Miami eyes charter review to deal with officials’ outside jobs, campaign funds

As Miami engages in conversations regarding city officials’ outside employment and potential campaign finance reform, the city is considering creating a charter review committee to advise on such matters.

During the Jan. 25 meeting, the Miami City Commission debated requiring an additional review of financial disclosures and limiting campaign donations with the aim of increasing accountability and transparency for elected and appointed officials.

Although no final decisions were made, the discussion prompted the commission to explore establishing a committee to evaluate the city charter and its provisions on governance, elections, budgets and other operational procedures and recommend improvements to ensure the charter reflects the needs of the community.

Commissioner Damian Pardo, who introduced the discussion item on financial disclosures, said the need stems from recent corruption allegations involving several city officials. Commissioner Manolo Reyes agreed and said, “The good name of the city has been totally dirtied up because of things that are happening and what I want is to try to curtail that activity so it doesn’t happen again.”

Mr. Pardo’s idea is to add a layer of review for elected and appointed city officials’ outside employment to evaluate if any of their clients have business dealings with the city. It was suggested the duty could be brought under the purview of the Independent Auditor General or the proposed city charter review committee.

Chairwoman Christine King voiced her opposition to the plan and stated that the existing mechanisms, such as the annual financial disclosures, were adequate.

“I have to disclose enough already on the required financial disclosure form that has to go to the state. I have to say who my income sources are and where they come from. I don’t think we need an additional level … there is already a mechanism to disclose my employment,” said Ms. King.

“What it is intended to do is protect us because if we provide the information, it’s disclosed, it’s out there in the public and nobody can come back later and say … you hid this from the public view,” explained Mr. Pardo. “It wouldn’t be coming up if it wasn’t already an issue in the city.”

“That’s what has brought so much discussion about the City of Miami and that cloud that exists over the city.… We have given them ammunition to talk about corruption and lack of transparency … and that cloud is what we want to dissipate,” said Mr. Reyes.

The conversation was ultimately postponed due to Commissioner Joe Carollo’s absence but segued into the next discussion item on campaign finance reform, which was also placed on the agenda by Mr. Pardo, who proposed enacting a similar ordinance to what Miami Beach has.

“They prohibit contributions from vendors with the city, lobbyists on procurement, real estate developers, real estate development issues, and it also prohibits campaign consultants from lobbying for the city for 12 months. There’s a $500 fine if there’s any violation, and whatever contribution that was made goes to the city,” Mr. Pardo explained.

Ms. King asked for a copy of the Miami Beach ordinance to review and discuss further at the next meeting on Feb. 8.

While the commissioners didn’t reach a consensus on what future mechanisms should be put in place, they did agree to examine best practices for establishing a charter review committee that could provide guidance on the matters.

“We’ve actually spent a lot of time discussing things that would fall under the charter review committee, including outside employment and all these other issues, so it shows how much we need it,” said Mr. Pardo.

He proposed requesting proposals to hire a consultant to look at best practices in creating a charter review committee. Although the other commissioners agreed there is a need for such a committee, they disagreed on spending money on an outside consultant.

Ms. King said the committee should be comprised of the city’s residents as they are the ones affected by the charter and noted that there are professionals in the community, many of whom frequently comment at commission meetings, who should be consulted instead.

City Manager Arthur Noriega proffered a middle-ground solution and suggested asking the Florida League of Cities and other municipalities for examples. The commissioners agreed and directed Mr. Noriega to provide a report of best practices in various cities for establishing a charter review committee by the first meeting in March.