The Miami‑Dade County Tourism Committee withdrew a nomination to the Tourist Development Council after county Cultural Affairs staff said an earlier communication incorrectly reported a vacancy.
Maria Laura Leslie, director of Cultural Affairs, told the committee that the confusion stemmed from a resignation and a clerical error in what was sent to the county attorney’s office. “It was a scrivener's error that we sent to the county attorney's office,” Leslie said. “So I apologize.”
The committee chair said withdrawing the nomination after outreach had already taken place creates complications for prospective appointees and staff. The chair asked staff to be careful in future vacancy notifications.
Separately, Commissioner Steinberg said two items on the agenda would affect Miami Beach: a journal‑entry swap to make District funds more flexible for the Sabrina Cohen Adaptive Beach, and leftover District 5 general‑obligation bond funds to be provided to Miami New Drama as matching funds to build out a facility at the Cultural Center Garage. Steinberg said the grant would help Miami New Drama meet a matching requirement requested by the city of Miami Beach.
Commissioner Steinberg asked to be listed as a cosponsor on the cultural funding items (2c and 2d). The committee adopted the meeting agenda by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Bastien and a second by Commissioner Regalado; no opposition was recorded.
Votes and procedural actions
• Agenda adoption — mover: Commissioner Bastien; second: Commissioner Regalado; outcome: adopted by voice vote, no opposition recorded.
• Sponsor withdrew agenda item 2b (nomination to Tourist Development Council) after Cultural Affairs staff identified a scrivener’s error.
Ending
Cultural Affairs committed to coordinate with the county attorney’s office to prevent future errors in appointment notices; the funding items remain on the committee agenda with cosponsorships noted and will move forward according to the committee’s calendar.