Item Coversheet

Resolutions - C7  D




COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

TO:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission 
FROM:Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk 
DATE:July  26, 2023
 



SUBJECT:

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO VIDEO-RECORD AND AIR ON MBTV THE MAYOR AND GROUPS IV, V, AND VI COMMISSION CANDIDATE VIDEO PRESENTATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER 7, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION AND AFFIRMING AS ITS POLICY STATEMENT THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF EDUCATING THE CITY’S VOTERS AS TO QUALIFIED CANDIDATES SEEKING ELECTION IN THE CITY’S NOVEMBER 7, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION.


RECOMMENDATION

Adopt the Resolution.

ANALYSIS

Immediately preceding the City's 2001 General Election, the City Commission authorized the Administration to video-record and replay on the City’s Government Channel, now MBTV, a candidate forum sponsored by a local organization. The 2001 City Commission also referred to the Community Affairs Committee, now the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, the issue of selecting two additional forums to be recorded and aired. On September 25, 2001, the Community Affairs Committee considered the issue of candidate forums. The Committee was not comfortable in selecting only two additional forums to air. It was believed that selecting only two would be unfair because other organizations may be left out. After much discussion, the Committee recommended arranging a Candidate Presentation where each qualified candidate is given up to five minutes of airtime on the City’s Government Channel to present themselves and their platform. Pursuant to Resolution No. 2001-24626, the City Commission approved the recommendation of the Community Affairs Committee. Subsequently, in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022, the City Commission authorized the Administration to video-record and replay on the City’s Cable Channel the five-minute Candidate Presentations.

 

The Office of the City Clerk and the Office of Marketing and Communications, using the Candidate Presentation Guidelines, attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” will coordinate the Candidate Presentations for those candidates who have qualified to run for election in the City's upcoming November 7, 2023, General Election. The rehearsal dates will be September 18, 2023, and September 19, 2023. The final video recording will be on September 21, 2023, and if necessary, depending on the number of candidates, an additional recording session will be held on September 22, 2023. Upon approval of this Resolution by the City Commission, and after receipt of the qualifying documents during the Qualifying Period, each qualified candidate will be asked to confirm their attendance and will receive a copy of the Presentation Guidelines and their designated timeslots. A sample Rehearsal/Final Video Recoding Schedule is attached as Exhibit “B.” The City Clerk will finalize the Rehearsal/Final Video Recording Schedule after the conclusion of the Qualifying Period.

 

Upon adoption of this Resolution, a "Save the Dates" memorandum will be sent to the candidates. A sample of the Save the Dates memorandum is attached hereto as Exhibit "C."

SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA

N/A

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

No additional funding is required to video-record and air on MBTV the Mayor and Groups IV, V, and VI Commission Candidate Video Presentations, as the Administration will use funds budgeted and appropriated in FY 22/23 for MBTV.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that the City Commission authorize the video recording and airing on MBTV of the Mayor and Groups IV, V, and VI Commission Candidate Presentations for the November 7, 2023 General Election.

Applicable Area

Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds?
No Yes 
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Clerk/Marketing and Communications

ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Exhibit A - Candidate Presentation Guidelines
Exhibit B - Sample Schedule
Exhibit C - Save the Dates
Resolution