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Charter_Workshop_Stoddard 1 of 2 Memorandum 18 June 2014 From: Philip Stoddard, Mayor To: City Commission Re: Proposed Charter changes for the Nov 2014 election To include charter changes on the November ballot, we will have to approve final ballot language by the final July Commission meeting. To make that schedule the City Commission will need to reach consensus on which changes we want to bring forward as ballot items to be approved by resolution in July. That is the goal of the coming Charter workshop. In 2013, the Charter Review Committee, working with their attorneys, assembled three packages of proposed changes to the City Charter in Feb 2014. The voters approved a package identified as “minor changes”, while rejecting a change in voting date and a package referred to as “substantial changes”. I believe that too many changes were bundled in the single package of “substantial changes” without adequate explanation. My goal over the past month has been to understand and better explain these proposed changes, and to organize and present these changes in a way a voter can understand. The attached documents include the Charter as amended by the voters in Feb 2014, with most of the proposed “Substantial Changes” indicated with strikethrough and underline. In the margin adjacent to each proposed change, I have included a note describing the legislative intent of each proposed change, which I was able to do with assistance of the former Charter Review Committee chair Dan McCrea. I have numbered these proposed changes by increments of ten (#10, #20, #30, etc.) to allow additional numbered items to be inserted by the Commission. I have included two further changes to the package put forth by the Charter Review Committee last year: i. Giving the Commission latitude to set the number of required commission meetings. ii. Placing authority to raise or lower the City Manager’s spending cap with the City Commission rather than setting hard numbers in the Charter itself. We can have three ballot items, or at most four. I have proposed bundling the proposed Charter changes into three ballot items based on natural categories and created a summary table to make it easier for us to review and modify grouping of the proposed changes: (1) Items that improve governance, many based on adherence to common standards of the Council-Manager form of government proscribed in the Charter. (2) Items that provide more financial flexibility while maintaining oversight by the City Commission. (3) Language changes that make the Charter easier to understand without changing function or intent, or which bring the Charter into compliance with recent changes in state law. 2 of 2 Draft ballot language might be as follows: Item 1. Strengthening Governmental Standards Shall the City Charter be amended to better adhere to conventional standards for municipal government, in particular restoring balance of power between City Commission and City Manager that is standard under the Council-Manager form of government? Item 2. Increase Financial Flexibility with Commission Oversight Shall the City Charter be amended to increases financial flexibility to improve auditing and facilitate responsiveness to changing conditions and emergencies while maintaining Commission authority over the Administration? Item 3. Simplify language and eliminate obsolete language Shall the City Charter be amended to eliminate or correct language made obsolete by state law or previous charter changes, and to simplify or clarify existing Charter language without change in function or intent? Other than the groupings and language suggested here, I have not proposed a mechanism for better informing the voters what they are voting on – we probably need one. The charter is about 40 pages, and it’s awkward and expensive to distribute a thick booklet to every voter. We could put the proposed changes on the web and distribute to every voter a short summary page including an Internet link. While we can provide unbiased information to voters, state law prohibits spending government money to promote a ballot item. Think about our options. KEY Group Description 1 Governance standards. Items denoted with asterisk (*) restore balance of power between Commission and City Manager that is standard under the Council Manager form of government. 2 Financial flexibility. Increases financial flexibility to increase responsiveness to changing conditions and emergencies. 3 Language simplification & clarification. Eliminates or corrects language made obsolete by state law or previous charter changes. Items denoted with asterisk (*) simplify or clarify existing Charter language without change in function or intent. No.Charter Section Group Description 10 Regular meetings 1 Allows Commission to set frequency of regular meetings by ordinance in accordance with State law, for instance twice a month except in July. 20 Emergency ordinances 2 Better permits the Commission to respond to an emergency affecting life, safety, health, property, or the public peace if one or more members is out of town. 30 City Attorney 1 Requires prior municipal experience of new city attorneys. 40 Boards and Committees 3 Eliminates language made redundant by section B in Feb 2014 Charter change. 50 Investigations 1*Directs investigations through the City Manager. Resolves prior contradition in Charter by reinforcing division between policy and operations established in the Charter. 60 City Manager Removal 3 Simplifies language on removal of City Manager with no change in powers. 70 Acting City Manager 3 Simplifies language on appointment of Acting City Manager with no change in powers. 80 CM Powers & Duties 3 Eliminates Section E made redundant by Feb 2014 Charter change. 90 CM Powers & Duties 2 Revises Section H to give the Commission authority to adjust the Manager's spending cap up or down. Clarifies procurement bid process. 100 Public Hearings 3 Eliminates language on public hearings superceded by state law. 110 Adjustments 3 Eliminates language on budget adjustments superceded by state law. 120 Adoption 1*Current language gives City Manager sole authority to create a budget if the Commission doesn’t pass his proposed budget. New language uses previous budget passed by Commission in the event of budget impass. 130 Transfer of appropriation 2 Grants City Manager authority to reallocate funds WITHIN a department only. Permits City Manager to adjust more quickly for financial consequences of change in costs or Commission priorities. 140 Emergency appropriation 2 Affords the City authority to finance response to a disaster such as a hurricane or flood. Requires agreement of the Commission and City Manager. 150 Audit 1 Extends possible duration of auditor contract. Better affords auditors sufficient time to understand the nuances of the City. Increases likelihood that auditors will catch actual issues if they exist, while still giving the City the opportunity to replace the auditors if they don't perform as expected. 160 Elections - section 1 3 Eliminates language pertaining to elections that is already superceded by state law. 170 Elections - tie vote procedure 1 Although a tie vote has never happened in South Miami, this change would save money and time in the unlikely event of a tie by replacing run-off with coinflip. Thirty day delay for a runoff is time- consuming, and elections are expensive. 180 Elections - Canvassing Board 3 Makes terminology, composition, and authority of election canvassing board consistent with state law, and eliminates inherent conflict of interest from candidates serving on the canvassing board. 190 Elections - Installation 1 Requires certification of the vote prior to swearing in of candidates to prevent installation of a candidate who has not officially won election. 200 Initiative and Referendum 3 Language on citizen initiatives and referendums changed to follow state law, and simplified to make it more comprehensible. 210 Autonomy 1*Current Charter language permits one elected official to independently interfere in matters under the City Manager's sole authority estalished in Article III, Section 5. New language restores consistency by protecting authority of the City Manager while preserving the role of the Commission as a body to maintain oversight of the City Manager. Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  1  of  41               CITY  OF  SOUTH  MIAMI         CHARTER     Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  2  of  41    TABLE  OF  CONTENTS       PREAMBLE  TO  THE  CHARTER  FOR  THE  CITY  OF  SOUTH  MIAMI.........................................................4   MIAMI-­‐DADE  COUNTY’S  CITIZENS’  BILL  OF  RIGHTS ...........................................................................4   ARTICLE  I  AUTHORITY  AND  FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT .......................................................................7   SECTION  1.  Name ........................................................................................................................7   SECTION  2.  Existence ..................................................................................................................7   SECTION  3.  Boundaries ...............................................................................................................7   SECTION  4.  Form  of  Government ................................................................................................7   SECTION  5.  Authority ..................................................................................................................7   ARTICLE  II  CITY  COMMISSION ............................................................................................................8   SECTION  1.  Composition .............................................................................................................8   SECTION  2.  Mayor .......................................................................................................................8   SECTION  3.  Compensation ..........................................................................................................8   SECTION  4.  Vacancies .................................................................................................................8   SECTION  5.  Meetings ................................................................................................................10   SECTION  6.  Ordinances .............................................................................................................10   SECTION  7.  Officers ...................................................................................................................13   SECTION  8.  Boards  and  Committees .........................................................................................14   SECTION  9.  Investigations .........................................................................................................15   SECTION  10.  Civil  Service/Merit  System ..................................................................................15   SECTION  11.  Departments .......................................................................................................16   ARTICLE  III  THE  CITY  MANAGER .......................................................................................................17   SECTION  1.  Appointment ..........................................................................................................17   SECTION  2.  Qualifications .........................................................................................................17   SECTION  3.  Removal .................................................................................................................17   SECTION  4.  Acting  City  Manager ..............................................................................................17   SECTION  5.  Powers  and  Duties..................................................................................................18   ARTICLE  IV  FINANCE ........................................................................................................................20   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  3  of  41   SECTION  1.  Fiscal  Year ..............................................................................................................20   SECTION  2.  Budget ....................................................................................................................20   SECTION  3.  Revenues ................................................................................................................21   SECTION  4.  Administration .......................................................................................................21   ARTICLE  V  ELECTIONS ......................................................................................................................23   SECTION  1.  Qualifications .........................................................................................................23   SECTION  2.  General  Elections....................................................................................................24   SECTION  3.  Special  Elections .....................................................................................................25   SECTION  4.  Runoff  Elections......................................................................................................25   SECTION  5.  Procedures .............................................................................................................25   SECTION  6.  Initiative  and  Referendum......................................................................................26   ARTICLE  VI  GENERAL  PROVISIONS ...................................................................................................32   SECTION  1.  Conflict  of  Interest ..................................................................................................32   SECTION  2.  Bonding ..................................................................................................................32   SECTION  3.  Publication  Requirement ........................................................................................32   SECTION  4.  Franchise ................................................................................................................32   SECTION  5.  Powers  of  the  City ..................................................................................................34   SECTION  6.  Autonomy...............................................................................................................34   SECTION  7.  Amendments ..........................................................................................................35   SECTION  8.  Ratification .............................................................................................................35   SECTION  9.  Invalidity.................................................................................................................35   SECTION  10.  Acceptance .........................................................................................................35   SECTION  11.  Repeal .................................................................................................................35   SECTION  12.  Transition............................................................................................................36   Schedule  (A)  Boundaries .................................................................................................................37     (Amended  2/11/14)   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  4  of  41     PREAMBLE  TO  THE  CHARTER  FOR  THE  CITY  OF  SOUTH  MIAMI     We,  the  people  of  the  City  of  South  Miami,  in  order  to  secure  for  ourselves  the  benefits  and   responsibilities  of  Home  Rule,  and  in  order  to  provide  a  municipal  government  to  serve  our   present  and  future  needs,  and  recognizing  that  the  City  exists  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  the   health,  happiness,  education,  safety  and  welfare  of  it  citizenry,  do  hereby  adopt  this  Charter.  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)     MIAMI-­‐DADE  COUNTY’S  CITIZENS’  BILL  OF  RIGHTS     (A) This  government  has  been  created  to  protect  the  governed,  not  the  governing.    In  order  to  provide  the   public  with  full  and  accurate  information,  to  promote  efficient  administrative  management,  to  make  government   more  accountable,  and  to  insure  to  all  persons  fair  and  equitable  treatment,  the  following  rights  are  guaranteed:     1.  Convenient  access.  Every  person  has  the  right  to  transact  business  with  the  County  and  the   municipalities  with  a  minimum  of  personal  inconvenience.    It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  County  manager  and  the   Commission  to  provide,  within  the  county’s  budget  limitations,  reasonably  convenient  times  and  places  for   registration  and  voting,  for  required  inspections,  and  for  transacting  business  with  the  City.     2. Truth  in  government.    No  County  or  municipal  official  or  employee  shall  knowingly  furnish  false  information   on  any  public  matter,  nor  knowingly  omit  significant  facts  when  giving  requested  information  to  members  of  the   public.       3.  Public  records.  All  audits,  reports,  minutes,  documents  and  other  public  records  of  the  County  and  its   boards,  agencies,  departments  and  authorities  shall  be  open  for  inspection  at  reasonable  times  and  places   convenient  to  the  public.     4.  Minutes  and  ordinance  register.  The  Clerk  of  the  City  Commission  shall  maintain  and  make  available  for   public  inspection  an  ordinance  register  separate  from  the  minutes  showing  the  votes  of  each  member  on  all   ordinances  and  resolutions  listed  by  descriptive  title.    Written  minutes  of  all  meetings  and  the  ordinance  register   shall  be  available  for  public  inspection  not  later  than  30  days  after  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting.     5.  Right  to  be  heard.  So  far  as  the  orderly  conduct  of  public  business  permits,  any  interested  person   has  the  right  to  appear  before  the  Commission  or  any  municipal  Board  or  agency,  or  department  for  the   presentation,  adjustment  or  determination  of  an  issue,  request  or  controversy  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the   governmental  entity  involved.    Matters  shall  be  scheduled  for  the  convenience  of  the  public,  and  the  agenda  shall  be   divided  into  approximate  time  periods  so  that  the  public  may  know  approximately  when  a  matter  will  be  heard.     Nothing  herein  shall  prohibit  any  governmental  entity  or  agency  from  imposing  reasonable  time  limits  for  the   presentation  of  a  matter.     6.  Right  to  notice.  Persons  entitled  to  notice  of  a  county  or  municipal  hearing  shall  be  timely  informed  as  to   the  time,  place  and  nature  of  the  hearing  and  the  legal  authority  pursuant  to  which  the  hearing  is  to  be  held.    Failure   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  5  of  41   by  an  individual  to  receive  such  notice  shall  not  constitute  mandatory  grounds  for  cancelling  the  hearing  or  rendering   invalid  any  determination  made  at  such  hearing.    Copies  of  proposed  ordinances  or  resolutions  shall  be  made   available  at  a  reasonable  time  prior  to  the  hearing,  unless  the  matter  involves  an  emergency  ordinance  or  resolution.     7.  No  unreasonable  postponements.  No  matter  once  having  been  placed  on  a  formal  agenda  by  the  county  or   any  municipality  shall  be  postponed  to  another  day  except  for  good  cause  shown  in  the  opinion  of  the  county   Commission,  the  municipal  council  or  other  governmental  entity  or  agency  conducting  such  meeting,  and  then  only   on  condition  that  any  person  so  requesting  is  mailed  adequate  notice  of  the  new  date  of  any  postponed  meeting.     Failure  by  an  individual  to  receive  such  notice  shall  not  constitute  mandatory  grounds  for  cancelling  the  hearing  or   rendering  invalid  any  determination  made  at  such  hearing.     8.  Right  of  public  hearing.  Upon  a  timely  request  of  any  interested  party  public  hearing  shall  be  held  by  any   county  or  municipal  agency,  board,  department  or  authority  upon  any  significant  policy  decision  to  be  issued  by  it   which  is  not  subject  to  subsequent  administrative  or  legislative  review  and  hearing.    This  provision  shall  not  apply  to   the  law  department  of  the  county  or  of  any  municipality,  not  to  any  body  whose  duties  and  responsibilities  are  solely   advisory.      At  any  zoning  or  other  hearing  in  which  review  is  exclusively  by  certiorari,  a  party  or  his  counsel  shall  be   entitled  to  present  his  case  or  defense  by  oral  or  documentary  evidence,  to  submit  rebuttal  evidence,  and  to  conduct   such  cross-­‐examination  as  may  be  required  for  a  full  and  true  disclosure  of  the  facts.    The  decision  of  any  such   agency,  board,  department  or  authority  must  be  based  upon  the  facts  in  the  record.    Procedural  rules  establishing   reasonable  time  and  other  limitations  may  be  promulgated  and  amended  from  time  to  time.     9.  Notice  of  action  and  reasons.    Prompt  notice  shall  be  given  of  the  denial  in  whole  or  in  part  of  a  request  of   an  interested  person  made  in  connection  with  any  county  or  municipal  administrative  decision  or  proceeding  when   the  decision  is  reserved  at  the  conclusion  of  the  hearing.    The  notice  shall  be  accompanied  by  a  statement  of  the   grounds  for  denial.     10.  Managers’  and  attorneys’  reports.  The  county  manager  and  county  attorney  and  each  city  manager  and  city   attorney  shall  periodically  make  a  public  status  report  on  all  major  matters  pending  or  concluded  within  their   respective  jurisdictions.     11.  Budgeting.  In  addition  to  any  budget  required  by  state  statute,  the  county  manager  shall  prepare  a   budget  showing  the  cost  of  each  program  of  each  budget  year.    Prior  to  the  county  Commission’s  first  public  hearing   on  the  proposed  budget  required  by  state  law,  the  county  manager  shall  make  public  a  budget  summary  setting  forth   the  proposed  cost  of  each  individual  program  and  reflecting  the  personnel  for  each  program,  the  purpose  therefor,   the  estimated  millage  cost  of  each  program  and  the  amount  of  any  contingency  and  carry  over  funds  of  each   program.     12.  Quarterly  budget  comparisons.  The  county  manager  shall  make  public  a  quarterly  report  showing  the   actual  expenditures  during  the  quarter  just  ended  against  one  quarter  of  the  proposed  annual  expenditures  set  forth   in  the  budget.    Such  report  shall  also  reflect  the  same  cumulative  information  for  whatever  portion  of  the  fiscal  year   that  has  elapsed.     13.  Adequate  audits.  An  annual  audit  of  the  county  and  each  municipality  shall  be  made  by  an  independent   certified  public  accounting  firm  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards.    A  summary  of  the  results,   including  any  deficiencies  found,  shall  be  made  public.    In  making  such  audit,  proprietary  functions  shall  be  audited   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  6  of  41   separately  and  adequate  depreciation  on  proprietary  facilities  shall  be  accrued  so  the  public  may  determine  the   amount  of  any  direct  or  indirect  subsidy.     14.  Regional  offices.  Regional  offices  of  the  county’s  administrative  services  shall  be  maintained  at  locations  in   the  county  for  the  convenience  of  the  residents.     15.  Financial  disclosure.  The  Commission  shall  by  ordinance  make  provisions  for  the  filing  under  oath  or   affirmation  by  all  county  and  municipal  elective  officials,  candidates  for  county  and  municipal  elective  offices,  such   employees  as  may  be  designated  by  ordinance,  and  such  other  public  officials,  and  outside  consultants  who  receive   funds  from  the  county  or  municipalities  within  the  county  and  who  may  legally  be  included,  or  personal  financial   statements,  copies  of  personal  federal  income  tax  returns,  or  itemized  source  of  income  statements  of  income   statements.    Provisions  shall  be  made  for  preparing  and  keeping  such  reports  current  from  time  to  time,  and  for   public  disclosure.      The  Commission  shall  also  make  provisions  for  the  filling  annually  under  oath  of  a  report  by  full-­‐time  county   and  municipal  employees  of  all  outside  employment  and  amounts  received  therefrom.    The  county  manager  or  any   city  manager  may  require  monthly  reports  from  individual  employees  or  groups  of  employees  for  good  cause.     16.  Representation  of  public.  The  Commission  shall  endeavor  to  provide  representation  at  all  proceedings   significantly  affecting  the  county  and  its  residents  before  state  and  federal  regulatory  bodies.     17.  Commission  on  Ethics  and  Public  Trust.  The  County  shall,  by  ordinance,  establish  an  independent   Commission  on  Ethics  and  Public  Trust  comprised  of  five  members,  not  appointed  by  County  Commission,  with  the   authority  to  review,  interpret,  render  advisory  opinions  and  enforce  the  county  and  municipal  code  of  ethics   ordinances,  conflict  of  interest  ordinances,  lobbyist  registration  and  reporting  ordinances,  ethical  campaign  practices   ordinances,  when  enacted,  and  citizens’  bill  of  rights.     (A) The  foregoing  enumeration  of  citizens’  rights  vests  large  and  pervasive  powers  in  the  citizenry  of  Dade   County.    Such  power  necessarily  carries  with  it  responsibility  of  equal  magnitude  for  the  successful  operation  of   government  in  the  county.    The  orderly,  efficient  and  fair  operation  of  government  requires  the  intelligent   participation  of  individual  citizens  exercising  their  rights  with  dignity  and  restraint  so  as  to  avoid  any  sweeping   acceleration  in  the  cost  of  government  because  of  the  exercise  of  individual  prerogatives,  and  for  individual  citizens   to  grant  respect  for  the  dignity  of  public  office.     (B)  Remedies  for  violations.    In  any  suit  by  a  citizen  alleging  a  violation  of  this  article  filed  with  the  Miami-­‐Dade   Commission  on  Ethics  and  Public  Trust,  the  charging  party,  if  successful,  shall  be  entitled  to  recover  costs  as  fixed  by   the  court.    Any  public  official  or  employee  who  is  found  by  the  Commission  to  have  willfully  violated  this  article  shall   forthwith  forfeit  his  office  or  employment.  (Amended  2/11/24)     (C)  Construction.    All  provisions  of  this  article  shall  be  construed  to  be  supplementary  to  and  not  in  conflict  with   the  general  laws  of  Florida.    In  any  part  of  this  article  shall  be  declared  invalid,  it  shall  not  affect  the  validity  of  the   remaining  provisions.  (Amended  3/12/96)     Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  7  of  41   CHARTER   CITY  OF  SOUTH  MIAMI     ARTICLE  I     AUTHORITY  AND  FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT     SECTION  1. Name     The  present  municipal  government  existing  under  the  name    "City  of  South  Miami"  shall   continue  to  exist  and  shall  continue  to  be  known  as  "City  of  South  Miami".     SECTION  2. Existence     This  municipal  corporation  shall  have  perpetual  succession.     SECTION  3. Boundaries      The  legal  description  of  the  boundaries  of  the  City  of  South  Miami  is  attached  to  the  end   of  this  Charter  as  Schedule  (A)  (Amended  2/8/00)     SECTION  4. Form  of  Government     This  City  shall  have  a  Commission-­‐Manager  government.     SECTION  5. Authority     This  Municipal  Corporation  shall  have  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  which  may   have  been  or  hereafter  be  granted  under  the  Constitution  and  General  Laws  of  the  State  of   Florida  and  such  other  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  which  may  have  been  or  may  hereafter   be  granted  under  general  acts  of  the  legislature  of  the  State  of  Florida,  including  but  not  by  way   of  limitation,  the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  under  the  Home  Rule  Amendment,  Article  8,   Section  2  of  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Florida,  and  any  amendments  thereto  which  have   been  or  may  hereafter  be  enacted.   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  8  of  41   ARTICLE  II     CITY  COMMISSION     SECTION  1. Composition     The  Commission  shall  consist  of  a  Mayor  and  four  Commissioners.     SECTION  2. Mayor     The  Mayor  shall  preside  at  meetings  for  the  City  Commission  and  shall  be  recognized  as   Head  of  the  City  government  for  ceremonial  purposes.    The  Vice-­‐Mayor  shall  serve  for  a  two  (2)   year  term  and  shall  be  the  Commissioner  receiving  the  greatest  number  of  votes  in  the  preceding   general  election.  (See  Art.V,Sec.2A)       SECTION  3. Compensation     The  annual  salaries  and  expense  accounts  of  the  Commission  shall  be  prescribed  by   ordinance  adopted  prior  to  approval  of  the  annual  budget.    Increases  in  salaries  and  expense   accounts  of  the  Commission  shall  take  effect  after  the  next  general  election.    Decreases  shall  take   effect  upon  approval  of  the  budget.  (Amended  2/8/00)     SECTION  4. Vacancies     *The  Office  of  a  Commissioner  shall  become  vacant  upon  his  or  her  death,  resignation,   removal  from  office  in  any  manner  authorized  by  law,  or  by  forfeiture  of  his  or  her  office.     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,    (3)  is  suspended  from  office  by  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Florida,   or  removed  from  office  by  the  Florida  Senate,  by  a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  or  by   operation  of  the  law;  (4)  is  convicted  of  a  felony  or  crime  involving  moral  turpitude,  or  (5)  fails  to   attend  four  consecutive  regular  meetings  of  the  Commission  without  being  excused  by  the   Commission.    Grounds  for  forfeiture  for  (1)  and  (2)  will  be  determined  by  a  court  of  competent   jurisdiction.    Grounds  for  forfeiture  of  (3),  (4)  and  (5)  will  be  determined  by  the  City  Commission.   (Amended  2/8/00)   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  9  of  41   B. Filling  of  Vacancies.     1. Any  vacancy  on  the  Commission,  which  occurs  for  less  than  nine  months  before  the  next   general  election  shall  be  filled  for  the  unexpired  term  by  the  Commission  within  30  days  from  the   date  of  the  vacancy.    If  the  Commission  fills  the  vacancy  within  the  prescribed  time,  the  person   appointed  by  the  Commission  shall  serve  in  that  capacity  only  until  the  next  general  election.    If   the  Commission  fails  to  make  the  appointment  within  30  days,  the  vacancy  shall  be  filled  by  a   regular  or  special  election  to  be  held  no  less  than  45  days  nor  more  than  60  days  from  the  date  of   the  vacancy.    In  the  event  a  Commission  member  resigns  to  run  for  the  office  of  Mayor,  the   Commission  shall  notify  the  City  Clerk  in  writing  of  his  or  her  intention  to  qualify  for  that  office  no   later  than  15  days  before  the  beginning  of  qualification  for  the  next  election.     2. In  the  event  a  vacancy  occurs  more  than  nine  months  prior  to  the  next  general  election,   the  Commission  shall  have  no  power  to  fill  the  vacancy  and  the  unexpired  term  shall  be  filled  by  a   special  election  being  held  not  less  than  30  days  nor  more  than  60  days  after  the  vacancy  exists.     3. If  the  vacancy  occurs  in  the  Office  of  Mayor  and  the  Commission  selects  a  member  of  the   Commission  as  Mayor,  a  vacancy  shall  exist  on  the  Commission.    If  the  person  selected  as  Mayor   has  an  unexpired  term  as  Commissioner  extending  beyond  the  time  of  the  next  general  election,   the  person  shall  elect  to  either  quality  for  the  office  of  Mayor  by  notifying  the  City  Clerk  in  writing   of  his  or  her  intention  to  qualify  for  the  office  of  Mayor  no  later  than  15  days  before  the  deadline   for  qualification  for  the  next  general  election.  Qualifying  for  the  office  of  Mayor  shall  create  a   vacancy  on  his  or  her  seat  as  Commissioner  for  the  unexpired  term.    If  the  person  does  not   qualify  for  the  office  of  Mayor,  he  or  she  shall  be  considered  as  serving  temporarily  as  Mayor  and   shall  revert  automatically  to  the  unexpired  term  to  which  he  or  she  was  elected.     4. No  person  who  has  forfeited  an  office  on  the  Commission  shall  be  qualified  to  run  for   office  to  fill  the  vacancy  created  by  the  forfeiture.     5.  If  at  any  time  the  membership  on  the  City  Commission  is  reduced  to  less  than  four   members  because  of  suspension,  removal  or  forfeiture  of  office,  the  remaining  members  of  the   Commission  shall,  by  majority  vote,  appoint  additional  interim  Commission  members  and  shall   schedule  a  special  election  to  be  held  no  less  than  30  days  nor  more  than  60  days  after  the  loss  of   a  quorum  to  fill  any  vacancy  that  exists  for  more  than  nine  months  prior  to  the  next  general   election.     6.  In  the  event  that  all  members  of  the  City  Commission  are  removed  by  death,  resignation,   suspension,  removal,  or  forfeiture  of  office,  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Florida  shall  appoint  an   interim  City  Commission  and  the  City  Clerk  shall  schedule  a  special  election  to  be  held  not  less   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  10  of  41   that  30  days  nor  more  than  60  days  after  the  occurrence  of  the  last  vacancy  to  fill  all  vacancies   that  exist  for  more  than  nine  months  prior  to  the  next  general  election.  (Amended  2/8/00)     SECTION  5. Meetings     A. Attendance.    All  meetings  of  the  City  Commission  shall  be  public  with  the   exception  of  properly  called  Executive  Session  meetings.  (Amended  2/11/14)     B. Special  Meetings.    Special  meetings  may  be  held  upon  call  by  the  Mayor  or  three   or  more  Commissioners.      Written  notice  of  the  meeting  shall  be  delivered  to  the  members  of  the   Commission  by  the  City  Clerk  not  less  than  24  hours  before  the  meeting  is  held.  No  business  shall   be  transacted  at  any  special  meeting  other  than  that  for  which  the  meeting  was  called.      The  24-­‐ hour  time  limit  may  be  waived  in  time  of  public  emergency  affecting  life,  health,  property  or   safety.  (Amended  2/8/00)     C. Regular  Meetings.    The  Commission  shall  meet  regularly  at  such  times  and  places   as  may  be  prescribed  by  its  rules  pursuant  to  state  law  but  not  less  frequently  than  twice  each   month.     D. Procedure.    The  Commission  shall  fix  its  rules  of  procedure  and  order  of  business   or,  in  the  absence  of  applicable  rules,  it  shall  follow  Robert's  Rules  of  Order  (Revised).     E. Record.    The  Commission  shall  keep  a  permanent  written  public  record  of  its   proceedings.     F. Quorum.    Four  members  of  the  Commission  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  a   regular  meeting  and  three  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  a  special  meeting.       SECTION  6. Ordinances      The  City  Commission  shall  act  only  by  ordinance  or  written  resolution  and  those  acts  of   the  City  Commission  shall  be  by  ordinance  which:     (1) Adopt  or  amend  an  administrative  code  or  establish,  alter  or  abolish  any  City   Department     (2) Provide  for  a  fine  or  other  penalty  or  establish  a  rule  or  regulation  for  violation  of   which  a  fine  or  other  penalty  is  imposed.     (3) Levy  taxes.   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  11  of  41     (4) Grant,  renew  or  extend  a  franchise  and  regulate  public  utilities  service  rates.     (5) Authorize  borrowing  of  money.  (Amended  2/11/14)     (6) Convey  or  lease  or  authorize  the  conveyance  or  lease  of  any  property  of  the  City.     A. Form.    Every  proposed  ordinance  shall  be  introduced  in  writing  and  in  the  form   required  for  final  adoption.    No  ordinance  shall  contain  more  than  one  subject,  which  shall  be   clearly  expressed  in  its  title.    The  enacting  clause  shall  be  “BE  IT  ORDAINED  BY  THE  MAYOR  AND   CITY  COMMISSION  OF  THE  CITY  OF  SOUTH  MIAMI,  FLORIDA.”  (Amended  2/8/00)     Any  ordinance,  which  repeals  or  amends  an  existing  ordinance  or  part  of  the  City  Code   shall  clearly  identify  in  the  title  the  ordinance  or  section  of  the  code  that  it  seeks  to  repeal  or   amend.  (Amended  2/8/00)     B. Introduction.    An  ordinance  or  resolution  may  be  introduced  by  any  member  at   any  regular  meeting  of  the  City  Commission.     (1) Procedure    After  introduction  of  any  ordinance,  the  City  Clerk  shall  prepare   a  number  of  copies  and  shall  distribute  a  copy  to  each  member  of  the  Commission  and  to  the   Manager.    The  City  Clerk  shall  also  file  a  reasonable  number  of  copies  in  the  office  of  the  City   Clerk  and  such  other  public  places  as  the  Commission  may  designate,  together  with  a  notice   setting  out  the  time  and  place  for  a  public  hearing  thereon  and  for  its  consideration  by  the   Commission.     (2) Public  Hearings.    A  public  hearing  shall  follow  the  introduction  of  the   ordinance  and  publication  by  at  least  ten  (10)  days  prior  to  the  public  hearing  and  may  be  held   separately  or  in  conjunction  with  the  regular  City  Commission  meeting.    All  interested  persons   shall  have  an  opportunity  to  be  heard.  (Amended  2/11/14)     (3) Readings.    Each  ordinance  shall  be  read  by  only  the  title  at  both  first  and   second  readings  and  shall  be  considered  at  no  less  than  two  meetings  of  the  Commission  unless   declared  emergency.    If  an  ordinance  is  materially  amended  upon  the  second  reading,  a  third   reading  shall  be  required  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Commission.  (Amended  2/94)     C. Effective  Date.    Except  as  otherwise  provided,  every  adopted  ordinance  shall   become  effective  upon  execution  or  any  other  date  specified  therein.  (Amended  2/11/14)     Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  12  of  41   D. Voting  Procedure.    Voting  shall  be  by  roll  call.  The  “yeas”  and  “nays”  shall  be   recorded  individually  in  the  minutes  of  each  meeting.     No  Commission  member  shall  be  excused  from  voting  as  required  by  law.  (Amended   2/8/00)     1. Requirements  for  Adoption.    All  resolutions  or  ordinances  shall  be  adopted  by  no   less  than  three  affirmative  votes  of  the  City  Commission.  (Amended  2/8/00)     Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  this  Charter,  four  affirmative  votes  of  the  City   Commission  shall  be  required  in  the  following  instances:  (Amended  2/8/00  and  11/04/08  &   2/9/10)     To  issue  bonds  or  borrow  money   To  grant,  renew  or  amend  any  lease  or  franchises   To  transfer  title  to  property   To  appropriate  or  expend  non-­‐budgeted  funds   To  approve  an  initiatory  ordinance  pursuant  to  Article  V      Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  this  charter,  five  affirmative  votes  of  the  city  commission   shall  be  required  to  approve  the  actions  indicated  below:       To  amend  land  use  and  development  regulations  in  any  manner  to  make  them  less   restrictive.     To  issue  bonds  or  borrow  money  in  excess  of  five  percent  of  the  city’s  current   operating  budget.     2. Emergency  Ordinances.    To  meet  a  public  emergency  affecting  life,  safety,  health,   property,  or  the  public  peace,  the  Commission  may  adopt  one  or  more  emergency  ordinances,   but  an  emergency  ordinance  may  not  grant,  renew  or  extend  a  franchise  or  authorize  the   borrowing  of  money  except  as  provided  in  this  Charter.  An  emergency  ordinance  will  be   introduced  in  the  form  and  manner  prescribed  for  ordinances  generally,  except  that  it  shall  be   plainly  designated  as  an  emergency  ordinance  and  shall  contain,  after  the  enacting  clause,  a   declaration  stating  that  an  emergency  exists  and  describing  it  in  clear  and  specific  terms.    An   emergency  ordinance  may  be  adopted  with  or  without  amendment  or  rejected  at  the  meeting  at   which  it  is  introduced.     The  affirmative  vote  of  four  a  majority  of  members  present  shall  be  required  for  the   adoption  of  an  emergency  ordinance.    After  its  adoption,  the  ordinance  shall  be  published  as   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  13  of  41   prescribed  for  other  adopted  ordinances.    It  shall  become  effective  upon  adoption  or  at  such  later   date  as  it  may  specify.    Every  emergency  ordinance  shall  automatically  stand  repealed  as  of  the   31st  day  following  the  date  on  which  it  was  adopted  but  this  shall  not  prevent  re-­‐enactment  of   the  ordinances  in  the  manner  specified  in  this  section,  if  the  emergency  still  exists.    An  emergency   ordinance  may  also  be  repealed  by  adoption  of  a  repealing  ordinance  in  the  same  manner   specified  in  this  section  for  adoption  of  emergency  ordinances.  (Amended  2/8/00)     SECTION  7. Officers     A. Appointments.    The  Commission  shall  appoint  the  following,  who  shall  be  officers   of  the  City  who  shall  serve  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Commission:     1. A  City  Manager  as  prescribed  in  Article  III.   2. A  City  Attorney  and  such  Assistant  City  Attorneys  as  may  be  necessary  who  shall   act  as  the  legal  advisor  for  the  municipality  and  all  of  its  officers  in  matters  relating  to  their   official  powers  and  duties.    The  City  Attorney  shall  be  a  lawyer  of  at  least  five  years  municipal  law   practice  in  the  Courts  of  the  State  of  Florida  immediately  preceding  the  time  of  his  or  her   appointment.    The  minimum  experience  requirement  shall  apply  to  any  City  Attorney  hired  after   the  adoption  of  this  Charter.   The  City  Attorney  He  or  she  shall  prepare  or  review  all  ordinances,  resolutions,  contracts,  bonds   and  other  written  instruments  in  which  the  municipality  is  concerned  and  shall  endorse  on  each   his  or  her  approval  of  the  form,  language  and  execution  thereof.  When  required  by  the   Commission,  he  or  she  shall  prosecute  and  defend,  for  and  in  behalf  of  the  City,  all  complaints,   suits,  and  controversies  in  which  the  City  is  a  party,  before  any  Court  or  other  legally  constituted   tribunal;  he  or  she  shall  render  such  opinions  on  legal  matters  affecting  the  City  as  the   Commission  may  direct;  and  he  or  she  shall  perform  such  other  professional  duties  as  may  be   required  of  him  or  her  by  Ordinance  or  Resolution  of  the  Commission  or  by  this  Charter.   3. A  City  Clerk  and  such  deputies  that  may  be  necessary,  who  shall  give  notice  and   attend  all  Commission  meetings,  keep  the  minutes  and  records  of  all  of  the  proceedings  of  the   Commission,  preserve  all  books,  papers  and  writing  of  all  kinds  committed  to  his  or  her  care   during  his  or  her  tenure;  keep  the  corporate  seal  of  the  City  and  affix  the  seal  when  lawfully   directed;  administer  oaths;  have  charge  of  the  conduct  of  municipal  elections;;  and  perform  such   other  duties  as  shall  be  required  by  this  Charter  or  by  General  Laws  of  the  State  of  Florida  unless   restricted  by  the  Home  Rule  Amendment  provisions  of  Miami-­‐Dade  Dade  County.  (Amended   2/8/00)  (Amended  2/11/14)   B. Compensation    The  salaries  and  expense  accounts  of  all  officers  shall  be  prescribed   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  14  of  41   by  ordinance  and  fixed  in  the  annual  budget.     C. Vacancies    The  City  Commission  shall  have  power  in  the  absence,  sickness  or   disqualification  of  any  of  these  officers  to  appoint  a  successor  and  should  the  Commission  not  do   so  within  thirty  (30)  days  after  such  occurrence,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Mayor  to  appoint  a   successor.     SECTION  8. Boards  and  Committees       A.  Appointments    When  a  Board  or  Committee  is  comprised  of  five  members,  each   City  Commissioner  shall  appoint  one  person  to  serve  as  a  representative  on  the  Board  or   Committee.  When  there  are  more  than  five  (5)  members  on  a  Board  or  Committee,  each  City   Commissioner  shall  appoint  one  person  to  serve  as  a  representative  on  the  Board  or  Committee,   and  all  members  of  such  Board  or  Committee  in  excess  of  five  (5)  shall  be  appointed  by  three  (3)   affirmative  votes  of  the  City  Commission  based  on  recommendations  submitted  by  any  City   Commissioner.  When  a  Board  or  Committee  has  less  than  five  (5)  members,  then  the  selection  of   all  members  shall  be  by  three  (3)  affirmative  votes  of  the  City  Commission  from   recommendations  submitted  by  any  City  Commissioner.  (Amended  2-­‐09-­‐10)     B.  Ordinance  Provisions    For  any  Board  or  Committee  hereinafter  established  by   ordinance  or  resolution,  the  Commission,  shall  provide  for  the  following:  (Amended  2/11/14)     (1)  number  of  members  and  who  appoints  or  nominates  them,  including  any   qualifications  required.   (2)  term  of  members   (3)  quorum  for  meetings   (4) duties  of  boards  and  committees   (5) presentation  of  actions  of  the  board  or  committee  to  City  Commission       (2/8/00)  (Amended  2/11/14)     C.  Planning  Board    There  shall  be  a  Planning  Board  composed  of  residents  of  South   Miami.  No  duly  elected  official,  officer  or  employee  of  the  City  shall  be  an  appointee  hereunder.     Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  Article  II,  but  not  by  way  of  limitation,  the  ordinance   creating  this  Board  shall  contain  the  following  provisions:  (Amended  2/11/14)     1.  The  Planning  Board  shall  be  a  continuous  body  and  shall  be  composed  of  seven  (7)   members.    The  Board  shall  investigate  and  recommend  to  the  Commission  such  changes  in  the   boundaries  of  the  various  use  districts,  zoning  regulations,  use  of  land  and  type  of  construction,   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  15  of  41   locations  and  use  of  all  structures  on  any  valid  appointment  submitted  to  it.    (Amended  2/11/14)     In  arriving  at  its  recommendations,  the  Board  shall  consider,  but  not  by  way  of  limitation,   the  character  of  the  area,  the  suitability  of  particular  uses,  the  conservation  of  the  property   values  and  the  direction  of  building  development.    In  addition,  the  Board  shall  investigate  and   make  recommendations  to  the  Commission  on  matters  affecting  redevelopment,  rehabilitation,   conservation  and  renewal  progress  toward  the  alleviation  of  a  slum  or  blighted  areas  and  such   other  conditions  as  may  injuriously  affect  the  City.     2.    Any  recommendations  of  the  Board  which  affect  use  of  land  or  structures  or  concern   redevelopment,  rehabilitation,  conservation  or  renewal  shall  not  be  adopted  by  the  City   Commission  until  a  public  hearing  thereon.    No  application  for  zoning  changes  shall  be  filed  in  the   name  of  the  City  without  prior  approval  of  the  City  Commission.    There  shall  be  no  change  in   zoning  or  any  amendment  to  the  zoning  laws  unless  proposals  for  such  changes  have  first  been   received  by  the  Planning  Board.     SECTION  9. Investigations        Notwithstanding  any  other  provisions  of  this  Charter,  the  Commission  or  its  authorized   representative(s)  or  representatives  may  investigate  make  investigation  into  the  affairs  of  this   City  and  the  conduct  of  any  City  department,  Board,  Officer  or  Agency  and  for  this  purpose  may   subpoena  witnesses,  administer  oaths,  take  testimony  and  require  the  production  of  evidence.         The  Commission,  or  any  of  its  approved  representatives,  shall  coordinate  all  investigations   through  the  City  Manager.     Any  person  who  fails  to  obey  a  lawful  order  issued  in  the  exercise  of  these  powers  by  the   Commission  shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor  and  punishable  by  a  fine  of  not  more  than  $500.00   or  by  imprisonment  for  not  more  than  six  months,  or  both.     SECTION  10. Civil  Service/Merit  System     The  City  Commission  shall  establish  a  civil  service  system  or  a  merit  system  covering  and   embracing  the  salaried  employees  of  the  City  of  South  Miami,  except  where  in  conflict  with  any   other  provisions  of  this  Charter.     Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  16  of  41   SECTION  11. Departments     Except  as  may  be  otherwise  provided  by  statute  or  this  Charter,  the  Commission  shall   establish,  by  ordinance,  such  departments  of  the  City  as  it  deems  necessary  or  advisable  and   prescribe  the  functions  of  all  departments,  and  duties,  authorities  and  responsibilities  of  the   department  heads.  (Amended  2/8/00)     Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  17  of  41   ARTICLE  III     THE  CITY  MANAGER     SECTION  1. Appointment     The  City  Commission  shall  appoint  a  City  Manager  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  members  of   the  City  Commission.     SECTION  2. Qualifications     The  Manager  shall  be  appointed  solely  on  the  basis  of  his  or  her  executive  and   administrative  qualifications  with  specific  reference  to  his  or  her  professional  training  and   experience  in  municipal  government.    He  or  she  shall  be  a  graduate  of  a  recognized  school  of   government  or  have  experience  equivalent  thereto.     SECTION  3. Removal       The  City  Commission  may  remove  the  City  Manager  from  office  by  affirmative  vote  of  a   majority  of  the  full  commission  all  of  its  members,  with  or  without  cause.    If  his  or  her  removal  is   without  cause,  the  City  Manager  shall  receive  his  or  her  salary  for  thirty  (30)  days  immediately   following  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  removing  him  or  her  from  office.    The  City  Manager,   after  ninety  (90)  days  of  continuous  absence  shall  be  removed  from  office.     SECTION  4. Acting  City  Manager       The  City  Manager,  in  the  event  of  a  temporary  absence  or  disability,  may  appoint  an   Acting  City  Manager  for  up  to  90  days  in  a  calendar  year.  The  City  Commission  shall,  by  a  majority   vote  of  the  full  Commission,  appoint  an  Acting  City  Manager  when  the  City  Manager  is  physically   or  legally  incapable  of  making  this  election  or  when  the  City  Commission  does  not  approve  of  the   City  Manager’s  selection.   A.  Recommendation    The  Manager  may  recommend,  by  letter  filed  with  the  City   Clerk,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Commission,  a  qualified  City  administrative  officer  to   exercise  the  powers  and  perform  the  duties  of  the  Manager  during  any  temporary  absence  or   disability.  Such  acting  City  Manager  shall  not  serve  for  a  period  longer  than  90  days.    During  such   absence  or  disability,  the  Commission  may  decline  such  recommendation  at  any  time  and  appoint   another  officer  of  the  City  to  serve  until  the  Manager  shall  return  or  his  disability  shall  cease.     B.  Failure  to  Recommend    During  such  absence  or  disability  as  set  forth  in  (A),  if  the   City  Manager  fails  to  recommend  an  Acting  City  Manager,  the  Commission  shall  name  an  Acting   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  18  of  41   Manager  to  serve  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Commission.     SECTION  5. Powers  and  Duties       The  City  Manager  shall  be  the  chief  executive  officer  and  head  of  the  administrative   branch  of  the  City  government.    He  or  she  shall  be  responsible  for  the  proper  administration  of  all   affairs  of  the  City.    He  or  she  shall  have  the  following  powers  and  duties  to:  (Amended  2/11/14)     A.    Appoint  and,  when  necessary  for  the  good  of  the  City,  remove  any  non-­‐elective   officers  or  employees  of  the  City  (excepting  those  authorized  to  be  appointed  and  removed  by   the  City  Commission),  providing  such  removal  is  legally  permissible.  However,  the  City  Manager   may  not  appoint  any  department  director  without  first  obtaining  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the   members  of  City  Commission  at  a  duly  noticed  City  Commission  meeting.    Procedures  for   presentation  of  the  Manager’s  candidates  to  the  City  Commission  may  be  specified  by  ordinance.     (Amended  11/02/10)  (Amended  2/11/14)     B.  Prepare  the  budget  annually  and  submit  it  to  the  Commission  and  be  responsible   for  its  administration  after  adoption.     C.  Submit  to  the  Commission  and  make  available  to  the  public  a  report  every  month   on  the  finances  and  administrative  activities  of  the  City,  together  with  his  or  her   recommendations.     D.  Prepare  and  submit  to  the  Commission  at  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year  a  complete   report  on  the  finances  and  administrative  activities  of  the  City  for  the  preceding  year.     E.      Direct  and  supervise  the  administration  of  all  departments,  offices  and  agencies  of   the  City,  except  as  otherwise  provided  by  this  Charter  or  by  law.  (Amended  2/8/00)     F.  Attend  all  Commission  meetings  with  the  right  to  take  part  in  discussion.     G.  Perform  such  other  duties  as  are  specified  in  this  Charter  or  which  may  be   required  by  the  Commission.     H.    Contract  for  the  purchase  of  any  goods  or  services  for  any  department  of  the  City   in  an  amount  up  to  and  including  a  cap  of    ($5,000.00  or  as  otherwise  set  by  ordinance.  All   contracts  for  goods  and  services  in  excess  of  that  cap  $5,000.00  shall  be  secured  by  a  competitive   bid  process  unless  waived  by  a  majority  of  the  Commission  upon  the  written  recommendation  of   the  City  Manager.  The  competitive  bid  process  of  another  political  subdivision  of  the  State  of   Florida,  or  the  State  of  Florida  itself,  may  be  relied  upon  to  the  extent  the  political  subdivision’s   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  19  of  41   bid  process  complies  with  any  internal  City  of  South  Miami  bid  procedures  and  is  otherwise   permitted  by  law.  approved  by  the  City  Commission.  The  City  Manager  shall  report  all   expenditures  to  the  City  Commission  monthly.  (Amended  2/8/00)         All  purchases  shall  be  approved  after  competitive  conditions  shall  have  been  maintained   and  competitive  bids  sought  from  at  least  three  different  sources  of  supply  if  available,  such   determination  to  be  made  by  the  Commission,  and,  notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  City  may   make  purchases  through  other  governmental  agencies  that  have  followed  similar  bidding   procedures.    This  subsection  does  not  apply  to  the  purchase  of  legal  and  expert  services  that  have   been  approved  by  the  City  Commission.  (Amended  2/8/00)     Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  20  of  41    ARTICLE  IV     FINANCE   SECTION  1. Fiscal  Year     The  fiscal  year  of  the  City  of  South  Miami  shall  be  the  same  as  that  set  by  Miami-­‐Dade   County  or  its  successors.  (Amended  2/11/14)     SECTION  2. Budget     A.  The  City  Manager  shall  submit  to  the  Commission,  60  days  prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year,   an  annual  budget  together  with  an  explanatory  message.    The  budget,  budget  message  and  all  supporting  schedules,   shall  be  a  public  record  open  to  public  inspection.  (Amended  2/11/14)     B.    Public  Hearings    At  tThe  meeting  of  the  Commission  at  which  the  budget  and   budget  message  are  submitted  shall  be  held  in  accordance  with  State  law  as  may  be  amended   from  time  to  time.,  the  Commission  shall  determine  the  time  and  place  for  a  public  hearing  on   the  budget,  at  which  time,  interested  persons  shall  be  given  an  opportunity  to  be  heard.    The  City   Clerk  shall  post  a  notice  of  the  place  and  time  not  less  than  five  days  after  the  date  of  posting  at   which  time  the  Commission  will  hold  a  public  hearing.     C.    Adjustments  Any  and  all  adjustments  made  to  the  budget  after  the  conclusion  of   the  public  hearing  at  which  the  budget  and  budget  message  were  submitted  must  be  made  in   accordance  with  State  law  as  may  be  amended  from  time  to  time.  After  conclusion  of  such  public   hearings,  the  Commission  may  insert  new  items  or  may  increase,  decrease  or  delete  the  items  of   the  budget;  provided,  however,  if  the  total  of  proposed  expenditures  be  increased  thereby,  then   and  in  that  event,  the  City  Clerk  shall  post  a  notice  setting  forth  the  nature  of  the  proposed   increase  and  listing  a  place  and  time  not  less  than  five  days  after  the  date  of  posting  of  the  public   hearing  thereon.     D.    Adoption      The  budget  shall  be  adopted  by  three  affirmative  votes  of  the  City   Commission  before  the  first  day  of  the  new  fiscal  year.    Should  the  Commission  take  no  final   action  on  or  prior  to  the  date,  the  existing  adopted  budget  the  budget,  as  submitted,  shall  be   deemed  to  have  been  finally  adopted  by  the  Commission,  provided  that  if  the  provision  for  funds   in  any  department  or  departments  exceeds  (10%)  of  the  previous  year's  budget,  then  as  to  that   department  or  departments  the  Commission  shall  be  deemed  to  have  approved  the  previous   year's  budget.  (Amended  2/8/00)     E.    Certification      A  copy  of  the  budget  as  finally  adopted  shall  be  certified  by  the  City   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  21  of  41   Manager  and  the  budget  so  certified  shall  be  filed  for  the  use  of  all  offices  and  departments.     F.    Modifications      (1)    Transfer  of  Appropriation    At  the  request  of  t  The  City  Manager,  the  Commission  may   at  any  time  transfer,  by  resolution,  any  unencumbered  appropriation  balance  or  portion  thereof   between  general  classification  of  expenditure  within  an  office  or  department.    At  the  request  of   the  City  Manager  and  within  the  last  three  months  of  the  budget  year,  the  Commission  may,  by   resolution,  transfer  any  unencumbered  appropriation  balance  or  portion  thereof  from  one  office   or  department  to  another.      (2)    Emergency  Appropriation    In  case  of  disaster  or  any  other  circumstance  creating  an   emergency,  the  Commission  may  at  any  time  in  any  budget  year,  make  an  emergency   appropriation  for  the  purpose  of  repairing  damages  caused  by  such  disaster  or  meeting  such   public  emergency  to  the  end  that  public  health,  safety  or  welfare  will  be  protected.    In  any   budget  year  where  circumstances  creating  such  an  emergency  have  arisen,  the  Commission  may,   upon  recommendation  of  the  City  Manager,  authorize  the  borrowing  of  money  by  the  issuance  of   negotiable  notes  of  the  City.      Such  notes  shall  not  exceed  10%  of  the  total  operating   appropriations  in  the  current  year  and  may  be  renewed  from  time  to  time;  but  all  such  notes,   together  with  the  renewals,  shall  mature  and  be  paid  not  later  than  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year   after  the  budget  year  in  which  the  original  notes  shall  have  been  issued.  Such  notes  shall  not   constitute  a  general  obligation  nor  a  pledge  of  ad  Valorem  tax  revenues.    Notes  may  not  be  sold   at  less  than  par  and  accrued  interest  at  private  sale  without  previous  advertisement.     SECTION  3. Revenues     A.    Taxation    The  Commission  shall  levy  such  taxes  as  authorized  by  law  to  meet  the   appropriations  made  not  later  than  the  next  Commission  meeting  after  adoption  of  the  budget  as   provided  in  Article  IV,  Section  2  D.    If  the  Commission  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  pass  an  ordinance   levying  the  taxes  for  any  budget  year,  the  ordinance  last  previously  passed  levying  taxes  shall   continue  in  full  force  and  effect  and  a  failure  to  pass  a  current  ordinance  shall  in  no  way   invalidate  the  collection  of  any  taxes.     B.  Bonds  The  City  shall  have  the  power  to  issue  bonds,  certificates  of  indebtedness  and   any  form  of  tax  anticipation  certificates,  payable  from  ad  valorem  taxation  and  maturing  more   than  twelve  months  after  issuance  only  to  finance  or  refinance  capital  projects.  Voter  referendum   approval  for  bonds  and  other  forms  of  indebtedness  shall  be  as  provided  by  the  Florida   constitution.  (Amended  2/8/00)     SECTION  4. Administration   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  22  of  41     A.    Control    The  City  Manager  shall  have  charge  of  the  administration  of  the  financial   affairs  of  the  City  in  accordance  with  Article  III,  Section  5.     B.    Custody  of  Public  Funds    The  City  Manager  shall  have  custody  of  all  public  funds   belonging  to  or  under  control  of  the  City  or  any  office  or  department  thereof,  and  deposit  all  fund   coming  into  his  or  her  custody  in  such  depositories  as  may  be  designated  by  Resolution  of  the   Commission.  (Amended  2/11/14)     C.    Approval  of  Expenditures    The  City  Manager  shall  approve  all  proposed   expenditures  in  accordance  with  the  approved  budget,  but,  unless  he  or  she  shall  certify  that   there  is  an  unencumbered  balance  of  appropriation  and  available  funds,  no  appropriation  shall   be  encumbered  and  no  expenditure  shall  be  made.  (Amended  2/11/14)     D.    Multi-­‐annual  Contracts    No  contract  involving  the  payment  of  money  out  of  the   appropriations  of  more  than  one  year  shall  be  made  for  a  period  of  more  than  five  years,  nor   shall  any  such  contract  be  valid  unless  made  or  approved  by  resolution  or  ordinance  adopted  by   the  Commission  after  a  public  hearing.  The  Commission  shall  provide  budget  and  appropriate   funds  in  each  succeeding  budget  for  contracts  extending  more  than  one  year.    This  section  shall   not  restrict  the  term  of  General  Obligation  or  Revenue  Bonds.  (Amended  2/14/06)  (Amended   2/11/14)     E. Audit  The  Commission  shall  designate  a  qualified  Certified  Public  Accountant  who,   at  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year  and  at  such  other  times  as  ordered  by  the  Commission,  shall  make  an   independent  examination  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards  and  review   of  accounts  and  other  financial  transactions  by  the  City  and  shall  submit  such  report,  together   with  recommendations  for  improving  fiscal  control,  to  the  Commission  and  to  the  City  Manager.     The  accountant  shall  have  no  personal  interest,  direct  or  indirect,  in  the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  City   government  or  any  of  its  officers.    The  accountant  shall  not  maintain  any  accounts  or  records  of   the  City  business,  but  within  specifications  approved  by  the  Commission,  shall  post-­‐audit  the   annual  financial  statements  of  the  City  and  all  accounts  kept  by  any  office  or  department  of  the   City.    The  Certified  Public  Accountant  shall  not  serve  as  the  city’s  independent  auditor  for  more   than  six  three  consecutive  years.  (Amended  2/8/00)     F. Performance-­‐based  audit.  The  City  Commission  shall  require  a  performance-­‐based   audit  for  each  department  at  least  once  every  five  years.  (Amended  2/8/00)   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  23  of  41   ARTICLE  V     ELECTIONS     SECTION  1. Qualifications     A.    Voters:  Any  person  who  is  a  duly  registered  voter  of  Miami-­‐Dade  County  and  who   has  been  a  legal  resident  of  the  City  of  South  Miami  for  a  period  of  no  less  than  thirty  (30)  days   immediately  before  the  date  of  the  election.     B.    Candidates:  The  City  Clerk  shall  certify  that  a  candidate  for  election  to  the  Office  of   the  Mayor  or  Commissioner,  no  less  than  60  days  prior  to  a  duly  scheduled  election  has:   (Amended  2/11/14)     (1)    Exhibited  to  the  Clerk  proof  that  he  or  she  is  qualified  elector  of  the  City  of  South   Miami  and  has  continuously  resided  in  the  City  of  South  Miami  in  a  structure  designated  as   residential  property  for  at  least  one  (1)  year  immediately  before  the  date  of  the  election.   (Amended  2/8/00)     (2)    Each  person  seeking  to  qualify  for  nomination  or  election  to  a  municipal  office   shall  pay,  at  the  time  of  qualifying  for  office,  an  election  assessment  fee  in  addition  to  a  qualifying   filing  fee  of  $100  paid  to  the  City  Clerk.    The  requirements  to  pay  an  election  assessment  fee  and   a  qualifying  fee  may  be  waived  as  provided  by  state  law.  (Amended  2/8/00)     (3)    Taken  the  following  prescribed  sworn  oath:     "I  hereby  accept  the  nomination  for  Mayor/Commissioner,  and  agree  to  serve,  if  elected,  and   further  that  I  hereby  make  the  following  oath:     State  of  Florida   County  of  Dade     Before  me,  an  officer  authorized  to  administer  oaths,  personally     appeared  _______________________________  to  me  well  known,  who,  being  duly  sworn,  says   that  he/she  is  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  ____________________________,  that  he/she  is  a   qualified  elector  of  Miami-­‐Dade  County,  Florida,  and  the  City  of  South  Miami;  and  that  he/she  is   qualified  under  the  Constitution  and  the  laws  of  Florida,  and  the  Charter  of  the  City  of  South   Miami  to  hold  the  office  to  which  he/she  desires  to  be  nominated  or  elected;  that  he/she  has   taken  the  oath  required  by  Florida  Statutes;  that  he/she  has  not  violated  any  of  the  laws  of  the   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  24  of  41   State  relating  to  elections  or  the  registration  of  electors;  that  he/she  has  qualified  for  no  other   public  office  in  the  State  the  term  of  which  office  or  any  part  thereof  runs  concurrent  (with  that   of)  the  office  he/she  seeks;  that  he/she  has  resigned  from  any  office  (from)  which  he/she  is   required  to  resign  pursuant  to  ss.  99.012,  Florida  Statutes;  and  that  he/she  has  submitted  a   sworn  statement  of  contributions  and  expenditures,  if  any  incurred,  prior  to  the  time  of   qualifying  and  since  the  last  preceding  general  election.  (Amended  2/11/14)       ___________________________________   Signature  of  Candidate     ___________________________________                  Address     ________________________________________________   Signature  and  Title  of  person  administering  oath     (4)    No  appointed  officer  or  employee  of  the  City  of  South  Miami,  shall  be  certified  for   nomination  of  any  elected  position  in  the  City  of  South  Miami.     (5)    Any  official  of  the  City  of  South  Miami  who  is  elected  or  appointed  to  any  office   and  qualifies  for  an  elective  office  outside  the  City  of  South  Miami  shall  forfeit  his  (her)  office  by   the  fact  of  such  qualification.     (6)    No  person  shall  be  certified  for  nomination  to  an  elective  office  in  the  City  of  South   Miami  who  concurrently  has  qualified  for  nomination  of  or  is  concurrently  holding  an  elective   office  outside  the  City  of  South  Miami.     (7)    Any  person  who  qualifies  for  an  elective  office  outside  the  City  of  South  Miami   after  having  qualified  for  an  elective  office  in  the  City  of  South  Miami  shall  by  the  fact  of  such   qualification  become  disqualified  for  nomination  in  the  City  of  South  Miami  and  his  (her)  name   shall  be  stricken  from  the  ballot.     SECTION  2. General  Elections     A.      Time    General  elections  for  the  Commission  shall  be  held  during  February  of  each   even  year,  the  day,  place  and  time  to  be  set  by  ordinance,  at  which  time  the  Mayor  shall  be   elected  to  a  term  of  two  years  and  two  Commissioners  shall  be  elected  to  terms  of  four  years.  (See   Art.II,Sec.2)     Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  25  of  41   B.    Mode    The  office  of  the  Mayor  and  Commission  seats  shall  be  filled  on  the  basis  of   the  highest  number  of  votes  received  by  the  candidates.    At  each  general  or  special  election   where  there  are  at  least  two  (2)  Commissioners  to  be  elected,  the  election  shall  be  conducted  on   a  group  basis  for  each  member  of  the  City  Commission  to  be  elected.    Each  Commission  seat  to   be  filled  at  said  election  shall  be  designated  numerically,  and  each  candidate  for  the  City   Commission  shall  designate  in  which  numerical  grouping  he  or  she  is  to  be  a  candidate.    No   candidate  shall  run  for  office  in  more  than  one  numerically  designated  group.      C.  Unopposed  candidates  The  names  of  all  unopposed  candidates  shall  be  placed  on   the  ballot.    The  votes  for  unopposed  candidates  shall  be  counted  and  published.  (Amended   2/8/00)      D.  Term  Limits  for  the  Mayor  and  City  Commissioners    No  person  may  appear  on  the   Ballot  for  Election  as  Mayor  or  City  Commissioner  if,  by  the  end  of  his  or  her  current  term  of   office,  the  person  will  have  served  (or,  but  for  resignation  would  have  served)  in  office  as  the   Mayor  or  as  a  City  Commissioner  for  a  total  of  nine  years  or  more.  (Amended-­‐Added  11/02/10)     SECTION  3. Special  Elections     As  prescribed  under  Article  II,  Section  4B.     SECTION  4. Tie  Votes  Runoff  Elections       In  the  event  of  a  tie  vote,  the  winner  shall  be  decided  by  a  coin  toss.  runoff  elections  shall   be  held,  if  necessary,  within  thirty  (30)  days  from  the  date  of  the  canvass  of  the  votes  cast  at  the   regular  elections.     SECTION  5. Procedures     A.  Provisions  The  City  Commission  shall  provide,  by  ordinance,  for  the  procedures  of   elections  not  inconsistent  with  State  law.  (Amended  2/11/14)     B.    Canvassing  Board  Committee       When  a  county  canvassing  board  is  responsible  for  certifying  an  election  that  includes  a   City  election,  the  City  shall  defer  to  such  a  county  canvassing  board.  The  City  Canvassing  Board   shall  certify  a  City  election  in  all  other  circumstances.  Upon  the  closing  of  the  polls  and  the   casting  of  the  ballot  by  the  last  person  then  entitled  to  vote,  the  City  Canvassing  Board,   comprised  of  two  County  Court  judges  appointed  by  the  Chief  Judge  or  his  or  her  designee,  and   the  Miami-­‐Dade  County  Supervisor  of  Elections  or  his  or  her  designee,  shall  publicly  tabulate  the   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  26  of  41   absentee  ballots,  record  the  results  of  the  election,  and  certify  the  results.     Upon  the  closing  of  the  polls  and  the  casting  of  the  ballot  by  the  last  person  then  entitled  to  vote,   the  Canvassing  Committee,  comprised  of  the  majority  of  the  Commission  and  the  City  Clerk,  shall   publicly  record  the  results  of  the  election  and  proceed  to  tabulate  the  absentee  ballots  and   certify  the  results.  (See  Art.  II,  Sec.  2)     C.    Installation    Installation  of  the  newly  elected  officials  shall  occur  at  8:00  P.M.  on  the   first  business  day  following  the  official  certification  of  the  election  results.  The  Installation   Meeting  by  the  City  Commission  shall  be  called  as  a  special  session  for  the  sole  purpose  of   receiving  the  certified  report  of  the  canvassing  board  responsible  for  certifying  the  election  and   installing  the  newly  elected  Mayor  and  Commissioners.  All  elected  City  officials  must  take  the   prescribed  oath.    The  installing  officer  shall  be  selected  by  the  elected  Mayor.   At  8:00  P.M.  on  the  day  following  any  City  election  in  the  City  of  South  Miami,  the  Commission   shall  meet  in  special  session  for  the  sole  purpose  of  receiving  the  certified  report  of  the   Canvassing  Committee  and  thereupon  the  installing  officer,  selected  by  the  duly  elected  incoming   Mayor,  shall  install  the  newly  elected  Mayor  and  Commission  members  after  they  shall  have   taken  the  prescribed  oath  of  office.     D.    Oath  of  Office    Every  officer  of  the  City  shall,  before  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  or   her  office,  take  and  subscribe  to  the  following  oath  or  affirmation  to  be  filed  and  kept  in  the   office  of  the  City  Clerk.     "I  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will  support  the  constitution  and  will  obey  the  laws  of   the  United  States  and  of  the  State  of  Florida;  that  I  will,  in  all  respects,  observe  the  provisions  of   the  Charter  and  the  Ordinances  of  the  City  of  South  Miami  and  will  faithfully  discharge  the  duties   of  the  Office  of  “______________________".       SECTION  6. Initiative  and  Referendum       The  electors  of  the  City  shall  have  the  power  to  propose  to  the  City  Commission  passage   or  repeal  of  ordinances  and  to  vote  on  the  question  if  the  Board  refuses  action,  according  to  the   following  procedure:     1.  The  person  proposing  the  exercise  of  this  power  shall  submit  the  proposal,  including  proposed   ballot  language  to  the  City  Clerk  who  shall  without  delay  approve  as  to  form  a  petition  for   circulation  in  one  or  several  copies  as  the  proposer  may  desire.  A  public  hearing  shall  be   held  on  the  proposal  at  the  next  City  Commission  meeting  subsequent  to  the  date  the  Clerk   approves  the  petition  as  to  form.     Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  27  of  41   2.  The  person  or  persons  circulating  the  petition  shall  obtain  the  valid  signatures  of  voters  in  the   City  in  accordance  with  state  law.  Each  signer  of  a  petition  shall  place  thereon,  after  his   name,  the  date,  and  his  place  of  residence  or  precinct  number.  Each  person  circulating  a   copy  of  the  petition  shall  attach  to  it  a  sworn  affidavit  stating  the  number  of  signers  and  the   fact  that  each  signature  was  made  in  the  presence  of  the  circulator  of  the  petition.     3.  The  signed  petition  shall  be  filed  with  the  Board,  which  shall  within  30  days  order  a  canvass  of   the  signatures  thereon  to  determine  the  sufficiency  of  the  signatures.  If  the  number  of   signatures  is  insufficient  or  the  petition  is  deficient  as  to  form  or  compliance  with  this   Section,  the  Board  shall  notify  the  person  filing  the  petition  that  the  petition  is  insufficient   and  has  failed.     4.  The  Board  may  within  30  days  after  the  date  a  sufficient  petition  is  presented  adopt  the   ordinance  as  submitted  in  an  initiatory  petition  or  repeal  the  ordinance  referred  to  by  a   referendary  petition.  If  the  Board  does  not  adopt  or  repeal  the  ordinance  as  provided   above,  then  the  proposal  shall  be  placed  on  the  ballot  without  further  action  of  the  Board.     5.  If  the  proposal  is  submitted  to  the  electors,  the  election  shall  be  held  either:     (a)  In  the  next  scheduled  City-­‐wide  election,  or     (b)  If  the  petition  contains  the  valid  signatures  in  the  county  in  numbers  at  least  equal  to   eight  percent  of  the  registered  voters  in  the  City,  the  election  shall  take  place  on  the   first  Tuesday  after  120  days  from  certification  of  the  petition.  The  result  shall  be   determined  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  electors  voting  on  the  proposal.     6.  An  ordinance  proposed  by  initiatory  petition  or  the  repeal  of  an  ordinance  by  referendary   petition  shall  be  effective  on  the  day  after  the  election,  except  that:     (a)  Any  reduction  or  elimination  of  existing  revenue  or  any  increase  in  expenditures  not   provided  for  by  the  current  budget  or  by  existing  bond  issues  shall  not  take  effect  until   the  beginning  of  the  next  succeeding  fiscal  year;  and     (b)  Rights  accumulated  under  an  ordinance  between  the  time  a  certified  referendary   petition  against  the  ordinance  is  presented  to  the  Board  and  the  repeal  of  the   ordinance  by  the  voters,  shall  not  be  enforced  against  the  City;  and     (c)  Should  two  or  more  ordinances  adopted  at  the  same  election  have  conflicting  provisions,   the  one  receiving  the  highest  number  of  votes  shall  prevail  as  to  those  provisions.   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  28  of  41     7.  An  ordinance  adopted  by  the  electorate  through  initiatory  proceedings  shall  not  be  amended   or  repealed  by  the  Board  for  a  period  of  one  year  after  the  election  at  which  it  was  adopted,   but  thereafter  it  may  be  amended  or  repealed  like  any  other  ordinance.     A.    General  Authority     (1)  Initiative    The  qualified  voters  of  the  City  shall  have  power  to  propose  ordinances  to   the  Commission  and,  if  the  Commission  fails  to  adopt  an  ordinance  so  proposed  without  any   change  in  substance,  to  adopt  or  reject  it  at  a  City  election,  provided  that  such  power  shall  not   extend  to  the  budget  or  capital  program  or  any  ordinance  relating  to  appropriation  of  money,   levy  of  taxes  or  salaries  of  City  officers  or  employees.     (2)  Referendum    The  qualified  voters  of  the  City  shall  have  power  to  require   reconsideration  by  the  Commission  of  any  adopted  ordinance  and  if  the  Commission  fails  to   repeal  an  ordinance  so  reconsidered,  to  approve  or  reject  it  at  a  City  election,  provided  that  such   power  shall  not  extend  to  the  budget  or     capital  program  or  any  emergency  ordinance  or  ordinance  relating  to  appropriation  of  money  or   levy  of  taxes.     B.  Commencement  of  Proceedings,  Petitioners;  Committee;  Affidavit     A  minimum  of  100  qualified  votes  may  commence  initiative  or  referendum  proceedings  by   filing  with  the  City  Clerk  an  affidavit  stating  that  they  will  constitute  the  petitioners'  committee   and  be  responsible  for  circulating  the  petition  and  filing  it  in  proper  form,  stating  their  names  and   addresses  and  specifying  the  address  to  which  all  notices  to  the  Commission  are  to  be  sent  and   setting  out  in  full  the  proposed  initiative  ordinance  or  citing  the  ordinance  sought  to  be   reconsidered.     Promptly  after  the  affidavit  of  the  petitioners'  committee  is  filed,  the  City  Clerk  shall  issue  the  appropriate   petitionblanks  to  the  petitioners'  committee.       C.  Petitions     (1)  Number  of  signatures.    Initiative  and  referendum  petitions  must  be  signed  by   qualified  voters  of  the  City  equal  in  number  to  at  least  15%  of  the  total  number  of  qualified  voters   registered  to  vote  in  the  last  regular  City  election.     (2) Form  and  Content    All  papers  of  a  petition  shall  be  uniform  in  size  and  style  and   shall  be  assembled  as  one  instrument  for  filing.  Each  signature  shall  be  executed  in  ink  or     Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  29  of  41   indelible  pencil  and  shall  be  followed  by  the  address  of  the  person  signing.    Petitions  shall  contain   or  have  attached  thereto  throughout  their  circulation  the  full  text  of  the  ordinance  proposed  or   sought  to  be  reconsidered.     (3)  Affidavit  of  Circulator    Each  paper  of  a  petition  shall  have  attached  to  it,  when   filed,  an  affidavit  executed  by  the  circulator  thereof,  stating  that  he  or  she  personally  circulated   the  paper,  the  number  of  signatures  thereon,  that  all  the  signatures  were  affixed  in  his  or  her   presence,  the  he  or  she  believes  them  to  be  the  genuine  signatures  of  the  persons  whose  names   they  purported  to  be  and  that  each  signer  had  an  opportunity  before  signing  to  read  the  full  text   of  the  ordinance  proposed  or  sought  to  be  reconsidered.     (4)  Time  for  Filing  Initiative  or  Referendum  Petitions.  Petitions  must  be  filed  within   thirty  (30)  days  after  the  Commission  has  failed  to  adopt  a  proposed  ordinance  or  failed  to   reconsider  an  adopted  ordinance  when  requested  to  do  so.     D.  Procedure  after  Filing.     (1)  Certificate  of  Clerk;  Amendment.    Within  ten  (10)  days  after  the  petition  is  filed,   the  City  Clerk  shall  complete  a  certificate  as  to  its  sufficiency,  specifying  if  it  is  insufficient,  the   particulars  wherein  it  is  defective  and  shall  promptly  send  a  copy  of  the  certificate  to  the   petitioners'  committee  by  registered  mail.    A  petition  certified  insufficient  for  lack  of  the  required   number  of  valid  signatures  may  be  amended  once  if  the  petitioners'  committee  files  a  notice  of   intention  to  amend  it  with  the  Clerk  within  two  days  after  receiving  the  copy  of  his  or  her   certificate,  and  files  a  supplementary  petition  upon  additional  papers  within  ten  (10)  days  after   receiving  the  copy  of  such  certificate.    Within  five  (5)  days  after  such  supplementary  petition  is   filed,  the  Clerk  shall  complete  a  certificate  as  to  the  sufficiency  of  the  petition  as  amended  and   promptly  send  a  copy  of  such  certificate  to  the  petitioners'  committee  by  registered  mail.  If  a   petition  or  amended  petition  is  certified  insufficient  and  the  petitioners'  committee  does  not   elect  to  amend  or  request  Commission  review  under  subsection  2,  below,  within  the  time   required,  the  Clerk  shall  promptly  present  his  or  her  certificate  to  the  Commission  and  the   certificate  shall  then  be  a  final  determination  as  to  the  insufficiency  of  the  petition.     (2)  Commission  Review  If  a  petition  has  been  certified  insufficient  and  the  petitioners'   committee  does  not  file  a  notice  of  intention  to  amend  it  or  if  an  amended  petition  has  been   certified  insufficient,  the  committee  may,  within  two  (2)  days,  after  receiving  the  copy  of  such   certificate,  file  a  request  that  it  be  reviewed  by  the  Commission.    The  Commission  shall  review   the  certificate  at  its  next  meeting  following  the  filing  of  such  request  and  approve  or  disapprove   it,  and  the  Commission's  determination  shall  then  be  a  final  determination  as  to  the  sufficiency  of   the  petition.    However,  the  Commission  shall  not  declare  a  petition  to  be  insufficient  unless  the   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  30  of  41   findings  of  the  City  Clerk  are  illegal  or  are  factually  in  error.     (E)  Referendum  Petitions;  Suspension  of  Effect  of  Ordinance.     When  a  referendum  petition  is  filed  with  the  City  Clerk,  the  ordinance  sought  to  be   reconsidered  shall  be  suspended  from     taking  effect.    Such  suspension  shall  terminate  when:     (1)    There  is  a  final  determination  of  insufficiency  of  the  petition;  or     (2)  The  petitions'  committee  withdraws  the  petition;  or     (3)  The  Commission  repeals  the  ordinance.     (F)  Actions  on  Petitions     (1)  Action  by  Commission    When  an  initiative  or  referendum  petition  has  been  finally   determined  sufficient,  the  Commission  shall  promptly  consider  the  proposed  initiative  ordinance   in  the  manner  provided  in  Article  II  or  reconsider  the  referred  ordinance  by  voting  its  repeal.    If   the  Commission  fails  to  take  action  on  a  proposed  initiative  ordinance  without  any  change  in   substance  within  thirty  (30)  days  or  fails  to  repeal  the  referred  ordinance  within  thirty  (30)  days   after  the  date  of  the  petition  was  finally  determined  sufficient,  it  shall  submit  the  proposed  or   referred  ordinance  to  the  voters  of  the  City.   (2)  Submission  to  Voters    Such  City  election  on  a  proposed  or  referred  ordinance  shall   be  held  not  less  than  thirty  (30)  days  and  not  later  than  seventy  five  (75)  days  from  the  date  of   the  final  Commission  vote  thereon.    If  no  regular  City  election  is  to  be  held  within  the  period   prescribed  in  this  subsection,  the  Commission  shall  provide  for  a  special  election  otherwise  the     vote  shall  be  held  at  the  same  time  as  such  regular  election.  Copies  of  the  proposed  or  referred   ordinance  shall  be  made  available  at  the  polls,  and  at  City  Hall  at  least  fifteen  (15)  days  prior  to   the  election  thereon.   (3)  Withdrawal  of  Petitions.    An  initiative  or  referendum  petition  may  be  withdrawn   at  any  time  prior  to  the  tenth  day  preceding  the  day  scheduled  for  a  vote  by  the  electors  by  filing   with  the  City  Clerk  a  request  for  withdrawal  signed  by  at  least  twenty  (20)  members  of  the   petitioners'  committee.    Upon  filing  such  request  the  petition  shall  have  no  further  force  or  effect   and  all  proceedings  thereon  shall  be  terminated.   (G)  Results  of  Election   (1)  If  15%  of  the  qualified  electors  vote  on  a  proposed  initiative  ordinance  and  a   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  31  of  41   majority  vote  in  its  favor,  it  shall  be  considered  adopted  upon  certification  of  the  election  results   and  shall  be  treated  in  all  respects  in  the  same  manner  as  ordinances  of  the  same  kind  adopted   by  the  Commission.    If  conflicting  ordinances  are  approved  at  the  same  election,  the  one   receiving  the  greatest  number  of  affirmative  votes  shall  prevail  to  the  extent  of  such  conflict.   (2)  If  15%  of  the  qualified  electors  vote  on  a  referred  ordinance  and  a  majority  vote   against  it,  it  shall  be  considered  repealed  on  certification  of  the  election  results.     (3)  An  ordinance  adopted  by  the  electorate  through  initiatory  proceedings  shall  not   be  amended  or  repealed  by  the  Commission  for  a  period  of  one  year  after  the  election  at  which  it   was  adopted  but  thereafter  it  may  be  amended  or  repealed  by  a  4/5  vote.     (4)  After  a  referendum  petition  has  been  filed,  if  the  Commission  repeals  the   ordinance  involved  before  the  petition  is  vote  on  by  the  electorate,  then  the  Commission  may  not   reconsider  such  ordinance  for  a  period  of  one  (1)  year  after  its  repeal.   (H)  Recall      A  Commission  member  may  be  recalled  as  provided  by  state  law.  (Amended  2/8/00)   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  32  of  41   ARTICLE  VI     GENERAL  PROVISIONS     SECTION  1. Conflict  of  Interest     The  City  Commission  shall,  by  ordinance,  enact  a  conflict  of  interest  ordinance,  which  shall   be  at  least  equal  to  the  standards  of  conduct  for  public  officers  and  employees  as  set  forth  in  the   state  statutes  and  the  Miami-­‐Dade  County  code.    A  Commission  member  may  not  serve  as  a   voting  member  of  any  board  that  reports  to  the  Commission.  (Amended  2/8/00)     SECTION  2. Bonding     All  employees  of  the  finance  department,  and  any  other  officer  or  employee  required  by   the  City  Commission,  shall  be  bonded  in  an  amount  and  by  a  surety  that  is  approved  by  the   Commission.    The  premiums  on  bonds  shall  be  paid  by  the  City.  (Amended  2/8/00)     SECTION  3. Publication  Requirement     Whenever  publication  is  required  herein,  such  publication  shall  be  made  by  posting,  at  a   conspicuous  place  in  the  City  Hall,  for  the  requisite  period  and,  if  the  publication  is  of  an   ordinance,  said  ordinance  shall,  at  least  ten  (10)  days  prior  to  adoption,  be  noticed  once  in  a   newspaper  of  general  circulation  in  the  City  of  South  Miami.    The  notice  of  proposed  enactment   shall  state  the  date,  time  and  place  of  the  meeting,  title  or  titles  of  the  proposed  ordinance,  and   the  place  or  places  within  the  City  of  South  Miami  where  such  proposed  ordinance  may  be   inspected  by  the  public.    Said  notice  shall  also  advise  that  interested  parties  may  appear  at  the   meeting  and  be  heard  with  respect  to  the  proposed  ordinance.       SECTION  4. Franchise     (A) Definitions:      (1)  The  word  “franchise”  shall  mean  all  contracts,  including  any  and  all  agreements  of   whatever  nature,  that  grant  a  right  to  use  real  property  owned  by  the  City  of  South  Miami,   including  leases,  when  the  contract  or  agreement  provides  for  a  term  greater  than  three  (3)  years   and  with  two  (2)    one  (1)  year  extensions  ,  or  grants,  gives,  conveys,  mortgages,  encumbers  or   otherwise  gives  a  person  any  interest  in  any  real  property  owned  by  the  City  of  South  Miami  for  a   limited  term  of  years.       Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  33  of  41   (2)  The  word  “person”  shall  mean  any  individual,  legal  entity  or  any  other  entity,  legal  or   otherwise.     (3)  The  word  “newspaper  of  general  circulation”  shall  mean  a  newspaper  of  general   circulation  in  the  City  of  South  Miami.  (Amended  2/11/14)     (4)  The  word  “local  newspaper”  shall  mean  a  newspaper  distributed  in  the  City  of  South   Miami,  whether  free  to  its  readership  or  otherwise  available.     (B)  Restrictions:       The  City  of  South  Miami  shall  not  enter  into  any  franchise  contract  or  agreement,  as   defined  in  this  Section,  to  or  with  any  person,  as  defined  in  this  Section,  nor  shall  the  City  renew   an  existing  franchise,  grant  an  extension  to  the  franchise  term  or  in  any  other  way  make  a   material  change  to  an  existing  franchise  contract  or  agreement  unless  the  City  enacts  an   ordinance,  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  this  Section,  approving  the  contract  or   agreement.     (C)  Requirements:         All  proposed  ordinances  approving  any  franchise  contract  or  agreement,  the  renewal  of   an  existing  franchise,  the  grant  of  an  extension  to  the  franchise  term  or  any  material  change  to  an   existing  franchise,  may  only  be  enacted  if  approved  by  a  vote  of  4/5  of  all  members  of  the  City   Commission.  The  term  limit  for  all  franchise  contracts  or  agreements,  as  defined  in  this  Section,   including  any  renewal  or  extension  to  the  term  of  same,  shall  be  (50)  years.  No  change  in   ownership  or  control  of  an  artificial  person  with  whom  the  City  has  entered  into  a  franchise   contract  or  agreement,  as  defined  by  this  Section,  nor  shall  any  ownership  or  control  be   transferable  in  any  way,  including  but  not  limited  to  assignments  and  conveyances  of  an   ownership  interest,  unless  it  is  approved  by  an  ordinance  enacted  by  members  of  the  City   Commission.    The  enactment  of  all  ordinances  required  by  this  Section  shall  be  heard  at  two   public  meetings/hearings  and  the  title  of  the  ordinance  shall  be  published  in  a  newspaper  of   general  circulation,  as  defined  in  this  Section,  and  it  shall  also  be  published  in  a  local  newspaper,   as  defined  in  this  Section,  at  least  five  (5)  days  before  the  first  meeting  (first  reading  of  the   ordinance).    At  least  ten  (10)  days  before  the  second  and  final  reading  of  the  franchise  ordinance,   its  title  shall  be  published  in  a  newspaper  of  general  circulation  and,  in  addition,  it  shall  be   published  in  a  local  newspaper,  if  available,  so  as  to  provide  as  much  notice  as  possible,  but,  in   any  event,  the  notice  need  not  exceed  ten  (10)  days  before  the  second  reading.    The  timeliness  of   the  publication  in  the  local  newspaper  shall  not  be  grounds  for  challenging  the  ordinance  unless   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  34  of  41   such  a  newspaper  is  available  for  publication  and  then  only  if  it  was  published  less  than  five  (5)   days  before  the  second  reading.       (D) Custodian  of  Documents:       Copies  of  all  transfers,  mortgages,  encumbrances,  changes  in  ownership  or  control,  or   other  documents  affecting  the  title  or  use  of  real  property  owned  by  the  City  shall  be  filed  with   the  City  Manager  and  City  Clerk  on  or  before  the  date  of  the  first  publication  of  the  title  to  the   proposed  ordinance,  as  required  by  this  Section.   (Amended  2/14/12)     SECTION  5. Powers  of  the  City     The  City  of  South  Miami  exercising  its  power  under  State  Law,  may  exceed,  by  ordinance,  any  limiting   feature  of  the  State  Law  unless  the  same  is  prohibited  under  the  Home  Rule  Amendment  and  Charter  of   Metropolitan  Dade  County.     SECTION  6. Autonomy       Unless  otherwise  permitted  by  this  Charter,  no  Commissioner  shall  direct  or  request  the   appointment  of  any  person  to,  or  his/her  removal  from,  office  by  any  subordinate  of  the  City   Manager,  or  take  part  in  the  appointment  or  removal  of  officers  and  employees  in  the   administrative  services  of  the  City,  nor  shall  any  subordinate  of  the  City  Manager  accede  to  such   direction  or  request.     Except  where  otherwise  prohibited  by  Ordinance,  Commissioners  shall  be  permitted  to   communicate  and  make  inquiries  of  the  administrative  services  for  the  purpose  of  transmitting   constituent  inquiries  or  assisting  Commissioners  in  the  exercise  of  their  powers  as  set  forth  in  this   Charter.  Except  as  provided  elsewhere  in  this  Charter,  Commissioners  shall  not  be  permitted  to   give  orders,  either  publicly  or  privately,  to  any  subordinate  of  the  City  Manager.     No  City  employee  or  official,  other  than  the  City  Manager  or  his/her  designees,  shall   respond  to  or  undertake  any  action  to  comply  with  any  request  by  any  Commissioner  which   violates  the  provisions  of  this  Section.  The  City  Manager  shall  not  knowingly  allow  any   Commissioner  to  deal  with  the  administrative  services  in  violation  of  the  provisions  of  this   section.   Neither  the  Commission  nor  any  of  its  members  shall  direct  or  request  the  removal  of  any   person  from  office  by  the  City  Manager  or  by  any  of  his  or  her  subordinates,  or  in  any  manner   take  part  in  the  removal  of  officers  and  employees  in  the  administrative  service  of  the  City.     Except  for  the  purpose  of  inquiry  and  for  the  purpose  of  interviewing  any  candidate  for   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  35  of  41   department  director  prior  to  appointment  by  the  City  Manager  subject  to  the  City  Commission’s   approval,  the  Commission  and  its  members  shall  deal  with  the  administrative  service  solely   through  the  City  Manager  and  neither  the  Commission  nor  any  member  thereof  shall  give  orders   to  any  subordinates  of  the  City  Manager,  either  publicly  or  privately.    This  section  shall  not  apply   to  officers  appointed  under  Article  II,  Section  7  of  this  Charter.  (Amended  11/02/10)     SECTION  7. Amendments     This  Charter  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  time  as  provided  by  the  Home  Rule   Amendment  and  Charter  of  Metropolitan  Dade  County  or  as  provided  by  the  Florida  Statutes,   whichever  shall  prevail  and  be  in  effect.     SECTION  8. Ratification     All  officials  acts  and  ordinances  passed  by  the  City,  including  any  ordinances  annexing  certain   unincorporated  territory  to  the  City  and  thereby  enlarging  its  boundaries,  done  prior  to  the   passage  of  this  act  are  hereby  ratified,  cured  and  made  legal  as  fully  and  completely  as  though  all   requirements  and  details  by  any  general  or  special  law  government  relating  to  the  same  have   been  done  and  performed.     SECTION  9. Invalidity     If  any  section  or  part  of  section  of  this  Charter  shall  be  held  invalid  by  a  Court  of   competent  jurisdiction,  such  holding  shall  not  affect  the  remainder  of  this  Charter  nor  the  context   in  which  such  section  or  part  of  section  so  held  invalid  may  appear  except  to  the  extent  that  an   entire  section  or  part  of  section  may  be  inseparably  connected  in  meaning  and  effect,  with  the   section  or  part  of  section  in  which  such  holding  shall  directly  apply.     SECTION  10. Acceptance     This  Charter  shall  become  effective  upon  its  being  approved  by  a  majority  of  the  qualified   electors  of  the  City  of  South  Miami  voting  at  a  referendum  election  to  be  called  for  that  purpose   by  the  City  Commission  of  South  Miami  in  accordance  with  Section  5.03  of  the  Metropolitan  Dade   County  Charter  and  upon  being  filed  with  the  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  as  provided  in  said   Charter.     SECTION  11. Repeal     Any  and  all  special  acts  of  the  State  of  Florida  in  conflict  are  hereby  superseded.   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  36  of  41     SECTION  12. Transition     A.    Upon  adoption  of  this  Charter  as  herein  provided,  the  Code  of  Ordinances,  City  of   South  Miami,  and  all  other  ordinances  and  resolution  theretofore  passed  and  adopted  shall   continue  in  full  force  and  effect  until  thereafter  amended,  superseded  or  repealed;  and  all   officers,  employees  and  appointees  of  the  City  shall  continue  in  office  for  the  terms  to  which  they   were  elected  or  appointed.     B.    No  action  or  proceeding,  civil  or  criminal,  pending  at  the  time  of  this  Charter  shall  take   effect,  brought  by  or  against  the  City  or  any  office,  department  or  agency  or  official  thereof,  shall   be  affected  or  abated  by  the  adoption  of  this  Charter  or  by  anything  herein  contained;  but  all   such  actions  or  proceedings  may  be  continued  notwithstanding  that  functions,  powers  and  duties   of  any  office,  department  or  agency  or  officer  thereof,    party  thereto  may,  by  or  under  this   Charter  be  assigned  or  transferred  to  another  office,  department  or  agency  or  officer;  but,  in  that   event,  the  same  may  be  prosecuted  or  defended  by  the  head  of  the  office,  department  or  agency   to  which  such  functions,  powers  and  duties  have  been  assigned  or  transferred  by  or  under  this   Charter.     C.    The  title,  rights  and  ownership  of  property,  uncollected  taxes,  claims,  judgements,   decrees,  liens,  suits,  actions  and  choices  in  action,  of  whatsoever  kind  or  nature  held  or  owned  by   the  existing  municipality  shall  not  be  affected  or  abated  by  the  adoption  of  this  Charter.     D.    No  debt  or  contract  of  the  present  municipality,  including  but  not  limited  to  bonds  or   certificates  of  indebtedness,  heretofore  issued,  shall  be  impaired  or  avoided  by  the  adoption  of   this  Charter.   Philip Stoddard Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  37  of  41   Schedule  (A)   Boundaries     Beginning  at  a  point  in  the  center  of  Southwest  57  Avenue  at  the  Southeast  corner  of  Section  36,   Township  54  South,  Range  40  East;  thence  running  Northerly  along  the  East  line  of  Section  36,   and  Section  25,  Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  said  line  being  the  center  line  of  Southwest  57   Avenue  (Red  Road)  a  distance  of  approximately  7,920  feet,  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the   Southeast  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  25;  thence  running  Westerly  along  the  North  line  of  the   aforesaid  Southeast  quarter  of  Section  25,  the  same  being  the  center  line  of  Southwest  64  Street   (Hardee  Road)  approximately  1,660  feet  to  the  East  line  of  HAMLET,  said  point  being  the   Southeast  corner  of  the  West  half  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the   Northeast  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  25  thence  running  Northerly  along  the  East  line  of   HAMLET  and  AVOCADO  HOMES  a  distance  of  1,988.2  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Northeast  corner   of  the  West  half  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of   Section  25,  thence  running  Westerly  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the   Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  Section  25,  aforesaid,  a  distance  of  336.08  feet,   more  or  less;  thence  running  Northerly  along  the  East  line  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  Northwest   quarter  of  Northeast  quarter  to  the  North  line  of  aforesaid  Section  25  (center  line  of  Southwest   56  Street,  sometimes  known  as  Miller  Drive)  a  distance  of  663.53  feet,  more  or  less;  thence   running  Westerly  along  the  North  line  of  Section  25,Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  said  line   being  the  center  line  of  Southwest  56  Street,  to  the  Southeast  corner  of  the  West  half  of  the   Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  Township  54   South,  Range  40  East,  a  distance  of  1,011.45  feet,  more  or  less,  thence  running  Northerly  along   the  East  line  of  LA  HAMACA  SUBDIVISION,  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of   the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  aforesaid,   a  distance  of  1,024.81  feet,  more  of  less,  thence  running  Westerly  a  distance  of  337.59  feet,  more   or  less,  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the   Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  aforesaid,  said  point  being  in  the   center  line  of  Southwest  63  Avenue;  thence  running  Northerly  along  the  center  line  of  said   Southwest  63  Avenue  a  distance  of  343.07  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the  East   half  of  the  West  half  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  aforesaid;   thence  running  Westerly  a  distance  of  337.59  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  the   East  half  of  the  West  half  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24;  thence   running  Southerly  a  distance  of  1,371.49  feet,  more  or  less  to  the  center  line  of  Southwest  56   Street  (Miller  Road)  at  the  Southwest  corner  of  the  East  half  of  the  West  half  of  the  Southeast   quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24  aforesaid;  thence  running  Westerly  along  the   center  line  of  South  west  56  Street,  said  line  being  the  South  line  of  Section  24  aforesaid,  to  the   Southeast  corner  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  aforesaid,  a   distance  of  337  feet,  more  or  less,  thence  running  Northerly  along  the  East  line  of  the  Southwest   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  38  of  41   quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  a  distance  of  660  feet,  more  or  less  to  the  North   line  of  the  South  half  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  24;   thence  running  Westerly  along  said  North  line  of  the  South  half  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the   Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  to  the  Southwest  corner  of  the  East  half  of  the  Northeast   quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  a  distance  of  337  feet,   more  or  less;  thence  running  North  along  the  West  line  of  the  East  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter   of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  a  distance  of  660  feet,  more  or   less,  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the  West  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter   of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  said  Section  24;  thence  running  Westerly  along  the  North  line  of  the   West  half  to  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  said   Section  24,  a  distance  of  330  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the  Northwest  quarter   of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  24,  said  point  being  in  the   center  line  of  Southwest  65  Avenue,  at  the  Northeast  corner  of  GRANDVIEW  PARK  SUBDIVISION;   thence  running  North  along  the  East  line  of  the  West  half  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the   Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the   Northwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  the  aforesaid  Section  24,  a  distance  of  660  feet,   more  or  less;  thence  East  330  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Southeast  corner  of  the  West  half  of  the   Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter;  thence  North  660  feet,   more  or  less,  to  the  center  line  of  Southwest  48  Street,  said  point  being  the  Northeast  corner  of   the  West  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter;   thence  West  along  the  center  line  of  Southwest  48  Street  990  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the   Northwest  corner  of  Southwest  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  24,  said  point  being  the  intersection   of  the  center  line  of  Southwest  48  Street  and  Southwest  67  Avenue;  thence  running  Southerly   along  the  center  line  of  Southwest  67  Avenue;  the  same  being  the  West  line  of  aforesaid  Sections   24  and  25,  to  the  Southwest  corner  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  Section   25,  aforesaid;  said  point  being  the  intersection  of  the  center  line  of  Southwest  67  Avenue  and  60   Street;  thence  running  Westerly  along  the  North  line  of  the  South  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of   Section  26,  Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  to  a  point  on  the  Easterly  Right  of  Way  line  of  the   Florida  East  Coast  Railway  Company  (Miami  Belt  Line);  thence  run  Southerly  along  the  Easterly   Right  of  Way  line  of  aforesaid  Florida  East  Coast  Railway  Company  (Miami  Belt  Line)  to  a  point  on   the  North  line  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  26;  thence  Easterly  along  the  North   line  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  26  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  the  Northeast   quarter  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  26;  thence  run  Southerly  along  the  West   line  of  the  East  half  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  Section  26,  aforesaid,  and  the  West  line  of  the   East  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  Section  35,  Township  54  South  ,  Range  40  East,  said  line  also   being  the  center  line  of  Southwest  69  Avenue,  a  distance  of  5,280  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the   Southwest  corner  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  Section  35,  Township  54   South,  Range  40  East;  thence  running  easterly  1,980  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Northwest  corner   of  the  North  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  39  of  41   Section  36,  Township  54  South,  Range  40  East;  thence  South  330  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the   Southwest  corner  of  the  North  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the   Southwest  quarter  of  Section  36;  thence  East  660',  more  or  less,  to  the  Southeast  corner  of  the   North  1/2  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  Section   36;  thence  North  330  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the  North  half  of  the   Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  of  said  Section  36;  thence   running  Easterly  along  the  center  line  of  Southwest  80  Street,  also  the  South  line  of  the   Northwest  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  36  to  a  point  at  the  intersection  of  the  center  line  of   Southwest  80  Street  and  Southwest  62  Avenue,  said  point  being  the  center  of  Section  36,   Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  a  distance  of  1,320  feet,  more  or  less,  thence  running  South   along  the  center  line  of  Southwest  62  Avenue,  said  line  being  the  West  line  of  the  Southeast   quarter  of  Section  36  to  the  center  line  intersection  at  Southwest  88  Street;  said  point  being  the   Southwest  corner  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  aforesaid  Section  36,  a  distance  of  2,640  feet,  more   or  less,;  thence  Easterly  along  the  center  line  of  Southwest  88  Street  2,640  feet,  more  or  less,  to   the  Southeast  corner  of  Section  36,  Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  said  point  being  the  Point     of  Beginning.    ALSO  the  following  described  areas  in  Section  24,  Township  54  South,  Range  40   East:  All  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  Section  24,   Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  the  same  being  the  ORCHARD  HEIGHTS  and  RIVIERA  PINES   SUBDIVISIONS.     All  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  Section  24,   comprising  a  Re-­‐subdivision  of  Blocks  5,  6  and  the  North  half  of  Block  15,  BILTMORE  HEIGHTS   SUBDIVISION,  together  with  all  the  streets  and  avenues  lying  in  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the   Northeast  quarter  of  the  Southeast  quarter  and  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter   of  the  Southeast  quarter  and  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Southeast   quarter  and  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Southwest  quarter  and  all  of   the  tract  of  land  in  the  East  half  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the   Southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  together  with  the  following  described  lots:    Lots  9,  10,  11  and  12   of  Block  9;  Lots  1,  2,  3  of  Block  13;  Lots  20  and  21  of  Block  1;  of  BILTMORE  HEIGHTS  as  recorded  in   Plat  Book  21  at  Page  34  of  the  Public  Records  of  Dade  County,  Florida.       ALSO:     The  East  80  feet  of  Tract  4,  BILTMORE  HEIGHTS  REVISED,  recorded  in  the  Plat  Book  39  at  Page  65   of  the  Public  Records  of  Dade  County,  Florida;  also  formerly  known  as  Lots  23,  24,  25  and  the  East   5  feet  of  Lot  22  in  Block  4  of  BILTMORE  HEIGHTS,  recorded  in  Plat  Book  21  at  Page  34  of  the   Public  Records  of  Dade  County,  Florida.     Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  40  of  41   ALSO  including  all  of  the  following  described  lands  lying  in  the  North  half  of  the  North  half  of   Section  24:     Beginning  at  the  Northeast  corner  of  Section  24,  at  the  intersection  of  the  center  lines  of   Southwest  57  Avenue  (Red  Road)  and  Southwest  40  Street  (Bird  Road);  thence  running  Westerly   along  the  North  line  of  Section  24  (center  line  of  Southwest  40  Street)  to  the  Northwest  corner  of   the  East  half  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  said  section;  thence   running  South  along  the  west  line  of  the  East  half  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northwest   quarter  to  the  Southwest  corner  of  the  East  half  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northwest   quarter  of  said  Section  24;  thence  running  easterly  along  the  South  Line  of  the  North  half  of  the   North  half  of  Section  24  to  the  Southeast  corner  of  the  West  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the   Northeast  quarter  of  said  Section,  a  distance  of  3,960  feet,  more  or  less,  thence  running   Northerly  along  the  West  line  of  the  East  half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter   of  Section  24  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  the  South  half  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast   quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  said  section  a  distance  of  330  feet,  more  or  less,  thence   running  Easterly  along  the  North  line  of  the  South  half  of  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast   quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  said  section  to  the  East  line  of  Section  24,  a  distance  of  660   feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the  South  half  to  the  Southeast  quarter  to  the   Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  Section  24,  said  point  being  in  the  center  line  of   Southeast  57  Avenue;  thence  running  North  along  the  East  line  of  Section  24  to  the  place  of   beginning  a  distance  of  990  feet,  more  or  less;  however,  excluding  from  the  above  description   certain  parcels  and  tracts  of  land,  but  not  excepting  any  rights  of  way  for  highways  within  the   area  described,  the  exceptions  being  as  follows:     All  lots  in  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  and  the  East   half  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  Section  24,   Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  Tract  1-­‐A  and  Lots  10,  Tracts  2-­‐A,  2-­‐B,  Lot  9  and  Tract  2-­‐C,   Tracts  4-­‐A,  4-­‐B,  and  4-­‐C,  the  North  10  feet  of  the  East  50  feet  of  Lot  5  and  Tract  3-­‐D  in  ALTA   TERRA  a  subdivision  of  the  East  half  of  the  West  half  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northeast   quarter  of  Section  24  as  recorded  in  Plat  Book  35  at  Page  26  of  the  Public  Records  of  Dade   County,  Florida.     ALL  lots  in  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  and  in  the   North  half  to  the  Southeast  quarter  of  the  Northwest  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  Section   24,  Township  54  South,  Range  40  East.     ALL  lots  in  Blocks  4  and  5,  with  the  exception  of  Lots  21  and  24  in  Block  5,  ALL  lots  in  Block  3  with   the  exception  of  Lots  1,2,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,  and  16,;  ALL  lots  in  Block  6,  with  the  exception  of   Lots  8,  9,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  and  20;  ALL  lots  in  Block  7,  with  the  exception  of  Lots  14,  17,   Charter  of  The  City  of  South  Miam,  amended  11  Feb  2014   Proposed  Charter  Changes  for  Nov  2014  election   Page  41  of  41   #3370133 v2 18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  24,  25,  26,  and  27;  as  contained  in  WESTERFIELD  MANOR,  Section  One,  Two   and  Three  located  in  the  Northeast  quarter  of  the  Northeast  quarter  of  Section  24,  aforesaid,  and   recorded  in  Plat  Book  18  at  Page  47  and  in  Plat  Book  27  at  Page  9  of  the  Dade  County  Public   Records,  and  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  of  the  City  of  South  Miami  shall  extend  over  all  lands   within  said  area,  whether  platted  or  unplatted,  and  including,  but  not  limited  to  all  streets,   sidewalks,  alleys  and  parks  and  to  and  over  all  water,  waterways,  canals  and  submerged  lands   whatsoever  within  the  said  boundaries.     ALSO,  beginning  at  the  intersection  of  the  centerline  of  Southwest  59  Avenue  and  the  centerline   of  Southwest  64  Street;  thence  run  easterly  along  the  centerline  of  Southwest  64  Street  to  the   intersection  of  the  East  boundary  line  extended  of  UNIVERSITY  GARDENS  SUBDIVISION  NO.  1  as   recorded  in  Plat  Book  89  at  Page  15  of  the  Public  Records  of  Dade  County,  Florida;  thence  run   Northerly  along  the  East  boundary  line  of  said  UNIVERSITY  GARDENS  SUBDIVISION  NO.  1,  to  the   Northeast  corner  of  Block  2,  of  said  UNIVERSITY  GARDENS  SUBDIVISION,  NO.  1,  thence  run   westerly  along  the  North  line  of  said  Block  2,  of  UNIVERSITY  GARDENS  SUBDIVISION  NO.  1  to  a   point  on  the  East  right  of  way  line  of  Southwest  59  Avenue;  thence  run  Northerly  along  the  East   right  of  way  line  of  Southwest  59  Avenue  to  the  intersection  of  the  North  right-­‐of-­‐way  line  of   Southwest  62  Street,  thence  run  westerly  along  the  North  right-­‐of-­‐way  of  Southwest  62  Street  to   the  West  boundary  line  of  UNIVERSITY  MANOR  FIRST  ADDITION  as  recorded  in  Plat  Book  48,  at   Page  45  of  the  Public  Records  of  Dade  County,  Florida,  thence  run  southerly  along  the  west  line  of   said  University  Manor  First  Addition  and  the  West  line  of  STORMPROOF  SUBDIVISION  as  recorded   in  Plat  Book  47  at  Page  12  of  the  Public  Records  of  Dade  County  Florida,  to  a    point  on  the   centerline  of  Southwest  64  Street;  thence  run  East  along  the  centerline  of  Southwest  64  Street  to   the  intersection  of  the  centerline  of  Southwest  59  Avenue  and  the  centerline  of  Southwest  64   Street,  the  same  being  point  of  beginning.     ALSO  the  NW  1/4  of  the  NE  1/4  of  the  NE  1/4  and  the  NE  1/4  of  the  NW  1/4  of  the  NE  1/4  all  of   Section  25,  Township  54  South,  Range  40  East,  less  the  North  50  feet  thereof,  Dade  County,   Florida.     The  title  and  jurisdiction  over  all  streets,  thoroughfares,  sidewalks,  parks,  alleys  and  public  lots   within  the  City  of  South  Miami  and  all  other  property  and  municipal  public  works  of  the  City  now   owned,  possessed  or  operated  by  it  is  hereby  vested  in  the  City  of  South  Miami,  as  created  by  this   act  as  may  be  contracted  or  expended.