Sunny Isles Beach — The City Commission engaged in an extended procedural debate on Nov. 20 about the mayor’s November nomination of a vice mayor, ultimately leaving the matter unresolved and scheduling it to return in January.

Mayor Spetschen — absent from the meeting — submitted a memo nominating Commissioner Jennifer Viscara as vice mayor for the coming year. Multiple commissioners disagreed about whether the nomination and vote required immediate action at the first November meeting (as the charter language reads) and about whether the acting presider could complete the process in the mayor’s absence. The city attorney read the relevant charter language into the record and advised the commissioners on procedural options.

At least one motion failed for lack of a second and a subsequent roll call vote produced a 2‑2 tie. Commissioner (speaker identified in transcript as 'S11') repeatedly emphasized the charter requirement, stating, "The charter is not a suggestion," and argued that deferring or failing to follow the charter language would be improper. Other commissioners, following the city attorney's guidance, said the procedural outcome left the status quo in place and that the item should be returned to the January meeting when the commission can resolve it with fuller participation or a clearer nomination process.

Outcome: No vice‑mayor selection was finalized on Nov. 20. The commission left the matter for further action in January; meanwhile, the standing vice mayor remains in place until a successor is chosen or the commission takes further action.

Why this matters: Who serves as vice mayor matters procedurally because the vice mayor presides in the mayor’s absence and can assume mayoral duties. Commissioners sharply disagreed on charter interpretation and proper practice, producing notable public contention and a requirement for staff to bring the matter back for resolution.

Source: Nov. 20, 2025 City Commission meeting transcript for the City of Sunny Isles Beach.