Pursuant to Section 82-504 of the City Code, please place on the February 1, 2023 City Commission agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Qualify of Life Committee (PSNQLC) for a discussion and recommendation for the naming of a public facility to commemorate the Honorable Harvey Ruvin, who passed away on December 31, 2022.

Mr. Ruvin was a resident of the City of Miami Beach, a staunch environmental advocate, and the longest serving elected official in Miami-Dade County. Mr. Ruvin was first elected to public office nearly 55 years ago in 1968, serving as Mayor of the City of North Bay Village.  In 1972, he was elected to the Metro Dade County Commission, where he served as a Commissioner for twenty years, focusing on environmental and technology issues.  As County Commissioner, he was responsible for spearheading the establishment of the dunes along Miami Beach, in an effort to address serious beach erosion occurring from Government Cut to Haulover.  At the time, the project represented one of the largest beach restoration projects ever undertaken in the United States. 

In 1992, Mr. Ruvin was elected to the Office of the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts. He was re-elected five times, leading the ballot in 2016 with the largest vote total in South Florida’s history. 

Throughout his distinguished career in public service, Mr. Ruvin was affiliated with a variety of organizations.  He served as Chairman of the South Florida Regional Planning Council, President of the National Association of Counties, and as a member of President Carter’s President’s Council on Energy Efficiency and President Clinton’s Sustainable Communities Task Force, among others.

The naming of a public facility to commemorate Mr. Ruvin’s contributions to Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County would be a fitting reminder of his legacy of public service.  Please do not hesitate to contact me or my aide Brian Garces if you have any questions.