Miami City Commission Meeting – May 28, 2026

On May 28, 2026, the Miami City Commission convened at 9:00 AM in a session that opened with recognitions of The Villagers (60th anniversary of historic preservation) and retiring educators. The meeting included public comments, discussion of planning and zoning items, and votes on multiple resolutions. Key actions included adoption of the Bicycle Master Plan, approval of a youth soccer field in Allapattah, debate over a density transfer ordinance (PZ3), and a controversial police leak raised by a commissioner.

Consent Calendar

• RE1: Reimbursement for FIFA-related safety costs (fire/police) – approved.
• RE4: Resilience Florida funding for Brickell Bay Drive Baywalk improvements – approved.
• RE5, RE6, RE8, RE9, RE12, RE13: Approved as part of a block vote. RE6 was amended to reduce noise waiver hours for World Cup events (e.g., ending at midnight/1 AM instead of 2 AM).
• PH1, PH2, PH3: All approved unanimously. PH1 authorizes a youth soccer field at 850 NW 23rd Street in Allapattah; PH3 provides $4 million for affordable housing (though a public comment noted the recipient is a foreign for-profit entity).
• SR1, SR2, SR3: Second-reading ordinances establishing the Department of Human Services, sidewalk cafe rules in Flagler district, and renaming Silver Bluff Dog Park – all passed unanimously.
• FR2 and FR3: First-reading ordinances on public urination penalties and Little Haven Parking Improvement Trust Fund – passed unanimously.
• BC1 and BC2: Board and committee appointments approved, including Anne Marie Sharp to the General Employees Retirement Trust.
• PZ1 and PZ2: Land use and zoning changes for properties at 145/151 NW 60th Street – PZ2 amended to increase non-compliance penalty from $250 to $1,000 per day, with funds designated for District 5 affordable housing.
• PZ4, PZ5, PZ6, PZ7: Approved as part of a block (related to zoning clarifications).

Public Comments & Public Testimony

• Support for RE2 (Bicycle Master Plan): Multiple speakers urged approval, citing safety, traffic reduction, and health benefits. Mel Meinhard (Friends of the Commodore Trail) noted Bike to School Days reduce traffic by 25%. Others (Geraldine Ordonez, Noel Cleeland, Luis Santos) highlighted the need for safe bike lanes to reduce car dependency.
• Support for PH1 (Soccer Field): Residents and youth from Allapattah spoke passionately about the need for safe recreational spaces to keep children away from gangs, drugs, and violence. Over a dozen speakers, including students, mothers, and coaches, described the vacant lot as dangerous and urged the city to activate it.
• Opposition to PZ3 (Density Transfer): Nearly all public speakers opposed the substitute ordinance released the night before. They argued it would allow increased density in historic districts and NCDs, undermining previous protections. Speakers like Henrietta Schwartz, Elvis Cruz, and Jacqueline Coleman called on the commission to reject the substitute and keep NCDs and historic districts excluded. Several also urged joining the lawsuit against the Live Local Act.
• Concerns on PH4 (Scholarship): One speaker criticized Commissioner Rosado for proposing $31,000 to FIU under his own name, calling it inappropriate.
• Other Comments: Katrina Morris supported PH1-4 and RE8. Jacqueline Wells reported unresolved roof leaks in Overtown public housing. Brett Bibo (Miami River Commission) requested extending the river greenway priority list. Christopher Lunding and Elisa Margulies raised process objections to last-minute amendments.

Discussion Items

• Police Leak Investigation (Commissioner Gabella): Commissioner Gabella asserted that a police officer being considered as his sergeant of arms was targeted due to a leaked ongoing investigation. He claimed the officer was being punished because of his association with the commissioner, and demanded a thorough investigation into the source of the leak.
• PH4 Scholarship Fund (Commissioner Rosado): Commissioner Rosado proposed a $31,000 need-based scholarship to FIU named after himself. Several commissioners expressed discomfort: Commissioner King abstained due to her adjunct role at FIU, and others noted the appearance of impropriety. The item passed 3-0 with King and Rosado abstaining.
• Bicycle Master Plan (RE2): Director Santana of Public Works presented the plan, which includes 10 priority projects to be completed within 5 years. The plan incorporates over 300 public comments and aligns with Vision Zero goals. Commissioner Pardo and Commissioner Rosado co-sponsored; it passed with an amendment from a May 26 substitution memo adding Exhibit A.

Key Outcomes

• PZ3 (Density Transfer): Passed as originally written (not the substitution). The approved version excludes Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCDs) and historic districts from the transfer of density program, and includes a 500-foot buffer from T3 (single-family residential) zones. This overrode the last-minute substitute language that would have reversed those protections.
• Votes on Major Items:
  • RE2 (Bike Plan) – approved as amended.
  • PH1 (Soccer Field) – approved unanimously.
  • PH4 (Scholarship) – approved 3-0 (King and Rosado abstained).
  • PZ1, PZ2 – approved with amendment to penalty.
  • All consent items approved.
• Deferrals: RE3 deferred to July 9; RE10, RE11, RE7 deferred to June 11; FR4 withdrawn.
• Next Steps: A shade meeting was requested by Commissioner Gabella regarding the police matter, to be scheduled for the second meeting in June. Public works was directed to follow up on the Overtown housing complaint raised by Jacqueline Wells.