Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Meeting – September 17, 2024

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, beginning at 9:30 AM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included a closed shade session, extensive public comment, and consideration of numerous resolutions and ordinances. Key topics included the selection of a site for a new waste-to-energy facility, the conveyance of county-owned property for affordable housing, and the establishment of a mental health diversion facility. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:00 PM after a full agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Mayoral Appointment – Director of Internal Services Department: Raymond Hall was confirmed as the new director (vote 13–0).
• Commissioner Consent Items: Numerous resolutions approving discretionary reserve allocations for districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 were adopted (all 13–0).
• Departmental Consent Items: Approved retroactively grant applications for seawall replacement at Crandon Park Marina, historic structure assessment at Coral Gables Wayside Park, emergency repair of a raw water main, and a Safe Routes to School program agreement (all 13–0).
• First Reading Ordinances: Items 4A (rules of procedure for municipal notification), 4B (HIV/AIDS partnership membership), 4D (Bridge Doral street lighting district), 4E (CDMP amendment for Lennar Homes), 14A9 (30x30 Vision Council membership), and 14A10 (multimodal mobility impact fee correction) were adopted on first reading (all 13–0). Item 4C (Redland Gardens South street lighting district) was deferred (13–0).
• Second Reading Ordinance: Item 7A (rapid transit zone expansion near Culmer Metrorail station) was deferred to the next meeting (13–0).
• Public Hearing Items: Items 5B (real estate appraisal waivers) and 5F (South Dade Transit Operations Center) were deferred or adopted as noted. Items 5C (30x30 Vision Council staff support), 5D (fence zoning amendments), 5E (naming of Sean W. McCrackine Pineland Preserve), 5G (plat of Caldwell Martin Townhomes), and 5H (plat of Tamiami Storage) were all adopted (13–0 each).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Waste-to-Energy Facility Site Selection (Item 11A5): Over 100 residents and officials spoke, nearly all opposing the proposed sites at Airport West (Opalaca) and Okeechobee Road. Speakers included State Representative Robin Bartleman, Miramar City Commissioner Maxwell Chambers, Doral Mayor Christy Fraga, and representatives from environmental groups. Opposition centered on health risks, proximity to the Everglades, air and water pollution, and environmental justice concerns. Supporters, including the City of Doral and its attorneys, argued for relocating the facility away from Doral, citing the need for a new site and citing the Airport West location as the best available option. Doral officials emphasized that the current facility has caused decades of harm.
• Affordable Housing Property Conveyance (Item 5A): Several speakers, including the developer Michael Goldstein, expressed support for the project, highlighting the need for affordable housing and the planned remediation of a contaminated brownfield site.
• Mental Health Diversion Facility (Item 11A2): No public comment was taken on this item during the hearing, but extensive discussion occurred among commissioners.

Discussion Items

• Item 5A – Surplus Property for Affordable Housing: The resolution declared a county-owned property at 2750 NW 20th Street surplus and authorized conveyance to Goldstein Kite Environmental for affordable housing development. Commissioner Marleine Bastien, the prime sponsor, emphasized that the developer committed to 10% extremely low-income units, 15% low-to-moderate income, and 25% workforce housing. The administration raised concerns about the property’s use by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Police for boat ramp access and equipment storage. After an amendment adding language to accommodate ramp use for police, fire, and transportation, the item passed 12–1 (Commissioner Steinberg voted no).
• Item 8F2 – Purchase of Property in Cutler Bay: The resolution authorized the purchase of a 46,415-square-foot building at 10821 Caribbean Blvd for $14 million, with up to $14.99 million total including retrofitting, to be used for homeless services. Commissioner Eileen Higgins, prime sponsor, noted that the substitute item included a restrictive covenant. Senator Rene Garcia expressed concerns about potential loss of shelter beds at Camillus House due to funding disputes. The item passed 11–2 (Commissioners Cohen Higgins and Garcia voted no).
• Item 8K1 – Dissolution of Public Housing Waiting List: The resolution authorized dissolving the waiting list as of October 1, 2024, and reopening applications from October 15–25, 2024. Commissioner Gonzalez requested clarification on the difference between this list and the Section 8 list. The item passed 12–0 (Commissioner Cabrera not voting).
• Item 11A2 – Mental Health Diversion Facility: The resolution directed the mayor to negotiate agreements with WestCare Florida, Inc. and The Advocate Program, Inc. for operation of the mental health center, and allocated opioid funding. An amendment added that the facility shall only provide services to the mentally ill. Senator Garcia questioned the financial plan, use of opioid funds, and potential overlap with homeless services. The item passed (voice vote, no tally recorded but noted as adopted).
• Item 11A3 – Development Required Infrastructure Policy (DRIP): The resolution established a policy for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades with a $5 million annual cap and clarification that private laterals are excluded. An amendment was adopted. The item was approved as amended.
• Item 14A11 – Redevelopment of Gibson Plaza and West Grove Housing: The resolution authorized negotiations with the highest-ranked proposers for redevelopment of these public housing developments. Passed 10–0.

Key Outcomes

• Waste-to-Energy Facility Site Selection (Item 11A5): Deferred to November 6, 2024, by a vote of 8–5. During the deferral period, the administration is directed to: (1) negotiate with the City of Doral for a financial contribution to offset the increased cost of moving the facility outside Doral; (2) evaluate the Medley land swap proposal and other site options; (3) provide a report on financial modeling, including potential use of other landfills and transfer stations. The board indicated that the Delta (difference in cost between building in Doral vs. elsewhere) must be covered by Doral’s contribution.
• Item 11A5 – Resolution on Waste-to-Energy: The board also considered a resolution to authorize site selection for a new waste-to-energy facility, but it was deferred along with the site selection debate.
• Item 5A – Affordable Housing Conveyance: Passed 12–1 after an amendment clarifying boat ramp access for public safety agencies.
• Item 8F2 – Cutler Bay Property Purchase: Passed 11–2, with the requirement that a restrictive covenant be recorded and that the property be used for homeless services.
• Item 8K1 – Public Housing Waiting List: Approved 12–0, with assurances that current applicants will not lose their place and that the application process will be accessible in multiple languages and in paper form.
• Item 11A2 – Mental Health Facility: Approved with an amendment to limit services to the mentally ill. The administration will bring back a five-year operational plan and funding strategy.
• Other Items: All remaining departmental and commission items on the poll list were approved, including the award of contracts for medical transportation services, vending machines, bus routes, and HVAC chiller services.