Commission adopts building‑height change, several budget amendments and procurement items; debate over restaurant broker fees

At a regular meeting, the City Commission of the City of Sunny Isles Beach approved a range of ordinances, budget amendments and resolutions on second reading and by motion.

Key procedural votes included adoption on second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 265, Article 2, Section 265‑5 to revise the definition of "height" and add diagrams and definitions (including 'low slope roof' and 'mean roof height') to align measurement with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and the Florida Building Code. The ordinance passed unanimously on roll call.

The commission also adopted two budget‑related ordinances on second reading to finalize FY23‑24 year‑end cleanup and to approve FY24‑25 adjustments; both passed on unanimous roll call votes.

A series of routinely scheduled resolutions passed, authorizing procurement and contract actions including: extension of a law enforcement accreditation consulting agreement (9A); purchase of a MadVac LR50 mini sweeper (not to exceed $90,723) (9B); a suite of fleet purchases (including a 2024 Ford F550 and other pickups) and related vendor adjustments (9D, 9Z); time and attendance software amendments (9G); and professional services agreements for Bella Vista Park and Intracoastal Sports Park (9J–9L). Several of these items were discussed briefly by staff and passed without public comment.

A more contested item involved a lease agreement (9R) approving a design/build/operate/lease arrangement with Crema Downtown Corp. for a restaurant at 18050 Collins Avenue. Terms presented by staff: a 10‑year lease for 1,440 square feet of interior space and 1,700 square feet of outdoor patio at $85 per square foot. Commissioners questioned the procurement process and the broker fees associated with the lease: staff explained that a consultant engaged broad outreach (the manager said the consultant reached thousands of contacts), negotiated the higher per‑square‑foot rent and a $15 per square foot joint maintenance agreement, and that broker fees of roughly 3% (city's broker) plus an additional fee were part of the transaction. One commissioner said she felt "kept in the dark" about changes during negotiations; the city manager explained the decision path and said projected net revenues would exceed broker costs. The commission approved the lease after discussion.

Other noncontroversial items included in‑kind use approvals for community events (Chabad Lubavitch and Russian Center of South Florida) and a resolution supporting a collaborative request that Miami‑Dade TPO and FDOT prioritize a traffic‑congestion study at 163rd Street and Biscayne Boulevard; a resident spoke in favor of the traffic study citing Brightline crossings and multi‑minute delays.

Separately, the commission approved a resolution condemning antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam. A proposed amendment to broaden the condemnation to "all acts of hate" and to reference two recent local incidents was debated; the city attorney cautioned against the body making factual findings on pending criminal matters. The amendment carried and the amended resolution passed 3–2.

Finally, the commission adopted the 2025 meeting schedule (adjusting the June meeting for Juneteenth), authorized the city manager to sign contracts during the late‑November/early‑January recess (subject to January ratification), awarded towing contracts, and concluded the meeting after citizen remarks and announcements about a Dec. 3 runoff election and shuttle arrangements for a relocated polling place.