[0:00] Commissioner Jose Madi who beat everybody else. Uh roll call, Madam

[0:03] Clerk. [laughter] >> Commissioner Ray,

[0:04] » yes. >> Commissioner,

[0:07] » yes. >> Commissioner Yano,

[0:09] » yes. >> Commissioner Ruiz,

[0:11] » yes. >> Commissioner Martine,

[0:13] » yes. >> President Veneova,

[0:15] » yes. >> It passes.

[0:17] » All right, let's see who uh who wins this race. Item D, a resolution of the

[0:21] city commission of the city of Sweetwater finding need for purchase of

[0:25] additional vehicles for the police department authorizing expenditure of no

[0:29] more than $320,000 for said purchase appropriating funds

[0:35] from the Department of Justice forfeite account 164.521-569964.117

[0:44] providing for further authority and providing for an effective date. Mayor

[0:48] Diaz, >> as you all know, this is uh some of the

[0:52] great uh proceeds that we get when we have

[0:57] officers that detached to certain type of entities and we are able to get some

[1:03] funds and they've done some really good work lately and they've actually come

[1:07] through with I think it's uh or a million dollars if I'm not mistaken and

[1:12] you could add to that uh chief or deputy chief, whoever you want, but the bottom

[1:17] line is that we're taking this out of forfeite. This money does not come from

[1:23] the abalor side of things. And I want to be real clear, this is a great work

[1:27] that's done from our law enforcement side and we're able to buy and update

[1:32] our fleet as we stated we would from the beginning. Do you have anything else to

[1:37] add there? Go ahead. >> Um, nope. Uh, greetings all. Noel Gil,

[1:41] Deputy Chief of Police for the Sweet City of Sweetwater Police Department,

[1:44] 500 Southwest 109 Avenue. Um, just here if you need me to answer any of the

[1:50] questions. >> Move. Second.

[1:53] » Commissioner, >> is this for a firet truck?

[1:56] » Wow. >> Uh, no sir. It is actually for eight

[1:58] cars. I know it's very similar cost to that of a of a Oshkosh firet truck, but

[2:03] uh No. >> Thank Thank you.

[2:04] » It is for eight cars. Commissioner R. >> I'm seeing here it says uh unmarked

[2:10] vehicles for detectives and administrative units that are aging.

[2:14] There's these are not going to none of them are marked units, right?

[2:17] » No. So these aren't going to be marked units. So um you know um with with your

[2:21] support uh we actually have uh updated a lot of our patrol vehicles, the marked

[2:28] units, and we're slowly working on them to get them that much better. Uh but on

[2:32] the unmarked side, uh we're really hurting and uh I currently have uh two

[2:38] detectives that currently do not have assigned cars. So they're kind of hot

[2:42] racking cars and uh I've got um about three vehicles that are are greater than

[2:49] uh 2018. So, the issue with that is as as you

[2:53] well know, uh cars that are typically out of warranty uh cost you yearly

[2:59] anywhere between uh 3,000 to about 6,800 bucks depending dollars depending on on

[3:06] issues that the cars develop, right? So, what you want to try and do is not have

[3:10] an aging fleet uh that will cost you more than that of a new fleet.

[3:16] » Okay. >> Fourth. Any other comments by

[3:18] commissioners? Okay.

[3:22] » Uh, all in favor say I. >> I.

[3:25] » Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. Thank you, Chiefs.

[3:29] » And again, on behalf of the chief of police and everyone else, we thank you

[3:32] for your support. >> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Mr. Mayor, um

[3:37] if you could instruct the finance director to let us know individually how

[3:43] much we have in say seizure foreer, federal seizure for treasury and lef

[3:49] funds. >> I really appreciate that.

[3:52] » Um because I know uh the police department is very frugal.

[3:57] » They don't like to overspend, but I know that we're we could use about 10 more

[4:02] cars. I'm sure you have that on your strategic plan. You and I have spoken

[4:05] about that. Um, so yeah, if you can give me that information, I really appreciate

[4:09] it. >> As needed, as the chief explained

[4:12] before, as needed, we're using uh the monies that we're getting and properly

[4:17] switching out as needed. >> Yeah,

[4:19] » we still have some cars that uh we're dealing with and uh once we get to that

[4:23] point, you'll I'll bring them back up and and uh we'll get it done. Great. Uh

[4:28] as far as uh all the other strategic sides, it uh trust me before we spend

[4:33] one money out of our coffers, we we will deal with that.

[4:36] » Great. Great. Thank you. Um item E. Uh this is a $10,000 donation. This is a

[4:43] budgeted item to the Community of Performing Arts Foundation, uh which is

[4:50] Literaria that we have for the Nicaraguan community. We've had for many

[4:53] years. Um, so I'm seeking authorization approval by my colleagues unanimous uh

[4:59] consent to approve the $10,000 donation to the community of performing arts

[5:03] foundation. By the way, this is all made possible by commissioner Yano who many

[5:09] years ago not only created the mechanism uh but started u donating to this

[5:15] foundation. I want to make it abundantly clear this would not be possible without

[5:19] commissioner. Looking for motion by Commissioner Rail

[5:24] Deay. Second by >> Second.

[5:26] » Second by Commissioner Yananiel. Uh we don't need to have a roll call. All in

[5:31] favor say I. >> I.

[5:33] » Any opposed? >> Okay. Item passes. And I know the mayor

[5:38] is wholeheartedly supporting this item. Um the uh item F. I don't know if the

[5:46] mayor is going to support this item. It's very difficult. It's the uh United

[5:50] States Marine Corps ball donation. I know you're you're not very promilitary,

[5:54] sir, or anything like that. Our mayor is being honored by the United States

[5:58] Marine Corps, the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps um here in Miami. Uh

[6:05] the Marine Corps has decided to have uh our mayor be uh the guest speaker and

[6:11] the guest of honor. Uh it would only be right if the city of Sweetwater had

[6:16] tables. This is something that the United States Marine Corps uh has people

[6:21] purchase tables. I think it would be fitting if the city of Sweetwater had uh

[6:26] two tables. So, I'm authorizing approval by uh the commission to donate up to

[6:32] $10,000 uh to the United States Marine Corps

[6:35] Ball. Seeking approval by the commission.

[6:38] » Move. >> Motion by Commissioner Yano, second by

[6:41] Commissioner Yimio. All in favor say I. >> I.

[6:45] » Item passes. Mr. Mayor, congratulations. I think that is

[6:50] » you've had a lot of honors in your life. I think that's up there.

[6:55] » I think that's up there, >> especially in the 250th birthday of the

[6:58] Marine Corps. >> And it's actually Southcom that came

[7:02] personally. This is a South K ball and they came personally to bring uh the

[7:07] invitation to meet with the colonel and it uh it's a twoar colonel that I mean

[7:12] two star general major general that actually invited and and uh brought us

[7:16] in. So it's a great honor not only to to myself but to the city and uh we should

[7:23] have a good time there and you're going to see what a Marine Corps ball is all

[7:25] about. >> I'll be taking an Uber in case anybody's

[7:28] wondering. [laughter] >> All right. Um thank you Mr. Mayor. When

[7:32] is that? >> Through the chair.

[7:34] » 22. >> Commissioner Vil, you have the floor.

[7:36] » Um, can I add an item as well to to donate uh $5,000 to the Miami Diaper

[7:42] Bank? I know they've been on top of me for a while asking for that donation. I

[7:45] just want to make sure that happened. You guys putting these items just

[7:48] reminded me about that. So, you >> you can add the item if there's no

[7:52] commissioner that um chooses to not have that item. A commissioner can say, "I

[7:59] don't want to have that item." And then it's four-day ruled. But if no

[8:01] commissioner has any issues, you can put that item. We um

[8:08] point of order, Mr. Attorney, we can add this item as a pocket item at the end of

[8:12] the agenda. >> Yes, you can because remember that this

[8:15] is this is a general the regular study commission meeting where additions are

[8:20] permitted. Um and simply because the we have passed the additions and uh

[8:27] deletions portion of the agenda does not mean that it cannot be uh added later on

[8:32] as a pocket item as has been done and two other matters.

[8:36] » Okay. I know we've never donated to the Miami Diaper Bank. Uh

[8:40] » I believe we have actually. >> Yeah, we have every year. Every year we

[8:42] do. >> We donate to the Miami D. Okay. Well, do

[8:46] we have a motion to add the $5,000 donation

[8:50] » to the Miami Diaper Bank? >> Motion to add.

[8:54] » Uh moved by Commissioner Alder, second by

[8:56] » Second. >> Second by Commissioner Vio. All in favor

[8:59] say I. >> I.

[9:00] » Any opposed? Item passes. And it looks like that's all she wrote.

[9:10] » Let me see if I'm missing anything. >> That's the

[9:20] Motion to approve the $5,000 expenditure.

[9:24] » Motion by Commissioner Ran Aldere, second by Commissioner Vio. All in favor

[9:27] say I. >> Any opposed?

[9:29] » Item now added and approved. >> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Attorney.

[9:34] » All right. >> Thank you everyone.

[9:35] » Uh, reports. Mayor's report. >> As we know, we had the trunk or treat.

[9:42] It went very well. Uh we will adjust for next year seeing that uh we had a lot of

[9:48] uh young witches and goblins and princesses and kings and everything

[9:54] there. It was uh great. We even had Caesar uh and everything. So, it it went

[10:00] uh very well and we had a very good time and you know, law enforcement did an

[10:06] incredible job making sure uh that everybody was safe and I think that's

[10:12] one of the reasons why so many people came uh and enjoyed it with us and I

[10:18] appreciate every one of you for showing up and also participating and helping in

[10:23] every way. Something that uh makes us proud in our community. uh we are moving

[10:29] forward on many aspects of different uh things

[10:34] that have been brought to us uh by each one of you differently. I am looking at

[10:41] every one of them as was stated in the budget when we sat down and discussed

[10:46] the budget. Uh one of the things that was brought up to us was the uh flag uh

[10:53] to try to you know the flags to be put on the houses. Uh I have already reached

[10:59] out to Home Depot. They have told me they are supportive. Uh we have a Home

[11:04] Depot now the Sweetwater Home Depot which is uh very very very proud of

[11:10] them. They have also spent a lot of money there making sure that the houses

[11:15] are doing good. and daddy-do list. So with that said and done, we have also uh

[11:22] looked at different aspects of beautifification. I am looking at

[11:26] different projects. We are looking at different uh methods of that

[11:31] beautifification. Treecape uh is important. We are dealing I know

[11:37] that Scott and and I have sat along with Stephanie Baha and making sure that

[11:46] we're trying to get a a comprehensive plan of the city and what the city

[11:55] should look like in years to come. So every part of the monies that we get

[11:59] from grants and the monies that we put, we already saw the street signs the way

[12:04] they are and they look extremely nice. Everybody likes it. It brings our city

[12:09] up. We are looking at all types of situations. Parking in the city is an

[12:14] issue and we're trying to figure out areas where we could create some more

[12:19] parking and being able to do so um and deal with a parking situation. We have a

[12:26] problem with people parking on top of the curbs and and parking where they

[12:32] shouldn't be parking illegally. So, we're looking at some areas we're going

[12:35] to try to increase and have some parking, some areas of swell areas

[12:39] without losing the beautifification of the city. Uh we are looking at the area

[12:44] of uh 2nd Street uh southwest between and 115th Avenue and Third Street and

[12:51] taking those the 115th Avenue upward and trying to create some more parking

[12:57] there. Um we have a lot of issues with people that uh are in certain buildings

[13:03] and so on that leave their cars in other areas and then they go to the buildings.

[13:08] I thank you guys for backing up the uh making sure that we're able to put

[13:14] the the street signs that we needed to the no parking sites and the parks and

[13:19] so on because we do know need those spaces for people that come to attend

[13:23] our parks and not overnight parking which is something you guys had from

[13:26] before. uh law enforcement, the chief and the chiefs in the department has

[13:32] gotten um really strict on this because a lot of people have been complaining

[13:38] about this that they can't even go to the park because there's cars are left

[13:42] there all the time from people that live in other areas. So, that's just stuff

[13:46] that uh we're going through as our as we continue to grow in our city and and

[13:53] we're trying to address every matter of it. Um, I think that's pretty much it.

[14:00] It's uh we're going to be more detailed in the future. I will be bringing each

[14:05] one of you in so you can see where we which direction we want to go. I think

[14:10] you'll be happy uh as far as doing but one of the things we need to do one is

[14:15] the parking, two is those amount of spaces that we could try to grow and

[14:21] also the way the future prevails with what will come. There's three to four

[14:27] new buildings besides the area that we dealt with on Wednesday. Uh and there's

[14:33] more more still to come that are just programming as we speak. So it's a lot

[14:38] of uh development and one of the things that's created is that now with the

[14:43] development of certain buildings, it also creates sound problems, other

[14:48] issues. So, we're going to work through it, but you know, the actual growth

[14:55] comes with its own pains, and that's going to be one of them because these

[15:00] buildings are 30 stories high. And uh some of you that have been here for a

[15:04] while know that you've been through this already before. So, with that, I just

[15:10] wanted to give you uh and for the citizens to hear uh where we're at, but

[15:14] we're addressing every single uh facet that we can.

[15:19] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner's report. Any commissioner wishes to

[15:22] report anything? Commissioner Yananiel? >> Yes. I just want to um [clears throat]

[15:28] happies and giving to all the residents because we don't got to have a meeting

[15:31] until December. >> True.

[15:32] » And uh enjoy with your friends and family and please be safe.

[15:37] Thank you. >> Um, I do have something and I completely

[15:42] forgot about it. Uh, I also need to add an additional item.

[15:49] Um, this is something that, uh, the mayor and I had been speaking

[15:56] about in the commissioners, um, I believe it's the commissioner's

[16:01] special events budget. Uh there's $30,000 for special events. Is that

[16:07] accurate?

[16:10] » You don't remember? I believe there is. Um for the month of November, December,

[16:18] I know that the mayor has a Christmas party at Hakanosa for the elderly. Is

[16:24] that accurate? >> Yes. And that includes only the member

[16:28] all elderly uh for all of our elderly buildings or only

[16:32] » we've kept it in the past to the elderly from the elderly buildings

[16:36] » right >> and uh because that way we could provide

[16:38] transportation uh and so on.

[16:42] » So what I'd like to do is I'd like to take uh some funding from the $30,000

[16:48] commission commissioner special events budget. give your office uh $5,000 for

[16:55] that event. That way we can have not only uh loos and Sweetwater Towers um

[17:01] and other buildings, but also the participants in

[17:06] » Vossa. >> Um but I think adding the $5,000 to your

[17:11] budget will assist you and your staff not only with transportation, but

[17:15] bolster the event. Um you're going to be hosting that event

[17:20] anyway. I just want to be able to give you additional funding unless any

[17:24] commissioner has uh any qualms with that. I'd like to add an additional

[17:29] $5,000 from the commissioner special events budget towards

[17:34] um that event at Horge Makanosa Senior Center for the holiday party. Is that

[17:40] sufficient language? So, if I could have a motion from uh my colleagues to add

[17:47] those $5,000 expenditures to the agenda. >> Move.

[17:50] » Motion by Commissioner C. Ruiz, second by Commissioner Real.

[17:55] All in favor say I. >> I. And now I need approval to add the

[17:59] $5,000 expenditure uh of those $5,000 in mayor's purview for that special event.

[18:05] Do we have a motion? >> Second.

[18:07] » Motion by Commissioner Ian Bil. Second by Commissioner Ran Alder. All in favor

[18:10] say I. Any opposed? >> Item passes. So, I wanted to give you uh

[18:15] those uh that funding. I'm sure you can coordinate with Commissioner Yanu

[18:19] because she knows that better than anybody.

[18:21] » I've uh we've already had uh the two years or basically three with this one.

[18:28] Uh that we've actually dealt with it. We could add uh more to give them more of

[18:34] an entertainment and so on so they could really enjoy it. Great. Uh some people,

[18:39] as [snorts] we know, we do do an event that is done very well at the elderly

[18:43] center for them. And by the way, I didn't mention

[18:45] » the Halloween party at the center, but that that was that was a lot of fun.

[18:50] » Yeah, I wasn't there. >> This time we had this mad dog running

[18:52] around chasing people down. It was very

[18:56] interesting. >> So,

[18:58] um Saul again with his things. So, uh, we will have the the one at the elderly,

[19:05] uh, party, but that's only the members of that go there. And, um, we'll we'll

[19:11] try to, uh, spark it up a little bit. And if you know some elderly people that

[19:15] do not belong in and do not come from those building and we need to know ahead

[19:21] of time >> because so we could get a head count

[19:24] » and do what we can to help. >> Sure. So to the chair,

[19:28] » commission, >> I just want something. I just want to be

[19:30] clear. It would be this event that u commission and vanova is is talking

[19:36] about is going to be including both building right and subra tower

[19:42] » and most >> those are the ones

[19:43] » and the elderly center >> and the elderly center everybody

[19:46] » most of them do live in one of the the buildings right

[19:49] » okay but they'll know and the elderly center the information will get across

[19:54] » and they would uh come to [clears throat] no everybody um it's

[19:59] well attended last year was very well attended.

[20:01] » Yes. >> Okay. So, we'll do it and uh

[20:05] » give them a little fun. >> That's all I want.

[20:07] » Sounds great. >> All right, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for

[20:09] that. Uh, city attorney's report. Do you have anything to report, sir?

[20:16] » I did. City clerk report attached. I apologize. City attorney report.

[20:21] » Yes. Uh, so this has been a fairly eventful month. Um I u worked for quite

[20:27] a while to draft the letter to the attorney general's uh or seeking

[20:31] attorney general opinion on the open carrier firearms. That letter was

[20:36] finalized and went out very early this month. Um the letter itself was

[20:42] approximately I believe 11 or 12 pages long plus all the attachments. the and I

[20:47] spent a great deal of time to ensure that it was as perfect as possible in

[20:52] order for it to um to look good on the front page of the Herald if necessary.

[20:57] Um there is a case that we have filed uh uh seeking the foreclosure of real

[21:02] estate on the grounds of uh code enforcement leans. The case was filed in

[21:07] 2023. Uh it was one of three cases that I

[21:12] filed within a month of each other. That case is still grinding out because the

[21:18] between um uh Martin Garcia, myself uh and the

[21:23] mayor, we have wanted to give this individual an opportunity to correct his

[21:29] errors. Um and they're essentially I'm not an engineer, but they seem to be

[21:34] correctable. Um we've met with his lawyer. We've done everything possible.

[21:39] Martine has met with them on multiple occasions and they seem to be either,

[21:45] you know, unable to finish the process or confused as to what they need to do

[21:50] or simply just stalling. I'm not sure which one it is at this point.

[21:54] Regardless, I've moved for summary judgement in that case, which is to

[21:58] bring the case to a conclusion without a trial. Um, that motion itself took quite

[22:04] a bit of time and it's over 100 pages long actually. Um, so that was filed

[22:09] earlier this week. Um, I hope actually it was filed last week. Um, I hope to

[22:15] have it set for hearing sometime in January or February. And that should

[22:18] bring that case to a conclusion unless he's able to wrap up his issues before

[22:22] then. >> What is the address of that location?

[22:24] » Um, hold on. >> Is it a residential or commercial?

[22:28] » It is uh forplex. Four or sixplex. >> Commercial.

[22:32] » Yeah. So, it's commercial. >> What's the address?

[22:34] » Uh, just a moment. Fifth Street didn't >> on Sixth Street actually.

[22:39] » Sixth Street. >> I think I know that. Okay.

[22:42] » It is >> I don't need to know that. Well, unless

[22:44] anybody want >> Go ahead.

[22:46] » Okay. 107. >> Another one on Fifth Street, too.

[22:48] » 10710 Southwest 6th Street.

[22:53] » So again, it's one of those cases where we

[22:58] felt sorry for the individual. So we gave him time and time and time, but

[23:01] according to Martin, they just haven't done anything. So, I just dropped the

[23:04] hammer at this point. File the motion for summary judgement and I'm going to

[23:08] get it set for hearing. And I don't see at this stage I don't see any defense on

[23:13] their part. Of course, I haven't they haven't responded to it yet. So, that's

[23:17] still open. Finally, um there was a uh a claim filed uh in the Florida Commission

[23:24] of Human Rights by Yamaling Game. that matter has been closed

[23:28] and the uh Florida Commission on Human Rights has stated that there is no

[23:33] probable cause to proceed with any further investigation on her part on her

[23:38] claim. >> I know who it is.

[23:40] » No, I'll explain to you afterwards offline if you want to.

[23:43] » Okay. Anything else, Mr. Attorney? >> No, sir.

[23:46] » Thank you for your report. Police report is attached. Building and zoning report

[23:51] is attached. Code compliance report is attached. Public works report is

[23:56] attached. Finance report is

[24:03] attached. >> Attached.

[24:04] » Yeah. >> Community and elderly services

[24:08] attached. Parks and recreation report attached. Unfinished business. New

[24:13] business. Good of the order. >> Ajournment. All in favor say I.

[24:18] » I. Have a good night, folks.

City of Sweetwater Commission Meeting November 03rd

Transcript