Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Meeting - November 20, 2024

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners convened on November 20, 2024, at 9:30 AM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included special presentations, public comments, elections of leadership, and action on numerous consent and discussion items. Key outcomes included the election of a new Chair and Vice Chair, approval of resolutions on homelessness, single-use plastics, and a controversial sports complex proposal, among others.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3A1: Resolution authorizing in-kind services from Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces for the October 19, 2024 "Howloween at Palmetto Bay Park" sponsored by PAWS4YOU Rescue, Inc., in the amount of $2,350.00 – adopted.
• Items 3A2-3A9: Resolutions approving allocations from FY 2024-25 discretionary reserves for Districts 2, 12, 6, 13, 11, 7, 10, and 4 – adopted.
• Item 3A10: Resolution approving the City of Miami’s codesignation of Aviation Avenue as “Monty Trainer Way” – adopted unanimously (13-0).
• Items 5A-5G: Public hearings on special taxing districts (El Cayon, Siena Reserve West, Southpointe Vista), plat approvals (Jimenez Subdivision, Sunrise Estates), and a waiver of plat (Rolando Delabat and Beatriz Rojas) – all adopted, with Item 5H passing 12-1.
• Items 8N1, 8N2, 8N3, 8N4: Various transportation-related resolutions including fare collection equipment contract ($64,771,337.00), conveyances for road purposes, and easements for Northside Transit Village affordable housing – all adopted.
• Item 8O1: Ratification of change order for water treatment plant pump replacement – adopted.
• Item 11A1: Reappointment of Ronald L. Book to the Homeless Trust Board with waivers of term limit and residency requirements – adopted (13-0).
• Items 14A1 and 14A2: 99-year ground leases for redevelopment of Perrine Gardens and Heritage Village public housing – adopted (13-0).
• Item 14B1: Quarterly report on countywide evictions and foreclosures – accepted (13-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Lawsner, Mayor of Homestead: Expressed concern about Item 11A6, stating it duplicates a recently approved Homestead project and requested no action that would delay the Homestead project. Noted that neither Space Florida nor Homestead Air Reserve Base had been consulted.
• Larry Ventura, Homestead Air Reserve Base: Requested inclusion in due diligence for Item 11A6 to ensure compatibility with base operations and security.
• Naya and Adia Blaze, co-founders of Assistance R Us: Spoke about bridging the digital divide in Miami-Dade County, noting they have raised $50,000 and aim to raise $100,000, seeking support from commissioners.

Discussion Items

• Election of Chair and Vice Chair (Item 6A1): Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez was nominated and unanimously elected as Chair (by acclamation). Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee was nominated and unanimously elected as Vice Chair.
• Transition to Constitutional Officers (Items 2B1 and 2B5): Commissioner Regalado requested these items be pulled. She moved to allocate up to $250,000 per officer elect (Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector) from the FY 2024-25 future services reserve to retain outside counsel during the transition. The motion passed after amendment to $150,000 per officer with chair approval for excess, but then Commissioner Regalado withdrew her motion and supported the chair’s motion. Ultimately, the motion passed with $250,000 per officer.
• Reappointment of Ronald Book (Item 11A1): Senator Garcia and Commissioner Cohen Higgins expressed concerns about the Homeless Trust’s handling of Camilla’s House residents and lack of succession planning. After debate, the motion passed, with Book committing to provide a written succession plan.
• Single-Use Plastics Reduction (Item 11A4): Commissioner Higgins introduced an amended resolution directing inclusion of provisions to eliminate single-use plastics and polystyrene in future county contracts “to the greatest extent possible.” After debate over costs and feasibility, the amendment was adopted, and the resolution passed.
• Miami Beach CRA and Homeless Funding (Items 11A2 and 11A5): Commissioner Gilbert withdrew Item 11A2. Commissioner Higgins amended Item 11A5 to condition the policy on execution of agreements with Miami Beach to provide $4 million annually for homeless services from resort tax revenue, effective 2027-2039. The amended item passed.
• Homestead Air Reserve Park Sports Complex (Item 11A6): Vice Chair McGhee’s resolution directing due diligence for a 99-year lease and development of a multipurpose sports complex at Homestead Air Reserve Park sparked debate. Commissioners expressed concerns about lack of community input, impact on base operations, and conflict with the Homestead Spaceport designation. The item passed 7-2.
• Calendar Changes: Chair Rodriguez moved to amend the 2024-2025 meeting calendar, including canceling December 17, 2024 meeting and rescheduling certain 2025 meetings. The motion passed.
• Legislative Hold Extensions: A motion to extend legislative holds indefinitely was amended to extend for 90 days, with the exception of two holds that were withdrawn. The motion passed.

Key Outcomes

• New Leadership: Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez elected Chair; Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee elected Vice Chair.
• Constitutional Officer Transition: Approved $250,000 per officer elect for independent legal counsel during transition.
• Homeless Trust: Ronald Book reappointed for another term, with commitment to provide succession plan.
• Single-Use Plastics: County to include plastic reduction provisions in future contracts “to the greatest extent possible.”
• Miami Beach CRA: Conditional policy tied to $4 million annual homeless funding from resort tax revenue.
• Homestead Sports Complex: Due diligence approved; administration to report back in 45 days with a final agreement by January 2025.
• Other Resolutions: Numerous consent items, plat approvals, and special taxing district ordinances adopted.