Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Meeting - June 18, 2024
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Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Meeting - June 18, 2024
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners met on June 18, 2024, at 9:30 AM in Commission Chambers. The meeting began with a special performance by the New Canon Chamber Collective and a proclamation declaring June 18, 2024 as Cornelius Bell Family Day. The board considered a range of items including presentations, first readings of ordinances, public hearings, and policy motions. Key highlights included an annual joint meeting with the Public Health Trust, a citizens presentation on military installation resilience, and several votes on workforce housing, solid waste assessments, and capital bonds.
Consent Calendar
- Commissioner Consent Items: Resolutions approving discretionary and designated fund allocations for Districts 2, 12, 6, 13, 1 (substitute), 11, 3, 8, 5, 9, 7, and 4 were approved, with item 3A5 (District 1) withdrawn and a substitute approved.
- Departmental Consent Items: A resolution approving a Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund Trip and Equipment Grant Agreement (up to $8,000,000) was adopted.
- Other Consent Items: Items 8P2 (settlement agreement with Bettoli Trading Corp.), 14A1 (lease for District 12 office), 14A2 (petroleum products superfund site settlement), and 15B1 (proposed public hearing dates, as amended) were approved. Additionally, resolutions on sister cities (11A1), rental car center agreement extension (11A2), and urging the SAFE Act (11A3) and Homeland Security appropriations (11A4) were adopted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Francisco Petrina (representing City of Miami) opposed item 4C (workforce housing in the Rapid Transit Zone), requesting a continuance or denial due to the pending governmental conflict resolution process and lawsuit, arguing it usurps city zoning authority.
- Pastor Patrick C. Jackson spoke against the reappointment of Elsie Hamler to the Small Business Enterprise Construction (SBE-C) Advisory Board, expressing his desire for the position.
- Hattie Walker (District 2, Grantney Neighborhood Association) complained about lack of services and flooding on the west side, saying the east side receives more attention.
- Munir Ingram (Little River Farms HOA, County HOA Coalition) addressed environmental and flooding concerns related to development and the Everglades Restoration Project, requesting a coordinated effort for flood mitigation and infrastructure.
- Renita Holmes (allowed by motion) spoke about the public's right to be heard and concerns regarding accessibility of information related to agenda items, specifically item 4C.
Discussion Items
Annual Joint Meeting of the Public Health Trust (Item 6B1)
Chairman Walter T. Richardson and President Carlos Migoya presented the Jackson Health System annual report. They highlighted growth, the plan to build workforce housing on the Jackson Medical Towers site (with at least half reserved for employees earning 60-120% of area median income), and financial challenges due to inflation and slowed patient volume. They reiterated the system's commitment to uncompensated care and quality. Commissioners praised the leadership and affordable housing initiative.
Citizens Presentation – South Florida Military Installation Resilience Review (Item 1E1)
Isabel Cosio Carballo and Christina Mesca from the South Florida Regional Planning Council presented the review, funded by the Department of Defense. They noted that three of South Florida's four installations were in the top ten most imperiled, and the installations have a $16.1 billion annual economic impact supporting 155,000 jobs. The review assessed vulnerabilities (flooding, sea level rise, extreme weather) and identified priority projects for Homestead Air Reserve Base and U.S. Army Garrison Miami, such as potable water, alternate energy, transportation, and resilience hubs. Mayor Levine Cava emphasized the economic and security imperative.
First Readings of Ordinances
- 4A (Aviation Department capital improvement reporting) – adopted 11-0.
- 4B (revolving line of credit for Public Health Trust) – adopted 11-0.
- 4C (workforce housing in Rapid Transit Zone, requiring 12.5% workforce housing units in Metromover subzone) – adopted 11-0 on first reading. Suspended rules to set public hearing for September 11, 2024.
- 4D (capital asset acquisition special obligation bonds, up to $265 million) – adopted 11-0 on first reading. Suspended rules to set public hearing for July 2, 2024.
- 4E (solid waste non-ad valorem assessment rolls and rates) – adopted 8-3 on first reading. Commissioners Cabrera, Higgins, and McGee voted no. Chairman Gilbert noted that a no vote would result in a flat rate by default.
Public Hearings
- 5A (CareerSource South Florida ordinance) – adopted 11-0.
- 5B Substitute (aviation revenue refunding bonds, up to $1.025 billion) – adopted 11-0.
- 5C (Kendall Town Center Apartments special taxing district) – deferred to July 16, 2024 (11-0).
- 5D (plat of JAC Homes) – adopted 11-0.
- 5E (waiver of plat of HL Transpacific, LLC) – adopted 11-0.
- 5F (Class I permit modification for seawall at 480 Arvida Parkway) – adopted 11-0 after public testimony from John Korbick, who supported the replacement method to protect upland structures.
- 5G (co-designation of SW 268th Street as "Desmond Meade Street") – adopted 11-0.
Greater Miami Expressway Agency (GMX) Appointments (Item 6A1)
Chairman Gilbert reported that the county has run three ad rounds (each costing $4,350) seeking applicants for a GMX board seat but has received no qualified candidates. He recommended suspending further ads. Commissioners discussed the stringent eligibility criteria (residing in unincorporated area within 15 miles of toll roads, no prior elected office, professional experience in finance/tolling/transportation). Commissioner Bermudez suggested a social media outreach. The board agreed to produce a graphic and seek candidates without further ads.
Poll List Items
- 8G1 (Lease/purchase of vehicles/equipment, up to $210 million): Commissioner Gonzalez inquired about electric bus operability in flood conditions. DTPW staff confirmed an 8-inch SOP, 14-inch clearance, and 180-mile range. Commissioner Regalado expressed concern about long-term battery maintenance. The item passed.
- 8L2 (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, $1,134,700): Commissioner Gonzalez supported and requested outreach in District 11. Passed 10-0.
- 8P1 (Sleeping centers at Miami International Airport): Approved separately (11-0).
Key Outcomes
- Civilian Oversight Board for Sheriff (Vice Chairman Rodriguez): The board directed the County Mayor to establish a three-member civilian oversight board to review policies and procedures, effective July 1, 2024. The board will sunset September 30, 2024, be advisory only, with members serving without compensation. (Passed).
- His House Rent (Motion): The board directed county administration to notify His House in writing that it must resume paying its contractually mandated monthly rent to the county effective July 1, 2024. (Passed).
- Legislative Extension (Bastien, Gonzalez, Steinberg): The board extended indefinitely the approval period for legislative requests eligible for extension from these commissioners. (Passed).
- Greater Miami Service Corps (Commissioner McGee): The board waived Implementing Order 3-9 and authorized the Mayor to waive up to $2 million in administrative fees due to the county for FY 2023-24 support services. (Passed).
- Flood Mitigation and Park (Commissioner Hardeman): The board directed the Mayor to negotiate the purchase of a 28,569-square-foot vacant property (Folio 01-3207-0310320) near 1020 NE 72nd Terrace for flood mitigation and a park, using Florida Inland Navigation District grants if possible. If negotiations fail by July 2, 2024, the administration shall seek authorization for eminent domain. (Passed).
- Appointments: The board made several appointments to advisory boards: Rainer G. Fernandez Romani and Ryan Anderson to the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee; Renee Ravelli Bleemer, Yolanda Berkowitz, and Rita Schwartz to the Animal Services Advisory Board. (Approved).
- Resolutions: The board adopted resolutions urging Congress to pass the SAFE Act (11A3), supporting Homeland Security appropriations provisions (11A4), and urging increased participation in the Summer EBT program and non-congregate meal services (11A5).
Note: The meeting also included a special presentation honoring WWII veteran James Weir (deferred to July 2, 2024) and a proclamation recognizing Cornelius Bell Family Day.
Meeting Transcript
And we have we're gonna begin with the presentation portion of our agenda. This is a time in our agenda. We actually have wonderful groups tonight. Today we have uh one of you musicians, but we use this time to actually honor people uh and make presentations. So without further ado, we're going to be blessed by with with some selections from the new Canon Chamber collective, some extraordinary talented musicians from our community. Please take it away. Look at us. You know, um so what is hold on. In my enemy's eyes. The old king is dead. Long live the king. You all can do better than that. Give him another round of applause. So this is the new Canon Chamber collective. And they are extraordinarily talented. But I wanted to just take a moment to highlight, and we could have the folks on the side who are talking. Everybody who's talking on the side. So we like to highlight the talent in this community because it's important. But it's not just the fact that their talent, art, culture, it makes us a world-class community. It allows us to express something that's in us. It truly completes us. But there's also an economic impact of this community. I know that recently a lot of cultural affairs and cultural organizations around the state realized they weren't getting funding. But we've always stayed committed to the idea that we're going to support the arts. We're going to support cultural organizations. But we've always stayed committed to the idea that we're going to support the arts, we're going to support cultural organizations, not just because it's good for them because it's more than just good for them, it's good for us as a community, and it's good business. And we need to understand that because one of the true indicators of communities and economic growth is when you see culture, the cultural part of the community, you always see job creation. You always see that. So thank you all for everything you do. Thank you for blessing us with this wonderful music. And uh please keep doing what you do. Thank you all very much. Give another round of applause. All right. Commissioner Keoni McGee, you're recognized for a presentation. Thank you. I asked them to play some Tupac, but they didn't know it. Then I asked for some Kendrick Lamar, not like me, but they ain't learned it yet. But they'll be back. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In 1619, a ship arrived to this great nation, and that ship was called the White Lion. It arrived before the Mayflower arrived to this great nation. The White Lion, as the ship was called, had aboard its vessel. About 20 to 25 enslaved Africans. That was the beginning of slavery in this great nation that we know has been memorialized. It wasn't until President Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation that declared slaves in the South to be free. However, that message didn't make it to Texas until June 19th. The ironic reality that brings us here today is that in our midst is a young man whose father, whose father was born before slavery was abolished. And it is only fitting that we, as a county commissioner, along with our mayor and those of us who are present pay respect to this young man who not only has gone on to represent his community as a councilman, the longest serving councilman, but also one who we call a historian uh within our community, particularly in the Perron area.
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