This past week, Commissioners voted to approve the proposed lease for a convention center hotel adjacent and connected to the new Miami Beach Convention Center. This week, they will vote to give it final approval. ( Item R7A The lease requires a referendum and approval by 60% of voters. Commissioners will also consider a resolution to place the lease on the November ballot asking voters to approve a 99-year lease, construction/operation of an 800-room hotel with a maximum height of 185 feet, no City funding, and no gambling. ( Item R7 U In addition, Commissioner Micky Steinberg is sponsoring a resolution to place another item on the ballot, specifically asking voters if a Convention Center hotel lease is approved, should the City adopt an ordinance to "dedicate all rent payments received to enhance funding (not replace or substitute for current City funding) in equal portions annually for Pre-K through 12 education, traffic reduction measures, and stormwater projects (in lieu of rate increases)." ( Item R7V Mayor Dan Gelber added a resolution late that takes a different spin on it. His resolution would ask voters if the Convention Center hotel lease passes, if the City should dedicate at least $1m each year to enhance funding for Pre-K through 12 education. ( Item R7 AE One update: Developer David Martin told the Commission this past week that his team had wrapped up a labor agreement with Unite Here per the Commissioners’ guidance. Union rep Wendi Walsh said they were prepared to campaign heavily for the deal. “Our members are very excited about this project,” Walsh said. “We want to thank the developer who worked with us in a very cooperative way… Our members are going to work very hard to pass this referendum.”In response to a request by Commissioner Michael Góngora to ensure the public had an opportunity to understand the proposal before the Commission votes to place it on the ballot, the City and developer will hold a public meeting on Tuesday.Important note: The ballot item is to approve the lease of government-owned property only. The final design will go through the usual design review process with plenty of public input before it is approved.Rendering: Miami Beach Connect