Angry. Frustrated. Disillusioned. Those were the sentiments of many Brickell Homeowners Association Directors and residents in 1997 after the most recent blow by City of Miami Commissioners overruling the will of BHA neighbors for the benefit of one or a few.
It was the latest in a series of defeats at City Hall when neighbors could not get the attention, let alone cooperation, from officials and staffers largely unresponsive to its constituents. Residents may recall:
- Union meetings drawing hundreds of people, cars and congestion in otherwise residential Brickell allowed by Commissioners despite their own zoning laws and massive disruption to neighboring residences.
- A plastic surgeon is granted special exceptions to the zoning ordinance and allowed to buy a private residence to open up shop on otherwise residential Brickell.
- While residents sleep, a huge gate is erected to block access to the primary access for Wainwright Park users, residents and others, in essence granting the rich and famous a private street in Miami.
Déjà vu
The union. The plastic surgeon. “Sly-gate.” BHA Directors pondered how the same sequence was common in all those situations:
- The BHA Board, representing some 5,000 households at the time, would take a stand and communicate residents’ viewpoint to City of Miami officials.
- Often City of Miami zoning codes favored the stand of BHA, and City of Miami planning and legal staffs often advised City politicians in favor of the BHA side.
- The special interest side would hire one of a select few legal firms or lobbyists that always seemed to be involved in many City matters.
- City Commissioners would vote against the BHA, supporting the wishes of the one organization or single individual.
It Got Worse
On top of these affronts, the City went beyond eroding quality of life to imposing an unprecedented, and unconstitutional, tax, the “Fire Rescue Fee.” Many worried that this newest, lucrative tactic of increasing City coffers during its bankruptcy, would not end with this first tax.
That's Not What They Taught In School
BHA representatives investigated, “How can these things happen?” The answer that most couldn’t bear to hear: Politics.”
It seemed that while the BHA employed top-notch legal counsel, somehow the other sides' advisors seemed to have more clout with the elected officials. They seemed to deal with City officials on a regular basis and have an ongoing dialog, a “give-and-take,” about what interests each side. For the attorneys, a.k.a., lobbyists, this would be their client’s interests. For the elected officials, it's getting re-elected.
It also seemed that perhaps elected officials thought BHA residents weren’t concerned, or active in the political process to impact their decisions. Afterall, the Brickell area is only a part-time residence for many homeowners. A good number of residents are not available, eligible or registered to vote. Although votership is strong among registered voters in BHA precincts, the politicians assessed there was less political clout on the condo side. Never mind that Brickell Homeowners already pay 10 percent of the residential property taxes for the City of Miami but represents five percent of the population. Never mind that Miami Police report that the Brickell area generates the least amount of emergency calls in all of Miami. Never mind the irony of taxing Brickell for a service they're never likely to use.
BHA Directors were troubled that the fair representation process hadn't worked. The BHA approach had been a grassroots effort in which the association democratically determines the collective will of its homeowners on matters of common concern and represents this stand to those government officials empowered to make the final decision. But that hadn’t worked.
Letters, petitions, open dialog and calm interchange with the proper authorities hadn’t worked. Turning members out to City meetings to make their opinions known hadn’t worked. Standing firm in beliefs about quality of life issues through legal battles to the end with outstanding legal counsel didn't work.
BHA residents asked, "So, what’s it take?"
Time To PAC It In
In the 21st century version of neighborhood politics, a Political Action Committee is the way many go about looking out for their interests. PACs are no longer the exclusive domain of the big-time players in big-stake politics. It’s the way it's done even at the local level.
The Brickell Homeowners Association voted to support the formation of a Political Action Committee in 1997 to be set up independently of the BHA in partnership with neighboring civic groups. The purpose of the PAC (see the Mission Statement) is to watch out for the interests of area residents in matters of local government and to support and endorse candidates who fairly represent these interests.
The Brickell Neighborhood PAC is funded by private donations and is not funded by BHA.
Brickell residents need not be registered or even eligible to vote to participate in the PAC. Anyone with an interest is invited to become a member of the PAC. For more information, contact Natalie Brown at BHA via email: nbrown@brickellhomeowners.com
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President’s Column By T. Sinclair (Tory) Jacobs
Time to Make Your Voice Heard
On Nov. 7th, Brickell neighbors will have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right at the polls. While we will vote for local and statewide races, for residents in our area, the biggest impact is likely to be felt from the elected official closest to our daily concerns: that of City of Miami Commissioner for District 2.
It is a particularly good race, so far will minimal dirty politics (at the time of this writing) and perhaps most importantly, with a slate of particularly well qualified candidates. That was made clear in August at our annual Candidates Forum, where the leading four contenders participated. All demonstrated solid understanding of many of the issues and made strong arguments for their viewpoints. Neighbors asked many insightful questions, and it was a learning process for all in attendance.
The Brickell Neighborhood PAC, a separate entity from BHA but with overlapping interests, has made an endorsement for Frank Rollason for this seat after a thorough, thoughtful process, with the best interests of our neighborhood in mind (see cover story). We thank the PAC for its work, and encourage all neighbors to make it to the polls on Nov. 7th. Since there are seven candidates in the Dstrict 2 race, it is almost inevitable that there will be a runoff on Nov. 21st between the top two vote-getters.
Most importantly, we all must vote. Our influence at City Hall is a function of not just our numbers, but even more meaningful, the percentage of eligible voters who actually vote.
Brickell Avenue Streetscape
BHA’s Comments at Ground Breaking
"Thank you Mayor Diaz, Commissioners, City staff members and neighbors. It is a privilege to be invited to address you today on behalf of Brickell Homeowners Association. This is a joyous occasion to be able to share with you, since it was about six or seven years ago when the idea of a streetscape plan for Brickell Avenue first came about, percolating from the Brickell Homeowners Beautification Committee.
We should salute those neighbors – those volunteers – who worked on the Streetscape Committee, for they didn’t limit their vision. Miami, as we all know, is often called The Magic City. Much of that magic comes from Brickell, now a world-class street name in a league that includes Peachtree in Atlanta, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Fifth Avenue in New York and Champs-Elysees in Paris. Why shouldn’t Miami have a great, grand entrance for its city, too?
Brickell Homeowners engaged an excellent firm to assist us in starting to plan for this vision — Wallace, Roberts & Todd — and we were fortunate that city officials and staffers have given us their endorsement and support to finally bring us to this day.
Of course, Brickell is more than the name of a street; it is a thriving neighborhood. The name conjures up an image of the ultimate in urban living, an image that is irresistible to many. The Brickell Neighborhood is indeed a great place to work, a great place to live, a great place to dine...and becoming a great place to shop. Soon, it will be a grand entrance as well."
The Brickell Neighborhood Political Action Committee announced its endorsement of Frank Rollason for City of Miami Commissioner, District 2. Mr. Rollason’s broad experience in many areas of City government, his practical, common-sense approach to problem solving, and his pledge for change were among the key reasons the PAC selected him as their leading choice for the seat. 
