Miami-Dade Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee met on September 10, 2026, at 17:15 UTC (afternoon session) with three members present: Chairwoman Micky Steinberg, Vice Chairman Keon Hardeman, and Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins. Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez and Commissioner Vicki L. Lopez were absent. The committee considered an ordinance to create a loan program for environmental remediation on large county-owned parcels, among other items. After extensive debate, the ordinance was deferred to the next committee meeting on October 15, 2026.

Agenda Setting & Consent Items

• The committee approved the official printed agenda with the addition of Item 1G1 substitute (the remediation loan ordinance).
• Item 3C (garbage collection services contract extension) was pulled by the chairwoman and deferred by the administration.
• Item 3F (AC replacement contract) was advanced to the next meeting.

The balance of the agenda was approved by unanimous acclamation.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 261035/1G1 Substitute – Environmental Remediation Loan Program
  • Sponsor: Commissioner Raquel A. Regalado (not a voting member of the committee) presented the substitute ordinance. It amends Section 24-34 of the county code to establish a zero-interest loan program using a portion of the Utility Service Fee (USF) fund (currently ~$181 million) to finance environmental remediation on county-owned parcels 10 acres or larger.
  • Administration (Andisha Daniel, Director of Solid Waste, and other staff): Stated that ~$125 million is programmed for existing projects, and ~$23 million is estimated for closure and long-term care of the former waste-to-energy site, leaving approximately $33 million unprogrammed. The administration expressed concerns about depleting funds needed for other mandatory remediation.
  • Commissioner Cohen Higgins questioned the use of ratepayer money for zero-interest loans to developers, noting that developers are already obligated to remediate under lease agreements. She proposed adding an interest rate, a loan cap, and a sunset period.
  • Commissioner Hardeman argued that the fund has been underutilized for years and that the loan program would spur remediation in underserved areas, particularly for affordable housing projects. He emphasized that the county has a duty to remediate its own properties and that making loans available does not force the county to spend money it cannot afford.
  • Chairwoman Steinberg suggested freezing the loan program’s available funds at the current unprogrammed balance (~$33 million) to ensure clarity, and proposed a two-year sunset to revisit the program's effectiveness.
  • After extensive back-and-forth, the maker (Commissioner Regalado) agreed to amendments including: a two-year sunset, a work program to be provided by the administration, an interest rate to be set by the mayor/mayor's designee, and a loan cap per eligible property also set by the administration. However, Commissioner Cohen Higgins indicated she would vote accordingly based on ambiguity in the amendments.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to move the ordinance without recommendation failed due to lack of unanimity.
• Motion to defer Item 1G1 to the October 15, 2026 committee meeting was moved by Chairwoman Steinberg, seconded by Commissioner Hardeman, and passed by acclamation. The administration was directed to provide a complete list of programmed projects, a rate card (interest rate and cap recommendations), and a work program before that meeting.
• Item 3C (additional time and funds for garbage collection services) was deferred by the administration.
• Item 3F (AC replacement contract) was advanced to the next meeting as requested by the administration.
• No public comments were received.