Res No 027-18-15059RESOLUTION NO. 027-18-15059
A Resolution reconsidering the support for the tot lot equipment for Van
Smith Park and/or providing alternative action for the park.
WHEREAS, when the Commission approved the expenditure of funds for the installation
of playground equipment at Van Smith Park, no notice had been given to members of Friends of
Van Smith Park nor to the two South Miami citizens who do the most pro bono volunteer work on
the park: Mr. John Park or,Dr. Martha Kent; and
WHEREAS, installation of a tot lot playground by itself is only one of the options. Other
options would be to: (1) not install the equipment; or (2) install a fence around the tot lot, place it
in an area of V an Smith Park where the fence would make it hard for children to go into the natural
habitat of the park, and erect signs in English and Spanish telling the children's caregivers not to
let the children enter any other part of the park other than the tot lot to protect the children from
coming into contact with toxic plants such as poison ivy; and
WHEREAS, there may be Commissioners and citizenry who feel that Van Smith Park is
not being utilized by a sufficient number of South Miami citizens just like some Commissioners
and citizens may feel that the so named "Girl Scout Property" is also underutilized and has been
permitted by the Girl Scout organization to become overgrown with invasive exotic plants with no
plan being presented by the Girl Scouts to restore the property to its original pine rocklands habitat;
and
WHEREAS, the Commission might possibly: (1) cancel the expenditure for the tot lot at
Van Smith Park; or (2) fund the tot lot and a fence to direct people from the street to the tot lot and
to keep tot lot users from going into other parts of the park.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The City Manager is inswsted to sanseI the plans for installation of playground
eqaipment fur Van Smith Park.
This item is being referred to the Parks and Recreation Board for holding a public
meeting with the community.
Section 2. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 3. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by vote of the City Commission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20 thlay of February ,2018.
Res. No. 0027-18-15059
ATTEST:
COMMISSION VOTE: 4-0
Mayor Stoddard: Yea
Vice Mayor Harris: Yea
Commissioner Liebman: Absent
Commissioner Welsh: Yea
Commissioner Gil: Yea
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