Miami City Commission Meeting Summary - June 25, 2026
Miami City Commission Meeting - June 25, 2026
The City of Miami Commission met on Thursday, June 25, 2026, starting at approximately 12:45 PM (after prayer and recognitions) and continuing through the afternoon. Chairwoman Christine King (District 5) presided, joined by Commissioners Ralph Rosado, Rolando Escalona, and Damian Pardo. Mayor Eileen Higgins was absent. The meeting featured extensive public comment, primarily on the city's 287G agreement with ICE, and included discussion and votes on the Live Local Act, a green infrastructure sponge program, traffic study requirements, and greenway funding.
Consent Calendar
- Pocket Item P1: Waiver of private property limitation for the Upper East Side Eater X World Cup event at 701 NE 79th Street (June 25 – September 30, 2026). Approved unanimously.
- Consent Agenda Items CA1-5: Approved unanimously without discussion.
- Public Hearing Items PH1, PH3, PH4, PH5: Approved unanimously. PH5 was amended per a substitution memo dated June 18, 2026. PH2 and PH6 were deferred/withdrawn earlier.
- Regular Items RE1, RE2, RE4, RE6: Approved unanimously. RE6 was deferred to July 23, 2026, but later moved back to the consent agenda; note: the agenda listed RE6 as deferred, but the motion included it – clarification needed.
- First Reading Ordinances FR2, FR3, FR4, FR5: Approved unanimously as amended. FR2 increased the construction value threshold for street improvements and reduced the maximum percentage of required right-of-way costs. FR3 named Shenandoah Dog Park. FR4 extended term limits for board members upon unanimous vote. FR5 clarified the public benefits contribution and expenditure process for properties near greenways.
- Planning and Zoning Items PZ1, PZ4: Approved unanimously. PZ2 and PZ3 were deferred to July 9, 2026. PZ4 introduced greenway public benefit program and design standards.
- Board Appointments: DC1 (Art and Public Places Board) and EC2 (Little Haiti Revitalization Trust) approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
Over 70 speakers addressed the commission, the majority on agenda item DI3 (287G agreement). Key themes:
- 287G Agreement: Nearly all speakers urged the city to rescind its 287G agreement with ICE, citing fear, family separation, reduced trust in police, and economic harm. Many noted that the city voluntarily entered the agreement. Several speakers referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling that morning (June 25, 2026) allowing termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, heightening concerns. Speakers included Maria Baeza, Maria Bilbao, Courtney Prokopis (League of Women Voters), Rachel Prestepino (Catalyst Miami), Laura Muñoz Quiñones (Florida Student Power), Helena Munoz, Father Federico, Jen Posner (University of Miami), Richard Lamond, and many others. A few speakers expressed support for the police department’s stance but opposed the agreement.
- Live Local Act (RE5): Many supported Commissioner Pardo’s resolution to challenge the Live Local Act, arguing it preempts local zoning and allows overdevelopment. Speakers included Andy Parrish, Richard Lamond’s campaign representative, and several residents.
- Traffic and Environmental Studies (FR1): Several speakers opposed removing environmental impact studies from traffic study requirements, citing health and environmental justice concerns. Speakers included Rachel Prestepino, Camilo Mejia, and Nicole Crooks.
- Greenways (PZ4/FR5): Supporters highlighted the need for connected trails and public spaces. Speakers included Mel Meinhart, Peter Rubino, Patrice Gillespie Smith (The Underline), and Frankie Ruiz.
- Other: A few speakers addressed housing, including Marcelo Fernandez on cottage legislation, and a resident requested inclusion of Overtown businesses in CRA opportunities.
Discussion Items
RE5 – Live Local Act Resolution Commissioner Pardo introduced the resolution directing the city attorney to explore legal challenges to the Live Local Act, which preempts local zoning for affordable housing projects. Planning Director David Snow detailed impacts: 82 permitted projects (2 under construction), loss of $28 million in public benefit trust funds, and bypassing of design review and affordable housing standards. Chairwoman King and Commissioner Rosado expressed concerns about preserving home rule. Commissioner Rosado requested additional legal analysis before committing to a lawsuit. The resolution passed unanimously, with the city attorney to report back on options.
RE7 – Sponge Program Chair of the Climate Resilience Committee, Aaron Domeo, presented the Sponge Program (Stormwater Parks Offering Natural Green Infrastructure Enhancement). The program would identify sites for parks that double as stormwater retention, reducing flood risk and urban heat. It would also help improve the city’s FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) score. The item passed unanimously. Additionally, the commission approved a motion to add a Climate Resilience Committee member to the Citizen Advisory Tree Committee.
FR1 – Traffic and Environmental Impact Studies Commissioner Rosado clarified that the original intent was only to update traffic study requirements, not to remove environmental impact studies. A substitution memo corrected the oversight. The item passed unanimously as amended.
DI3 – 287G Agreement Discussion Chairwoman King opened discussion on the city’s 287G agreement with ICE. She reiterated her long-standing opposition. City Manager James Reyes and Police Chief Edwin Lopez explained implementation: only two task force officers remain; no immigration detainers have been applied to individuals without a criminal charge; the city has applied 14 detainers (11 from serious crimes, 3 from repeat offenders). The 451 detainers attributed to the city on the ICE dashboard are applied post-booking by the county jail. Chief Lopez and command staff affirmed that officers do not target individuals based on immigration status. City Attorney George Wysong warned of potential consequences of rescinding the agreement, including a potential loss of $7.5 million in state appropriations, federal grants, and possible removal of officials by the governor, citing letters from the Attorney General to Fort Myers and Key West. Commissioner Escalona expressed personal fear and desire to exit if legally possible. Chairwoman King and Commissioner Pardo stated they would vote to rescind but no motion was made. The discussion concluded without a vote.
Key Outcomes
- RE5 (Live Local Act challenge) passed unanimously; city attorney to explore legal options and report back.
- RE7 (Sponge Program) passed unanimously; a Climate Resilience Committee member will be added to the Tree Committee.
- FR1 (Traffic studies) passed unanimously as amended, retaining environmental impact studies.
- FR2, FR3, FR4, FR5 passed unanimously.
- PZ1, PZ4 passed unanimously.
- Board appointments approved unanimously.
- 287G Agreement: No vote taken; the commission acknowledged the police department’s current practices and the legal risks of rescission. The item remains on the table for future action.
- Attorney-Client Session: Scheduled for July 9, 2026, to discuss pending litigation in William O’Fuller et al. v. City of Miami (Case No. 23-CV-24524251-DRG).
- Deferrals: PH2, RE3, PZ2, PZ3 deferred to July 9, 2026; FR6 deferred to July 23, 2026; PH6 and DI2 withdrawn.
Note: The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:30 PM, followed by the Omni CRA and Southeast Overtown Park West CRA meetings.
Meeting Transcript
Coming to compliance and to help to ensure that the business are working in order to apply. You have to be eligible. Please be current for the commercial business or the residential property. We do welcome art in the city of Miami. The difference between art and graffiti. Welcome to the City of Miami Commission meeting. I am Christine King, Chairwoman of the City of Miami Commission, and Commissioner for District Five. I am joined by with my colleagues, Commissioner Ralph Rosado, Commissioner Escalona, and Commissioner Pardo. We are going to start our meeting with recognition. I believe my colleague Commissioner Rizzato has a recognition for someone very special. Oh, he says he doesn't think they're here yet. And it's the only one that we have, so let's go ahead and start our meeting with prayer. We have Pastor Davis here. Eddie. Good morning. Thank you, everyone that can and will. Please stand. If we can bow our heads, Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for affording us the opportunity to come before your presence. And we thank you for allowing us to see another sunrise. And Lord God, as we go through this day throughout this meeting, we ask that you bless each and everyone. Bless the mayor, bless the commissioners, and Lord God. We ask that you give them the the sagacity and the insight to do what needs to be done for our community. And we thank you for chair uh chairwoman. And we ask that you bless each and every family here that's represented in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you, Esther. Thank you. Commissioner Scalona. Sure. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which he stands. One nation under God and divisible with liberty and justice for all. Mr. City Attorney, would you please read your statement for the record? Good morning, Madam Chair. Yes, thank you. Um George Weissong, City Attorney, City of Miami. Detailed information about the processes, order of business, rules of procedure, and scheduling or rescheduling of city commission meetings can be found in Chapter 2, Article 2 of the City Code, a copy of which is available online at WW.municode.com. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to chapter 2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the city clerk and comply with sit with related city requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the city commission. A person may not lobby a city official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the code section about lobbies is available in the city clerk's office or online at W.M.ICO.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request or petition to the city commission concerning real property must make the disclosures required by the city code in writing. A copy of the City Code section is available at the office of City Clerk or online at W.Municode.com. The City of Miami requires that anyone requesting action by the City Commission must disclose before the hearing any consideration provided or committed to anyone for agreement to support or withhold objection to the requested action pursuant to City Code Section 2-8. Any documents offered to the city commission that have not been provided seven days before the meeting as part of the agenda materials will be entered into the record record at the city commission's discretion. In accordance with section 2-33 F and G of the City Code, the agenda and the material for each item on the agenda is available during business hours at the city clerk's office and online 24 hours a day at WWW.com. The meeting of the Miami City Commission is a limited public forum. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the city commission unless modified by the chair. Public comment will begin at approximately 9 a.m. and remain open until public comment is closed by the chairperson.
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