At the March 17, 2021 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Michael Gongora placed a dual referral to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee and the Hispanic Affairs Committee to discuss renaming a public street after Simon Bolivar.

Simon Bolivar played a very important role in Hispanic history because he gave most of Latin America its freedom.  He is perhaps the single most important military strategist in the history of Latin America.

Pursuant to Section 82-503(c)(1)a. of the City Code, for a street co-naming request to be considered, it must meet the following criteria:

1. Miami Beach police officers who died or were killed in the line of duty;
2. A public facility located on the street to be co-named;
3. Private not-for-profit organizations with significant historic value to the city and associated with structures which have a significant historical value or architectural significance to the City and which are located on the street, or portion thereof, to be co-named;
4. Geographic areas within the City;
5. A commercial establishment that has been in business in the City of Miami Beach for 100 or more years and which is located on the street to be co-named.

Given that the request to co-name a street in honor of Simon Bolivar does not meet the current criteria in the Naming Ordinance, an amendment would be necessary to accomplish this co-naming request.  The NQLC shall first make a recommendation to the City Commission as to whether or not to amend the Code to include criteria that would allow for this co-naming request.  If the City Commission elects to amend the Naming Ordinance, following two separate readings and a public hearing, the NQLC may then consider the co-naming request and make a recommendation to the City Commission.  Once the NQLC transmits its recommendation to the City Commission, the item would need to be approved by the City Commission by 5/7ths vote following a public hearing.  If approved by the City Commission, the co-naming will need to be subsequently approved by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC).  Following BCC approval, City staff will coordinate with Miami-Dade County for the installation of new street co-naming signs.