Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners - Mar 03, 2026

All right, let's get started, guys. Commissioners, Jimmy. All right, sir. Good. All right, what do you want to do first? You want to do yours first? All right, so let's get started with Commissioner Steinberg's presentation, a special presentation, recognition of Women's History Month to honor and celebrate Digna Abello for her historic appointment as the first female fire chief in Miami Beach, which is District 4. Take it away, Steinberg. And District 5, we share Miami Beach. There you go. On my notes, it says District 4, so my staff needs to step it up. No worries. Well, it's not just Miami Beach. She's the first woman for leading a fire department of any municipality here, so it's a big deal, and we want to recognize. It's a great way to kick off Women's History Month by acknowledging these amazing trailblazers who are unbelievable in the work field and off. And so I'm going to, Vic, do you want to say a few words, and then I will read the process? Thank you, Commissioner Steinberg. Digna, you're like a hero, a legend, the original OG. You really are for all of us, but more so for all the young girls. I always think about young girls and how they look at those of us that, you know, make it to some places, right? And you are breaking all kinds of molds, and I'm so grateful because I love seeing women in positions that have been traditionally held by men, and so I can't think of a better way of starting out this month where we celebrate women across the board in all kinds of fields and occupations and to honor you as our fire chief. So I'm excited. Thank you so much, Commissioner Steinberg, for doing this with me. Thank you, Chairman and Commissioners. I'm here. The mayor could not be here this morning, but on this one, it's also personal. As many of you know, for about eight years I was the city manager of Miami Beach, and I had the honor and pleasure to watch Digna Bello rise through the ranks, and I was proud to actually sign off on her being the first woman deputy chief of Miami Beach, and so I couldn't miss this opportunity to be here. You're doing a great job. You've got a lot of your great leadership team there, and it's just a proud moment, and as a native of Miami Beach, to see how you have broken those barriers, and in a profession that is historically male-dominated, you have not just done well, but you've risen to the top of an outstanding organization. Chief Jadala, I'm not cheating on you, I promise, but just congratulations for what you have accomplished, and I can't imagine a more fitting way to kick off women's history. Excellent. So now I'm going to have to read a little bit of this because, you know, we just have to give you the full breadth of what we're doing here today. Whereas American women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways, and Miami-Dade County recognizes the importance of Women's History Month as a time to honor the extraordinary contributions, leadership, and achievements of women who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations. From pioneers to the women who today play a significant role in the civic, cultural, business, and professional activities in our community, the contributions of women have had a major impact on the history and development of Miami-Dade County. Chief Digna Abello has made history as the first woman to lead the Miami Beach Fire Department since its establishment in January 26, 1921, and the first woman to serve as a municipal fire chief in Miami-Dade County, marking a historic milestone in public safety leadership. Throughout her distinguished career, spanning nearly two decades, which I think I've known you for the entire time, Chief Abello has demonstrated unwavering dedication, courage, and integrity, rising through the ranks and leading critical initiatives, including directing the department's COVID-19 response, maintaining its elite ISO Class I accreditation, and implementing innovative life-saving technologies and programs to enhance emergency response and community safety. Chief Abello's leadership reflects her deep commitment to service, innovation, and excellence, while inspiring women and future generations to pursue careers in public safety and strengthening the protection, resilience, and well-being of the Miami Beach community and Miami-Dade County as a whole. So now, therefore, on behalf of our mayor, our chairman, our entire board of county commissioners, and all of our entire community do hereby proclaim March 3, 2026 as Chief Degna Abello-Dade in Miami-Dade County. And I'd like everybody to come up from the department so that we can take a nice photo, and I'd like you to say a few words. But, you know, this is personal. This is something that is just, when we talk about breaking glass ceilings, this is what we're talking about. And so thank you. Thank you for being you. Sure. So thank you. Good morning, Commissioner, Vicky, board, and our staff that we have here. So, yes, this is very honoring, very humbling. Thank you, Chief Jadala, for Alisa coming here and supporting. But, you know, it is because we have men that choose to work for me that deserve also this recognition, because if I didn't have their support, I wouldn't be able to, you know, break these glass ceilings. But more importantly, it's the start of a new generation that they're able to see, wow, look, I can do that, whether it's a commissioner, a lawyer, a judge, a firefighter. But for my department itself, I oversee the lifeguards and the dispatchers, the unsung heroes, that they're the first to get that 911 call. So anything that I can do to inspire and motivate but continue paving the way for everyone here, I hope I'm not the last. And, you know, I'm glad I'll be the first for that. Congratulations. In the middle? All right, all right, all right. We're going to move on to our next presentation. And on that note, by the way, I'm known for, like, saying inappropriate things, by the way. So not today. My colleagues, not today, please. Not today. Not today. But while we're on the Women's History Month, number one, I want to say, I think it's our first BCC meeting of Women's History. So first, I want to congratulate my colleagues, all the female colleagues on the board. So congratulations. And our next presentation, HCA, while the CEO is not a female, as far as I know, I'm just messing with him. He's my friend. And there is many, many powerful women in leadership which are here today. So congratulations to all of you as well. So the next presentation is for HCA Florida Kendall, known as, formerly known as, Kendall Regional. All right, you said it. You said it, because I'm getting in trouble. I was just going to say known as the only hospital in my district, which is true. And I'll call the CEO up, and he could bring his entire team up with him here in a second. And I'll let him talk about the accolades and all that. I also am not going to read that whole thing she read. I don't do that. I'm just going to read, like, a little section. So I know you all drove down here. It was great. It was great. I'm just not going to do that. I don't want to do it. But this is my fault. He will essentially read all that, and it's ingrained in his brain. I mean, every time he sees me, he's telling me about this. And I'm like, okay, I'm not applying at HCA. I promise. I already believe in you guys. I know you're a great hospital. I swear by you guys. But Commissioner Steinberg, when you talk about that presentation being personal to you, this one's personal to me. It is the only hospital in my district, and it is not just the hospital that I go to, and I've been to many, many times, but it is also a hospital that has cared for my loved ones, my grandfather, my mom, my kids, when they've broken arms or injured themselves. So for me, it is definitely near and dear to my heart. So I can't, and the CEO, Ben, and where's Joe? Joe, you know, we communicate often. Carlos is here, right? All right. We, you know, the service that they give there. And I'll say the, again, I say what you're not supposed to say, but I'll say a decade ago, decade ago plus, the reputation of then Kendall Regional was not the best in Miami-Dade County. It just wasn't. I mean, if you needed health care, literally anyone will tell you, don't go to health, don't go to Kendall Regional. And if you were there, they'd tell you, make sure you transfer out. Today, I would venture to say the exact opposite. I would say, make sure you go to HCA Florida Kendall. I mean, Ben gets so mad when I say Kendall Regional, but that's how Miami-Dade County knows it. So it is my honor to, when I saw this recognition, of course, I'm going to let you speak, Commissioner Bermudez. I'm sure you have personal stories. But when I learned about this, one of many accolades that you all just recently received this year, I said to my team, and Ben shares it with me. He's always good about that. I said to my team, we definitely have to do a proclamation for them because I've never done one since my time here. And they're more than deserving. They've more than earned it. And when it matters most, that's when they show up. When it matters most, that's when they care. And when it matters most, this leadership team, some of which are not doctors and nurses, some are, they personally show up. And you guys personally go out there and show that you care about each and every patient. And as Ben may not share today, and I hope I'm not overstepping, but he always reminds me that he cares this much because he once was a patient as well for a very long time. So I think you need to feel it. You need to touch it in order to understand it and give it in return. So before I do the official presentation, I'll let some of my colleagues say a few words. I'll start from my left and then. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So as I said to Ben when I saw him this morning, I don't have an HCA hospital in my district. I used to have one as a state rep. It was Mercy Hospital. And I gave birth to my son 43 years ago at that hospital. And so it became part of the mainstay. And I know that for the chairman and others like Commissioner Bermudez, you know, HCA Florida Kendall, I got it right, actually is an incredibly important institution in our community. And it doesn't just serve people in their districts. My constituents themselves have said that they have been there. Because, you know, anything can happen anywhere. And so I'm grateful to all of you for the service that you've provided, not only to those that, you know, represent the district, but to those of us that have constituents that have found themselves there. So thank you so much for all of your service and your professionalism. I love HCA. And I think that you are going places. And I'm excited for you. Thank you. And, you know, I've had a lot of relatives that have gone to HCA. And obviously, by the way, they were the, very few people know this, but as a trauma center, it was a second trauma center down here in South Florida, which is very important. And that's really important. I'm not going to get into the whole story, but I wouldn't be here without the help of these people and the men and women of this particular hospital who, in a time of need for me last year, without getting into the whole story, were made it possible for me to be here today. So I just wanted to thank you guys personally. Besides all the wonderful things that we're giving you today, I want to thank you personally on behalf of myself and my family, the great service at a very difficult time in my life that HCA provided to my family and I. And I wouldn't be here without you. There's nothing else I can say, but thank you, thank you, and thank you very much. I just want to say thank you to HCA as well. The commitment that you all have not only to changing the narrative of that brick-and-mortar structure by renaming it, but also upping the level of care and service so substantially, and what better testimonials than the ones that you've heard from my colleagues this morning. So thank you for upping the level of care to our residents in our community, and thank you for giving back in so many ways that you do. It is not uncommon for me to be out in the community doing different events, and I see HCA, your leadership, present at these community events doing outreach. And so your commitment is extraordinary. We're grateful for your participation and level of care in our community. And really, I can't think that there's a better testament to the commitment other than Ben Harris' socks. Ben, are those socks, HCA representative socks? I mean, that is real commitment. So congratulations to all of you on the proclamation that we are honored to deliver to all of you this morning. Yes, on behalf of Mayor Levine-Cava, I couldn't be here this morning. I'm Jimmy Moranles, the COO. And, you know, we talk in this chamber a lot to commissioners and the mayor about the critical health of this community environmentally, economically, and whatnot. But it's great that we have an opportunity today to thank the men and women from the leadership to the doctors, the nurses, the folks who clean up the bathrooms in the hospital, et cetera, who are all part of a team that brings, cares about, ultimately, the physical and mental health of our community. Thank you for what you do. All right. With that, Ben, if you want to join me first, and then we'll bring your team up right after with the socks. But is Joe wearing socks, though? I already looked at Carlos's, but all right, Joe. Shame on you, Joe. All right. So I won't read the whole thing, but I'll say the bottom. I like where as is. Yeah. Oh, boy. I'm not doing it. I'm not doing it. I'm not doing it. All right. I'll pick a few. It's long. It's long. What time is it? All right. We're good. We're good on time, actually. Ish. All right. So whereas, since you like whereas's, HCA Florida Kendall Hospital is one of three HCA healthcare hospitals recognized among America's 50 best hospitals, which is why we're here today, by the way, contributing to HCA's healthcare distinction of having 44 hospitals named to the health grade, health grades America's 250 best hospitals list for 2026. And whereas health grades recognition is determined exclusively by patient outcomes, evaluating risk-adjusted morality and complication rates for more than 30 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Nationwide. How many? 190 hospitals. 4,500 hospitals. All right. There you go. Okay, good. I mean, look. This is straight off the website, man. I mean, but this guy has everything memorized. Like, I can't even read this. This is why I can't read this. He's going to start correcting the language of the lawyers. This is done by lawyers, not even like. So, all right. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor of the county, Daniela Levine-Cava, myself as chairman of the board, and my colleagues, members of the board of county commissioners, on behalf of Miami-Dade County, and it's nearly 2.7 million residents at this point. It went down a little bit. Yeah. All right. So, do hereby proclaim today, Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, as HCA Florida Kendall Hospital Day. Congratulations. All right. Now, a few words from our CEO, and then as he's speaking, you guys could come up as well. Yeah. Can we bring the team up? Come on. Come on. Come on, team. Come on. All right. Good morning, Chairman Rodriguez. I think, yeah, I can do it. Chairman Rodriguez, commissioners, thank you for having the HCA Florida Kendall team. Here this morning, we are certainly proud to be the only hospital in Miami-Dade to be recognized among America's top 50 hospitals by health grades. And to your point, I do beat you up with these accolades, but it doesn't happen without the incredible execution and tenacity and hard work of these folks that are here with me this morning. As commissioner Bermudez mentioned, we are one of two level one trauma centers in Miami-Dade County, which means we have the privilege of taking care of the most acutely ill adults and pediatric patients in this county. And we're so proud that we don't just lead the county in patient outcomes, we don't just lead the state in patient outcomes, but really from a trauma perspective, the hospital has the best patient outcomes of any trauma center anywhere in the United States. And I say that to where it's something that each of you, I hope you're proud of, that this hospital is a part of this community, and it doesn't happen without the absolute best partners, outstanding governance. I see Chief Jadala back there. My goodness, what an amazing leader. So important in getting the patients to us. Like, right, the team at the hospital can't do what they do if the patients don't get to the hospital. But we're so proud of the hospital and what happens every single day. I expect to be able to announce major expansion plans here shortly. I'm tipping my hand a little bit. But growing demands within the community. And you have my and this team's commitment that we will continue to lead the way in health care in Miami-Dade County. And it's such a privilege and honor to be here with you this morning. So thank you so much for having us. All right. Now for the photo. All right. What do you want, everybody? Where do you think they're trying to get rid of everybody? I was thinking about agreeing, but then we were talking about you got to think of your own room. Let's get started. We go quiet down in the chamber. Take your seats in the back. Those in the back, take your seats. Clerk, please call the roll. Good morning to all. Commissioner Bastian. Commissioner Bermudez. Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. Senator Garcia. Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Gonzalez. Commissioner Hardiman. Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Emiliano Orbis. Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Steinberg. Vice Chairman McGee. Chairman Rodriguez. Present. We have seven members present. We have a quorum. All right. Guys, we can start settling in. And if we can all rise for the invocation this morning given by Pastor Steve Alessi of the Metro Life Church at the invitation of Commissioner Bermudez, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Orbis. Commissioners, thank you so much, as well as our mayor, for keeping that credit in God in all that we do. And thank you for the invitation, and thank you for the invitation, and thank you for the invitation, Commissioner Bermudez. And it's always the seat, Commissioner Regalado, who we are able to have our church in both of your districts at our two campuses for Metro Life Church. If you feel comfortable doing so, bow your heads in prayer with me today. Father, it's a good day every day that we're able to wake up in this beautiful city of ours in our county. It's a great day. And that's why on this particular morning, we want to take a minute to pause before we get down to business and just thank you for all your goodness that you make available for us. Like David says in the Word, we want to bless you and enjoy the life that you called us to live in the land of the living. So on this day, we're asking for your guidance. We're asking for your grace. We're asking for your empowerment. I pray that these commissioners, Lord, who are serving in one of the highest capacities of a life's calling, which is the well-being and the leadership of others to serve others, I pray on this particular day and every day, they'll just lean in to the Spirit of God who wants to guide their footsteps, help them, bless them in every area of their life. And as they continue to give out of themselves to serve others, then, Lord, I ask you to serve them, serve their home, serve their marriages, serve their children, bless them abundantly. And now, as they get busy to do the business, we ask for your guidance. We ask for your protection. We ask for your blessings in a unique and special and very tangible way. For this is the day that the Lord hath made, and somehow, our lives are going to rejoice, and be glad in it. And all of these things we ask in your mighty name, amen and amen. Amen. You are the one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you, Pastor, for those very nice words. Commissioner Gilbert, you're recognized? Mr. Chairman, if it's appropriate, and will this body, I ask that we do a moment of silence for the members. of the men and women of the armed services who lost their lives in service to this country? Please rise as we join Commissioner Gilbert in a moment of silence for the men and women who have lost their lives in service. Thank you. All right, and thank you for that, Commissioner Gilbert. All righty. Madam Attorney, can we move into reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard? Good morning. Yes, that would be appropriate. All right. For reasonable opportunity, I have four speakers. As I call your name, please come up to the wells and state your name and address for the record, the item you're speaking on, and you will have one minute to speak. Janie Jackson, Sharon Frazier, Theophilus Williams, and Kenneth Brown. Come on up. Janie Jackson, 1161 Northwest 50th Street, Miami, Florida, 33127. Okay, I just want to speak about the housing crisis among our elders. When is it going to change? We put y'all in y'all places to help the community. And when I look around and when I'm walking or when I'm riding, whatever that I'm doing, I see too many elders that don't have a living space. And I just wish and pray that you guys and girls understand that that could be any one of us. So y'all have to do more about these elders. They don't have much time. They're deteriorating by the day. Thank you, Ms. Jackson. Good morning, wonderful chairmen and commissioners and mayor's office, Morales. First, I want to thank you, Chief Morales, for bringing your people to the Liberty Square housing. Not knowing March the 4th, 2022, when my mom was living in Liberty Square, not knowing that nobody wanted to join, become the Crimewatch captain, we changed the name to Community Concerns slash Public Safety Meeting because we've seen a lot of stuff. And Liberty Square, and I wasn't going to speak about it, but my heart said, Liberty Square has performed 10 more games. You got the Zopal Young Boys and you got the John Doe. We had a big fight with 50 girls that came from Lincoln Field that came to Liberty Square about three or four weeks ago. There was a meeting that was called on Tuesday, the 24th, because I asked Jimmy to come and help us. I didn't even get the respect as the Crimewatch captain to attend. I couldn't attend because I was in the hospital with kidney stone surgery, but at least give me the audacity, the respect to bring my staff to come. So I'm asking you, Mr. Chair, thank you so much for doing. Can you put your name and address on the record for me? I'm scared. I just told you. Don't be scared. You going to have the police at my house? You going to have, where's Rosie? We do have a good sheriff's department. I know we got a good major at the north side, Major Vernon Williams. I met with him. We do. But Jimmy, please, I need to see the sheriff before I call the state attorney and call everybody else because nobody wanted to be the Crimewatch. Nobody raised their hand. I did. All right, thank you. Appreciate it. Y'all probably can go to y'all house. That's 6516 Northwest. All right, sir. Theophilus Williams, 1391 Northwest 95th Street. All money ain't good money. I want to know, and I live in a district, too. The rollover is $6 million, they told us at the meeting. All money and good money. And when you combine two CRA together, and the bold already established by everybody. But when I look at the bold, when it's the community looking at the bold, it's not neither one of us in that community has been pointed to that bold. Everybody now wants to build over us for what they want. It's nothing personal. I ask by streets. Everybody talking about streets. Bold commissioners. I don't know who's responsible for it. I can't blame the mayor or the commissioner, but something got to be did about these roads on 95th. If not, we just have to do an order and call Washington to come and help us with this situation. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Mr. Brown? Yes. Good morning to everyone. Kenneth Brown, 123, North West, 17th Avenue. Last month, we had a meeting that they called the MAC, and this gentleman, Kenneth Care Patrick, was there. And he made a bold statement that when the people were speaking, he stood up and he had said that won't all y'all go back to Egypt, pretty much go back into slavery. You got somebody like that that's representing Miami-Dade County, which she'll be removed from all of his duties when he tell people that they need to go back to Egypt. And the other thing is that nothing is fair here for the black people in this community. So what I'm deciding is that separation but equal. If we separate everything and everybody go into their own way, you put the blacks on this side and all of us on this side, and all the adventures and everything that the black people created and came up with, just let them get a rarity of those things. And then that way, we can control and we can monitor our own people. We don't have to go and be up under the understanding like we're begging for everything. Because the majority of the money that actually came down from years ago to start this commissioning board funded through the black community. But the black community is not yet receiving anything. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brown. All right. Madam Attorney. Well, reasonable opportunity is officially closed. Madam Attorney, can we set the agenda at this time? Yes, sir. One second, please. I'm still trying to gather. So we do have some changes, or preliminary changes. 2B4, Commissioner Melian Orbis adds this item to the pull list. That was 2B4. 8G4, Senator Garcia is adding this item to the pull list. 8H1, Commissioner Gilbert adds this item to the pull list. 8P1, Commissioner Melian Orbis adds the item to the pull list. 8P4, Commissioner Gilbert adds items 8P2 and 8P3 to the pull list. 8P4, Commissioner Steinberg is adding this item to the pull list. 8P5, Commissioner Melian Orbis is pulling the item. 8P6, Commissioner Melian Orbis and Commissioner Gilbert add this item to the pull list. And 8P10, Commissioner Melian Orbis adds the item to the pull list. 11A4, Commissioner Bermudez is adding the item to the pull list. And 14B1, Commissioner Lopez is pulling this item. I also have some additional requests for co-sponsorship. Senator Garcia would like to co-sponsor 5C, 982, 11A1, and 11A3. Senator Garcia and Commissioner Steinberg would like to co-sponsor 11A4, and Senator Garcia would like to co-sponsor 11A7. The items to be considered at today's meeting will be those listed in the printed final agenda with the additions, deferrals, withdrawals, and scriveners errors noted in the Chairman's memorandum and the items I just mentioned. The commission will approve all of these items by a single vote, setting the agenda, except item 2B7, the mayor's appointment of the interim director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, ordinances for first reading, public hearings, ordinances set for second reading. Item 8A1, which is a commercial service airport contract that has to be voted on separately and has not been pulled, and the following pull list items. Item 2B4, 8G4, 8H1, 8P1, 8P2, 8P3, 8P4, 8P5, 8P6, 8P10, 11A4, 14A1. Mr. Chair, this is a first reading item. I can read this when we take up the first readings. 14A2 and 14B1. A motion to set the agendas in order. Mr. Chairman. It's been moved by Commissioner Lopez. B4, can we pull H, I'm not sure if I heard it or not, HG4. HG4. Yes, I have that at you as a polling commissioner on that, Senator Garcia. And you'll second the setting of the agenda, Senator? All right, so it's all in favor of setting the agenda, signified by C and I. All opposed, nay. All right, so the agenda hereby set. And then, Chief Morales, will you be recognizing the appointment of the interim director? Yeah. You want to do that right now? You want to do that right now? Yes. Can I? And then, well, just one second. Let me, Jimmy, give me a minute. Commissioner Gilbert, you're recognized. 14s. Guys, can we quiet in the back? Commissioner Gilbert, you want to move those? 14s, yes. Okay. We have to do one at a time or? 14s. Yes. Well, we only have one aviation item at this time, which has not been pulled. It's item 8A1. 8A. It's been moved by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, seconded by Commissioner Orbis. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All right, Commissioner Gilbert, you're moving 14A. That's it? Yeah. One? 14, it wasn't pulled. Commissioner Gilbert, I just received word that Commissioner Regalado wants to pull 14A2, which is the one I believe that was not pulled. Okay. So 14A1 needs to be? 14A1's a first reading item. I'm happy to do that at your discretion whenever you'd like for me to take care of that one. Let's do it. I'm sorry. Let's do it. Let's do it? Okay. One second. 14A1 is an ordinance relating to Miami-Dade County Parking Code, amending section 30-49 of the code, authorizing parking enforcement entities to issue invoices by mail for non-payment of parking charges. Amending section 30-52 of the code, authorizing parking enforcement entities to enforce additional parking violations through parking citations by mail. Providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. This is an ordinance for first reading. All right, we have a motion by Commissioner Gilbert to move that item. A second by Commissioner Lopez. All right, no discussion because we can't. All in favor signify- It's a roll call. It's a roll call. All right, clerk, please call the roll. Commissioner Bastien, Commissioner Bermudez, Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, Senator Garcia, Commissioner Gilbert. Yes. Commissioner Gonzales. Four. Commissioner Hardiman, Commissioner Lopez, Commissioner Milian Orbis. Commissioner Regalado, Commissioner Steinberg, Vice Chairman McGee. Yes. Chairman Rodriguez. I vote yes. Motion passes unanimously. All right, show that one first reading item, passed. Mr. Chair, excuse me, my understanding is that Commissioner Lopez has a procedural motion she'd like to make with respect to this first reading that just passed. I don't know if you would like for me to deal with that now. Let's do it now. Commissioner Lopez moves to suspend the board's rules of procedure and waive committee review and the four week, six week municipal notice requirement as to item 14A1. And amend 14B1 to schedule the public hearing and second reading for item 14A1 at the March 17, 2026 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners to direct the agenda coordinator to send the appropriate municipal notices. And direct the clerk of the board to publish all necessary notices relating to this item. If this motion is approved, 14B1 on your pull list will be as amended. All right. So we move the, it's been seconded by Commissioner Cohen Higgins. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed nay, show the motion passing. Madam Attorney, I just had my team distribute a motion if you can read mine as well. In response to the mayor's March 2nd, 2026 report on the feasibility of creating a new airport capable of accommodating cargo, commercial passengers, and general aviation activities as directed by this board. In resolution number R-1096-24, the report, I move to direct the county mayor, county mayor's designee to, with respect to the three potential sites for a new airport identified in the report. Take all the steps identified in section 13 of the report, conclusion, and next steps, as well as identify proposed funding sources for the new airport, and to provide a status report to this board within 90 days from the date of this motion and every 90 days thereafter. Such reports shall be placed on an agenda of the full board without committee review pursuant to rule 5.06J of this board's rules of procedure. All right, it's been moved by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. It's my motion, but moved by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Regalato, you're recognized. Yeah, I just have a general question about this, and I read the report. As I mentioned in this item, first was brought up by Commissioner Cabrera. This has been reviewed several times in Miami-Dade County's history, and time and time again, the cargo community has been left out of the conversation. So we spend a ton of time and money, and then they don't want to go, because there's a whole logistical issue with getting their goods out of certain airports. So my only recommendation is, this time around, let's make a different mistake. Can we include the existing cargo community? There's a committee. Can they have representation before they bring us back something, so then we don't have to deal with the backlash? Absolutely, and it's in the motion. Actually, this is the first one, right? Accommodating cargo, but yes. I mean, the current cargo users at MIA, they have a committee. That's how I have a voice at the table. Right, let them have input in this, because if not, it'll go sideways on us. Thank you. Of course. Do we have to actually change something in it, or is that the administration for the attorneys? Mr. Chair? Commissioner Bermudez. Thank you. There is a Florida Custom Brokers Federation. There are other organizations that I think also should be- Well, that's what I was going to say. I think all interested parties should have a seat at the table for sure. Which would be the- Yeah. Yeah. So, to the mayor, on my motion, I know you're just getting settled in, but it's to continue exploring, based on your report, the three airport options that you provided in your report and your administration did, just to continue that exploration, but include any and all stakeholders as part of the conversation. Yep. Thumbs up? Okay. Commissioner Gilbert, you're recognized. Yeah, just a question, when it says explore funding options, my assumption is that this is going to be funded as a part of a proprietary system, as a part of MDAD. Correct. And so it's going to be funded by user fees at some level. So that, I just want to be clear, that's my expectation when we go into this, that I don't want the bonding and all that stuff is going to come through MDAD and not against the general revenue capacity of the county, thank you. Through the Chair, yes. Madam Mayor, yes, thank you for that. Do you think, Commissioner Regalado, that suffices? Yep, that's fine. As long as they have the ability, the associations, you know, the distributors, as long as they have a seat at the table, I think it'll save us a lot of time. All right. There's a motion by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Show the motion passing. All right. Commissioner Regalado. Yeah, I have an amendment to 7D that was pulled. I think the amendment will resolve the issue, if I can have the attorneys read it. We would need to read the title first. That would be item 7D as in dog, dog, delta. I'll say delta instead of dog. Well, 7D is a public hearing, right? It's a second reading ordinance. It's in my public hearing. Oh, no, no, it's a second reading. Go ahead. 7D is an ordinance relating to zoning in the unincorporated area, amending section 33-284.87 of the code, amending standard urban center district regulations to provide for certain digital point of sale signage in the downtown Kendall urban center district under certain circumstances, amending standard urban center regulations to provide for certain residential building identification signs, directing the mayor-designee to take certain action, and establishing county policy relating to revenue sharing agreements and arrangements with respect to signage. On county-owned and county-occupied properties and establishing county policy as to how such revenue paid to the county should be used, providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. Commissioner Regalado, would you like for us to read the amendment? Yes, please. Commissioner Regalado moves to amend the first paragraph of section three to provide that for the county policy related to revenue sharing agreements or arrangements related to county-owned or county-occupied properties that are adjacent to the underline. Any such revenue paid to the county shall be used for expenses for maintenance and operation of the trail connector, multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path described in section 33-284.63.3B1 of the code of Miami-Dade County, Florida. So, Mr. Chair, I just got your amendment, which is very similar. If you'll remember, this item created a connector between the underline, the Ludlum Trail, and the Snapper Creek. So, what I'm changing is I'm taking out the underline, and I'm just using whatever revenue could come of that to build and maintain that connector. Yeah, and I'm comfortable with that. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. My amendment was just – so I just want to make sure that it does the same thing. I was trying to listen to your amendment. The way I understood the original item, it encompasses any revenue sharing from adjacent throughout the corridor of the underline from A through Z. No, this is just the Dateland Kendall. It's just one location. It's just the Dateland Kendall Urban Center. I'm good with that, and I think it's a good thing to find revenue sharing sources. To the attorneys, is that right? I'm good. The amendment is sound. The amendment is sound? Okay, so it accomplishes what I – Aneri, you're the one in my briefing, so – yes? All right, good. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Gilbert, you're right. Yeah, I think I probably still have a problem with the amendment. So, the connector system – not everyone in the connector system is treated the same by the county. And so, I still – I need to know from the attorneys, can money from this revenue sharing go to the underline, very specifically, because they are an independent line item in our budget that siphons off money every year. So, if this is going to go to all of the other things, that's fine, but if this is going to be in the underline, we have to have a greater conversation about how we actually fund the underline. Because as I counted, this is supposed to be something like a $4 million thing that turned into an $80 million thing. And so, no, I'm not going to be okay with this unless it excludes the underline, because we actually fund them in different ways. It does. You're recognized. I'm going to need that from – no offense or question your veracity, but I'm going to need that from the attorneys in the administration, that money from these revenue sharing can't go to the underline without actually coming back to this board. Simple question. It goes to the trail, specifically to the trail connector, which is not the underline. The trail connector is that piece that we created inside downtown Dadeland to connect the underline to the Lotham Trail and the Snapper. This can only go to that connector. And so, like I said, I'm not questioning your veracity, but my question is to the attorneys and the administration. I need to hear it from them, so how they're going to interpret this, how this is going to work, and where the money's going to go. I need to hear it from them. All right. To the attorneys. Is this a simple answer? We are reviewing the definition of the trail connector to see if it's included or not. Okay. Is the trail county – is it trail county or it's its own entity? No, it's just the trail connector is the – I think it was like 0.8 miles that we did inside Dadeland. Who manages that? Us? Yeah, it would be us. So isn't it simple to just say that because it's state county, it's just – I don't know. The idea here with the connector is that we are going to build it in part with the impact fees from the development that we did from the land swap that created the connector. And then this money is going to go to maintain it so that we're not taking money from anyone. So I created a revenue specifically for that connector. Yeah, and look, I understand. I understand your concerns as well, Commissioner Gilbert. You satisfied my piece of the amendment with yours, and I see what you're doing, which I commend you for. You're trying to find revenue for – well, at the time before the amendment for the underline, given the environment here. But I commend. It's not a bad thing, and you're trying to get it from within that area. So I just wanted to make sure – and I was generally okay with that. I just wanted to make sure it was that section. You appeased me, but – I appreciate that. Do you want to respond? Mr. Chairman, to be abundantly clear, we would need staff to confirm it. However, the definition of trail connector is a portion of 70th Avenue that ends at 80th Street, which is before reaching the underline, as far as we can tell, from looking at the maps and reading the language ourselves. However, if you'd like, we can clarify specifically through a further amendment that none of the money would go towards – I am comfortable with that as long as the administration is comfortable with that because they're the people who are going to ultimately be doing the work. As long as they're comfortable with an understanding of this board that that money won't be going to the underline. And then, Mr. Chairman, on the item specifically, which I'll support, but I want us to be cognizant of what we're doing. The general model is that we're one community and stuff goes into – if you're a product of the general fund, we produce money, it goes into the general fund, and you can actually use it anywhere in the general fund. That's the general model. We're moving farther and farther away from that. So what we're saying is money generated in specific areas are going to be used in those specific areas. That is the model that we're going down. And we can be comfortable with that. I just want us to be mindful that the highest form of flattery is imitation. And so when other commissioners start to use that model to actually fund things in their district, it becomes a system of greater disparities. There's already disparities. There's disparities. But it becomes a system of greater disparities. So consciously – I just want us to consciously make the decision that this is what we're going to do. This is the model we're pursuing. So when someone says they're creating a funding model, it's not a unique funding model. There are taxes and fees that are generated from stuff that's built in certain areas. You want to keep them in that area. That's not unique. That's what they did when they segregated schools. It's exactly what they did. That's why some systems were underfunded and some systems were overfunded. So I don't want us to think that we have a unique – we're not being brilliant here. We're just – it's a throwback. So we can do that. But I just want us to understand that's what's being done. If I am, Mr. Chairman. Senator Garcia. Thank you. I, too, had issues. Commissioner Gilbert, I do have issues with it. But I think the amendment suffices it. And, look, at the end of the day, we – this trail is going to have to be maintained by tax dollars one way or another. It's still going to come from the general revenue. It's going to come from parks, whatever the case may be. So creating a funding source that will limit its impact on us, I think it's okay. I'm okay with it, like you are right now. But I do think – I do caution being careful when we move forward as policy. We set policy that we are going to keep money in everyone's district. And if we're one Miami-Dade, we're one Miami-Dade. But, however, on this issue, at the end of the day, it's still going to have to come out of general revenue. So we are all asked to be creative on funding solutions. And I think I'm okay with this amendment. I appreciate you proffering it and bringing it before the county. So if there's a – I mean, if there's a motion, I'll second it. I'll move it as amended. Commissioner Steinberg. Thank you. I have just a quick question for clarification. For the record, I support your ordinance. But just on Section 3, I know it does reference that we're also now outside the Kendall Urban Center, that this applies county-wide to all county-owned properties, that we're just basically now – and maybe I just need clarification. Are we giving the green light for the administration on their own to negotiate contracts throughout all our districts? Because I think that needs to maybe be tightened. And, again, that's outside the scope of, I think, what you want to do. And so I would – So from a drafting perspective, you know, this is – there's signage there that's blocked by trees that were put by FDOT. So that's how we even get into this. So I have to change the signing because I can't remove what was planted by FDOT. And in order to do that, we were told that we had to draft it as a county-wide thing, even though specifically it's this particular thing. So the attorneys – I'm happy to amend it. If the attorneys are happy, I had this conversation at length. Clarify. I mean, I know that. At length. At length. I thought her amendment took care of that, though. They can draft – Mr. Chairman, they could – the policy applies to everyone's district. And then that money would go to – no. All right. Hold on, Commissioner. And, Eric, can you just clarify or – Mr. Chair, what I'm understanding, if there's an additional amendment that clarifies – which is your amendment, Mr. Chair, that clarifies that the revenue-sharing agreements and arrangements related to county-owned property or county-occupied properties be those properties that are within the downtown Kendall Urban Center district, then the monies would be collected only from those properties? Okay, but hers does not – I thought – Mine says adjacent. Mine says that must be adjacent. And that's what the attorneys had told me so that I wouldn't call out specifically the urban center. But I'm happy to add the urban center, too, if we're going to double down on adjacent. But I was told that adjacent would be only the Dadeland Urban Center because it's the only situation in which we have signage that's blocked by trees that now needs to be replaced. All right, what's the right posture for it to pass? And let's take a vote on this. Commissioner Regalado's motion addresses where the monies are going to be applied. Okay. And it would be applied to the trail connector that is within the downtown Kendall Urban Center district. And then can you add the part that needs to be – Mr. Chair, your amendment would revise where the monies are coming from, and it would be from agreements, revenue-sharing agreements for properties, county-owned or county-occupied properties that are also within the district. So the money's coming from properties within the district, and it would be applied to the trail connector that's also within the district. All right, so the maintenance and operation of the trail connector. Moved as amended as amended. A hundred percent, yes. And it's been moved by the sponsoring commissioner, right? She is a sponsoring commissioner. Commissioner, yes? Yes. And seconded by Commissioner – Senator Garcia and clerk. I need a – Point of order, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner, hold on. Can I answer the question of Commissioner Steinberg? Hold on. She did, and we just corrected it, right, Commissioner Steinberg? Yeah, yeah, we just accept – well, we have a motion to accept both amendments. We haven't voted, but yes. So she had a real concern, and it was addressed right now in the amendment. But it only applies to – okay. To the Kendall downtown, yes, urban center. We'll leave the Kendall downtown. Is that correct? Mr. Chairman. Point of order. Point of order. Point of order, then. Point of order, then. Not to say this is – it's a little confusing. Why wouldn't we just accept your amendment only if it does that? What does her amendment do extra? Why wouldn't we just – why are we accepting two amendments to the same item with slightly different language? That's confusing. Because – can I answer? Yep, yep, you may. Because if the money goes to the downtown urban center, then the underline and the Lillam Trail and the snapper are within the downtown urban center. And you specifically said that you didn't want the money going to the underline, so we allocated it to the connector. If you wanted to go to the downtown urban center, there's three trails inside the downtown urban center. Okay, but then why don't we just – my problem is that we're accepting two amendments. Why don't we just change the language, incorporate everything what we're saying here, and just have one amendment? Which we did. That's what we did. No, what we did was we're going to accept two amendments. That's what we did. Well, to the attorneys, can – does – what – he has a point, and I'm under the impression that her amendment was essentially my amendment with one little tweak, and by amending her amendment, like, we're good on all fronts, but Commissioner Gilbert raises a different point. Is he correct in his – Mr. Chair, you have narrowed Commissioner Regalado's amendment. It's all going to go into one change to the item. Okay, and it takes care of what Commissioner Gilbert just pointed out? The item will not include any funding for the underline as amended. Okay. Commissioner Oribis. I have a question because the Ludlam Trail keeps coming up, so to the attorneys, is the Ludlam Trail included in the Kendall Urban District? Commissioner, the trail connector that's being spoken of that the money would be allocated for, it does not connect to the Ludlam Trail. It connects just south of Southwest 80th. Okay, thank you. All right. All right. Are we all within our discomfort? Are we all comfortable? One last – I'm sorry. Commissioner Steinberg, you're recognized. One last thing, I guess, to address the – because not about the revenue sharing, not about any of that. It does state in Section 3 that for county-owned or county-owned county-occupied properties, including properties outside the boundaries of what we're discussing now, we're basically now letting the mayor direct to pursue any and all efforts. No, we amended Section 3. That's what we amended. But – hold on. Do you want to finish? Hold on, yes. Not about the revenue sharing piece. About her getting the delegated authority to negotiate any sort of signage throughout our district on county-owned property without it first coming here. I just want clarity. That's all. That's all I want. This is just for the Dadeland Urban Center. The directive to the mayor to negotiate is for all properties county-wide. If you would like to limit it to just within the downtown County Urban Center, we can remove the phrase that refers to properties outside of that center. All right. Happy to do it. Are we in good shape? Yes. All right. With that, do I need a roll call on this? Yes? Yes. Amended, amended, amended. With – All right. Clerk, call the roll. That's going to stay there. Clerk, call the roll. Commissioner Bermudez. If it's what I understand, yes. Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. Senator Garcia. Commissioner Gilbert. I'm sorry? Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez. Four. Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Milian Orbis. Yes. Commissioner Regalado. Yes. Commissioner Steinberg. Yes. Commissioner Bastien. Yes. Vice Chairman McGee. Yes. Chairman Rodriguez. I vote yes. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Can we move into public hearing items at this time? Yes, Mr. Chair. Item 5A is an ordinance related to the Naranja Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency repealing Article C, Sections 2-1461 through 2-1470 of the Code, providing severability, inclusion in the Code, and an effective date. 5B is a resolution declaring the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners to be the Naranja Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency accepting the transfer of and assuming all the rights, powers, duties, privileges, and immunities vested by the act in the agency and the sports subject to our responsibilities and liabilities imposed or incurred by the agency. Urging the mayor, mayor's designee to appoint appropriate staff, designating the county attorney's office as the legal counsel to the agency, and directing the mayor or mayor's designee to provide a report. 5C is a resolution finding and declaring a certain geographic area of the county, which is generally bounded by Southwest 57th Avenue to the east, Southwest 76th Street to the south, Southwest 62nd Avenue to the west, and Southwest 62nd Street to the north to be a slumber blighted area. And that the rehabilitation, conservation, or redevelopment, or a combination thereof of such area, including the development of housing, which residents of low or moderate income, including the elderly, can afford as necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals, or welfare of the residents of the city of South Miami, and Miami-Dade County. Finding a need for the creation of a commuter redevelopment agency, and delegating certain commuter redevelopment powers to the city of South Miami. 5D is a resolution approving the plat of Royal Point Apartments. 5B is a resolution approving the plat of Stegard Grattney. Those are your public hearing items, and at the appropriate time, I do have request to bifurcate items 5A and 5B by Commissioner Regalato. So, Regalato, 5A and 5B, okay, and our vice chair. All right, I'm going to go ahead and open up public hearing at this time. I want to call your name. Please approach the well. You'll have a minute to speak. State your name and address, and the item you're speaking on. Neil Shiver, Alfonso Jackson, Derek Lordius, Crypto Boldry. Sir? Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chair, Commissioners. My name is Neil Shiver. My address is 3095 Plaza Street, Miami, Florida, in the historic area of Coconut Grove. I stand here in opposition of item 5A, and in the alternative, I seek maybe a deferral, if possible, of this item, until there is a good faith opportunity to reach a fair resolution for the residents of South Dade. I requested a meeting with the Districtate Commissioner, and I had the opportunity to meet with her staff, who clearly did not have the authority to discuss a resolution, so I have no choice but to appeal to this board. Prior to the appointment of the new board, at a time when the county ran the CRA, nothing got done. So why go back to those days? The then-redevelopment plan didn't even have a definition of slum. The CRA was all but dormant for two to three years. Thank you, Mr. Shiver. Thank you. Thank you. Sir? Good morning, sir. My name is Pastor Alfonso Jackson, Sr. I'm the senior pastor teacher of the Second Baptist Church, 1111 Pinkston Drive in Richmond Heights. We also have a campus in the Southland Mall Movie Theater, which actually puts me in both districts, 8 and 9. I was assigned to be a part of this wonderful, you asked me the item number, I believe it's 5A. 5A. 5A. And I was assigned to be a part of the governing board, the board for this project. And I found it to be very, very awesome working along with Mr. Shiver and other professionals that are on the board. I love the idea of having a part, a say-so in our own community and development. I've had a wonderful relationship with Ms. Cornhiggins. I work well with Commissioner McGee. And certainly this is some item that we would like to continue to work on. I believe that we can do a wonderful job collaboratively with the group that has been assigned. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Pastor. Sir? Greetings. Derek Lordius, 21449 Southwest 88th Avenue, Cutler Bay, Florida, 33189. I'm a board member of the Neurangia Lakes CRA. When it comes to the decisions being made in a town like Neurangia, who's experienced 105% growth since 2010, unincorporated areas like that can be overlooked when making decisions. So keep them in mind. People, you know, it's downtown, it's Miami Beach, and then we skip over to the Keys. So, you know, we want to make sure those areas are not forgotten when people come here. So when it comes to the residents and the intimacy of being able to come to the Neurangia Lakes CRA board where they can get loans and homes improved. So just keep that in mind. Thank you for your time. Thank you, sir. Sir? Good morning. I'm John Baudre, Chairman Baudre at 1750 North Bay Shore Drive. And representing the community of technology industry professionals, specifically saying that for AI and AI-agentic, we have a number of wonderful founders and technologies developed right here in Miami. And we meet a lot, and there's a lot of exciting developments that's going on. Obviously, you know that growing AI phenomenon in the country, in the world, is having a big impact. What item are you speaking on? 5A. And basically- No, you're not? 5A has nothing to do with AI or technology or nothing to do? As far as the agency services, this is what I've been put up to actually to offer, to say that. To think of a new way of actually providing more representation, more participation for actual citizens, by utilizing the power of AI. A lot of gaps or conflicts that we have of service that can be achieved can now be achieved with technology. And so I'm just here to bring that to the forefront. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. All right. With that, I have concluded all the public hearing folks that signed up to speak. So public hearing is now closed. We've got two bifurcations, 5A and 5B. So do I have a motion on the remainder? All right. So the remainder have been moved by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez. All in favor, signified by saying aye. All oppose nay. All right. Commissioner, Vice Chair, you're recognized on 5A. Public hearing is closed. I heard someone say public hearing. Vice Chair, you're recognized on 5A and 5B if they're together. I'm not sure. Yep. I guess they are. So you're recognized on 5A and 5B. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm just curious as to the need for the item of 5A. And I would ask the sponsor to give us some insight as to why this item is needed. Okay. So hold that response, sponsor. Commissioner Regulato, you've also bifurcated it. Yeah. I understand that there may be issues with the CRA. I would like to know from our attorneys when we have used this ordinance to undo CRAs. I'm concerned more for other CRAs. And I think that if we're going to change the makeup of the CRAs, if this is exclusively about the CRAs and unincorporated, then I think we need to change the makeup of all the CRAs and unincorporated. I don't think that we just go after one. I think that we should be consistent. That's the first thing. And I'm concerned about opening the door to undoing CRAs. I know that we've talked about board membership in CRAs in the past. That was brought up during the committee meeting. And as I said then, when I brought the South Miami one, I think that there's a lot of things that we can do in order to better tailor CRAs and ensure that they're doing what is a county priority. But I'm concerned about, you know, and I would like to hear from the attorneys as to have we ever used these vehicles? And then is this going to start a free-for-all? Can we now open up other CRAs? I know Keon's not here, but we got a lot of calls from Omni, from other CRAs about this item and what the impact could potentially be to other CRAs. Attorneys are recognized. To answer the first question, Commissioner Regalado, this is the first time that this board has taken the steps to undo a UMSS CRA. To answer the second question, I think it would be more difficult to undo a municipal CRA, where the board has delegated to a municipality to create a CRA. Have we ever done it for a municipality? We have not. Not that I'm aware of. So we've never used a statutory vehicle? That is correct. Thank you. I think that taking on the makeup of the CRA might be a better first step, but I would like to hear from the sponsor as to why we're taking this particular action and how we can ensure that this does not hurt municipal CRAs and why we're not doing it for all the UMSS CRAs. Thank you. And I'll just ask you to clarify something. And I understand. I know the answer. So I'm asking as a somewhat clarification. You've got to be very careful in the words you use. I understand what my colleague was asking because we're familiar with this. You said this is the first time we're undoing a CRA. We are not undoing any CRA. So can you please clarify because it is important. Your words matter and people watch. What you are doing is you're dissolving the special dependent district that is known as the Naranja Lakes, which is the that was created under 163.356. The second item assumes the designates this board as the Naranja Lakes CRA under a separate statute, which authorizes you as the governing body to to take on the role of a CRA. So although for all intents and purposes, the entity that is created under 163.356 of the Florida statute would go away. This board under 163.357 would then assume the role of the agency, and it will act as the CRA. That's as I understood it. Thank you for that. Commissioner Bastian, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do have a question. So since the CRA is split between two districts, right, eight and nine, is it possible to have two CRAs? Has it been done before? And if it has not been done before, how can it be done legally? And then if you also know of if it's been done in the states of Florida, that would be helpful, too. Thank you. You may respond. I'll start with the last question. I'm not aware of it being done in the state of Florida. But the mechanism for you to say, for example, because it's in two different districts, to reduce the boundaries of the CRA. So you'd have to first do that. Under the Florida statute, it allows you to modify the agency can make a recommendation to the board to reduce the boundaries of the CRA. So thus, if the agency made a recommendation to exclude one district's area from its boundaries, you could do that. And it's up to this board to approve a redevelopment plan that does that. After that, I think then, once it's shrunk, the board could consider the creation of a CRA in the area that is no longer part of the existing CRA. What a border? Well, Commissioner Bastian still has the floor, but. Just only to say, the TV attorneys, the answer was yes. It can be done. It can be done. It can be done. And if it is, it is yes, right? And thank you, Commissioner Gilbert. It is a yes. So if it is a yes, what would the process be? That was the process. That was the process. Everything he just said. He should have started with yes, and then here's the process. Here's the process. All right. Thank you, Commissioner. All right. Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, you're recognized for addressing all the. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to my colleagues for the comments and the questions, and thank you for the interest in the item. I do want to make very, very clear that while I respect and understand the position or the articulation of the attorneys and the language that's being used, it is not my intention at all to undo the CRA. It is simply bringing the governing body back to the board, because for whatever the reason, we as a body delegated that authority to unelected members of the community. In Miami-Dade County, we have a total of 16 CRAs. Out of the 16, only four of them are not governed by elected officials, and if you review the mayor's memo of January of this year, throughout her memo, she talks about CRAs, and she goes over them and does an overview statewide, and she makes clear in her report that Naranja Lake CRA is a citizen-appointed board, as is three other CRAs in the county, but, and I quote, a vast majority of CRA boards throughout the state of Florida match the existing municipality or county commission, meaning the elected officials for the municipality slash county are the members of the CRA board. As a result, all municipal CRAs in the county follow this structure. So, when there are concerns being expressed about what this will do to our municipal CRAs, there should be no concern. This is actually modeling the Naranja Lake CRA after municipal CRAs within Miami-Dade County. This is complementing our municipal CRAs in Miami-Dade County for the great work that they have done, because the vast majority of them are all governed by the elected officials in those areas. So, for example, Florida City, Homestead, Miami Midtown, Miami Omni, Miami Southwest Overtown Park, Miami Beach, City Center, Miami Beach, North Beach, Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-Laka, all CRAs within Miami-Dade County, where the sum of money that is being collected from the tax incremental funding is being governed by the elected officials. And here, with the Naranja Lake CRA, it is the largest CRA in Miami-Dade County by acreage. It's over 4,000 acres, and it's currently under review to add another 600 acres to this CRA, with a total annual budget of $41 million. I am perplexed as to why we would delegate the authority to improve the sum and blight in that area to other individuals when I believe that we are perfectly capable of doing it here as a body. And while the question is, well, we should make this a county-wide policy, I'm very sensitive to district commissioners and what they think is best for their community. So this is the CRA that is in my district, and so I'm bringing this as it pertains to my district. If the other commissioners that have unincorporated boards want to do the same thing, then I encourage them to bring that similar policy. But I am not going to encroach on other commissioners in other districts that may not have a similar viewpoint on this. I believe when we are dealing with such financial struggles in Miami-Dade County, and we have our community electing us to manage tax dollars to the tune of $41 million annually, we are the best representative voices of how those dollars should be spent. So this item is a complement to our municipal CRAs. It is a complement to, for example, the Miami Omni and the Miami Southeast Overtown and what they've been able to do in their community, all being governed by the elected officials of that area. And I do not understand why we would do it any different here. The Naranja Lake CRA has, you know, gone dormant for years with no quorum, absolutely nothing being done. We don't have those issues here as a body at the BCC. Whatever slum and blight needs to be addressed will be addressed more efficiently, more publicly. The ability for the public to have input will always be available the same way the public has the ability and is encouraged to come and speak at all of our meetings, and from a policy decision, it is my firm belief that CRAs, especially with balances as large as $41 million of our residents' tax-paying dollars, those dollars should be distributed within those CRA boundaries by the people elected by our residents to govern those dollars. And so my item simply moves the governing body back to the BCC because I cannot understand a justification as to why we would delegate that authority to anyone other than ourself. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Vice Chair? Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to Commissioner Cohen-Higgins for the explanation, and thank you to some of the colleagues who have actually asked some of the questions that I actually had concerns with. But, again, the Narendra Lake CRA is one that houses two commissioners, myself and Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. And not to get too deep into the weeds here, it is, in my humble opinion, a better approach that we've heard earlier as to why not just split the two. If the issue is really about the size, the quorum, and some of the issues that we've heard, then just split the two. I know in District 9 it's really about crime and poverty, and in that particular area is Narendra, and Narendra is one of the fastest-growing areas. It also is the fastest-growing area as it relates to some of the crime. So, if this is what it's really about, then leave the board that's actually doing the work now that has established precedent as it relates to getting things done, leave that in place. Secondly, we talk about undue burdens. What we're essentially asking is asking folk from the Narendra community to drive here to be part of a meeting. We're essentially asking that this board have another meeting about the CRAs. That's what we're essentially asking with this piece of legislation. And third, this is what I believe to be true. On its face, it does appear that the folk who are sitting on the Narendra Lake CRA are just folk who are just off the streets with no experience. On its face, it does look like that, right? But if we really understand how they got to the board, we really now get a greater appreciation. Each member on that Narendra Lake CRA is there because either District 8 or District 9 appointed that person to the board. Let me clarify that. That means either the commissioner from District 8 made a motion, put the item in to have this person investigated by the department, and then made a recommendation to have that person appointed to the actual board. So these are not just people who are just walking off the streets into a board to control the amount of money to help deal with slum and blight and poverty in those areas. These are individuals who were hand-selected, hand-picked by the actual commissioners of those districts. And in this particular case in Narendra Lakes, you have two commissioners who have chosen the entire board. Now, I'm not here to have a fight about whether or not this is really about the money or this is really about control. But what I am dealing with is the pure facts. There has yet to be any allegations of fraud. There has yet to be any allegations of misrepresentation. We do know this Narendra Lake CRA has gone through countless audits, and it continuously goes through audits. We do know they have put forth one of the great CRA chairs and executive directors to deal with the issues. And we do know for a fact, and if the administration can help me clarify this, that they don't have an issue with quorum. They have been meeting regularly. As a matter of fact, both commissioner offices go to those meetings regularly, and they are reported back to exactly what happened. And we also have the administration representation in those meetings. So, again, I'm not here to fight or pick one side or pit one side against the other. I'm here looking for a solution. And I do believe the solution here could be two ways. One, we can actually, again, as we heard from the county attorney, we can actually separate the two. We can have two separate CRAs. Number two, another option is if it's really the concern that people who we appoint, we have selected to put on the board, if they are the concern, then I suggest maybe the two commissioners who share the CRA that those two sit on the actual board themselves and work with the community leaders who are actually down in the Narendra area, and that way it keeps it there but also gives an oversight by the two commissioners who oversee those areas. Another thing, too, is I heard the question about the amount of money that that area needs to deal with poverty, slum, and blight. Well, one of the things we can do is we can actually reduce the TIF contribution. Right now, I believe a TIF contribution from the administration, if you can clarify, what is the TIF contribution to the Narendra Lake CRA? Good morning, Commissioner. George Fernandez, Office of Management and Budget. Right now, the TIF contribution from the Narendra Lake CRA is set at 95%. Okay. And so one of the questions I'll put to the sponsor, if the concern is about the amount of money that is going towards that particular area to eradicate poverty, slum, and blight, and crime, then one of the solutions I would put forth is, why not move that number from 95% and move that number down to 75% that in turn give the county an additional 20% and we can use that additional 20% to go to the bus rapid system that we have in the place to help offset some of the headaches that people are doing in that community or experiencing that community as it relates to traffic. That's one solution. That's one solution. The other solution, I've already put it on the record. Why not simply say that we go ahead, defurb this item, allow the county attorney to come up with legislation to bifurcate the two districts, and everybody will be a happy camper in that particular situation. I think that right there would give us a win-win for everyone, but at the same time address the poverty, the crime, and the slum and the blight that's currently located in the district. Commissioner Gilbert. Just a note, I was unclear about it, but I think that to bifurcate them, we actually have to dissolve them, and with the end one and then create two. And so, just so we're clear, as we travel down the road discussing bifurcation, inherent in bifurcation is actual dissolution, not just changing the governing board. That means a new finding of necessity, slum and blight, the entire process. So it sounds like it's something that's interesting, but before we invest a whole bunch of bandwidth on that, let's make sure that we understand what that really means to do. We're dissolving the CRA. And to me, that's an owner's fact. I didn't think it was 95%, Mr. Vice Chairman. I'm still very comfortable spending that money in the area, because the area's been neglected for so long. I'm not asking for a reduction in the amount of money, and I don't read this item as reducing the amount of money. I read this item as affecting who makes the decisions, the ultimate decisions. So that's how I read the item. But I just want us to be clear, if you say we're going to split it, to split it, we have to kill it, and then reform it again, and that will take time. Vice Chair, and then Commissioner Regalado. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Gilbert, for that. To the county attorney, I thought maybe I overheard or misheard what you put on the record as to what this item is doing, and how would separating these two districts within the CRA area now, how would that happen? Maybe I'm overheard or misheard. Can you clarify that for me? On the bifurcation or the dividing of the CRA, the process that I came up with is the statute allows for you to reduce the boundaries of the CRA after a recommendation from the agency to modify its community redevelopment plan to shrink the boundaries of the CRA. Once that is done, and it's no longer within the existing boundaries of the CRA as it either exists today, or if the board adopts the ordinance and the resolution as it would exist under this board, then this board could consider creating a new CRA, and as Commissioner Gilbert said, you would need to do another finding of necessity study, you would have to create another trust fund, you would have to approve a new redevelopment plan that encompasses that area, but it can't be done today. It's a much longer process to get there. Vice Chairman, it's also, I mean, I'm looking at the CRA, and I guess maybe this is a function of how this board actually drew the districts. Your districts are so intertwined in like a very strange way. The CRA to split it, it might be complicated looking at the district, but even if you could and you wanted to do that, also consider that a finding of necessity for slum and blight for the entire area might not exist for discrete portions of the area. So it might exist for this portion, but not this portion, or this portion, so it's not as clean as us wanting to do it and just doing it. It's going to require more than that. So I just wanted us having, in my former life I was a CRA attorney, so it would just. All right, Commissioner Regalado. Thank you. I don't think splitting it is going to solve our issue. I appreciate the drafting commissioner's point about respecting jurisdictions. My concern is the precedent that we're setting. So this is the first time that we're using this statute. The reasoning that is now in the legislative record for taking this step is because of the lack of elected representation. If that is the case, we should do it for all of the CRAs that are in unincorporated Miami-Dade. And this is our opportunity to have that conversation with the folks that are here, because you can't do it for one and then not do it for the others. If you're saying that the reason that we're doing this is because the representation is inadequate and we want the board of county commissioners to represent CRAs in unincorporated Miami-Dade because you're emulating the municipal model, then we should do it for all CRAs. If not, why are we specifically picking out Naranja? Is it because of the amount of money in Naranja? Are the other CRAs smaller? What is the legal justification other than geography? And this includes two county commission districts, right? Other than geography, what is the rationale? So I think we, at a minimum, have to be consistent. And then also, as Commissioner McGee pointed out, okay, when are we going to meet on these CRAs? I'm fine. I'll pack my lunch. We'll have another meeting. CRAs. Totally cool with it. But that's another conversation we need to have. Now, when are we going to have that? Are we going to do that as part of our regular BCC meetings? Are we going to tack it on? Are we going to, this CRA has an administrative piece. Are we going to keep that administrative piece? Is it going to be done by the office that we were created under the chair? Are we going to create something else? There's a lot of logistical things associated with us now taking on a CRA, and I don't find those things in the item. So I think I'm happy to support the, I'm happy to support it. If the issue is about representation, then we got to do it for everybody. We don't just get to cherry pick. And then we all have to be comfortable with it. Because I would assume at some point, you know, we're going to get sued on this because it is the first time that we're doing it. So I just want us to be clear, right? What exactly are we doing and why? And let's just do it across the board. And if that's what we want to do, then so be it. But let's have some clarity and figure out what the logistics is of this board now taking on CRAs. I'm happy to do it. But we have challenges with quorum on our current, you know, priorities and obligations. So, but I don't think splitting it. I don't think this is about creating, you know, little things. And the other thing is, you know, for those of us that were here during redistricting, our districts are going to change again. So there is a whole other thing that happens here with districts and CRAs. So these districts are going to change again. They're going to change. They change every 10 years. They're going to change again. The South, again, is going to change because there's been a tremendous amount of development in the South. And the population in the South is actually at this point above the numbers that those districts are supposed to have. So we know that the districts are going to change dramatically in nine and eight because of development that we've had over the last eight years. So let's not use geography, I think, as a legal reason, because I think that's going to dramatically change in a few years. And those census numbers bear that out. So to the attorneys, what other CRAs are we talking about in unincorporated Miami-Dade? All right. Was there a question in there to the attorneys? That's the question. What are the other CRAs in unincorporated Miami-Dade? We can respond. They include Northwest 7th Avenue corridor CRA, Northwest 79th Street corridor CRA. Why am I drawing a blank? And the West Brine CRA. There was another one that was created by the board, the Gould CRA, but that CRA has not been constituted because this board has not appointed its members. Terrence, that wasn't a question. Sorry. Yeah. No, those are the three. So what are the governing, what districts are those in and what are the governing entities of those three? We only have three more. The governing bodies of the CRAs, excluding the Gould CRA that doesn't have members, are the members who are appointed by this board. All right. And what district are these three CRAs in? I have two, district two. Gould's is in district nine. West Brine is in district nine. All right. Commissioner Gilbert, you have unreadiness with the answer? Yeah. So I'm just, we're here trying to track the actual rationale because I think we might have deviated from the item to a larger, so I need to know where we're going with this because I don't necessarily accept that if we do this, we have to do every CRA. And I think that's what we're arguing now. That's the point that's trying to be proved. And we're trying to prove that up. That's fine. But I don't read this item is doing that. And so I think that we may have deviated. And I just needed clarification. I guess to the chair, for the chair, from the chair or to make, what are we actually debating right now? Correct. And I agree, Commissioner Gilbert. So let's stay on topic. Mr. Chair, I still have the floor. Yeah. Let's like get on the item itself. Well, I'm proposing consistency. That's all I'm proposing. Because I think if we're going to use a statute to unravel a CRA, even if we're recreating it, we're still unraveling it to recreate it. If we're going to do that, we should be consistent. Because if the policy concern is representation, that is true for this CRA and the other three CRAs. Because as the attorney just pointed out, the other three CRAs are represented by people who were appointed by the commissioners in that district, which we just said is the policy reason to undo this one because we want the CRAs to be represented by the Board of County Commissioners. I agree, Commissioner. If you bring an item, I will support that item. I agree. It should be across the board. Feel free to put the hold. I mean, you do it plenty of times. Just put the hold. Bring the item. But I want to hear from the commissioners in that district. I mean, and again, I mean, I don't understand why we can't amend this item and do it. Commissioner, that's not what the sponsor of the item would like to do, but you could propose an amendment. Commissioner Bastien and then Bermudez. Thank you, Commissioner Regalado, for your ideas and suggestions. And as the commissioner for two CRAs in AMSA, I totally, I repeat, I totally oppose having the Board of County Commissioners making decisions. For the CRAs in my district. Totally oppose. Because for the CRAs to have the authority to eliminate slum and blight, stability and clarity are important. It is a must. It is a must. I nominate the members of the CRAs. They have the power to make decisions about economic development and how to do away with slum and blight in their neighborhoods. They know best what they need, what they need in their neighborhoods. So I'm not going to remove that authority because doing so will bring us back to where we were before where nothing was being done. Members of the community know best what they want. And they have the capacity. And then we elect them because, because, yes, yes, district three, of course. The commissioner for district three is not, is not here. And, and, and, and we do share on one of the CRAs. So I totally oppose that. Totally. I will not support any item removing the power from the members who we nominated because we believe in their power to make their own decisions because, after all, they know what's best for their neighborhoods. Because they live there days in and days out and they know what's best. Thank you, commissioner. Commissioner Bermuda, is he recognized? Yeah. First of all, I, I think there's good intent from both of the commissioners that are impacted with, by this particular CRA. And I'm not going to call it Naranja. I'm going to call it Naranja. But, because that's the way it should be pronounced. But anyways, the bottom line is just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do something. And if you are going to do something and it's public policy, it should be as fair across the board to everybody across the county. And the other thing that I will say is absolutely there is going to be redistricting. It may not just impact this district, these two districts. It might impact many others. But I'm going to ask the question that I've been wanting to get an answer to from staff, if I may, Mr. Chair. What's the breakdown of this CRA? How many does Commissioner Cohen Higgins appoint? How many does Commissioner McGee appoint? I'd like to know because maybe there's a way to resolve this without having to, it might be much to do about nothing. So, who appoints who? You may respond. Through the chair. Do you want to hear from staff? Whoever has the right answer. All right. You may get involved, yeah. And again, the question is just on the board appointees, not so much on the geographic area or this or that. Commissioner, as of now there are six appointees from district nine and three from district eight for a total of nine members. But is that a requirement that it's six and three or is that just the way it ended up being out of curiosity? To my knowledge there is no requirement. I can tell you past practice commissioners have worked together and appointed the members. So, if a majority of the CRA is in one district, usually that commissioner would appoint the majority of members. May I ask another question to staff? You may. You've got the floor. Yeah. If it may not be for you, George, it might be for the attorneys. So, hypothetically, in a CRA of this type shared by two or more commissioners, would there be the possibility of even numbers for each commissioner and then the county commission appointing the final, let's call it nominee? Because I understand what Commissioner Bastien says. You don't want to take away from the individuals that live in that area the ability to participate. And by the way, I point out that you can always remove them, you know, and try to. But my question to the attorney would be, is that a possibility of reconstituting the makeup of a CRA where there's a structure hypothetically along those lines? Under the statute, the board makes the appointments. And then the process for nominating those members was, as George said, was established by the commissioners working together. So, they would bring an item to this board, but under the statute. So, to clarify, because I know where he's going, so I'm trying to just speed up the meeting here because this is like the first item. So, I mean, it's serious. So, is, can it be changed? It's, can it be changed to where it's like equal appointees from each sitting commissioner? Yes, that could be, that could be the policy. By policy of this board? Okay. All right. So, that, was that? Yeah, I think that's, yeah. I'm assuming that this whole decision was made based on geographics or whatever, the makeup at that time whenever the CRA was created. But, yeah, that's my question. If it can or cannot be changed, the answer is yes. And, I mean, look, again, to me, I believe that just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do something. I also agree, and I feel there are some people here from, and I don't know the representatives from Naranja Lakes, but, you know, when you give people in the community, when they're involved, they usually, they should know, you know, they're vested in it. And there, but I, if there's a Solomonic solution, I would like to get to it, but if there isn't, then we'll vote and move along. All right. Commissioner Gilbert. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to backtrack a little bit to the concept that we have to do something across the board, the legislature, Florida legislature, can't make special laws as they apply to Miami-Dade County. They try to find cute ways around it, but that's the prohibition. And the reason why is because we can. Like, we can. We literally are charged with looking at specific areas and doing what's required for that specific area. Literally, that is our charge. And if we're going to go down, and I can be amenable to having policies that are across the board, this is what fairness looks like, but that means that we have to expand the metro rail to my district right now. That means we have to actually stop funding the underline like it's a private park for rich people. This is absolute nonsense that you all are making that argument after we just got finished talking about the underline. I have no, seriously right now. We're going to do the same thing for everybody. We live in a county of absolute inequities. That's why I said, no, keep the 95%. Regardless of who governs it, keep the 95%, because the area has been neglected for decades. Not just years, decades. For decades, the disparate parts of this county have been neglected. And so having money that's just dedicated to an area, I'm okay with that. Because we're remedying past mistakes, past inequities. And that's not just going to be his area, it's not going to be my area, it's going to be areas out west. We have centralized what we do in a very specific way. And they didn't anticipate places like Doral incorporating and doing fabulous under UJC. They didn't anticipate places like Miami Gardens. They didn't anticipate Hialeah stepping up, but that's what had to happen. That's why our cities incorporate it. Our cities incorporate it because of the disparities. That's why they incorporate it. So I think the money should stay the same. And no, I don't think that we have to treat everybody equally because we didn't start off that way. If we had started off that way, we could continue it, but we did not start that way. So no, I don't think we can do that. If we're going to be honest about this situation, it's easier when a CRA is in the commission district where it's just one person, one district. It's easier. We're here because we are deferential to our colleagues about their districts. And in this instance, we have two colleagues who don't necessarily agree on something that works. When we have two colleagues that don't agree on something that works, what we do is bring it back to the whole. That's the proposal. Just put simply, that's the proposal. I would have preferred, I said this is another meeting, for them to be able to figure it out. But if they can't figure it out, we should. We're talking about this because it's an uncomfortable vote because we have to choose between our brothers and our sister. But nothing we say is going to make it easier. Let's vote. All right. I'm ready to call a vote, but I got Commissioner Bastian and Bermudez. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I so agree with you, Commissioner Gilbert. I concur with every word that you just said. And sometimes, you know what my dream is, our colleagues, is to, and I think I've invited a couple of you to drive through District 2. You'll be amazed. You'll be amazed about the slum and blight. You'll be amazed. And then sometimes when I drive, you know, the districts and I say, wow, I wish, I wish. And I agree with Commissioner Gilbert. And I understand, Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, and I understand the issues that you are facing, Vice Chair McGee. But we cannot use these problems to have this problem impact all the other districts. District 2 and District 3 work perfectly well. Our CRAs work perfectly well. We cannot, we cannot allow whatever is going on in 8 and 9 to impact our districts in a negative way. We cannot. Because, after all, a lot of the, my district personally, has been under-resourced for too long, for so long, for so long. And I, I, my invitation is still on the, on the, on the table for those of you who would want to drive and see for your, with your own eyes. I think it's important. So, some of these districts, they do need their CRAs. They do need that to eliminate slum and blight. And, like I said recently at a combined meeting of all the CRAs in my district, I said that a strong District 2, a strong District 3, 8, 9 is good for Miami-Dade County. Because, after all, we always talk about, you know, the amount of money, you know, that the CRAs have. But, what we fail to understand sometimes is that today's investment, when we invest in improving these neighborhoods, after the CRA sunset, all these reinvestments remain for Miami-Dade County. And we oftentimes fail to understand that. So, Miami-Dade County is strong as in, as long as all the districts are strong, thriving, and resilient. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Berman, is your recognition? Yeah, I, I agree with Commissioner Gilbert on the, leaving the dollars there. I don't think that's an issue for anyone. And I think that, regardless of what district we represent, we all care about all of Miami-Dade County. Which is the reason why, in part, we are here today having this discussion. And I think that the reason why, my main issue with CRAs, all of CRAs, by the way, is accountability. That, in the long term, is the most important thing, I believe. But, look, it's difficult to make a decision, because both of our colleagues, I think, are well-intended. I mean, truthfully. And, you know, Commissioner Gilbert used the D word, defer, to give them one more month to, hopefully, if there's any possibility. You said maybe. We could consider a motion to defer. So, what I'm going to do is, you know, I'm going to proffer a motion to defer and see if there's support for it. And, look, I'm not asking Commissioner Cohen-Higgins to remove any of what she's advocating for. Nor am I asking Commissioner McGee to not stand on whatever his thought process is. But, I think something as serious as this would be wise to have them. I'm going to use the favorite word, besides workshop, for Commissioner Regalado, sunshine. So, you know, they can have a sunshine meeting, and if anybody wants to express themselves. And then, I think, because I've still, even with all this discussion, that's why I asked the questions I asked today of the attorney's office. How did we get here? Which I have kind of an idea, but if there's a way that we could make sure that both of the well-intended individuals that are colleagues can resolve it. So, I'm going to make a motion to defer. I don't know if anybody's going to second or if it carries. I'll second it. I'll second it. Well, we have a motion on the floor. The deferral takes precedence. All right. So, we have a motion to defer. A second. All in favor of the deferral signified by saying aye. Aye. The deferral you want to discuss. Let's be clear on the deferral. I didn't recommend deferral. I said I recommend them to talk about it before they didn't. They couldn't solve it among themselves. If this is body's wish to defer, that's fine, but that wasn't my recommendation. I just want to be clear about that. I got you. Yeah. Thank you. All in favor of the deferral signified by saying aye. Aye. All opposed nay. Nay. All right. The aye sounded like they had it, but the aye's had it. All in favor signified by saying aye. All opposed nay. Nay. Can you call a vote on it please? Commissioner Cohen Higgins. No. Senator Garcia. Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Gonzalez. Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Emiliano Orbis. Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Steinberg. Commissioner Bastien. Commissioner Bermudez. Yes. Vice Chairman McGee. Yes. Chairman Rodriguez. I vote no. I have six to six. Six to six, so we're back on the item. All right, so we have, so then we're going back to the original motion. Well, I don't, there was an original motion. Yeah, there's a motion to move the item in a second. And we're back on it, so we'll still discuss it more. Commissioner Gilbert. I want to say that, listen, we're here now. It's 1108. It's the first item. It is the first item. This is the first item. This is the Sunshine meeting. If they can work it out, let's work it out now. Let's just do it. I've got all day. We're all here. Let's do it. All right, Vice Chairman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think, Mickey, you had something you? No, I was just going to explain that if the only, I thought that we needed a little bit more direction if there was going to be a deferral, because I don't think just deferring it for the sake of deferring was going to get us anywhere. So if we want to give any sort of recommendation so that they have something to actually legitimately discuss, then that's fine, or we can just move forward with the items that are in front of us as is. Thank you. All right. So, Vice Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Look, at the end of the day, this is what this board does, right? We make decisions. And when we make decisions, we make it in the best interest of the people. Now, I've heard and I sat here and listened that having this board, this entire board, make the recommendations for that poverty-infected area down south that has heavy poverty and crime and slum and blight is to ask this entire board to make that decision. The problem is, if this entire board makes the decision for the people down there, how then will they know about the issues from the people down there? That's why it's important that the two commissioners, in my humble opinion, if there's going to be a reconstitution of the board or what other solution, that the two district commissioners sit on that board, replace two of the current members, so therefore the issues that are facing that area remain in that area with people who understand the issue but also with a voting block of people who can get things done and move it. What we've been able to see thus far is that even on the issue of quorum, there's not an issue. Even though the issue of whether or not we're talking about the amount of money that that CRA is actually dealing with, that's not an issue because that all depends on whether or not we expand and extend. But as it relates to the current situation now that we're listening to and we're hearing, this is all about us finding a way to eradicate poverty. And right now, this issue should stay with the community and add the two commissioners to the board. I think that's the easiest way, and if that doesn't work, then we come back and readdress it, but at least we have a conversation. And secondly, the next conversation we should be having is, I don't mind pulling to the side right now and having a conversation with the commissioner from District 8. I don't. We can do that. I'm okay with that. As a matter of fact, the conversation should have happened. It can happen now or it can happen down the road. But at the end of the day, the people that we appointed, selected should be the people along the two county commissioners to make the decisions of the area of Naranja. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chairman. All right. So to the sponsoring commission, do you just like me to call a question or? All right. So clerk, please call the roll on the motion to move the item 5A and 5B by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert. Clerk. And Mr. Chair, for clarification, this is only for the language in 5A and 5B. This is not, we're not accepting any amendments. This is not for any other CRAs anywhere in Miami-Dade County. Is that correct? That is correct. Clerk, call the roll. Senator Garcia. Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Gonzalez. Four. Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Emiliano Orbis. No. Commissioner Regalado. No. Commissioner Steinberg. Commissioner Bastien. Commissioner Bastian. Commissioner Bermudez. No. Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. I vote yes. Vice Chairman McGee. No. Chairman Rodriguez. I vote yes. Motion passes 8 to 4. All right. Moving on to the rest of our agenda. All right. Madam Attorney, or is it good to go to second reading at this time? Yes. Mr. Chair. Okay. Let's read second reading item 7A and 7C. Yes, sir. 7A is an ordinance relating to the Building Better Community Citizens Advisory Committee amending sections 2-1801, 2-1802, 2-1803, and 2-1805 of the code, removing language referencing the county manager, and updating language pertaining to committee member attendance, providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. And 7C is an ordinance relating to the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust and the People's Transportation Plan amending by a two-thirds vote of the commission membership sections 2-1421 and 29-24 of the code, revising membership and appointment process and term of office for the CITT, revising procedures for amendments to the five-year implementation plan, clarifying the powers and duties of the CITT, revising the deadline by when the CITT shall annually present the five-year implementation plan update to the board. Revising certain requirements relating to the board's rejection of the CITT's recommendations, providing that the board may reject the CITT's recommendations under certain circumstances, revising provisions relating to the term of office for CITT members appointed by county commissioners, and providing for expiration of such terms for existing members. providing for existing members, providing for county commissioners to make appointments or reappointments to fill vacancies, making technical and conforming changes, providing severability, inclusion in, and exclusion from the code, and an effective date. And Mr. Chair, I have a request to bifurcate 7C by you. Okay, so on 7A, can I have a motion to... I'm going to bifurcate 7B. I'm going to take them one by one. Yeah, 7B I'm not taking up right now. That's why I only had to read 7A and 7C. Happy to move 7A. All right, so it's been moved by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Bermudez. Clerk, please call the roll on 7A. Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Gonzales. Four. Commissioner Hardiman. Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Milian Orbis. Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Steinberg. Commissioner Bastien. Yes. Commissioner Bermudez. Commissioner Cohen Higgins. Four. Senator Garcia. Vice Chairman McGee. Yes. Chairman Rodriguez. I vote yes. Motion passes unanimously. All right, on 7C, if the attorney can read the amendment, the amendment that I'm offering to the sponsoring commissioner to see if he's okay with it. It is, I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a technical amendment, but it's very minor in nature. I think it still is in line with your, with what you're doing. If you can read it. And I've passed it out, I believe. Chairman Rodriguez moves to amend item 7C to replace the proposed language regarding policy positions by the trust to instead state that provided that the Board of County Commissioners has taken a policy position on a matter, that trust may urge, recommend, or present a policy position to any entity other than the Board of County Commissioners, so long as the policy position is consistent with the stated policy position of the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Gilbert. I accept the amendment. All right. So the item moved by the sponsoring commissioner as amended, seconded by Commissioner Regalado. Clerk, do I need a roll call on this? Yes, right? Clerk, please, any discussion? Seeing none, clerk, please call the roll. Commissioner Gonzalez. Commissioner Hardiman. Commissioner Lopez. Yes. Commissioner Milian Orbis. Yes. Commissioner Regalado. Yes. Commissioner Steinberg. Commissioner Bastien. Yes. Commissioner Bermudez. Commissioner Cohen Higgins. Four. Senator Garcia. Commissioner Gilbert. I vote yes. Vice Chairman McGee. Yes. Chairman Rodriguez. I vote yes. Motion passes unanimously. And I'm going to call up 7B now if the attorney can read it. But before, Commissioner Gilbert, this is your last item that we just passed. Congratulations on that. That is a perfect example of what the committee is supposed to be. It's working out with all parties that, to Commissioner Regalado's point earlier of my motion on the airport stuff, is all stakeholders came to the table, you worked with them, and everybody got to either a comfortable or uncomfortable place. But everybody ultimately agreed, so thank you for that. With that, Mr. or Madam Attorney, if you could read 7B, our last second reading item. Yes, 7B is an ordinance relating to the Office of Inspector General amending section 2-1076 of the code relating to minimum qualifications, term of office contract, and selection committee for the Inspector General, providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. And Commissioner Regalado requested to be heard. Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized. Well, actually, let's do it officially. Commissioner Gilbert, you move the item. Seconded by Senator Garcia. Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized. I spoke at length about this in committee. I'm not going to rehash that. I continue in disagreement with the item. I think that we are harming the office of the OIG. I think we have an offer. We have a commission auditor. We have a lot of the things that are in here. And I think that history will say that this was wrong. So I'm voting against it. Thank you. All right. With that, we have a motion. We have a second. Seeing no further. Commissioner Bermudez, you're recognized. I just want to say why I'm going to vote no. I commend the maker of the item for some of the changes that he's made with good intent. But I just believe that, truthfully, in the long run, if we talk about transparency, you've got to talk the talk. If you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk. In the long run, I believe that any time that we're trying to impact something that can be seen, and rightfully so, as changing rules that do make logical sense, and particularly the portion, and I thank Commissioner Gilbert for making changes, but I still have to respectfully disagree on some of the requirements that were changed, specifically the aspect of, and I don't agree necessarily, if there's going to be a defense lawyers group in it, there should be a prosecutors group in it. It shouldn't be something that should be necessarily slanted to one side or the other, because every time that we change these rules, slanted toward investigating ourselves and others, it can give the impression that we're trying to change the rules for our benefit. I'm not saying that's the case, by the way, Commissioner Gilbert, and I applaud you for taking on a tough topic. Commissioner, I respectfully have to vote no. Commissioner Gonzalez. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I think that this is one that merits debate. So, I do appreciate Commissioner Regalado and her comments. I appreciate Commissioner Bermudez and his comments. I watched the entire video on the debate at committee. And I will say that when I first saw this item to Commissioner Gilbert, I was opposed when I first saw this item. I'm not saying that I'm 100% there now, but I've read the item. And I want to start off by clarifying some points. And I think that the point that needs to be clarified the most is that our deliberation of this item today and in the past should not be interpreted in my opinion. And I don't speak for my colleagues. But in my opinion, I don't think it should be interpreted as a dissatisfaction with the excellent work of our current Inspector General Felix Jimenez. I think he's done a stand-up job. On the contrary, in the few times that at least I have sat down with Mr. Jimenez, he has demonstrated that he's a true professional and a dedicated public servant. Mr. Jimenez, I don't know if you're here today, but I want to thank you for your service now and for your ongoing service to the residents of Miami-Dade County. Now, as I understand it, the item before us today is going to do two things. And I do seek some clarification from the moving commissioner, but first, it seems like it's going to add minimum qualifications. It's going to allow the selection committee to choose someone with experience in accounting and auditing. I've had some conversations with folks that are in law enforcement, and as I understand it, these are traits that would be warranted in a position like this. And many times when investigations are occurring, sometimes you bring outside sources into some of these investigations, specifically with accounting and auditing. So, it makes sense, given the nature of the inspector general's job of investigating waste, fraud, and abuse. I think I'm okay with that. Now, second, it adds additional members to the selection committee, none of which are subject to oversight by the inspector general, ensuring the necessary independence of the office. I think that's fair. I think that's fair. Now, to the sponsor of the item or to the attorneys, is it safe to say that prior to today's item, it has always been a requirement that the individual recommended by the selection committee to serve as inspector general, has it always been a requirement that they have law enforcement background, either as a law enforcement officer, judge, or attorney? May I respond to the attorneys. To the attorneys? Yes. Yes. One of the requirements is that they have at least 10 years of experience on any one or combination of the following fields, one of which was a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer. So, just to clarify, this item is not going to remove law enforcement experience as a possible qualification. Is that correct? Yes, that's correct. So, it merely adds experience as an inspector general, certified public accountant, and or auditor as an additional or an alternative. Is that correct? Yes. To the attorneys, once the selection committee recommends an individual for the office of inspector general, who determines whether that individual is approved or denied to serve in the role as inspector general? This board. So, is it safe to say that if this current board, or a future board, because it could be a future board, determined that it would be in the best interest of this county to have someone with law enforcement experience serve as inspector general, it could reject a recommendation from the selection committee recommending someone who lacks such experience? Yes. Yeah. Okay. Given these points of clarification, it seems to me that this item merely expands the pool of individuals that can become inspector general. Is that correct? I don't know if this is probably better for the maker of the item. That's exactly what it does, through the chair, yes. That's exactly what it does. Thank you for your questions and your comments, because, Commissioner, and if I may, through the chair, this item has been a bit confusing in how it's been received, because I think sometimes in politics everyone's looking for palace intrigue, and they're looking for undertones of, like, personal animus. I don't know the inspector general to dislike him. I don't get that. This is not about this inspector general. When I was chair, he sent a letter to the office requesting his reappointment. We took a look at the ordinance, and I disagreed with some things that was in it. We didn't make up any of the requirements, and this is why I guess this has been so confusing, because we modeled it after the association of inspector generals, we modeled it after their requirements, and left the law enforcement component. That's what we did. I read the inspector general's memo regarding the things that his observations of the item, and what I thought was particularly interesting was the inspector general took issue with being a member of the Florida Bar as substitute for five years of experience. Now, I thought that was interesting, because you can be a county court judge, a circuit court judge, the state attorney, the statewide prosecutor, and the attorney general with five years on the Florida Bar. Literally, just to put it succinctly, you could deprive individuals of their liberty through prosecution. You could preside over felony trials. You could interpret and apply constitutional rights. You could exercise statewide prosecutorial authority, and you could serve as the chief legal officer of the state of Florida. That was the complaint. That was the complaint. The complaint was that. The complaint was that this does something that it really just doesn't do. It expands the pool. That's not saying that we have to hire someone. It gives other people the opportunity to actually apply in the disciplines that actually matter. They can now apply. We went through, and if you all watched committee, you'd have seen it, but we went through all the inspector generals in the state of Florida. We could find no other inspector general that required law enforcement experience. It was literally just us. So I've got to see the cute tweets and blogs and all of that stuff. That's great, but this brings us into line with what the inspector general association says the requirements should be. To Commissioner Bermudez, I would be happy to, if you wanted to, added an association of prosecutors, but the state attorney's on there, and the state attorney is the prosecutor. We had the private defense attorneys because people can have a private defense attorney or the public defender. They're both on there. She was the balance. What we did was bring a bigger pool and broaden the qualifications and didn't remove any of the other qualifications. This is not meant to target anyone. This brings us in line with what everyone else is doing. And then let me add this one thing. The inspector general's office, I think, does do a good job. I have no quarrel with the job they're doing in most respects. I think what they do, they're doing. But the inspector general of Miami-Dade County has the authority to do a lot more, y'all. So when Commissioner Cohen Higgins talks about us getting procurements late or in the last minute and it costing us money, those are things the inspector general can actually weigh in on that have really a dollar and cents type effect on Miami-Dade County residents and how we do business. I would suggest that someone, if they were applying with 20 years in public administration experience and was a lawyer and knew about procurement and knew about processes, I would suggest that maybe that would be appropriate. Do I think that someone with law enforcement experience should always be employed or we should always have that capacity in the inspector general's office? Yeah, I think we should. Do I think they have to be the inspector general? No, I don't think they do, and I say that as a former prosecutor. We have this idea that we think they prosecute cases, they run the investigations. They don't. They see something, they disagree with, they think it might be illegal, they call public corruption in the state attorney's office. That's what they do. The state attorney's office runs the investigation. I get that folks believe that the system that created them should always be the system that's in place. We call that homosocial reproduction. If we believe we're successful, we believe that we're how success looks, and we believe that however we got created, we should leave that in place. I don't think that's true. I think that we can have competent, extraordinary applicants from a broad range. They can go through a well-rounded selection committee, and this board can make a competent decision. And then let me just address something, besides the merits of this. One of the things that's gone on over the last couple of weeks, and I heard this rumor came from the inspector general, but I don't know that it did, so I didn't hear that he said this. I never want to be the inspector general. I'm a public official. I'll take the rumor as it is. Whoever decided to say it, I'll take it as it is. Teresa Theralis, the city manager of North Miami, doesn't want to be the inspector general either. When you put somebody's name out there like that, you affect their professional lives. You should be careful. That is reckless and irresponsible. I don't know anybody who wants to be the inspector general. I'm not doing this for anyone. Would she be qualified? Yes, I think she would. Yes, I would, too. I have no desire. She has no desire. Saying that and printing that doesn't affect me at all, but it has the possibility of affecting folks' employment, y'all. So when people say stuff like that and they act recklessly like that, it makes me wonder, why would you do that? This has moved so far beyond debate on bringing our ordinance into conformance with the model that they post on their website. Like, all you got to do is go to their website. That's all you have to do. This has gone so far beyond researching the fact that we're doing the stuff that the state of Florida does in the statute that applies to every other inspector general in the state of Florida. I'm not recreating a will. I'm making our will look like the other four wheels on the car. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Regalado? Thank you. I appreciate those arguments, and like I said in committee, I will say this. Miami-Dade County isn't like the other counties. It has never been like the other counties, and I hope that one day we will be more like some other counties. But there's a reason why the requirement for the inspector general to have law enforcement experience was there, and that reason has not dissipated. We had a county commissioner who sat on this dais arrested in 2022. This is not something from 30 years ago or 40 years ago or 50 years ago. So I maintain that that should be a requirement, and I agree with the term limits. I agree with the other changes. I'm glad we made them. But that's a requirement for a reason, and I'm going to vote no for that reason. Thank you. To clarify a point, we are not – like we like to think of our exceptionalism in good ways and bad ways. People get arrested everywhere, y'all, not just in Miami-Dade County. What is that crap? No, no, no. Miami-Dade County, that makes it sound like, oh, we're just such criminals. No, absolutely. I reject that. I reject that. I heard it in committee, and I didn't push back forcefully enough. I should have. If you want, we can pull a list of the public officials across the state of Florida and those other places that also have inspector generals that actually have been arrested. But more to the point, when you go to the state of Florida and you look at the agencies that actually have law enforcement authority, their inspector generals don't actually require you to be a law enforcement officer. But we still keep that requirement. We still get that. So you can still have a police officer. You can still have a – this is not – change that. That may still be the most qualified person. It's so interesting because the argument all in once, all in the same instance, it reeks of arrogance and low self-esteem at the same time. Like, I'm the only person who could do the job, but if everybody were able to apply, maybe I wouldn't get the job. It's the strangest argument that I have ever heard in my life that we don't think that other people should be able to apply. That is the argument that is being made. And so to everyone, because other people will characterize this, the core of the argument is that we don't think other people should be qualified, that we're the only ones that are qualified, that this is the only way to be qualified for this position. And the people on the other side who disagree with this, it's only the entire state of Florida. It's just them. We're right. Everybody else is wrong. The Inspector General Association, they put it on their website. What do they know? That's literally what the argument is. Mr. Chairman, I disagree. If I may, Mr. Chairman. Yes, let me have Hardiman, and then Senator Garcia. Good morning, everyone. Welcome. Welcome. Thank you very much. I was in court this morning. You know the requirements to become a police officer, high school diploma or GED, so you don't actually have to, you know, high school diploma or GED. You have police academy, right, which is a rigorous physical sort of, well, the testing is a physical examination, if you will. You don't have to do that as you continue to serve as a police officer, but at least in the beginning, they make you take the physical examination and then some psychological things. Beyond that, those are your general requirements to become a police officer. And as the thing is written right now, if you have 10 years of law enforcement experience, if you're a police officer for 10 years, then you qualify to be the Inspector General. When you compare that with, for instance, a four-year undergraduate degree, typically, or a bachelor's, and then also a juris doctorate degree, which is a professional degree that many of us know is a challenge, especially if you become a member of the Florida Bar, which is a whole other sort of standard, because you have to test into that as well. You know, it really is a slap in the face to know that we, meaning Miami-Dade County, drafted sort of this legislation that prefers high school diplomas over juris doctors. You know, speaking to my colleagues, I mean, it just, it makes sense that a lawyer, someone who is tasked, especially with reading law, interpreting law, and expressing opinions through writing, typically, in the law, should be considered for employment for someone that you deem a law enforcement officer, if you will. You know, if you, if you, before someone is prosecuted, or, you know, during prosecution of things, people get their cases dismissed all of the time. I'm sure, Mr. Vice Chairman, you've seen someone arrested by a police officer, and then the prosecutor's office says, well, we don't believe we even have probable cause for the arrest, which means not only can you not prove it in court, you don't even believe you have the authority to stop, to detain, to arrest this person, and they dismiss the case. Well, why does that happen many times? Well, maybe because the people who are making the arrest don't understand the law, because I hate to tell you this, police officers didn't go to, most of them did not go to law school. So they are the first, that's why, like, people say, oh, you can beat the case, but you can't beat the ride. The reason why you can't beat the ride is because the person who's arresting you has all the authority in the world to arrest you. Even if they're wrong in their arrest, they're going to make the arrest. So we find ourselves in a circumstance where, you know, we're debating whether or not someone who is an attorney for a number of years, five, should be eligible to be your inspector general. Of course that person should be. And if you think that that makes it sweeter for anybody, then what does being a law enforcement officer do? You know, if the argument that Commissioner Gilbert is making falls on deaf ears, then that means you just don't want to hear it. Because when he says to you that there's no other place that requires it to be a law enforcement officer, that's an incredible statement to make. That means that maybe that we are doing it wrong. Maybe. Maybe we should look at this because, in fact, the inspector general is an administrator. And, look, you all can praise whomever is the inspector general from time to time. I don't know how long this inspector general has been there. It's never really been my concern. But I do remember sitting on this day when there was an item trying to bury one of our former employees. Bury is the word that I'll use. And I watched that there was a change in the report. And I believe this is correct if you all remember this correctly. There was a report that was made by the inspector general's office. And it had been the report for some time. And then they made a change to it. And the one change that they made, and this was in reference to, I believe it was an aviation department or an airport employee. They made one single change to a document. I was wondering what the change was before they published it from the time that this thing had been static for a long time. And what they did was they put an inflammatory word in front of something else. And I didn't know at the time that that's what had happened in this document. But as I read through the document as a trained lawyer, I struck it odd that this word was there. Because the word, is my microphone working correctly? Yes. Because the word, it gave, it wasn't factual. It was inflammatory. It gave opinion. It wasn't in the proper place where it should be. It could have only been placed there in order to create a certain perception on this board. And when I questioned them about that word, they had to admit that they included that word like the day before or something before they made that change. And so that's not something I find to be exceptional. That's not something I find to be honest and forthright. That's not something that I find to be something that is, that we should be proud of. I mean, you act as if people who wear a badge or who used to wear a badge are all honest people. If everyone who wore a badge was an honest person, then we wouldn't have any arrests in the department. And the fact that we have arrests in the department means that there's some people out there that continue to break the law. And those are just the ones that we've arrested. They call them, yeah, they call them bad apples. But we do know, they spoiled the bunch. Okay. But, so I say that to you just to say, you know, I have great, my mother was a retired police officer. I have cousins in law enforcement, I have uncles that retire from the police department. We have served this country in the armed forces, including the armed. My mother was the only one. I have great, tremendous respect for the badge. But as I said before, I don't appreciate anyone who hides behind it. You can't put on our flag and expect not to be held accountable for things that you've done that are transgressions upon law enforcement or your badge of itself. And so when I read the changes that have been made in this document, colleagues, I don't see this as any reason to be upset with Commissioner Gilbert. I think this makes it more competitive for that spot. And if you think, for instance, like some of the people that, these are some of the people who are on the current board who helped decide who's nominated to us. The dean of the University of Miami School of Law, right? That person should appoint one person. Well, let me ask you a question. Who appoints the dean? Who selects the dean of the law school? Who selects the president? St. Thomas, same question. Who selects the dean? Who selects the president? FIU, who selects the president? Who selects the dean? So do you think that any of those people, FIU, including that person who selects that person, University of Miami, and St. Thomas, do we not believe that they're involved with politics? That they don't have friends? That they don't get together and say, I think you'll be a great person to be in this spot. I'm going to rally my friends to support you. Do you think that this body that comes together here, that no one seems to really see from time by time, do you actually believe that maybe they never, they don't violate what we, I don't know if it applies to them, it probably does. But do you think that they don't violate Sunshine? Is there a reporter that's assigned to this body of people to tell you who and who should not be selected for this job? Well, you know, there's friend circles in all of these things, but what was popular, what is the populist thing to do is to point fingers at the county commission and say, oh, you shouldn't be involved with selecting who the inspector general is, even though we get a chance to confirm or deny, right? You shouldn't be involved in it. So it's bad for you to sit on the board with them. Why? You know, the commissioner took his name or the chairperson out of it. I didn't see a problem with it being in it. Because sometimes you need to have people to see what's actually going on under the curtain when these decisions are being made. Sometimes people act differently when there's a supervisor around. Even though you all have the same authority on that board in and of itself, but people act differently. And so I don't know what the conversations are being had with the public defender's office and our state attorney's office. I'm not in that room, right? But I know that, for instance, if my chairman is there, he'll be, I have faith and trust that he'll be forthright. That he'll say, you know, I didn't like the discussion that we had on it. And even though we selected this person, it wasn't unanimous. Let me tell you what the vote was, colleagues. I think you should really consider another candidate for this because these reasons. And we don't have to agree with him. He's just one person that's trying to advocate for his position. But that's better, I believe, than having someone to tell us who it is. And now we have to manufacture an argument against this person, why or why not we should support it. So just because someone tells us to do something, does that mean that we should do it? That's ultimately the question. So when you take that sort of thought process about it, I just, I didn't see anything wrong with the way that it was originally drafts. But we've made changes. And because we've made those changes, then, you know, we'll consider the changes that were made. And with the changes that were made, we've eliminated the county commissioner, who was supposed to be appointed by the chairperson. We're adding to the committee the public defender, a faculty member appointed by the dean of St. Thomas College of Law, a faculty member appointed by the dean of FIU College of Law, and a member of South Florida Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. And we replaced Miami-Dade County Sheriff with the elected sheriff of the sheriff's destiny, you know. Maybe because the people that they appoint are all just so knowledgeable about what it is that the inspector general does on a day-to-day basis. Or maybe they're affected by it. Or maybe they're not. Maybe the dean of the law school is affected by it. Maybe the public defender's office is affected by it. Or maybe they're friends. And so then they say, hey, I'm going to appoint you to these positions, and, you know, we don't know what the discussion is. Do you do what I tell you to do? Maybe, maybe not. I don't know. How do you hold them accountable? I'm not saying something nefarious has been going on. All I'm saying is that when I look at what the commissioner tried to propose is good government. I've never seen such uproar about good government before on these days. I've never seen that when you propose having requirements that make, well, adding them, broadening the scope in which people can be qualified to serve in this board or in that job a problem. In fact, it seems to me that the way that it was originally created, it was a golden parachute for whatever law enforcement officer that we decided was going to be there. I know my good friends don't appreciate golden parachutes, even for law enforcement officers. It's just not the right thing to do. These positions aren't things that we should take lightly. You shouldn't be able to just be, oh, I was in the prosecutor's office. Well, I was a reporter. And so now that I was a reporter, I'm an expert on public corruption because I reported on it. And so now I go to the ethics board. Now that I'm on the ethics board, everything that I write, you know, it's going to be taken seriously. And everything that I write, even though I don't have a complaint, I'm going to generate my own complaint and I'm going to file after three years of investigation. And now you get 60 days to defend yourself. If you don't know, what I've just described is a process in which that the ethics, what is it called, the ethics department, what do you call it, ethics commission. The ethics commission, it usurps the law that we've determined to be fair for the prosecution of complaints against respondents. And so instead of actually having a complaint, they just usurp it, right, by many, many years. And then after they've filed their complaint, what they do is they say, okay, well, now you owe us some money for the years that we spent violating the rules in order to file a complaint against you. But you, you have to follow the rules. And so it's like this is just one of those things where we say we're a country of laws. Then why don't we follow the law? We say we're a country of law, but then we create all of these. We know that all of these things are going on. We know that all these things are happening. So why not close the loopholes? Commissioner Gilbert, I appreciate you taking on this, because what you try to do is let's just close this loophole. Let's close this loophole that people are using to reward their friends. And let's create some real competition in these spots that I believe are important to ensuring that we have the rule of law. And as commissioners, look, we can't stick our head in the sand about this. There's nothing that you can say that we can't take these positions that are just popular things to say. I mean, these are real tough issues. These are very tough issues. And sometimes when you get into the weeds, you find the root cause of the weeds. And just because you pull one weed or two doesn't mean that you've gotten rid of your weed problem. Sometimes you need some weed eaters, something that's going to continue eating at the problems that we have within these, within Miami-Dade County. And so I don't see anything wrong with what you've done. I think you've made more compromises than you necessarily should have. But if this is what you want to move forward with, I think this is a step in the right direction. I think that we need people who understand the law before someone goes and tries to accuse people of violating the law. I think we need to have a – who investigates the inspector general? And what does that mean? That means that when – I know it wasn't our inspector general who made the change, or maybe he made the approval, maybe he didn't. I don't know. But I know that there's an author of that memo that I've described to you, that that author made that change, made that change, never punished for it, never had to address this body about it. But when you're an inspector general's office, then, I mean, you can do whatever you want to do, right? We know by law, as law enforcement officers, you can lie to people or give them confessions or false confessions, anything you want. I mean, the law is the law. I mean, you shouldn't be breaking the law, right? And that's the defense. Well, if you don't break the law, if you're not a criminal, we won't arrest you. A-ha, until you're arrested and you're not a criminal. So I encourage everyone to vote in favor of this item because I think that we need an opportunity to ensure that we have qualified people serving in this position. And I don't think that being a law enforcement officer in and of itself, put these little pluses that we have here. There's little pluses, to be intellectually honest, that that qualifies you for sitting in that position. I think there are other jobs that people have that serve as qualifications prior to them being in this space. And I think that a great sort of idea of, I mean, for those of you who come from the state, Senator, I've met individuals who are bakers and candlestick makers who serve in the legislative body. And when I've gone to see them, you know, about CRAs and those main issues, I can look them in their eyes and I can tell they don't know what I'm talking about. But then there are also people who are teachers and, you know, other professionals who get it. They study the craft. They put the time to the task. It wasn't necessary for them to have a certain job in order for them to do the job that they have. But you have to admit, it helps when you're a master at reading comprehension. And so that's what we're asking. We're asking for a little bit of reading comprehension to be allowed as a prerequisite to the inspector general. Can we have that? Thank you. I have Senator Garcia. I'm ready to call a question, but I have Senator Garcia and Gonzalez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner Gilbert, you mentioned something that got my attention. You said the Association of Inspector Generals, this is on their website. What does that mean exactly? Is this the sole? May respond. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Senator, for the question. When we started looking at the requirements, we thought, well, there has to be an association. And so we went and found the association. They list what the ideal requirements are for the qualifications of an inspector general. And so we pulled this information, what we have, from that and from the Florida statute, which also speaks to it. So we didn't make up anything in the ordinance. It's not something we conjured or said, oh, yeah, I think this will be good. Let's just, we're not trying anything that other folks aren't actually doing. And I, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate that because I did have some consternations a bit, but I appreciate the fact that you moved, you have modified and amended it. So I appreciate the work you've done that. But what I don't appreciate is singling out this board as if bad things only happen to this, on this board. I can show you examples and examples of things happening in other parts of this community where even most, almost entire commissions have gone down. So I think it's in somewhat bad form just to show us, single out Miami-Dade County as a place where bad things happen. But I'm assuring, I just want to say also that I don't think that our vote today is indicative of the inspector general's work. I think he's been doing a phenomenal job for us, and I appreciate the work that he does. And I want to just put that on the record that I am very supportive of the inspector general, and I will continue to be so. Commissioner Gonzalez. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I, for one, I believe that the law enforcement background for a position like this is experience that is extremely meritful. You know, from the investigative experience, the criminal analysis experience, that's something that is extremely meritful. And that's why when I look at this item, we're not taking that away. I appreciate that because I, for one, feel that is something that is extremely meritful. However, amplifying that poll, I don't think is something that I am against because I do appreciate how Commissioner Gilbert explained the state and other county requirements. Because I know for a fact there are analysts, CPAs, and auditors that are within the FBI. As a matter of fact, I just pulled up the requirements for the inspector general appointment for the director of the FBI. So when nominating, when the president nominates or appoints the inspector general to the United States of America, the requirements, the expertise is demonstrate ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law management analysis, public administration, or investigations. So I, for one, feel it is extremely meritful for the law enforcement component to be there. But I don't see why just amplifying that poll would be a problem. Thank you. Commissioner Hardiman. Commissioner Lopez. Commissioner Emiliano Orbis. Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Steinberg. Commissioner Bastien. Commissioner Bermudez. No. Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. Four. Senator Garcia. Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Gonzalez. Four. Vice Chairman McGee. Yes. Chairman Rodriguez. I vote yes. Motion passes nine to four. All right. Madam Attorney, I have the left on my end, outside of motions and allocations, I've got the mayoral interim appointment, which is just, I believe it's extending it, and then I have the pull list. Yes. Mr. Chair, I have some potential releases and some additional co-sponsorships. I could, you just let me know when you'd like me to announce this. The releases, we should know. I have Commissioner Steinberg releasing 8P4. Okay. So we would need a motion and a vote, a second and a vote on that. And then for co-sponsorships, you want me to just announce those quickly? Well, let me take, I'll entertain a motion on 8P4. All right. It's been moved by Commissioner Bastien, seconded by Commissioner Lopez, 8P4. All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed nay. Show that item passing. All right. You want to announce the co-sponsorships? Sure. I have Commissioner Gonzalez, co-sponsor 11A6, 11A7, 11A8, and Commissioner Bastien, 982, 11A6, and 8G3. All right. Show those co-sponsorships. With that, Mayor, if you'd like to do your extension of the interim director. I would love to. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I'm very proud today to reappoint Ashley K. Thomas as our interim director at Cultural Affairs. This is a very important department. As we all know, our cultural community is celebrated internationally. It's central to who we are. It's also a powerful economic engine, a driver of tourism, small business growth, neighborhood vitality, and, as I said, international recognition. So since Ashley stepped into the role in September, she's been a very steady hand. She's provided thoughtful leadership during a pivotal time, and she's also identified nearly $1 million in savings and efficiencies within the department's budget while reinstating seven mission-critical staff positions at no additional cost to the county. In other words, smart management, responsible stewardship. And she's brought an entrepreneurial mindset and strong business acumen to the role, focusing on long-term sustainability and innovation. She's also leading the integration of agentic AI assistance to streamline the technical review of more than 700 cultural grants, and that is also freeing up our staff to better serve artists and cultural institutions. She's a Miami native, more than 25 years of experience in the arts and culture sector. She started at the African Heritage Cultural Center for her training. That's great credit to all of us. And she's very thoughtful with her community engagement as well. So the process is underway. We fully expect to resolve it within the next six months, which is the period of appointment that we're suggesting for renewal. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. And Ashley, I know that this is just an extension of time, so you're welcome to say very short words. And I'm hoping that you're applying for the permanent role, one that I'm sure that's out there at some point. And I hope you apply, of course. And I hear you're doing a phenomenal job. I know my team works closely with your department. So thank you for the work that you've been doing as interim director. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. And thank you, Madam Mayor, the Board of County Commissioners. As stated, I have been in this county, raised by this county, the arts and cultural community, and I'm very, very gracious to continue to serve. And that's my very short, short message. Thank you so much. I love it. All right. Sounds good. Commissioner Gilbert, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I need to just disclose that when I was the mayor of Miami Gardens, I tried to hire Ashley to, I want to start a cultural affairs department in the city. And so I brought her in. She was going to be the head of my community center, and we were going to run it out of there. The arts stole her away from me, so that was very unfortunate. As a matter of fact, we should talk about those arts people. But it's extraordinarily talented, intelligent, capable understanding about what this community is and where we need to go from a cultural perspective. I think she's an excellent choice for the interim. I think she's an excellent choice for the permanent. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Gilbert. Commissioner Orbis. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Director Thomas. That has a nice ring to it. Congratulations. I'd like to think that we did our master's last year, but really it was 10 years ago, and I've known Ashley ever since then. And she's a wonderful young lady, and I have seen her evolve here at the county, and I'm so proud that you've taken on this role. I know you're going to do amazing things. Ashley and I go way back to when we used to have to do projects with zero budgets, and she would help me, and we would, you know, I'd say, Ashley, I have to make this happen, and she would say, we got it, and we'd always do fantastic work. So I know that you're carrying that with you in this department, and anything that we can do to help you carry your mission, you can count on us. So congratulations. Well deserved. All righty. Commissioner Bastian. Just wanted also, Ashley, to congratulate you and wishing you the very best. Commissioner Hardiman. Yeah, I think we should save the money and just make her the director. I think that would do wonderful for the morale of the department. Is that a motion? I mean, I would make it, if I'm allowed to by law, I don't know if I'm allowed to by law, but I see the shaking of the heads. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. We're not doing that. I understand. So, you know, I think it would be wonderful for the department and the morale of the department because she is someone that has been raised in Miami-Dade County through the sort of the exact aims that we will want for someone to have and to have experience so they can relay that sort of experience over to our children and our adults in Miami-Dade County. So she's been all over the world. She's tremendously talented. She has family that's tremendously talented. They travel all over the world. People are involved in Miami-Dade County in many different ways. And I've obviously known her for a very long time as well because I'm a kid in Miami-Dade County, and we were in the expressive arts program at Charles R. Drew. I always forget between the elementary and middle, but it was one of those two. We were either barracudas or rams, both together. And I've known her through her time in college, post-college, when she was living, what do they call that place? The big under, the under, what is it called, Australia somewhere. Like, she's been everywhere as a professional, and now she's back home with us. And so I think we take advantage of times like this, and we give people opportunities to do well who've done well. Thank you. All right. Thank you, and congratulations, Ashley, Vice Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Ashley. Thank you so much. We're in good hands, and I've known her for quite some time and also her family, and I just want to say just keep up the good work. May you make all of us proud. And you're such an example to young girls, particularly African-American little girls who are looking for someone to emulate. You are that example, that shining star. So thank you so much. All right. Thank you. Congratulations. And Madam Mayor, I think you've heard this body. We really like her. And Ashley's probably saying, I did not put Commissioner Hardiman up to that. Like, that was not my doing. He did that all on his own. But I think the mayor knows that very well, and it's very like him to do that on his own. All right. Madam and Mr. Attorney, can we go into the pool list at this time? Yes, Mr. Chair. All right. I'm going to go ahead and start with 14A2, Commissioner from District 7. You're recognized as the pooling commissioner. Thank you. I just have some questions about the item for staff. The item has an expansion, and then it says that it's for Region B, which includes parks in the following districts, and it mentions 4, 6, 7, me, 8, 10, 11, and 12. So I just want clarification as to exactly what projects are included in this, because we all have our lists, and we know what our maintenance issues are. So what exactly is included in 14A2? Good afternoon, Commissioners. Christina White. I'm PROS Director. So in this particular item, in this amendment, the projects that are part of this are going to be the Tropical Park Equestrian Center, there's also a small portion of it that we're going to need to close out the Chuck Pezzled Community Center that we're building on our Chuck Pezzled Park, and then other park projects that may come up in Region B. Region B consists of 186 parks, so we've also added additional capacity in there, which is very customary. It's fairly routine in these types of agreements for future projects that we may need capacity for. What is the specific allocation? How much is going to what? I mean, I understand you're saying, should there be money left over? I have never found that there's money left over. So you're talking about two main projects. What are the price points for those two projects? That's hard for me to say today. So there's the Tropical Park Equestrian Center. We're in the RFI period, so we have questions that have come in from potential bidders, and so we need capacity to answer those questions. It depends on what they are, how many there are. I really cannot give you an amount. And then the Chuck Pezzled Community Center, we're almost done building that, and we're going to need to close that out. So, again, these are estimates. So we put enough capacity in here to cover those two projects and then what may come in the future. And what is the current state of SIP? Because my understanding of SIP is that it's for maintenance. So you and I have talked about SIP a million times. This is bond money. It's supposed to be for maintenance. Is this just straight-up maintenance? These projects that we're talking about, I would not, well, I mean, maybe, listen, the Equestrian Center is there, right? And we do need to deal with it. If we want to continue to have a one-of-a-kind Equestrian Center, there is work that needs to happen. And so, you know, could it be considered a rehab? Sure. Chuck Pezzled is a new element. And then, you know, the other projects are to be determined. Commissioner. Yes. If I could, I think simply stated it's a combination of both. We do have infrastructure there that's beyond its useful life and needs to be rebuilt. And there are new elements. The project that's being designed is one that was placed and approved in last year's budget. And it includes a number of new elements and rebuild and old. So, Mr. Chair, my concern about the new elements, I just, I thought that we had decided that at some point we're just going to use SIP, you know, for maintenance. So, at what point do we just start using SIP to fix roofs and HCs? I distinctly remember having this conversation a few months ago. Commissioner, we have this project approved out of SIP. And there are some others that have been paid for out of SIP that were new elements. It is the administration's intention going forward in the budget not to recommend anything in next year's budget out of SIP other than what's already approved except maintenance. Anything going forward is maintenance only unless this board has already approved it. All right. I just think my issue is that this mentions several commission districts. And I understand that if there was money in parks, that would make sense. But I just don't, there is no money in parks. That's part of the conversation that we've been having. So, to have an open-ended item like this, I mean, I would rather that this just be about those two projects and leave the rest of it out of it because I don't want to mix apples and oranges. We'll get to the other stuff when we get to the other stuff. And if we have money, we have money. And if we don't have money, we don't have money. I just don't want to keep coming back with this, oh, the county commissioners approved it, so now we've got to do X, Y, and Z and X, Y, and Z because we keep going beyond the breadth of our budget. And, Commissioner, the request today is for capacity and not for an expenditure of that amount. It's a capacity allocation that would allow us to use. This item began in 2017. It was a professional services agreement for a host of projects that began in 2017. The Tropical Equestrian Center didn't begin at that point. It didn't begin until about 21. And then we had that existing contract with capacity and used it to do design work to date, and that capacity has exhausted. We have done one other amendment to that contract, but it didn't add money. It only added time. And so you had a contract. It was amended to give time, and then it's been exhausted through a host of projects. I understand that, but I've seen the list of the maintenance needs, and I understand that you want capacity for design. But I think we need to start prioritizing fixing ACs and roofs and not design work. We agree. That's where I'm stuck on this one. If I may, through the chair. You may, Madam Mayor. Okay. Thank you so much, Commissioner, for raising these points. This is exactly what we have been saying to each of our commissioners as we went through the budget process and as we go through it again. And not only that, but any new capital will require operating expenses that we also cannot provide. So I think it's very well stated and important for everyone to note that that's the situation that we are now in. And SIP has been used in the past for capital, and we do not recommend doing it again. So, Mr. Chair, can we just – can this just be for Tropical and whatever the other thing was? What was it? The Chuck Pezzled Community Center. Chuck Pezzled, wherever that is. Can this – can just Chuck Pezzled and Tropical, and can we just stop? If you need something, come back to us. But I don't think we can afford it. This is my point. I feel like we keep doing design work, and we keep doing – we can't afford it. So we need to stop. Someone needs to get off the crazy tilt-a-whirl. You can limit it however you choose, Commissioner. That would be my recommendation to the chair if he's okay with it. I just think – we got to tie a tourniquet. I definitely care about it because it's in District 10. It's not my item, obviously, but it's – I'm okay with that language. The administration is okay with it. So that's good. Show it as amended, restricted to Tropical Park and Chuck whatever. Pezzled Community Center, yes. All right. With that, we have a motion by Commissioner Steinberg. What? On this – seconded by Commissioner Lopez. All in favor – okay, Gilbert – really? Commissioner Steinberg? Yes, really. Commissioner Gilbert makes the motion, seconded by Commissioner Lopez. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. All right. So before we go on to the next – you're good. You're good, Director. Thank you. Before we go on to the next item, I have some comments I want to make on this, and I like the attention of the administration, my colleagues, and everyone that's here, and everyone watching. So to what Commissioner Regalado just stated, and thank you for being very specific and sticking to the item, Commissioner Regalado, but at least – and I'll speak very carefully because I know that this is under the cone. But at least the equestment center in Tropical Park is something that the voters of Miami-Dade County voted for in the bond for that very facility. So we have, not just the administration, although they brought this forward, but we as a body have a fiduciary duty to maintain our assets to the point that you just made, Commissioner Regalado. But there is something that I need everybody to pay very close attention to what is happening in this county and what has been happening for a very long time. And at the federal level and even state level, this has been brought up several times, but here at local level, it's not brought up as much. And that is, amongst other things, the rhetoric of fake news, and in this particular case, the fake news herald. Pay attention to what has happened today. We have discussed, for almost an hour, a very contentious or fruitful conversation on the OIG item. We have discussed, for nearly two hours, a very fruitful conversation on a CRA item with a budget of almost $41 million. And none of those have been written about or tweeted about by the blogger from the Herald. What was tweeted, however, was this item that we just voted on. And it was tweeted about by saying more money to the Tropical Park Equestrian said, more money being put by Miami-Dade County in a budget crisis towards Miami-Dade County. Managed by, oh, and managed by Loudon Live. Listen to what is happening here. A company who bidded through an RFP process, and it's not costing this county money. They are paying the county. It is a revenue-generating contract. But that's not what they're saying, because that's not clickbait. The clickbait is more money towards Tropical Park. No, this isn't more money towards Tropical Park. This is an investment in something that the voters voted for that is not only deteriorating, but it is condemned and just went to the Unsafe Structures Board, where we just received 12-month extension by the Unsafe Structures Board to take action and remedy these unsafe structures. But there is no mention of a $40-plus million item that we discussed for two hours and an hour on an OIG item that, to all the points that were made, can investigate from here to Timbuktu. But a measly $1.85 million allocation to an architectural agreement that is necessary to comply with what the voters voted for gets a tweet from the Fake News Herald. This is what the federal government and the state government argues when they talk about fake news. This is what it is. So open your eyes, my friends. It is very one-sided, and we are paying attention. Be a reporter, to Commissioner Hardiman's point. Don't let anyone be in your ear about the things that don't matter, that the voters don't care about. And don't ever think, to any person that says they're a reporter, think that the voters of Miami-Dade County are stupid, because they're not. They are paying attention, and they are smarter than the fake news tweets that are being put out, and have been put out. Log on, guys. Go and see it. But we are paying attention, and the people of Miami-Dade County are smarter than you all believe. Be journalists. What happened to journalism? Where did it get lost? We have very few left here in Miami-Dade County. We still have some, but very few. Because clickbait is more important than journalism and reporting the facts. Not only not reporting the real issues that we discussed for hours here, but in the tweet, lying. This isn't more money. What money was thrown into the Equestrian Center? What money did we allocate prior on this board? I mean, maybe years back, not since I've been here. And under the management of Loudon Life, they're going to manage this construction? Really? It's news to me. I didn't know they were in that space. They generate revenue for this county. Something that everybody here should probably pay attention to, and mirror that model. I've said my piece, but we are with open eyes, and I'm paying attention, and we are paying attention. Not just to the fake news, but to those in their ears. All right. Let's move on with the pool list. Madam Attorney, let's go into item. I think you have some additional releases. Yes, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Milian Orbis and Commissioner Gilbert release 8P6. Additionally, Commissioner Gilbert releases 8H1, 8P2, and 8P3. However, 8P2 and 8P3 are aviation items that need a separate vote. All right. So let's take, well, 8P6 that's being released, is that, but it's got two pooling commissioners. Did they both release it? Both release it. All right. So I'll entertain a motion to move 8P6. It's been moved by Commissioner Bastien, seconded by Commissioner Orbis. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed nay. Show 8P6 passed. 8H1 is also released. 8H1, I'll entertain a motion by Commissioner Bastien, seconded by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. All in favor signify by saying aye. 8P2, I'll entertain a motion by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, seconded by Commissioner Lopez. All in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed nay. 8P3, moved by Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, seconded by Commissioner Lopez. All in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed nay. And did we do 8P6? Yep, we did 8P6. any other releases that's it mr chair all right so is it in order to go to this 2b4 pending yes mr chair all right so commissioner from district six you're a pulling commissioner on this thank you mr chair um yes this was a report that came back from the budget season where we requested uh an update on the uh response times from the fire department and i'd like to thank you know chief jedala and the fire department for working so diligently on this report um it's it's great news what we're seeing i'd also like to congratulate them on being um one of the only departments to receive a class a class one rating so congratulations on that our residents deserve the very best in public safety and you are the standard you're the very best in public safety so we congratulate you um on the report i just wanted to ask the administration if we can get a follow-up to this within 120 days which will be leading up to the budget so that's exactly 120 120 days from today is july 1st so if we can receive an update because they're they're pending uh a vacant parcel that uh piod is working with mdfr to secure that to to have a new station correct chief yes uh we excuse me uh good afternoon through the chair um we are working with uh piod as uh we're doing the comparables yes so if we could get a report like an updated report on this just to as we prepare for the next budget season i want to make sure that we stay on top of it and that you know we're we're working on um shortening our response times and i know that your department is doing the very best work that you can to make sure that we get there so i'd be requesting an update on this in july 120 days after this that's all through the chair thank you uh thank you commissioner for asking for the report and i was very proud of the results of that report as you noted we were even with 21 increase in calls we were able to maintain strong response times that to be said we need to continue to find properties we've already expanded uh 21 new units that has really helped us but i i will suggest that as soon as we have that information hopefully well in advance of 120 days we will give you that update i appreciate that mayor thank you mr chair mr chair you're recognized thank you i'd be remiss because i thanked hca earlier today thank you mr chair for recognizing them uh if i didn't recognize the great effort that uh your department does yeah i probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your department uh so thank you very well maybe some of these guys aren't happy that i'm here but thank you very much for uh making it possible for me to be here okay okay but i want to i want to thank you publicly because it's amazing the men and women in your department how professional how quick and and we were talking about response times an amazing response time so um i really want to thank you uh i've done it privately i haven't done it publicly and i thank you the administration my colleagues i want to thank you for the great job that the men and women of miami date fire do and it's it's very very well deserved i know you've gotten all these national recognitions and today we had another fire department that does a great job miami beaches but certainly you know you guys are definitely top of the class and and i can vouch for that personally so thank you thank you thank you thank you for the kind words sir um commissioner steinberg thank you so natalie i will second your motion and hopefully we can amend it to say up to 120 days because i think the administration will try to get it to us sooner i'm good with that thank you all right so we move the item as amended or is yep that's a report all right separate a motion the motion for 120 days perfect report and to yeah we can do it together moved by uh commissioner uh orbis you're doing it together seconded by commissioner steinberg all in favor signify by saying aye all opposed nay all right surely adam passed uh 8g4 uh yes mr chairman commissioner uh senator garcia you're recognized thank you mr chairman um 8g4 has um to do with appropriating 1.1 1.1 million dollars to the department of health which is something that we standard do standardly uh as a standard practice i'm sorry um what i would like to do members is that as you know i've been talking uh we've been talking about the hiv crisis here in miami-dade county we recognize that hispanic and african-american african-american women black women are disproportionately affected by hiv in our community currently in the state legislature they have eliminated the adap or the taking money away from the adap program that's the aids drugs assistant program that they have knowing that we in miami-dade county have a higher portion of people living with hiv here i think it's incumbent that this 1.1 million dollars that are being appropriated to the department of health go to offset any of the losses of dollars of insurance premium payments or prescription drug payments under the adap program uh that's the amendment mr chairman this part of that money is already being used for that i just want to make sure that uh the entire this money goes to offset any issues uh resulting from any loss of dollars to miami-dade county from the state program okay so amending um madam mayor you recognize yes thank you and thank you to senator garcia for his leadership role on these issues and we already did pass you passed an urging last board meeting i believe in support of full funding for the program and we are facing at the state level a huge cutback on those eligible to uh to a lower income level which is estimated to drop is it senator 100 12 000 recipients of life-saving medications that they otherwise will not be able to afford so it's really quite a crisis and i think your point underscores this is about a broad population this is men and women this is transmitted heterosexually as well and and really we're unfortunately leaving a huge population at significant risk thank you thank you mayor all right so with that we have an amendment to the item uh through the chair uh if we could allow our deputy director of omb just to respond us to the budget item thank you go ahead to the chair thank you um i'd like to ask the attorney i don't know if this would require us to go back to the department of health at any given point to renegotiate the contract because it is spelled out how that money is used in terms of this contract i just wanted to point that out so the uh yeah you're correct the contract does provide for the 1.13 million um and to be allocated um so perhaps it would be a directive to renegotiate uh between the administration the department as well as the public health trust the dollars uh come from the public health trust then i'll make that motion then to redirect the administration to negotiate renegotiate this contract to ensure that these dollars go to offset any loss of premium payments for an insurance program or for the loss of prescription drug benefits or payments um and when you look at the item here you see where it's spelled out some of it is going to to hiv programming but i want to make sure that we do offset the program uh the loss of revenues to the county and to try to ensure we take care of our people understood the state is is serving their responsibility and so if i may uh would also be just to defer the item to to do that renegotiation if we get whatever you think is appropriate you would need a deferral mr chairman all right so it's been moved to defer the item for further it's been seconded by commissioner with that with that in mind thank you um all in favor of the deferral signify by saying aye aye all opposed nay show uh ag4 deferred all right uh ap1 i apologize mr chair just for clarification the motion was on the deferral and the and the motion to direct the administration to renegotiate in accordance with the senator's statements that was the entire premise of the deferral yes all right so ap1 commissioner from district six you recognized thank you mr chair so i have a question because this is uh for polymers that are used for water treatment um they're used for wastewater but also for drinking water so that just raised a red flag um for me because i read that some of these are not biodegradable so uh if somebody can answer how do we ensure that these polymers are completely removed from the drinking water before it reaches the um homes thank you um would you just mind restating the exact question please yes so i wanted to ask about the polymers that are used in water treatment so they're used in wastewater but also in drinking water and that's a little concerning because polymers can be synthetic they can be plastics and so forth and they're they may not be biodegradable so what uh what safeguards are put in place or how do you know that they're completely removed before they reach homes people before people drink it in their water so i'll try to answer the the question through the chair the polymers are used basically to coagulate suspended solids in the liquid and that's in it happens in treatment process of both water and wastewater and what that means is that any of the solid particles will settle out in the tanks within the treatment process so all those settable solids then get removed from it the clarified water or the clear water then continues through the treatment process gets additional treatment and ultimately disinfection before it goes into the either discharge of the wastewater plants or into the water treatment system okay so it's tested before yes and all the the polymers are also um i believe approved for the exact process of what they're used whether it's in water and wastewater it's not um you know those the chemicals that we use are prescribed to be used um evaluated of what the best product is for the treatment train that it is intended to use and that's continually sort of changing and modifying and then it does have to have the approvals for those uses in the application that we're using it for so you're not necessarily using the same polymers in wastewater as you are in drinking water correct and even in different processes or different plants we're using different polymers we are undergoing actually a study right now um looking at the most efficiency efficient use of those polymers to make sure that we're using what we need in a prescribed amount that we do need thank you thank you all right it's been moved by commissioner gilbert seconded by uh commissioner cohen higgins all in favor signify by saying aye all opposed nay show item passing 8p2 um commissioner from district did we we did that yeah we did that one and we did ap3 right all right yes um ap5 commissioner from district six yes i had some questions and i was i asked namida earlier but i wanted to clarify so this is this is a pool for items that that seem to be purchased plumbing items that are purchased on an ongoing basis so i wanted to know um if we are why are we relying on on purchasing one at a time right that's what i had asked namida if you can help me out with that instead of uh identifying the items that we buy constantly and having those in a bulk purchase thank you namida upal chief chairman officer through the chair um commissioner that's an excellent question we always look at what's the best way to buy products or services for county departments and something like plumbing supplies where we have um it could be thousands of products and we don't know what we need down the road so departments try to um at the time of the need or they can project on their own if there is a special project going on products that we need for water and sewer are totally different than what we need for parks and it's hard to itemize all of your plumbing needs up front for us to put together a contract and i think the pools work very efficiently for departments and then we also have with the use of the pools we also get a lot of small and local companies that can participate as opposed to doing a huge large contract like like i said mro supplies where you would contract with a one company and then yes you can get the discounted prices from there but that impacts small and local companies so that's always a balance we look at i do see some are local but i do see a lot of them are not as well so i think we can do better at identifying local firms that sell these products and i'm going to be putting in a request a legislative request to for the county for us to identify the hundred most frequently use plumbing items across all departments because i think that we can identify those those items that we do purchase most frequently depending on the categories and get ahead of that and be proactive in you know saving as much as we can because if we already know what we need we can anticipate and purchase them ahead of time absolutely um one of the things that the mayor made sure was to direct every department to use informs people soft for all of their bidding needs so i i'm i'm very hopeful that but now that our department is using we could get data from the system and and use it intelligently to to do a contract like that thank you so much and if i may through the chair just another comment we also have a substantial outreach to our small businesses and we're always looking to include small businesses we have a small business procurement academy and and a lot of active outreach so perhaps we could give you more information each of the commissioners so you could publicize it further through your districts that would be very helpful absolutely and i think this is also an opportunity for us to use ai in identifying those parts um so that we can readily be ready when something breaks down to to go ahead and anticipate what we need and replace it faster and more efficiently thank you for the suggestion yeah all right with that is it moved um undertaken to be moved by commissioner orbis seconded by commissioner bastian on favor signify by say an aye all opposed nay show the item passed and thank you commissioner orbis for that look forward to your item uh 8p10 also by commissioner from the districts you release it all right short released and a motion to move it by commissioner bastian second by commissioner lopez all in favor signify by say an aye all opposed nay um 11a4 uh commissioner from district 12 be recognized thank you um and thanks to the uh maker or this resolution of the urging because i think it um it is um it encompasses a lot of things that are important to us including the voting majority etc but i and i'm going to support it but i'm just you know i wanted to talk about it because i think representative borrero who does a fine job representing our district has concerns and i haven't spoken to representative borrero by the way just to be clear because unlike some of you i've chosen not yet to go to tallahassee but the um the reason why i pulled it is because uh and and obviously it impacts our home rules so i'm going to support it but i think we got to talk about this at some point at some point i'm going to say uh you know i say what i've been saying over and over at some point we need to talk about the urban development boundary that hasn't been moved in 52 years with everybody that's impacted the the environmental community the developers and the elected body so i just wanted to make sure that everybody understands that this is not as illogical even though there's many things that i'm going to support the urging and i thank commissioner cohen higgins for certainly bringing it up but we need to talk about the urban development boundary we cannot keep on putting a finger on the on the sun there has to be some discussion at some point about this issue and i think it's rational for us to have a sit down with all the players and have a discussion that's all i wanted to say i'm a team player and then that's it commissioner cohen higgins thank you mr chair and thank you commissioner bermudez for those comments and thank you for your support on the item um frankly i've heard you say this a couple of times now we need to talk about the udb and i couldn't agree with you more we do need to talk about the udb we need to convene either a sunshine meeting or a separate meeting to have a long-term comprehensive plan about what we are going to do about the udb and whether it needs to be revisited with stakeholders on both sides of the issue and i think we have done that in the past successfully through our ueas which is our urban expansion areas um and i think that um i would have your full support should you bring an item to the board to create or to convene and i know our madam mayor is doing it through her and you're going to have to correct me on what the actual terminology of the board is but i know that that is included in i think it's a cdmp revision board of some sort and our mayor can can correct me but to commissioner bermudez's point i agree with you entirely and i would love to be part of the process of having a discussion about making sure that our environmentally sensitive lands and wetlands are protected identify those areas with with conviction right and and allow our environmental community as well as our development community to have meaningful input on what that could look like so i appreciate your comments i couldn't agree with you more thank you mr chair commissioner gilbert thank you mr chairman and i agree with both my colleagues and we have this conversation we also have as a part of the conversation how we actually make exceptions to the udb so that the last at the last meeting we talked about the text amendment and and amending like figuring out what it is uh if and figuring out what we're what we're what we're doing and why we're doing it and then let that drive what it what it is so if it's something that's bad outside the udb it's bad whether we do it or private folks do it it's just bad we're not going to allow it i mean but we just need to figure that out and i'm more than willing and you know all know i hate extra meetings uh not that i don't like hanging out with you all but um i i hate extra meetings but but i'll do this meeting i'll come to this meeting i'll participate in this because ultimately i think that if we can get it right or at least draw consensus on it we could streamline it for everyone else not just this government and the people who work here but but people who live here and people who do business here and having that type of certainty actually helps with growth commissioner regalata thank you um and i i would love to participate i just think we should be honest that the urban expansion area has not worked because every time someone brings an application for the urban expansion area we still have everyone like hair on fire so um i i think that's you know that's not a good example because you know um it it just keeps coming up i do think on the wetland part and i know that the mayor's working on that um there is a definition of what are um geographically significant wetlands and that was a determination that was made a long time ago so i think that there needs to be um a relook at that um because that that can change some of the discourse on wetlands um and i said this you know two years ago i think three years ago when we had this conversation about wetlands in another application you know the the only way that we are going to secure wetlands that are important to us is to ensure that there are degrees of them we can't just say that every wetland is the same not every wetland is the same you know some are eels some are not some are part of an existing project some are not some are inside bbc or some are outside bbc or and that's some of the things that i think that we should be talking about because that has changed over the years um and for those projects and those wetlands and the restoration and the maintaining of those wetlands i think it's important um so i think we should have a meeting on it i'm happy to participate in that um but one of the things that we do have to be honest about is you know we take these applications and over the years we have been putting areas and asking people to develop them and then when they come to develop them we say no and then also when we talk about wetlands and the price of them to also consider the wetland mitigation price so there's a whole other conversation that we don't have up here about wetland mitigation so the only thing that i would add to commissioner bermuda is if he wants to do that is i don't think you can have a conversation about the udb without a conversation about wetland mitigation wetland mitigation bank the cost of wetland mitigation credits and the location of those wetland mitigation credits and to commissioner gilbert's point you know our last application taught us a lot about covenants and as you mentioned earlier just because you can do something doesn't mean you should so i think we should also revisit the way that we covenant these wetlands um in our comprehensive master plan so that five years after 10 years after 20 years after 40 years after there isn't an undoing of those protected wetlands all right mr chairman i could send a memo to you but i'm going to formally request it or i could do it today just so you know because i think this issue and i'm voting for this bible because i i did so it's important because this is but this is i think all of us understand and and the reason is a lot of times it put something that hasn't been looked at puts us all in a bad position whether it's in district 8 district 12 or any other district and i think that it's better to just have everybody at the table let's discuss it and not limited to any particular subject you know and well limited subject but not certain issues of the wetlands we can talk wetlands that's fine but let's have a frank conversation it's time that that happens 52 years is a long time good all right commissioner lopez you're welcome to join the conversation thank you so much mr chairman so um i'm gonna vote in favor of the urging um and i'll tell you why because even though all that's been discussed here is the udb line um that that bill also contains a very unfortunate um provision that would allow for large destination resorts to come into our county without uh no municipality no local government would be able to stop it and so i don't know i mean i don't know about you all whether you want six flags in the middle of your residential areas um within with the amount of traffic that sometimes these large destination resorts can bring i mean for me my my district and and certainly miami beach um which both commissioner steinberg and i share have already written uh in in an opposition of this so i i i think you need to realize that sometimes these bills continue to preempt us and continue to preempt us from the ability to actually preserve the quality of life particularly in coastal communities so i just wanted to let you know that although we're only describing the udb there's other provisions in this bill that could be very very negative for us you told me commissioner lopez i uh i used to love water parks but i lost my summer body so i'm no longer in love with water parks so i'm supportive of of the item at this point just because of your statement all right with that we have a motion by the sponsoring commissioner second by commissioner lopez herself all in favor signify by saying aye all opposed nay show that urging uh passing uh i have two other items but real quick can the attorney read my an allocation that i have i need to read it all right this month is uh multiple sclerosis awareness month and i would like to allocate five thousand dollars from my district 10 cbo fund to support the national multiple sclerosis society for the walk ms miami event at tropical park i encourage any of my colleagues that would like to support it to do it as well i've said it before he's semi-private about this but my uh uh chief of staff aldo has a mess and has been dealing with that for many many years uh so i'm happy to always be supportive of it um so i i'll i'll have uh since i'm chairing so commissioner konigens will move that for me move it seconded by commissioner uh gilbert on favor signify by say and i all oppose nay show that allocation done uh commissioner lopez i'll take this i'm i'm jumping to my stuff because i have to step out for a second but uh my vice chair is here right yes uh commissioner lopez i'm working on an item uh regarding arts and public places and i know you care deeply about housing and and things of that nature if you're willing to be a co-prime sponsor on my item with me i i'd i'd like that you do it all right so uh thank you for that and we could uh do i need a motion for that no no mr chair okay all right what are you telling me though i have your motion if you wanted me to read it at this time or later time uh do my motion i forgot which other motion i have but go ahead read my motion mr chair the motions are for the legislative approval yes yes yes yes that ones we all read all of them at this time go ahead yeah do it all pursuant to rule 5.06a4 of this board's rules of procedure chairman rodriguez vice chairman mcgee commissioner cohen higgins commissioner bastian commissioner bermudis senator garcia commissioner gilbert commissioner gonzalez commissioner lopez commissioner milian orbis and commissioner regalado each move to extend indefinitely the approval period for all legislative requests eligible for an extension made by each respective commissioner and senator garcia is requesting that another commissioner move the motion on his behalf additionally commissioner hardiman moves pursuant to rule 5.06a4 of this board's rules of procedure to extend for 90 days the approval period for all legislative requests eligible for an extension made by commissioner hardiman all right it's been moved by commissioner hardiman was that what i heard seconded by commissioner gilbert you know i want to mess with y'all right but i'm not i have a i have i just want to make a seat no no no it's not going to be bad but is it going to trigger commissioner hardiman to mess with us oh all right all in favor signify by saying i all oppose nay uh but now that we've passed the motion if you want to put something on the record you may of course could you please at least at the very least because i don't know about you know we're not going to go down the rabbit hole of indefinite holds which is how i feel but could i can my office get a list of what those holds are because it gets very um confusing as we start working that way though right just just from for from a transparency standpoint i'd like to know what the holds were for so that if i'm working on legislation and i see there's a hold i can require a sunshine like it saves us a lot of you know i should have stuck to my guns i'm just asking for my office yeah you just made me regret it commissioner steinberg second second time today but um commissioner uh all right so 15 d 15 d1 if the clerk can announce the uh ballot results good afternoon agenda item 15 d1 pertains to the appointment of a member to the miami-dade county land acquisition selection committee the ballot consisted of two candidates from which the board was asked to select one nominee responses to the ballot were tallied and the nominee selected is mr eduardo m varuna with seven votes all right congratulations to that person um all right uh madam attorney do you have like appointments and allocations for folks i i've received notice that commissioner lopez would like to co-sponsor 11a4 and if there are any other i don't have any other allocations or appointments but if anybody okay show her co-sponsoring are we and we're done with the pull list all right um any further business any motions or anything from from the dais commissioner bastian you're recognized microphone mr chair first i'd like to thank you for the gift for the and for wishing us a happy uh women history month we appreciate the gifts and the recognition um i wanted to share that the theme uh for women history month is leading the change women shaping a sustainable future uh for all of us and uh this month honors the the diverse contributions of women who are leading sustainability efforts not only across environmental but also economics educational social justice and equity so to all my colleagues and to everyone um listening happy uh women history month is also social work months yeah you know uh mayor daniela livincava and i we're both social workers and also kathy burgers and then we have many social workers throughout the county so the theme for all social workers is social workers uplift defend and transform so to all the social workers happy social work month thank you mr chair uh thank you commissioner steinberg this is going to be my you know third time's a charm with you i just want to wish all who celebrate today's purum and that's happy purum everybody all right thank you and likewise all right uh commissioner gonzalez thank you mr chair i have two appointments uh christopher sagara to the commission on human rights and anthony jesus gonzalez to the commission on disability issues so i move by commissioner gonzalez seconded by commissioner lopez all in favor signify by saying aye i'll oppose nay show those two members appointed to those two different uh boards commissioner orbis you recognized thank you mr chair this is a fun one um i'm hosting a cafecito event for women's history month tomorrow on march 4th at 5 30 at latin american bakery and cafe in west miami all women and gentlemen are welcome to join us for a fun uh time and have some cafecito and snacks on us happy happy women's history month send me the details i'm happy to join all right um anything else lastly we all love you all right i didn't think anything different all right guys show us adjourned