Miami-Dade County Policy Council Meeting - February 2, 2026
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Miami-Dade County Policy Council Meeting - February 2, 2026
The Miami-Dade County Policy Council met on February 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Commission Chambers. The committee considered several items, including a controversial ordinance to amend the Inspector General's qualifications and selection process, a proposal to bring the Naranja Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency under county commission control, and routine consent items. Public testimony was heard on multiple agenda items, and votes were taken on all matters.
Consent Calendar
- Item 2C: Resolution authorizing the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office to expend Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) funds for crime prevention programs. Passed unanimously (4-0).
- Item 3A: Resolution waiving competitive bidding and awarding a 1,000-calendar-day bid waiver contract to Brightview Landscape Services Inc. for the Country Club of Miami Golf Course Revitalization and Operating Maintenance Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $15,745,270.32. Passed unanimously.
- Item 6A: Approval of the Clerk's summary of minutes for the December 8, 2025 Policy Council meeting. Passed unanimously (4-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Maggie Towell (resident of Country Club of Miami for 27 years) spoke in support of Item 3A (Brightview contract), stating it was "the best we can get at this time."
- Marta Vega (President, National Community Services) opposed Items 2A and 2B (Naranja Lakes CRA repeal), asking for a postponement to allow community socialization. She noted the area has 99% poverty and that the ordinance was not properly communicated.
- Reverend Dr. K. Williams Dawson (Pastor, Cathedral of Praise) represented clergy and community to speak against Items 2A and 2B.
- Jessica Laguerre Halton (Homestead resident) asked for a postponement of Items 2A and 2B, arguing that repealing the local CRA governance would undermine community voice and decision-making, and that existing accountability tools are sufficient.
- Public Hearing on Item 1G1 (Inspector General Ordinance):
- Mary Cagle (former Inspector General, 2014-2020) expressed concern about changes to the selection committee and qualifications, noting that previous changes strengthened independence and integrity.
- Terry Murphy (resident) opposed the item, focusing on the selection committee. He argued that allowing outside organizations to appoint members would introduce politics, whereas the current system of members holding office by virtue of their position ensures independence.
- Teresa Enriquez (Executive Chief Assistant Public Defender) read a letter from Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez objecting to the removal of the public defender from the selection committee and noting that the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers did not seek appointment.
Discussion Items
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Item 1G1 – Inspector General Ordinance (Prime Sponsor: Vice Chairman Oliver Gilbert III): The ordinance amends Section 2-1076 of the county code, changing minimum qualifications, term of office, contract, and selection committee for the Inspector General. Commissioner Gilbert presented an amendment to the selection committee composition: removing the county commissioner seat and any person directly subject to OIG oversight, and adding the public defender, a faculty member from St. Thomas University College of Law, a faculty member from FIU College of Law, and a member of the South Florida chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, and replacing the sheriff with the sheriff or sheriff's designee. The amendment passed. Commissioner Gilbert argued the change broadens the applicant pool and aligns with standards from the Association of Inspectors General, and that the current law enforcement qualification is unique to Miami-Dade. He criticized the Inspector General for not providing input and instead speaking to the press. Commissioner Cohen Higgins supported the amendment, noting it adds fields like CPA and expands experience requirements. Commissioner Steinberg expressed concerns about the selection committee size (10 members, even number) and term limits, and voted no. Commissioner Regalado opposed the changes, arguing that law enforcement experience is critical for investigations and that the county's anti-corruption reputation requires high standards. The Inspector General, Felix Jimenez, stated he believed the ordinance could undermine independence but Commissioner Gilbert countered that the board has hiring and firing authority. The item passed 3-1.
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Items 2A and 2B – Naranja Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency (Prime Sponsor: Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins): These items repeal the current CRA code sections and declare the Board of County Commissioners as the redevelopment agency, transferring governance from a citizen board to elected officials. Commissioner Cohen Higgins argued that the CRA is the largest in the county (4,400 acres, $41 million budget) and the current board members are not elected, unlike other county CRAs. She cited concerns about votes taken without discussion and lack of appraisals on property purchases. Vice Chairman Gilbert opposed the items, stating that the citizen board members are appointed by district commissioners, the area has 99% poverty and slum, and the board has momentum—including a $34 million contribution to the SMART plan and plans for a senior center. He noted that no 'whereas' clause cites mismanagement. Neil Shiver, chair of the Naranja Lakes CRA, stated the board opposes the change, has expertise, and apologized for not communicating better. Commissioner Steinberg supported moving the items to full commission but suggested adding resident seats. Commissioner Cooper supported the items, urging the CRA board to engage with the district commissioner. The items passed unanimously (4-0).
Key Outcomes
- Item 1G1 (Inspector General Ordinance) – Approved as amended by a 3-1 vote (Vice Chairman Gilbert, Chairman Rodriguez, Commissioner Cohen Higgins in favor; Commissioner Steinberg opposed). The amendment changed the ad hoc selection committee. The item will proceed to the full Board of County Commissioners.
- Items 2A and 2B (Naranja Lakes CRA) – Approved unanimously (4-0) and forwarded to the full Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation.
- Item 2C (LETF funds) – Passed unanimously.
- Item 3A (Brightview contract) – Passed unanimously.
- Item 6A (Minutes approval) – Passed unanimously.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:50 AM local time.
Meeting Transcript
For those of us that aren't in the committee, are we going to be allowed to speak from the dais, or do we have to register as the public? I was gonna recognize you, but since you want to be extra and say it on the microphone. I'm just I'm just asking. I'm just I was gonna recognize you guys. It was a joke when I walked in, but if you want to be sarcastic on the microphone, I'm happy to have you and the vice chair register and have one minute to speak. All right. So Mr. Chairman has an actual point of order. You have to be on the committee to make a point. I know, I know, but okay. Yeah. Um I start with Maggie Towell. You don't actually have to register to speak. Jesus. All right, Maggie, go ahead. Thank you. Good morning. My name is Maggie Tawill. My address is one eight eight zero zero Wentworth Drive. I've been a resident of the country club of Miami for over twenty-seven years. And I thank you for the opportunity to speak to you. Our community has a long history of working with Miami Dade County's elected officials. Over 30 years ago, when then owner of the property was no longer interested in keeping it as golf and made his intentions known that he wanted to sell the property to developers. With that said, I am here today in support of this item before you. Not because it is what this property and this community deserves, but it's because it's the best we can get at this time. Fool me once, fool me twice. You know that old saying. All right. Do I have the other speakers present? You may approach the well. Good morning. My name is Marta Vega, president of National Community Services. I'm an organization working for more than 30 years in County Miami Day and many other cities. The reason we are here today is because we want to stop the ordinance that you guys have at Florida City. And we are here to work together because the CRA and Naranja City, all the communities, we never they never report to us that this law is going to pass and going to be in place here in the commissioner office. There is no small change. The ordinance repeals the code sections decreate and govern the Naranja Lake CRA. We know the necessities of the community. We know that seniors at City of Naranja, they don't have anything over there. We know the parts they need to be revealed. Our children's working, doing this job for free, serving God first. And are working hard, and many of the commissioners in this area, they know our organization. The reason I'm here is to ask you to wait the vote. Don't vote today, because they need to socialize with us. The City of Naranja is up 99% poverty in the area. And we have these many organizations behind me that we serve over there with education, with food distribution, with everything that we can to serve. So I would like to ask you if we can please today, don't vote. We need to socialize. We need to be involved. We need to communicate each other before this is gonna be bought today.
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