OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Miami Beach City Commission Meeting - July 22, 2026

City Commission Meetings — Wednesday, July 22, 2026
BodyAshland, Kentucky
SessionCity Commission Meetings
DateWednesday, July 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 10:25:51

Transcript — Verbatim
3:37

Please take your seats.

3:39

The meeting is about to begin.

3:40

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

3:47

Please stand by.

3:49

We are going on air in.

3:50

Five, four, three, two, one.

3:56

Good morning.

3:57

Good morning, everyone.

3:58

Thanks for being here.

3:59

Good morning to my colleagues as well.

4:01

We'll get started.

4:02

Busy then.

4:03

I'll turn it over to our city clerk to give us any uh relevant information.

4:07

Thank you, Mayor.

4:08

Good morning.

4:08

The city commissioner is physically present in the commission chambers on Miami Beach City Hall, located at seventeen hundred conventional center drive, third floor.

4:15

Members of the public are invited to attend either in person or virtually.

4:19

If you're joining us virtually, you can log in using the Zoom app or visit the Zoom dot US on your browser.

4:24

You can also phone in at three oh five two two four nineteen sixty-eight.

4:29

Again, three oh five, two two four nineteen sixty eight.

4:32

The toll-free number is eight eight eight four seven five four four nine nine.

4:37

The webinar ID is eight one three nine two eight five seven six seventy-one pound.

4:43

Again, webinar ID is eight one three nine two eight five seven six seventy-one pound.

4:50

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.

4:56

The zoom link, webinar ID and phone numbers stay the same for every commission meeting.

5:01

All lobbyists must register with the office of the city clerk located on the first floor of City Hall.

5:05

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.

5:19

However, if you're an expert witness or a nonprofit or neighborhood rep, you do need to submit a written disclosure to the office of the city clerk before speaking with the commissioner or the commissioner, commission, or city staff.

5:30

Forms are available at the office of the city clerk.

5:32

If a lobbyist gives or agrees to give a thousand dollars or more to our neighborhood association or its representative regarding a city matter, that must be disclosed in riding to the clerk.

5:41

Note that contingency's fees are not permitted to compensate lobbyists.

5:45

If you plan to speak during the uh during the comment periods today, we ask you to please sign in.

5:50

You can sign in in the in the sign-in sheets on the podium or the QR codes that are also located on the podium.

5:55

Thank you, Mayor.

5:56

Thank you, Ralph.

5:57

And before we get started with our invocation, I just wanted to give uh a shout out and a thank you in a recognition of the incredible 39 days we had of World Cup.

6:06

This yeah.

6:14

Our city really did shine in a big way worldwide.

6:18

Being uh personally, just being an American baseball, basketball, football, hockey fan, seeing the world sport on our stage was something uh I personally have never witnessed.

6:30

It was incredible.

6:31

I try to get to as almost as many as watch parties as I as I as I could, and it really took a collective effort.

6:39

There was a lot of people here on our that my colleagues who are so instrumental in bringing the Tartan Army from Scotland, the Norwegian rowing club, and certainly I spent a lot of time in North Beach with our Argentinian fans, which is incredible because not only uh do we have North Beach, which is uh little Buenos Aires here, we had fans from Argentina from other countries, uh, from our country.

7:04

I had fans tell me they came from New York or other places to specifically come to Miami Beach to watch the games here because they knew that this the excitement, the energy, the passion was right here in Miami Beach.

7:17

And uh I I have no doubt we're gonna have a lot of repeat visitors after the success we put on.

7:23

So thank you to all of my colleagues, Eric, our police department fire sanitation.

7:27

I mean, this was a major cleanup effort uh across the board, and it was done brilliantly.

7:32

So kudos to our city and and uh for really making us look like the world-class city we are.

7:39

So congrats.

7:40

I would like to ask um Dr.

7:43

Walter T.

7:44

Richardson Chapman from Miami Dade Sheriff's Office.

7:48

So uh during spring to come up, during spring break, um we have a lot of officers, and there's a roll call that I know me, I and my colleagues uh sometimes join, and there's hundreds of police officers there from uh from our Miami Beach Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, state police, other cities.

8:09

It's really uh something to behold.

8:11

So many different departments coming together with one goal and to to keep everyone safe, which we've done uh brilliantly the last three years.

8:18

But Dr.

8:19

Richardson gave the invocation there one morning, and uh I and my team walked over to him afterwards.

8:24

I'm like, you have to come to our commission meeting.

8:26

You spoke brilliantly and eloquently, and and I'm so proud um to have you here.

8:35

Thank you, Mr.

8:35

Mayor, and to you and to other members of this uh of the day is uh God bless each of you, and I so much appreciate this opportunity.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████17%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████15%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Public Engagement████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Public Safety████4%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Miami Beach City Commission Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Miami Beach City Commission met on July 22, 2026, beginning at approximately 12:35 PM and adjourning around 7:00 PM. The meeting featured an invocation by Dr. Walter T. Richardson, recognition of the city's successful World Cup hosting (39 days), a moment of silence for Venezuela earthquake victims, and a performance by the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival Youth Program for America's 250th anniversary. The commission addressed a wide range of items including infrastructure funding, affordable housing, development agreements, and public safety.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda (excluding separated items) 7-0.
  • Items approved on consent included numerous routine resolutions and ordinances.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Annabelle Urea (new IG liaison for Mayor Levine Cava's office) introduced herself.
  • Jose Aldi (Hialeah resident) urged the commission to be wary of socialist influences, citing concerns about voter turnout and activism in North Beach.
  • Gina Russ requested approval to rename a street in honor of Dennis Russ, a preservation advocate; she read a letter of support from Susie Jacobs.
  • Dana Stillman (15-year resident) discussed the cat overpopulation problem, advocating for a prevention-based approach.
  • Mitch Novick (901 Collins) criticized the city for spending on subsidies for the Betsy Hotel and the Miami Beach magazine, urging funds be redirected to public priorities.
  • Ofer Manor (linen delivery business owner) requested help arranging a meeting with the parking department to resolve ticketing issues.
  • Claudia Jagan (Lincoln Road BID) expressed support for the lease amendment at 1691 Michigan Avenue.
  • Jessica Pita (639 13th Street) read a poem opposing increased density on Washington Avenue.
  • Kevin Krueger (9-year resident) promoted sports tourism and suggested programming the month of March.
  • David (director of SOB Business Alliance) urged that Ocean Drive remain open to vehicular traffic and that their organization be included in decision-making.
  • Christina Vega (65 Washington Avenue) alleged forged plat books and fraudulent permit applications, calling for investigation.
  • Virtual speakers included Johan Moore (opposing Washington Avenue upzoning), Sharon Weiss (criticizing taxpayer burden for infrastructure), Larry Schaefer (questioning water fee reserves and prior bond promises), Wayne Roberts (criticizing high employee salaries and FAR increases), Jeff Burkhardt (supporting stormwater infrastructure funding), and others.

Discussion Items

  • R5A - R5E: Approved ordinances related to shark fishing, noticing requirements, technical code updates, construction fencing, and special magistrate compensation. All passed 7-0.
  • RDA Items (Meridian Place Apartments): Discussion revealed concerns about safety, lack of wraparound services for formerly homeless residents, and the county's role. The item was deferred to October 14, 2026, 8-0.
  • R9G (Sodexo Live Contract): Referred to the Finance Committee for further discussion on pricing and resident/charity events.
  • R5G (Dog Off-Leash Grace Period): Approved with a two-minute grace period amendment (5-2, with Commissioners Dominguez and Bach dissenting).
  • Geobond and Infrastructure Funding (R7A/B/C, R9D): Extensive debate on three options: full geobond, hybrid (geobond + rate increase), and a scaled-back rate-only approach. The commission voted to lift the moratorium on water/sewer rates and approved a rate increase only (no geobond) by a 5-2 vote (Commissioners Suarez and Dominguez opposed). The city will bring back a revised CIP and rate ordinance for September.
  • R7H/R7I (Ribani Lease Amendment): Approved 6-1 after amendments including $500,000/year for five years in infrastructure funding, $100,000 for trolley services, and additional public benefits. Commissioner Suarez dissented.
  • R7O (63rd Street Bridge Schedule): Approved 7-0, modifying the bridge opening schedule to on-demand between 11 PM and 7 AM.
  • R5Z (Seawall Overtopping Compliance): Approved 6-0-1 (Commissioner Fernandez recused), allowing five years to correct overtopping that only affects personal property.
  • R5M (E-bike and Micromobility Ordinance): Approved 7-0 on second reading, with clarification that e-bikes with batteries removed are not considered motorized means of transportation.
  • C7C (Public Outreach Contract for West Avenue): Approved 5-2 after debate; Commissioners Suarez and Magazine voted no.
  • R5T (Turtle Nesting Protection): Debate on legacy events; deferred to September.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Rate increase for water, sewer, and stormwater (no geobond); direction to administration to bring back a scaled CIP.
  • Deferred: Meridian Place Apartments transfer (RDA2) to October 14; C7AS (department consolidation) to September; R5T (turtle ordinance) to September.
  • Referred to Committees: R9G (Sodexo) to Finance; R9AA (single-family regulations) to Planning Board; C2E (parking management) to FERC; C4N (soccer mural) to Public Safety and North Beach CRA.
  • Millage Rates: Set at 5.8060 for operating (down 0.05 from staff recommendation) and 0.2693 for debt service, with direction to find additional savings.
  • Street Renamings: Approved co-naming Venetian Way as Judge Irving and Hazel Sipin Way; referrals for Dennis Ross and Michael Tilson Thomas street names.
  • Public Safety: Approved using retired police vehicles as decoys; received enforcement update on muffler noise (1,401 citations year-to-date).
  • Economic Development: Approved parking holiday for August–October; approved facade grants for North Beach CRA; authorized master plan for Westlots.

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. We are going on air in. Five, four, three, two, one. Good morning. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for being here. Good morning to my colleagues as well. We'll get started. Busy then. I'll turn it over to our city clerk to give us any uh relevant information. Thank you, Mayor. Good morning. The city commissioner is physically present in the commission chambers on Miami Beach City Hall, located at 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 dot US on your browser. You can also phone in at three oh five two two four nineteen sixty-eight. Again, three oh five, two two four nineteen sixty eight. The toll-free number is eight eight eight four seven five four four nine nine. 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 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 numbers 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 to the office of the city clerk before speaking with the commissioner or the commissioner, 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 our neighborhood association or its representative regarding a city matter, that must be disclosed in riding to the clerk. Note that contingency's fees are not permitted to compensate lobbyists. If you plan to speak during the uh during the comment periods today, we ask you to please sign in. You can sign in in the in the sign-in sheets on the podium or the QR codes that are also located on the podium. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Ralph. And before we get started with our invocation, I just wanted to give uh a shout out and a thank you in a recognition of the incredible 39 days we had of World Cup. This yeah. Our city really did shine in a big way worldwide. Being uh personally, just being an American baseball, basketball, football, hockey fan, seeing the world sport on our stage was something uh I personally have never witnessed. It was incredible. I try to get to as almost as many as watch parties as I as I as I could, and it really took a collective effort. There was a lot of people here on our that my colleagues who are so instrumental in bringing the Tartan Army from Scotland, the Norwegian rowing club, and certainly I spent a lot of time in North Beach with our Argentinian fans, which is incredible because not only uh do we have North Beach, which is uh little Buenos Aires here, we had fans from Argentina from other countries, uh, from our country. I had fans tell me they came from New York or other places to specifically come to Miami Beach to watch the games here because they knew that this the excitement, the energy, the passion was right here in Miami Beach. And uh I I have no doubt we're gonna have a lot of repeat visitors after the success we put on. So thank you to all of my colleagues, Eric, our police department fire sanitation. I mean, this was a major cleanup effort uh across the board, and it was done brilliantly. So kudos to our city and and uh for really making us look like the world-class city we are. So congrats. I would like to ask um Dr. Walter T.

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