Miami-Dade Transportation Committee Meeting (February 3, 2026): CITT Ordinance Approved
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Miami-Dade Transportation Committee Meeting (February 3, 2026)
On February 3, 2026, the Miami-Dade County Transportation Committee met to consider several items, including a major ordinance revising the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust (CITT). The committee also approved a series of procurement contracts and transportation agreements. The meeting was chaired by Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III, with Vice Chairwoman Raquel A. Regalado, Commissioners Marleine Bastien, Juan Carlos Bermudez, and Senator René García (absent) as members. A quorum was present.
Consent Calendar
- Various resolutions were approved by a 5-0 vote, including:
- Ratification of vehicle purchases for FY 2022-23 (up to $91,349,950.63) and carryover purchases ($7,839,309.22).
- Award of a contract for Fare Collection Implementation Project Oversight to NITI Systems Consultants, Inc. ($1,249,205.00).
- Additional expenditure authority for traffic control/street lighting prequalification pool (up to $19,720,919.00, total pool $24,720,919.00).
- Ratification of emergency escalator work at four Metromover stations (Magnum Construction Management, total $5,720,000.00).
- Award of professional services agreements for Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) and Resident Compliance Services (RCS) (up to $12,000,000.00).
- Approval of an off-system construction and maintenance agreement with FDOT for State Road 932/West 49th Street improvements.
- Approval of a Joint Participation Agreement with Key Biscayne for milling and resurfacing Harbor Drive (up to $1,915,059.00).
- Approval of Supplemental Agreement No. 1 for bridge structural engineering projects (increase of $3,300,000.00 per agreement, new total $6,600,000.00 per agreement).
- Items 3C and 3E were forwarded to the next BCC meeting at the request of the Chief Operating Officer.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Javier Bettencourt, Executive Director of the CITT, addressed the committee. He expressed support for the goal of streamlining the member appointment process and the proposed changes to the five-year plan approval process. He noted that after the amendment, the CITT's concerns about limitations on independent oversight were no longer an issue. He requested continued support for the CITT's voter-approved role in overseeing the half-penny surtax and preserving its independence.
Discussion Items
- Item 1G1 (CITT Ordinance Amendment): Chairman Gilbert presented an amendment, worked out with the CITT, changing the deadline for the CITT to present the five-year implementation plan from November 1st to January 1st each year. Commissioner Bastien raised a concern about language stating the CITT cannot advocate against the "policy position of the board," worrying it could be too broad and prevent healthy disagreement (e.g., if the board swept CITT funds). Chairman Gilbert argued the concern was hypothetical and that the CITT had agreed to the language, noting the board has a single transportation policy position. Commissioner Regalado clarified that the intent is to prevent the CITT from advocating contrary positions at the federal or state level, while still allowing them to express disagreement with the board. Commissioner Bastien also highlighted the need for adequate notice to the CITT before board policy decisions. Staff noted the CITT reviews all surtax-funded contracts and the five-year implementation plan before the board acts. The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1G1 (CITT Ordinance Amendment): Passed unanimously (4-0, with Senator García absent) as amended. The ordinance revises CITT membership, appointment process, term of office, procedures for amending the five-year implementation plan, and the board's ability to reject CITT recommendations. The CITT cannot advocate against the board's stated transportation policy at other government levels.
- Consent Agenda: Remaining items were approved unanimously (5-0).
- Follow-up: Chairman Gilbert agreed to draft a follow-up item based on recommendations from the CITT's recent review.
- Agenda Changes: Vice Chairwoman Regalado assumed sponsorship of items 3G and 3H. Items 3C and 3E were deferred.
Meeting Transcript
Senator Garcia. Vice Chair Woman Regalato. Chairman Gilbert. Three members present. We have a quorum. Under God. Um have your bet in court, please. Public. Two minutes. And Mr. Chairman, I believe it's a public hearing item, so I don't know if you want me to speak at that point. Okay. Mr. Chair, we've received notification that Commissioner Regalado would like to assume sponsorship of items 3G and 3H. With that, there are no other changes to your final printed agenda. A motion to set the agenda is in order. Those opposed, show the agenda adopted. All right. Got it. All right. What's our first item? One G1 ordinance relating to the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, CITT and the People's Transportation Plan. Amending by a two-thirds vote of the Commission membership sections two-1421 and 29-24 of the Code of Miami Dade County, Florida. Revising membership and appointment process and term of office for the CATT. Revising procedures for amendments to the five-year implementation plan. Clarifying the powers and duties of the CITT. Revising the deadline by when the CATT shall annually present the five-year implementation plan update to the board. Revising certain requirements relating to the board's rejection of the CITT's recommendations. Providing that the board may reject the CATT's recommendations under certain circumstances. Revising provisions relating to term of office for CATT members appointed by county commissioners and providing for expiration of such terms for existing members, providing for county commissioners to make appointments or reappointments to fill vacancies, making technical and conforming changes, providing severality, inclusion in the code, including inclusion in and exclusion from the code, and an effective date. This is one G1. And a motion to set the agendas in one G1 and it's a public hearing. Yes, Mr. Chair. Let me do the amendments first so he can actually hear the amendments first. Somebody give us the amendments, please. Yes. And three, change the deadline by when the trust must present the recommended five-year implementation plan to the county commission and post such recommendation online from November 1st of each year to January 1st of each year. Hold up for a second. Excuse me. Excuse me. Please get off your phone or step outside. Thank you. Now, Javi, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I'll try to get through this without my teeth chattering too much in this frigid air. Good morning, Chairman Gilbert and members of the committee. For the record, my name is Javier Bettencourt, Executive Director of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, or CITT with offices here at the Stephen P. Clark Center. First Chairman Gilbert, congratulations on your appointment as chair of this uh distinguished body.
openpublica.com