Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners convened on September 3, 2025, at 9:30 AM in Commission Chambers to address a full agenda including proclamations, public hearings, consent items, and multiple policy discussions. Key actions included adopting a composting ordinance on first reading, approving a 0.7% solid waste fee increase (amended from 1%), expanding the Naranja Lakes Community Redevelopment Area, and passing second reading of the Coral Gables/University Station Rapid Transit Zone subzone. The meeting lasted several hours with robust debate on budgetary pressures and service impacts.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2025) proclaimed by Chairman Anthony Rodriguez.
• Dr. Kenneth D. Hutchins honored for 24 years as Chief Medical Examiner; September 3, 2025 declared “Dr. Kenneth D. Hutchins Day.”
• Hunger Action Month (September 2025) proclaimed, with remarks from Feeding South Florida CEO Paco Vélez.
• Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (September 2025) proclaimed by Commissioner Keon Hardeman, highlighting the “Take Your Loved One to the Doctor” campaign.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Fernandez Steers (City of Miami) requested denial or continuance of agenda item 4B (Rapid Transit Zone expansion), citing a pending lawsuit challenging county authority.
• Amanda DiPerna, Steven Lindner, Marcela Valladarez, and others expressed strong support for item 4F (composting ordinance), noting that 21% of residential waste is compostable and that the ordinance would streamline legal operations for community composters.
• Yvonne Hampton (Miami Gardens) opposed the solid waste fee increase, stating residents already pay enough for recycling and garbage services.
• Victoria Mallette (Homeless Trust) supported the Naranja Lakes CRA expansion, citing 30 years of service in the area and the need for affordable senior housing and blight remediation.
• Larry Ventura (U.S. Air Force, Homestead Air Reserve Base) withdrew a deferral request after the CRA map was edited to remove military property, and received assurances that no land-use changes would occur without base consultation.

Consent Calendar

• All consent items (Commissioner and Departmental) were approved by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including routine allocations from district reserves, surplus property donations, ratification of grants, and approval of numerous plat waivers and plats (e.g., Abess, Naranja Grand, Century Estates North, Princeton Landings, Goulds Paradise, etc.).
• Item 3B1 (Confidential Project Mercurio – Targeted Jobs Incentive) was withdrawn and replaced by substitute 3B1, which reduced the incentive amount from $594,000 to $193,724.92; substitute adopted 10-0.
• Item 3B2 (grant agreement for Northeast Corridor TOD planning) was withdrawn and replaced by substitute 3B2; adopted 8-0.

Discussion Items & Ordinances

• First Reading Items (all adopted 11-0):
  • 4A: Children’s Trust governing board term limits (conforming to state statute).
  • 4B: Rapid Transit Zone expansion – Metromover subzone (passed despite City of Miami opposition).
  • 4C–4E: Creation of three special taxing districts (Ocean Gate Village, Magnolia Point, Pinemesa).
  • 4F: Comprehensive composting ordinance (administrative zoning for composting in AU district, permitting, waste hauler requirements).
  • 4G, 4H: Comprehensive Development Master Plan amendments.
  • 4I: Conflict of Interest and Ethics Code amendment (to align with HUD rules; public hearing set for October 9, 2025).
  • 14A5: Miami-Dade CBO Trust Fund (first reading; second reading set for October 9, 2025 after committee discussion).
• Second Reading – Item 7A: Coral Gables/University Station Rapid Transit Zone subzone – adopted 11-0 with amendments incorporating City of Coral Gables requests (setback, open space, signage, lighting standards).
• Public Hearings (majority adopted 12-0):
  • 5A: Naranja Lakes CRA expansion – adopted after amendment adding a supplement removing military property; Vice Chairman McGhee noted the area suffers high poverty, crime, and blight. Several commissioners expressed concerns about general fund impact, but supported the item.
  • 5B: True North Classical Academy revenue bonds ($13M) – adopted 12-0.
  • 5C–5G1: Various special taxing districts (Doral, Redlands Cove, Rancho Grande, Salerno East, Naranja Grand) – all adopted.
  • 5H–5I: Community Development Districts (Black Creek expansion, Rancho Grande creation) – adopted.
  • 5J–5M: Road/alley closing petitions – adopted.
  • 5N–5U: Plat approvals (Abess, Naranja Grand, Century Estates North, Princeton Landings, Naranja Grand II, MJR FL Holdings waiver, 251 NE 116 Holdings waiver, Goulds Paradise) – all adopted, with waivers passing 11-1.
  • 5V: Solid waste non-ad valorem assessment rates – amended from 1% to 0.7% increase after extensive debate. The amendment (proposed by Commissioner Regalado) cut $85,000 in advertising, $200,000 in education, and anticipated $67,000 from increased illegal dumping fines. Passed 7-5.

Key Outcomes

• Solid Waste Fee Increase: The board voted 7-5 to set the assessment roll at a 0.7% increase (down from the proposed 1%). The amendment also directed the administration to explore raising illegal dumping fines and to consider a pay-as-you-throw program. A DSWM Cares program for low-income residents is expected in fall 2025.
• Naranja Lakes CRA Expansion: Adopted as amended (map revised to exclude military property). The CRA will now hire a consultant to amend the redevelopment plan. Estimated future annual county contributions to the CRA will be reported.
• Composting Ordinance (4F): Passed first reading 11-0; public hearing scheduled for Infrastructure Committee on September 8, 2025. The ordinance creates administrative approval for composting in the AU district, excepts composting facilities from certain public water/sewer requirements, and establishes hauler permits.
• CBO Trust Fund (14A5): First reading adopted 11-0; second reading and public hearing set for October 9, 2025, after committee review.
• Ethics Code Amendment (4I): First reading adopted 11-0; second reading scheduled for October 7 (later moved to October 9) to pair with a companion resolution from the Housing Committee.
• Termination of County Employees: Commissioner Bastien raised concerns about 251 employees facing layoffs; the board amended item 14A3 (prioritizing laid-off employees for hiring) to include an expedited HR process.
• Appointments: Abigail Price-Williams to Public Health Trust Board; John Elias Calles and Steven G. Ullmann to Health Facilities Authority; Barbara Sanchez and Dr. Francisco Duberli to Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board; Mary Sell Bell Ray to Commission on Disability Issues – all approved.
• Task Force on Procurement Efficiency: Deadline extended to September 12, 2025, for preliminary findings and March 2026 for final report.
• Vehicle Rental Contract: The board authorized a bid waiver and contract modification with Royal Rental Car and Enterprise Leasing, extending the contract for five years with a total value increase of $8.4 million (to $41 million), after determining the current contract offers better rates than a piggybacked Wyoming contract.