OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Miami-Dade Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee Meeting - May 13, 2026

BCC Committee Meetings — Wednesday, May 13, 2026
BodyMiami Dade County, Florida
SessionBCC Committee Meetings
DateWednesday, May 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:24:56
Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Thank you very much.

0:07

I would ask that Senator Garcia lead us in the invocation and uh Commissioner DCH Danielle Cohen Higgins lead us in the Pledge Allegiance, please.

0:18

Please bow your heads.

0:19

Dear Father, grant us the wisdom uh to do your service today to make sure that we take care of the people of Mami Dade County in the best way that we can, uh always keeping you at the forefront of all our actions.

0:31

We with that I we pray in your holy son's name, amen.

0:38

Uh Unit States of America and to the public for which stands for my nation under God, individual with liberty and justice are all the thank you.

0:56

So county attorneys.

0:58

Uh good morning.

1:00

I think uh at this time it would be appropriate to extend the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard.

1:07

Good morning, madam chair.

1:08

Yes, uh now would be an appropriate time to have the reasonable opportunity to be heard on all non-public hearing items.

1:14

Thank you.

1:14

Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we will have a reasonable opportunity to be heard on all non-public hearing items.

1:20

When I call I don't have any cards uh before me.

1:23

I don't know if anyone else has any cards.

1:26

Seeing none, we will just ask uh if anyone uh present wishes to be heard on any non-public hearing item.

1:39

Seeing none, we'll move.

1:42

Uh Mr.

1:43

Attorney, is it uh can we proceed to set the agenda?

1:47

Yes, madam chair.

1:48

Before we set the agenda, would you like to have a poll list for today's I would please does any uh commissioner have want to bifurcate any item?

1:58

Yes, yes, madam chair, we'll like to bifurcate uh 3J and um I also want to talk about 3F before we set the agenda.

2:06

Um Madam Chair, I know that there was a motion that there's some talk about deferring it, but I would like this item to to not be deferred and move to the full BCC so we can make a decision on it.

2:16

Uh because at the end of the day, we are rejecting uh all bids and wanting to rebid this contract out.

2:21

I think it's important that we don't delay the process, and hopefully we can have a decision by by the full board uh come the next BCC.

2:32

Does anyone else have any items they wish to buy for Kate?

2:34

Oh, Madam Chair, I have a couple.

2:36

Yes, we have uh three A, three C, three D, three G, three H, three I, three J.

2:43

Thank you, Vice Chair.

2:45

Commissioner Thanks.

2:47

Thank you, Madam Chair.

2:48

I'd like to pull three C, three D, and three L and please be listed as a co-sponsor as on one G1.

2:57

Thank you.

2:58

There's no other bifurcations.

3:01

Um and I and I'm gonna bifurcate three F uh Senator Garcia, just so that we can have that discussion.

3:07

Thank you so much, madam chair.

3:08

So do we have a motion uh to set the agenda?

3:13

Madam Chair, in addition, uh Senator Garcia would like to be listed as a co-sponsor on items 1G1, uh 2A and 3L.

3:23

Thank you.

3:24

Thank you.

3:25

So I have a motion by Commissioner Cohen Higgins, a second.

3:29

I need a second.

3:31

I'll second it.

3:31

I wanted to also be listed as a co-sponsor on one G1.

3:35

Thank you.

3:37

Second.

3:38

So I have a any uh objection.

3:41

All right, motion carries.

3:42

All right, so let's move to the first item.

3:45

Um Vice Chairwoman, we'll start with 3A.

3:52

Okay, I had some questions.

3:53

Thank you, Madam Chair.

3:56

So I see that this one's particularly uh pertaining to the supervisor of elections, uh, and there's some changes that are happening, but there's also the crosswalk policy in here, and I just wanted to know because this is a change that's coming a little bit later.

4:11

Uh is there any other constitutional office that has the same issue, you know, that that will have to take care of this later with the crosswalk, or is this the supervisor election the last one that that needs to do this change?

4:27

Through the chair, I'd like um Ryan Lafarga to respond.

4:31

Yes, of course.

4:32

You're recognized.

4:34

Thank you.

4:34

Good morning, Ryan Lafarga Office of Management and Budget.

4:37

We have per the board's direction, we have executed the employee crosswalk and amendments to the ILAs for the clerk of the courts, supervisor uh for the sheriff, and for the tax collector.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procurement██████████████████████████████30%
Government Operations████████████████16%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%
Procedural█████5%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Miami-Dade Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee Meeting - May 13, 2026

The committee met on May 13, 2026, to consider a range of items including budget adjustments, procurement approvals, a public hearing on infill housing extensions, and a discussion on the state's new DEI law (SB 1134). The meeting featured significant debate on a fare collection system procurement and carryover fund allocation. The meeting ran from approximately 10:30 AM into the early afternoon.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 3A: Resolution approving interlocal agreements with the Supervisor of Elections and Commission on Ethics regarding financial disclosures and employee crosswalk. Forwarded to BCC unanimously (4-0).
  • Item 3B: Resolution approving amended FY 2025-26 budget for Miami Gardens CRA ($13,491,027). Forwarded unanimously.
  • Item 3C: Ordinance approving FY 2024-25 end-of-year supplemental budget adjustments. Passed on roll call 5-0 after discussion on carryover allocation and a request for analysis of using $4.7 million in carryover for senior property tax relief.
  • Item 3D: Resolution rejecting all bids for Group 1 and awarding Group 2 of biosolids hauling contract to Waste Management Inc. ($101,251,800). Forwarded unanimously.
  • Item 3E: Resolution authorizing three-year extension for prequalification pool for emergency push & clear and debris removal services. Forwarded unanimously.
  • Item 3G: Resolution authorizing additional term and expenditure authority for Documentum software license and support ($13,405,520 total). Forwarded unanimously.
  • Item 3H: Resolution authorizing non-competitive purchase for Microsoft Premier Support Services ($15,799,225 total). Forwarded 4-1 (Commissioner Milian Orbis opposed).
  • Item 3I: Resolution waiving competitive bidding for golf products (Wilson, Cleveland, Acushnet) totaling $1,440,000. Forwarded 4-1 (Commissioner Milian Orbis opposed). Director of Parks noted a 53% profit margin and $873,000 in revenue over two years.
  • Item 3J: Resolution approving lease/purchase of vehicles and equipment up to $80,000,000. Forwarded 4-1 (Commissioner Garcia opposed). Commissioner Cohen Higgins requested cost-benefit analysis of leasing vs buying.
  • Item 3K: Resolution approving amended FY 2024-25 budget for Miami Gardens CRA ($9,039,122). Forwarded unanimously.
  • Item 3L: Resolution declaring surplus 32 acres adjacent to Homestead Air Reserve Base for no-cost conveyance to U.S. Air Force. Forwarded unanimously after sponsor Commissioner Regalado confirmed district commissioner support.
  • Item 2A: Resolution establishing board policy limiting extensions for developers of county-owned property for affordable housing. Forwarded unanimously.
  • Item 1G1: Ordinance amending Infill Housing Initiative Program to limit extensions and time granted to developers. Passed public hearing on roll call 4-0 and forwarded to BCC.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the reasonable opportunity to be heard on non-public hearing items or during the public hearing on item 1G1.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3C – Budget Adjustments and Carryover Funds: Commissioners Cohen Higgins and Lopez discussed the allocation of carryover funds. 50% is automatically swept to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; the remainder is at the board's discretion. Chair Lopez directed the administration to provide an analysis on using $4.7 million in carryover for property tax relief for seniors aged 65 and older. Senator Garcia noted the board can amend the 50% policy if needed.
  • Item 3F – Fare Collection Application RFP Rejection: The item proposed rejecting all bids for a new fare collection system. Administration cited anomalies that could jeopardize FTA funding. Senator Garcia moved to forward to the full BCC with a report on the top two proposers. After debate, Commissioner Milian Orbis amended the motion to defer to the next committee meeting with a report on all responsive proposers, including pricing sheets and analysis of the 15% price point weighting. The deferral passed 4-1 (Commissioner Gonzalez opposed). Chairman Gilbert urged the committee to resolve items in committee rather than sending to full board without decisions.
  • Item 1F1 – Update on SB 1134 (DEI Bill): Chair Lopez reported that the bill was signed by the governor, effective January 1, 2027. It broadly prohibits county funding or promotion of DEI initiatives, with penalties of misfeasance/malfeasance for officials who violate it. Commissioner Gilbert questioned the breadth and enforcement burden, suggesting hiring outside counsel. The county attorney's office will provide further guidance before the budget cycle.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items except 3F were forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with favorable recommendations.
  • Item 3F was deferred to the next Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee meeting, with a directive for the administration to provide a full report on all responsive proposers, pricing, and allocation rationale.
  • The committee requested a report on using carryover funds for senior property tax relief.
  • The committee noted the upcoming implications of SB 1134 and directed the county attorney's office to prepare a detailed briefing before the FY 2026-27 budget cycle.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you very much. I would ask that Senator Garcia lead us in the invocation and uh Commissioner DCH Danielle Cohen Higgins lead us in the Pledge Allegiance, please. Please bow your heads. Dear Father, grant us the wisdom uh to do your service today to make sure that we take care of the people of Mami Dade County in the best way that we can, uh always keeping you at the forefront of all our actions. We with that I we pray in your holy son's name, amen. Uh Unit States of America and to the public for which stands for my nation under God, individual with liberty and justice are all the thank you. So county attorneys. Uh good morning. I think uh at this time it would be appropriate to extend the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. Good morning, madam chair. Yes, uh now would be an appropriate time to have the reasonable opportunity to be heard on all non-public hearing items. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we will have a reasonable opportunity to be heard on all non-public hearing items. When I call I don't have any cards uh before me. I don't know if anyone else has any cards. Seeing none, we will just ask uh if anyone uh present wishes to be heard on any non-public hearing item. Seeing none, we'll move. Uh Mr. Attorney, is it uh can we proceed to set the agenda? Yes, madam chair. Before we set the agenda, would you like to have a poll list for today's I would please does any uh commissioner have want to bifurcate any item? Yes, yes, madam chair, we'll like to bifurcate uh 3J and um I also want to talk about 3F before we set the agenda. Um Madam Chair, I know that there was a motion that there's some talk about deferring it, but I would like this item to to not be deferred and move to the full BCC so we can make a decision on it. Uh because at the end of the day, we are rejecting uh all bids and wanting to rebid this contract out. I think it's important that we don't delay the process, and hopefully we can have a decision by by the full board uh come the next BCC. Does anyone else have any items they wish to buy for Kate? Oh, Madam Chair, I have a couple. Yes, we have uh three A, three C, three D, three G, three H, three I, three J. Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioner Thanks. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to pull three C, three D, and three L and please be listed as a co-sponsor as on one G1. Thank you. There's no other bifurcations. Um and I and I'm gonna bifurcate three F uh Senator Garcia, just so that we can have that discussion. Thank you so much, madam chair. So do we have a motion uh to set the agenda? Madam Chair, in addition, uh Senator Garcia would like to be listed as a co-sponsor on items 1G1, uh 2A and 3L. Thank you. Thank you. So I have a motion by Commissioner Cohen Higgins, a second. I need a second. I'll second it. I wanted to also be listed as a co-sponsor on one G1. Thank you. Second. So I have a any uh objection. All right, motion carries. All right, so let's move to the first item. Um Vice Chairwoman, we'll start with 3A.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com