Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting – January 21, 2026
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Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting – January 21, 2026
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners met on January 21, 2026, starting at 9:30 AM, to consider a wide-ranging agenda including mayoral appointments, consent items, public hearings, and policy discussions. Key topics included a status update on waste-to-energy contract negotiations, adoption of the FY 2025-26 budget for several Community Redevelopment Agencies, and multiple resolutions related to federal policy on Cuba and Venezuela. The meeting lasted until approximately 5:00 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the 2025 Sunset Review of the Tourist Development Council (11–0).
- Accepted numerous mayoral reports: Aviation Capital Program, Five-Year Housing Plan, funding recommendations for SHIP/HOME programs, DTPW fare/service adjustments, use of public service aides for roadway projects, janitorial/landscaping program annual report, homeowner down payment assistance status, transit productivity measures, environmental education grant awards, and Community Redevelopment Agency report.
- Approved multiple commissioner consent items, including street co-designations ("Harold L. Francis Way," "Silver Bluff Elementary Way," "Eduardo ‘Valdi’ Cruz Way") and district discretionary reserve allocations.
- Approved various departmental consent items, such as Local Agency Program agreements for safety improvement and Safe Routes to School projects, and a $27,307,222 public transit block grant agreement.
- Adopted ordinances on first reading: repeal of Naranja Lakes CRA (10–2); dissolution of Ocean Gate Community Development District (11–1); expansion of Palm Gate Community Development District (11–1); Comprehensive Development Master Plan amendment for property near Quail Roost Drive (11–1); local business tax receipt display repeal (11–1); creation of a Miami International Airport consumer advisory board (11–1). Item 4F (Metromover subzone amendment) was withdrawn (11–0).
- Adopted resolutions after public hearings: naming a portion of The Underline as "The Nikki Spoelstra Play Forest" (11–0); issuance of $600 million in aviation commercial paper notes (11–0); approval of a $600 million aviation commercial paper note series and $300 million first series (11–0); creation of the Global Estates Special Taxing District (11–0); road closures for SW 355th Lane and NE 6th Place (both 11–0); approval of five plats (Eureka Townhouses, Bauer Parc South Phase 2, Build Investment Hub waiver, 94th Aero Squadron, Princeton Crossings) with the Build Investment Hub waiver passing 11–1.
- Adopted second reading of an ordinance revising Downtown Kendall Urban Center zoning district regulations (12–0).
- Approved departmental items: Aviation Department contract with Allied Contractors, Inc. for $16,816,937.50 (Airport Operations Center); acceptance of a 0.74-acre park site; FDOT lease for Fire Station No. 53; FY 2025-26 budgets for NW 7th Avenue Corridor CRA ($8,471,833) and Midtown CRA ($15,776,289); allocation of $200,000 in SHIP funds to Chapman Partnership; Memorandum of Agreement with Property Appraiser for housing voucher data sharing; award of development rights to Integra Solutions, LLC for Annie Coleman 15 development (estimated $385,947,157 MDA and $9,050,000 ground lease); multiple interlocal agreements for on-demand transportation (Palmetto Bay, Bay Harbor Islands, City of Miami, Florida City, Pinecrest); contract award for ESS batteries and DPIM components ($3,979,000); eight settlement agreements for material price escalation claims; ratification of change order for municipal injection wells; delegation of $94,288,980 for fleet vehicle purchases (10–1); additional expenditure authority of $8,109,000 for software; numerous procurement items (CAD consulting, breathing air compressors, electronic arrest form system, IED software maintenance, voice/data communication products, acquisition of unclaimed lost items at MIA by Goodwill Industries); and additional cellular devices and services.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tax Collector Daniel Fernandez expressed strong support for Item 11A4 (resolution urging federal action on Cuba sanctions), stating that misused general licenses help the Cuban regime and affect families in Miami-Dade.
- City of Miami Commissioner Ralph Rosado expressed strong support for Item 11A4, calling Miami-Dade the "front line" regarding Cuba and urging compliance and accountability.
- Renita Holmes requested a copy of the environmental impact grant report and raised concerns about flooding in senior and disabled communities.
- Michael Perez opposed Item 6A1 (waste-to-energy facility), arguing it is cost-inefficient and threatens the Everglades drinking water supply.
- Marcelo Balladares opposed Item 6A1, citing 50% fee increases and threats to the Everglades ecosystem.
- Manuel Marcial opposed Item 6A1, stating it would pollute already imperiled wetlands.
- Bernice Yanes opposed Item 6A1, advocating for composting facilities instead of a costly incinerator.
- Maria Claudia Fontes urged the commission to invest in zero-waste alternatives rather than a toxic incinerator.
- Isabella Luis opposed Item 6A1, citing harm to the Everglades and calling for reforming recycling systems.
- Noel Cleeland opposed Item 6A1, questioning the fiscal responsibility of proceeding without a clear cost estimate.
- Mr. McKnight expressed support for the incinerator and proposed a drainage/flood mitigation solution using railroad structures.
Discussion Items
- Waste-to-Energy Facility (Item 6A1): The administration reported that the two bidders (Covanta and another company) are in discussions to form a consortium. The mayor’s office has provided guidance on including zero-waste strategies. Multiple commissioners emphasized the need for a workshop to give clear direction on scope and pricing before a final proposal is due in April. Commissioner Cohen Higgins requested a concrete timeline with the consortium’s agreement by February 18. Commissioner Regalado noted the complexity of decisions about modalities (anaerobic digestion, composting, etc.) and the need to consider multiple waste streams and sites. Commissioner Gilbert stated he expects a “base number” for the incinerator with add-ons listed separately. The item was approved as a status report.
- Spending Reports on CRAs: A mayoral report proposed a temporary pause on CRA expansions until the impact of state legislative decisions is assessed. Many commissioners opposed a moratorium, arguing that CRAs are essential for redevelopment in under-invested areas. Commissioner Hardeman defended CRAs as critical for fighting slum and blight, citing successful projects in Overtown. Commissioner Rodriguez (Chair) noted that most commissioners were not ready to vote on a moratorium that day. Senator Garcia withdrew a motion to require new/expanded CRAs to focus on county priorities (affordable housing, transportation, water/sewer) after agreeing to send the issue to committee.
- Commission Auditor Report on Speed Detection Systems (14B1): The director of DTPW read required annual statistics: 252,873 notices of violation issued; 1,598 upheld at hearings; $17,040,400 in total distributions. Commissioner Regalado requested that future reports include projections tied to the budget to ensure revenue aligns with allocations. Commissioner Hardeman raised concerns about the timing of district funding after sheriff obligations. Commissioner Gilbert clarified that unspent district allocations cannot be swept without board approval.
- Eminent Domain Report (11A2): Commissioner Cohen Higgins defended the resolution as a preparatory measure to protect critical infrastructure, citing the situation at Port Miami. Commissioner Regalado opposed it, arguing it is too broad, could chill business and municipal relations, and potentially undermine private property rights. The resolution passed 11–1.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Mayoral Appointments: Ray Baker as Director of the Office of Management and Budget and Lydia Lopez as Interim Director of Libraries.
- Approved amendment to Item 8K3 (Annie Coleman 15 development): Developer agreed to contribute $200,000 to FIU for scholarships, split across three phases ($100,000, $50,000, $50,000).
- Approved resolution (11A3) expressing support for President Trump’s actions against Nicolás Maduro and urging restoration of democracy in Venezuela (11–0).
- Approved substitute resolution (11A4 Sub) urging suspension of Cuba-related general licenses pending audits and urging Florida legislation on business tax receipt compliance, with a report on enforcement (11–0).
- Approved resolution (11A6) urging the state to maintain AIDS Drug Assistance Program eligibility and funding, and urging additional federal funds (12–0).
- Approved 2026 Federal Legislative Package (11A5) (12–0).
- Approved resolution (14A1) congratulating Fernando Mendoza on winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy (12–0).
- Deferred Item 15C1 (appointments to Kendale Lakes Landscape Maintenance District) indefinitely pending review of the selection process.
- Amended Item 15B1 to allow public hearings at committee meetings or successor committees.
- **Approved a motion directing the administration to develop a standard for CRA budgets to ensure detailed revenue and expenditure transparency.
- Approved multiple appointments: Yol Joel Yannis to the Commission on Disability Issues; Judge Maria Elena Verde to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board; Devin Sejas to the Biscayne Bay Shoreline Development Review Committee; and Rob Collins to the Commission on Human Rights.
- **Approved an extension for the Landmark redevelopment agreement (amounts not read into record).
- Approved a resolution urging the Florida legislature to support water issue legislation.
Meeting Transcript
Ashley Chairman or Mayor, will you hold this? Yes. There you go. So this morning we have a very special presentation. For those of you who don't know, January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day, which is a very important impactful day for us to honor. And it actually marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and honoring the six million Jews and millions of other victims murdered by the Nazi regime and their collaborators. The Holocaust Dance is one of the history's gravest atrocities, and a solemn reminder of the consequences of anti-Semitism, hatred, intolerance, and the erosion of human dignity. And we also have descendants from the Holocaust survivors. Several second and third generation survivors. Please come up and join us. And of course, we also have all of you here supporting. So just on behalf of our mayor, our chairman, and the entire county commission, we do proclaim International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Miami Dade County. It's something that we will remember, never forget, and continue teaching and talking about. And with that, um, the mayor, would you like to say a few words? Thank you. Thank you so much, Commissioner Steinberg, for making sure that we all remember, and to all of those who are here and who have done so much to make sure, to make sure that we will never forget to our survivors, God bless. Thank you for being with us and telling your story. We also have groups of um of uh survivors and then the grandchildren of survivors who are animating memories in our community. There is, as I say, nothing that replaces it, and I had the horrific experience of visiting Auschwitz with the March of the Living, and truly to see with your own eyes means the world. And this is being covered up, it's being denied, and so what we are doing here today is critically important. And I know we are in a community that honors, respects, and uplifts and makes sure that anti-Semitism has no home here in Miami Dade County. So God bless. Thank you so much, Commissioner. Look, I'll I'll just echo, and I know my colleagues want to say a few words. I'll just echo some of the words that Commissioner Steinberg and the mayor just mentioned, but thank you for being here today. Thank you for uh sharing your stories. Uh I think it is important enough for history to never repeat itself that that we learn from history. Sometimes we learn through we get educated through reading, and sometimes we learn through hearing stories from those that went through it. Uh and I think there's no better way than to than to learn from those that actually experienced it and can instill uh that the fear of the truth of what could happen and what did happen. Um I know just two or two and a half years ago, uh the mayor, uh, Commissioner Steinberg and myself, we brought down a uh cattle cart to have the county commissioners and those here in this building experience, just got a little taste of of what it uh was, and and and and even I know even that was was nowhere near uh what was probably experienced, but again, I thank you guys for for being here uh and for sharing your stories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, thank you, Madam Mayor, Commissioner Steinberg, thank you all for being here. This is this is important because on the 27th, which also which also happens to be my mother's birthday. So I I remember the date uh all the time. It's the remembrance, the International Remembrance Day. But in truth, we need to be remembering every day. It needs to be front of mind that people set silent and an idea and the evil metastasized that that actually end up almost conquering the world. It needs to be something that we actively contemplate as we go through our day-to-day lives that some folks just set silent, and we can never be those people. You know, a while ago I wrote a piece, and it was on Martin Niemoler. He was the guy, the minister, the Lutheran minister, who said they came for the trade unionists, and I wasn't a trade unionist, so I wasn't worried. I wanted to know what his story was. And his story was interesting because his story was as a former German SS officer in World War One who actually supported Hitler when he came to power, became a Lutheran pastor. He only complained when they told him the sermons that he could preach. They put him in a concentration camp. What we think of as a poem was actually his lived experience. He talked about how he was quiet. Let's remember the Holocaust. Remember every moment that led to the Holocaust, remember the silence, the inaction. Let's remember that we are the safeguards against that. It's our collective goodness, it's a collective consciousness.
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