The attached Resolution (Attachment A) is submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee.

At the November 16, 2022 City Commission meeting, at the request of Mayor Gelber, a discussion item was referred to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) to consider the co-naming of the Bonita Drive Corridor from 71^st Street to Indian Creek Drive in honor of the late Rabbi Pinchas Weberman (Attachment B), along with an amendment to Section 82-503 of the City Code that may be required to accomplish the co-naming.

On January 11, 2023, the PSNQLC reviewed the proposal and favorably recommended the amendment to Section 82-503 of the City Code. Section 82-503 was previously amended to temporarily authorize the co-naming of City streets after a deceased person who served as the spiritual leader of a prominent religious institution in the City of Miami Beach for 35 years or more and resided in the City of Miami Beach. However, due to a sunset provision in the ordinance, this provision expired in 2019.

At the March 27, 2023 City Commission meeting, the Commission unanimously approved the First Reading of an Ordinance amending Section 82-503 of the City Code (Attachment C) which includes the additional criteria necessary to authorize the naming of a street in honor of a spiritual leader who has made important civic contributions to the City. The Second Reading of the Ordinance is scheduled for approval at the the April 28, 2023 Commission meeting.

Rabbi Pinchas Weberman moved to Miami Beach in 1960 with his family. His founding of Ohev Shalom Congregation was the beginning of Rabbi Weberman’s leadership and devotion to the residents and tourists of Miami Beach. The synagogue was built in 1964 and is active to this day at the exact location of 7055 Bonita Drive. Rabbi Weberman was a Rabbi to those of the Jewish faith and an iconic leader to people of all religions. He served the community for more than a half-century. It is fitting and appropriate to name the street where his synagogue stands as “Rabbi Pinchas Weberman Drive”.

Pursuant to the Miami-Dade County Code, the co-naming of public streets in Miami-Dade County, including within incorporated municipalities, requires a Resolution from the local governing body where the street is located and, subsequently, a Resolution from the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners (“BCC”).  Once the street co-naming is approved by Resolution of the BCC, the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (“DTPW”) assumes responsibility for the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of the approved street co-naming sign(s) on the designated street in the public right-of-way.    

Should the City Commission accept the recommendation of the PSNQLC and approve by 5/7^th vote, following a duly noticed public hearing, a Resolution approving the co-naming of Bonita Drive from 71^st Street to Indian Creek Drive as “Rabbi Pinchas Weberman Drive", subject to final approval of the co-naming by the BCC, the City Administration will coordinate with DTPW on the manufacturing and installation of the new street co-naming signs on Bonita Drive.