Miami City Commission Meeting: Proclamations, Public Hearings, and Virginia Key Referendum (June 11, 2026)

The Miami City Commission convened on June 11, 2026, at 1:15 PM. The meeting included proclamations recognizing the Corporate Run and Carlos Magoya, public comments on several agenda items, discussion and votes on public hearings, a major debate on the Virginia Key marina lease referendum, and approval of routine consent items and board appointments.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Corporate Run – The commission recognized the annual Corporate Run, started in 1985, as South Florida's largest office party promoting health and fitness. Speakers noted the event brings the community together and encourages physical activity.
• Carlos Magoya – Recognized for his decades of service as a former city manager (pro bono), CEO of Jackson Health System (transforming it into a world-class institution), and his current work on a healthcare high school. Commissioners praised his leadership during COVID and his commitment to affordable housing on Jackson's land.

Consent Calendar

• Pocket Item – Approved unanimously: a special event permit waiver for the Allapatta Soccer Community Field Activation (June 11–19, 2026) on city-owned property.
• Minutes – Approved minutes from April 9 and April 23, 2026.
• CA1, CA2, CA3 – Approved unanimously with no discussion.
• PH1, PH3, PH4 (as amended), PH5 – Approved unanimously (PH2 was pulled for discussion).
• RE6, RE7 – Approved unanimously (RE6 required four-fifths vote).
• SR1, SR2 (amended), SR3 (amended) – Second reading ordinances approved unanimously.
• Board Appointments – Numerous appointments and reappointments approved unanimously, including Accessibility Advisory Board, Civil Service Board, LGBTQ Advisory Board, and others. BC3 was withdrawn.

Public Comments & Testimony

• PH4 (Allapatta Soccer Field) – Multiple speakers (Rebecca Howriggy, Stephanie Olguin, Mindy Martinez, Lulian Lobo, Andrea Martinez, Maria Heles Moreno, Brenda Barancore, Angelica Torrentes) urged approval, stating the community has waited two years for the project to move forward. They emphasized the need to repurpose an abandoned property for youth sports and community development, and expressed frustration with repeated delays.
• RE3/RE4 (Virginia Key Marina Lease) – Two opposing sides testified:
  • Virginia Key LLC (Robert Christoph Jr., Al Dotson) – Argued the court ordered a referendum, the lease terms are fair and market-rate (with appraisals attached), and any further delay would violate the court order. They requested placement on the November 2026 ballot.
  • Rickenbacker Marina (Abad Melwani, Maria Faradinoff) – Asked for deferral, citing insufficient notice of appraisals, material changes to the lease (over 550 edits), outdated financials (10-year-old deal), and the need for a transparent, separate special election rather than a crowded general election.
• PH2 (Prescott Estates Plat) – A resident asked the commission to confirm that the final plat preserves a public access easement over the private road, consistent with 2022 representations.
• Tree Removal Appeal – A speaker requested approval of an appeal to save a state-threatened mahogany tree at 501 NE 55th Terrace, arguing the notice sign was posted on the wrong tree.
• Miscellaneous – One resident complained about FDOT cleaning a drainage outfall improperly, releasing styrofoam into the bay. Another apologized for confiscating a phone during a previous meeting. A civil service board member spoke in support of his reappointment.

Discussion Items

• PH2 – Prescott Estates Final Plat – Commissioner Pardo pulled the item. Staff confirmed the plat includes a one-way private road with a perpetual public ingress/egress easement but could not guarantee no future barriers. Commissioner Pardo moved to indefinitely defer to add specific language clarifying public access. The item was deferred indefinitely.
• PZ Items – PZ1, PZ2, PZ3 were withdrawn per the applicant's request. PZ4 (a tree removal appeal) was indefinitely deferred by Commissioner Pardo to allow another arborist review and further discussion.
• RE3/RE4 – Virginia Key Marina Lease Referendum – Extensive debate:
  • The city attorney advised that a 2023 court order (affirmed on appeal in December 2025) mandates awarding the lease to Virginia Key LLC and placing it on a referendum ballot. He warned that any material deviation could risk contempt.
  • Commissioner Gabella expressed concern that the 10-year-old deal does not reflect current market value, but accepted the legal necessity to comply with the court order.
  • Commissioner Rosado questioned the risk of personal liability; staff clarified the order is ministerial.
  • Mayor Haggins suggested adding ballot language clarifying the age of the deal.
  • After legal clarification that the ballot language had been agreed with the prevailing party and is ministerial, the commission voted.
  • RE4 (awarding the lease subject to referendum) passed unanimously.
  • RE3 (referendum resolution placing the question on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot) passed unanimously with minor amendments.

Key Outcomes

• PH4 (Allapatta Soccer) – Approved as part of consent calendar (unanimous) amid public support.
• PH2 (Prescott Estates) – Indefinitely deferred to clarify public access language.
• RE3 & RE4 (Virginia Key Marina) – Approved unanimously: lease awarded to Virginia Key LLC subject to voter approval. The referendum will appear on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. The city manager is authorized to execute the lease substantially in the attached form.
• PZ4 (Tree Appeal) – Indefinitely deferred.
• All board appointments – Approved as listed.
• Second reading ordinances – Approved (public urination/defecation amendments, Little Havana parking trust fund, naming of skating rink at Hadley Park).