Miami is a fast paced community with a rapid fire news cycle. Our blog keeps you current on the most important issues affecting the tax payers of Miami-Dade county. Read, share, comment, and as always let us know what topics you want us to tackle.
AP: Bill requiring school elective Bible course OK’d in House
AP: Bill requiring school elective Bible course OK’d in House
Group sues to stop Ultra festival, claims Virginia Key lease is illegal
A group representing 35,000 Brickell area homeowners is suing to stop the Ultra Music Festival — which was kicked out of downtown Miami this year — from happening on Virginia Key at the end of this month.
The emergency complaint filed Wednesday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court claims the city schemed to bypass the public bidding process by calling the agreement a license rather than a lease, which would also require a public vote. But one can tell from the language of the lawsuit that is not the only problem the plaintiffs have with the three-day, electronic music party.
“This is an action challenging whether the city can lease certain environmentally sensitive public park land to a for-profit corporation without complying with the competitive bidding process,” the lawsuit states.
The city entered into the licensing agreement with Event Entertainment Group, the outfit that puts on Ultra, in November, after downtown residents complained about the Bayshore Park location. They said the noise and traffic brought by the three-day festival make their neighborhood unlivable for the weekend.
Read related: Ultra out for Formula 1 could be Joe Carollo nod to CJ Gimenez
Some observers believe the move, orchestrated by Commissioner Joe Carollo, was meant to make downtown residents more amenable to a future Formula One race event, which was being pushed by his then pal, CJ Gimenez, son of the county mayor.
But this new agreement cannot be terminated or revoked by the city as easily as a license could, in most cases, which makes it more of a lease, argues attorney David Winker , who also filed complaints against the city in regards to the Melreese Golf Course referendum (more on that later).
“Virginia Key is an utterly inappropriate venue for ULTRA,” Winker said in a statement. “The City of Miami circumvented its own laws and disenfranchised its own citizens to force this deal through… a deal that is a disaster for the environment and our residents.
“My lawsuit asks the judge to declare the License Agreement entered into between the City and ULTRA void and force the City to follow its own laws regarding competitive bidding and participation of its citizens in the process.
“We have to be able to expect more from our elected officials.”
Times-Union: Curry and Brosche clash during first and only mayoral debate
Times-Union: Curry and Brosche clash during first and only mayoral debate
Herald: Hemp may help Florida farmers. Legislature starts letting the idea grow.
Herald: Hemp may help Florida farmers. Legislature starts letting the idea grow.
Sentinel: Florida lawmakers could let dogs in breweries, reduce limitations on distilleries
Sentinel: Florida lawmakers could let dogs in breweries, reduce limitations on distilleries
AP: Florida could outlaw all forms of distracted driving
AP: Florida could outlaw all forms of distracted driving
Today: House, Senate near repeal of pot smoking ban
Today: House, Senate near repeal of pot smoking ban
Sun-Sentinel: Ron Bergeron's appointment to water board under review after $25 million contract comes to light
Sun-Sentinel: Ron Bergeron’s appointment to water board under review after $25 million contract comes to light
AP: Senate panel OKs bill on student vouchers, teacher bonuses
AP: Senate panel OKs bill on student vouchers, teacher bonuses
Times: Buckhorn endorses Castor as Straz vows to spend whatever it takes to catch the front-runner
Times: Buckhorn endorses Castor as Straz vows to spend whatever it takes to catch the front-runner
