1

1

2 VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD

3 MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA

4 MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

5

6

7 AGENDA

8

9

10 STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER

11 COMMISSION CHAMBERS,

12 2ND FLOOR

13 111 NW 1st Street

14 Miami, Florida

15

16

17 Wednesday September 20, 2017

18

19 1:00 P.M.

20

21

22

23 TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS

24

25

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 2

1 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: 2

3 COMMISSIONER JOSÉ "PEPE" DIAZ, Chairperson

4 COMMISSIONER DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA, Vice Chair 5 DR. MARTA PEREZ, School Board Member 6 MR. ANIBAL DUARTE-VIERA, Citizen Member 7 MR. JOSÉ RENE INFANTE, Citizen Member 8

9 ALSO PRESENT:

10 ROBERT ALFARO, VAB Manager 11 MARK MARTINEZ, Senior Deputy Clerk 12 LAZARO SOLIS, Deputy Property Appraiser 13 JORGE MARTINEZ-ESTEVE, ESQ, 14 Assistant County Attorney

15 RAFAEL MILLARES, ESQ., VAB Board Legal Counsel 16

17 I N D E X 18 ITEM PAGE 19

20 I. Discuss and provide for the 6 employment of special magistrates 21 for tax year 2017.

22 II. Status report on the procurement of VAB computer system. 25 23 III. Such other business as may 24 properly come before the Board 27

25

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 3

1 (Thereupon, the following proceedings

2 were had:)

3 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Good afternoon

4 everybody. I want to welcome all of you

5 to our VAB meeting -- our Value Adjustment

6 Board that's here today. I want to thank

7 you all for being here, especially after

8 the circumstances that we all lived

9 through. And we're blessed beyond reason

10 to be here.

11 So before we start, I'd like to

12 please stand for a moment of prayer. And

13 please remember those that are in Puerto

14 Rico, all those in the Keys, and all those

15 that suffered everywhere, especially in

16 Cuba too.

17 (Thereupon a moment of silence was

18 had, after which the following

19 transpired:)

20 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Thank you.

21 Please remain standing for the Pledge of

22 Allegiance.

23 (Thereupon, the Pledge of Allegiance

24 was had, after which the following

25 transpired:)

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 4

1 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Members, I would

2 like to basically -- I know we have a new

3 member and a couple -- well, I guess

4 you've been here once, you're a veteran

5 member. So with that, do you want to

6 introduce yourself to the Board and the

7 people?

8 BOARD MEMBER INFANTE: Jose René

9 Infante. I'm very proud to be --

10 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: You have a little

11 button there, Mr. Infante.

12 BOARD MEMBER INFANTE: Jose René

13 Infante, I'm very proud to be a member of

14 this Board. I've been a business owner

15 for the past 40 years in Dade County, so I

16 feel that I can contribute.

17 Thank you.

18 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Thank you so much

19 Jose for being part of us.

20 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Marta?

21 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Marta Perez

22 I am the representative from the School

23 Board. I've been a School Board Member

24 going on 20 years.

25 Thank you.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 5

1 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Anibal?

2 BOARD MEMBER DUARTE-VIERA: Anibal

3 Duarte-Viera, Citizen Member.

4 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Daniella

5 Levine Cava, I'm Vice Chair and County

6 Commissioner for Miami-Dade County

7 District 8.

8 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: She has that

9 soothing voice.

10 My name is Jose "Pepe" Diaz, County

11 Commissioner, and I want to welcome all of

12 you for being here today.

13 With that, Mr. Attorney, why don't

14 you three introduce yourselves so we can

15 continue, and then we'll jump to the other

16 side.

17 MR. ALFARO: Robert Alfaro, Value

18 Adjustment Board Manager.

19 MR. MARTINEZ: Mark Martinez, Senior

20 Deputy Clerk of Courts.

21 MR. MILLARES: Rafael Millares, VAB

22 Attorney.

23 MR. SOLIS: Lazaro Solis, Deputy

24 Property Appraiser.

25 MR. MARTINEZ-ESTEVE: Jorge

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 6

1 Martinez-Esteve, Assistant County

2 Attorney. I'm here representing

3 Mr. Garcia and Mr. Solis.

4 MS. PAGE LIFSHITZ: Daija Page

5 Lifshitz, Assistant County Attorney, also

6 representing the Property Appraiser.

7 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: So with that,

8 Mr. Attorney, lead us off.

9 MR. MILLARES: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

10 So now that we have done roll call, I

11 need to declare that there's a quorum

12 present, and we can proceed with the

13 meeting.

14 Thank you all for being here.

15 The first matter on the agenda is to

16 discuss and provide for the employment of

17 special magistrates for tax year 2017.

18 We have subdivided all the special

19 magistrates into three categories just so

20 we could move this meeting efficiently.

21 The first group that we're going to

22 address are the attorney special

23 magistrates. There were 11 total

24 applications received, eight of which are

25 incumbents. Three applicants are new.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 7

1 Our recommendations to the Board are that

2 interviews were waived, which was exactly

3 what we did, and that all incumbents be

4 rehired. That would give us, in our

5 opinion, a full stable attorney special

6 magistrates.

7 So at this time we feel that some

8 type of motion would be appropriate to

9 rehire the incumbent attorney special

10 magistrates.

11 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: So moved.

12 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: I have a motion.

13 Do I have a second?

14 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Second.

15 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay. So all in

16 favor, say aye.

17 THE BOARD MEMBERS COLLECTIVELY: Aye.

18 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: All right. Let

19 the record show none against.

20 Next item.

21 MR. MILLARES: Thank you.

22 The next type of special magistrate

23 that we're going to be discussing are the

24 tangible personal property special

25 magistrates.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 8

1 We received four applications, and

2 all four are incumbents. We feel that

3 only two will be necessary. We recommend

4 that Mario De La Guardia and Harvel Gray

5 be hired. We can do that since they're

6 incumbents and their interviews were

7 waived.

8 We can do that on motion.

9 So we request that be done now.

10 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: So moved.

11 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Second.

12 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: We have a motion,

13 a second. All in favor, say aye.

14 THE BOARD MEMBERS COLLECTIVELY: Aye.

15 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Let the record

16 show none opposed against.

17 Next item.

18 MR. MILLARES: The next group and the

19 final group is the appraiser's special

20 magistrates. There were 27 applications

21 received, 21 of which were incumbents.

22 Interviews have been waived, and our

23 recommendation -- our first recommendation

24 is to rehire all of those incumbents

25 before we move on and deal with the new

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 9

1 applicants.

2 So at this point a motion would be

3 appropriate to rehire the incumbent

4 appraiser's special magistrates.

5 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: So moved.

6 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Second.

7 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: We have a motion

8 and a second. All in favor, say aye.

9 THE BOARD MEMBERS COLLECTIVELY: Aye.

10 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: None opposed.

11 MR. MILLARES: Thank you.

12 So in dealing with the new

13 applicants, there were originally six new

14 applicants. One of them, his last name is

15 Gunther. He withdrew his application, so

16 we're only looking at five. The

17 recommendation from staff and myself is

18 that we only need two. So out of the five

19 applicants, if the members would so choose

20 to do so, we could give them two minutes

21 of time, if they are here to speak and to

22 interview.

23 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Absolutely.

24 How many applicants are here by a

25 show of hands? One, two, three -- okay.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 10

1 Let's step up to the podiums. Is it okay

2 to give them two minutes? Is everybody

3 okay with that?

4 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Yes, sir.

5 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay. So two

6 minutes a piece.

7 MR. ALFARO: The order that I have --

8 MR. MILLARES: Okay, go ahead.

9 MR. ALFARO: Is Jose Wong here?

10 (No response.)

11 MR. ALFARO: Steven Johnson?

12 MR. JOHNSON: Yes, sir.

13 MR. ALFARO: Manuel Blanco, Marcus

14 Allen, and William Hemingway. In that

15 order, please.

16 MR. JOHNSON: Thank you for allowing

17 me to be here today, the Board, the

18 Commissioners.

19 My name is Steve Johnson, I'm right

20 here. I've got 18 years of experience

21 with the Florida Department of

22 Transportation, of which two years were as

23 a Review Appraiser. I had two years as a

24 Review Appraiser with the Turnpike

25 Enterprise, and I had 10 years or 16 years

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 11

1 as Appraisal Manager for District 6.

2 I'm an MAI. I've been appraising

3 since 1982. I'm 71-years-old, I retired

4 from the Florida Department of

5 Transportation on March 30th, so I'm

6 looking for something to keep me active,

7 but I don't want a full-time job. So

8 that's why I applied for this position.

9 Basically that's -- if you have any

10 questions, I'm happy to answer them.

11 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: You guys want to

12 do questions now particularly when they're

13 here? If you have questions. If you

14 don't, we'll move on to the next one, or

15 do you want to wait until the end.

16 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Wait until

17 the end.

18 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay. So I'll

19 take my suggestion from my Co-Chair here,

20 the Vice-Chair. So we'll wait until the

21 end to ask any questions if you have any

22 questions at that moment.

23 MR. BLANCO: Good morning -- or good

24 afternoon Mr. Chair, Members of the Board,

25 members of the Property Appraiser's

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 12

1 Office, Mr. Deputy Clerk. My name is

2 Manny Blanco, and I'm applying for the

3 real estate magistrate position.

4 I was born and raised in Miami. I

5 graduated from Miami Coral Park in 1982.

6 I graduated from the University of Florida

7 in 1986 with a BS in real estate.

8 Graduated from St. Thomas University

9 School of Law in 1990 with my JD. I'm a

10 state certified real estate appraiser

11 since 1990, and qualified for all types of

12 other real estate properties.

13 I've served as a Miami-Dade appraiser

14 magistrate for 21 years between 1993 and

15 2014. I also served in Broward County

16 from 2002 to 2008 for both attorney and

17 evaluation magistrates. I was also legal

18 counsel for the VAB between September of

19 2014th to October of 2016th.

20 Okay, as well as all of my experience

21 of 23 years, I'm very well versed in the

22 computer system here. I know you guys are

23 going to be changing it soon enough, but I

24 can come in and go straight to work.

25 I would love to come back and serve

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 13

1 again.

2 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: We appreciate it.

3 Thank you so much.

4 MR. BLANCO: Thank you.

5 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Sir?

6 MR. HEMINGWAY: Good afternoon. My

7 name is Bill Hemingway. I've been an

8 appraiser for 32 years. I began in 1985

9 in Virginia shortly after graduating from

10 the Virginia Military Institute.

11 I've relocated in Florida in 1997

12 working with Office Investment Group.

13 From there I left to work with CBRE as a

14 commercial real estate appraiser. I've

15 been doing appraisals ever since.

16 I left there to form a partnership

17 with Greg Gunther who I think had

18 previously or just withdrawn his candidacy

19 here. He and I joined Integra, where we

20 were both managing directors there.

21 Things changed, and I went back with

22 an investment group for a little while

23 then back to appraising. I had my own

24 firm, and also ended up managing Landor

25 Evaluation.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 14

1 So I've been in the managerial

2 capacity, I've been a partner in firms,

3 I've started firms. I've appraised

4 practically most types of properties from

5 single family homes to, of course, office

6 buildings, apartments industrial

7 buildings, shopping centers, self storage

8 facilities, mobile home parks, pretty much

9 everything except golf courses and

10 assisted living facilities.

11 I'm also looking to do -- I did some

12 brokerage currently with SPN. And as I've

13 said, I have my own appraisal firm,

14 Hemingway and Associates, and currently

15 doing commercial appraising.

16 I've had a certified general license

17 since licensing began, and I'd be

18 interested in participating in the

19 assessment appeal process. I've been

20 involved in a contested matter where

21 another appraiser and I were discussing

22 issues, and he said, "Hey, you know, you

23 would probably be pretty good in helping

24 unravel some of the complicated issues

25 with the assessment appeal process." And

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 15

1 I thought I hadn't really given it much

2 thought, but associates of mine has

3 participated and had a good experience.

4 So when it came up this time, I

5 thought I would apply. And I hope you

6 would give me favorable consideration.

7 Thank you.

8 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Thank you

9 Mr. Hemingway.

10 With that -- anybody else? So with

11 that, any questions?

12 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you,

13 Mr. Chair. I have the same questions for

14 each candidates, so if we can get them

15 back in the order in which they presented,

16 and we'll start with Mr. Johnson. Thank

17 you very much.

18 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: And while the

19 candidate is here, each candidate, now is

20 the time to ask the questions that anybody

21 else may have.

22 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you.

23 So my first question is, if there is

24 any potential conflict of interest for you

25 in serving in this role, and if so, how

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 16

1 would you handle it. I know as a retiree

2 maybe less so, but I don't know what else

3 might be on the table for you. So are

4 there any potential conflict of interest?

5 MR. JOHNSON: No, there's no conflict

6 as far as I can see.

7 I presently work for a relative that

8 has a district-wide contract, District 6.

9 So I do appraisals for that company.

10 That's really not a conflict. Because it

11 was a relative, I had to go through all

12 kinds of approvals, and they all approved

13 it. And the State did all the way up to

14 Tallahassee. So I have no conflicts

15 there.

16 Other than that I don't -- I know a

17 lot of the appraisers that we contracted

18 for District 6 are also magistrates of the

19 Board. So I mean it shouldn't be a

20 conflict at all.

21 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you.

22 Another question. I imagine that in

23 these cases there's an opportunity to

24 sometimes mediate regarding reaching

25 agreements between the parties. Is that

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 17

1 true? And if so, how would you approach

2 that?

3 MR. JOHNSON: Well, okay, being the

4 Appraisal Manager for District 6, I

5 probably attended more mediations than I

6 wanted to. So I have that experience from

7 the mediation. It's basically -- I don't

8 know what else I can say. I have the

9 experience. We've gone through

10 mediations. And basically that's it.

11 MR. MILLARES: Commissioner, May I

12 flush out some of these issues if you

13 permit.

14 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Yes.

15 MR. MILLARES: If you permit me?

16 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: That's okay.

17 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Yes,

18 absolutely.

19 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Absolutely, go

20 ahead.

21 MR. MILLARES: Would it be fair to

22 say that you are an independent contractor

23 that works for an independent contractor

24 that has a contract with the DOT?

25 MR. JOHNSON: Right. I'm an

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 18

1 independent contractor to the company that

2 has a district-wide contract.

3 MR. MILLARES: Okay.

4 MR. JOHNSON: But I'm not a part of

5 that company at all. I'm strictly --

6 MR. MILLARES: You're not an employee

7 of that company?

8 MR. JOHNSON: No, I'm not an

9 employee. I'm like a subcontractor to

10 that employer providing appraisal services

11 only.

12 MR. MILLARES: And that company is

13 not an employee of the DOT?

14 MR. JOHNSON: No, no. That company

15 is strictly a separate company.

16 MR. MILLARES: A private company that

17 just has a contract.

18 MR. JOHNSON: They went and applied

19 for a district-wide contract.

20 In D-6 we're one of the -- I started

21 this, but what we do is we contract

22 appraisers by district-wide contracts.

23 And the reason we do that, we don't have

24 to go out and do a negotiation. That can

25 take six, seven months. So when you have

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 19

1 district-wide contracts, they're good for

2 five years. So we just have to hire to

3 appraise certain properties that we want.

4 MR. MILLARES: If for some reason the

5 DOT -- I mean, it's a rear occurrence, but

6 if the DOT were to come before you in your

7 role as a Special Magistrate with a piece

8 of land that they were challenging the

9 value of, would you be willing to recuse

10 yourself from that case?

11 MR. JOHNSON: Yes. But I don't know

12 why DOT would come, but yes, I would

13 recuse myself.

14 MR. MILLARES: In case as a

15 hypothetical, you would have no problem

16 recusing yourself?

17 MR. JOHNSON: No.

18 MR. MILLARES: Okay, great. I don't

19 have any follow-up questions.

20 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay, thank you.

21 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: And I'm

22 done with him.

23 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Anybody else

24 would like to ask any questions in the

25 order that they came up.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 20

1 MR. JOHNSON: Okay, thank you very

2 much.

3 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Shall I

4 continue, Mr. Chair?

5 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Absolutely.

6 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Okay.

7 Mr. Blanco?

8 MR. BLANCO: Yes.

9 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: The exact

10 same questions. Any conflict that you

11 could envision, and how would you handle

12 it?

13 MR. BLANCO: There is no conflict

14 that I could envision at all.

15 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Okay. Is

16 there anything that our attorney would

17 like to ask?

18 MR. MILLARES: I don't think so at

19 this time.

20 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Great.

21 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Anybody else?

22 THE CLERK: I have a second question.

23 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay.

24 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: The second

25 question, again, goes to the opportunity

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 21

1 to mediate any disputes. How do you

2 envision that might arise, and how would

3 you handle it?

4 MR. BLANCO: It shouldn't arise.

5 We're here to basically hear both sides of

6 the story and render a decision, and

7 recommend it to the Board. So as far as

8 mediating I'm very sociable. I intend to

9 help out the taxpayers and let them know

10 the system, how it works. So I kind of

11 like to guide them a little bit, but

12 that's not mediation.

13 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you.

14 MR. BLANCO: Thank you.

15 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Thank you.

16 Anybody else who have any questions?

17 Okay, with that, thank you.

18 MR. BLANCO: Thank you.

19 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: So then

20 I'll continue with Mr. Hemingway same

21 question.

22 MR. HEMINGWAY: With respect to

23 conflict, it's always possible. You know,

24 I have many people that I've worked with

25 in Dade County, and so forth. Whether it

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 22

1 rises to the level of a conflict or not, I

2 guess it depends on a case by case basis.

3 Should that occur, I have no problem

4 recusing myself. I think that's

5 appropriate.

6 Beyond that I don't know a specific

7 example I could cite, but certainly if

8 there is someone that I know that I had

9 worked with before, if that raises a

10 potential question, I might seek counsel

11 or just go ahead and recuse myself.

12 That's how I perceive that.

13 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you.

14 And as far as opportunities to

15 potentially mediate to a mutual agreement?

16 MR. HEMINGWAY: Well, I don't have

17 much experience with the mediation

18 process. As far as mediation I would try

19 and facilitate an agreement between the

20 parties and do what I can to reach a fair

21 resolution. Beyond that I don't have any

22 other input I can offer at this time.

23 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you.

24 Thank you very much.

25 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Anybody else who

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 23

1 would like to ask any questions?

2 Okay, thank you gentlemen, all three

3 of you.

4 Mr. Attorney? Robert?

5 MR. ALFARO: At this point the clerk

6 is going to give you the ballot sheet.

7 Please select two out of the five, and

8 she will collect them as soon as you're

9 ready.

10 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Thank you.

11 Does the Board have any other

12 questions before we select?

13 Okay. Please select your two.

14 (Thereupon, the Board is selecting

15 their candidates; after which the

16 following transpired:)

17 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: When it's

18 tallied, please let us know.

19 MR. ALFARO: Absolutely.

20 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: You can start the

21 Jeopardy music while we're waiting.

22 MR. ALFARO: Mr. Chair, we have the

23 result of the ballot. We have two

24 candidates with the majority of the votes.

25 They are Steven Johnson and William

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 24

1 Hemingway.

2 Congratulations.

3 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Gentlemen, each

4 one of you care to step up and each get a

5 podium.

6 MR. HEMINGWAY: (Complies).

7 MR. JOHNSON: (Complies).

8 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Congratulations

9 on being part of our per se system. And

10 all we can ask, as you stated, is for you

11 to do the performance in your job --

12 asking these two gentlemen. And everybody

13 concerned will be monitoring everything

14 that's done.

15 We want to thank you, as a Board, for

16 participating, and congratulations.

17 To all those that applied and did not

18 make it, thank you for doing so. We're

19 sorry, and this is the best process that

20 we know how to do and make it fair.

21 So with that, thank you to all. God

22 bless you, and have a great day.

23 MR. HEMINGWAY: Thank you.

24 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Congratulations.

25 MR. MILLARES: Thank you to all

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 25

1 applicants, and we will be reaching out to

2 you, obviously, for training purposes and

3 other administerial matters.

4 Thank you so much.

5 MR. JOHNSON: Very good. Thank you.

6 MR. HEMINGWAY: Thank you.

7 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: With that. Next

8 item? Before I go to the next item, we'll

9 ask the public to participate on any

10 issues. Mr. Attorney, or do you want to

11 wait?

12 MR. MILLARES: It's completely up to

13 you. I assume we would wait for Item

14 Number 3.

15 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay. Go to the

16 next item.

17 MR. MILLARES: All right. So the

18 next item is a status report for the VAB

19 on the procurement new VAB computer

20 system.

21 So I have very positive news. After

22 much research and many discussions, the

23 Clerk of Courts, Mr. Harvey Ruvin has very

24 generously offered to do the procurement

25 of the VAB computer system. As the VAB

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 26

1 counsel, I can say that is 100 percent

2 the most efficient and best path to go

3 down.

4 We are updating you and also asking

5 for a motion allowing Mr. Ruvin to proceed

6 in that vein. So if you want to discuss

7 it --

8 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: I actually agree

9 with you. I think of all the systems and

10 everything that we were trying to do, this

11 would be the best and proper method, and

12 the fastest. And I'm sorry I was not here

13 at the last meeting, but I would tell you

14 that I concur a hundred percent.

15 Any questions from the Board members?

16 Okay, so do I have a motion?

17 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: So moved.

18 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: So moved.

19 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Second.

20 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: So second.

21 All in favor say aye.

22 THE BOARD MEMBERS COLLECTIVELY: Aye.

23 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: None opposed.

24 MR. MILLARES: Thank you so much.

25 Obviously Mr. Martinez with conveyed that

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 27

1 to the Clerk with our gratitude.

2 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: And tell him to

3 get to work on it.

4 MR. MILLARES: The third item is such

5 other business as may properly come before

6 the Board.

7 So Commissioner Levine Cava, is there

8 something --

9 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: I have

10 something I'd like to bring before the

11 Board when the Chair indicates.

12 MR. MILLARES: Now would be the

13 perfect time.

14 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: You can continue,

15 Commissioner Levine Cava.

16 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you,

17 Mr. Chair.

18 So this is for our attorney. There

19 has been some requests for time extensions

20 for filing appeals because of Hurricane

21 Irma. And I understand we've recently

22 received some guidance from the State on

23 how to handle late filings because of the

24 storm. So could you inform the Board of

25 the process again, please?

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 28

1 MR. MILLARES: Absolutely. So,

2 obviously, Hurricane Irma was very

3 destructive. Our offices were closed

4 until Monday. All of you were out on the

5 streets helping folks, which we all saw

6 and are deeply appreciative of.

7 Unfortunately, we cannot extend -- the law

8 prohibits us from extending the VAB

9 petition -- the filing deadline for value

10 adjustment petitions.

11 However, there is a mechanism already

12 in place for late filed petitions. And

13 those petitions will be assessed as long

14 as "good cause," and good cause is a

15 statutory defined term. As long as there

16 is good cause, that person will get their

17 petition in to us, and we will accept it.

18 I have issued just yesterday a mass

19 e-mail to the taxpayers and tax

20 representatives that we have already on

21 this list -- which, admittedly, is not

22 everybody, but it's a large number of

23 people, letting them know that is our

24 position moving forward.

25 I feel confident in saying if the

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 29

1 taxpayer or the taxpayer representative

2 was affected by Hurricane Irma, and they

3 can show that they were in an area

4 affected by Hurricane Irma, it's

5 absolutely good cause. So they shouldn't

6 have a problem. They shouldn't have a

7 problem.

8 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you,

9 Mr. Chair.

10 MR. MILLARES: And I'm sorry --

11 that's for all types of petitions, because

12 everything was affected.

13 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: So we do have

14 that vehicle, and it's going to be

15 addressed accordingly.

16 MR. MILLARES: Yes.

17 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay. So maybe

18 some kind of communication can be put out

19 there to all the people who have been most

20 affected at this time.

21 MR. MILLARES: If so instructed, we

22 would be happy to publish something.

23 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Just based on

24 everybody has been kind of busy.

25 MR. MILLARES: That would be fine.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 30

1 That would be absolutely fine. We will do

2 that.

3 And I also want to note, not that we

4 have to hear him right now -- I mean we

5 can open the floor, but Mr. Stan Beck did

6 file a request to speak.

7 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Absolutely.

8 MR. MILLARES: He's the only one that

9 we've received a request for so far in

10 writing.

11 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: I'll go ahead and

12 listen to anybody who did not have any,

13 you know, issues.

14 MR. MILLARES: Sure.

15 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Go ahead.

16 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you.

17 And I appreciate publicizing, as you said,

18 this information, but if you could also

19 get to us a copy of whatever you

20 publicized.

21 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Absolutely.

22 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: And if you

23 can, get it out to our network as well.

24 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Absolutely.

25 Actually, let's make it a standard policy

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 31

1 that anything that's publicized from this

2 Board or from any of you on anything, we

3 will always like to get a copy of. Which

4 I think is what you do already.

5 MR. MILLARES: We do. Unless --

6 it's been so crazy this week, I may not

7 have, but you could be rest assured that

8 by the end of the day you'll have it.

9 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you.

10 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay, thank you.

11 Did you have anything?

12 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Only to say

13 that I think we should add to our agenda

14 that we approve the minutes of the

15 previous meeting. That should be added as

16 a standard procedure in the future. We

17 don't have it, and I think we should.

18 MR. MILLARES: That would be fine.

19 You would like it added to the actual

20 agenda?

21 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Yes, please.

22 MR. MILLARES: Okay.

23 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Please.

24 Every agenda we should vote to accept the

25 minutes. And I would say --

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 32

1 MR. MILLARES: That's not a problem.

2 We will actually do that. And because of

3 the hurricane, I want to apologize, but we

4 usually -- our plan is to send the meeting

5 minutes or meeting summary, obviously,

6 well before the meeting. In this case, I

7 just sent them out this morning. So we

8 have the physical copies of the minutes

9 for your review now.

10 If you would like to make a motion to

11 approve them now, that would be fine, or

12 whatever you would --

13 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: I move to

14 approve.

15 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: We have a motion.

16 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Second.

17 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: We have a second.

18 MR. MILLARES: I'm sorry. They're

19 getting passed out.

20 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: We had them. The

21 had the minutes.

22 MR. MILLARES: Okay.

23 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: So unless anybody

24 else want's to add anything. We got it

25 earlier. So with that -- do we want to do

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 33

1 the minute or do we want to ask people to

2 speak on any other business?

3 We're going to hold off on that, and

4 open the floor for the people that would

5 like to speak. Then we'll take that vote

6 as soon as we're done.

7 So with that, who do we have first

8 that signed up to speak, Mr. Alfaro?

9 MR. ALFARO: Mr. Stanley Beck, please

10 come to the podium.

11 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Mr. Beck,

12 welcome.

13 MR. BECK: Thank you. Good

14 afternoon.

15 Just a short point. It's been

16 approximately a year that Mr. Millares has

17 been counsel to the VAB, and I just want

18 to bring it to your attention, he had a

19 lot of challenges, a lot on his plate.

20 But in that last year or just shy of a

21 year, he and Mr. Alfaro has really done a

22 great job from my perspective as a person

23 who represents taxpayers. Thing have run

24 smoothly, we finished on the deadline, and

25 I just wanted to recognize his

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 34

1 accomplishments.

2 Thank you.

3 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Thank you,

4 Mr. Beck. We don't want to have so say

5 too much on this issue. So with that, we

6 know the great work they've done, and we

7 appreciate it when you come up and say

8 that.

9 So thank you so much.

10 Sir, name and address for the record.

11 MR. MANDLER: My name is Jeffrey

12 Mandler, 100 Southeast 2nd. Welcome to

13 the new members. I am an attorney, and I

14 practice on the Value Adjustment Board.

15 My firm has nine attorneys who work

16 exclusively in this area.

17 I've been handling Value Adjustment

18 Board hearings for 37 years with a little

19 bit of a break there. So I just wanted to

20 introduce myself to the new members of the

21 Board.

22 There's one or two items which I

23 would like to address right now. The

24 first item is I would to make a formal

25 request of the Board that they send out

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 35

1 notice of Value Adjustment Board hearings

2 to interested parties, and post the notice

3 of these Value Adjustment Board hearings

4 on the Value Adjustment Board's website.

5 Right now the Value Adjustment Board

6 only publishes in the Miami Herald notice,

7 which is almost like an ad. And we have

8 requested repeatedly in writing that we be

9 notified as an interested party of a

10 hearing that's going to come up. The law

11 does not require that? As I understand

12 it, there is no law that says you must

13 give an interested party notice.

14 The law says that you may either

15 publish or put it on your website, but I

16 would like this Board to go a little bit

17 beyond the bear minimum of the law.

18 Most people now don't read the Miami

19 Herald. I'm sorry to say. And to find

20 the ad -- and I read the Miami Herald, but

21 I read it electronically. To find the ad

22 of the Value Adjustment Board is extremely

23 difficult. I actually have someone primed

24 to read the paper every day just to try to

25 find the ad.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 36

1 If it's difficult for me, as someone

2 who's totally involved in this process,

3 imagine how difficult it is for the

4 citizen who wants to come and address the

5 Board, or the magistrate who wants to come

6 and address the Board. It's almost

7 impossible.

8 Now, Mr. Millares has done something

9 fantastic, and I also would like to praise

10 the attorney that you've retained. He

11 sent out notices to interested parties on

12 numerous subjects. In fact we were joking

13 about it. I've received five e-mails that

14 address the VAB community. Primarily

15 attorneys and agents who were involved in

16 this process, but no notice again of these

17 hearings.

18 So the hearings -- the Value

19 Adjustment Board is really here to protect

20 the public. And in having more notice to

21 the public -- we act on behalf of the

22 public. You know, we send notice to our

23 clients to see if they want to speak. To

24 have more notice would be really not that

25 difficult. It would only be required to

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 37

1 send out a mass e-mail to people who

2 request notice. And again, post it on

3 your website.

4 I went on your website again today,

5 there's no notice of the meeting. I also

6 clicked on Harvey Ruvin's website, no

7 notice of the meeting. On the Clerk's

8 Office website, no notice anywhere on the

9 website.

10 So that's my request.

11 And I'd like to go on to my second

12 issue in a minute once we hear comments

13 from the Board.

14 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: In answer to your

15 request, it is my understanding, since

16 many multiple levels of government have a

17 particular place to put it, and we are

18 responsible based on the law that you just

19 mentioned. We do not try to make it

20 individualized or try to deviate from the

21 way it's sent, because somebody will

22 always not receive it. Therefore it

23 becomes a problem.

24 It is my understanding that the

25 reason why it's done like this in my 20

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 38

1 some odd years -- 25, 26 years of being in

2 government, is that it is done in a public

3 manner or a public place, whether the

4 Herald or our website. So people have the

5 opportunity.

6 Based on what you said, though, I do

7 believe since on the internet -- we could

8 put both. We could put it in the Miami

9 Herald, and we could also put it on our

10 website. I would also ask the other

11 parties involved, the clerk and also our

12 property appraiser if it could be posted,

13 we'll appreciate it. If they decide. I

14 can't tell them to do it, but as far as

15 we're concerned on our website,

16 Mr. Alfaro, I believe that there wouldn't

17 be an issue.

18 MR. ALFARO: Commissioner, we usually

19 or every time that we have a meeting, we

20 advertise in the Miami Herald and the DBR,

21 the Daily Business Review, the Miami Times

22 and Diario Las Américas, four

23 publications.

24 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: All four?

25 MR. ALFARO: Yes, sir.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 39

1 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay.

2 MR. ALFARO: And we will have it on

3 our website for the next VAB meeting.

4 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay. At least

5 let's to the website, see how it works

6 out, and we'll go from there. Because

7 once we start sending directly to people,

8 then some that don't receive it will get

9 upset, and it becomes another issue.

10 So I'll listen to my Board members to

11 tell me what they think so we'll go from

12 there.

13 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Thank you

14 very much for the recommendation. I think

15 it is a good idea. What he's saying is

16 basically that it also should be on the

17 website. I'd just like to know if there

18 is any problem with us having that. Is

19 that, you know, some sort of clerical

20 problem at all, and also on the other

21 sites as well?

22 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: If they decide.

23 We can't force them to do so.

24 MR. ALFARO: There is no problem with

25 our website. If you look at your minutes

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 40

1 from the last meeting, Commissioner Levine

2 Cava asked for the tax impact statement to

3 be published, and it's been added to it.

4 So we'll have that at the next meeting.

5 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Mr. Chair,

6 is there a need for some sort of a motion?

7 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: I think they

8 understand.

9 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Thank you.

10 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you,

11 Mr. Chair. Thank you also -- and hello

12 again.

13 MR. MANDLER: Hello.

14 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: Thank you

15 for the suggestion.

16 I'm just interested in the mechanism

17 of notification. I'm not so familiar. I

18 know for the County Commission, we have a

19 list that the public can sign onto for

20 agenda items even the agenda. We get it

21 internally, but also the public can sign

22 onto that list.

23 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: I think the

24 hearing was in the newspapers in certain

25 cities. I don't know if we have personal

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 41

1 interests there. I could be wrong.

2 COMMISSIONER LEVINE CAVA: I believe

3 so. Yes, it's through media sign up, but

4 I believe just interested members of the

5 public can request. So I don't know if

6 that's a mechanism that the County has set

7 up that has a cost associated with it, or,

8 you know, for just a sort of an opt in or

9 opt out sort of a thing.

10 So if it was something really simple

11 that would be the burden on the

12 individual, not on the VAB members. It's

13 not our responsibility to determine the

14 world of interest. You know, maybe that's

15 something that we could explore.

16 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Why don't you

17 look into that by the next meeting, which

18 is not too far away. Bring it back to us

19 with report prior as the Commissioner has

20 requested, please. That way we would have

21 more clarity always and transparency.

22 So with that --

23 MR. MANDLER: May I make one more

24 comment, Sir, on this one issue?

25 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay. I'll allow

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 42

1 you to make a comment.

2 MR. MANDLER: So the Department of

3 Revenue has a similar -- there's no rule

4 that requires them to do it. It's a

5 courtesy. If someone requests in writing

6 on the Value Adjustment Board to be

7 notified, they just give them the notice.

8 So the request would be simple. If

9 someone requests in writing that they be

10 notified, I don't think it's a big

11 obligation.

12 I know that notice is sent

13 to the Property Appraiser's Office. I

14 don't understand why the same notice can't

15 be sent certainly to the people who are

16 requesting it.

17 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: I will -- like I

18 said to you before, we will look into it,

19 and then after that point we'll decide.

20 MR. MANDLER: Thank you very much.

21 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: But I did ask

22 that it be added on our website, and we're

23 at least getting there.

24 MR. MANDLER: Thank you very much.

25 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: No, you're

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 43

1 welcome.

2 Now you had a second part? You had a

3 second question?

4 MR. MANDLER: Yes.

5 So, as you know, Commissioner Diaz,

6 we have to finish our Value Adjustment

7 Board hearings this year by June 1st. And

8 to our new members, there has been a

9 statutory change where we finish hearings

10 within the calendar year which requires us

11 to be done by June 1.

12 So we just want to make aware to the

13 Board at this time that we're trying to

14 work with the Clerk's Office and the

15 Property Appraiser's Officer if these

16 hearings are done in an expedited manner.

17 We've been advised by the Clerk's Office

18 that they want to finish the hearings by

19 April 1. And we think that will create an

20 undue burden on the system. And most

21 importantly, to complete hearings by April

22 1, will most importantly create an undue

23 hardship on taxpayers.

24 It would require a magistrate to hear

25 about, on my math, sir, and my math has

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 44

1 never been fantastic -- about 15 percent

2 more hearings in that time period than if

3 we went to May or the middle of May.

4 And we would like, not a decision on

5 this today, but something for the Board to

6 think about. I know we're going to have

7 another meeting in 30 days, to have the

8 ability to have the hearings extent at

9 least until May so that we can have the

10 opportunity for all the taxpayers to be

11 heard. And then we can still be certified

12 by June 1.

13 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Okay, thank you

14 Sir, for your questions.

15 With that, Mr. Attorney, I don't want

16 a delay. I don't want to start falling

17 back at all. I know the School Board had

18 issues with that in the past.

19 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Yes.

20 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: We had issues.

21 We fought through that. Delaying is not a

22 word I like to hear. So unless there's a

23 major problem that we need to know about

24 as a Board, that's something I -- Sir, you

25 may sit down.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 45

1 MR. MANDLER: I --

2 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: You may sit down,

3 sir. Thank you.

4 MR. MANDLER: (Complies).

5 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: With that said,

6 would you please explain it to us?

7 MR. MILLARES: Sure. To address,

8 obviously, finishing on time, that has

9 been a priority and will continue to be a

10 priority. That's along with due process

11 and following protocol throughout the

12 process and ensuring fairness and so

13 fourth.

14 The reason we can't just hold

15 hearings right up until the last day is

16 because there's a ton of administrative

17 work that we need to do. And then that

18 the Property Appraiser's Office needs to

19 do to actually certify by June first.

20 So we can't just bring up the

21 hearings close to that date. We just

22 can't do that. So because of our

23 experiences last year, especially because

24 be received a flood of reconsideration

25 requests right at the end. You know,

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 46

1 we're trying to move some levers around,

2 fix some things, and really smooth out the

3 process.

4 So we've asked or are thinking about

5 finishing the hearings two months before

6 June 1st so that if there's any problems

7 they will bubble up to the surface and be

8 resolved. Any reconsiderations will have

9 time to then be heard after the hearings,

10 if any reconsiderations need to be heard.

11 And then, of course, our administrative

12 process can happen. And the PA's Office

13 administrative process can happen.

14 And Lazaro, I don't know if you want

15 to chime in as to exactly how much time

16 you guys require.

17 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Before we do,

18 myself as the Chairman, and I'm sure my

19 Board Members here -- why did it wait?

20 Because I saw the numbers. And the

21 numbers are 00 some of them, and a few

22 ones. Then all of a sudden we get slammed

23 by I don't know how many -- quite a lot of

24 them.

25 Why did that happen?

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 47

1 MR. MILLARES: I don't know, and I

2 don't -- I'm not going to speculate as to

3 why. I just know that it happened. We're

4 going to take that measure up very, very

5 soon. Obviously before you, and then once

6 you approve it, to the public to try and

7 prevent procedurally -- just procedurally,

8 to try and prevent that huge onslaught

9 again.

10 Which, with total credit to our

11 staff, the VAB staff and the VAB special

12 magistrate, I don't know how they did it,

13 but they managed to hear them all. They

14 all mobilized and did an amazing job. But

15 we don't want to go through that again.

16 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: No. And that's

17 why I'm asking you, because I don't know

18 the reason. I guess you'll look into it,

19 and you'll let us know as a Board, but we

20 do not want to see that again. Absolutely

21 not, because that creates an undue burden.

22 Where it could be all along as a process,

23 and properly managed so there is no issues

24 of a rush situation going back to the old

25 ways that things were done.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 48

1 So with that, Mr. Solis?

2 MR. SOLIS: Commissioner Diaz,

3 basically from the Property Appraiser's

4 perspective, once a hearing is heard,

5 usually the magistrate has "X" number of

6 days with which to prepare the results or

7 the findings. I'm not a hundred percent

8 certain if it's a week or two weeks.

9 Once we receive the findings, then

10 our staff has to enter it, process it,

11 audit it, and update the tax rolls. This

12 assumes that there are no

13 reconsiderations, or there are no errors

14 that are made. More often than not,

15 sometimes there are calculation errors.

16 So we send it back to the magistrate for

17 clarification where maybe an assessed

18 value is not calculated correctly, or

19 added wrong, et cetera.

20 So it is not a simple straightforward

21 process. Once we have completed that, the

22 next step is for us to reconcile and

23 balance with the Value Adjustment Board's

24 database to make sure that all our values

25 are lined up.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 49

1 So, for example, if the magistrate

2 intended to give me 10 percent reduction

3 on a particular property, we enter the

4 figure one way. The VAB system may

5 reflect it slightly different. So what we

6 attempt to do is, between both offices, is

7 to reconcile that number so that when

8 certifications come to you, as the VAB

9 Board, you're certifying the same number

10 as what the Property Appraiser is

11 certifying so that there are no

12 discrepancies.

13 So that whole process takes several

14 weeks. And this all assumes that there

15 are no reconsiderations or no rehearings.

16 Once that certification is done, then

17 it has to -- well, once we reconcile it

18 and come up with a recount, then that's

19 the reason it comes back to this Board.

20 The way that the statute reads is that

21 it's not that it be complete by June 1st,

22 it's that the VAB certify by June 1st.

23 So you have to work backwards from

24 that date to process -- in other words,

25 have the certification done prior to June

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 50

1 1st. Prior to that you have to have all

2 the entries, the reconciliation and the

3 balancing occur between both offices.

4 So it is a pretty extensive process.

5 That does happen from one day to the next.

6 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Therefore, more

7 of a reason that this should never happen

8 again. If I were trying to look at this

9 in a different manner, seems like a

10 strategic move, but since I don't know

11 exactly the reasons why, I guess we'll get

12 a report from you all. We don't want to

13 see this again. So let's find a way

14 around this, please. Especially after

15 that explanation.

16 So anybody else?

17 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: There was a

18 discussion from my colleague, Commissioner

19 Cava Levine (sic), about what constitutes

20 a conflict of interest for an adjuster.

21 Is there in the statutes or something a

22 definition of what would be a conflict?

23 MR. MILLARES: Yes. There are

24 several places in the statutes and also in

25 the Department of Revenue rules that gives

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 51

1 guidance. So I'll just keep it light, and

2 I'll keep it general.

3 The standard is not actual conflict.

4 We have to avoid the mere appearance of

5 conflict. So really, there's a very low

6 tolerance for anything that may even look

7 like a conflict. That Number 1.

8 Number 2, all special magistrates,

9 obviously receive a training from me. And

10 the training materials are proceeded by

11 the Department of Revenue. Those are the

12 materials that are used to train the

13 magistrates. They are also responsible to

14 do their own independent training, and

15 provide us with proof that they've

16 completed their training.

17 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: A certificate?

18 MR. MILLARES: Yes, a certificate

19 that we receive.

20 In those materials there is training

21 regarding conflicts, regarding when you

22 can recuse.

23 The rule on recusal are very, very

24 open. In other words, if you even think

25 you are not going to be a fair and

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 52

1 impartial special magistrate, get out,

2 recuse yourself. We'll go get another

3 special magistrate, and we'll reschedule

4 the hearing. Period, end of story, okay.

5 Note, and I must add this. Had these

6 rules been abused, or has there been

7 attempts to abuse them for purposes of

8 forum shopping, getting a different judge?

9 Sadly, the answer is possibly yes. Okay.

10 So I have to be very vigilant. And if

11 there is a request from one of the parties

12 for a recusal, I have to really enquire

13 and ask the special magistrate to find out

14 what the underlying reasons are. Is it

15 just that maybe the taxpayer doesn't like

16 that magistrate, and wants a different

17 one? If that's the case, there is no

18 recusal.

19 If I do see a potential conflict, and

20 are the appearance of a conflict, we will

21 obviously -- that recusal would have to

22 happen.

23 Also, and I'll wrap up with this,

24 because there are a lot of rules. The

25 special magistrates are encouraged to look

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 53

1 at the traditional ethics rules, the

2 traditional conduct rules, and all

3 professionalism rules provided by the

4 Florida Bar. So there's extensive

5 training, discussion and information out

6 there regarding conflicts.

7 I hope I've answered your question.

8 There's a lot of material out there.

9 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Thank you

10 Mr. Millares.

11 Thank you, Mr. Chair.

12 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: Thank you for

13 asking the question.

14 All Right. For the good of the

15 business, anything else that needs to be

16 brought up at this time from any staff or

17 anybody else, Board members before we

18 adjourn?

19 Madam attorney, you may say

20 something?

21 MS. LIFSHITZ: No.

22 BOARD MEMBER DR. PEREZ: Motion to

23 adjourn.

24 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: So I have a

25 motion an adjourn. I think we have other

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 54

1 things to do.

2 BOARD MEMBER DUARTE-VIERA: Second.

3 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: And I have a

4 second.

5 All in favor, say aye.

6 THE BOARD MEMBERS COLLECTIVELY: Aye.

7 COMMISSIONER DIAZ: None opposed.

8 Have a great day everybody.

9 MR. ALFARO: Thank you. Have a great

10 day.

11 (Thereupon, the VAB meeting was

12 concluded at 2:05 p.m.)

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 55

1 CERTIFICATE OF REPORTER

2

3

4 STATE OF FLORIDA )

5 SS:

6 COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE )

7

8 I, Jannett Taylor-Brown, Court

9 Reporter and Notary Public in the State of

10 Florida, do hereby certify that a meeting was

11 held before the VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD on

12 September 20, 2017; and that the foregoing

13 pages, numbered 1 to 55, inclusive, constitute

14 a true and correct transcript of my

15 stenographic notes.

16 WITNESS my hand in the City of Miami,

17 County of Dade, State of Florida, this 9th day

18 of October, 2017.

19

20

22 ______

23 JANNETT TAYLOR-BROWN

24 Court Reporter

25

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 1

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 2

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 3

Coral [1] - 12:5 DIAZ [88] - 2:3, 3:3, 3:20, 4:1, E F correct [1] - 55:14 4:10, 4:18, 4:20, 5:1, 5:8, correctly [1] - 48:18 6:7, 7:12, 7:15, 7:18, 8:12, cost [1] - 41:7 8:15, 9:7, 9:10, 9:23, 10:5, e-mail [2] - 28:19, 37:1 facilitate [1] - 22:19 counsel [4] - 12:18, 22:10, 11:11, 11:18, 13:2, 13:5, e-mails [1] - 36:13 facilities [2] - 14:8, 14:10 26:1, 33:17 15:8, 15:18, 17:16, 17:19, efficient [1] - 26:2 fact [1] - 36:12 Counsel [1] - 2:15 19:20, 19:23, 20:5, 20:21, efficiently [1] - 6:20 fair [4] - 17:21, 22:20, 24:20, COUNTY [2] - 1:3, 55:6 20:23, 21:15, 22:25, 23:10, eight [1] - 6:24 51:25 County [12] - 2:14, 4:15, 5:5, 23:17, 23:20, 24:3, 24:8, either [1] - 35:14 fairness [1] - 45:12 5:6, 5:10, 6:1, 6:5, 12:15, 24:24, 25:7, 25:15, 26:8, electronically [1] - 35:21 falling [1] - 44:16 21:25, 40:18, 41:6, 55:17 26:18, 26:20, 26:23, 27:2, employee [3] - 18:6, 18:9, familiar [1] - 40:17 couple [1] - 4:3 27:14, 29:13, 29:17, 29:23, 18:13 family [1] - 14:5 course [2] - 14:5, 46:11 30:7, 30:11, 30:15, 30:21, employer [1] - 18:10 fantastic [2] - 36:9, 44:1 courses [1] - 14:9 30:24, 31:10, 31:21, 32:15, employment [2] - 2:20, 6:16 far [7] - 16:6, 21:7, 22:14, 32:17, 32:20, 32:23, 33:11, Court [2] - 55:8, 55:24 encouraged [1] - 52:25 22:18, 30:9, 38:14, 41:18 34:3, 37:14, 38:24, 39:1, courtesy [1] - 42:5 end [6] - 11:15, 11:17, 11:21, fastest [1] - 26:12 39:4, 39:22, 40:7, 40:23, Courts [2] - 5:20, 25:23 31:8, 45:25, 52:4 favor [5] - 7:16, 8:13, 9:8, 41:16, 41:25, 42:17, 42:21, crazy [1] - 31:6 ended [1] - 13:24 26:21, 54:5 42:25, 44:13, 44:20, 45:2, create [2] - 43:19, 43:22 enquire [1] - 52:12 favorable [1] - 15:6 45:5, 46:17, 47:16, 50:6, creates [1] - 47:21 ensuring [1] - 45:12 few [1] - 46:21 51:17, 53:12, 53:24, 54:3, credit [1] - 47:10 enter [2] - 48:10, 49:3 figure [1] - 49:4 54:7 Cuba [1] - 3:16 Enterprise [1] - 10:25 file [1] - 30:6 [3] Diaz - 5:10, 43:5, 48:2 entries [1] - 50:2 filed [1] - 28:12 different [4] - 49:5, 50:9, D envision [3] - 20:11, 20:14, filing [2] - 27:20, 28:9 52:8, 52:16 21:2 filings [1] - 27:23 [4] difficult - 35:23, 36:1, errors [2] - 48:13, 48:15 final [1] - 8:19 36:3, 36:25 D-6 [1] - 18:20 especially [4] - 3:7, 3:15, findings [2] - 48:7, 48:9 directly [1] - 39:7 DADE [2] - 1:3, 55:6 45:23, 50:14 fine [4] - 29:25, 30:1, 31:18, [1] Dade [5] - 4:15, 5:6, 12:13, directors - 13:20 ESQ [2] - 2:13, 2:15 32:11 21:25, 55:17 discrepancies [1] - 49:12 estate [5] - 12:3, 12:7, 12:10, finish [3] - 43:6, 43:9, 43:18 [3] Daija [1] - 6:4 discuss - 2:20, 6:16, 26:6 12:12, 13:14 finished [1] - 33:24 [2] Daily [1] - 38:21 discussing - 7:23, 14:21 ESTEVE [2] - 2:13, 5:25 finishing [2] - 45:8, 46:5 [2] Daniella [1] - 5:4 discussion - 50:18, 53:5 Esteve [1] - 6:1 firm [3] - 13:24, 14:13, 34:15 [1] DANIELLA [1] - 2:4 discussions - 25:22 et [1] - 48:19 firms [2] - 14:2, 14:3 [1] database [1] - 48:24 disputes - 21:1 ethics [1] - 53:1 first [7] - 6:15, 6:21, 8:23, date [2] - 45:21, 49:24 district [5] - 16:8, 18:2, evaluation [1] - 12:17 15:23, 33:7, 34:24, 45:19 days [2] - 44:7, 48:6 18:19, 18:22, 19:1 Evaluation [1] - 13:25 five [5] - 9:16, 9:18, 19:2, [5] DBR [1] - 38:20 District - 5:7, 11:1, 16:8, everywhere [1] - 3:15 23:7, 36:13 16:18, 17:4 De [1] - 8:4 exact [1] - 20:9 fix [1] - 46:2 district-wide [5] - 16:8, 18:2, deadline [2] - 28:9, 33:24 exactly [3] - 7:2, 46:15, 50:11 flood [1] - 45:24 18:19, 18:22, 19:1 deal [1] - 8:25 example [2] - 22:7, 49:1 floor [2] - 30:5, 33:4 done [15] - 6:10, 8:9, 19:22, dealing [1] - 9:12 except [1] - 14:9 FLOOR [1] - 1:12 24:14, 33:6, 33:21, 34:6, decide [3] - 38:13, 39:22, exclusively [1] - 34:16 FLORIDA [2] - 1:3, 55:4 36:8, 37:25, 38:2, 43:11, 42:19 expedited [1] - 43:16 Florida [8] - 1:14, 10:21, 43:16, 47:25, 49:16, 49:25 decision [2] - 21:6, 44:4 experience [6] - 10:20, 11:4, 12:6, 13:11, 53:4, DOT [5] - 17:24, 18:13, 19:5, declare [1] - 6:11 12:20, 15:3, 17:6, 17:9, 55:10, 55:17 19:6, 19:12 deeply [1] - 28:6 22:17 flush [1] - 17:12 down [3] - 26:3, 44:25, 45:2 defined [1] - 28:15 experiences [1] - 45:23 folks [1] - 28:5 DR [16] - 2:5, 4:21, 7:14, definition [1] - 50:22 explain [1] - 45:6 follow [1] - 19:19 8:11, 9:6, 26:19, 31:12, delay [1] - 44:16 explanation [1] - 50:15 follow-up [1] - 19:19 31:23, 32:13, 39:13, 40:5, delaying [1] - 44:21 explore [1] - 41:15 following [5] - 3:1, 3:18, 40:9, 44:19, 50:17, 53:9, Department [5] - 10:21, 11:4, extend [1] - 28:7 3:24, 23:16, 45:11 53:22 42:2, 50:25, 51:11 extending [1] - 28:8 force [1] - 39:23 Duarte [1] - 5:3 deputy [1] - 12:1 extensions [1] - 27:19 foregoing [1] - 55:12 DUARTE [3] - 2:6, 5:2, 54:2 Deputy [4] - 2:11, 2:12, 5:20, extensive [2] - 50:4, 53:4 form [1] - 13:16 Duarte-Viera [1] - 5:3 5:23 extent [1] - 44:8 formal [1] - 34:24 DUARTE-VIERA [3] - 2:6, destructive [1] - 28:3 extremely [1] - 35:22 forth [1] - 21:25 5:2, 54:2 determine [1] - 41:13 forum [1] - 52:8 due [1] - 45:10 deviate [1] - 37:20 forward [1] - 28:24 Diario [1] - 38:22

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 4

fought [1] - 44:21 35:3, 36:17, 36:18, 43:7, intend [1] - 21:8 49:25 four [4] - 8:1, 8:2, 38:22, 43:9, 43:16, 43:18, 43:21, intended [1] - 49:2 38:24 44:2, 44:8, 45:15, 45:21, interest [4] - 15:24, 16:4, K fourth [1] - 45:13 46:5, 46:9 41:14, 50:20 full [2] - 7:5, 11:7 held [1] - 55:11 interested [7] - 14:18, 35:2, keep [3] - 11:6, 51:1, 51:2 full-time [1] - 11:7 hello [1] - 40:11 35:9, 35:13, 36:11, 40:16, Keys [1] - 3:14 future [1] - 31:16 Hello [1] - 40:13 41:4 kind [3] - 21:10, 29:18, 29:24 help [1] - 21:9 interests [1] - 41:1 kinds [1] - 16:12 G helping [2] - 14:23, 28:5 internally [1] - 40:21 Hemingway [6] - 10:14, 13:7, internet [1] - 38:7 14:14, 15:9, 21:20, 24:1 interview [1] - 9:22 L Garcia [1] - 6:3 HEMINGWAY [6] - 13:6, interviews [3] - 7:2, 8:6, 8:22 general [2] - 14:16, 51:2 21:22, 22:16, 24:6, 24:23, introduce [3] - 4:6, 5:14, land [1] - 19:8 generously [1] - 25:24 25:6 34:20 Landor [1] - 13:24 gentlemen [3] - 23:2, 24:3, Herald [6] - 35:6, 35:19, Investment [1] - 13:12 large [1] - 28:22 24:12 35:20, 38:4, 38:9, 38:20 investment [1] - 13:22 Las [1] - 38:22 given [1] - 15:1 hereby [1] - 55:10 involved [4] - 14:20, 36:2, last [6] - 9:14, 26:13, 33:20, God [1] - 24:21 hire [1] - 19:2 36:15, 38:11 40:1, 45:15, 45:23 golf [1] - 14:9 hired [1] - 8:5 Irma [4] - 27:21, 28:2, 29:2, late [2] - 27:23, 28:12 government [2] - 37:16, 38:2 hold [2] - 33:3, 45:14 29:4 law [6] - 28:7, 35:10, 35:12, graduated [2] - 12:5, 12:6 home [1] - 14:8 issue [5] - 34:5, 37:12, 35:14, 35:17, 37:18 Graduated [1] - 12:8 homes [1] - 14:5 38:17, 39:9, 41:24 Law [1] - 12:9 graduating [1] - 13:9 hope [2] - 15:5, 53:7 issued [1] - 28:18 LAZARO [1] - 2:12 gratitude [1] - 27:1 huge [1] - 47:8 issues [8] - 14:22, 14:24, Lazaro [2] - 5:23, 46:14 Gray [1] - 8:4 hundred [2] - 26:14, 48:7 17:12, 25:10, 30:13, 44:18, lead [1] - 6:8 great [7] - 19:18, 20:20, [1] 44:20, 47:23 hurricane - 32:3 least [3] - 39:4, 42:23, 44:9 24:22, 33:22, 34:6, 54:8, [4] ITEM [1] - 2:18 Hurricane - 27:20, 28:2, left [2] - 13:13, 13:16 54:9 Item [1] - 25:13 29:2, 29:4 Legal [1] - 2:15 Greg [1] - 13:17 hypothetical [1] - 19:15 item [8] - 7:20, 8:17, 25:8, legal [1] - 12:17 group [4] - 6:21, 8:18, 8:19, 25:16, 25:18, 27:4, 34:24 less [1] - 16:2 13:22 items [2] - 34:22, 40:20 I letting [1] - 28:23 Group [1] - 13:12 level [1] - 22:1 Guardia [1] - 8:4 J levels [1] - 37:16 guess [4] - 4:3, 22:2, 47:18, idea [1] - 39:15 levers [1] - 46:1 50:11 II [1] - 2:22 Levine [5] - 5:5, 27:7, 27:15, guidance [2] - 27:22, 51:1 III [1] - 2:23 JANNETT [1] - 55:23 40:1, 50:19 guide [1] - 21:11 imagine [2] - 16:22, 36:3 Jannett [1] - 55:8 LEVINE [34] - 2:4, 5:4, 7:11, Gunther [2] - 9:15, 13:17 impact [1] - 40:2 JD [1] - 12:9 8:10, 9:5, 10:4, 11:16, guys [3] - 11:11, 12:22, impartial [1] - 52:1 Jeffrey [1] - 34:11 15:12, 15:22, 16:21, 17:14, 46:16 importantly [2] - 43:21, Jeopardy [1] - 23:21 17:17, 19:21, 20:3, 20:6, 43:22 job [4] - 11:7, 24:11, 33:22, 20:9, 20:15, 20:20, 20:24, impossible [1] - 36:7 47:14 H 21:13, 21:19, 22:13, 22:23, inclusive [1] - 55:13 Johnson [4] - 10:11, 10:19, 26:17, 27:9, 27:16, 29:8, incumbent [2] - 7:9, 9:3 15:16, 23:25 hand [1] - 55:16 30:16, 30:22, 31:9, 32:16, incumbents [6] - 6:25, 7:3, JOHNSON [14] - 10:12, 40:10, 40:14, 41:2 handle [4] - 16:1, 20:11, 8:2, 8:6, 8:21, 8:24 10:16, 16:5, 17:3, 17:25, 21:3, 27:23 license [1] - 14:16 independent [4] - 17:22, 18:4, 18:8, 18:14, 18:18, licensing [1] - 14:17 handling [1] - 34:17 17:23, 18:1, 51:14 19:11, 19:17, 20:1, 24:7, hands [1] - 9:25 LIFSHITZ [2] - 6:4, 53:21 indicates [1] - 27:11 25:5 happy [2] - 11:10, 29:22 Lifshitz [1] - 6:5 individual [1] - 41:12 joined [1] - 13:19 hardship [1] - 43:23 light [1] - 51:1 individualized [1] - 37:20 joking [1] - 36:12 Harvel [1] - 8:4 lined [1] - 48:25 industrial [1] - 14:6 JORGE [1] - 2:13 Harvey [2] - 25:23, 37:6 list [3] - 28:21, 40:19, 40:22 Infante [3] - 4:9, 4:11, 4:13 Jorge [1] - 5:25 hear [6] - 21:5, 30:4, 37:12, listen [2] - 30:12, 39:10 INFANTE [3] - 2:7, 4:8, 4:12 Jose [5] - 4:8, 4:12, 4:19, 43:24, 44:22, 47:13 lived [1] - 3:8 inform [1] - 27:24 5:10, 10:9 heard [4] - 44:11, 46:9, living [1] - 14:10 information [2] - 30:18, 53:5 JOSÉ [2] - 2:3, 2:7 46:10, 48:4 look [7] - 39:25, 41:17, input [1] - 22:22 judge [1] - 52:8 hearing [4] - 35:10, 40:24, 42:18, 47:18, 50:8, 51:6, Institute [1] - 13:10 jump [1] - 5:15 48:4, 52:4 52:25 instructed [1] - 29:21 June [8] - 43:7, 43:11, 44:12, hearings [16] - 34:18, 35:1, looking [3] - 9:16, 11:6, Integra [1] - 13:19 45:19, 46:6, 49:21, 49:22,

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 5

14:11 media [1] - 41:3 mobile [1] - 14:8 never [2] - 44:1, 50:7 love [1] - 12:25 mediate [3] - 16:24, 21:1, mobilized [1] - 47:14 new [9] - 4:2, 6:25, 8:25, low [1] - 51:5 22:15 moment [3] - 3:12, 3:17, 9:12, 9:13, 25:19, 34:13, mediating [1] - 21:8 11:22 34:20, 43:8 M mediation [4] - 17:7, 21:12, Monday [1] - 28:4 news [1] - 25:21 22:17, 22:18 monitoring [1] - 24:13 newspapers [1] - 40:24 mediations [2] - 17:5, 17:10 months [2] - 18:25, 46:5 next [14] - 7:20, 7:22, 8:17, madam [1] - 53:19 meeting [18] - 3:5, 6:13, morning [2] - 11:23, 32:7 8:18, 11:14, 25:7, 25:8, magistrate [13] - 7:22, 12:3, 6:20, 26:13, 31:15, 32:4, most [6] - 14:4, 26:2, 29:19, 25:16, 25:18, 39:3, 40:4, 12:14, 36:5, 43:24, 47:12, 32:5, 32:6, 37:5, 37:7, 35:18, 43:20, 43:22 41:17, 48:22, 50:5 48:5, 48:16, 49:1, 52:1, 38:19, 39:3, 40:1, 40:4, motion [13] - 7:8, 7:12, 8:8, nine [1] - 34:15 52:3, 52:13, 52:16 41:17, 44:7, 54:11, 55:10 8:12, 9:2, 9:7, 26:5, 26:16, none [5] - 7:19, 8:16, 9:10, Magistrate [1] - 19:7 MEETING [1] - 1:4 32:10, 32:15, 40:6, 53:22, 26:23, 54:7 magistrates [14] - 2:20, 6:17, member [3] - 4:3, 4:5, 4:13 53:25 Notary [1] - 55:9 6:19, 6:23, 7:6, 7:10, 7:25, Member [5] - 2:5, 2:6, 2:7, move [6] - 6:20, 8:25, 11:14, note [2] - 30:3, 52:5 8:20, 9:4, 12:17, 16:18, 4:23, 5:3 32:13, 46:1, 50:10 notes [1] - 55:15 51:8, 51:13, 52:25 MEMBER [19] - 4:8, 4:12, moved [5] - 7:11, 8:10, 9:5, notice [15] - 35:1, 35:2, 35:6, MAI [1] - 11:2 4:21, 5:2, 7:14, 8:11, 9:6, 26:17, 26:18 35:13, 36:16, 36:20, 36:22, mail [2] - 28:19, 37:1 26:19, 31:12, 31:23, 32:13, moving [1] - 28:24 36:24, 37:2, 37:5, 37:7, mails [1] - 36:13 39:13, 40:5, 40:9, 44:19, MR [97] - 2:6, 2:7, 5:17, 5:19, 37:8, 42:7, 42:12, 42:14 major [1] - 44:23 50:17, 53:9, 53:22, 54:2 5:21, 5:23, 5:25, 6:9, 7:21, notices [1] - 36:11 majority [1] - 23:24 Members [2] - 11:24, 46:19 8:18, 9:11, 10:7, 10:8, notification [1] - 40:17 managed [2] - 47:13, 47:23 members [11] - 4:1, 9:19, 10:9, 10:11, 10:12, 10:13, notified [3] - 35:9, 42:7, Manager [4] - 2:10, 5:18, 11:25, 26:15, 34:13, 34:20, 10:16, 11:23, 13:4, 13:6, 42:10 11:1, 17:4 39:10, 41:4, 41:12, 43:8, 16:5, 17:3, 17:11, 17:15, Number [3] - 25:14, 51:7, managerial [1] - 14:1 53:17 17:21, 17:25, 18:3, 18:4, 51:8 managing [2] - 13:20, 13:24 MEMBERS [6] - 2:1, 7:17, 18:6, 18:8, 18:12, 18:14, number [4] - 28:22, 48:5, MANDLER [9] - 34:11, 40:13, 8:14, 9:9, 26:22, 54:6 18:16, 18:18, 19:4, 19:11, 49:7, 49:9 41:23, 42:2, 42:20, 42:24, mentioned [1] - 37:19 19:14, 19:17, 19:18, 20:1, numbered [1] - 55:13 43:4, 45:1, 45:4 mere [1] - 51:4 20:8, 20:13, 20:18, 21:4, numbers [2] - 46:20, 46:21 Mandler [1] - 34:12 method [1] - 26:11 21:14, 21:18, 21:22, 22:16, numerous [1] - 36:12 manner [3] - 38:3, 43:16, MIAMI [2] - 1:3, 55:6 23:5, 23:19, 23:22, 24:6, NW [1] - 1:13 50:9 Miami [12] - 1:14, 5:6, 12:4, 24:7, 24:23, 24:25, 25:5, Manny [1] - 12:2 12:5, 12:13, 35:6, 35:18, 25:6, 25:12, 25:17, 26:24, O Manuel [1] - 10:13 35:20, 38:8, 38:20, 38:21, 27:4, 27:12, 28:1, 29:10, March [1] - 11:5 55:16 29:16, 29:21, 29:25, 30:8, Marcus [1] - 10:13 Miami-Dade [2] - 5:6, 12:13 30:14, 31:5, 31:18, 31:22, obligation [1] - 42:11 Mario [1] - 8:4 MIAMI-DADE [2] - 1:3, 55:6 32:1, 32:18, 32:22, 33:9, obviously [8] - 25:2, 26:25, mark [1] - 5:19 middle [1] - 44:3 33:13, 34:11, 38:18, 38:25, 28:2, 32:5, 45:8, 47:5, 51:9, 52:21 MARK [1] - 2:11 might [3] - 16:3, 21:2, 22:10 39:2, 39:24, 40:13, 41:23, occur [2] - 22:3, 50:3 MARTA [1] - 2:5 Military [1] - 13:10 42:2, 42:20, 42:24, 43:4, 45:1, 45:4, 45:7, 47:1, occurrence [1] - 19:5 Marta [2] - 4:20, 4:21 Millares [4] - 5:21, 33:16, MARTINEZ [4] - 2:11, 2:13, 36:8, 53:10 48:2, 50:23, 51:18, 54:9 October [2] - 12:19, 55:18 MS [2] - 6:4, 53:21 [1] 5:19, 5:25 MILLARES [41] - 2:15, 5:21, odd - 38:1 Martinez [3] - 5:19, 6:1, 6:9, 7:21, 8:18, 9:11, 10:8, multiple [1] - 37:16 OF [5] - 1:4, 1:23, 55:1, 55:4, 26:25 17:11, 17:15, 17:21, 18:3, music [1] - 23:21 55:6 Martinez-Esteve [1] - 6:1 18:6, 18:12, 18:16, 19:4, must [2] - 35:12, 52:5 offer [1] - 22:22 MARTINEZ-ESTEVE [2] - 19:14, 19:18, 20:18, 24:25, mutual [1] - 22:15 offered [1] - 25:24 2:13, 5:25 25:12, 25:17, 26:24, 27:4, Office [8] - 12:1, 13:12, 37:8, mass [2] - 28:18, 37:1 27:12, 28:1, 29:10, 29:16, N 42:13, 43:14, 43:17, 45:18, material [1] - 53:8 29:21, 29:25, 30:8, 30:14, 46:12 materials [3] - 51:10, 51:12, 31:5, 31:18, 31:22, 32:1, office [1] - 14:5 name [7] - 5:10, 9:14, 10:19, 51:20 32:18, 32:22, 45:7, 47:1, Officer [1] - 43:15 12:1, 13:7, 34:10, 34:11 math [2] - 43:25 50:23, 51:18 offices [3] - 28:3, 49:6, 50:3 necessary [1] - 8:3 matter [2] - 6:15, 14:20 mine [1] - 15:2 often [1] - 48:14 need [6] - 6:11, 9:18, 40:6, matters [1] - 25:3 minimum [1] - 35:17 old [1] - 47:24 44:23, 45:17, 46:10 mean [3] - 16:19, 19:5, 30:4 minute [2] - 33:1, 37:12 once [9] - 4:4, 37:12, 39:7, needs [2] - 45:18, 53:15 measure [1] - 47:4 minutes [9] - 9:20, 10:2, 47:5, 48:4, 48:9, 48:21, negotiation [1] - 18:24 mechanism [3] - 28:11, 10:6, 31:14, 31:25, 32:5, 49:16, 49:17 network [1] - 30:23 40:16, 41:6 32:8, 32:21, 39:25 one [13] - 9:14, 9:25, 11:14,

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 6

18:20, 24:4, 30:8, 34:22, 31:23, 32:13, 39:13, 40:5, proceeded [1] - 51:10 R 41:23, 41:24, 49:4, 50:5, 40:9, 44:19, 50:17, 53:9, PROCEEDINGS [1] - 1:23 52:11, 52:17 53:22 proceedings [1] - 3:1 ones [1] - 46:22 perfect [1] - 27:13 process [18] - 14:19, 14:25, RAFAEL [1] - 2:15 onslaught [1] - 47:8 performance [1] - 24:11 22:18, 24:19, 27:25, 36:2, Rafael [1] - 5:21 open [3] - 30:5, 33:4, 51:24 period [2] - 44:2, 52:4 36:16, 45:10, 45:12, 46:3, raised [1] - 12:4 opinion [1] - 7:5 permit [2] - 17:13, 17:15 46:12, 46:13, 47:22, 48:10, raises [1] - 22:9 opportunities [1] - 22:14 person [2] - 28:16, 33:22 48:21, 49:13, 49:24, 50:4 reach [1] - 22:20 opportunity [4] - 16:23, personal [2] - 7:24, 40:25 procurement [3] - 2:22, reaching [2] - 16:24, 25:1 20:25, 38:5, 44:10 perspective [2] - 33:22, 48:4 25:19, 25:24 read [4] - 35:18, 35:20, opposed [4] - 8:16, 9:10, petition [2] - 28:9, 28:17 professionalism [1] - 53:3 35:21, 35:24 26:23, 54:7 petitions [4] - 28:10, 28:12, prohibits [1] - 28:8 reads [1] - 49:20 opt [2] - 41:8, 41:9 28:13, 29:11 proof [1] - 51:15 ready [1] - 23:9 order [4] - 10:7, 10:15, physical [1] - 32:8 proper [1] - 26:11 real [5] - 12:3, 12:7, 12:10, 15:15, 19:25 piece [2] - 10:6, 19:7 properly [3] - 2:24, 27:5, 12:12, 13:14 originally [1] - 9:13 place [3] - 28:12, 37:17, 38:3 47:23 really [9] - 15:1, 16:10, own [3] - 13:23, 14:13, 51:14 places [1] - 50:24 properties [3] - 12:12, 14:4, 33:21, 36:19, 36:24, 41:10, owner [1] - 4:14 plan [1] - 32:4 19:3 46:2, 51:5, 52:12 plate [1] - 33:19 property [3] - 7:24, 38:12, rear [1] - 19:5 reason [8] - 3:9, 18:23, 19:4, P Pledge [2] - 3:21, 3:23 49:3 podium [2] - 24:5, 33:10 Property [9] - 2:12, 5:24, 6:6, 37:25, 45:14, 47:18, 49:19, podiums [1] - 10:1 11:25, 42:13, 43:15, 45:18, 50:7 P.M [1] - 1:19 [2] point [4] - 9:2, 23:5, 33:15, 48:3, 49:10 reasons - 50:11, 52:14 p.m [1] - 54:12 42:19 protect [1] - 36:19 receive [5] - 37:22, 39:8, PA's [1] - 46:12 policy [1] - 30:25 protocol [1] - 45:11 48:9, 51:9, 51:19 PAGE [2] - 2:18, 6:4 [7] position [3] - 11:8, 12:3, proud [2] - 4:9, 4:13 received - 6:24, 8:1, 8:21, Page [1] - 6:4 28:24 provide [3] - 2:20, 6:16, 27:22, 30:9, 36:13, 45:24 pages [1] - 55:13 [1] positive [1] - 25:21 51:15 recently - 27:21 paper [1] - 35:24 [1] possible [1] - 21:23 provided [1] - 53:3 recognize - 33:25 Park [1] - 12:5 recommend [2] - 8:3, 21:7 possibly [1] - 52:9 providing [1] - 18:10 parks [1] - 14:8 recommendation [4] - 8:23, post [2] - 35:2, 37:2 public [10] - 25:9, 36:20, part [4] - 4:19, 18:4, 24:9, 9:17, 39:14 posted [1] - 38:12 36:21, 36:22, 38:2, 38:3, 43:2 recommendations [1] - 7:1 potential [4] - 15:24, 16:4, 40:19, 40:21, 41:5, 47:6 participate [1] - 25:9 22:10, 52:19 Public [1] - 55:9 reconcile [3] - 48:22, 49:7, participated [1] - 15:3 49:17 potentially [1] - 22:15 publications [1] - 38:23 participating [2] - 14:18, reconciliation [1] - 50:2 practically [1] - 14:4 publicized [2] - 30:20, 31:1 24:16 reconsideration [1] - 45:24 practice [1] - 34:14 publicizing [1] - 30:17 particular [2] - 37:17, 49:3 reconsiderations [4] - 46:8, praise [1] - 36:9 publish [2] - 29:22, 35:15 particularly [1] - 11:12 46:10, 48:13, 49:15 prayer [1] - 3:12 published [1] - 40:3 parties [6] - 16:25, 22:20, record [3] - 7:19, 8:15, 34:10 prepare [1] - 48:6 publishes [1] - 35:6 35:2, 36:11, 38:11, 52:11 recount [1] - 49:18 PRESENT [2] - 2:1, 2:9 Puerto [1] - 3:13 partner [1] - 14:2 recusal [4] - 51:23, 52:12, present [1] - 6:12 purposes [2] - 25:2, 52:7 partnership [1] - 13:16 52:18, 52:21 presented [1] - 15:15 put [6] - 29:18, 35:15, 37:17, party [2] - 35:9, 35:13 recuse [5] - 19:9, 19:13, presently [1] - 16:7 38:8, 38:9 passed [1] - 32:19 22:11, 51:22, 52:2 pretty [3] - 14:8, 14:23, 50:4 past [2] - 4:15, 44:18 recusing [2] - 19:16, 22:4 prevent [2] - 47:7, 47:8 Q path [1] - 26:2 reduction [1] - 49:2 previous [1] - 31:15 people [11] - 4:7, 21:24, reflect [1] - 49:5 previously [1] - 13:18 28:23, 29:19, 33:1, 33:4, qualified [1] - 12:11 regarding [4] - 16:24, 51:21, primarily [1] - 36:14 35:18, 37:1, 38:4, 39:7, questions [16] - 11:10, 53:6 primed [1] - 35:23 42:15 11:12, 11:13, 11:21, 11:22, rehearings [1] - 49:15 priority [2] - 45:9, 45:10 PEPE [1] - 2:3 15:11, 15:13, 15:20, 19:19, rehire [3] - 7:9, 8:24, 9:3 private [1] - 18:16 Pepe [1] - 5:10 19:24, 20:10, 21:16, 23:1, rehired [1] - 7:4 problem [10] - 19:15, 22:3, per [1] - 24:9 23:12, 26:15, 44:14 relative [2] - 16:7, 16:11 29:6, 29:7, 32:1, 37:23, quite [1] - 46:23 perceive [1] - 22:12 relocated [1] - 13:11 39:18, 39:20, 39:24, 44:23 quorum [1] - 6:11 percent [5] - 26:1, 26:14, remain [1] - 3:21 problems [1] - 46:6 44:1, 48:7, 49:2 remember [1] - 3:13 procedurally [2] - 47:7 Perez [1] - 4:21 render [1] - 21:6 procedure [1] - 31:16 PEREZ [16] - 2:5, 4:21, 7:14, RENE [1] - 2:7 proceed [2] - 6:12, 26:5 8:11, 9:6, 26:19, 31:12, René [2] - 4:8, 4:12

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 7

repeatedly [1] - 35:8 S slightly [1] - 49:5 straightforward [1] - 48:20 report [4] - 2:22, 25:18, smooth [1] - 46:2 strategic [1] - 50:10 41:19, 50:12 smoothly [1] - 33:24 Street [1] - 1:13 REPORTER [1] - 55:1 sadly [1] - 52:9 sociable [1] - 21:8 streets [1] - 28:5 Reporter [2] - 55:9, 55:24 saw [2] - 28:5, 46:20 SOLIS [3] - 2:12, 5:23, 48:2 strictly [2] - 18:5, 18:15 representative [2] - 4:22, School [5] - 2:5, 4:22, 4:23, Solis [3] - 5:23, 6:3, 48:1 subcontractor [1] - 18:9 29:1 12:9, 44:17 someone [5] - 22:8, 35:23, subdivided [1] - 6:18 representatives [1] - 28:20 se [1] - 24:9 36:1, 42:5, 42:9 subjects [1] - 36:12 representing [2] - 6:2, 6:6 second [17] - 7:13, 7:14, sometimes [2] - 16:24, 48:15 sudden [1] - 46:22 represents [1] - 33:23 8:11, 8:13, 9:6, 9:8, 20:22, soon [4] - 12:23, 23:8, 33:6, suffered [1] - 3:15 20:24, 26:19, 26:20, 32:16, request [10] - 8:9, 30:6, 30:9, 47:5 suggestion [2] - 11:19, 32:17, 37:11, 43:2, 43:3, 34:25, 37:2, 37:10, 37:15, soothing [1] - 5:9 40:15 54:2, 54:4 41:5, 42:8, 52:11 sorry [5] - 24:19, 26:12, summary [1] - 32:5 see [6] - 16:6, 36:23, 39:5, requested [2] - 35:8, 41:20 29:10, 32:18, 35:19 surface [1] - 46:7 47:20, 50:13, 52:19 requesting [1] - 42:16 sort [4] - 39:19, 40:6, 41:8, system [8] - 2:22, 12:22, seek [1] - 22:10 requests [4] - 27:19, 42:5, 41:9 21:10, 24:9, 25:20, 25:25, select [3] - 23:7, 23:12, 42:9, 45:25 Southeast [1] - 34:12 43:20, 49:4 23:13 require [3] - 35:11, 43:24, Special [1] - 19:7 systems [1] - 26:9 selecting [1] - 23:14 46:16 special [16] - 2:20, 6:17, self [1] - 14:7 required [1] - 36:25 6:18, 6:22, 7:5, 7:9, 7:22, T requires [2] - 42:4, 43:10 send [5] - 32:4, 34:25, 36:22, 7:24, 8:19, 9:4, 47:11, reschedule [1] - 52:3 37:1, 48:16 51:8, 52:1, 52:3, 52:13, [1] table [1] - 16:3 research [1] - 25:22 sending - 39:7 52:25 Senior [2] - 2:11, 5:19 Tallahassee [1] - 16:14 resolution [1] - 22:21 specific [1] - 22:6 sent [5] - 32:7, 36:11, 37:21, tallied [1] - 23:18 resolved [1] - 46:8 speculate [1] - 47:2 42:12, 42:15 tangible [1] - 7:24 respect [1] - 21:22 SPN [1] - 14:12 separate [1] - 18:15 tax [5] - 2:21, 6:17, 28:19, response [1] - 10:10 SS [1] - 55:5 SEPTEMBER [1] - 1:4 40:2, 48:11 responsibility [1] - 41:13 St [1] - 12:8 September [3] - 1:17, 12:18, taxpayer [3] - 29:1, 52:15 responsible [2] - 37:18, stable [1] - 7:5 55:12 taxpayers [5] - 21:9, 28:19, 51:13 staff [5] - 9:17, 47:11, 48:10, serve [1] - 12:25 33:23, 43:23, 44:10 rest [1] - 31:7 53:16 served [2] - 12:13, 12:15 TAYLOR [1] - 55:23 result [1] - 23:23 Stan [1] - 30:5 services [1] - 18:10 Taylor [1] - 55:8 results [1] - 48:6 stand [1] - 3:12 serving [1] - 15:25 TAYLOR-BROWN [1] - 55:23 retained [1] - 36:10 standard [3] - 30:25, 31:16, set [1] - 41:6 Taylor-Brown [1] - 55:8 retired [1] - 11:3 51:3 seven [1] - 18:25 term [1] - 28:15 retiree [1] - 16:1 standing [1] - 3:21 several [2] - 49:13, 50:24 THE [6] - 7:17, 8:14, 9:9, Revenue [3] - 42:3, 50:25, Stanley [1] - 33:9 20:22, 26:22, 54:6 51:11 shall [1] - 20:3 start [5] - 3:11, 15:16, 23:20, sheet [1] - 23:6 therefore [2] - 37:22, 50:6 review [1] - 32:9 39:7, 44:16 [2] Thereupon [5] - 3:1, 3:17, Review [3] - 10:23, 10:24, shopping - 14:7, 52:8 started [2] - 14:3, 18:20 3:23, 23:14, 54:11 38:21 short [1] - 33:15 state [2] - 12:10, 55:4 they've [2] - 34:6, 51:15 Rico [1] - 3:14 shortly [1] - 13:9 State [4] - 16:13, 27:22, 55:9, thinking [1] - 46:4 rises [1] - 22:1 show [4] - 7:19, 8:16, 9:25, 55:17 third [1] - 27:4 ROBERT [1] - 2:10 29:3 statement [1] - 40:2 shy [1] - 33:20 Thomas [1] - 12:8 Robert [2] - 5:17, 23:4 status [1] - 25:18 sic [1] - 50:19 three [5] - 5:14, 6:19, 6:25, role [2] - 15:25, 19:7 Status [1] - 2:22 side [1] - 5:16 9:25, 23:2 roll [1] - 6:10 statute [1] - 49:20 sides [1] - 21:5 throughout [1] - 45:11 rolls [1] - 48:11 statutes [2] - 50:21, 50:24 [3] today [5] - 3:6, 5:12, 10:17, ROOM [1] - 1:11 sign - 40:19, 40:21, 41:3 statutory [2] - 28:15, 43:9 [1] 37:4, 44:5 rule [2] - 42:3, 51:23 signed - 33:8 stenographic [1] - 55:15 silence [1] - 3:17 tolerance [1] - 51:6 rules [6] - 50:25, 52:6, 52:24, step [3] - 10:1, 24:4, 48:22 ton [1] - 45:16 53:1, 53:2, 53:3 similar [1] - 42:3 STEPHEN [1] - 1:10 total [2] - 6:23, 47:10 run [1] - 33:23 simple [3] - 41:10, 42:8, Steve [1] - 10:19 totally [1] - 36:2 rush [1] - 47:24 48:20 Steven [2] - 10:11, 23:25 single [1] - 14:5 traditional [2] - 53:1, 53:2 Ruvin [2] - 25:23, 26:5 still [1] - 44:11 sit [2] - 44:25, 45:2 train [1] - 51:12 Ruvin's [1] - 37:6 storage [1] - 14:7 training [7] - 25:2, 51:9, sites [1] - 39:21 storm [1] - 27:24 51:10, 51:14, 51:16, 51:20, situation [1] - 47:24 story [2] - 21:6, 52:4 53:5 six [2] - 9:13, 18:25 straight [1] - 12:24 slammed [1] - 46:22 TRANSCRIPT [1] - 1:23

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600 8

transcript [1] - 55:14 Vice-Chair [1] - 11:20 yourselves [1] - 5:14 transparency [1] - 41:21 Viera [1] - 5:3 transpired [3] - 3:19, 3:25, VIERA [3] - 2:6, 5:2, 54:2 23:16 vigilant [1] - 52:10 Transportation [2] - 10:22, Virginia [2] - 13:9, 13:10 11:5 voice [1] - 5:9 true [2] - 17:1, 55:14 vote [2] - 31:24, 33:5 try [6] - 22:18, 35:24, 37:19, votes [1] - 23:24 37:20, 47:6, 47:8 trying [4] - 26:10, 43:13, W 46:1, 50:8 Turnpike [1] - 10:24 wait [6] - 11:15, 11:16, 11:20, two [15] - 8:3, 9:18, 9:20, 9:25, 10:2, 10:5, 10:22, 25:11, 25:13, 46:19 10:23, 23:7, 23:13, 23:23, waiting [1] - 23:21 24:12, 34:22, 46:5, 48:8 waived [3] - 7:2, 8:7, 8:22 type [2] - 7:8, 7:22 want's [1] - 32:24 types [3] - 12:11, 14:4, 29:11 wants [3] - 36:4, 36:5, 52:16 ways [1] - 47:25 U website [15] - 35:4, 35:15, 37:3, 37:4, 37:6, 37:8, 37:9, 38:4, 38:10, 38:15, underlying [1] - 52:14 39:3, 39:5, 39:17, 39:25, undue [3] - 43:20, 43:22, 42:22 47:21 Wednesday [1] - 1:17 unfortunately [1] - 28:7 week [2] - 31:6, 48:8 University [2] - 12:6, 12:8 weeks [2] - 48:8, 49:14 unless [3] - 31:5, 32:23, welcome [5] - 3:4, 5:11, 44:22 33:12, 34:12, 43:1 unravel [1] - 14:24 whole [1] - 49:13 up [21] - 10:1, 13:24, 15:4, wide [5] - 16:8, 18:2, 18:19, 16:13, 19:19, 19:25, 24:4, 18:22, 19:1 25:12, 33:8, 34:7, 35:10, William [2] - 10:14, 23:25 41:3, 41:7, 45:15, 45:20, willing [1] - 19:9 46:7, 47:4, 48:25, 49:18, withdrawn [1] - 13:18 52:23, 53:16 withdrew [1] - 9:15 update [1] - 48:11 WITNESS [1] - 55:16 updating [1] - 26:4 Wong [1] - 10:9 upset [1] - 39:9 word [1] - 44:22 words [2] - 49:24, 51:24 V works [3] - 17:23, 21:10, 39:5 world [1] - 41:14 VAB [21] - 2:10, 2:15, 2:22, wrap [1] - 52:23 3:5, 5:21, 12:18, 25:18, 25:19, 25:25, 28:8, 33:17, writing [4] - 30:10, 35:8, 36:14, 39:3, 41:12, 47:11, 42:5, 42:9 49:4, 49:8, 49:22, 54:11 value [3] - 19:9, 28:9, 48:18 Y VALUE [2] - 1:2, 55:11

Value [13] - 3:5, 5:17, 34:14, year [8] - 2:21, 6:17, 33:16, 34:17, 35:1, 35:3, 35:4, 33:20, 33:21, 43:7, 43:10, 35:5, 35:22, 36:18, 42:6, 45:23 43:6, 48:23 years [14] - 4:15, 4:24, 10:20, values [1] - 48:24 10:22, 10:23, 10:25, 12:14, vehicle [1] - 29:14 12:21, 13:8, 19:2, 34:18, vein [1] - 26:6 38:1 versed [1] - 12:21 yesterday [1] - 28:18 veteran [1] - 4:4 yourself [4] - 4:6, 19:10, Vice [3] - 2:4, 5:5, 11:20 19:16, 52:2

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT REPORTERS, INC. (305) 373-5600