The City Charter requires the City Commission to appoint a Charter Revision Committee every ten years. In December 2012, the City Commission appointed Lewis J. Thaler (Chairman), Jorge Camaraza, Erica Chao, John Rusnak, and Jack Cohen to the Committee to consider any revisions to the City’s Charter and submit them to the City Commission. After careful thought and deliberation, the Committee prepared and submitted their final recommendations to the City.
The City Commission voted in favor of these recommendations on April 18, 2013. The City Commission has called for a Special Election to be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 for the purpose of allowing residents to vote on the proposed Charter Amendments.
The following amendments to the City’s Charter will be before the electorate on June 4, 2013:
Charter Amendment No. 1: A proposal that candidates running for the office of Mayor or Commissioner submit specific proof of residency at the time of qualifying with a valid voter’s registration card and other documents.
Charter Amendment No. 2: A proposal that the consent of the City Commission shall be required for the City Manager to hire or fire the Police Chief.
Charter Amendment No. 3: A proposal that the Charter be amended to permit the Charter Revision Commission to select its own Chairperson.
Charter Amendment No. 4: A proposal that the Charter Revision Commission have 120 days, instead of 90 days, after being appointed, to submit any proposed amendments to the City Commission.
Charter Amendment No. 5: The City Charter currently requires that the City shall utilize the services of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department to provide fire and rescue services to the City. It is proposed that this mandatory requirement be eliminated, even though the City will continue to use the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department.
Charter Amendment No. 6: Correcting scrivener’s errors. The City Charter currently contains certain sections with minor scrivener’s errors.There are also sections that need clarification for legal sufficiency.
Only registered voters in Sunny Isles Beach will be qualified to vote in said election. The polling places in Sunny Isles Beach will be open for voting from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bring your voter Information card and a photo ID.
