Miami-Dade Aviation and Seaport Committee Meeting – March 9, 2026

The Aviation and Seaport Committee met on March 9, 2026, at 10:30 AM (agenda time) to consider several resolutions related to airport and seaport operations. After discussion focused on the MIA hotel management contract, the committee voted 4-0 to approve all agenda items and forward them to the full County Commission.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3A: Resolution approving purchase of a 95,177 sq. ft. warehouse parcel near MIA for $19,175,000, with a leaseback option.
• Item 3B: Second amendment to preferential berthing rights agreement with Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited (no anticipated fiscal impact).
• Item 3C: Second amendment to cruise terminal usage agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (estimated positive fiscal impact of $35,380,000).
• Item 3D: Resolution authorizing a new stevedore license to Christopher Peremenis, David Eckles, and Francisco Javier Rovirosa.
• Item 3E: Waiver of competitive bidding and award of non-competitive revenue-generating contract to CLEAR, LLC for registered traveler services (projected revenue of $15,000,000).
• Item 3F: Award of contract for management and operations of the MIA Hotel to Driftwood Hospitality Management II, LLC ($7,845,865 for initial five-year term, with a five-year renewal option).
• Item 6A: Approval of the clerk's summary of minutes for the February 2, 2026 committee meeting.
• Item 7A: Aviation capital program report for March 2026 received.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eric H. Braswell, a 33-year veteran former security enforcement officer at the Port of Miami, urged the board to preserve the status of his former security enforcement unit. He described the unit's history, training programs covering 35 different incidents, and past successes including breaking up a cocaine ring and providing security for dignitaries. He requested a survey and interviews with officers who served more than 15 years. The chairwoman acknowledged his concerns and encouraged him to speak with the port director.

Discussion Items

• Item 3F – MIA Hotel Management Contract: Extensive discussion led by Commissioners Gonzalez, Milian Orbis, Hardeman, and Chairwoman Cohen Higgins. Key points included:
  • The current management contract expires in May 2026; the new contract with incumbent Driftwood Hospitality Management was competitively bid.
  • The hotel has 259 rooms, currently at approximately 80% occupancy, with interior renovations (rooms, furniture, carpeting) recently completed at a cost of $2.3 million.
  • The management fee is 3.2% of gross revenues or $15,000 per month, whichever is greater. Estimated fee: $2.8 million for the first five years; projected $5 million for the second five-year period (if the option is exercised), based on anticipated revenue growth. The total $7.845 million is cumulative for ten years.
  • The county plans to keep the current hotel operational even after a new luxury hotel is built. The new hotel (originally 450+ rooms, now ~400 due to FAA radar blind spot redesign) is delayed; a final decision on the old hotel's future has not been made.
  • Commissioner Hardeman raised concerns about the need for budget-friendly hotel options at MIA and requested a comparative financial analysis between the current management model and a new concession-based hotel.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions (3A through 3F, 6A, 7A) were approved by a vote of 4-0.
• The committee forwarded the entire agenda to the full County Commission with favorable recommendations.
• The meeting adjourned after no further business.