Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting Summary - May 19, 2026

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners convened on May 19, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included special presentations, public comments, public hearings, and policy discussions. Key actions included the adoption of special taxing districts, approval of plats, a motion to evaluate a mental health facility proposal, a resolution on Cuban Independence Day, and a school board referendum resolution.

Consent Calendar

• Commissioner Consent Items (3A1–3A11): Approved allocations from FY 2025-26 CBO discretionary reserves, arena naming rights funds, and related waivers. Unanimous (9-0) for items voted on.
• Departmental Consent Items (3B1, 3B2): Ratified a $1,250,000 grant agreement with USDOT/FTA for the Little Haiti Northeast Corridor Commuter Rail Station Master TOD Plan, and ratified emergency contract EC-298173 ($268,298.00) for the Alexander Orr Water Treatment Plant. Both adopted 9-0.
• Mayoral Reports (2B1–2B3): Accepted reports on the Love Trust Fund Employee Leave Donations Annual Report (CY 2025), County Employees Contributions to Charitable Organizations Program, and Adaptive Fishing Piers/Floating Docks at County Parks. All passed 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jose Dotres (Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools) spoke on item 14A2, urging the board to place the school district operating millage referendum on the November 2026 ballot. He highlighted the district's A-rating for six consecutive years and its designation as a high-performing district.
• Al Palacio (Second Vice President, Florida State Fraternal Order of Police; President, Miami-Dade Schools Fraternal Order of Police) supported item 14A2, emphasizing the need for continued safety funding under the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act.
• Joe Minor (Field Director, United Teachers of Dade) supported item 14A2, noting that 30 counties in Florida have similar referendums and that the item does not constitute a tax increase; it renews existing millage for four years.
• Adam Kravitz (2982 Alton Road, Miami Beach) spoke on item 14A4, voicing concern about increased traffic congestion from potential closures of Ocean Drive and other street pedestrianization projects.
• Amy Brigham Bullris (600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3500) spoke on item 14A3 in support of the Landmark QOZB Construction development (His House Children's Home), noting gratitude for the 16+ acres and developer contributions.
• Lowell Dunn II (8083 NW 103rd Street, Hialeah Gardens) spoke on item 14A3, announcing that the Lowell and Betty Dunn Family Foundation has agreed to provide $18.5 million in impact investing to support the new His House Children's Home facility.
• Renina Holmes (addressing the commission) raised concerns about housing conditions, alleging mold, mildew, security issues, and lack of tenant rights enforcement in county-abated properties. She called for an audit of the contract and agency handling these issues.
• Baudry O'Dre (speaking on item 14A4) expressed support for pedestrian-friendly improvements in Miami Beach, referencing Miami's status as a cryptocurrency hub.

Discussion Items

• Item 4A – Sandero Landing Community Development District (First Reading): Ordinance establishing a community development district for D.R. Horton, Inc., in the area bounded by Canal 103 South, SW 167 Avenue, SW 328 Street, and SW 172 Avenue. Adopted 9-0 on first reading; public hearing scheduled for July 21, 2026.
• Items 5A–5F – Special Taxing Districts: Six ordinances creating special taxing districts for maintenance and street lighting in Carpau, Copart East, Julia's Estate, Genia Gardens, Olga Lidia Subdivision, and Wildwood Groves, along with corresponding assessment roll resolutions. All adopted unanimously (10-0 each).
• Item 5G – Legacy Villas at Palm Drive (Plat Approval): Resolution approving the plat for Legacy Villas at Palm Drive, located near SW 344 Street and SW 196 Avenue. Adopted 10-0.
• Item 5H – Modena House (Plat Approval): Resolution approving the plat for Modena House, located near NW 86 Terrace and NW 22 Avenue. Adopted 10-0.
• Item 5I – Bluenest Urban Homes (Waiver of Plat): Resolution approving waiver of plat for Bluenest Urban Homes, LLC. Adopted 9-1.
• Item 5J – 6301 SW 27th Street, LLC (Waiver of Plat): Deferred to July 21, 2026, by Commissioner Milian Orbis. Motion passed 9-0.
• Item 5K – Public Health Trust Line of Credit: Ordinance approving a revolving line of credit secured by Public Health Trust revenues, with a Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the Trust. Adopted 10-0.
• Chairman's Motion – Mental Health Facility Evaluation: Chairman Rodriguez moved to direct the County Mayor to provide Jackson Health System with copies of proposals from Westcare Foundation and Advocate Program for clinical mental health services at 2200 NW 7th Avenue, Miami. Jackson CEO will conduct an independent evaluation of the proposals (scope, costs, staffing, operational assumptions) and provide a written assessment and recommendations by the June 16, 2026 board meeting. The Chairman stated his intent to agenda the facility item for that same meeting. The motion passed on a voice vote.
• Item 14A1 – Cuban Independence Day Resolution: Resolution expressing the board’s intent to acknowledge May 20th as Cuban Independence Day and to condemn human rights abuses by the Cuban government. The resolution was amended to add language (1) supporting efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, (2) urging continued action against the Cuban regime, and (3) directing transmission of certified copies to the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. The amended resolution passed on a voice vote with multiple co-sponsors.
• Item 14A2 – School Board Referendum: Resolution calling for a countywide election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to ask voters whether to authorize the School Board of Miami-Dade County to maintain an ad valorem tax levy exclusively for school operating expenses. Adopted 11-0.
• Item 14A3 – Landmark QOZB Construction Lease Amendment: Resolution approving the Fourth Amendment to the Assignment and Amended and Restated Lease and Development Agreement with Landmark QOZB Construction, LLC, for approximately 92.95 acres at 20000 NW 47 Avenue. This includes:
  • Increasing the second renewal option from 30 to 37 years
  • Initial annual base rent of $218,136.00 with added percentage rent
  • Modifications to the mixed-use project: affordable housing reduced to at least 190 units, retail reduced to a minimum of 24,000 sq ft, warehouse reduced to a minimum of 1,377,000 sq ft
  • County facilities: at least 9.16 acres of recreation/sports facilities (including athletic fields), an indoor community center of at least 36,550 sq ft, and a 14.72-acre linear park
  • Authority for the County Mayor to enter into easements for stormwater culverts and utility services The resolution passed 11-0.
• Item 14A4 – Ocean Drive Pedestrianization: Resolution directing the County Mayor to coordinate with FDOT and the City of Miami Beach to facilitate potential future pedestrianization of Ocean Drive between 5th Street and 14th Place, and to expeditiously review the city’s application for repurposing traffic lanes. Adopted 11-0.

Key Outcomes

• Special Taxing Districts Approved (5A–5F): Six new special taxing districts were created for maintenance and street lighting, with assessment rolls confirmed. All votes were 10-0.
• Plats Approved: Legacy Villas at Palm Drive (10-0), Modena House (10-0), and Bluenest Urban Homes (9-1).
• Deferral Granted: Item 5J (6301 SW 27th Street) deferred to July 21, 2026 (9-0).
• Public Health Trust Line of Credit Approved (5K): Revolving line of credit approved (10-0).
• Mental Health Facility Review Directed: Jackson Health System to evaluate proposals from Westcare and Advocate Program for the 2200 NW 7th Avenue mental health center, with a written assessment due by June 16, 2026 BCC meeting.
• Cuban Independence Day Resolution Adopted (14A1): Amended to include references to Brothers to the Rescue shootdown and referrals to DOJ; passed on voice vote.
• School Board Referendum Placed on Ballot (14A2): Voters will decide whether to continue the existing millage for four years on November 3, 2026 (11-0).
• His House / Landmark Development Approved (14A3): Fourth amendment to lease and development agreement approved (11-0), with $18.5 million impact investment from Dunn Foundation.
• Ocean Drive Pedestrianization Directive Approved (14A4): County to coordinate with FDOT and Miami Beach on possible closures (11-0).
• Motions & Appointments: Several motions passed (airport concessions oversight, infill housing extensions, Miami Gardens City Center deadline extension to June 30, 2028). Appointments made to the Commission on Disabilities (John Cardo Rodriguez) and the Commission on Human Rights (Jane Moskowitz).