Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Meeting, April 2, 2024 – Joint Meeting with Youth Commission

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) convened on April 2, 2024, at 9:30 AM in a joint session with the Miami-Dade Youth Commission. The meeting began with the swearing-in of the Youth Commission, followed by presentations from its members on their 2023-2024 efforts, committee achievements, and personal experiences. The regular business session included a consent agenda, public hearings, second readings, and a lengthy pull list. The board addressed numerous items, including affordable housing loans, procurement pools, legislative priorities, and a controversial land conveyance. The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:30 AM to allow for the Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scott Polowitz (2110 Main Sale Circle, 33180), representing the Hold the Line Coalition, opposed item 4E (Oakla UDB application). He argued that the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) is a critical planning tool and that the small acreage would set a bad precedent for further development outside the UDB, with no demonstrated need. The public hearing on item 4E was closed after his testimony.
• Noel Cleeland (5990 SW 50th Street, Miami, 33155) spoke on item 5E (boat show permit at Marine Stadium). He raised concerns about coordination with the City of Miami regarding parking and usage restrictions, environmental impacts (including manatee habitat), and safety issues with the Ludlam Trail pedestrian crossings. He requested that these issues be addressed.

Discussion Items

• Youth Commission Presentations (Items 2A-2D): The Youth Commission chair, secretary, and committee chairs presented their accomplishments, including advocacy, education, cultural arts, and community engagement. Members shared their experiences and college decisions.
• Item 7A – Community Benefits Statement: Commissioner Bastien introduced an ordinance requiring the mayor’s office to include a statement of community benefits for certain housing development projects. Commissioner Higgins proposed amendments to reduce the delay from 60 to 30 days and to require the benefits to be included in the mayor’s memorandum rather than a separate late report. Commissioner Regalado expressed concerns about slowing down projects and suggested requiring early community meetings instead. The board debated the legality of some required benefits (e.g., apprenticeship programs) due to state preemption. The item was passed as amended (9-2-4, with several commissioners voting no, including Higgins, Gonzalez, Hardeman, Regalado, and Cabrera).
• Item 7C – Legal Advertisements Online: The ordinance allowed the county to publish required legal notices on its website. Commissioner Hardeman offered an amendment to clarify that municipalities are not prohibited from maintaining their own websites and must provide a link to the county site. Senator Garcia further amended the item to direct the mayor to develop a form interlocal agreement for municipalities to use the county’s website at no cost, with indemnification and a term not to exceed five years. The item passed unanimously.
• Item 8K1 – Affordable Housing Surtax Loans: Commissioner Bermudez questioned the administration about applicants that did not meet minimum criteria. Staff explained that those applicants would receive six months of technical assistance to meet the threshold before funding. Commissioner Gonzalez confirmed that the criteria were not changing. The item passed.
• Item 8P1, 8P2, 8P4, 8P7, 8P8, 8P9, 8P10 – Pre-qualification Pool Extensions: Senator Garcia criticized the administration for not providing a report on pre-qualified pools as previously directed. The procurement officer indicated a dashboard was being developed. Commissioner Bermudez noted that requested allocations in several pools were significantly higher than original awards (e.g., 8P8 from $19.7M to $54.6M). The items were passed.
• Item 8P12 – Bus Service Contract Adjustment: The item provided a CPI and living wage adjustment for a bus service contract serving workers commuting to Monroe County. Senator Garcia questioned why the vendor had to wait two years for a denial. The item was amended to include a specific amount and passed.
• Item 11A4 – Conveyance of Surplus Land (Palmetto Bay): Commissioner Higgins and Regalado sought to send the item back to committee, citing new information and concerns about notice and process. Commissioner Cohen Higgins defended the residents who had followed Florida statute and waited over a year for a county response, noting the parcel was non-developable land under power lines valued at $14,000. The board voted to refer the item back to the Office of the Chair for reassignment to committee.
• Item 11A14 – Elimination of Fees for Monitored/Work Release: The item eliminated daily fees for monitored release and work release programs. Staff explained that the fees often led to individuals staying in jail at a higher cost ($200/day) versus supervised release ($28/day). The board passed the item, with the chair noting that the general fund would absorb the costs.
• Item 11A13 – 2024 Federal Legislative Package: The board adopted a ballot of 134 critical priorities. The top ten priorities were selected, including home rule, North Corridor funding, transit funding, septic-to-sewer conversion, airport infrastructure, unfunded mandates, Biscayne Bay restoration, mental health services, and senior housing. A tie among six items was resolved by a motion to adopt guiding principles that automatically include home rule and other baseline priorities, making the additional item (Northeast Corridor rapid transit) the tenth priority.

Key Outcomes

• Youth Commission: Sworn-in and presented their annual report.
• Consent Agenda: Approved with amendments, including the addition of a federal legislative priority for Northeast Corridor rapid transit.
• Public Hearings (Items 5B-5I): All passed unanimously, including the boat show permit (5E) and several special taxing districts and plats.
• Second Readings (Items 7A-7D): 7A passed 9-2-4; 7B, 7C, and 7D passed unanimously.
• Pull List Items: Most approved, including 8A1 (human trafficking program), 8I1, 8K1, 8P1-10, 8P12, and 11A1-14 (except 11A4 sent back to committee).
• Legislative Ballot: Top ten priorities adopted, with guiding principles made permanent.
• Other Motions: $250,000 authorized for outside counsel on Metro Center redevelopment; $2,500 each donated to Alzheimer’s Association and SEEK Foundation from District 6 funds; appointment of Theodore Crensalis to the Commission on Disability Issues; and amendment to rename the legacy gift park to Walt Frazier Park.