Item Coversheet

Resolutions - C7  B




COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

TO:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission 
FROM:Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager 
DATE:September  16, 2020
 



SUBJECT:REAPPOINTMENT OF CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
1.  A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO SECTION 30-36 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, CONCERNING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ENRIQUE ZAMORA, ESQ., TO SERVE AS CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER, FOR A TERM COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 24, 2020 AND ENDING ON APRIL 23, 2021; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER ZAMORA SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO HOLD HEARINGS AND IMPOSE FINES, LIENS AND OTHER NON-CRIMINAL PENALTIES AGAINST VIOLATORS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY CODES AND ORDINANCES, AND SHALL ALSO BE AUTHORIZED TO APPOINT SUCH OTHER SPECIAL MASTERS AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT THE SUBJECT HEARINGS; AND FURTHER INCORPORATING ALL OTHER MATTERS SET FORTH WITHIN CHAPTER 30 OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 30-37 AND 30-38 THEREOF, CONCERNING THE COMPENSATION AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER.

2.  A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND REAPPOINTING, PURSUANT TO SECTION 102-356 OF THE CITY CODE, ENRIQUE ZAMORA, ESQ. (CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER REAPPOINTED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. _____________), AS THE CITY MANAGER’S “DESIGNEE” UNDER SECTION 102-356 OF THE CITY CODE; SAID DESIGNATION COMMENCING WITH ZAMORA’S TERM AS CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER ON OCTOBER 24, 2020 AND ENDING ON APRIL 23, 2021.

RECOMMENDATION

Recommending the reappointment of Enrique Zamora, Esq. as Chief Special Master.

ANALYSIS

As previously determined by City Attorney Raul J. Aguila that Enrique Zamora possesses the knowledge, skills and attributes to perform as Chief Special Master, and my concurrence with such determination, I am recommending reappointing Enrique Zamora, Esq. as Chief Special Master. Attached are two Resolutions providing for the reappointment by the City Commission of Mr. Zamora. The first Resolution reappoints Mr. Zamora as Chief Special Master for Code Enforcement violations under Chapter 30 of the City Code; the second Resolution reappoints Mr. Zamora to hear appeals from citations and violations or denials, suspensions, and revocations of certificates of use pursuant to Chapter 102 of the Miami Beach City Code. Language has been added to the Resolutions prohibiting the Chief Special Master and each Special Master from engaging in practice where he/she represents a client in a manner adverse to the interests of the City of Miami Beach, and from lobbying the City during his/her service with the City. Mr. Zamora was first appointed as the Chief Special Master for the City of Miami Beach on the April 23, 2014 City Commission Meeting.

 

Mr. Zamora is a partner with the law firm of Zamora & Hillman. Mr. Zamora’s practice includes the areas of probate administration, probate litigation, guardianship, estate planning and elder law. He is also a certified civil mediator. He has been the chair of the Guardianship Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and member of the Guardianship Task Force where he represents the Elder Law Section. Mr. Zamora is an adjunct professor at St. Thomas University School of Law where he teaches Elder Law. He is the past chair of the Probate and Guardianship Committee of the Dade County Bar Association, where he also served as Vice-Chair and Secretary. Mr. Zamora has served as general counsel, director and president of the South Florida Guardianship Association. Mr. Zamora has acted as General Master, Guardian Advocate and Special Public Defender in Baker Act proceedings for the last nine years. Mr. Zamora was the recipient of the 2000 Put Something Back Pro Bono Award presented by the Dade County Bar Association, and he received the Leo Pelitic Outstanding Legal Service Award in 1999 from the Association for Retarded Citizens, South Florida.

 

Mr. Zamora has a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Miami School of Law (1985); a Master of Business Administration (1975) and a Master of Science Management in Accounting and Taxation (1981) from Florida International University; and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (1971) from the University of Florida.

 

A copy of Mr. Zamora’s resume is attached for your review.

 

Statistics:

 

1. Since September 12, 2019, the Special Master hearings have concluded as follows:

 

September 12, 2019 - 7:28 p.m. *

September 19, 2019 - 3:26 p.m.

September 26, 2019 - 6:56 p.m. *

October 3, 2019 - 6:36 p.m.*

October 10, 2019- 8:21 p.m. *

October 17, 2019 - 2:58 p.m.

October 24, 2019- 7:30 p.m. *

November 7, 2019 - 6:42 p.m. *

November 14 , 2019 - 7:13 p.m. *

December 12, 2019 - 6:34 p.m. * 

December 19, 2019 - 7:11 p.m. *

January 9, 2020 -  7:32 p.m. *

January 16, 2020 - 6:15 p.m. *

January 23, 2020 - 6:50 p.m. *

February 6, 2020 - 6:25 p.m. *

February 13, 2020 - 7:02 p.m. *

February 27, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. *

Cases labeled with an asterisk (*) include a night session, commencing at 6:00 p.m.

 

2. Neither the Office of the City Clerk, the Office of the City Manager, nor the Office of the City Attorney has received either formal complaints or internal complaints against the Chief Special Master or the Special Masters since the appointment of Enrique Zamora as Chief Special Master on April 23, 2014.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The maximum estimated amount for a six-month period of Special Master fees, October 24, 2020 through April 23, 2021, is $29,400.00. Subject to FY 20/21 budget approval.
Account(s)011-0210-000312Amount(s)$29,400.00

CONCLUSION

Mr. Zamora has the knowledge, demeanor, skills and abilities, to perform as Chief Special Master. He will continue to serve this City with honor and distinction, and his reappointment will best serve the interests of the City. As such, the subject Resolutions should be adopted.

Applicable Area

Not Applicable
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds?
No No 
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Clerk

ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Enrique Zamora Resume
Resolution 1
Resolution 2