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RESOLUTION NO. ~~~~~~~~~
A Resolution approving an extension to the existing Agreement between the
City of South Miami and Steven Alexander for City Manager Services for the
City of South Miami, Florida.
7 WHEREAS, pursuant to Article II, Section 7 of the City of South Miami Charter,
8 the Mayor and City Commission are vested with the power to appoint a City Manager;
9 and
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11 WHEREAS, the City Commission appointed Mr. Steven Alexander as the City
12 Manager and entered into a three year agreement with him on May 20, 2014 with a
13 commencement date of May 20,2014 and an expiration date of May 20,2017; and
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15 WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to extend the agreement with Steven
16 Alexander, for City Manager Services.
17
18 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
19 COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
20
21 Section 1. The City Commission hereby approves a three year extension of the
22 existing three year Agreement between the City of South Miami and Steven
23 Alexander, with a new expiration date of May 20, 2020, inclusive of COLA, and,
24 other adjustments as may be authorized in each annual budget.
25
26 Section 2. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
27 any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
28 holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
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Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _~th_day of _____ , 2017.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM, COMMISSION VOTE
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY, Mayor Stoddard:
AND EXECUTION THEREOF: Vice Mayor Welsh:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Harris:
Commissioner Liebman:
CITY ATTORNEY
RESOLUTION NO. 110-14-14204
A Resolution approving the amendment to the multi-year contract between
the City of South Miami and Steven Alexander for City Manager Services.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article II, Section 7 of the City of South Miami Charter, the
Mayor and City Commission are vested with the power to appoint a City Manager; and,
WHEREAS, the City, appointed Mr. Steven Alexander as the City Manager and entered
into a two year contract with him on July 13,2013 with a commencement date of August 1,2013
and an expiration date of July 31, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to amend the contract with Steven Alexander,
for City Manager 'Services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission hereby approves the attached Contract between the
City of South Miami and Steven Alexander.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20tlllay of_M_a--=y=--____ , 2014.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
·Iugf/J~ GR~(!;;~ MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE: 5-0
Mayor Stoddard: Yea
Vice Mayor Harris: Yea
Commissioner Edmond: Yea
Commissioner Liebman: Yea
Commissioner Welsh: Yea
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AND STEVEN ALEXANDER
This Agreement, made and entered into this May 20,2014, by and between the City of South
Miami, Florida, a municipal corporation, (hereinafter called "City ") and Steven Alexander,
(hereinafter called "City Manager"), an individual who has the education, training and
experience in local government management and who, as a member of the International
City/County Management Association (ICMA), is subject to the ICMA Code of Ethics, both of
whom agree as follows:
Section 1: Term
A. The term of this Agreement shall be for an initial period of 3 years from May 20, 2014, to
May 20, 2017, and, after the second year, the City shall have the option to add two (2)
additional years to the term of this contract.
In the event that the City Manager is terminated, as defined in Section 9 of this Agreement, the
City Manager shall be entitled to all compensation that shall include salary, accrued vacation
and car allowance. This compensation shall be paid in a lump sum or, at the City's option, in a
continuation of salary, on the existing [biweekly/monthly] basis, up until the date of termination.
Section 2: Duties and Authority
A. The City agrees to employ steven Alexander as City Manager to perform the functions and
duties specified in Article III, Section 5 of the Charter for the City of South Miami and to perform
other legally permissible and proper duties and functions without interterence.
B. The City Manager is the chief executive officer of the City and shall faithfully perform the
duties as prescribed in the job description as set forth in the City's charter and/or ordinances
and as may be lawfully assigned by the City and shall comply with all lawful governing body
directives, county, state, and federal law, City policies, rules and ordinances as they exist or may
hereafter be amended.
C. It shall be the duty of the City Manager to employ, direct, assign, reassign, evaluate, and to
accept resignations of all of the employees of the City under his supervision consistent with
policies, ordinances, charter, state and federal law.
D. It shall also be the duty of the City Manager to organize, reorganize, and arrange the staff of
the City and to develop and establish intemal regulations, rules, and procedures which the City
Manager deems necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the City consistent with
the lawful directives, policies, ordinances, city charter, county, state and federal law.
E. The City Manager shall perform the duties of city manager of the City with reasonable care,
diligence, skill and expertise. -
F. All duties assigned to the City Manager by the governing body shall be appropriate to and
consistent with the professional role and responsibility of the City Manager.
G. The City Manager cannot be reassigned from the position of City Manager to another
position without the City Manager's express written consent.
H. The City Manager or designee shall attend, and shall be permitted to attend, all meetings of
the governing body, both public and dosed, or otherwise consistent with state law.
I. The governing body, individually and collectively, shall refer in a timely manner all substantive
criticisms, complaints and suggestions called to their attention to the City Manager for study
and/or appropriate action.
Section 3: Compensation
A. Base Salary: City agrees to pay City Manager an annual base salary of $175,000, the first
year, $180,000 the second year and $185,000 the third year payable in installments at the same
time that the other management employees of the City are paid. During the first three years of
this Contract, the City Manager shall not apply for or accept any employment in a public
administrativ~ position without the consent by resolution of the City Commission.
Section 4: Health, Disability and Life Insurance Benefits
A. The City agrees to provide and to pay the premiums for health, hospitalization, surgical,
vision, dental, and comprehensive medical insurance for the City Manager and his/her
dependents, at a minimum, equal to that which is provided to all other employees of the City.
B. The City agrees to put into force and to make required premium payments for disability
coverage for the City Manager.
C. The City shall pay the amount of premium due for term life insurance in the amount of two (2)
times the City Manager's annual base salary, including all increases in the base salary during the
life of this Agreement.
Section 5: Vacation and Sick
The City Manager shall accrue sick leave at the rate of one (1) day per month. Vacation leave
shall.accrue at the rate of 2.33 days per month. The City Manager shall be entitled to accrue
and retain, at the termination of this Agreement, accrued vacation leave.
Section 6: Automobile
The City agrees to pay.to the City Manager, during the term of this Agreement and in addition
to other salary and benefits herein provided, the s.um of $600 per month, payable monthly, as a
vehicle allowance. The monthly allowance shall be changed annually by the change in the
South Florida Consumer Price Index.
Section 7: Retirement
The City agrees to pay an amount equal to fourteen 14 percent (14%) of his salary into a
retirement plan, designated by the City Manager and on the City Manager's behalf, in equal
proportionate amounts each pay period.
Section 8: General Business Expenses
A. The City may budget and pay for professional dues, travel, short courses, and seminars.
B. City shall pay for or reimburse the City Manager for all ordinary, necessary and reasonable
business expenses incurred or paid by the City Manager in furtherance of City's objectives, all of
which shall be reimbursed and paid in accordance with City's policies and procedures of
general application. The City shalf provide the City Manager with a credit card to be used by
the City Manager to pay for these expenses.
Page 2 of7
C. Recognizing the importance of constant communication and maximum productivity, the
City shall provide the City Manager a laptop computer, software, and a monthly allowance of
one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for mobile phone.
Section 9: Termination
A. This Agreement may only be terminated for the reasons set forth in this section. For the
purpose of this Agreement. termination shall occur:
1. If three members of the governing body vote to terminate the City Manager without
cause in accordance with this Agreement at a properly posted and duly authorized
public meeting or fails to appropriate each year an amount sufficient from available
funds of the municipality to pay all financial obligations of the City pursuant to this
Agreement for that year, including but not limited to, the severance and other
benefits set forth in Section 10.
2. If any provisions of the charter or code of ordinances pertaining to the role, powers,
duties, authority and responsibilities of the City Manager's position that substantially
changes the form of government. the City Manager shall have the right to declare
that such amendments constitute termination.
3. The City shall not reduce the base salary, compensation or any other financial benefit
of the City Manager and, if it does, such action shall constitute a breach of this
Agreement and will be regarded as a termination unless the City enacts salary
reductions for Department heads and general employees to the same extent. In the
latter event, the City Manager's salary may be reduced accordingly and such event
shall not be an event of termination or breach.
4. If the City Manager resigns following an offer to accept resignation, by resolution of
the majority of the governing body that the City Manager resign, then the City
Manager may resign and declare a voluntary termination as of the date of the
suggestion.
5. Substantial Breach of Contract.
Written notice of a breach of contract shall be provided in accordance with the
provisions of Section 19 except when intentional breach by the City Manager is
verified.
6. City Manager is found to have committed the offenses authorizing termination for
cause as set forth and defined in Section 10.
7. The City Manager resigns as provided in Section 11, without a request from the
commission as set,forth in paragraph 4 above.
Section 10: Severance
Severance shall be paid to the City Manager when employment is terminated as defined in
Section 9, unless termination is for cause or due to his voluntary resignation as provided in
paragraph 7 of Section 9. When severance is owed, the City shall provide a minimum
severance payment equal to four (4) months salary at the then current rate of pay as well as the
benefits set forth below. This severance shall be paid in a lump sum or in a continuation of
payment salary and benefits on the existing biweekly/monthly basis, at the City's option.
Page 3 of7
A. The City agrees to continue contributing to the City Manager's retirement account or plan in
effect on the date of termination, at the rate in effect on the date of termination during the
severance period. .
B. For the severance period following termination, the City shall pay the cost to continue the
following benefits:
1. Health insurance for the City Manager and all dependents as provided in Section 4A,
after which time, City Manager will be provided access to health insurance pursuant
to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Recondliation Act ("COBRA")
2. All other benefits set forth here and above.
If the City Manager is terminated "for cause", which shall be defined as an act of fraud,
dishonesty, or conviction otany criminal act (except for minor traffic infractions), 'including a
felony conviction, or due to a substantial breach as in Section 9 above, then the City is not
obligated to pay severance under this section.
Section 11: Resignation
In the event that the City Manager voluntarily resigns without a request from the commission, as
set forth in paragraph 4 of Section 9, his position with the City, the City Manager shall provide a
minimum of thirty (30) days' notice unless the City and the City Manager agree otherwise. If the
City Manager resigns he' shall not apply for or accept any position in a public administrative
position for at least six months following his resignation without the consent by written resolution
of the City ..
Section 12: Performance Evaluation
A. The City may annually review the performance of the City Manager in May of each year, in
accordance with the process, form, criteria, and format for the evaluation, which shcill be
mutually agreed upon by the City and the City Manager.
B. The annual evaluation process~ at a minimum, shall include the opportunity for both parties
to: (1) conduct a formulary session where the governing body and the City Manager meet first
to discuss goals and objectives of both the past twelve (12) month performance period as well
as the upcoming twelve (12) month performance period; (2) following that formulary discussion,
prepare a written evaluation of goals and objectives for the· past and upcoming year, (3) next
meet and discuss the written evaluation of these goals and objectives; and, (4) present a written
summary of the evaluation results to the City Manager. The final written evaluation, prepared by
each commission member individually, shall be completed and delivered to the City Manager
and the City Clerk within thirty (30) days of the initial formulary evaluation meeting, if any.
Section 13: Hours of Work
The City recognizes that the City Manager must devote a great deal of time outside the normal
office hours on business for the City, and to that end City Manager shall be allowed to establish
an appropriate work schedule. The schedule shall be appropriate to the needs of the City and
shall allow the City Manager to faithfully perform his assigned duties and responsibilities.
Section 14: Ethical Commitments
The City Manager will at all times uphold the tenets of the ICMA Code of Ethics, a copy of which
is attached hereto and incorporated herein. Specifically, the City Manager shall not endorse
candidates, make financial contributions, sign or circulate petitions, or participate in fund-raising
activities for individuals seeking or holding elected office, nor seek or accept any personal
enrichment or profit derived from confidential information or misuse of public time. Provided,
Page 4 of7
however, the City Manager may attend fund raisers for issues or candidates, excluding City of
South Miami issues or Mayor/Commission seats.
The City shall support the City Manager in keeping these commitments by refraining from any
order, direction or request that would require the City Manager to violate the ICMA Code of
Ethics. Specifically, neither the governing body nor any individual member thereof, shall request
the City Manager to endorse any candidate, make any financial contribution, sign or circulate
any petition, or participate in any fund-raising activity for individuals seeking or holding elected
office, nor to handle any matter of personnel.
Section 15: Outside Activities
The employment provided for by this Agreement shall be the City Manager's primary
employment. The City Manager may continue to receive residual compensation from activities
prior to this Agreement. Recognizing that certain outside consulting or teaching opportunities
provide indirect benefits to the City and the community, the City Manager may elect to accept
limited teaching, consulting or other business opportunities with the understanding that such
arrangements must not create a conflict of interest nor constitute interference with his
responsibilities under this Agreement. No new revenue producing activities are permitted unless
approved by resolution of the City.
Section 16: Indemnification
A. The City shall defend, indemnify and pay all judgments or settlements in regard to any
personal liability arising out of and in the scope of the City Manager's responsibilities, to the fullest
extent authorized by Section 111.071, Florida Statutes, and other laws, and in accordance with
South Miami Code of Ordinances Sec. 2-4.6. titled "Indemnification", in addition to any
insurance purchased by the City. The City agrees to pay all reasonable litigation expens<?s of
the City Manager throughout the pendency of any City of South Miami litigation to which the
City Manager is a party as a result of acts or omission within the course and scope of his
employment, witness or advisor to the City. Such expense payments shall continue beyond the
City Manager's service to the City as long as litigation is pending.
B. Nothing in this section shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity or a waiver of any other
defense or immunity to such lawsuits.
C. Nothing in this section shall create any private right of action against the City by any third
party. .
D. Nothing in this section shall provide for any defense, indemnification or payment if the City
Manager acted in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or in a manner exhibiting wanton and
willful disregard of human rights, safety or property.
Section 17: Bonding
The City shall bear the full cost of any fidelity or other bonds required of the City Manager under
any law or ordinance.
Section 18: Other Terms and Conditions of Employment
A. The City, only upon written agreem~nt with City Manager, approved by resolution, shall fix
any such other terms and conditions of employment, as it may determine from time to time,
relating to the performance of the City Manager, provided such terms and conditions are not
inconsistent with or in conflict with the prOVisions of, the City Charter, local ordinances or any
other law.
Page 50f7
B. Upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason (other than for cause or voluntary
resignation as set forth in paragraph 4, Section 9), the City shall enter into a separate Agreement
with Steven Alexander with a term of not less than two (2) months for management consulting
relating to the transition of City Managers at the City Manager's then rate of compensation
.including all benefits detailed in Section 10.
Section 19: Notices
Notice pursuant to this Agreement shall be given by depositing in the custody of the United
states Postal Service, (by registered mail to the Mayor and the City Manager), postage prepaid,
personal service, provided the recipient signs a receipt which must be produced to prove
delivery, or by some other service, including e-mail (e-mail to the City Clerk constitutes delivery
to the Mayor and the City Attorney), if it provides proof of delivery or receipt and addressed as
follows:
CITY
With a copy to:
CfTY MANAGER:
Mayor
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143-5093
City A ttomey
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143-5093
Maria M. Menendez, CMC
City Clerk
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143-5093
E-mail: Mmenendez@southmiamiff.gov
Steven Alexander
City Manager
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143-5093
Notice shall be deemed given as of the date of personal service provided the recipient signs a
receipt, which must be produced to prove delivery, or as the date of receipt by registered mail
or by some other service that provides proof of delivery.
Section 20: General Provisions
A. Integration. This Agreement sets forth and establishes the entire understanding between the
City and the City Manager relating to the employment of the City Manager by the City. Any
prior discussions or representations by or between the City and the City Manager are merged
into and rendered null and void by this Agreement. The City and the City Manager by mutual
written agreement, approved by resolution of the governing body, may amend any provision of
this agreement during the life of the agreement. Such amendments shall be incorporated and
made a part of this agreement. .
B. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding on the City and the City Manager as well as
their heirs, assigns, executors, personal representatives and successors in interest.
C. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on May 20, 2014.
Page 6 of7
D. Severability. The invalidity or partial invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not affect
the validity of any other provision. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid, the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they have
been executed .by both the City and the City Manager subsequent to ·the expungement or
judicial modification of the invalid provision.
E. Precedence. In the event of any conflict between the terms, conditions and provisions of this
Agreement and the provisions of the City's permissive ordinances or the Ciiy's rules and
regulations, or any permissive state or federal law, then, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the
terms of this Agreement shall take precedence over contrary provisions of the Ciiy's permissive
ordinances, or the City's rules and regulations or any such permissive law during the term of this
Agreement.
F. Waiver of Jury Trial. The parties to this Agreement hereby waive any right they may have to a
jury trial with regard to any matter or dispute between the parties and arising out of this
Agreement.
G. This contract shall be governed by the laws of the state of Florida and venue shall be in
Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Ciiy of South Miami
By: ItfttfJA?
May r Philip K. Stoddard
Executed this the li day of 1"""7 ,2014.
Sleven J. Alexa;:..-------_. ____ ----
By:~=_ _______ _
Steven J. Alexander
Executed this the ~ day of tf1A t ,2014.
Page 70f7
MIAMI DAILY BUSINESS REVIEW
Published Daifyexcept Saturday, Sunday and
Legal Holidays
Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE:
Before the undersigned authority personally appeared
M.ZALDtVAR, who on oath says that he or she Is the
LEGAL CLERK, Legal Notices of the Miami Dally Business
Review 11k/a Miami Review, a daily (except Saturday, Sunday
and Legal Holidays) newspaper, published at Miami in Miami-Dade
County, Rorida; that the attached copy of advertisement,
being a Legal Advertisement of Notice in the matter of
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR 5/20/2014
in the XXXX Court,
was published in said newspaper in the Issues of
05/09/2014
Affiant further says that the said Miami Daily Business
Review Is a newspaper published at Miami in said Miami-Dade
County, Florida and that the said newspaper has
heretofore been continuously published in said Miami-Dade County,
Florida, each day (except Saturday, Sunday and Legal. Holidays)
and has been entered as second class mail malter at the post
office In Miami in said Miami-Dade County, Florida, for a
period of one year next preceding the first publication of the
attached copy of advertisement; and affiant further says that he or
she' has neither paid nor promised any person. firm or corporation
any discount. rebate. commission or refund for the purpose
of securing this advertisem nt r publication in the said
newspaper_
M. ZALDIVAR personally known to me
","I1,,!of. I. tHOMJl.S d "~ ,p <;;~ Notary Public -State ot FlOtI a
.\ My Comm. Expires No112. 2017
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with the Office of the Honorable Dennis C. MosS,
Commissioner, District 9
"," :liUest :speaKer. Matthew Woodfork, Ph.D.
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Robert Sav.yer, LM.H.C.
May :l.5th I 6:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
.~ Regional Library
21:1.th Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33:1.89
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CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
COURTESY NOTICE
NOllCE IS HalEBY given Ih8I the CIty COmmission oItha Clb' 0/ SOUth MIaml, RMIfA wfllconducl PulrlJc Hearlng/s) al ,ts regular
City Comml&slon meeHng _ for _day May .0. 2014 beglnnlll!! al7:OO p.m., In the CIty comml&slon Chambars,
6130 Suns<! Olive. III conaldor the fotIowtng IIBm(s):
I A ResoIJIiln appnwing Ills amBI<Imenl to I1e naAt!-yoar OOI1tr.lct batwoen Ills CIty 01 SOUth MIami and SIEWn A1exa_ ,or) t CII1 Managar S",k:os,
A Ji_l!1J!IIorfZtng tha CIty Managar to =ta. _ (l) year inlot-!nta! _ betwaenl.1!amJ.llad8 County.
MlamI·Dad. PolIte dapaJ1ment. and the CIl1 01 SDUlII MIamIIcr S<IIDOi ~ GIIanI SoiW:os 'or 2111412015, 2015/21)16 and
201I112Oti.clIooIyaars.
A _lion authcrillng Ills City Managar to .ntllt 11110 • !I/O (2) year conlral:! With Dt>lmtowA TowIng With ilia crplilln 0/
throe (l) one (I) year mldltionaJ periods af servI;e.
An Onlinance amendtng Section 2J).3.3(El ofllls CltyofSOUth MIarnI Und Develcrpmenl Coda _ng ouli1Dot"'lIng ami
dining ~foralt=-pInJIOI1Ios,_plforpmperliea In thaRO'_I1IillIOI!fceZDnlng<lis~~l
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"CIty of SOUth MIaml and city's o!IIcIaJ seal and logo.
An Oldinanco al!lIll!dlng s.ctIao 20.2.3 -1leftnItIono,,. _. definition tJrTompor.vy S1nII:tur .. and Secliln zo.3.6{1
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ALL Int.leslod parII<s are InvIIBd to ollord and VIllI be heard.
For lulllrer InfnmraIlon,p1trase "",Iaolllla City Cfer1<~ DIfb.t:WS~63-63'0.
Marla M. Monendez. CMC
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Brad@72nd Ave. has partnered with the League Against Cancer
to host the "Hope for Life" benefit event.
With your small donation, you'" enjoy:
Hors d'oeuvres by Chef Pepe
Wine by Top Hat Wine & Spirits
• Dessert by Doral Bakery
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The Shops at Lakeshore Park
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Saturday, May 17th, 2014
from 7pm. -11pm.
• Artwork, Jewelry, home decor and more donated
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SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 112017
MIAMIHERAlD.COM
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@ .. investigat
BY JOSH LEDERMAN
AND LAURAN NEERGAARD
Associated Press
WASHINGTON
There must be an answer.
Whatever is hanning U.S.
diplomats in Havana, it's
eluded the do«tors, scien-
tists and intelligence ana-
lysts scouring for answers.
Investigators have chased
many theories, including a
sonic attack, electromag-
netic weapon or flawed
spying device. ,
Each explanation seems
to fit parts ofwhat'shap~
pened, conflicting with
others. -
The United States doesn't
even know what to call it.
Secretary of State Rex Til-
lerson used the phrase
"health attacks." The State
Department prefers "in-
cidents."
Either way, suspicion has
fallen on Cuba. But in-
vestigators also are exam-
ining whether a rogue fac-
tion of its security services,
another country such as
Russia, or some combina-
tion is to blame, more than
a dozen U.S. officials fam-
iliar with the investigation
told The Associated Press.
Those officaIs spoke on
condition of anonymity
because they weren't autho-
...;..,. ..... ...:1 ~ ........... 'I ... hl~ ..... l ... T ..l;('1"'''''C';:' +ho
vestigators are sorting ,
symptoms into categories,
such as auditory aridnelir-
ological, according to indi-
viduals briefed on the '
. probe. " ,
There can be a lag before
victims discover or report '
symptoms, some of which
are hard to' diagnose. So '
investigators are charting
the timeline of reported
incidents to identify "clus-
ters" to help solve the
when, where and how of
the Havana whodunit.
SONHCDEVDCE
The first signs pointed to
a sonic attack. But what
kind?
Some victhnsheard
things'-signs that the
sounds were in the audible
spectnun.Loudnoisecan
harm hearing, especially
high-decibel sourids that
can trigger ear-ringing
tinnitus, ruptUred ear
drums, even permanent
hearing loss.
But others heard nothing,
and still became ill. So
investigators considered
inaudible sound: infra-', ' -,
sound, too loW: for humans
to hear, and ultrasound, too
high.
Infrasound often is expe-
rienced as vibration, like
standing near a subwoofer.
c ....... ~o ,."';,..h""C' ~.on('\""'.orl
miami ~aCtal~
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.. ,' .' ::"-':'"
<!Ill r'les
'rs * In re
None of these sound,
waves seems to explain the
concussions. Usually, those'
follow a blow to the head or
proximity to something like
a bomb blast.
rElLlECiROMAGNIE1UC
WEAPONI
It inay sound like Star
Wars fantasy, but electro-
magnetic weapons have
been around for years. They
geneiallyharm· electronics,·
not humans.
The electromagnetic .
spectnun includes waves
like the ones used by yOJU'
cellphone, microwave and
light bulbs. '
And they can be -easily
pinpointed. Such waves can
also travel through walls, so
an electromagnetic attack
could be plausibly con-'
cealed from afar,
VVhataboutthesounds
people heard?,
Mierowave pulses-short,
intense blasts -can cause '
people to "hear" clicking
sounds.
But when electromagnet-'
ic waves cause physical
dama:ge, it usually results
from body tissue being
heated. The diplomats in
,Cuba haven't been report-
ing burning sensations.
SOMlEYlHlBNlG lElLSIE
ri""hci c+t",c,C'C' ,,"rl ,)"'Vl~t'tT
Diplomats reported in-
cidents in their homes and
in hotels. Cuban authorities
would know who is staying
in each.
But what's the motive?
When symptoms'
emerged lastNovemb~r,
Cuba was working feverish-
ly With the U.S;lo make
progress on everything'
from internet access to'
immigration rules befqre
President Barack Obama's
term ended. Officials still
don't understand why Ha-
vana would at tl):e same
time perpetrate attacks that
could destroy its new rela-
tionship with Washington
entirely.
Cuban President Raul
Castro's reaction deepened
investigators' skepticism,
according to officials
briefed on a rare, face-to-
face discussion he had on '
the matter with America's
top envoy in Havana.
Predictably, Castro de-
nied responsibility. But U.S.
officials were surprised that
Castro seemed· genuinely
rattled, and that Cuba off~
ered to let the FBlcome
investigate.
Then, Canadians got ill.
Why them?
The warm, long-standing
ties between Cuba and
Ganada made it seem even
1""" 1nm"'l1 th"t r<'"h'n'"
Americas', 25A
Hl
THE OUTSIDERS
:who el~e would dare? : '. 'us. mvestigatorshirve-
focused on a small group of
,usual suspects: Russia, Iran;
'North korea; China, Vene-
zuela. "
Russia, in particular, has
harassed American diplo-
munist island and "the
West" -nations such as the
United States arid Canada.
Russia also has advanced,
hard-to-detect weaponry_
the much of the world lacks
and might' not even know
about.
, mats aggressively in recent
years.
Moscow even has a plau-
sible motive: driving a
wedge between the com-
None of officials inter-
viewed for this story point-
ed to any evidence, howev-
er,linking Russia to the
illnesses. The same goes for
the other countries.
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI'
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
IS HEREBY -given that the City Commission of the City of South Miami, Florida
will conduct Public Hearing(s) at its sp"ecial City Commission meeting scheduled for
Thursday. September 28, 2017, beginning at 7:00 p,m., in the City Commission Chambers.
6130 Sunset Drive. to consider the following item(s):
(
A Re"solution appfovin9 an extension to t~e eXist.in g Agreement between the)
Gity of South Miami and Steven Alexander for City Manager Services for the
City of South Miami~ Florida .
. An Ordinance amending the Land Development Code, Article V, Section 20-5.8,
and Article VI .. Section 20-6:1 relating to reapplications and reconsIderations
of applications •..
An Ordinance amending the City of South' Miami Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2,
Article I,' Section 2-2.1 {Al to· give .the City CommisSion more 'f1exibility in
rescheduling regular ,!,~etings. "e$p~daIlY during times of emergency.
ALL interested parties are invited to' attend and will be heard,
For further information. please contact the City Clerk's Office at 305-663-6340,
Maria M. Menendez, CMC
City Clerk
Pursu~nt to Florida" Statutes 286.0105, the City hereby advises the public that if a person decides
to appeal' any deCision made by this Board, Agency or Commission with respect to any matter
considered at its meeting or hearing: he or she will need a record of the procefi!dings, and that for
such purpose, affected person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is
made which recor.d includes the. testim.ony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
!i' L..>.. .. _, .. ~.~. t' 1 r ( f "'w ow C·· .. O·X ~t, .~ J' '~lf;M!I!:-=