City of Miramar Commission Regular Meeting – January 22, 2025

The City of Miramar Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers at 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar, Florida. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, consent agenda items, public comment, and several resolutions. Key topics included a proclamation for a local Girl Scout, a check presentation for a hit-and-run victim, the city's 70th anniversary celebration plans, a collective bargaining agreement with the police union, and a moderate-income mortgage assistance program. Public participation featured concerns about code enforcement overtime, UNCF scholarship eligibility, a dog attack, and an election ballot dispute. The commission approved most items unanimously after discussion.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Proclamation: Jada Mister Day – The commission declared January 22, 2025, as "Jada Mister Day" in honor of Jada Mister, a Girl Scout Cadet who earned the Silver Award for her project educating about pollution and microplastics. She organized beach cleanups, worked with 20 nonprofits, 12 schools, and three municipalities.
• Check Presentation to Roosevelt Delinois Jr. – Commissioner Colbourne presented a $5,000 check from the city to Roosevelt Delinois Jr. for his wife Anisia, who was severely injured in a hit-and-run accident while running. The funds were raised from the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot event.
• Miramar 70th Anniversary Presentation – Chief of Staff Kassandra Carvalho-Lindsay outlined the city's 70th anniversary celebration, funded with a $300,000 budget approved in FY25. Events include:
  • Kickoff ceremony on February 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall with lighting of the 70th logo.
  • 70th Anniversary Gala on May 23, 2025 (6:00–10:00 PM) at the Multi-Service Complex Ballroom, featuring a 70-year-old pageant for seniors and recognition of oldest businesses/residents. Sponsorships range from $2,500 to $25,000, benefiting nonprofits and scholarships.
  • Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Regional Park, followed by a motorcade and Miramar Day celebration (12:00–6:00 PM) with food trucks, music, and activities.
  • Employee picnic on December 11, 2025 (4:00–8:00 PM) at the amphitheater.
  • Marketing initiatives: timeline in City Hall lobby, trivia contest, video compilations, traffic light box contest, giveaways (coasters, pins, shirts), street pole banners, billboard ads.
  • Public Works will plant 70 trees (including 70 fruit trees from a grant) at parks.
  • Utilities will repaint the water tower in historic Miramar by April 2025.
  • Cultural Affairs will host a student showcase and art contest "Miramar Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow."

Consent Calendar

All consent agenda items were approved by a single unanimous vote (Commissioners Barnes, Chambers, Colbourne, and Mayor Messam all voting yes) after items 4, 14, and 15 were pulled for separate discussion. The approved consent items were:

1. Minutes from November 6, 2024 regular meeting and November 20, 2024 workshop.
2. Purchase of theater production services from AV Technician Inc. d/b/a AV Event Group for $325,001.
3. Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement with FDOT for Miramar Complete Streets Phase III.
4. Acceptance of Absolute Bill of Sale and Easement for water system improvements for Extra Space Storage, releasing a $340,170 letter of credit.
5. Acceptance of Absolute Bill of Sale and Easement for water system improvements for Adtalem Miramar, releasing a $144,578.13 surety bond.
6. Renewal of software services/licenses with Sirius Computer Solutions and UKG Dimensions for $181,300.
7. Renewal of support maintenance services from R2 Unified Technologies for $129,250.
8. Award of bid for retrofit generator at Fire Station 19 to All Florida Contracting Services for $992,236.
9. Purchase of parts/services from Parkson Corporation for wastewater reclamation facility for $109,881.
10. Purchase of pipes, meters, fittings from Ferguson Enterprises for $115,026.
11. Purchase of pipes, meters, fittings from Core & Main L.P. for $152,126.
12. Purchase of HVAC maintenance/repair parts/services from Trane US Inc. for $170,810.

Discussion Items

• Item #4: AC Perry K-8 School Improvements Project – City Engineer Salvador Zuniga presented a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a LAP agreement with FDOT for sidewalk improvements near A.C. Perry K-8 School. The project involves constructing approximately 10,000 linear feet of sidewalk, funded by a Safe Routes to School grant of $1,017,772 (construction phase). The city will front costs and be reimbursed quarterly. Commissioner Chambers asked about coordination with other construction; staff confirmed coordination. Approved unanimously.
• Item #14: Legal Services to Oppose Miami-Dade Incinerator – Deputy City Manager Kelvin Baker presented a resolution to engage Goldstein Environmental Law Firm for $400,000 to oppose Miami-Dade County’s siting of a solid waste-to-energy campus at the Opa-Locka West Airport site, adjacent to Miramar. Key dates: January 28, 2025 workshop and February 19, 2025 county commission vote. The city has spent approximately $600,000 on this effort to date. Commissioner Chambers asked about cost recovery if the site is not chosen; Baker said most funds would be saved. The commission urged resident participation. Approved unanimously.
• Item #15: Renewal of Building Permitting and Inspection Services with CAP Government Inc. – Building Director Takisha Jordan presented the one-year renewal from February 21, 2025 to February 20, 2026. Commissioner Chambers raised a complaint about noise insulation in a new senior building near Regional Park and requested follow-up on building code compliance. He also asked that inspectors use shoe covers when entering homes. Staff committed to addressing both issues. Approved unanimously.

Resolutions

• Item #16: Collective Bargaining Agreement with Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) – Human Resources Deputy Director Na’Imah Martin and FOP President Brent Stefan presented a three-year agreement (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2027). Highlights: pension contribution reduction from 13.4% to 12.4%, uniform allowance increase of ~$150, education incentives ($7,000 bachelor’s, $10,000 graduate per year), and schedule change notice reduction from 28 to 14 days. The FOP ratified the agreement unanimously on January 10, 2025. Commissioners praised the partnership and noted the need to improve officer morale and pay competitiveness. Approved unanimously.
• Item #17: Moderate-Income Mortgage Assistance Program (MIMA) – Housing Administrator Katherine Randall presented a program to provide down payment assistance to households earning 120–140% of area median income (annual income limit $165,000). The program sets aside $120,000 from general funds, offering up to $30,000 per eligible household, enabling at least four families to achieve homeownership. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Roland Abel (Miramar Park Homeowners Group) – Expressed concern that overtime budget cuts may reduce code enforcement officers’ attendance at community meetings. He asked for continued priority and protection for code enforcement officers, including possible armed protection. The city manager assured follow-up.
• Sudan Eubanks (Co-president, Miramar Youth Advisory Council) – Requested that the UNCF scholarship program be opened to all Miramar residents regardless of school attended (currently limited to Somerset Academy, Everglades High, and Miramar High). She noted that 40% of Youth Advisory Council members are ineligible. Commissioner Colbourne clarified the city has a two-year contract with UNCF and can expand in the future. Mayor Messam asked for the agreement to be sent to his office. No vote taken; staff will revisit.
• Christina Bannister – Described a traumatic incident on November 18, 2024, where three pit bulls attacked her and her dog on Canal Street; the dog later died. She reported the attack but said code enforcement and animal control did not remove the dogs. She requested action. Police and code enforcement were directed to follow up.
• Tiffany Marquez, VJ Ramjett, Armando Rojas, Lewis Pedraza, and Attorney JC Planus – Several speakers addressed the exclusion of Lewis Pedraza from the March 11, 2025 ballot for a commission seat. Mr. Pedraza had filed qualifying paperwork and paid the fee, but a state form included a checked box for "write-in candidate" while also writing his name to appear on the ballot. The city clerk deemed him a write-in, which has no effect in Miramar (no write-in provision). Attorney Planus argued the city should confess error and direct the clerk to place Pedraza on the ballot, citing Florida law favoring candidacy. The city attorney noted a hearing set for January 23, 2025, before Judge Tudor, and advised against making a record. Mayor Messam asked about the city’s process for resolving conflicting info. No motion was made; the matter is left for the court.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of all consent agenda items (12 items).
• Unanimous approval of Item #4 (AC Perry sidewalk project).
• Unanimous approval of Item #14 (Goldstein Environmental Law Firm, $400,000).
• Unanimous approval of Item #15 (CAP Government renewal).
• Unanimous approval of Item #16 (FOP collective bargaining agreement, 2024-2027).
• Unanimous approval of Item #17 (Moderate-Income Mortgage Assistance Program, $120,000).
• No action on election ballot issue; pending court hearing.
• No action on UNCF scholarship expansion; staff to review contract for future changes.
• City staff directed to follow up on code enforcement attendance, dog attack investigation, and building noise/compliance issues.
• Executive sessions announced for February 5, 2025, to discuss three pending litigation cases.