Miami-Dade Airport Committee Meeting - May 14, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Miami-Dade Airport Committee Meeting - May 14, 2025
The Miami-Dade Airport Committee met on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Commission Chambers. The meeting was chaired by Chairwoman Danielle Cohen Higgins, with Commissioners Keon Hardeman, Roberto J. Gonzalez, and Natalie Milian Orbis present. The committee considered several aviation-related resolutions and reports, with the primary discussion focused on item 3D regarding permits for general aeronautical services at Miami International Airport (MIA). A special recognition was made for departing County Attorney Sinji Lee.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 250827: Approved a professional services agreement with Bermello Ajamil & Partners, LLC for architectural and engineering design services at MIA for the redevelopment of the Central Terminal (Contract A24AV02, up to $39,852,190, 7-year term). Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 3-0.
- Resolution 250831: Approved a design-build agreement with Lemartec-NV2A JV, LLC for expansion of the South Terminal and construction of a new Concourse K (Contract DB23AV01, up to $600,638,241, 1,485 calendar days). Forwarded to BCC 3-0.
- Resolution 251002: Approved the purchase of a 323,591-square-foot property east of MIA from TCG PL33 LLC for $54,000,000, plus up to $130,000 in closing costs. Forwarded to BCC 3-0.
- Report 250647: Aviation Capital Program Report – April 2025. Received 3-0.
- Report 250816: Aviation Capital Program Report – May 2025. Received 3-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public addressed the committee. No speaker cards were submitted.
Discussion Items
- Item 3D (Resolution 250700) – Award of six non-exclusive permits for general aeronautical services (e.g., cabin cleaning, towing, wheelchair services) at MIA.
- The Aviation Department recommended awarding permits to American Sales and Management dba Eulen Aviation, G2 Secure Staff LLC, Swissport USA, Inc., Triangle Services of Florida, Inc., Ultra Aviation Services, Inc., and Menzies Aviation (USA), Inc. Ultra is a 100% locally developing business; the other five fall under Group B with a 20% locally developing business goal.
- Commissioner Keon Hardeman expressed concern that G2 was being acquired by Menzies, potentially reducing ownership diversity among permit holders. He suggested adding the next-ranked firm, AGI, which already has a presence at MIA, to maintain six distinct ownership groups. Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Ryles noted that the merger notification was only informal and verbal, and if the two permits were consolidated, the county would need to approve that and could then add another firm.
- Chairwoman Cohen Higgins supported the idea but declined to amend the resolution without the prime sponsor (Commissioner Oliver Gilbert) present. She noted that a merger could take time and did not want two permits tied up during the process. The item was forwarded to the full BCC for further discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Item 3D: The committee voted 3-0 to approve the resolution as introduced, forwarding it to the full Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with the understanding that the prime sponsor may consider an amendment to include AGI if Menzies’ acquisition of G2 results in consolidation of permits. The committee also directed that formal written notification of any merger be required.
- Balance of Agenda: Approved unanimously with no recorded opposition, except for 3D which was bifurcated for discussion.
- Special Recognition: The committee honored Sinji Lee, Senior Assistant County Attorney, on her final day. She served the county since 2001 and is departing to become General Counsel of Tampa International Airport. Staff and commissioners expressed gratitude for her service and contributions.
Meeting Transcript
Commissioner Hardeman. Commissioner Miliana Orbis present. Vice Chairman Gonzalez. Chairwoman Korani Higgins. Three members present. We have a quorum. Good morning, everyone. Please rise for a brief invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Our invocation will be led by Commissioner Hardiman. And the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by our new Commissioner Milian Orbis. Heavenly Father, we gather here today as stewards of Mamadade County, seeking your guidance. Grant us wisdom, discernment, and patience as we work for the good of our community. Help us to listen with open heart, speak with humility, and serve with integrity. May our efforts promote unity and the well-being of all residents. We ask for your blessing upon this meeting upon our county. Amen. Thank you, Chairwoman. I really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Welcome. At this time, we will open the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. I don't have any speaker cards. Should you want to address the body now is your opportunity. Seeing no bifurcations, Commissioner Hardeman. 3D. 3D is bifurcated. Any additional bifurcations. I'll entertain a motion on the balance of the agenda. Motion. It's been moved. It's been second by Commissioner Hardeman. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Anyone wish to be recorded? No. The balance of the agenda with the exception of 3D carries. Commissioner Hardeman, you are recognized on 3D. Because as I read it, it brought up some questions. And so I want to have it introduced so we can kind of have that dialogue. Yes, to the director, you are recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh Commissioner, this is the uh the um our Gasper item. Uh we're looking the award recommends awarding to six firms as listed in the item. Uh one is a 100% locally developing business, which is Ultra, and the other five fall under group B, which have a 20% locally developing business goal, which is Triangle, Swiss Port, ULIN, uh G2, and Menzies. Those are the five firms being recommended under group B. Uh, and though they will get permits from us, and then they contract with the airlines for those general aviation services like cabin cleaning, work under the wing, towing uh wheelchair services, that type of thing. Madam Chair. Uh I used to sit on a committee in Miami called the it was basically the the it's like a hauling or commercial waste committee, right? So they had big haulers, small haulers of waste and things of that nature. And one of the things that I learned from the waste hauling industry is that they cannibalize each other from year to year.
openpublica.com