Miami-Dade BCC Meeting – October 1, 2024: Housing, MDX/GMX Settlement, and More
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Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Meeting – October 1, 2024
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners met on October 1, 2024, beginning at 9:30 AM. The meeting included special presentations, public hearings, and votes on numerous legislative items. Key actions included directing settlement negotiations in the MDX/GMX litigation, approving a major affordable housing development on county land, and adopting several ordinances and resolutions.
Consent Calendar
- Many routine resolutions and reports were approved unanimously, including allocations from discretionary reserves, street naming resolutions, and departmental consent items. Details are available in the final adopted agenda.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Breast Cancer Awareness Presentation: Commissioners and the Mayor spoke in support of the American Cancer Society's Making Strides campaign. Several commissioners pledged $5,000 each from their district discretionary funds, with a total of at least $45,000 committed.
- Heroism Recognition: Two individuals were recognized for saving a life at the County courthouse.
- Public Comment on 30x30 Vision Council: A resident expressed concerns about the 30x30 plan, calling it unconstitutional and a "scam."
- Support for Street Naming: Rene Infante Jr. and Leroy Jones spoke in favor of designating a portion of SW 137th Avenue as "José 'Rene' Infante Way," honoring Mr. Infante's community contributions.
Discussion Items
- MDX/GMX Litigation (Commissioner Cabrera motion): The board discussed a proposal to end litigation with GMX regarding the expressway authority. After debate, the board voted to direct the County Attorney to cease further action and to negotiate a settlement. Commissioner Cabrera was appointed to lead negotiations. The board also deferred a separate motion to rescind MDX.
- Affordable Housing Development on County Land (Item 5B): A resolution to lease approximately 7.286 acres at the South Dade Government Center to TAF SDGC, LLC for 352 affordable housing units, plus an option for 323 more units. The board adopted an amendment requiring 10% of units be set aside for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for 30 years, then up to 120% AMI thereafter. Additionally, a friendly amendment was accepted giving county employees a right of first refusal for 30% of units. The resolution passed, with revenue projected at $71.4 million in rental income over 99 years.
- 30x30 Vision Council (Item 5A): Ordinance allowing the board to add voting members to the council was adopted on second reading with a 10-0 vote.
- Multimodal Mobility Impact Fee Correction (Item 5C): Ordinance correcting a descriptive error in Factor 9B was adopted.
- Street Closures and Special Taxing Districts: Items 5D through 5H1 and 5I through 5K were approved, including plat approvals and a mangrove alteration permit for Matheson Hammock Park.
- Second Reading Items (7B-7E): Adopted: Expansion of the RTZ Smart Corridor Subzone near Culmer Metrorail Station (7B); Youth Crime Task Force reappointment (7D); Infill housing ordinance allowing direct board applications (7E). Item 7C (Civic Center RTZ expansion) was deferred indefinitely.
- Pull List Items: Several procurement and contract items were approved after discussion. Notable: 8P1, 8P5, 8P12, 8P13 (pools) were approved with an audit by the Commission Auditor. 8O2 (Ocean Outfall Legislation design) and 8P17 (biosolids hauling contract, amended to $32M max) also passed.
- Resilient Home Improvement Rebate Program (11A3): Resolution to study a rebate program was adopted, with Chairman Gilbert noting fiscal concerns.
- Leaf Blower Pilot Program (11A8): Resolution to study transitioning to non-gas-powered leaf blowers at county parks was adopted.
- Other Resolutions: Items on defibrillators, portraiture, horse theft enforcement, Safe Space program, World Kindness Day, and federal insurance deduction were adopted.
Key Outcomes
- MDX/GMX Settlement: Board directed no further litigation and appointed Commissioner Cabrera to negotiate a settlement. All pending projects to continue; funds to stay in Miami-Dade.
- Affordable Housing (5B): Approved with amendments: 10% low-income set-aside for 30 years, county employee right of first refusal, and 99-year affordability covenant. Lease revenue of $71.4M plus $6M upfront payment.
- 30x30 Vision Council: Adopted on second reading (10-0).
- First Readings: Three ordinances passed on first reading, including Redland Gardens street lighting districts and an ethics training ordinance.
- Meeting Schedule Change: November 19, 2024 meeting moved to November 20, 2024 to accommodate Tallahassee swearing-in ceremonies.
- Votes: All votes were unanimous (ranging from 10-0 to 11-0) except where noted. Commissioner Higgins and Gonzalez were absent. Commissioner Cabrera and Garcia were present for key votes.
Meeting Transcript
As our chairman makes his way down. We are gonna begin our presentation. Mayor. Commissioners. Good morning, everybody. Chairman. Good morning, everyone. I'm Oliver Gilbert, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, and this is the presentation portion of our agenda. Um, we used the presentation portion of our agenda to recognize extraordinary causes, extraordinary people, express our sentiment about things. Today we have a presentation that's been sponsored by Commissioner Mickey Steinberg. You were give her a happy like fingers right here. Now, Pepe, you know we don't clap in the chain, but stop. Stop, stop. You would know, stop, stop. Okay, you do this and you smile. So that's what we're gonna do. But Commissioner, the presentation, the floor is yours. Thank you, thank you. Good morning. It's truly inspiring to witness the dedication and leadership of Miami Dade County. They have demonstrated in the fight against breast cancer. Each year, a county actively participates in and fundraises along the American Cancer Society for Making Strides event held at the Lone Depot Park. This year marks the twenty-sixth anniversary of this meaningful partnership. Did I say that right? This year, DeMaris Isler, where is she? Ah, Demaris. From the water and sewer department is leading the charge as the chairwoman for the twenty twenty-four making strides against breast cancer campaign. Damaris has also been committed to the cause for more than twenty years, and your leadership is invaluable. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. So I'd like to announce that my office will be donating $5,000 to the Making Strides campaign and encourage my colleagues to join me in this effort. Because together we can make a significant impact. And you know, I did mention two amazing women, but it takes all of us. It takes all of you. So thank you all because we are a family and we're in this together. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner. I know the mayor wants to have a couple of words. Let me just say this. One of the things that that we did this year as a commission was we actually changed how we and who we can actually donate money to from our payroll. So when people get their checks, they can check boxes. And this year we added the American Cancer Society to that because we understand that this is not just something that we're doing in October. It's not this is something that affects all of us. It affects all of us and all the time. Every family, every ethnicity, every race. But because we all know someone at two aunts, both of them passed away from breast cancer. So it affects us. It affects us, and we know it's all something that if we come together, if we marshal our resources, if if we fund it. Last night we were at Dolphin Stadium, and they were talking about they they're giving 12 million dollars for cancer generally, but a lot of that goes to breast cancer research. We we know that we can do this together as a community. And so I appreciate all of you all being here.
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