Miami Beach City Commission Meeting – December 17, 2025: Fire Station, Trolley, and Surplus Decisions
Miami Beach City Commission Meeting - December 17, 2025
The newly elected city commission held its first meeting on December 17, 2025, from approximately 8:30 AM to over 6 PM, addressing a packed agenda of 250+ items. The day was dominated by a long‑debated fire station location, approval of a new trolley contract, allocation of a $13.4 million fiscal year 2025 budget surplus, and directives to reduce property taxes. Heated exchanges occurred between the commission and State Representative Fabian Basabe over his call for a state audit of city finances.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (with Commissioner Suarez voting no on C7G) routine items including most resolutions on the consent agenda.
- Item C7G (unidentified) passed with one dissent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joe Sabag (NJAC Action) urged adoption of an ordinance requiring contractors and grantees to certify they will not engage in national‑origin‑based boycotts against Israel, stating the city is not constitutionally obligated to fund hate speech.
- Johan Moore (Flamingo Park resident) opposed placing a fire station at the South Shore Community Center, supported short‑term rental conversion, and urged parking reforms that do not sacrifice public commons.
- Judith Spock delivered a legislative update for Rep. Fabian Basabe, highlighting record state funding for storm resilience, infrastructure, and public safety.
- Sharon Weiss urged the commission to welcome the state audit, calling it a cooperative effort.
- Rep. Fabian Basabe (via Zoom) criticized the city’s homeless ordinance and defended his audit request; Mayor Minor and commissioners responded with sharp rebuttals, accusing Basabe of baseless attacks.
- Noelle Kenney (South of Fifth) opposed a fire station at Commerce Street & Ocean Drive due to congestion.
- Stuart Blumberg supported naming Flamingo Park baseball field for Skip Bertman.
- Patricia Agnello urged restoration of the Byron Carlisle Theater rather than demolition for a cultural center.
- David Sexton (Cultural Arts Council) defended arts funding, citing $500 million in economic impact from Art Week.
- Spencer Roberts and multiple speakers supported restrictions on land‑based shark fishing and spear fishing near the jetty.
- Dave Dobler and Jane Krupp highlighted stormwater pollution from untreated first‑flush runoff and urged better infrastructure.
- Tom Hawkins urged reconsideration of the neighborhood association ordinance to avoid burdening volunteer advocates.
- Michael Greco (former state rep, now EMT) and Clark Mitchell (physician) supported the fire station at 6th Street for best response times.
- Haskell Meyer and Ray Roslin opposed placing the fire station at Flamingo Park, advocating for 6th Street.
Fire Station Location (R7AE & R9AI)
- Discussion: After a decade of debate, the commission voted 7‑0 to approve building a new Fire Station No. 1 at 833 6th Street (South Shore Community Center). The motion included direction to find alternative locations for displaced daycare and senior meal services, and to incorporate the Apollo mural into the design. The approved site replaces a 1967 station with mold and sewage issues.
- Key Points: Fire Chief Abello and union representative Adonis Garcia strongly endorsed 6th Street as the most effective location. Commissioner Fernandez expressed concern that residents were not fully aware of the vote; however, the commission decided to move forward, noting a $10.9 million state grant and $5 million in soft costs already spent.
Trolley Contract (C2C)
- Discussion: After extensive debate about service hours and vehicle type, the commission approved a 7‑year contract with LSF (current provider) maintaining current service levels (8 AM‑11 PM, 20‑minute headways) at an annual cost increase of $5.4 million. The contract includes 21 new trolleys (mix of 30‑ and 40‑foot), with a sliding scale for hourly rates. The commission also directed the administration to move from quarterly to monthly business concierge events and to issue an RFQ for leveraging AI to speed permitting.
- Outcome: Motion to approve contract as amended passed 7‑0. A separate referral to the finance committee for maximizing trolley advertising revenue was approved by acclamation.
Budget Surplus Allocation (R7S & R7AD)
- R7S (Homestead Dividend): The commission voted 7‑0 to return $7 million of the $13.4 million fiscal 2025 surplus to homesteaded property owners as a one‑time $500 dividend. Eligible residents may request the payment.
- R7AD (Rollback Millage Rate): The commission voted 7‑0 to direct the city administration to prepare a fiscal year 2027 budget based on the rollback rate (no increase in property tax revenue), requiring approximately $20‑$21 million in spending reductions.
Other Significant Items Approved (unanimous or as noted)
- Lobbyist Ordinance (R5P): Adopted with amendments to require disclosure of compensation ≥$1,000 from developers to neighborhood associations; other provisions (registration by neighborhood volunteers) referred to the neighborhoods committee.
- Charter Vessel Hours (R5H): Second reading approved, restricting commercial vessel activity at public marinas to 7 PM (with a 9 PM exception for operators with no violations).
- Concurrency/Mobility Fee Waivers (R5D – second reading): Passed 7‑0, allowing waivers for new businesses.
- Parking Lot Signage (R5L & R7X): Strengthened signage requirements for private parking lots, including decals on payment machines and handicap spaces.
- Shark Fishing Restrictions (R5AG & C7BS): First reading approved, prohibiting land‑based shark fishing gear and enforcing spear fishing bans near the jetty.
- 40th Street Overlay (R5AJ – second reading): Passed 7‑0, allowing religious institutions to include associated dormitories in the overlay district.
- Fire Station at 6th Street (R7AE): As above, 7‑0.
- Tobacco/Vape Distance Separation (R5A): Referred to land use committee after debate about a convenience store in North Beach.
- 63rd Street Bridge Schedule (C7AY): Deferred to February 5, 2026, for additional community outreach to Allison Island and Indian Creek residents.
- Rollback Rate Directive (R7AD): Approved 7‑0.
Key Outcomes
- Fire Station Location: Approved at 833 6th Street (South Shore Community Center) – 7‑0.
- Trolley Contract: Approved maintaining current service levels – 7‑0.
- Homestead Dividend: $500 one‑time payment to homesteaded property owners – 7‑0.
- Rollback Millage Rate: Administration directed to prepare FY27 budget at rollback rate – 7‑0.
- Lobbyist Disclosure: Compensation disclosure adopted; other provisions sent to committee.
- All other items listed above passed as described.
The meeting adjourned with a moment of silence for victims of the terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia, and a commitment from the new commission to prioritize transparency, fiscal responsibility, and efficient permitting reform.
Meeting Transcript
City Commissioners, Vermonica Mateo Salinas. Laura Dominguez. Alex J. Fernandez. Tanya K. Bot. David Suarez. Joseph Magazine. City Attorney Ricardo J. DiPico. City Clerk, Raphael E. Granado. As a courtesy to everyone present, please silence all cell phones and electronic devices at this time. Lobbyist disclosure reminder. If you are a lobbyist appearing before the city commission or any city board, you must have registered with the city clerk prior to participating. If you have not yet registered, please do so immediately. Once you have joined the Zoom meeting, go to the bottom panel and click on the raise hand icon to notify the meeting host that you would like to speak. As soon as the host grants you permission to speak, a dialogue box will pop up on your screen with two options. After you finish speaking, mute your microphone and click on the lower hand icon. After you finish sharing your comments, be sure to press star nine to lower your hand and star six to mute yourself. Please take your seats. The meeting is about to begin. Remember to speak into the microphone as this meeting is being recorded for public record. Please stand by. We are going on air in five. Four, three, two. Good morning, and welcome to our commission meeting of December seventeenth. Our newly formed and elected body of commission. So congratulations, everyone again. And uh down to business. I'll turn to Raphael Granado, our city clerk for any instructions. Good morning, everyone. The city commission is physically present and the commission chambers at Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, third floor. Members of the public are invited to attend either in person or virtually. If you have a if you're joining us virtually, here is how you can participate. You can log in using the Zoom app or visit the Zoom.us on your browser. You can also phone in at 305-224-1968 or toll-free 888-475-4499. That's 888-475-4499. The webinar ID is 813-928-576-71 pound. Again, the webinar ID is 813-928-576-71 pound. If you would like to speak on any item during the meeting, please click the raise hand icon in the Zoom app or press star nine on your phone. The zoom link, webinar ID and phone number stay the same for every commission meeting. All lobbyists must register with the office of the city clerk located at the first floor of City Hall. You do not need to register if you're an expert witness giving only technical or specialized testimony. A representative of a homeowner association or not-for-profit speaking without pay or a private citizen speaking on your own behalf without compensation. However, if you're an expert witness or a non-profit or neighborhood rep, you do need to submit a written disclosure form to the office of the city clerk before speaking to the commission or city staff. Forms are available at the office of the city clerk. If a lobbyist gives or agrees to give a thousand dollars or more to a neighborhood association or its representative regarding a city matter, that must be disclosed in writing to the clerk. Note that contingency fees are not permitted to become uh to compensate lobbyists. If you plan to speak during the public comment period, we ask you to please sign in.
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