Miami-Dade Safety and Health Committee Meeting - March 9, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Miami-Dade Safety and Health Committee Meeting - March 9, 2026
The Miami-Dade Safety and Health Committee met on March 9, 2026, at 12:30 PM. The committee set the agenda, deferred Item 3B, and discussed two major items: Project Dads grant and a behavioral health strategic plan. The public comment period was opened but no members of the public testified. After discussion, both items were approved with amendments. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
Consent Calendar
- Item 2B: Resolution donating firefighting equipment to Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. (Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 5-0)
- Item 3C: Resolution approving the Local Mitigation Strategy 2025-2030 for natural disaster mitigation. (Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 5-0)
- Item 3D: Resolution retroactively approving acceptance of donated surplus property and payment of fees/refurbishment costs for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. (Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 5-0)
- Item 3E: Resolution approving lease agreement with Legacy Donor Services Foundation, Inc. for autopsy/laboratory/office space at 1851 NW 9 Avenue. (Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 5-0)
- Item 3F: Resolution awarding contract for Summer Food Service Program to David's Food and Fun, Inc. dba Dixie Catering in the amount of $15,000,000 with renewal options. (Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 5-0)
- Item 6A: Approval of the Clerk's summary of minutes for the February 2, 2026 meeting. (Approved 5-0)
Note: Item 3B (Peace and Prosperity Plan for FY 2025-26) was deferred to the next meeting.
Discussion Items
Item 3A: Project Dads Grant (Resolution No. 260107) Prime Sponsor Commissioner Marleine Bastien introduced an amendment requiring the administration to prepare and provide an annual impact report for the Project Dads program. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, is for $3,516,715 over five years to implement "Project Dads," which aims to enhance father-child relationships, improve parenting skills, and strengthen family dynamics. Director Kathy Burgos of the Community Services Department and Assistant Director Dr. Riestra provided details. The grant partners with Miami Dade Family Learning Partnership ($250,000 over 5 years) and Career Source South Florida ($300,000 over 5 years). Career Source South Florida is a required grant partner; Family Learning Partnership provides evidence-based parenting courses. The county will contribute a project director, two social workers, and an accountant. Total target: 445 fathers over five years, with 30 in the first year. Commissioners Hardemon, Garcia, and Lopez raised concerns about the selection of partners, budget specifics, and distribution of services across districts. Commissioner Hardemon questioned the lack of detailed budget and expressed unease about the no-bid contract process. Chair Gonzalez emphasized the need for thorough preparation in future meetings. The item was approved as amended (voice vote, unanimous).
Item 2A: Behavioral Health Strategic Plan (Resolution No. 260329) Prime Sponsor Senator René Garcia presented a resolution to approve a $50,000 agreement with Action for Progress Institute to develop a strategic plan for improving behavioral health services and advancing payment reform measures. The term is three months with two options to extend. Senator Garcia explained that the organization was selected by the behavioral health task force for its expertise in performance-based reimbursement models, and an amendment was introduced to waive the procurement process. The amendment was noted by the county attorney's office and required standard notification memorandum. The item was approved (voice vote, unanimous).
Key Outcomes
- Deferral: Item 3B (Peace and Prosperity Plan for FY 2025-26) was deferred to the next meeting.
- Item 3A (Project Dads): Approved as amended with an annual impact report requirement (voice vote, all in favor).
- Item 2A (Behavioral Health Strategic Plan): Approved with amendment to waive procurement process and technical revisions (voice vote, all in favor).
- Consent Calendar: All remaining items were approved unanimously via voice vote.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after all business was completed.
Meeting Transcript
So if we can get started with an invocation led by Commissioner Garcia, if he would do us the honor, sir. And colleagues, if you could join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay. To the attorneys, would it be proper to open up a reasonable opportunity to be heard? Yes, Mr. Chair. Reasonable opportunity to be heard is open. I do not have cards. Is there anybody present that would like to be heard? Now is the time to be heard. Going once, going twice, and let's close reasonable opportunity to be heard, please. Can I get a motion to set the agenda? Moved. Moved by Commissioner Lopez. Second by Commissioner Garcia. All in favor signify by saying I. If we need to any continuous deferrals, is we should do that now. Now it would be an appropriate time commission. All right. So I want to just amend that motion to defer to the next meeting, item 3B. Item 3B. Correct. I believe that's a motion. Well, the motion will be a motion to set the agenda including with the deferral include. Is it okay? Yes. Yes, Mr. Commissioner. That's fine. Yes. Any other? I'd like to bifurcate three A, Mr. Chair. Show item three A bifurcated. Commission um Mr. Chair, I'm sorry, we're setting the agenda at this time. Yeah. Okay. All right. So can we set the agenda with the deferral? All in favor signify by saying aye. So the the agendas being set today, I'm sorry, uh Mr. Chair, is reflects the addition of item two two B and the deferral of item three B. And the verification. The deferral item three B, not three A. 3B. Okay. 3B. Item 3B is deferred. Okay.
openpublica.com