A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 MEETING, TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE ON 6TH STREET IN HONOR OF MR. IRVING KARP, AND, PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-504 OF THE CITY CODE, SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 18, 2020 TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF THE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE, AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH THE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC NOTICE.

The Administration recommends accepting the recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee at the September 23, 2020 meeting, approving the installation of a commemorative plaque on 6^th Street in honor of Mr. Irving Karp, and setting a Public Hearing for November 18, 2020 pursuant to Section 82-504 of the City Code to consider the installation of the commemorative plaque, and directing the City Clerk to publish the appropriate public notice.

At the January 15, 2020 City Commission meeting, a discussion regarding commemorating Mr. Irving Karp with a plaque on sixth street was referred to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee.

On February 3, 2020, the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) directed staff to return when an agreement for placement of the plaque had been established with the current property owner.

In July 2020, the property owner granted permission for the installation of a plaque on the corner of 6^th street and Meridian Avenue.

During the September 23, 2020 NQLC meeting, the Committee approved the installation of a commemorative plaque and moved their recommendation to the full Commission.

Mr. Irving Karp fought in World War II, earning a purple heart. He served as a staff sergeant in the 69th Infantry Division and fought in the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Along with this wife Ruth Karp, he founded Carnival Fruit Co. in 1960 in Miami Beach. What started as a retail produce store with a single 1.5-ton pickup truck grew to a fleet of more than 70 trucks that distributed produce wholesale across South Florida and in the Caribbean. The successful produce company stood as a community staple for decades.

A plaque commemorating Mr. Irving Karp will be installed on the corner of 6^th street and Meridian Avenue, where Carnival Fruit Co. business was originally established. Verbiage on the plaque will read as follows:

IRVING I. KARP

Entrepreneur & Decorated War Veteran

On any given day through the 1960s and 70s, Irving and Ruth Karp could be found at this exact location working in the business they founded in 1960, Carnival Fruit Co. What started as a retail produce store with a single 1.5-ton pickup truck grew to a fleet of more than 70 trucks that distributed produce wholesale across South Florida and in the Caribbean, and their successful produce company stood as a community staple for decades.

Irving Karp fought in World War II, serving as a staff sergeant in the 69^th Infantry Division.  He fought in the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, served as a translator to help British intelligence interview German soldiers, and earned a purple heart.  He is remembered as a caring family man, and for his entrepreneurial spirit and success along with his philanthropic support in our community.

Exhibit A presents the proposed verbiage on a 12”x12” plaque, which will be an estimated $1,300.00 for production and installation. The Parks and Recreation Department will be funding this plaque. All future maintenance costs of the plaque will be covered by the City.