do, and I'm so proud of this police department for investing and the fire department, because I know they're they're investing in this as well, um, to train staff and colleagues to have the resources and the the mentorship to do this kind of work.

Um I cannot commend you enough for it.

It is so powerful, and um it's uh it's really you know, we sit up here and we argue about water rates and zoning regulations, and at the end of the day, as we have talked about multiple times during today's presentations, we're a community, and we reach out for each other to catch each other when they stumble and fall as best we can, and I can't imagine a better way of doing that.

So thank you.

And thank you.

The Talmud tells us if you save one life, you save the entire world.

So you literally save the world by your heroic efforts.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So proudly, Dr.

Castillo.

Therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim April 15th, 2026, as Dr.

Noel Castillo Day in the city of Miami Beach.

Thank you.

It's you don't afternoon, everyone, Assistant Chief Daniel Morgala on behalf of the police department.

And I'm gonna embarrass Dr.

Castillo a little bit because he's extremely humble.

And he stood up here and he gave everybody else credit for that amazing accomplishment.

And it it does take a team, but in every good team, there are key instrumental people that make a difference.

And we came through that process together, and where he and his team now have taken things is a completely another level.

The reference that you made to if you save a life, you save the world.

I can think of at least a half dozen lives that Noel has saved in the time that he's been part of HT.

Um the things that they overcame as a team dealing with that night.

Uh there was issues with rain and weather and concerns that the person was gonna slip.

So there was the time constraint that you know they they were trying to get this done as quickly as possible to help that person so that they wouldn't inadvertently fall while they were trying to save this person's life.

So there was a lot of environmental factors, a lot of complicated factors that you know he didn't he didn't go into detail in, but we are extremely grateful and proud of everybody on HT, especially Noel and the job that he has done for 15 plus years as a member of that team.

And they are as competent and capable as they are, in large part due to the work that Noel and everybody on that team puts together.

So thank you all on behalf of the police department for you.

I got emotional watching that video, I think for a number of reasons.

But our police department does so much good to help people day in and day out that really just doesn't get the recognition that it deserves.

The the safety aspect also, but literally dealing with people at their most vulnerable, and our police department time and time again is there and does great work professionally, and I I probably got emotional because one, you're seeing a life that was saved that day, but also because of the incredible work our police department does.

Thank you.

Um, sorry.

I can do that, but I can negotiate with like in my strength.

As it should be.

Okay, look at his camera, please.

Three, two, one, eight.

Thank you.

PA2.

PA2, Certificate of Recognition, Andres Acion for Community Leadership.

Because you do so much for our police department.

And I I thought of doing this more the more recently, but I I realized so many important things are happening in our community of Miami Beach, and you are seem to be like in the heart of a lot of it.

Um I'll just mention uh a few through your Andres Asian Foundation.

You recently uh donated uh through the foundation um e-bikes.

Uh so we have our first ever electric bike fleet as part of our police department.

I got to see them uh out during spring break.

It's impressive.

They go about 28 miles an hour.

It's uh they're highly visible, the police officers.

Uh they also can get to where they need to be uh pretty quickly without it also expending too much of physical energy, so they're fresh when they get to uh to wherever they're they're going uh quickly.

So that was an incredible donation for you that you did.

Also, it wasn't that long ago that we you donated the uh culinary uh kitchen at senior high, which uh which was a tremendous addition to senior high.

Also, it wasn't that long ago that we you donated the uh culinary uh kitchen at Senior High, which uh which was a tremendous addition to Senior High, and um you were I remember you talking about that.

It's a good ringtone.

Yeah I remember you you talking about it for some time.

I remember when you first presented the plants to me when it was a uh sort of a picturesque uh ideal.

Uh but you made it happen.

And also went out to Overtown, the Overtown Youth Center, uh and met with you there, community center founded by NBA star Alonzo Morning.

And I know that's something you're trying to bring a concept here to Miami Beach.

I know you've we've you've mentioned that to me uh on multiple occasions.

So uh obviously I want to turn it over to you, but uh I think it behooved us to and there's others.

I mean we talked about spring break and some of the ideas that you had that I was trying to bring to fruition as well, uh you know, three years ago, three, four years ago when we were still having our issues.

Um so thank you for being so engaged, so uh but not just engaged in a sense of uh ideas, which it is, but also monetary help which you've provided through your foundation.

So thank you.

Yeah.

Thank you very much for for that recognition.

And honestly, today is uh is a beautiful day because I love being around like-minded people who number one love our city, and number two, love to serve in our city, and everybody that has been here today has been doing exactly that.

They love our city and they love to serve in many different capacities, whether it's through schools or through law enforcement or through religious organizations, or just somebody who stops and just wants to help somebody else that sees something and wants to make a difference.

And um, I'm lucky to have been born and raised in Miami Beach because my mother planted her flag in the city of Miami Beach in 1962, working as a beautician here in the city of Miami Beach, and has been working as a beautician ever since then.

Um my father as well.

So I I got to enjoy going to St.

Patrick's uh as a child and and got to enjoy and also the same thing with my sister and my brother in law, who also went to St.

Patrick's growing up here uh in Miami Beach.

As a matter of fact, my brother-in-law's parents were the bus school drivers in St.

Patrick's back in the day, uh 50 years ago.

So I just want to say uh uh a few words in Spanish, quiz in Spanyol, number one no habla English, and siempre están dando.

So gracias por todo.

Thank you very much for the recognition.

And I'm here to serve.

Hello.

Commissioner Bach.

So um I had heard of you, Andres, but I had not interacted with you really before 2023, and I got to know you over um that year, and I one of the things that I think is most impressive about you, besides your parents, which I'll get to in a second, but is um is the fact that you are truly interested in making the city better in whatever way you can, in whatever opportunity it presents itself, and um you're you always put your hand up and say, I have an idea or how can I help?

And that is um something that really sets this community apart, and you're a great ambassador about that.

Uh to continue to do that, and I know it it means a lot to you, and I I can't thank you enough for that.

And to your parents, supapa is mamma, hola.

Um casa de ustedes.

Porque un iho no se crea solamente.

It's um produto la produta de los parentes, los padres.

Gracias a ustedes para ISO.

Did I get that right?

Yes, yes.

Great job.

Just in case none of us pop onto the scene fully formed.

And so I wanted to thank Mr.

Mrs.

Acion for having done such a great job with your son because obviously he is a reflection of his parents, and they did a heck of a good job.

So thank you.

Andres you love this city and it shows and it's already been mentioned how you raise your hand to see how you can help the city, but you find funds from your uh foundation to make sure the police has what they need.

But it goes even beyond that.

You give turkeys to the seniors and have also donated other things, and that's really special.

It shows on who you are, and uh we need more people like you in the community.

Um say it to your parents in Spanish.

El is muy generoso y notamment que ayuda la communidad, butter.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

And I want as a Cuban American and as a young member of well, I don't know, I don't know if I'm young anymore.

Not after all these grades have grown over here.

But as a Cuban American, I'll just keep it as at that.

As a fellow Cuban American, Andreas, I want to thank you because you bring such great honor uh to us.

Our parents were embraced by this country.

And you found every avenue through which you can number one to always serve God to serve others, but also to bring honor to our heritage and to live true to the values uh that that have that we have inherited uh from them.

And I think that that's something that is greatly valuable and that we need to celebrate, and that hopefully those who come after us keep on upholding those values because you have a new generation that's coming forward, and you're gonna pass along those same values to that beautiful new generation that will follow.

Umor a look representative ser un his own de Miami Beach.

Uh felicidades.

And I just want to say it's a obviously it's a team effort.

Uh I'm grateful for all the donors and sponsors, and also to the Mami Beach Chamber of Commerce who has been um so important in helping so many causes, especially the culinary program.

Uh and I know that Robin and Alfredo are here, and I'm grateful for them to be here and supporting.

Thank you all.

Thank you all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

One second.

PA six PA six proclamation, Puerto Sagua restaurant, sixty-three years of excellent collectible service.

Somebody left up fun here.

Well I'm very happy to give this proclamation.

Um Puerto Sagua do you guys speak English?

Okay.

Okay, gracias.

Gracias.

So I've spent years going to Puerto Sagua restaurant and it is uh one of my favorites.

Even with Mark, uh we had one of our early dates there.

So as an Istoy visitando a Puerto Sagua y uh sinceramente special.

Um I think the funnest experience I had at Puerto Sagua was when the sister city of Fujisawa came to visit Miami Beach.

They wanted to visit Puerto Sagua to eat Cuban sandwiches.

The restaurant's enduring presence has contributed significantly to the cultural and culinary identity of Miami Beach.

Puerto Sagua has demonstrated a remarkable resilience through years of remaining a pillar of stability.

So today the city of Miami Beach recognizes the Rivero family who hail from Matanzas Cuba and have owned and operated the restaurant since its inception.

I'm kind of speechless to be honest.

I'm the third generation and I am proud of what my family has accomplished.

What we have done here in Miami Beach.

We are part of the inner fiber of Miami Beach.

I grew up running in the alleys, you know, sleeping under the tables late at night.

Customers who recognized me when I was a little boy running behind the counter.

And it's just a community.

Customers that you see for 20 years is no longer a customer.

He's a family.

He or she, you know.

And it's saying I thank you for this.

I thank you because the recognition that not I, but my family is accepting on behalf of Miami Beach.

I thank you very much.

Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

And I want to thank uh you guys as a family that owns Puerto Sagua for the tradition that you guys keep alive in the heart of our of our our deco district, people from around the world when they come here and they ask, well, should we go to Versailles for Cuban food?

It's like nope, you go to Puerto Sagua.

They have the best Juletas, don't they?

And uh and actually when my mom uh arrived to the United States from Cuba, uh one of the first places that my uncle at the time took her to was Puerto Sagua.

Uh so for my family uh it has it has deep meaning.

And now whenever Robert and I travel and we get back to to the United States, our first stop is to get our Croqueta Preparada and our sopa de pollo at Puerto Sagua.

So thank you for being such a wonderful establishment in our community.

We're a family that stick together everything.

My father, my grandfather, my uncle, my kids, my wife, you know.

We all we just committed to the to the the little corner that has become a world.

So thank you.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

PA twelve proclamation, Miami Beach Senior High School student Enzo Avellino and Samuel Ladono.

Thank you, and Zo and Samuel.

So today we've had we've seen I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

See, there's so much excitement with you uh with you up here.

Yeah.

So we've seen today, we've honored our seniors, we've honored our teachers.

Uh I tell you the heroism that you both showed.

First of all, you're hard working.

Uh well, we give the background.

I actually I I want to just briefly tee it up because I want I want to I want you to say what as much or as little as you want to say, but I just want to tee it up.

First of all, you're residents of North Beach here in Miami Beach.

Uh you attend Senior High.

Yes.

And you have a very hard work ethic.

You work right in landscaping and um unfortunately one night during the last month there was uh a tragic boating accident.

Um there was a survivor, but uh you many people could have reacted very differently, could have left, walked away, been in fear, and there were eyewitnesses who saw the heroism that you showed um in contacting emerging personnel, talking them through it.

Um I'm very grateful to Ronnie Isenperg, who uh is the president of the HOA at Biscayne Biscayne Point uh for alerting me to the work that you did that night.

And I say it's work because uh it really was an incredible job that you did.

But uh please I wanna I want to hear from you and and and what you share with us like what's going through your head and what what brings that how old are you?

Sixteen.

Sixteen, six sixteen years old.

It's incredible.

It's incredible, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I don't really know what to say, but do you want to talk about what happened that night?

I I do feel it's your story.

Um I can say that it was a tragic thing that happened.

Um I feel like it was a case of right place, right time.

We I don't feel like we really did that much, but I wanted to say thank you to the police department because they got there in under five minutes, it was really really quick.

Um that's pretty much all I have to say.

Yeah.

Did you did you contact police?

Is that I had a story.

So explain to us what happened.

Um so we were there working late, um, we were about to leave and then we started.

It was seven thirty to eight we were there.

And yeah.

Okay.

And we started hearing someone yelling in the water, and we thought at first it was someone joking around like playing a prank, and then we started hearing them like the yells got more serious and more serious, and he was screaming for help.

So we called the cops and I was yelling at him in the float in the water.

Um then they got there super fast and went out in the water to them.

Yeah.

So you were actually communicating with uh he and he was like fourteen, right?

Yeah, that's what I heard.

Yeah.

You know, you often uh especially when you get to uh to my age and above you sometimes hear people say, is the next generation or next generation after that.

And I have an eighteen year old son and a fourteen year old daughter, and uh and you say, is the next generation ready to take up the mantle?

Can they do the things that the prior generations did?

And I think so, and I'll tell you the two of you are perfect examples of uh absolutely yes, we are we're very proud of uh of what uh the next generation holds.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So now I get to read the best part of it.

Now therefore do we, as the mayor and the commissioners of the City of My Beach hereby proclaim April fifteenth, twenty twenty-six as Enzo Avellino and Samuel Londono Day in the city of Miami Beach.

Okay, look at this camera, please.

Three, two, one.

All right.

This one first?

Three, two, one.

Now this one.

Three, two, one.

All right, thank you so much.

Buenas noches.

Soy Adriana Londoño, la mamá de Samuel.

My madre, my hermano.

Somos recoglas palabras de commissionado Alex Fernandez.

Somos migrantes Latinos.

Somos de Colombia.

Muy poco tiempo in this pace.

But gracias a ustedes for reconocer este acto a unos chicos que están in formation in this país, donde les está brindando las puertas.

Muchas gracias.

Doctor Ugalde.

I'd like to congratulate you for being a finalist in the Principal of the Year Awards with Miami Day County Public Schools.

But I know that you're one of the finalists of I think it's 350 principals, and you're one of five finalists, so that's very, very impressive.

And I appreciate everything that you do for our schools here and our children and also the adults, because I know that you had a B adult program at Feinberg Fisher.

So really quickly I'd like to read that you're the principal of the Miami Beach Adult and Continuing Education Center, and you've been named Principal of the Year finalist, which again we'll find out tomorrow.

And you have broadened the lifelong learning opportunities for older adults through partnerships with organizations such as Unidad of Miami Beach, elevating and celebrating senior learners, including showcasting their art showcasing their artwork during our baza.

And leaders like you strengthen the fabric of our community by fostering connection, expanding opportunity, and championing inclusive education with your exemplary service continues to uplift residents of all ages across the city of Miami Beach.

And I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you for everything that you do in the city of Miami Beach for its residents, its adults, its children.

And now, therefore, do we, the mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim April 15th, 2026 as Dr.

Christina Ugalde Day in the city of Miami Beach.

Thank you.

Would you like to say some words?

Thank you, uh Commissioner Mateo Salinas.

Thank you, Mayor, and everybody else on the board.

Um, first and foremost, I would like to say that it is a privilege and an honor to work in paradise.

They say that when you find the right place, you don't work a day in your life.

And that's what I find in the city of Miami Beach.

Uh I oversee multiple campuses.

We serve over 3,500 students.

My students age between 16 to 100.

And I currently even have a student right now that's 85 learning English.

Very proudly, so she can help her grandchild uh with homework.

We have a program for adults with unique abilities where we provide pre-employment skills, and that program is in its infancy, only two years old, yet it has a wait list of well over uh 20 students, and we were uh by parent to parent recognized this year with the impact award.

I'd like to thank Ms.

Carmen Partinias because she is our coordinator and she is a resident of Miami Beach, so she takes this uh job very, very to heart with the program.

And like you mentioned, we do have our senior learners program at Urida and uh the South Shore Community Center as well.

And it's a beautiful thing because we love to see our senior learners come out, they do flamenco, they do artwork as well as since we are at Feinberg, our English classes.

We have classes from morning from 9:30 in the morning all the way to 9 p.m.

Because the parents go, they drop off their children, they come to our side of the building.

So it's a beautiful um opportunity.

We also partner with their hotels to provide opportunity because many of those adults that come here need a GED to be able to progress in employment.

So we have been able to uh assist them with that, and many of them have been able to now get management positions instead of just um other positions.

So, with the assistance of uh the city, you guys have provided the last five years well over $60,000 in scholarship for our residents and for our students, which has removed the barrier so that they can get education and be able to move forward in their life.

So thank you all.

This honor for me is beautiful, but honestly, every great leader knows you cannot do it without a village.

And my vice principal, Miss Herrera's here, my assistant principal, Miss Mendis is here.

Oh, sorry, over there, and my beautiful wife Carla's here.

So I greatly appreciate everything that you guys are honoring, but honestly, this goes to everybody.

Thank you.

One more to watch.

Okay, look at this camera.

Three, two, one.

Thank you.

I'm not doing it.

Okay, these camera.

Three, two, one.

Three, two, one.

All right, thank you.

All right.

All right.

I'll come now.

No, I don't think they just are thank you.

PA 7.

PA 7 proclamation, La Saint-Wicherie, local staple for years of service.

Remember what I said starting off.

Last but definitely definitely not least.

Good evening, everybody.

Hi.

Well, I'm very excited to present this proclamation, and I will read uh a little bit about uh La Saint-Wicherie and your history.

I know that um I've had parties where they were catered by La Sandwich.

I've been going there since I was a teenager, yeah, believe it or not.

And sometimes here in the city we order from La Saint-Wicherie, and it's just a nice staple of our community.

So La San Wicherie first opened its signature walk-up counter on Miami Beach in 1988 by immigrants Franz and Elise Le Forestier from Paris, France, as their passion project, introducing a unique blend of French flair, fresh ingredients, and unmistakable Miami energy that has since become the defining part of the city's culinary landscape.

For decades, La San Witcherie has served a as a beloved neighborhood anchor, welcoming early morning commuters, beachgoers, hospitality workers, and late night adventures with the same friendly spirit and consistently delicious flair.

The restaurant's commitment to freshness, craftsmanship, and its now legendary vinaigrette has earned it a devoted following, transforming simple sandwiches into a cultural touchstone recognized far beyond the borders of Miami Beach in North Beach, Sunny Isles, Winwood, and Brickle.

La Son Witchery has played an important role in shaping the character of South Beach, offering a casual casual open-air experience.

The establishment's longevity and continued success due in no stall small part to the labor of love of the LeForestier family stands as a testament to its dedication to quality, its hardworking staff, and its ability to evolve while preserving the authenticity that generations of residents and visitors have come to cherish.

So we're recognizing a celebrated local family-owned business here.

And today, now do we therefore, as mayor and commissioners in the city of Miami Beach, proclaim April 15th, 2026 as La Saint-Wicherie Day in the city of Miami Beach.

Thank you.

I bring my son club.

Thank you very much.

It's really an honor.

Thank you, Mayor Menor.

Thank you.

It was beautiful speech, uh, visa mayor, and thank you for all the vote for that.

I'm very impressed.

It's uh it's a pleasure and it's an honor to be here tonight.

Congratulations, and I'll go down and take a picture of any of my uh colleagues want to say something.

I know Commissioner Fernandez was saying La San Wicherie's making me hungry.

Each time I prepare fruit for you, I put your beautiful name on the paper each time.

All the name on the on the map.

You know, we all knew you could be the last one because you're open to 5 a.m.

So yeah, you're open late.

So we don't have the key of the door because we opened 24 hours.

There you go.

Thank you.

Thank you for being such a big part of our community.

Our French community is growing here, uh residence-wise, but and business-wise.

So and you've been a staple, so thank you.

Keep it up.

It's an honor to be here tonight.

Thank you very much for everybody.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes.

Okay, three, two, one, all right.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

So that's all our items for tonight.

Thank you to my colleagues for uh sticking it out all night.

Um to David Martinez.

We didn't test you tonight, but we'll uh we'll get you next time.

Gee, you have some uh restaurants to go to.

That's right.

A lot of choices.

Meaning adjourned.

Thank you, everybody.

Have a good night.

God bless.

All right, guys.