Miami-Dade Safety and Health Committee Meeting - June 8, 2026
Miami-Dade Safety and Health Committee Meeting - June 8, 2026
The Miami-Dade Safety and Health Committee met on June 8, 2026, at 12:30 PM in Commission Chambers. The committee considered an ordinance updating fire prevention regulations and other consent items. All consent items and the public hearing item (fire prevention ordinance) were forwarded to the full Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with favorable recommendations.
Consent Calendar
- All items except the public hearing (Item 1G1 substitute) were moved as a group with a unanimous voice vote. These included: Resolution 261015 (donation of firefighting equipment to Vinícola del Norte S.A, Dominican Republic); Resolution 250367 (MOU with Comprehensive Psychiatric Center for behavioral health services); Resolution 260885 (MOU with Public Health Trust for tactical medical training); Resolution 260933 (grant funds of $21,113.26 for EMS expansion); Resolution 260875 (additional time and $18,629,677 for fire suppression systems prequalification pool); Resolution 260930 (additional $187,000 for automated fingerprinting system); and Report 260952 (approval of previous meeting minutes). All were approved 4-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Book (representing the fireworks industry?): Expressed strong support for the fire prevention ordinance, noting that many fireworks sold illegally contain up to 3,400 grams of pyrotechnic material (versus legal sparklers). He stated that the ordinance "layers in an additional... safety" and urged the committee to pass it.
- No other public speakers were present.
Discussion Items
- Fire Prevention Ordinance (Item 1G1 Substitute): Prime Sponsor Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez introduced the ordinance amending Chapter 14 of the Miami-Dade County Code. Fire Marshal Alan Kaminsky explained the need to clarify requirements under Florida Statute 791.04 regarding fireworks sales, recordkeeping, and enforcement. Key provisions include: updating definitions, requiring building owners to notify the fire chief upon correction of violations, authorizing the chief fire official to disconnect utilities for life-safety violations, and imposing civil penalties.
- Commissioner Marleine Bastien raised concerns about the proposed utility disconnection authority, requesting: (1) a clear definition of "imminent danger" to inform the public and small businesses, (2) a written determination documenting when disconnection is authorized, and (3) an emergency appeals pathway. Fire Marshal Kaminsky and Chief Palmer noted that a specific definition might create liability but agreed to work with Commissioner Bastien's office on clarifications.
- Commissioner Keon Hardemon questioned the regulation of illegal fireworks, especially pop-up tents selling non-sparkler devices. Kaminsky explained that the state fire marshal regulates approved sparkler lists, and local fire marshals inspect seasonal sales tents. For illegal fireworks use, residents should call 311 or local police. Mr. Book added that many tents sell illegal "packed cakes" with excess pyrotechnic compound.
Key Outcomes
- The committee forwarded the fire prevention ordinance (1G1 Substitute) to the full BCC with a favorable recommendation (vote 4-0).
- The administration agreed to work with Commissioner Bastien's office to refine definitions and procedures related to utility disconnection authority.
- All consent items (Resolutions 261015, 250367, 260885, 260933, 260875, 260930; Report 260952) were forwarded to the BCC with favorable recommendations (each voted 4-0).
Meeting Transcript
Do your will here today, and that you would guide all of our decisions for what is the best of your people. We ask this in your name. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag in the States of America. To the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, so we do have some public hearing items to the county attorney's office. Uh, would it be proper to open up uh reasonable opportunity to be heard? Yes, Mr. Chair. So reasonable opportunity to be heard is now open. I don't have any cards. Do we have any cards going once? Would anybody like to be heard going twice? Three times uh to the county attorney's office. Uh can we close uh reasonable opportunity to be heard? Yes, Mr. Chair. And can I get a motion to set the agenda? So move. It's been moved, it has been seconded. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. And to my colleagues, uh, would anybody like to bifurcate any items? No? No bifurcations. Okay. Okay. So um can I get a motion to move the entire agenda? Mr. Chair. Except for the public hearing item. So moved by uh Commissioner Lopez, seconded by Commissioner Bastian. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. And to the county attorney's office, would it be proper to take up the uh public hearing item? Yes, Mr. Chair, that's item one G1 and item one G1 substitute, an ordinance relating to fire prevention, amending chapter 14 of the code of Mamade County, Florida, updating title, amending definitions, changing requirements for an owner's statement on fire investigations, amending procedures for appeals of fire code violations, updating requirements for operating permits providing for the recording of consent agreements and notices of violation, requiring building owners and occupants to notify the chief fire official upon correction of certain violations, authorizing the chief fire officials to order the disconnection of utilities and buildings and structures with pending fire code uh violations under specific circumstances, making technical amendments of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, updating the full false fire alarm ordinance, providing for the sale of exempt fireworks in accordance with sections 791.04 Florida statutes, providing for the designation and posting to identify structures sharing a street address, updating requirements for submittal and review of emergency action plans, providing for the testing and maintenance of exit and emergency lighting equipment, providing for the reporting of required maintenance activities for fire protection systems, providing for the protection and installation of emergency power systems and for the installation and maintenance of water supplies for firefighting outside the urban development boundary, making technical and conforming changes, and uh amending section 8cc 10 of the code, imposing and modifying civil penalties and providing several inclusion of the code and effective date. Item 1G1 substitute. Great job. So this is a public hearing item. Would anybody like to be recognized on this public hearing item? Is anybody from the public present to speak? Mr. Book, I see you approaching. When we found that there are 3,400 grams, stuff that you don't shoot off at city, county, and other public displays of fireworks, and we have deep concerns about it. Our job is to is to sell product, but to sell products safely, smartly and wisely, and with within not only the code, but the statute that permits certain types of displays and certain purchases outside of, if you will, displays. The use for wholesale, the use for fish archeries and bird sanctuaries where you can and can't, depending on what the statute says, which overrides in many instances what local ordinances do in an effort to provide that broader protection. I remind those that were around years ago, where almost 20 years ago, when the last major rewrite was done and a moratorium was put in place. We worked with city and county fire officials, the fire marshals, the fire chiefs, the League of Cities, and the Florida Association and Counties to make the statute what it is today.
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