For future South Miami events, some organization expenses may be reduced. .
By unanimous vote on Jan. 20, city commissioners waived reimbursement of fees and costs for future special events on city property, if deemed appropriate.
Previously, waivers were granted by resolutions and never codified as regular policy. The new ordinance permanently approves use of city facilities for worthwhile events.
City Attorney Thomas F. Pepe who authored the ordinance said it would answer challenges to city manager charges for use of South Miami parks.
“In the past, the city by resolution has waived fees for certain special events,” explained Atty. Pepe. “However, those resolutions really should have been in the form of an ordinance, and those waivers should [have been] done on a separate basis, as each event came forward.”
Passing the ordinance waives fees for charitable events such as the South Miami Art Festival and the South Miami Hospital Twilight 5K Run, hosted by Huseby’s TeamFootWorks, founded by South Miami running icon John Huseby.
“When John Huseby died, everybody wanted to permit us to close Sunset Drive to have a memorial for him but we had this resolution on the way,” commented Mayor Phillip Stoddard.
Stoddard noted that large visiting crowds during events like the Twilight 5K Run bring profit to the city and local businesses, to the point where South Miami parking meters are shut down. “Big events run by nonprofits are regularly given special consideration,” he added.
Addressing the subject before passage, Architect Marice Chael, president of South Miami Neighbors dedicated to uplifting the city, had abandoned meetings at City Hall and was forced to meet at member homes “to grow membership and grassroots advocacy.” The new ordinance opens a possibility for free use of a city venue in which South Miami Neighbors could meet regularly.
Florida Statutes, Section 112.313 – 6- provides in pertinent part MISUSE OF PUBLIC POSITION-No public officer. . . shall corruptly use or attempt to use his or her official position or any property or resource which may be within his or her trust, or perform his or her official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption
for himself, herself or others
PREAMBLE TO THE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
The City Commission and all of its boards, committees and employees shall at all times conduct themselves in accordance with common courtesy and consistent with the Code of Ethics of the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County. (Amended 2/11/14)
ARTICLE II CITY COMMISSION SECTION 4. A. Forfeiture of Office. A Commissioner shall forfeit office if he or she (1) lacks at any time during his or her term of office any qualification for the office prescribed by this Charter or by the General Laws of the State of Florida, (2) willfully and intentionally violates any express prohibition of this Charter,
Grounds for forfeiture for (1) and (2) will be determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
City of South Miami Commissioners Stoddard, Harris, Liebman, Welsh, and Edmond, and City Attorney Pepe, City Manager Alexander and Chief of Police Landa all secured a special privilege, benefit, and exemption to City Law by closing down Sunset Drive for TeamFootworks without an amended ordinance and only with a resolution for an exemption. This is an ongoing Ethics violation with the city of south miami government.
“In the past, the city by resolution has waived fees for certain special events,” explained Atty. Pepe. “However, those resolutions really should have been in the form of an ordinance, and those waivers should [have been] done on a separate basis, as each event came forward.”
Passing the ordinance waives fees for charitable events such as the South Miami Art Festival and the South Miami Hospital Twilight 5K Run, hosted by Huseby’s TeamFootWorks, founded by South Miami running icon John Huseby.
“When John Huseby died, everybody wanted to permit us to close Sunset Drive to have a memorial for him but we had this resolution on the way,” commented Mayor Phillip Stoddard.
Team Footworks: The Board compensated the Director for his role in increasing program revenues and controlling operating expenses.
Team Footworks Director Fee $59,850 and Salary $162,500.00 and Pension $136,253.00
Gross revenue $2,270,936
Grants and other assistance TO GOVERNMENTS and organizations in the United States
City of South Miami School $3,000?? the city has its own school?
WLRN public radio $29,287
So Miami Somerset aca $4,500
Miami Police Athletic League $5,000
Coral Gables Police Athl $200
Outside the Huddle $1,500
Baptist Health South $10,000
City of South Miami Police explorers $3,000
United Way of Miami Dade $32,125
South Miami Drug Free Coalition $2,000
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce $5,515
Miami Senior High $2,600
Tropical Audubon Society $2,500
SoMi very charitable to the poor Tax Exempt private corporation Presidents and Directors…How does this make sense these private corporations do not waive the fees they charge to use the same city parks. This does not sound very charitable. The City of South Miami commission does not waive fees for garage sales, parking tickets, code enforcement infractions, etc. but are more than willing to waive fees for private corporations that the directors or presidents can well afford based on their salaries alone. These private corporations should and need to raise funds to pay these fees to the city. http://www.communitynewspapers.com/south-miami/ch…
http://www.communitynewspapers.com/south-miami/ne…
http://www.communitynewspapers.com/south-miami/30…
No Fees waived here
Registration is $40 per team member multiplied by 33,000 participants equals $1.320,000 made in one hour on public property, public infrastructure, with the closure of public roads???
All while the President of Team Footworks Inc. an unregistered lobbyist made an annual salary of $100,000.000 up from $70,000.00 for keeping costs down.
it does not matter what the economy situation is Mary Scott Russell still gets her raises…but yet she cries poverty as the Greater South Dade South Miami Kendall Chamber of Commerce Inc. President to the City of South Miami Commission….
2006 Revenue $480,022 Mary Russell Salary $41,292
2007 Revenue $447,411 Mary Scott Russell Salary $62, 236
2008 Revenue $237,264 Mary Scott Russell Salary $66,750
2009 Revenue $234,197 Mary Scott Russell Salary $69,100
2010 Revenue $292,040 Mary Scott Russell Salary $73,600
2011 Revenue $395,460 Mary Scott Russell Salary $73,600
2012 Revenue $410,797 Mary Scott Russell Salary $76,000 + $6,000EAOC
Standard Space $325, Corner Space $375, Standard Double $650, Corner Double $700, End Cap (Double) $750. (All include Taxes.) Booth fees to be paid upon acceptance of invitation to participate.