Ord No 12-25-2525ORDINANCE NO.12-25-2525
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,PROVIDING FOR A
MORATORIUM ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION
20-3.6(W)OF THE CITY’S LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS;PROVIDING FOR A
TERM;PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION;
SEVERABILITY;CONFLICTS;CORRECTIONS,AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the City of South Miami (the “City”)has adopted a Land Development Code
(the “LDC”)to promote the health,safety,community acceptable standard of morals,and general
welfare of the residents of the City through the stated regulations of this LDC;and
WHEREAS,on July 6,2021,the City Commission adopted Ordinance No.14-17-2284,
amending the City’s LDC by creating Section 20-3.6(W)of the LDC (the “Ordinance”),which
requires the installation of solar photovoltaic systems for all new construction of or substantial
alterations or additions to single-family residential buildings,townhomes,and multi-stoiy
residential buildings,or in the alternative,requires a contribution into the City’s Solar Collector
Trust Fund for installing solar collectors on public buildings;and
WHEREAS,due to a misunderstanding of the Ordinance’s effectiveness following City
Commission discussion,City staff has not enforced the provisions of the Ordinance requiring
installation of solar photovoltaic systems;and
WHEREAS,the City Commission finds that the provisions of Section 20-3.6(W)of the
LDC impose fiscal and economic burdens on property owners seeking to construct new residential
buildings and/or perform substantial alterations or additions to existing residential buildings that
may outweigh the benefits afforded by solar collectors and may not advance sustainability goals
as well as alternative requirements or incentives;and
WHEREAS,the City Commission desires to study and analyze the Ordinance to
implement comprehensive revisions that better address sustainability goals with a lesser economic
burden than the Ordinance;and
WHEREAS,the City Commission desires to ensure that,during the pendency of the
necessary study activity for the formulation and implementation of more comprehensive revisions
to the Ordinance,that a moratorium be imposed on the enforcement of the Ordinance against
property owners seeking to construct new residential buildings and/or perform alterations or
additions to existing residential buildings;and
WHEREAS,the City Commission finds that this Ordinance is in the best interest and
welfare of the City,and given the pendency of building permit applications that could be adversely
impacted by the Ordinance,is of such importance as to support holding first reading in advance of
Ord.No.12-25-2525
a public hearing of the Planning Board,and therefore approved it on first reading on April 1 2025;
and
WHEREAS,on April 8,2025,the Planning Board,sitting in its capacity as the Local
Planning Agency,reviewed this Ordinance and voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the City
Commission;and
WHEREAS,this Ordinance was duly noticed and presented to the City Commission in
two readings,with second reading conducted as the required public hearing on April 15,2025;and
WHEREAS,the City Commission finds that this Ordinance is in the best interest and
welfare of the City.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,AS FOLLOWS:1
Section 1.Recitals.The above-stated recitals are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
Section 2.Moratorium Imposed.During the time that this Ordinance is in effect,as
specified in Section 3,“Term,”below,there shall be a moratorium on the enforcement of Section
20-3.6(W)of the City’s LDC.Specifically,due to the fiscal and economic burdens imposed on
residential properties,property owners shall not be required to install solar collectors or pay any
fees,as set forth under Section 20-3.6(W).
Any person that (i)has an active building permit application on the effective date of this
Moratorium Ordinance,(ii)has an active building permit on the effective date of this Moratorium
Ordinance,or (iii)submits an application for or obtains a building permit during the time that this
Moratorium Ordinance is in effect,as specified in Section 3 herein and as may be further extended
by ordinance,shall be exempt from the requirements of Section 20-3.6(W)of the City’s LDC
through the acquisition of a certificate of occupancy.
Nothing herein shall be interpreted to prohibit any person from voluntarily installing solar
photovoltaic systems (solar collectors)on any residential property within the City,subject to
compliance with the Florida Building Code and any other applicable federal,state,and/or local
regulations.
Anv person who obtained a Certificate of Occupancy prior to the effective date of this
Moratorium Ordinance shall also be exempt from enforcement of the requirements of Section 20-
3.6fW)of the Citv’s Land Development Code,
Section 3.Term.The moratorium imposed by this Moratorium Ordinance is
temporary and shall be effective for a period of six (6)months from the Effective Date of this
1 Coding:Strikethrough-words are deletions to the existing words.Underlined words are additions to the existing
words.Modifications proposed by the Planning Board are shaded in fUy.Changes between first and second reading
are indicated with dottblc-otrHscthrough and double underline.
Page 2 of 3
Ord.No.12-25-2525
Ordinance,unless dissolved earlier by the City Commission.Further,the moratorium shall
automatically dissolve upon the adoption of an ordinance that amends or deletes Section 20-3.6(W)
of the City’s LDC in connection with the purposes of this Ordinance.The moratorium may be
reasonably extended,if necessary,by ordinance of the City Commission.
Section 4.Implementation.The City Manager is hereby authorized to take any and
all necessary action to implement the purposes of this Ordinance.
Section 5.Severability.If any section,clause,sentence,or phrase of this Ordinance 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 Ordinance.
Section 6.Conflicts.That all ordinances or parts of ordinances,resolutions or parts of
resolutions,in conflict herewith,are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 7.Corrections.Conforming language or technical scrivener-type corrections
may be made by the City Attorney for any conforming amendments to be incorporated into the
final Ordinance for signature.
Section 8.Effective Date.This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED on first reading on the 1st day of April 2025.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading on the 15th day of April 2025.
ATTEST:
NKENG CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE,LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
ISS SEROT ELFMAN COLE
&BIERMAN,P.L.
CITY ATTORNEY
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Fernandez:
Vice Mayor Corey:
Commissioner Bonich:
Commissioner Calle:
Commissioner Rodriguez:
Page 3 of 3
Agenda Item No:7.
City Commission Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: April 15, 2025
Submitted by: Daniela Cimo
Submitting Department: City Attorney
Item Type: Ordinance
Agenda Section:
Subject:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR
A MORATORIUM ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 3.6(W) OF THE CITY’S LAND DEVELOPMENT
CODE RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS;
PROVIDING FOR VESTED RIGHTS; PROVIDING FOR A TERM; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION;
SEVERABILITY; CONFLICTS; CORRECTIONS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5 (COMMISSIONER BONICH)
Suggested Action:
Attachments:
CC_Solar_Panel_Moratorium_CM_Memo.docx
4AX3796.DOCX
Solar Panel Moratorium Business Impact Estimate Form.docx
Ad...pdf
1
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:The Honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Members of the City Commission
FROM:Genaro “Chip” Iglesias, City Manager
DATE:April 15, 2025,City Commission Meeting
SUBJECT:Ordinance enacting a moratorium on the enforcement of the Code as it relates
to residential requirements for Solar Photovoltaic Systems
______________________________________________________________________________
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:The accompanying ordinance is sponsored by Commissioner
Bonich and was placed on the agenda at the direction of the City
Commission following discussion at the March 18, 2025, City
Commission Meeting. The ordinance was approved on first reading
on April 1,2025. Staff recommend approval on second reading.
BACKGROUND:On July 18, 2017, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 14-
17-2284, amending the City’s Land Development Code (“LDC”) to
create Section 20-3.6(W) of the LDC, which required the installation
of solar photovoltaic systems for all new construction, substantial
alterations, or additions to single-family residential buildings,
townhomes, and multi-story residential buildings. After
determining that there were means of achieving reductions in the
emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the LDC
section was later amended via Ordinance No. 11-21-2401 on July 6,
2021. This amendment created an alternative to installing solar
panels that consisted of the creation of the Solar Trust Fund and
the ability to pay into the fund in lieu of installing the panels.
The City is seeking approval to enact a moratorium on the
enforcement of the solar panel regulations listed in Section 20-
3.6(W) of the LDC.Pursuant to the draft ordinance, the moratorium
will be established and will prevent the enforcement of Section 20-
3.6(W) of the LDC. While in effect, Any person that
(i)has an active building permit application on the effective
date of this Moratorium Ordinance,
(ii)has an active building permit on the effective date of this
Moratorium Ordinance, or
2
$South ’Miami
THE CITY OF PLEASANT LIVING
(iii) submits an application for or obtains a building permit
during the time that this Moratorium Ordinance is in
effect, as specified in Section 3 herein and as may be
further extended by ordinance,
shall be exempt from the requirements of Section 3.6(W) of the
City’s LDC through the acquisition of a certificate of occupancy. A
limit of six (6) months will be set on the moratorium that will
commence at the start of the effective date of the draft ordinance
that will automatically dissolve upon the adoption of an ordinance
that either amends or deletes Section 3.6(W) of the City’s LDC in
connection with the purposes of the draft ordinance. The
Commission will have the ability to dissolve or extend the
moratorium, as needed.
The remainder of the proposed modifications to the LDC are
contained in the attached Draft Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Ordinance
Legal Ad.
3
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
4
South'*’Miami
THE CITY OF PLEASANT LIVING
BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE1
Ordinance Title:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR
A MORATORIUM ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 3.6(W) OF THE CITY’S LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS; PROVIDING FOR
VESTED RIGHTS; PROVIDING FOR A TERM; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; SEVERABILITY;
CONFLICTS; CORRECTIONS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Summary of Proposed Ordinance and Statement of Public Purpose to be Served
The ordinance proposes to enact a moratorium on the enforcement of Land Development Code (LDC) Section 20-3.6(W)
pertaining to the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on residential properties. Currently, the LDC section imposes a
fiscal and economic burden on residential property owners. By enacting the moratorium, that burden will be lifted. While
in effect, the Commission will study and analyze the regulations to implement comprehensive revisions that better address
sustainability goals with a lesser economic burden than the Ordinance.
Estimate of Direct Economic Impact on Private/For Profit Businesses
a.Estimate of Direct Business Compliance Costs:
Because the regulations only pertain to residential properties, there will be no direct economic impact on private/for
profit businesses.
b.New Charges/Fees on Businesses Impacted:
Because the proposed ordinance is placing a hold on the review and enforcement of the LDC section, no new
charges/fees will be incurred.
c.Estimate of Regulatory Costs:
There are no regulatory costs associated with this ordinance
Good Faith Estimate of Number of Businesses Likely Impacted:
There will be zero impact on businesses.
Any Additional Information:
Meeting Date: April 15, 2025 Agenda Item No. ____
9
1 Business Impact Estimate does not apply to the following:
1. Ordinances required for compliance with federal or state law or regulation;
2. Ordinances related to the issuance or refinancing of debt;
3. Ordinances relating to the adoption of budgets or budget amendments, including revenue sources necessary to fund the budget;
4. Ordinances required to implement a contract/agreement;
5. Emergency ordinances;
6. Ordinances relating to procurement, including but not limited to, any federal, state, local, or private grant, or other financial
assistance accepted by a municipal government;
7. Ordinances enacted to implement the following:
a.Part II of Chapter 163, F.S.;
b.Sec. 190.005, F.S. and Sec. 190.046, F.S.;
c.Sec. 553.73, F.S. (Fla. Building Code);
d.Sec. 633.202, F.S. (Fla. Fire Prevention Code).
10
6A .............................................................................................MIAMI HERALD FRIDAY APRIL 4 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,FLORIDA
COMPLEX BUSINESS LITIGATION DIVISION
In re:
TRUELINE INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS,LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,Case No.2025-004302-CA-01
ATLANTIC UTILITY CONSTRUCTORS,LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
Case No.2025-004303-CA-01
F.O.S.FIBER OPTICS,LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
Case No.2025-004305-CA-01
GUCI,LLC,a Delaware limited liability company,Case No.2025-004312-CA-01
YOUNG’S COMMUNICATIONS,LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
Case No.2025-004313-CA-01
YOUNG’S COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS,LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
Case No.2025-004314-CA-01
Assignors,To:
ANDREW DE CAMARA,
Assignee./
NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS
TO CREDITORS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on March 11,2025,a Petition Commencing Assignment for
the Benefit of Creditors was filed by Andrew De Camara (the “Assignee”),who has offices at
Sherwood Partners,Inc.,3945 Freedom Circle,Suite 560,Santa Clara,CA 95054,for each of
Trueline Infrastructure Solutions,LLC,Atlantic Utility Constructors,LLC,F.O.S.Fiber Optics,LLC,
GUCI,LLC,Young’s Communications,LLC,and Young’s Communications Holdings,LLC (collectively,
the “Assignors”),thereby commencing the above-captioned assignment for the benefit of creditors
cases pursuant to Chapter 727,Florida Statutes.The principal place of business of the Assignors
is 333 S.E.2nd Avenue,Suite 2000,Miami,FL 33131.
Pursuant to Florida Statutes §727.105,no proceeding may be commenced against the Assignee
except as provided in Chapter 727 of the Florida Statutes,and except in the case of a consensual
lienholder enforcing its rights in collateral,there shall be no levy,execution,attachment,or the
like in respect of any judgment against assets of the estates in the possession,custody,or control
of the Assignee.
YOU ARE HEREBY further notified that in order to receive any dividend in these proceedings,
you must file a proof of claim with the Assignee on or before July 9,2025.Proofs of claim may be
submitted,and case information is posted,at a website maintained by the Assignee’s noticing and
claims agent,Omni Agent Solutions,Inc.,at https://omniagentsolutions.com/TruelineABC.
The attorney for the Assignee is Berger Singerman LLP,attention trueline@bergersingerman.com,
1450 Brickell Avenue,Suite 1900,Miami,FL 33131.
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE APRIL 14,2025,6:30PM,ART IN PUBLIC PLACES BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD AT CITY HALL
LOCATED AT 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE,MIAMI,FLORIDA 33133.IT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE FOR MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC TO VIEW AT WWW.MIAMIGOV.COM/TV AND CHANNEL 77 (COMCAST ONLY FOR RESIDENTS IN THE
CITY OF MIAMI).
PUBLIC COMMENT MAY BE PROVIDED VIA AN ONLINE COMMENT FORM,WHICH MAY BE SUBMITTED UNTIL THE
CHAIRPERSON CLOSES PUBLIC COMMENT.PUBLIC COMMENT MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED IN-PERSON AT CITY HALL,3500 PAN AMERICAN
DR,MIAMI,FLORIDA,ON THE DAY AND TIME OF THE MEETING.ALL PUBLIC COMMENT SHALL BE MADE PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD.
**PLEASE VISIT WWW.MIAMIGOV.COM/BOARDCOMMENTS FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT US-
ING THE ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENT FORM.**
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS TO BE HEARD AT THIS MEETING MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED IN-PERSON ON THE DAY OF THE
MEETING AT CITY HALL,3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE,MIAMI,FLORIDA,SUBJECT TO ANY AND ALL RULES AND PROCEDURES AS THE
CITY MAY IMPLEMENT OR AMEND.
A COPY OF THE AGENDA FOR THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES BOARD MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE AT:HTTP://MIAMIFL.IQM2.COM/CITI-
ZENS/DEFAULT.ASPX
AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY,APRIL 14,2025,6:30 PM,THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES BOARD WILL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS:
FILE ID 17384 A RESOLUTION OF THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES BOARD (“AIPPB”)PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 62,ARTICLE XVI ENTITLED
“ART IN PUBLIC PLACES”OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,FLORIDA,AS AMENDED (“CITY CODE”),APPROVING THE INSTALLATION
OF A TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT TITLED “SEPIA VERNACULAR:OVERTOWN’S PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY”(“EXHIBIT”)TO BE LO-
CATED AT THE LAWSON E.THOMAS BUILDING,LOCATED AT 1021 NW 2ND AVENUE,MIAMI,FLORIDA (“PROPERTY”)OWNED BY THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (“SEOPW CRA”);AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT,IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY,BETWEEN THE CITY,THE MAX WALD-
MAN ARCHIVE AND/OR ITS MANAGER CAROL GREUNKE (“ARCHIVE”),AND THE SEOPW CRA FOR INSTALLATION OF THE EXHIBIT AT THE
PROPERTY AT NO COST TO THE CITY;PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The petition and supporting papers are on file with Hearing Boards and are viewable at http://miamifl.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/1119-Art-in-
Public-Places-Board.During the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)pandemic,you may also call (305)416-2030 to schedule an appointment.
Any person who receives compensation,remuneration or expenses for conducting lobbying activities is required to register as a lobbyist with
the city clerk prior to engaging in lobbying activities before city staff,boards,committees or the City Commission.A copy of the applicable
ordinance is available in the Office of the City Clerk (Miami City Hall),located at 3500 Pan American Drive,Miami,Florida 33133.
Should any person desire to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter to be considered at this meeting,that person shall ensure
that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made including all testimony and evidence upon which any appeal may be based (F/S 286.0105).
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,all persons who require special accommodations in order to partic-
ipate in this meeting should contact the Office of Hearing Boards at (305)416-2030 (Voice)no later than two (2)business days pri-
or to the proceeding.TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service)no later than two (2)business days prior to the proceeding.
Hearing Boards Ad No.HB25-0041
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the City Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,April 15,2025,at 7:00 p.m.at South Miami
City Hall Commission Chambers,6130 Sunset Drive,South Miami,FL 33143,to consider the following public hearing item(s):
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,PROVIDING FOR A MORATORIUM
ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 3.6(W)OF THE CITY’S LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS;PROVIDING FOR VESTED RIGHTS;PROVIDING FOR A TERM;
PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION;SEVERABILITY;CONFLICTS;CORRECTIONS,AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,AMENDING THE
COMPOSITION AND PROCEDURES OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD;PROVIDING CORRECTIONS;SEVERABILITY;CON-
FLICTS;IMPLEMENTATION;AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Commission members will participate in Chambers or by video conferencing through the Zoom platform and members of the public may
join the meeting via Zoom at (https://zoom.us/j/3056636338),by phone by calling +1-786-635-1003 and entering Meeting ID:3056636338
when prompted,or in person in the Commission Chambers,and where their appearance will be broadcast on the Zoom platform,and where
they can participate.
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.
Pursuant to Section 286.0105,Fla.Stat.,the City hereby advises the public that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the
Commission with respect to this matter,such person must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,which record includes
the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.This notice does not constitute consent by the City for the introduction
or admission of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence,nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed by law.
ADA:To request a modification to a policy,practice or procedure or to request an auxiliary aide or service in order to participate in a City
program,activity or event,you must on or before 4:00 p.m.3 business days before the meeting (not counting the day of the meeting)de-
liver your request to the City Clerk by telephone:305-663-6340,by mail at 6130 Sunset Drive,South Miami,Florida or email at npayne@
southmiamifl.gov.
Nkenga A.Payne,CMC,FCRM
City Clerk
report in 202 2,she said
she asked whether reg-
ulators wanted a verbal
presentation about her
findings or had any other
questions.
“We did not receive any
requests for additional
work or follow-up on the
reports,”Moenck said.
Committee Chairperson
Brad Yeager,R-New Port
Richey,said regulators not
following up was “telling.”
At least one more hear-
ing,to find forensic ac-
countants who can in-
vestigate further,will be
scheduled,Yeager said.
“We’ve asked questions
and we’ve gotten good
answers,but I think those
good answers have provid-
ed more questions and
some concern,”he said.
Earlier Thursday,his
committee advanced a bill
that would require insur-
ance companies to turn
over more details about
their relationships with
affiliate companies.
“The report,I think,
made everybody step
back,”said the bill spon-
sor,Rep.Griff Griffitts,
R-Panama City Beach,
referring to the 202 2 re-
port brought to light by
the Herald/Times.
Yaworsky said he wel-
comed getting more de-
tails about insurance com-
panies’practices.He has
asked for more oversight
of insurers’affiliate com-
panies.
“For years now,we have
called for more scrutiny in
this space,”Yaworsky
said.“We’ve gotten some,
but at other times,the
Legislature has said ‘No
thank you.’”
FROM PAGE 3A
PROFITS
would create a Florida
Accountability Office and
strengthen legislative over-
sight of state agency per-
formance and finances.
Lawmakers also need
answers about state spend-
ing on prisons,according
to House Justice Budget
Chairman Patt Maney,
R-Shalimar.
The Department of Cor-
rections “has a chronic
problem of improperly
managing both their salary
and overtime costs,”Ma-
ney said.
The state also has paid
$35 million in interest after
issuing bonds to finance a
mental-health prison facil-
ity at Lake Correctional
Institution,Maney said.
But the facility has yet to
be built.
“We’ve gotten nothing
for it.We haven’t used the
money.We haven’t started
anything …and there’s
really been no explanation
for why,”Maney said.
The demand for in-
formation to the DeSantis
administration appeared to
deepen an increasingly
fractious relationship be-
tween the Republican-
controlled House and the
Republican governor.
DeSantis,as an example,
has pushed for a reduction
in homestead property
taxes while Perez is ad-
vancing a plan to lower the
state’s sales-tax rate.Sen-
ate President Ben Albrit-
ton,R-Wauchula,mean-
while,this week indicated
that more time was needed
to study the tax proposals.
In public appearances
and on videos posted on
social media,DeSantis in
recent days has punched at
the House for “expanding
bureaucracies”and failing
to deliver on what he
called the “Florida model”
of governing.
“They all campaigned on
our conservative agenda
and now that they’re in
power,they’re basically
squandering this,”DeSan-
tis told radio host Dana
Loesch on Tuesday,accus-
ing the House of joining
with Democrats “to in-
crease pork spending.”
McClure said the
House’s inquiry into
spending doesn’t target the
governor.
“We’re not hostile to-
wards anybody.We’re
sincerely interested in
looking out for the tax-
payers of Florida,”the
House budget chief told
reporters.
McClure’s committee on
Wednesday also tackled a
schism with the DeSantis
administration over offices
on the 2 1st floor of the
Capitol.
The Department of Man-
agement Services canceled
the House’s lease for the
offices,which House lead-
ers had allowed former
U.S.Sen.Marco Rubio —a
former Florida House
speaker who now serves as
President Donald Trump’s
secretary of state —to use.
DeSantis said the House
did not offer the offices to
former Florida Attorney
General Ashley Moody
when DeSantis appointed
her to replace Rubio in the
U.S.Senate.
The House committee
signed off on a plan (HB
5203)that would make the
House,Senate,governor
and Cabinet members
“permanent”tenants of
the Capitol Complex.Any
changes to the Legisla-
ture’s leases would have to
be approved in advance by
the House speaker or Sen-
ate president.Legislative
leaders also would have to
sign off on any Capitol
construction or remodeling
projects.
FROM PAGE 3A
LETTERS
MATIAS J.OCNER
mocner@miamiherald.com |March 4,2025
Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis
accuses House Republicans
of joining with Democrats
‘to increase pork spending.’
The four private space
travelers flying around
the Earth’s poles this
week had a vomit-filled
first day in space,accord-
ing to the man paying for
the trip.
“The first few hours in
microgravity weren’t
exactly comfortable,”
Chun Wang,a Chinese-
born cryptocurrency en-
trepreneur said in a
Fram2 mission update on
X.“Space motion sickness
hit all of us —we felt
nauseous and ended up
vomiting a couple of
times.”
Fram2 launched Mon-
day night from Kennedy
Space Center,sending
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon
Resilience to space for the
fourth time.
The three-to five-day
mission is taking humans
on a polar orbit for the
first time.
Wang said the ride to
space was much smoother
than anticipated,noting
that only the final minute
before the engines cut off
on the second stage was
significant.
“I barely felt any G-
forces —it honestly felt
like just another flight,”
he posted.“I had imag-
ined it would feel like
being in an elevator that
suddenly drops,but that
sensation never came.”
Wang said Tyler,a
stuffed polar bear serving
as the zero-gravity in-
dicator,was what let him
know he was in space as it
began floating around.
“I might not have real-
ized we were already
weightless,”he posted.“I
think being tightly
strapped into our seat
buckets made the transi-
tion less noticeable.”
As far as acclimating to
space,Wang said the
stomach-churning feeling
was different than that
felt on Earth.
“It felt different from
motion sickness in a car
or at sea,”he posted.
“You could still read on
your iPad without making
it worse.But even a small
sip of water could upset
your stomach and trigger
vomiting.”
The spacecraft was
outfitted with a cupola
window to allow for 360-
degree views from its
forward hatch —but it’s a
view that Wang and crew-
mates weren’t ready for
until the second day in
orbit.
“No one asked (about)
opening the cupola on the
first day —we were all
focused on managing the
motion sickness,”he said.
Wang,an avid adven-
turer who has visited the
Arctic and Antarctica,
paid an undisclosed
amount for the trip.He
took along three friends
and fellow adventurers
Eric Philips of Australia,
Jannicke Mikkelsen of
Norway and Rabea Rogge
of Germany.
He said the quartet had
a movie night by watching
their own launch and
everyone went to bed
earlier than planned.
“We all slept really
well.By the second morn-
ing,I felt completely
refreshed.The trace of
motion sickness is all
gone,”he said.
Wang posted video
Wednesday of when the
crew finally did open the
cupola.
“Hello,Antarctica.
Unlike previously antici-
pated,from 460 km
above,it is only pure
white,no human activity
is visible.”he posted.
The crew performed
experiments,including
the first X-ray in space.
The splashdown date
has yet to be announced
by SpaceX but it will mark
the first time a crewed
Dragon lands off the
California coast.
SpaceX’s 16 previous
flights of Crew Dragon
with humans all landed
off the coast of Florida.
The company shifted
operations to the West
Coast after incidents
involving debris from its
jettisoned propulsion
module crashing over
land.
Fram2 is the second
human spaceflight of the
year for SpaceX following
March’s Crew-10 mission
to the International Space
Station.
The company has at
least two more on the
calendar for this year.
Next up is the private
Axiom Space Ax-4 mis-
sion slated for no earlier
than May on a short trip
to the space station.
After that will be the
Crew-11 mission for
NASA in mid-July headed
to the space station to
relieve Crew-10.
First day in space
filled with nausea
for SpaceX’s
private crew
on polar orbit
BY RICHARD TRIBOU
Orlando Sentinel
RICHARD TRIBOU Orlando Sentinel
A SpaceX Falcon 9 for the Fram2 human spaceflight
launches from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-A
on Monday.‘The first few hours in microgravity weren’t
exactly comfortable,’Chun Wang,a cryptocurrency
entrepreneur,said.‘Space motion sickness hit all of us.’
11
I
OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
PLEASE ALL TAKE NOTICE that a Board of Commissioners Meeting of the Omni
Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)is sched¬
uled to take place on Thursday,April 10,2025,at 10:30 a.m.or thereafter at
the Miami City Hall,located at 3500 Pan American Drive,Miami,Florida 33133.
All interested persons are invited to attend.For more information,please con¬
tact the OMNI CRA office at (305)679-6868.
Ad No.43687 Isiaa Jones,Executive Director
Omni Redevelopment District
Community Redevelopment Agency