Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee — votes at a glance (March 26, 2025)

The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee on March 26 recorded the following formal actions. Where the committee returned items to the City Commission, that referral or favorable recommendation is noted.

1) MB21 — Proposed new lease (PAL / Powell, 999 Eleventh Street) Motion: Return to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation to approve a new nine‑year, three‑hundred‑and‑sixty‑four‑day lease for the Miami Beach Police Athletic League (PAL) at the existing site; lease will be coterminous with any Geo Bond project building if developed. Mover: Commissioner Bott. Second: Chair Magazine. Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (favorable recommendation to Commission).

2) NB18 — Polo Park temporary basketball-court lighting pilot Motion: Return to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation to implement a six‑month pilot using existing tower lighting and park‑ranger coverage; evaluate results at pilot end. Mover: Commissioner Bhatt (moved on the record); second not specified. Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (pilot authorized to proceed).

3) MB15 — Waiver of special‑event permit fees for Model Volleyball event (Lummus Park beachfront; March 29–30, 2025) Motion: Return to Commission with a favorable recommendation for retroactive waiver of special‑event permit fees. Mover: Commissioner (motion recorded and seconded on the floor). Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (favorable recommendation to Commission).

4) MB3 — Creation of a foundation for art donations (Art in Public Places) Motion: Return to Commission with a favorable recommendation to create a foundation or committee that solicits funding donations for public art (administration recommended limiting solicitations to funding rather than direct acceptance of artwork). Mover: Commissioner Bodd. Second: Commissioner Magazine. Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (favorable recommendation to Commission).

5) MB12 — Muscle Beach expansion (Lummus Park) Motion: Direct administration to explore sponsorships, naming and donation options to fund expansion and return to Commission with proposals; affirmed public access must remain free and signage should be tasteful. Mover: Commissioner Botte. Second: Chair Magazine. Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (direction to staff; further Commission action required).

6) NB4 — Speed tables on 40 Seventh Street Motion: Return to Commission with a favorable recommendation to implement administration’s recommendation for speed tables to reduce cut‑through traffic and increase safety. Mover: Commissioner (motion recorded). Second: Commissioner Magazine (recorded second). Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (favorable recommendation).

7) MB19/MB20 — Framework to study sale of alcoholic beverages and advertising/sponsorship on public beachfront property Motion: Direct administration to develop a legal/operational framework (menu of options) analyzing feasibility, constraints, revenue and enforcement before any contract negotiation or amendment. Mover: Commissioner Suarez (direction recorded); second not specified. Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (staff to return with framework).

8) NB17 — Trolley extension pilot to North Bay Village (Culture Crawl) Motion: Direct administration to negotiate an interlocal agreement to pilot trolley extension into North Bay Village during Culture Crawl events and return with operational cost analysis; North Bay Village indicated possible CITT/private contributions. Mover: Commissioner Bhatt. Second: Commissioner Fernandez (co‑sponsor). Vote: unanimous (3‑0). Outcome: approved (staff directed to negotiate pilot and report back).

9) NB20 — Add infertility treatment as benefit to city self‑funded health plan Motion: Return to Commission with a favorable recommendation to add infertility‑treatment coverage (diagnostic testing, IVF and related services) to the city’s self‑funded plan; Cigna estimated a 1–2% increase in claims costs (approximately $576,000 projected) and extra stop‑loss exposure (~$76,000/year). Mover: Commissioner Bhatt. Second: Commissioner Suarez. Vote: unanimous (roll‑call recorded 3‑0). Outcome: approved (favorable recommendation to Commission).

Notes: Several other items were heard and closed without referral (vacant‑storefront registry was closed with an unfavorable disposition after stakeholder input). Several items (Lincoln Road playground, Washington Avenue streetscape/pavers, North Beach canopy items) were directed to return with additional design, funding and Historic Preservation Board input.