Miami Beach proclaims June 10 for lifesaving teen, honors long-serving planner and local businesses; marks Pride Month and Pulse remembrance

The Miami Beach City Commission used its June 10 presentations and awards session to recognize residents, longtime staff and local businesses — and to mark Pride Month and Pulse Remembrance Day.

A proclamation presented by Commissioner Monica Mateo Selenus honored William for jumping from the jetty roughly 30 yards offshore to pull a child from a rip current off South Beach. William, who said he was fishing at the time, described the moment as sudden: “He just starts like screaming for help…then I walk out further on the rocks and I jump in the water,” he said, describing handing the child to the child’s brother before returning to shore. The commission proclaimed June 10, 2026, as William Corso Day.

The meeting also paid tribute to Thomas “Tom” Mooney, the city’s planning director, who was recognized for 33 years of service. Mooney thanked colleagues and staff and reflected on promoting from within: “I was very lucky to find a profession in local government,” he said, adding he will retire at the end of July.

Commissioners used the podium to honor local businesses and organizations. Vice Mayor Dominguez presented a proclamation to Seama, a neighborhood restaurant on Alton Road, and its chef-owner for more than 20 years of service to Miami Beach’s dining scene. The commission also recognized Tropic Color for 40 years of printing and custom services and Flower Bazaar for its event-design work; business owners thanked the city for sustained local support.

Commissioner Bot presented a proclamation recognizing Dr. Alba, director of Housing and Community Services, for work leading the city’s homeless outreach and integrated services. Bot and other commissioners recounted a case in which outreach staff reunited a person in crisis with family, praising the department’s 24/7 responsiveness. “We are helping people,” Dr. Alba said, thanking staff and partners.

Commissioner Alex Fernandez read proclamations declaring Pulse Remembrance Day and Pride Month. Fernandez framed pride as “an expression of the American values that we fight for,” and noted recent state law changes that may limit municipal recognition: “This makes today's proclamation even more meaningful,” he said. City advisory committee members and residents attending the meeting spoke about the city’s recent actions — including reinstating a rainbow crosswalk — and emphasized continued local support for LGBTQ residents.

The commission concluded the presentations by proclaiming June 10 as ALS Awareness Day; a representative of the ALS Association described a recent Walk to Defeat ALS at Jungle Island that drew more than 500 participants and cited national and local treatment-center resources.

The meeting adjourned after photographs and brief remarks. No formal votes were recorded during the presentations portion of the session.