Miami-Dade Aviation and Seaport Committee Meeting - June 8, 2026
Miami-Dade Aviation and Seaport Committee Meeting - June 8, 2026\n\nThe Miami-Dade Aviation and Seaport Committee met on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the Miami International Airport Auditorium. Chairwoman Danielle Cohen Higgins presided, with Vice Chairman Roberto J. Gonzalez and Commissioners Oliver G. Gilbert III, Keon Hardemon, and Natalie Milian Orbis in attendance (quorum of three members present). The committee heard public testimony, received presentations on airport performance and economic development, debated working conditions at MIA, and voted on several lease and contract items.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Julie Anderson (address in Orlando) spoke on the importance of fair wages and respect for subcontracted aviation service workers.\n- Carlos Builes, a ramp agent at AGI, described a workplace injury caused by a jammed pallet and highlighted safety concerns including training provided only in English to Spanish-speaking workers. He urged better standards.\n- Wander Mayo Rodriguez, also an AGI ramp worker, stated that AGI fails to honor the full living wage for overtime calculations, costing workers approximately $6 per hour on overtime. He expressed fear of retaliation for speaking up.\n- Helene O'Brien (SEIU Local 32 BJ Vice President) recounted the case of Mr. Pedro Frometa, an AGI employee who was fired shortly after requesting accident logs (a federal requirement) and while his wife was hospitalized with cancer. She called for his reinstatement.\n- Kyle Anderson (Chief Commercial Officer, Margaritaville at Sea) spoke in support of agenda item 3H, a preferential berthing rights agreement. He highlighted the company's growth, awards, and plans for its new flagship vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, which will homeport at Port Miami beginning January 9, 2027.\n\n### Presentations\n- JD Power 2025 Airport Study: Michael Taylor (Senior Managing Director, JD Power) reported that Miami International Airport ranks 8th among mega airports in customer satisfaction year-to-date, eight points above the prior year and 10 points above the average. MIA is the number one airport in per-passenger spending. Despite ongoing construction, satisfaction has improved across all dimensions.\n- Beacon Council Economic Update: Mr. Miller (Beacon Council) presented that Miami-Dade’s economy (GRP of $530 billion) surpasses countries like Austria and Israel. The Council posted record years for jobs and capital investment. Five strategic pillars were outlined: building the financial capital of the Americas, supercharging innovation, doubling down on key sectors (e.g., trade, logistics), developing talent, and investing in infrastructure. The current project pipeline exceeds $2 billion.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Employee Facilities and Working Conditions at MIA (Item 1F1): The committee discussed working conditions at AGI. The Aviation Director stated that a meeting with AGI has been scheduled to address OSHA concerns and other issues raised by workers. Chairwoman Higgins committed to a follow-up discussion item in three months. Commissioner Gilbert urged a shorter timeline and asked that the county assist Mr. Frometa in regaining employment if he remains unemployed. The county attorney confirmed the meeting was publicly noticed but no direct notice was sent to AGI.\n- Autonomous Vehicles at MIA: Chairwoman Higgins raised concerns about autonomous vehicle safety, especially ahead of major events (FIFA, G20). The Aviation Director reported that no permit has been issued for county operations (only city of Miami). The airport is developing a safety plan and removal procedures. No permits are expected before FIFA/G20 without board direction. Commissioner Gonzalez asked about exclusivity; the director stated any company can apply for a permit.\n\n### Consent Calendar\nThe committee approved the balance of the agenda (excluding bifurcated items) as a block, including: Clerk’s summary of minutes (March 9 and April 13, 2026), and an aviation capital program report. All passed 5-0.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Item 3A & 3B (Approved as amended): Resolutions approving development lease agreements at Miami Executive Airport (MQ TMB Holdings, LLC for a 310,026 sq ft parcel, min. investment $7M; CR Aviation Leasing, LLC for a 222,870 sq ft parcel, min. investment $4M). Amended to add whereas clauses affirming the county’s commitment to expedited building permit reviews (max five business days). Passed unanimously.\n- Item 3C-3G (Forwarded to BCC): Approved contracts with five engineering firms (CES Consultants, Ardurra Group, HDR Engineering, EAC Consulting, Nifah & Partners) for general engineering and inspection services at MIA, each with a maximum of $41,353,125 over five years with a renewal option. All passed 5-0.\n- Item 3H (Approved): Preferential berthing rights agreement between Miami-Dade County and Classica Cruise Operator Ltd. (Margaritaville at Sea). Anticipated positive fiscal impact of $23,148,594. Commissioner Milian Orbis questioned the wisdom of long-term agreements with new cruise lines; the Port Director affirmed no hesitation. Passed unanimously.\n- Item 3I (Approved): Resolution awarding a 15-year passenger lounge contract at MIA to AD Partnership, LLC, with projected revenue of $93.8 million. Commissioner Gilbert assumed sponsorship and secured a commitment from the company to meet labor peace agreement requirements. Passed unanimously.\n- Acknowledgments: The committee thanked Port Director Heidi Webb for her years of service following her resignation announcement.\n- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:30 AM. Commissioner Milian Orbis invited attendees to the CARE MIA board meeting at 11:30 AM at the airport hotel.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning everyone, it's 10 30 a.m. Please close the doors and please take your seat or airport and seaport. Again, please take your seats, please close the doors. It's 10 30 a.m. and our meeting is about to commence. Thank you all for joining us. Can we please uh stand for a moment of prayer, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Gonzalez? By your heads, dear Lord, thank you for this wonderful day that you've given us. Thank you for all that you do for our county, for our families, and for all the residents. Lord, please let your will be done today. Let every decision that we make and every conversation that we have be to further your cause, your will, and your glory in your holy name we pray. Amen. Please turn and face the flag. Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Hardeman. Commissioner Million Obes. Vice Chairman Gonzalez. Here. Good morning, I'm present. Three members present, we have a quorum. Once again, thank you all for being here and welcome to our Miami International Airport and Seaport Committee hearing. We will start with the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. This is your opportunity to address the body. You will have two minutes, and that's two minutes, not two minutes and five seconds, not two minutes and thirty seconds. It's two minutes, and when you hear me say thank you, that's your indication that the two minutes has lapsed. There's also clocks, so be mindful so that you can track your two minutes. Please give us your name and your address. Thank you for being here from Miami Beach, please approach. And I have, I believe, Julie Anderson with an address of Orlando. Please approach. You'll have two minutes. State your name and your address. You may begin. We know you understand the importance of the work done by subcontracted aviation services service workers. Over the years, workers and local leaders have fought to turn these positions into good jobs where workers earn a living wage and are treated with respect. But thank you so much. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Dooley. Thank you. Carlos. Good morning. My name is Carlos Builes, and I work as a ramp agent at AGI. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the committee today. My job is critical to MIA's cargo operations, the busiest US airport for international freight in the country. The work I do can be physically damaging, demanding, excuse me, and dangerous. Recently I had an accident on the job. I was pushing a pallet when one of the blocks jammed and it jolted back onto my foot. These pallets are extremely heavy, weighing in thousands of pounds.
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