Public Meetings - Miami, Florida

This meeting focused on the adoption of smart loading zone technology in Miami, with a presentation on its benefits including road safety, time and fuel savings, support for local businesses, and improved traffic flow. The speaker noted that Miami is the third major U.S. city to implement this technology. Discussion Items - The speaker explained that Paho (likely a reference to potholes or standing water) is basically formed from sitting water, though the context remained unclear. - Miami was identified as the third major city in the United States to adopt smart loading zone technology, which will enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians, save time and fuel, assist local businesses with deliveries, and maintain traffic flow. - The technology will also support the city of Miami's trolley system, as mentioned by the speaker ("Ayuda to make sure the system of trolleys of the city of Miami"). Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were recorded in the transcript. The presentation appears to be informational, outlining the adoption of smart loading zones to improve urban mobility and logistics.

The scheduled meeting on September 14, 2026, was called to order but did not proceed due to a lack of quorum. Board members discussed the need to schedule a special meeting to address time-sensitive items for District 4. Discussion Items - Lack of Quorum: The board was one member short of the required quorum and could not reach the missing member. - Special Meeting: Members debated scheduling a special meeting, agreeing on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 3:30 PM in the same chambers, subject to chamber availability and confirmation via email. Flexibility on time and day was discussed. - Roll Call: A roll call was conducted. Those present were: Olga Granda, Nelson Delgado, Lisette Garcia Argante, Christina Cravel, Gary Feinberg, Jennifer Boomsa, and Maria Napolis. Juan Validez, Jacqueline Roach, and Patricio Suarez did not respond or were absent. Seven members were present, insufficient for quorum. Key Outcomes - The meeting was adjourned without any votes or decisions. - A special meeting was tentatively scheduled for September 23, 2026, at 3:30 PM, pending confirmation and securing an additional member's attendance.

The Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met on September 10, 2026, at 20:45 UTC. The board approved the minutes from the July 23, 2026 meeting and passed all five resolutions on the agenda unanimously (4-0). No public comments were made. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the July 23, 2026 Omni CRA meeting were approved unanimously (4-0). - Resolution 1: Adoption of the CRA's general operating budget and tax increment fund budget for FY 2026-2027 in the amount of $220,622,862. - Resolution 2: Authorization of a grant not to exceed $10 million to the City of Miami from the Omni CRA redevelopment revenue bond series 2026 proceeds for Phase 1 of the Margaret Pays Park Improvement Project. - Resolution 3: Establishment of a public art mural and creative placemaking program with $300,000 in funding. - Resolution 4: Approval of a sub-lease agreement with Amuna Concierge Mental Health for approximately 1,635 square feet at the Windows Works property at a rent not to exceed $8,000 per month through April 24, 2031. - Resolution 5: Authorization of a revocable license agreement with 14th Street Development for temporary use of the second floor of the CRA's former office facility at 1401 North Miami Avenue as a project management office. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were received. Discussion Items - No discussion occurred among board members regarding the resolutions. Key Outcomes - All five resolutions were passed unanimously (4-0) by the board.

The Alapato Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners met on September 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM to consider a single agenda item: Resolution Number One, approving an interlocal agreement between the City of Miami and the Alapato CRA. The meeting included the approval of prior meeting minutes, a initial unanimous vote, a reconsideration motion, and an amendment to the agreement’s tax increment financing (TIF) split percentages. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes of the previous meeting by a unanimous voice vote. (No roll call was recorded, but no objections were raised.) Discussion Items - Resolution Number One – Interlocal Agreement: The board initially considered the resolution as presented. After hearing no public comments, the board voted 4‑0 (with one commissioner not yet asked) to approve the resolution. Immediately thereafter, CRA Administrator Keith Carzwell requested reconsideration to allow an amendment proposed by the Chair. The board voted 5‑0 to reconsider, bringing the item back for debate. - Amendment to TIF Split: The Chair proposed adjusting the interlocal agreement’s TIF revenue distribution: for the first five years, 75% to the CRA, 20% to the City, and 5% to an unnamed party (presumably Miami-Dade County or the School Board, though not specified). Starting in the sixth year, the split would become 60% to the CRA, 35% to the City, and 5% to the third party. The board clarified the percentages total 100% and affirmed the amendment. Key Outcomes - First Vote (Original Resolution): Passed unanimously 4‑0 (Chair Gabelli noted “for the record four zero”). - Reconsideration Motion: Passed 5‑0 (moved by Commissioner Pardo, seconded by Commissioner Rosato). - Final Vote (Resolution as Amended): Passed unanimously 5‑0 (moved by Commissioner Rosato, seconded by Commissioner Escalona). The amended interlocal agreement was approved. The board noted that the Alapato CRA is newly established and will return to regular meetings in the future.

The Miami City Commission returned from summer break on September 10, 2026. The long session opened with proclamations, an invocation, and a moment of silence for victims of a weekend aircraft accident at the airport, followed by extensive public comment, consent and resolution approvals, board appointments, quasi-judicial planning and zoning appeals, and two discussion items. Public comment opened around 9:30 a.m. under a two-minute speaker limit. The regular commission recessed after midday, reconvened, deferred remaining discussion items, and moved into CRA meetings before the evening budget hearing. No agenda or minutes were provided; this summary is drawn from the raw transcript. Consent Calendar - The agenda was set with deferrals and withdrawals: CA1 deferred to October 8; RE13 deferred to September 24; RE19 deferred to the first October meeting; DI2 and DI3 indefinitely deferred; FR4 withdrawn; PZ2 withdrawn. - Minutes of the previous four meetings were approved unanimously. - Consent items CA2 through CA7 were approved as amended, with CA4 amended to substitute Exhibit A. - Public hearing items were approved unanimously. - A block of resolutions, including RE1, RE2 as amended, RE3, RE4, RE5, RE6, RE8, RE12, RE15, RE16, RE20, RE21, and RE22, was approved unanimously. Proclamations - Mayor Higgins and Commissioners King and Pardo proclaimed Florida Redevelopment Week, honoring the Florida Redevelopment Association, Omni CRA Executive Director Carlos Suarez, and Southeast Overtown Park West CRA Executive Director James D. McQueen. Commissioner Gabella reported that the Allapata CRA was nearly established after about two years of work. - Commissioner Rosado presented a National Respiratory Care Week proclamation recognizing Rick Morgan, lead respiratory therapist at Holtz Children's Hospital, and Jackson respiratory therapists. Mayor Higgins shared personal experience with asthma and a family member's long COVID respiratory therapy. Public Comments & Testimony - City Hall/Pan Am: Many speakers supported keeping commission meetings and city government at 3500 Pan American Drive. Deborah Stander and Suzanne Howlin cited family connections to Pan Am; Debbie Dawson described four generations of family use of City Hall; Billy Corbin said District 2 contributes about 70% of city revenue and opposed moving to Melreese; Carl Anthony criticized the Freedom Park replacement plan's size, parking, and location. Museum of Miami CEO Natalia Crujeiras and trustee Tom Gibson proposed a public-private partnership to restore the Pan Am terminal and create a museum campus at Dinner Key. Hans Lagerwei proposed a self-sustaining restoration concept for the historic building; Monty Trainer suggested a museum/restaurant use. - Trees and Chapter 17: A Sierra Club speaker said 41 trees were approved for removal at 645 Northeast 64th Street, including specimen live oaks and a state-protected mahogany, and said the HEP board had voted 5-0 to preserve tree 25. Noel Cleeland argued that Chapter 17 grants standing to environmental nonprofits and that the HEP board had been wrongly advised on that issue. Coconut Grove and Upper East Side residents, including Kyle Lockridge, Yvonne Grassey, Luis Hernandez, and Mary Block, urged the commission to preserve mature trees, especially on the PZ4 and PZ5 appeals. Elvis Cruz said 1,300 trees were removed from Melreese golf course and asked the city to enforce Chapter 17. - Construction fencing advertising/FR2: Downtown residents and groups, including Kristen Browdy, Desiree de Souza Lesrado, James Torres of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, and Rob Piper, opposed using construction fences for advertising. Rosario Kennedy and Jennifer Del Mastro supported the Graffiti Abatement Program and a one-year exclusive pilot for Del Mastro Outdoor, while Francois of New Tradition Media opposed exclusivity and asked that all qualified outdoor advertising companies be allowed to participate. - Other public testimony: Metris Batts of the Overtown Business Association supported RE14, the Calle Ocho corridor revitalization fund, and noted that Overtown became a Florida Main Street in 2025. Amina McNill of the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation supported PH9, the Wheels to Work program, now entering its 11th class. Chaplain Stanley Young supported PH8, the anti-poverty initiative for small community organizations. Richard Campbell requested a geoag demonstration site in the Miami River Greenway. Genesis Nahera asked the commission to grant PZ3 so her family could replace their roof with shingles. Albert Gomez supported keeping City Hall, opposed FR2, urged tracking city liability settlements, and noted that the consent agenda included $97,500 in negligence settlements. Discussion Items - DI1 – Flora/Chapter 17: Commissioner Pardo sponsored an item presented by Aaron DeMayo, chair of the Climate Resilience Committee, proposing a review of rules that would allow property owners in T3 transect zones to conserve mature trees while retaining floor area by designing around trees. City planning staff said the item would be considered with the tree advisory committee's recommendations, expected by the end of the year. - DI4 – Live Local Act: City Attorney George Weiswong briefed the commission on the city's options to push back on the Live Local Act. The city is waiting to see how Hillsborough County v. State of Florida advances; the state's motion to dismiss was filed April 22, and Miami would consider joining if Hillsborough prevails. Other Miami-Dade municipalities are in a similar posture. - DI5, DI6, and DI7 were deferred to the September 24 meeting. Key Outcomes - RE7 was approved as amended after the Allapata CRA approved the related interlocal agreement at its September 10 meeting; amendments included Resolution No. ACRA-R-26-0004 and corrected the designee and CRA name. - RE9 was approved, directing the city manager to establish a multidisciplinary short-term rental task force within 30 days and report back after 60 days. Assistant City Attorney Rachel Dooley noted legal limits after prior Airbnb litigation and protections for T3 transect zones. - RE10 was approved 4-1, declaring that the City Commission should continue holding its meetings in the historic City Hall chambers in the foreseeable future. Commissioner Gabella voted no, citing the recently built Freedom Park government center and concerns about district representation. - RE11 was approved as amended, directing use of excess reserves for fire/rescue station repairs and modernization. Commissioner Pardo noted approximately $37 million in excess reserves. An intent-to-reimburse item tied to the November bond election was to be prepared for the November 19 agenda. - RE14 was approved as amended, creating a Calle Ocho neighborhood revitalization fund to help establish a business improvement district. The item includes a two-year seed-fund period, repayment of about $1 million per year within five years, and a substitution map dated September 2, 2026. Funding was not identified in the item; city staff said it was not in the proposed FY2026-27 budget. - RE17 was approved as amended, directing the city manager's office to coordinate 311 notifications to commissioners and the Downtown Development Authority, with a substitution memo dated September 9, 2026. - RE18 was approved, directing the administration to work with the Miami Foundation to release more than $3 million from a park endowment rather than the current annual distribution of about 7 percent, with funds distributed equally among districts. - Second-reading ordinances SR1, SR2, and SR3 were approved. SR4, which addressed supermajority voting requirements, was indefinitely deferred for revision after concerns that it would weaken four-fifths voting protections. - FR1 was indefinitely deferred after the city attorney said the Civil Service Board had not communicated the need for its whistleblower amendment. - FR2 was approved on first reading as amended. The construction fencing advertising pilot excludes District 2 and District 5, has no exclusive vendor, limits a license to one year and one property, requires an active construction site on more than 50 percent of the property, allows any property owner to select any vendor, requires the city to receive 40 percent of revenue, and uses the city code enforcement process for violations. - FR3, establishing the Allapata Community Redevelopment Trust Fund, and FR6, reactivating the driveway amnesty pilot program, were approved on first reading. - FR5 was approved on first reading. It authorizes temporary Grand Theft Auto VI banners downtown from no sooner than October 15, 2026 through no later than December 31, 2026, with “Vice City” branding removed, up to five banners at approximately $208,000 each, and proceeds directed to the Reverend Edward T. Graham Heritage Trail. - PZ1, an appeal by Oprah LLC, was granted unanimously with agreed conditions in Exhibit A. PZ2 was withdrawn. PZ3 was granted, allowing the Nahara family to install an asphalt shingle roof now, conditioned on replacing it with the appropriate barrel tile roof when the roof is next replaced. - PZ4, the Irvington Avenue tree appeal by 3736 Irvington LLC, was granted 3-2, allowing removal of the live oak; Commissioner Pardo and Commissioner King voted no. The appellant committed to increasing the size and likely quantity of mitigation trees. - PZ5, the Sierra Club Miami Group appeal involving MIMO Bay Apartments, was denied. The commission upheld the HEP board's unanimous July 21 decision. Staff cited 11 review cycles, more than two years of review, and three site visits; the developer's mitigation plan commits to 237 replacement trees compared with 163 required, approximately 45 percent above code, plus replacement or relocation of a failing tree in Legion Park. - The commission approved the board and committee appointment items, including reappointments and new appointees to the Accessibility Advisory Board, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Bayfront Park Management Trust, Education Advisory Board, Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, LGBTQ Advisory Board, Off-Street Parking Board, Virginia Key Advisory Board, Melreese NRD1 Public Benefits Trust Fund Committee, Civil Service Board, Housing and Commercial Loan Committee, and Interfaith Advisory Council; several term and residency waivers were granted. - The City Attorney noticed a closed attorney-client session for September 24, 2026, at approximately 10 a.m., pursuant to Florida Statutes §286.011(8), to discuss settlement and litigation strategy in two federal cases: William O. Fuller et al. v. City of Miami, Case No. 23-CV-24251-DRG, and QBE Specialty Insurance Company v. City of Miami, Case No. 1:24-CV-21854-EA. A court reporter will be present, and the transcript will be made public after the litigation concludes. - The regular commission meeting ended with DI5, DI6, and DI7 deferred; the commission then recessed to hold the Midtown and Southeast Overtown Park West CRA meetings before the evening budget hearing.

The Miami City Commission held its first budget hearing for fiscal year 2026-2027 on September 10, 2026 at Miami City Hall. The meeting included presentations on the proposed city and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) budgets, public comments, and votes on tentative millage rates and budgets. The commission set a total millage rate of 7.3616 mills and approved a $1.862 billion operating budget and a $1.8 billion capital plan, along with budgets for outside agencies. A final budget hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - Chris Watson (District 2 resident) opposed funding for automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in the capital budget, requesting that appropriations 24 ($465,000 for camera expansion) and 25 (investigative tech upgrades) be struck. He cited similar suspensions by Governor DeSantis and other local governments. - Laura Okamura (downtown resident) criticized the DDA budget, arguing that downtown and Brickell should not rely on the DDA for basic services like police and sanitation. She noted that the population increased 670% to 101,000 but only two more police officers were added, and that downtown generates a disproportionate share of property tax revenue. - Tomas Kennedy (NW 1st Place resident) noted that nearly 80% of the budget goes to salaries, benefits, and pensions, and opposed spending on surveillance infrastructure. He linked ALPR expansion to police ICE collaboration. - James Torres (President, Downtown Neighbors Alliance) opposed the DDA budget, highlighting a 100% increase from $18.865 million to $22.3 million, a 15% increase in carryover, and a 67% increase in legal services. He requested that $2 million be redirected to the Miami Police Department for safety and that residents receive immediate tax relief. - Stanley Young (chaplain) commented that the $2 billion budget seemed small for an international city and suggested generating more revenue through marketing and venues. - Billy Corbin (Miami Beach resident) criticized budget growth—general fund doubled, salaries and benefits doubled, police/fire spending up 105%, fire pension tripled, and $1.85 billion in unfunded capital needs. He argued that residents' wages only grew 2-3%. - Silvio Pupo (District 1, economist for Climate Resilience Committee) recommended a 1% budget cut, noted a potential multi-billion dollar loss from Amendment 3, and urged a stress test of cash reserves. - Chris Alger (SW 29th Ave resident) advocated for more park funding for swimming lessons to prevent child drownings, citing 11 deaths per day in Florida from drowning. Discussion Items - Budget Director Presentation: The city's proposed millage rate is 7.1080 mills (operating) plus 0.2536 mills for debt service, total 7.3616 mills—the same as the current rate. The rollback rate is 6.7097 mills, meaning the proposed rate is 5.94% above rollback. The average homestead property assessed at $457,258 would pay $3,368 annually. The city receives 37 cents per property tax dollar (33 cents operating, 4 cents debt). The proposed operating budget is $1.862 billion, with a capital budget of $1.8 billion (new capital $89.3 million). The general fund is $1.3 billion, with property taxes contributing 53.2%. Salaries and wages account for 46.9% ($609 million), employee benefits 29% ($384 million). The budget includes step increases but no cost-of-living adjustments pending Amendment 3, and freezes vacant positions saving $10.5 million. Police and fire make up the largest spending categories. - DDA Presentation: Acting Executive Director Michael John Green presented a tentative DDA millage of 0.38 mills, 1.47% above the rollback rate of 0.3745 mills. Backup documents were submitted for the record. - Commission Discussion on Millage and Budget: Commissioner King asked about the impact of Amendment 3 on services; the budget director noted it would not affect the city until FY2027-28 and that fee increases would be considered. Commissioner King also inquired how freezing positions would affect service delivery; the director clarified that police, fire, and 911 dispatchers are exempt from the freeze. - Solid Waste Assessment (BH18): Commissioner Gabella asked about the general fund subsidy for solid waste—$24.75 million on a total operation of $62.73 million. Commissioner Escalona compared Miami's spending to Tampa and Orlando: Miami has 489,000 residents and spends $515 million more than the other cities for only 77,000 more residents. The subsidy has been in place for 16 years. Commissioners expressed concern about the high percentage of spending on salaries and benefits (76%) and planned to discuss further at the final hearing. Key Outcomes - BH1 and BH2: Presentations on city and DDA budgets were received and discussed; no vote required. - BH5 through BH17 (Outside Agencies): Approved as a block with technical amendments (adding resolution numbers to BH11, BH12, BH17). Vote: unanimous. - BH3 (DDA Tentative Millage): Approved at 0.38 mills. Vote: unanimous. - BH4 (DDA Tentative Budget): Approved as amended (adding resolution number). Vote: unanimous. - BH20 (City Millage Rate Ordinance, First Reading): Approved total tentative rate of 7.3616 mills for FY2026-2027. Vote: unanimous. - BH21 (City Tentative Budget): Approved $1.862 billion operating budget. Vote: unanimous. - BH19 (Multi-Year Capital Plan): Approved 6-year capital plan with $89.3 million in new appropriations. Vote: unanimous. - BH18 (Solid Waste Assessment): Approved, with direction for additional analysis on comparisons to other cities and the implications of the general fund subsidy. Vote: unanimous. - Next Meeting: Final budget hearing and public hearing set for September 24, 2026 at 5:05 p.m. at Miami City Hall.

The Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board convened on September 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM under Chair Christine King, joined by Commissioners Pardo, Gabella, Escalona, and Rosado. Executive Director James D. McQueen and Assistant City Attorney Domini Gibbs Sory were also present. The meeting lasted approximately 10 minutes, with all agenda items passed unanimously. Consent Calendar - Resolution (Item 1): Approved the CRA's general operating and tax increment fund budget of $272,763,521 for fiscal year 2026-2027, including executive director compensation, the performance analyst report, and deallocation of $1,060,884 from certain projects and activities. - Resolution (Item 2): Authorized a $38,350 grant to AM Cohen Temple Church for critical infrastructure repairs at 1747 Northwest Third Avenue. - Resolution (Item 3): Authorized a $235,000 grant to Temple Missionary Baptist Church for critical infrastructure repairs at 1723 Northwest Third Avenue. - Resolution (Item 4): Rescinded Resolution CRA R-250072 adopted on November 20, 2025. - Resolution (Item 5): Retroactively authorized a settlement agreement and release between the CRA and Miami Creative Lab Inc. and State National Insurance for $1,560 related to a property damage dispute at 1074 Northwest Third Avenue. (Item 5 was approved as amended, though the nature of the amendment was not specified.) - Minutes: Approved minutes from previous meetings (identified as A.M. 1, 2, and 3). Public Comments & Testimony - A representative of Temple Missionary Baptist Church (96-year-old congregation in Overtown) expressed gratitude to Chair King, the board, and Mr. McQueen for considering and granting the church's petition for infrastructure repair funding. No other public comments were made. Key Outcomes - All five resolutions and the minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote with a motion and second, with no discussion or opposition. - The meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM, with a brief five-minute break called before the next session.

The Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners met on September 10, 2026, to consider a single resolution: approval of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–2027. The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman King, and public comment was opened but no members of the public spoke. The board then adopted the resolution without further discussion. Consent Calendar - The board approved a resolution (not numbered in the transcript) accepting and approving the 2026–2027 proposed budget of the Midtown CRA in the amount of $16,878,968. The resolution was adopted after updating the title. No discussion or roll call vote was recorded. Key Outcomes - The Midtown CRA's proposed budget for 2026–2027, totaling $16,878,968, was formally approved and accepted. The meeting concluded immediately thereafter.

The Winwood Design Review Committee (WDRC) convened on September 8, 2026, with a quorum present (Tom Dunlap and Miguel Omar absent, all other members present). The meeting began with a call to order, reading of lobbyist regulations, and public comment rules. No members of the public spoke. Consent Calendar - Absence Waiver: A waiver for an absent member was requested, approved by unanimous voice vote. - Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote. - 2027 Meeting Dates: The committee approved the 2027 meeting calendar (second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., dates listed: January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14) by unanimous voice vote. Public Comments & Testimony - None. Discussion Items 1. Winwood Vision Plan Briefing: The chair noted the plan is beyond the halfway point. Materials will be circulated at least 10 days before the next meeting (October 13, 2026) for member review and feedback. The next meeting will include a session with the City Counselor to discuss design guidelines and recommendations. 2. Sun Life Organics Sign Package (Minute Track IDs 197636, 197637, 197638): The applicant presented four signs for 2200 NW First Avenue: two illuminated hanging signs (one per facade, South and West) and two non-illuminated blade signs. Board members commented on: - The structural hanging system for the main signs: requested consideration of its thickness, attachment method, and color to blend with the window mullions. - Illumination: requested that all illuminated signs have the same light intensity and color temperature, moving from the proposed 3500 Kelvin to a warmer range of 2000–2500 Kelvin. - The blade signs are non-illuminated and received no additional conditions. The motion to approve all four signs with the stated conditions was seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote. 3. New Construction Fence (Minute Track ID 19789): Jonathan Treston (VP, Legal and Asset Management, More Development) presented a fence and gate replacement at NW First Place. The proposal replaces an existing solid fence with a more open design matching the adjacent courtyard fence, improving visibility of murals, security, and accessibility. Board members expressed support for the project, noting it opens up the site’s artwork to public view. The motion to approve was seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote. Key Outcomes - Approvals: - Absence waiver: Approved. - Minutes: Approved. - 2027 WDRC meeting dates: Approved. - Sun Life Organics signs (four total): Approved with conditions: (a) all illuminated signs to have the same lighting intensity; (b) illumination color temperature adjusted to 2000–2500 Kelvin; (c) the structural hanging system to be considered in the design (thickness and assembly). - New fence at NW First Place: Approved. - Upcoming Business: The Winwood Vision Plan will be a discussion item at the October 13, 2026 meeting. Materials will be sent before the end of September.