Miami-Dade Transportation Committee Meeting - October 14, 2026

The Miami-Dade County Transportation Committee met on October 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM (scheduled) with a quorum present: Commissioner Bastien, Commissioner Bermudez, Vice Chairwoman Regalado, and Chairman Gilbert. The committee held a public hearing and debated a substitute ordinance regulating personal delivery devices (delivery robots) in incorporated and unincorporated areas, then approved the remainder of the agenda in a single vote.

Public Hearing & Discussion: Ordinance 1G1 Substitute (Personal Delivery Devices)

• Prime Sponsor: Commissioner Micky Steinberg.
• Proposal: Create Chapter 31, Article VIII of the County Code to regulate the safe operation of personal delivery devices and mobile carriers, including permitting, speed limits, idle time, advertising restrictions, and civil penalties. Municipalities may opt into county regulation or establish their own.
• Public Comment:
  • Nicolas Pascual (Battered Partners, representing Serve Robotics) expressed support for the ordinance but requested two changes: allow advertising on the devices (important for revenue), and increase idle time from 20 minutes to 30 minutes to match other major cities.
• Committee Discussion:
  • Commissioner Steinberg noted the substitute version already increased idle time from 10 to 20 minutes and defended the 20-minute limit to prevent loitering in right-of-ways. She stressed the ordinance is a proactive framework and will be reviewed in one year.
  • Commissioner Regalado shared that delivery robots are common in her district and restaurants often prefer them for temperature control and reliability. She raised concerns about where robots idle (e.g., congregating in swales) and suggested advertising revenue could help restaurants with delivery costs. She favored allowing advertising with a community benefit agreement tied to sidewalk repairs.
  • Chairman Gilbert questioned why the county should prohibit advertising, arguing the free market should handle it. He supported a 30-minute idle time and allowing advertising.
  • Commissioner Bastien agreed with allowing advertising to help businesses, and suggested designating specific “robot stops” similar to bus stops.
  • Discussion on permitting fees and fines: Commissioner Regalado asked if fines could be directed to sidewalk repair. County Attorney staff advised that permitting fees must relate to DTPW’s actual costs, but advertising fees (via separate agreements) could potentially be allocated to community benefits.
• Amendments and Vote:
  • Commissioner Bastien moved to amend the ordinance to: (1) set idle time at 30 minutes instead of 20, (2) allow advertising on the devices, subject to separate agreements negotiated by the administration (with community benefits such as sidewalk repairs), and (3) have those advertising agreements come back to the Board for approval. Commissioner Regalado seconded.
  • The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to adopt the amended substitute ordinance and forward it to the full Board of County Commissioners for a public hearing.

Other Agenda Items (Consent Calendar)

• Items 1A-1F, 2, 3A-3H, 4, 5, 6A, 7, 8 were approved in a single roll call vote (moved by Commissioner Bermudez, seconded by Commissioner Bastien). Key non-controversial items included:
  • Resolutions declaring surplus property, vacating rights-of-way, approving agreements with FDOT and municipalities for road improvements, on-demand transportation, and the South Corridor Transitway project contract amendment ($387,681,818.42).
  • Approval of the September 9, 2026 committee meeting minutes.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 1G1 Substitute was amended and passed unanimously (4-0) out of committee, with changes to idle time (30 minutes) and advertising (allowed via separate agreements). The item will proceed to the full County Commission for final adoption.
• The committee directed staff to prepare the advertising agreement framework and bring it back to the Board for approval within 30 days.
• All remaining agenda items were adopted en bloc without discussion.
• No other business was brought before the committee, and the meeting was adjourned.