Miami/ Politics & Govt
Published on May 07, 2019
Miami Beach City Commission to vote on new pocket park, vaping restrictions and morePhoto: iStock

The Miami Beach City Commission’s next meeting is coming up tomorrow, May 8 at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall (1700 Convention Center Dr.).

Want to know what's on the agenda? Here’s your rundown of what'll be discussed and voted on. (You can catch the action streaming live, right here).


The “consent agenda” for tomorrow includes a number of items that are ready for approval and expected to pass unanimously as a group. One resolution up for adoption would authorize the construction of a new pocket park at 20th Street and Sunset Drive. The Commission is also set to approve the use of final designs for vacant storefront covers created by Design and Architecture Senior High.

Also on the consent agenda is an allocation of funds for domestic violence and homeless services, an increase in the next fiscal year’s budget for additional holiday lighting decorations, and city sponsorship for the 2019 South Beach Seafood Festival. The Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee has also recommended that the main Convention Center parking lot be renamed “Pride Park”.

Among the proposed amendments to city ordinances on the regular agenda (for discussion and vote), one item would prohibit vaping and smoke shops in the major commercial districts and within a certain distance of elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Another amendment would modify regulations for interior and exterior speakers on Lincoln Road, and establish penalty and enforcement provisions.

The regular agenda also includes a resolution that would approve a new lease of the Miami Beach Cinematheque to O Cinema. Another resolution would endorse a proposed concept plan for the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge Project, and submit it to the Design Review Board to move the project forward.


Miami Beach Cinematheque. | PHOTO: GENESIS P./YELP

The consent agenda also includes a list of new tasks that commissioners have proposed to be assigned out to committees to get things started. The list of requests for the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee includes discussing the hours of operation for power tools, maintenance equipment, and leaf blowers, safety concerns on Alton Road, and the possibility of additional stop signs at the intersection at 44th Street and Chase & Prairie avenues.

Proposed tasks for the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee include discussion of a composting program in North Beach, funding of the Police Athletic League’s 2019 summer work program, a proposal to establish a commemorative plaque at the rainbow crosswalk at 12th Street and Ocean Drive, and discussion of Salsa de la Playa to be held in the North Beach Bandshell.

Another proposal is for the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee to consider adopting World Sea Turtle Day on June 16 every year in Miami Beach, and to create turtle-friendly activities to commemorate the occasion. The commissioner has also proposed that the Youth Commission discuss an official city social media platform dedicated to sharing information on teen-appropriate events.

April 24 meeting, in review

At the last City Commission meeting on April 24, the Commission adopted one ordinance, setting forth additional penalties for alcoholic beverage establishments that have unsanctioned promoted events during a high-impact period.

Among the resolutions on the agenda last time, the Commission agreed to strongly urge the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct an additional focused waterway analysis and management system review of the safety of the Government Cut jetties following three recent fatalities, along with three fatalities in September 2016, all of which involved nighttime boat collisions with the north rock jetty at Government Cut. The Commission also plans to request the immediate installation of lighting to illuminate the north Government Cut jetty at night in the interim.

City Commission meetings are held at City Commission Chambers, Third Floor, City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Dr.