Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting: July 16, 2024
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Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting: July 16, 2024
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners met on July 16, 2024, at 9:30 AM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included special presentations honoring former County Manager Merrett R. Stierheim and the Florida Panthers Stanley Cup champions, followed by a full agenda of resolutions, ordinances, and discussion items. Key actions included approval of a solid waste fee increase, deferral of a mutual aid agreement with police chiefs, and deferral of a surplus property conveyance for affordable housing.
Special Presentations
- Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins presented a tribute to former County Manager Merrett R. Stierheim (died at age 90), highlighting his decades of public service including integrating public pools, overseeing construction of Metrorail, and guiding the county through crises. A portrait will be commissioned and placed in the county lobby.
- Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee presented a recognition of the Florida Panthers, who won the 2024 Stanley Cup. July 16, 2024 was declared "Florida Panthers Day" in Miami-Dade County.
Consent Calendar
- Approved allocations from various district discretionary reserves and designated project programs (items 3A1–3A6), all passed 11–0.
- Adopted Report of Commission Auditor's 2023 Annual Report (11–0).
- Accepted Second Quarter Budget Report FY 2023-24 (11–0).
- Accepted reports on Haulover Park boat ramp, Greater Miami CVB marketing plan, and park zones pilot program (all 11–0).
- Approved resolutions authorizing FY 2023-24 grant awards for tourist development, visual and media artists, and other cultural grants (various votes, some split).
- Approved lease agreements for Department of Health office space at no cost to the county (passed unanimously).
- Approved a 50-year ground lease for mixed-use development in Wynwood (item 8F5) with an estimated $45.8 million in rent over the term.
- Approved contract awards for Metrorail station elevators, bus passenger bench program, psychological testing, and other procurements (most passed unanimously).
- Approved collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME locals (items 9A3, 9A4).
- Approved resolutions declaring July 16 as Florida Panthers Day and approving an interlocal agreement for legal advertisement publication.
- Approved a non-binding straw ballot question for the November 2024 general election on expanding free public Wi-Fi countywide (passed 12–0).
- Approved resolution authorizing participation in opioid litigation settlement with Kroger.
- Several items deferred to September 4, 2024 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Comment period (Reasonable Opportunity to be heard):
- Chief Pete Delgado (West Miami Police Department, President of Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police) and attorney Joe Natello requested deferral of the mutual aid agreement (Item 11A4). They cited five concerns: need for municipalities to negotiate terms, removal of decision-making from county director to elected officials, desire for a set fee schedule, clarity on cost thresholds, and the short time before transition to an elected sheriff. They asked for the opportunity to negotiate.
- Carl Bay and Gerald Reed Jr. spoke regarding discretionary funding and CDBG allocations, requesting consideration for five organizations that applied but did not receive funding.
Discussion Items
Mutual Aid Agreement (Item 11A4 Substitute) – Deferred
Chairman Oliver Gilbert introduced a revised mutual aid agreement requiring municipalities to reimburse the county for overtime costs during pre-planned, voluntary major events. The item drew strong opposition from police chiefs and several commissioners. Arguments included:
- Chairman Gilbert: The current agreement was being abused (e.g., Miami Beach spring break costs escalated from $300,000 to nearly $900,000 in overtime). The new version only applies to pre-planned events and includes mutual indemnification.
- Commissioner Steinberg: Opposed, citing lack of notice and concerns about defining "voluntary event" and potential chilling effect on mutual aid requests.
- Commissioner Regalado: Supported deferral to allow negotiation with municipalities.
- Commissioner Cohen Higgins: Agreed in principle but worried small cities might not call for help due to cost.
- Commissioner Hardeman: Supported deferral to refine language, noting the issue is fiscal responsibility, not policing.
- The item was deferred to the September 4, 2024 meeting by a vote of 12–0. Chairman Gilbert will negotiate with the Chiefs of Police.
Solid Waste Collection Fee (Item 5F) – Amended and Passed 8–4
Chairman Gilbert moved to amend the proposed flat rate of $147 per household to $697 per household for FY 2024-25, with future annual adjustments tied to CPI. The amendment passed after debate:
- Supporters (Chairman Gilbert, Commissioner Higgins, Commissioner Hardeman, others): Argued the fee must cover actual costs to avoid continued borrowing from the disposal fund (approximately $40 million this year). Without the increase, service reductions (e.g., once-weekly pickup) would harm low-income neighborhoods. Linking to CPI prevents annual political battles.
- Opponents (Commissioner Regalado, Senator Garcia, others): Stated that without a comprehensive solid waste master plan and decision on the waste-to-energy facility, the increase is premature and amounts to a blank check. They favored a strategic review first.
- The amendment passed 8–4. Item 5F adopted as amended.
Surplus Property for Affordable Housing (Item 5I) – Deferred to September 17, 2024
Commissioner Marleine Bastien sponsored a resolution to convey county-owned property at 2750 NW 20th Street (Miami) to Goldstein Kite Environmental LLC for affordable housing. Multiple county departments (DERM, DTPW, Fire Rescue, Police) claimed the property is needed for their operations (boat ramp, bridge maintenance, marine patrol, fire boat repair). The item was deferred after Commissioner Bastien agreed, with the mayor's office given 60 days to find a compromise. The board insisted on a full report by September.
La Quinta Acquisition by Homeless Trust (Discussion Item 6B1) – Deferred to September
Commissioner Regalado raised concerns about losing the opportunity to purchase the La Quinta Inn for senior homeless housing. Homeless Trust Chair Ron Book warned the seller would pull out if no action in July. Commissioner Cohen Higgins (district 8) opposed the site location and questioned the urgency. The board decided not to suspend rules to force a vote; instead, the item will be brought back in September with a requirement to find alternatives or make a final decision.
Transportation Infrastructure Improvement District Ordinance (Item 7A) – Adopted as Amended
Commissioner Eileen Higgins moved to amend the ordinance to allow funding for cycling and pedestrian facilities within a half-mile of a rapid transit station or directly adjacent to a rapid transit project. The amendment was accepted, and the ordinance passed unanimously. The TID will generate dedicated funding for transit projects by capturing tax increment.
Other Second Reading Items
- Item 7B: Creating the Miami-Dade County 30x30 Vision Council – adopted unanimously.
- Item 5C: Authorization of up to $265 million in capital asset acquisition bonds – passed 8–3.
- Item 5E: Modifications to Building Better Communities Bond projects – adopted 12–0.
- Item 5G: Plat approval for Quail Roost Transit Residences – passed 12–0.
- Item 5H: Bond modification for Ives Estates Park and new Miami Gardens Pickleball Courts – passed 12–0.
Key Outcomes
- Solid Waste Fee Increase: Approved ($697/household for FY 2024-25, with annual CPI adjustment). Passed 8–4.
- Mutual Aid Agreement: Deferred to September 4, 2024 meeting for further negotiation with municipalities.
- Surplus Property (2750 NW 20th St): Deferred to September 17, 2024 meeting; administration to report on compromises.
- Homeless Trust La Quinta Acquisition: Discussion deferred to September; no rules suspended.
- TIF/TID Ordinance: Adopted as amended (unanimous) to fund transit and include trails/cycling paths.
- 30x30 Vision Council: Created (passed unanimously).
- Cultural Grants: FY 2023-24 visual and media artists grants approved 6–5 (item 8C2).
- Airport Development Leases: Approved for Ocean Aviation TMB (40-year term, $67.2M investment) and Miami Gateway Partners (40-year, $512M estimated revenue), both after amendments.
- Millage Rate Resolutions: Approved for countywide operating, debt service, fire rescue, library, and UMUSA operating millage rates (voted 10–1).
- Straw Ballot on Free Wi-Fi: To appear on November 2024 ballot (passed 12–0).
- Settlement Authority: Chairman authorized to negotiate settlement in City of Miami v. Miami-Dade County regarding Rapid Transit Development Zone (passed 11–0).
- Legislative Priorities: Approved 2025 State Legislative Priorities.
- Other: Approved resolutions on veteran hiring report, Hurricane Beryl relief leave donation, and domestic violence oversight board sponsorships.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. If we can please have our seats so we can begin this morning's presentation. Good morning, everyone. I'm Oliver Gilbert, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, and this is the presentations portion of our agenda. We take this time in our agenda to recognize people, uh organizations that are doing incredible things in our community. Today we have two presentations. The first one will be uh presented by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins. Commissioner Cornhiggins, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to everyone who is joining us in chambers this morning before our BCC hearing to honor and recognize someone who has been truly significant, inspiring, and impactful to Miami Dade County. Uh unfortunately and sadly, we recently lost our former county manager Merritt Steerheim. He passed at the age of 90, and we are gonna do our very best, our level best to begin to share the story of Mr. Stierheim and the work that he did on behalf of the residents of Miami Dade County. Uh and so if you are here joining us for the memory and honor of Merritt Steerheim, I I welcome you to join us in the well at this time. Uh so please join us. And so we'll keep you posted of of when that will be organized. Uh but I do have a quote by our former district eight county commissioner, Commissioner Katie Sorensen, who wanted to share a few words regarding the work of Mr. Stierheim. She said, Mr. Steerheim personified good government. He was a pro adhering to the highest ethical principles while managing with skill and purpose. He respected his bosses, the elected officials chosen by the people, as well as the people who worked for him. He was tough. But he was also fair, kind and compassionate. He loved Miami Dade County and came to the rescue more than once, always an advocate for and a practitioner of professional management. Miami Dade lost a true champion, but his legacy lives on in the public servants. He influenced and touched. He was my mentor and my friend. Merritt Steerheim. Step in anywhere during his many years of public service, and you'll find that the thread that weaves the fabric of his life is dedication and a commitment to improving anything he touches. Honesty, integrity, responsibility were qualities instilled in him as a young boy. In 1959, however, Miami was a troubled place. The Magic City did not treat all its residents equally. There was discrimination and segregation. Not long after arriving at his new job, Merritt was given the task of integrating the city's public swimming pools and the orange bowl. It was an experience he never forgot and led him to fight for equality and justice for the next 40 years. For the next nine years, Merritt was at the helm during some of the most tumultuous times in our community's history. As county manager beginning in 1976, he oversaw a decade of progress bonds, including the construction of Metro Zoo, solid waste facilities, fire stations, parks, libraries, a cultural complex, and police stations. It was a period of fast growth for our town, and Merritt was there conducting the train. And speaking of trains, there was Metro Rail. No other public works project created so much fury and public passion as the building of a mass transit system. He was also here for the tough times in the early 80s when our town was literally coming apart at the scenes. Cocaine cowboys, civil disturbances, uncontrolled immigration. No one, it seemed, wanted anything to do with us. The tourism industry took a dive. Latin America went bust, and the town went into a slump. When speaking about the civil disturbances, he told close friends, when I looked out from our command center and saw my town burning, I broke down and cried. Yet in public, he maintained his resolve, and the town and its manager persevered. The manager and his staff worked to bring more economic parity to the black community. Metro Miami Action Plan was created.
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