Commissioner Stuvesant raised a procedural concern at the City Commission of the City of Sunny Isles Beach about inconsistent approvals for use of the commission chambers after several requests to host a brief recognition for former Mayor Norman Edelkopf were denied.

Stuvesant said she requested a special meeting and other uses of chambers to present a proclamation for Mr. Edelkopf’s 90th birthday and that those requests were declined. "It was denied because the majority of the commission decide not to celebrate or allow us to celebrate for a Mayor Edelkop in this body in the chambers," she said, and asked for a clear, written policy on facility use for nonpolitical, nonreligious events.

Commission discussion clarified practice and limits. Mayor Louisa Svechen and other commissioners said the council previously approved a proclamation acknowledging Edelkopf at the prior meeting; commissioners disagreed over whether a separate in-chambers presentation required majority scheduling approval. Commissioner Jerry Joseph said he had voted in favor of using the chambers; others said a majority had not agreed.

City Attorney and staff explained administrative control over facilities. The city attorney said the city manager runs facilities and recommended a formal policy be drafted: "There always has to be a public purpose in what you do... you can certainly set a policy for that, if you so choose, in conjunction with the city manager," the attorney said. The city manager also confirmed that workshops and special meetings have different scheduling and quorum requirements and that commissioners should coordinate with the manager for use of space.

Stuvesant proposed language for a facility-use policy allowing "commissioners to use facilities for nonpolitical, nonreligious events with city manager approval" with appropriate notice to avoid scheduling conflicts. Commissioners asked the city attorney and manager to draft clear guidance that specifies when manager approval suffices and when a majority commission scheduling decision is required.

There was no formal vote. The commission discussed presenting the already-passed proclamation at a community event or bringing the proclamation to Mr. Edelkopf at a school event where he will be honored.

Next steps: staff and the city attorney will prepare draft language for a facility-use policy and return to the commission for potential adoption.