Miami Beach City Commission Meeting - May 20, 2026
Miami Beach City Commission Meeting - May 20, 2026
The Miami Beach City Commission met on May 20, 2026, at City Hall to address a wide range of topics including public safety, infrastructure funding, micromobility regulations, and employee benefits. The meeting featured extensive public comment, discussion of a water rate moratorium, adoption of ordinances, and approval of key contracts.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the appointment of Debbie Tackett as Planning Director.
- Approved multiple consent agenda items including resolutions for water taxi program, Lincoln Road BID amendment, and various procurement items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ken Barnes called for the resignation of Commissioner David Suarez, alleging he used billboard trucks to target constituents and engaged in anti-Semitic behavior.
- Shannon Bustamante opposed a proposed shark fishing ban, citing its impact on local fishing traditions and youth programs.
- David Ballard requested enforcement of intersection blocking laws on Harding Avenue near 75th Street, citing safety hazards.
- Mitch Novick opposed water rate increases and criticized the city for adding 500 employees and doubling its budget under City Manager Eric Carpenter.
- Angie Zafadi (Sodexo worker) requested restoration of free parking for employees at the 17th Street garage, noting that the benefit had been reduced.
- Gregory Rogano warned that Miami Beach drinking water is highly contaminated with PFOS chemicals at levels 1,000 times the EPA safety threshold, and urged the city to warn residents.
- Milagros Acosta Delgado raised awareness for Multiple Sclerosis and invited the community to a brunch event.
- Eric Marshall requested removal of newly installed railings on the Baywalk at 10th and 14th Streets, calling them unnecessary.
- Rich Santalysis thanked the commission for supporting the new farmer's market in North Beach.
- Several virtual callers supported the water rate moratorium, opposed historic district color requirement suspension, and criticized Commissioner Suarez for targeting Jewish Voice for Peace members.
Discussion Items
- Anti-Semitic Vandalism: Mayor and commissioners condemned the defacement of a rainbow bench with swastikas and "Adolf was here" stickers. Germany's Consul General Christopher Berger expressed solidarity and condemned the act.
- Water Taxi Program (R9AG): Transportation Director Jose Gonzalez reported average daily ridership of 1,000. The city is seeking funding to expand service to weekends and add north-south routes. Discussion included potential advertising sponsorships and a small fee, but commissioners favored keeping it free if possible. Approved resolution to continue seeking funding and explore a lobbyist for county support.
- End Resident Tows (R5D) and Freight Loading Zone Reform (C7AS): Commissioner Fernandez presented a reform to reduce immediate towing for residents' non-safety parking violations, replacing it with citations and a text-before-tow system. A companion ordinance standardized freight loading zone hours to 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. citywide. Both items adopted unanimously.
- Scooter/Motorcycle Permit Fee (R9Z): Commissioner Suarez objected to the administration's plan to impose a fee for residents' scooter/motorcycle parking, arguing it should be a commission decision. The commission voted unanimously to prohibit the fee and directed staff to return with a no-fee registration plan.
- Animal Ordinances:
- R5J: Modernized animal cruelty laws, allowing rescue from hot cars and empowering code officers and park rangers to enforce. Adopted first reading.
- R5G: Amended turtle nesting ordinance to restrict beach events with lights after 9 p.m. from May 1 to October 31. Adopted first reading.
- R5I: Created a grace zone for dogs at the unfenced South Point Dog Park to avoid fines for straying. Adopted over concerns about enforceability.
- Elevator Inspection Protocol (R7F): Commissioner Magazine introduced an expedited inspection process for single-elevator buildings. Commissioner Suarez added a moratorium on fining buildings for expired certifications until all city elevators are up to code. Both measures adopted.
- City Commission Workshop Pilot Program (R7H): Approved to hold monthly (every other month) informal sunshine meetings starting in September, limited to 3 hours, with limited staff and no votes.
- Agenda Limits (R5P): Commissioner Mateo Salinas proposed limiting new ordinances to 2 per meeting and new resolutions/referrals to 4 each. Adopted first reading with a five-sevenths vote waiver for emergencies.
- Byron Carlisle Cultural Center (C2D): After debate over the procurement process awarding Stantec first place, the commission voted to defer the item to June for presentations by top two finalists.
- Water Rate Moratorium (C7AI) and Capital Millage Referral (C4T): The commission adopted a six-month moratorium on water/sewer rate increases (vote 4-3, with Commissioners Bott, Dominguez, and Mateo Salinas dissenting). A companion referral (C4T) to the Finance Committee to explore dedicating capital millage to infrastructure projects was approved unanimously.
- Micromobility Ordinance (R5AA): Commissioner Bott presented a comprehensive ordinance requiring lights, helmets for under 16, and other safety measures. Adopted first reading with a commitment to add a first-warning provision before tickets for minors.
- Penrod/Boucher Settlement (R7AD, R7C): Approved settlement to end litigation, including a cash payment to Penrod, lease extension to August 2027, and a five-year option for Boucher to manage Pier Park.
- Mental Health Coordinator for Fire Department (R7AB): Commissioner Bott motioned to fully fund a full-time mental health coordinator for the fire department, following a recent suicide. Approved unanimously with funding from reserves for the current year.
Key Outcomes
- Water Rate Moratorium passes 4-3, halting increases for six months.
- Capital Millage Referral (C4T) approved 7-0 to explore alternative funding.
- Micromobility Ordinance (R5AA) advances with first reading.
- Mental Health Coordinator for fire department funded immediately.
- Scooter Permit Fee prohibited by unanimous vote.
- Elevator Fine Moratorium adopted until city elevators are compliant.
- Animal Cruelty Ordinance (R5J) updated with modern enforcement tools.
- End Resident Tows (R5D) and freight loading zone reforms adopted.
- Penrod Litigation Settlement approved to resolve long-standing dispute.
- Commission Workshop Program approved to foster holistic discussion.
Meeting Transcript
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. But let's get let's get started. Turn it over to our city clerk, Raphael Granado for any uh pertinent instructions. Good morning. The city commission is physically present in the commission chamber at Miami Beach City Hall, seventeen hundred conventional center drive, third floor. Members of the public are invited to attend either in person or virtually. If you're joining us virtually, you can log in using the Zoom app or visit the Zoom. You can also phone in at three oh five two two four nineteen sixty-eight or toll free eight eight eight four seven five four four nine nine. Again, the local number is three oh five two two four nineteen sixty-eight. The webinar ID is eight one three nine two eight five seven six seventy-one pound. Again, webinar ID is eight one three nine two eight five seven six seventy-one pound. If you like if you would like to speak virtually on an item during the meeting, please click the raise hand icon in the Zoom app or press star nine on your phone. The Zoom link, webinar ID and phone number stay the same for every commission meeting. All lobbyists must register with the office of the city clerk located on the first floor of City Hall. You do not need to register if you're an expert witness giving only technical or specialized testimony. A representative of a neighborhood association or nonprofit speaking without pay or a private citizen speaking on your own behalf without compensation. However, if you're an expert witness or a nonprofit or neighborhood rep, you do need to submit a written disclosure form to the office of the city clerk before speaking with a commission or city staff. Forms are available at the office of the city clerk. If a lobbyist gives or agrees to give a thousand dollars or more to a neighborhood association or its representative regarding a city matter, that must be disclosed in writing to the clerk. Note that contingency fees are not permitted to compensate lobbyists. If you plan to speak during the public comment period today, we request that you sign in. You could sign in using the QR codes located on the on the dais on the podiums. Good morning. Pursuant to section 286.011, subparagraph 8, Florida statutes. As city attorney, I hereby advise the mayor and city commission that I desire advice concerning the following pending litigation matter. Penrod Brothers, Inc. versus the City of Miami Beach, and Boucher Brothers. Case numbers 2023-16657, CA01, 2023-56 AP012, 2023 CV 23362, and 2025 13415. These cases are pending before the Florida 11th Circuit, Civil Division, Florida 11th Circuit, Civil Appellate Division, Southern District of Florida, and the 11th Circuit, respectively. Therefore, a private attorney client session will be held during the lunch recess of the city commission meeting in the city manager's large conference room on the fourth floor of City Hall to discuss settlement negotiations and/or strategy related to litigation expenditures. The mayor will announce the commencement of the attorney client session prior to recessing the commission meeting. Okay. Thank you for being here and your lovely wife Dina for being here as well. Before you start your invocation, I just uh have to say thank you. Uh not just for me, but really Miami Beach. You've I've seen the transformation that you have done in uh in North Beach and building a community there. Also working together closely, for example, with Normandy Fountain Business Association and David Sexton and others. It's uh it's a real true community, and we're thankful and blessed to have you here today. Humbled by your words, and I thank all of you for all the support for the community. And um, just share a few words of of thought and prayer this morning. Um, in honor of um behalf of the commission and the mayor and the great people of Miami Beach. We're sitting before an auspicious time in the Jewish calendar, which is the holiday of Shavuot, the holiday when we got the Torah, where we got the the word of God, as it were, um, right in front of Mount Sinai. And something very special happened there. The whole nation of Israel came together. It says, as one people with one heart, as though they were just one person. And we found that when that happened, amazing things happened. That when they came together, God was with them.
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