Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who attended my birthday celebration! This amazing evening was also a fundraiser benefitting UNIDAD Miami Beach and Jewish Community Services of South Florida, both organizations dedicated to serving low-income senior citizens. As a champion of our seniors, I am thrilled that my December initiative is becoming April’s reality. While campaigning last year, I recognized a need for a meal program for low-income seniors in North Beach and worked closely with UNIDAD Miami Beach to make this happen. The senior lunch program will begin five days a week starting on April 2^nd. In addition, the Senior Affairs Committee legislation I sponsored is moving forward and poised for adoption upon second reading at the April 4^th Commission meeting. Stay tuned!

During the March 7th Commission meeting, two ethics items I sponsored were voted on and formalized. First, a resolution requiring signage in City departments visibly advising potential and current City vendors, lobbyists, developers and applicants for building permits and land use approvals of required compliance with all applicable state and local ethics laws were passed. Second, an amendment I sponsored to Miami Beach Code Section 2-12 entitled “Meeting Procedures and Agendas,” was passed which amends current required protocol to provide more notice and transparency for Commission agenda items.

The Florida Legislature 2018 session ended this month. Two bills we were closely monitoring and opposing died. Both would have removed City Commission ability to legislate locally – on short-term rentals and also on dockless bicycles. Neither bill became law. These attacks against home rule were detrimental legislation for our community. We must remain vigilant in case these bills come back in next year’s session.

April is full of noteworthy community events. Miami Beach Pride celebrates its 10^th Anniversary on Sunday, April 8^th. Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy will be one of the Grand Marshalls and singer Taylor Dayne will be headlining! In addition, the 2018 AIDS Walk, a 5K walk-a-thon benefitting over 15,000 community individuals who have been affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS, is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of AIDS Walk Miami. I will be spearheading the City of Miami Beach employee team and encourage you to form or find a team and join us on April 22, 2018, at Soundscape Park at 8 am. For additional information, please visit http://www.aidswalkmiami.org See you there!

Until next month,

Michael Góngora

Land Use and

Development

Update

Land Use and Development Committee meeting was held on March 14, 2018. Please find below a brief summary of some of the items that were discussed at this committee:

DISCUSSION TO SET POLICY DIRECTION FOR PRIVATELY OWNED SEAWALLS AND DOCKS ADJACENT TO CITY-OWNED PUBLIC SUBMERGED LAND WHEN RAISED.

Commissioner Aleman indicated that this issue likely occurred in years prior and Commissioner Góngora indicated that the City should explore the mechanism to allow the property owner to use the City’s submerged land, such as an easement. Additionally, he indicated that the City should explore options with the county to see if the land can be counted for the purpose of property taxes.

The Committee recommended that an Ordinance is prepared and presented to the City Commission.

Quote of the

Month

“We can actually make a change, we’re slowly starting to make progress. “

-Guido Dominguez from Miami Beach Senior High

Condo Law Corner

Is it too soon to start talking about the 2018 Hurricane Season? By Hugo Alvarez, Esq.

No! If Hurricane Irma taught us anything it is that adequate preparation before the storm will go a long way towards addressing issues after the storm.

Now is the time for associations to communicate with its owners about insurance-and liability-related issues. One of the often-confusing areas for many is understanding the scope and reach of the association’s insurance coverage versus the insurance coverage obligations of individual unit owners. Generally speaking, the association’s insurance coverage will only address the common elements. It will be up to individual unit owners to secure adequate insurance coverage for their own units.

Community Event Photos and Events

March for our lives with Alberto Carvalho

Equality Florida Miami Beach Gala recognizing Marjory Stoneman Douglas Students and awarding Emma Gonzalez a key to the City

Receiving thanks from the Nautilus Cheerleaders for finding them financial sponsors to attend the State competition

Miami Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce luncheon on navigating the shifting real estate market luncheon

Celebrating Purim at the Hebrew Academy

Supporting our youth at the National Walk Out day

Muscle Beach Grand Re-opening at Lummus Park

Speaking with Nautilus Middle School Students about Law Day 2018

Diana Fontani attending the No Place for Hate Ceremony at the Miami Dade School Board Meeting (7 Miami Beach students were awarded with No Place for Hate banners to display at their schools)