Board of County Commissioners -Regular

>> test miami-dade . >>chair: it's breast cancer awareness I can tell. Pink everywhere. Not even garbage pink like the former director here. So we are going to start. We have several prompts today. We are going to start wth honoring our miami dade fire rescue which I understand is here. So they're not acting like the unit right now, they're scattered around but I will turn it over to my colleague my esteemed friend commissioner steinberg . >>commissioner steinberg: good morning. Just a little background. JULY 4, 2025 central texas experienced catastrophic flooding leading to major devastation and the tragic loss of many lives. At the request of the state of the texas and our government for the task force one, part of miami-dade fire rescue was deployed to recovery efforts. A specialized five-member team was deployed under the emergency management assistance compact including a search team member, to canine search specialists, a logistics specialist and medical specialist. Working alongside teams from the nebraska, colorado, texas their efforts helped bring closure to grieving families. Additional florida tf1 personnel served in key leadership roles with the fema team supporting local command and helping coordinate large-scale search and rescue operations. Rfl tf1 has a long history of answering the call. From 1985 mexico city earthquake to recent hurricanes and unfortunately the surfside collapse. With 220 highly trained members with specialized rescue medical care's logistics and canine search, we thank you. As part of miami-dade fire rescue florida tf1 remains always ready and proud to serve and with that I would like to call you up so we can present you with a special acknowledgment and proclamation chief and I'm sure my colleagues would like to say a few words. [Applause] And of course the canines, we can't forget the special team canines who are trained highly emotional. They came to play. >>mayor cava: maybe they remember me from surfside where we bonded. And that's what I want to say today to reflect I have had the incredible opportunity to see you in action. It is just earth shattering, what you do. You do it with a passion, with dedication that is far beyond the job you have accepted. It's a calling. I've seen you , but we forced you to take a break. I've seen you confront personal demons in the midst of the search of surfside. I've seen you take off to tragedy wherever you find it, certainly if this state . You are the best of the best. I am so very grateful to each of you individually and collectively fr what you do and for the spirit you bring to the work because you do inspire so many and t our chief , you've done an amazing job making sure they have what they need and I'm so thankful we could take this opportunity to acknowledge your bravery. [Applause] >>chair: thank you MADAM Mayor for those words that I want to echo those words , thank you not just from us but from the entire state in the country because wenever there was emergency you guys were the first ones to lead your families find and get out there and help so it's very much appreciated, you lead by example. That doesn't go unrecognized and with that omission or steinberg do you want to read the proclamation and the chief can say a few words. Class the most important part in our presentation prior I would just like to say on behalf of our mayor and our CHAIRMAN And the entire board of county commissioners and all the miami-dade residents in our community we would like to declare miami-dade fire rescue urban search and rescue team date loretta task force one day in miami aid county. So OCTOBER 9, 2025 will forever be known as that day and this is the least we can do for everything you all do. At the end of the day what you have to see and deal with are things of nightmares sometimes so we thank you. Chief. >> first and foremost thank you MADAM Mayor, commissioners. Thank you for rcognizing the professionalism and dedication and sacrifice of all our members of miami-dade fire rescue, florida task force one . I want to pass it on to the program manager but thank you for supporting our continuing mission not just for fire rescue before the communities that require us across the world. As you heard over 40 years of dedicated service traveling across the world providing assistance and if it wasn't for the fact these men and women constantly showing professionalism and dedication when they do respond, it wouldn't have made us what we are and there's only one florida task force one. There's only one but also being a proud member of florida task force one for the past 24 years I know the work and effort that goes into this but I want to call up chief brandon webb to say a few words on behalf of the team. >> on behalf of our 225 members I want to thank the commissioners, the chair of course , it's always a profound pleasure to see you. We strive every day to better serve the community and to bring to them after a disaster for impacted personnel for the populace, hope. We want to rescue lives that can be saved but overall we want to alleviate human suffering. Each time we leave the community to do a response for disaster which is always different, we bring back the skills and abilities needed if we should needed here to better serve everyone in the community and before that I want to say thank you because we cannot do it without your support so thank you very much, our success is your success. [Applause] >>chair: everybody get close and cuddly for the official photo. Want to get in the middle, chief web. With the proclamation. >>... >>chair: all right, we're going to move on to the next presentation proclamation. We are going a little bit out of order because traffic is extra heavy this morning. People are still on their way. So we're going to get right into the mayor's , chris is not in the room, the mayors favorite chief of staff. I'm repeating words. I'm just repeating words. The county's favorite chief of staff. I can say that because I don't have a chief of staff at the moment. Go joe if you want to join us at this point and I think , joe. Johanna cervone, guys. The recently retired chief of staff to miami-dade county. I think no one's better fitted to speak about you obviously then your boss year of many years. But I want to say at the time we've worked together it was a pleasure to always work with you and I mean that. We don't with obviously happy times when we were either doing ribbon cuttings or as I like to say kissing babies. But we also don't with very contentious, challenging times over the last couple of years and you were always professional, treated us with respect, certainly treated me and my team with respect and I appreciate that and through all the tough times and heated conversations from getting a phone call at our solid waste incinerator that was burned down to most recently dealing with the fuel farm issue which is still ongoing of course but you were always very professional and I do appreciate that because we don't see that everyday so thank you for that you are already being missed and you will continue to be missed certainly by myself and my team and I think I can speak on behalf of my colleagues to echo that. Mayor I don't know if you want to go last. >> what can we say about joanna, let's give her a round of applause. I learned a long time ago when you get a call from joanna you want to do two things. Try to push it to voicemail or if you answer it make sure you tell her you have to go within 30 seconds of picking up the phone call because everyone knows she's going to deliver some news not always bad but sometimes just get you thinking. And some of the nws joanna always delivers when she called my phone, it's 80% to let me know and educate me on something but more than anything the 15%, 20% is asking about my family, how my doing, is there anything she can do to make things better for us and knowing her and being around her I know it's sincere. And yes you're going to be truly missed but I'm hearing you're going to a different department within the county so we will be able to get you sooner and quicker. No, she's going to animal services. Joanna, I want to say thank you for everything and we are always a phone call away from you. >>commissioner gilbert: I would say I will MISS You but I'm not going to MISS You because we're friends and we will still hang out. Commissioner vice chair is not the calls from joanna that bother me, it's that calls at 4:59 on friday. On the friday call a memo is about to come out, the world is officially over. I've answered the phone. What you want, why are you angry because you never called me to say happy birthday or anything at 4:59 on friday. It's like I knew that call was something but I knew that they gave aduty of making that call to the right person to somebody who was going to be steady in the storm. Somebody was going to face the problem head-on explain it, do her best with the understanding we could get through anything as a county family. That's what she did ad that's how our friendship developed. Like the people appear some of the folks who've worked here you all understand this, you did your time. This is working in the county in pursuit of a greater good for a community that sometimes won't get what you're trying to do. In some ways it's a sentence that for some people never ends, you've served your time very well area and you didn't just serve the mayor well, you served the people who elected the mayor well. I appreciate your service and I appreciate your friendship. >>commissioner bastien: good morning everyone, there is a creole word. When you say cante, the person one big and I believe mayor daniela levine cava one big when she hired joanna as chief of staff. My heart sinks when I see young leaders being so strong , so smooth but strong at the same time because when I received a call from johanna and both commissioners talk about the calls , she is smooth. But the way she tells you , you know what she wants. But she's not forceful and this is a skill set. This is an important skill set, I see the husbands smiling and I know what you're talking about commissioner . So I'm going to end by saying that johanna, I know without a shadow of a doubt that wherever you land , whoever gets you will cante. You will do well. >>commissioner higgins: good morning johanna, we're going to MISS You and I know I'm not the most dramatic person on the dais, sometimes a little quiet but I can tell you johanna and I have a pretty feisty relationship. I'm saying relative to my feisty relationship with johanna so we've had so many conversations over the years. That are about the substance of what it means to be part of miami dade county, what it is to move this county forward and we talk to each other in a way that results in a better outcome. And that is because of your expertise all around the county that goes beyond just districts and it is going to be a well-deserved break for you and I agree with my colleagues whoever gets you next is the money getting a pretty awesome human being so congratulations . >>chair: commissioner steinberg is offended you to her title of being quiet. >> first thank you for your service, and I'm not going to go ito the phone calls I used it to get either. But at 5:0 1 pm. But I know it's not an easy job and I just want to wish you the most success in the future endeavors whatever you choose to do and let you know my door is always open to you should you ever need anything so thank you. >>mayor cava: strong people can cry too. So some of you here might not have had as closing relationship with johanna of these good folks but if you didn't know about her incredible strength you've heard some good testimonies. We've had an opportunity to toaster several times already. But as I'm listening and thinking about this I've already been in the withdrawal. She already went on a vacation in a different time zone. And I couldn't have my nightly, I think we check in while we sleep and all the information is transmitted back ad forth. So I was thinking joe is the model chief of staff. So anyone listening, this is what a chief of staff should be. So listen and learn. She has taught me so much. In fact she taught me in so many ways how to be mayor. Because she wasn't afraid to call me and give me guidance. And truly everything that we did was a partnership, everything. So we can't do better . A huge gift that joanna gave me was lead time. She gave us time to prepare for a new era. She helped find us chris. She trained him , he shadowed her. And so that we wouldn't MISS A beat so guys don't think there's any lapse here. So we have saluted joe, celebrated joe what I wanted to use this opportunity to showcase her style . Her pizzazz. Truly, she is a model. She was a model, she is still a model and I mean physically a model as well as a model chief of staff. So therefore, we're going to present joe with a golden slipper award , glass slipper. It's a little fragile. The glass slipper. To the most strategic stylish and successful chief of staff in history. Shaped our county's future and made our first girl mayor starstruck. You don't know she has a shoe fetish so it's very appropriate . Let's get russell up here. You want to say. Of course. And you know, you're going to tell them about how you guys met. >>chair: russell, be honest. How do you feel. >> first of all good morning mme. Mayor MR. Chair. Members of the board of county commissioners. I want to thank you all on behalf of our family. Johanna cervone then died, the mayor played matchmaker. And several years ago we were in this room and I was sitting there and the mayor started us along this journey and within short period of time we were actually married and this is our fifth anniversary coming up . So MR. CHAIRMAN this is actually the first time she's been why wife that she has been chief of staff, we got married a month after she started this job and our family is just so proud of her. And I think the world of you. You are my hero. I love you too MR. Chair. But you all know the kind of person joanna is. She gave everything she had to this county every single day. She showed up, she prepared, worked long nights and just as your husband and partner I can't tell you how incredibly proud of you I am watching you grow up into the woman you are. Has been incredible and the wife that she is a daughter a lot of that is shaped because of all of you. You all contribute to our life at home, you made our lives better we are both better people because of our time here and I want to thank you all for the honor. I love you, I can't wait to spend time with you. Thank you. I love you, baby. >>chair: you're going to speak, that's right. >> I don't know what to say, thank you. Thank you so much CHAIRMAN, commissioners, MADAM Mayor. This is such an honor and thank you for all those sweet and kind words. My job is usually in the background so this is extra special. Making the decision to leave the county was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. And you hear a lot when you start to work here, this is a county family and that is absolutely true. The people who work here are smart, dedicated, they are hard-working and they love what they do and they love to serve. i am gateful to this county team to the mayor's office staff and all of our county employees everything they do. And I'm a firm believer you're only as good as the team around you and I want you to be served by the very best. One of the big part of my job and big car parts of my job was to work with our county commission. Incredible how pssionately you advocate for this community, this community is lucky to have you all. And I have learned from each and every one of you how to be a better public servant and a better leader. And tank you for always being kind and respectful even if I was calling you with something you didn't necessarily agree with and thank you for always picking up my calls even if it was on a friday night or super bowl sunday. Or a holiday. Thank you, that was rough. But you always picked up and always answer the call and always did what needed to be done. To my husband, this is not a regular 9-to-5 job. It is all-encompassing and you can't do it without a strong support system. And russell, you are my rock. You are my sounding board, my biggest cheerleader, I love you. And MADAM Mayor. I am most grateful to you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime I remember the night you call me and asked me to be your chief of staff. Russell is laughing because I said yes to the mayor without talking to him about it first. And I said yes without hesitation because I thought to myself wow, I get to work for the first girl mayor but I also get to work for a transformational leader. I admire you so much , mayor. You're fearless, you're strong, you face any challenge, any crisis perseverance and a calm cool collective elegance. But more than anything I admire about you most is your kindness and your compassion. Your unconditional will for this community and dedication to do right by. You are my mentor, you are a friend and a part of our family, thank you. So again, thank you all. I have had many feelings during these last few months of transition but more than anything I feel pride, proud to have worked with all of you, proud to have been part of this county family , proud of everything we've accomplished together. >>chair: thank you, we love you. You don't just get a stiletto or a glass slipper as the mayor referred to it. You want to go ahead and read it. >>mayor cava: our team that does these things does a huge job, give a shout out to protocol. You know the official what she did she's a brilliant strategist and steady hand through times of challenge and change. She skillfully translated the mayor's vision and action across multiple layers of county government injuring complex initiatives were advanced with clarity purpose and measurable results . Amen. Leadership, professionalism, collaborative spirit have fostered more responsive transparent and effective governance of the people of miami-dade to strengthen trust elevate civic engagement and deliver tangible improvements that reflect the values and aspirations of our diverse community. Therefore, it's her day. Johanna cervone here in miami-dade county and it was unanimous. [Applause] Can we call down ? Come on down team. >>chair: all right guys. Can we find our seats. While there's only people standing up. We want to move along. Right guys. You could see it. All right guys. We're going to continue is there a reason why everyone is standing up? All right. The next very special presentation is sponsored or nominated by vice CHAIRMAN Kionne mcghee and we have dorothy williams with us today, please approach us. Thank you for being here. This is what we call in the county or what is named the vilomah award and we can each nominate someone, there's rules, it's not just go to anybody, he goes to very rational parents or parents. Dorothy turned a tragedy into advocacy. A mother who transformed profound loss into a movement for change. Now the founder of the forever to parnell williams thomas foundation dedicated to preventing nonviolence and supporting survivors. Hands-on community leader personally distributes food clothing and resources to those in need. She lost her dear two-year-old son parnell williams thomas to nonviolence on DECEMBER 15, 2017. But she turned back pain into something very positive for this community. And for that we are extremely thankful. We are with you, we have your back as an entire county, board of county commissioners. We stand with you and thank you for everything you're doing for this community and for future kids and future families and future generations so thank you so much. >>vice chair mcghee: thank you MR. CHAIRMAN and the nomination here didn't take long to realize who this nomination should go to. Dorothy without a question has shown us what true strength is. On that fateful day DECEMBER 15, 2017 young carnell walked out of the house to do what every two-year-old would do and that is to enjoy life, play and feel important amongst adults but unfortunately wouldn't go back in to the home. That's because a bllet took his life away and unfortunately every day we can expect to lose at least seven kids to gun violence. That's one to every three. What we realized then back into the community is that that tragedy yes broke all of us especially those of u who were on the scene who protest, who walked, who did everything that law enforcement asked us to do to help this family. And capturing the killer. But it wasn't enough. More needed to be done. I found out a long time ago the voice of a violent person is normally found with that violent person. And the thing about dorothy when everyone else could have easily thrown in the towel and crawled into their bed and lay their head on the pillow and cover their bodies up with a sheet and turn off the lights and checked out of society. Dorothy didn't do that. Dorothy understood that that community needed more. As it relates to housing, food, as it relates to ideas and more than anything as relates to coming together as one big family so what she was able to do with her non-for-profit foundation he was able to bring the community together to say that we can do better, we must do better and we're going to do better because not only did my son expect us to do better my aunt expects us to do better because he's at the right hand side of GOD. So I close by saying this to dorothy today that nothing we can do today or say will bring back young carnell but make no mistake this community still stands with you as we did on december 15 and we will continue to push the community forward because we understand the community is in desperate need of resources that can prevent the next carnell from happening and this is what this young lady has dedicated her life to to making sure no other parents would have to stand outside of yellow tape to talk about and identified her baby. Two years old, that's a baby so with that said the nmination here didn't take long at all because this young lady has shown us what perseverance truly looks like and getting the job done feels like so thank you so much for being here and I will hand the microphone over to you. >>mayor cava: this award is to honor the fact that you could take your pain and turn it into action to make a better world and that is truly what you are doing. We admire respect and we mourn with you each and every day that did not happen again and through your actions you are going deep. To the causes and cures and just know we stand with you always. Thank you s much I know it's hard. Just wanted to thank you for turning your pain into action. I know it's not easy as a mother. I know how painful it can be. We stand with you, stand strong, keep going and do whatever you can and that's what you're doing to keep his memory alive. Stay strong, thank you. >>chair: if you would like to say a few words dorothy. >> I appreciate you guys recognize me because I know it starts with the youth. I will reach out and do my part, thank you. >>chair: thank you dorothy. And with that officially the vilomah award. >>... >>chair: all right guys, our last I guess presentation, it's more of an announcement/present ation recognition. But can we have acquired in front? Quiet in the chamber please. OCTOBER as we all know is breast cancer awareness month so I want to kick off breast cancer awareness month. With this wave and flood , ocean of pink we see in the chamber. And then we have to think adjacent , yes and the not so pink adjacent that are purple but they are trying to be disguised as pink. Stop laughing at what you think I'm referring to. Oliver's time. Last didn't oliver have a chart, he was like welcome commissioner . Look this is something sponsored by commissioner steinberg and myself. I jumped on board because I thought it was a very good cause. So commissioner steinberg I'll let you make announcements and get us started and anyone else that would like to say a few words but I would like to overstep a second but I feel like with commissioner steinberg my good friend I can do this. I would like to overstep and ask that just because she's such a great advocate ask that your one of your top leaders in your team , mary join us appear. And to stand with us. She is really always working in the background. Mary, come up here. She could be MADAM Mayor. You just need to stand and I only do this for those that are wondering why is because mary every year rallies the troops every year months in advance I almost feel like it's all year long. Breast cancer awareness month year after year every year with mary. And every year unlike whatever you need, I've got you. But with that I won't blab forever. >> is truly inspiring to witness the dedication and leadership miami dade county has demonstrated in the fight against breast cancer. Each year our county actively participates and fundraisers for making strides against breast cancer walk and this year marks the 27th anniversary of this meaningful partnership. Now, he did steal my thunder. Mary said 27 and that's what I said. Want to acknowledge he did jump over me and acknowledging my chief of staff mary but I want to say for those of you who don't know mary has been involved in making strides for over 20 years but for her is personal. She lost her mother to this horrible disease when she was 17 years old. So it's something that affects her personally so with passion. And breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and in 2025 an estimated 319 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed globally with 24,000 here in florida. I also want to, I would be remiss if I don't acknowledge eileen who has been leading the department coordination efforts in fundraising so thank you so much. For those of you who have contributed we thank you. Miami-dade county raised $245,000 out of the entire $690,000 goal last year. But this year we're set for an even more ambitious fundraising goal of $400,000 to continue supporting critical research and awareness. Donating $10,000 to making strides campaign and encourage my colleagues to join me in this effort. Together we can make a significant impact and I look forward to seeing all of us at the walk. At 8 am on OCTOBER 25 at the lonely ballpark so thank you. >>chair: everybody needs to come up for the photo whatever tax collector would join us in solidarity as he's wearing ink as well. The vice chair is wearing purple. And I don't know if anyone else wants to say anything. I think commissioner steinberg covered it all and I want to say and I'll do officially whatever the lawyers need me to do but I will match your $10,000 today. So with that are we ready for a photo or MADAM Mayor? now everyone that needs to, for the official kickoff photo come on up. Say you love the CHAIRMAN. We are going to have just a few words but as you come up get behind us and say a few words. >> my name is morgan, I'm with the american cancer society. There is not a single life that has not been touched by a cancer of some sort. The american cancer society supports all cancers but we specifically OCTOBER 25 will be making strides together in an effort to raise funds for research programs and research and adjust education and putting that in the hands of everybody. You all enough and we cannot thank all of you enough mayor, CHAIRMAN Commissioners like all of you it's year after year have been involved since the very first year so we are so grateful and mary and arlene of course I don't want to MISS You guys so thank you all and we will see you OCTOBER 25. >>chair: everyone smile for the camera. If you can't see the camera, the camera can't see you. That's the rule of thumb. You got to see the lens. Find a seat so we can get this meeting started, we are already 10 minutes behind. Those exiting exit quietly. Let's find a seat. . >> commissioner higgins. >>commissioner regalado: >>vice chair mcghee: >>chair: we have 10 members present, we have a quorum . >>chair: if we can stand for the invitation given by father reggie of notre dame catholic church at the invitation of commissioner hardemon followed by the pledge of allegiance by our vice chair and father if I can before we start just ask you to have a moment of silence, we understand two city of miami police officers were shot this morning and we will have a moment of silence a prayer for them and their families. >> MAY I kindly ask you to please bow your heads. As we remember those two police officers. But as we continue to pray for all the victims of gun violence . And all those who have died of breast cancer. MAY their departed souls rest in peace. Heavenly father , we praise your name and give you thanks for the gift of life. For the gft of service. That is a source of joy. And so you have called us to serve enough to be served. You have appointed public servants to serve your people. And so they have come together this morning for this significant meeting, we ask that you feel each and every one of them with the gift of the holy spirit, the spirit of discernment so they can always discern your will and what they do and in your law. Grant them the spirit of courage and character. So that they can always stand for what is just, what is noble, what is dignified. Bless them with greater spirit of unity so that they can reconcile their differences and live in the spirit of solidarity. We ask that you give them a heart to be merciful and compassionate to the people they are called to serve. So that together they can build the alliance of a more human humanity. And today on this special day for breast cancer MAY you touch with the healing power of your hands those who continue to fight for their lives with faith courage and hope. We commend their spirit into your hands, let it shine not just today but forever and amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >>chair: you MAY be seated. All right, MADAM Attorney can we and shall we move into reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard . >> that would be appropriate. >>chair: quiet please, find a seat. I'm going to open reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. When I call your name please state the item you're speaking on, name and address and you will have one minute to speak. I have several speakers. So I'm going to call the first 10 names. And before I do that I want to recognize and welcome back our friend and colleague commissioner jc bermudez, thank you for being here. Welcome back commissioner. We have , I'm going to call your name please the first to come up to each one of the wells and the rest can line up on the other side of the center. Richard dunn, claude miller. Terrence johnson. Samantha basil. Sinclair manley. [Reading names] State the item you're speaking on name and address and you have a minute to speak . >> my name is richard dunn, 1895 nw. 57th st., miami, fl 33142. Item 389 sponsored by commissioner hardemon. We're supporting this item. I represent the community youth against violence and I wear several hats. My domicile is in commissioner hardemon's district. My religious and spiritual service is in commissioner bastien's district and I heard you mentioned earlier about purple. I've got some fraternal ties to district 1 and district 9 with the purple and gold. You might understand that later but anyway we are here to support this item from commissioner hardemon with the prayer and hopes that down the road that if there's some availability of loose funds by way of the discretionary money that we would like to be considered . >>chair: thank you so much, I've got claude miller. terrence johnson. No? Sinclair manley. [Reading names] Not in the room but they were all on 3a9 . >> theophilus williams, 391 95th st. Often the time we as taxpayers wre in need of money we find the money from whoever wants to give it to. Like I said before in the budget meeting taxpayers are suffering, senior citizens are suffering. When are you going to stand up. There's too many friends giving money to each other. I live in district 2, I've got some bad rules in our streets. Cra needs to be looked into and we can bring all the senior citizens out here to support you all but they don't support the people. This is just a game going on for who wants to be next in charge. The governor of florida needs to come and see district 2 and our senior citizens which you should have had him here today but you don't provide a ride for them. So that's what we're going to do as ask the governor of florida to sit down with us. >>chair: we've got irie diaz , [Reading names] >>speaker: good morning. Irie diaz, PRESIDENT For the advocacy network on disabilities speaking in support of the resolution asking the army corps to study beach erosion but I urge you to also think about putting rolling mats on the beach that will help people with disabilities have better access and help with beach erosion. There's a lot of studies that show that. I want to thank you for supporting the cbo process, we were part of that advocacy collaborative, thank you. >>chair: thank you misty has. >>speaker: my name is tatyana silva, 475 >>chair: thank you misty has. >>speaker: my name is tatyana silva, 475 arbor DR., key biscayne speaking on behalf of of miami-dade council for items 3b1, 3b2 and 6b2. Mayor, commissioner higgins, this entire board and members of this community. On behalf of the miami-dade beacon council I want to express our gratitude and for your leadership and vision in supporting strategic economic development. We are here today to support three different projects. First I'll support for project genesis a proposed 60 million investment in the conversion of 30,000 ft.B2 into cleaning space, for advanced manufacturing grading 300 new high-paying quality jobs with wages above 67,000. Meaningful additions to our counties manufacturing system, thank you senator for your leadership and support. >>speaker: and chief pogram manager at miami water keeper, sw. 49th ln. Program manager at miami water keeper, sw. 49th ln., miami, fl . Speaking in strong support of agenda item 11 811, florida's cornerstone of miami-dade county's coastal resilience economy and ecology, they protect our children from storm surge, produce flood risk, support our growth, a myriad of things overall but we've lost 90% of our life growth cover over the last several decades not only marine life but local economy and the character of our region. This recognizes restoring our reef is both an environmental and economic imperative and by urging congress and the legislature to appropriate funding for restoration miami-dade affirms healthy reefs are not infrastructure, this is essential fr sustaining livelihoods and securing resilient futures for our community. On behalf of miami water keeper I urge you to adopt this resolution, thank you for your time. >>chair: I see you got a squad by you. >> good morning, hope you're doing well. On behalf of of the florida caribbean cruise association and colleagues here from the carnival corporation, virgin bruises, we want to thank you for the opportunity to speak and for your continued leadership on issues vital to the miami-dade county economy and maritime future. I'd like to take a few remarks on behalf of the industry and note my colleagues here are available to answer any questions you might have. As we know the port of miami I the cruise capital of the world. It's miami-dade economic heartbeat and over the past decade cruise passenger volumes have double reaching a record 8.23 million passengers last year. That growth is the result of long-term public and private investment in modern terminals and infrastructure that keep miami the world's premier home court but the impact goes far beyond that. The 2024 visitors fed $22 billion across miami-dade fueling a total tourism of 30.1 billion. Port of miami combined crews and cargo delivers $61.4 billion in economic activity and sustains 340,000 florida jobs including 130,000 directly supported by the cruise industry. Those jobs generate 2.2 billion annual in state and local tax revenue. Every ship we have ripples outwards. Guests the in hotels, use taxis, rideshare, dinette restaurants, visit attractions shops local retailers and support thousands of small businesses. One in 10 domestic overnight visitors and 70% of all international visitors are cruise passengers but this success depends on one non-negotiable foundation. Reliable fuel bunkering. Fueling facility at fisher island is the oxygen not just for the board but the entire economy. The cruise industry works like a swiss clock and there can be no disruption to the precise economic engine supporting miami-dade county now or in the future. For decades the fisher island fel facility has been the backbone of the port of miami's fuel system and injuring cargo vessels can safely sail on schedule. No major us homeport can remain competitive without guaranteed efficient fuel. In that capacity we are disrupted or relocated without a clear dependable alternative, the consequences could immediately be immediate and far-reaching. The average large cruise ship carries 200 to 250,000 cruise passengers annually and each spends on average $360-$400 locally. Losing one ship could erase 802 $80-$100 million of direct spend and 150 to 200 million in total economic impact when indirect and induced effects are included. Competition is real, other ports are aggressively courting new deployments and commissioning contracts. Any uncertainty strengthens their case to attract ships jobs spending and tax revenue. This isn't just a cruise industry concerned, it's a maritime economy concerned though this request is simple and urgent. The most secure cost-effective timely way to guarantee uninterrupted fuel at the port of miami for the miami-dade county is to acquire the fisher island food facility. Ideally through a negotiated purpose with the property owner but if there's an impasse we have readiness to use eminent domain. The time to authorize this is now. Any other path risks undermining the ports reliability cruise and cargo competitiveness and billions of dollars of economic activity. Thank you for your time, leadership on this critical issue. We stand ready to work with you to ensure miami continues to be a thriving global maritime and cruise hob . >>chair: thank you MR. Liberty. I have shameika peers as well if she could come up. >>speaker: peter james campbell with the greater miami chamber of commerce, 240 sw. 15th rd. Shameika peers as well if she could come up. >>speaker: peter james campbell with the greater miami chamber of commerce, 240 sw. 15th rd. Greater miami chamber of commerce is supportive of a swift resolution to the current situation involving the fuel terminal at fisher island the port is an engine supporting cargo and cruise lines that rely on its smooth functioning and ensuring the continued availability of the fuel source is a priority not just for the poor but miami's business community. We believe a quick solution is essential to maintain miami's tennis as an economic hub and stand ready to support that effort. The chamber will monitor the situation as more information becomes available. >>speaker: good morning commissioners, my name is shameika pierce, 5120 northwest >>speaker: good morning commissioners, my name is shameika pierce, 5120 nw. 84th ave., miami, fl 33142. Thank you for your time and listening first and foremost. I stand here as a proud employee of the circle of brotherhood. I first want to start by saying I'm grateful to be a part of a community based organization and I stand with any organization that's community-based. I serve as a peacemaker and also a sister coordinator working directly with our young girls in foster care , many who carry an unimaginable amount of trauma. We provide a safe space for healing youth development and empowerment and I am passionate about teaching the girls integrity character and emotional intelligence. When you remove this funding you're not just cutting salaries, your cutting whole trust and support for our multiple durable. I urge you to reconsider our youth our community and our future are being impacted by your decision, thank you for your time and listening . >>speaker: good morning to everyone, to miami-dade county commissioners, I am a representative from the patrolman's association gulf coast district which covers ports south of virginia through the state of texas. Previously I served as PRESIDENT Of 4 to 6 in miami which now is the district of MR. Eugene to my left. From the perspective of the largest labor force any interruption in cruise operations will have an extreme adverse effect on the men and women of the island which are a huge part of the engine that can keep miami efficient effective and leading in the maritime industry. Along with our employers and port miami personnel we are the individuals that you support every day and while we have seen the port grow tremendously over the last decades that growth has come at a cost. Land , the port is located on a small island. We have restraints other ports do not have but we've managed to become the cruise capital of the world in spite of it. That has been through a joint effort from port miami's leadership to cruise and cargo lines leadership are stevedore's and employers, and last but not least our elected officials that supported and understood the importance of making port miami the economic success it has become and will continue to be. For us this is about keeping those jobs at port miami. I cannot strongly enough impress upon you how important this is. While we certainly understand the frustration some members of the board MAY have over how we got here, the fact remains we are here. With that being said, the ila and our partners are in full support of port miami acquiring fuel. 4 ounces the only viable solution . On one hand it's a complicated issue, on the other hand it's not. The complicated part is for some members of the board the idea of government getting involved in a private business transaction between two private entities MAY be something that causes you concern. And that you are uncomfortable with. On the other hand it's not complicated because the solution is in front of us outlined in miami-dade county's report. The port leads to several different options have been studied and explored but the port needs to acquire a farm to ensure the prosperity of port miami's workers and residents of miami-dade county. >>chair: thank you sir. >>speaker: captain james with the biscayne bay pilots association. Good morning chairperson commissioners. Thank you for this opportunity today and I'm here to speak on the matter of strategic importance to the operation and economic sustainability of port miami and the role of the terminal and supporting bunker operations for the port cargo and cruise lines. Biscayne bay pilots fully support port miami and its partners keeping the fuel terminal at fisher island . There are a few things to consider. While it MAY seem like locating tanker operations to port miami is a viable option several challenges must be considered. Make sure you're aware of the space and infrastructure concerns on the port to allow tankers. Reliable fuel supply is essential to maintaining a world-class port for cargo. If a new port is located the pilots would need to run simulations to assess the safety depending on the location. Dredging MAY be required when the current limitations on transit MAY apply either delays and inefficiencies and risk would be involved. Adding fuel storage and bunkering infrastructure would require major reconfiguration for final core functions. Introducing more tanker activity into an already congested court waters would disrupt vessel schedules and work stoppages MAY happen. The biscayne bay pilot urges the council to recognize the strategic nessus necessity of the fuel terminal to its functioning. The location MAY appear straightforward but in the real world consequences to our economy for port operations could be severe. Thank you. >>speaker: I am PRESIDENT Of florida's stevedore shipping corporation and I'm one of the last founders of the port of miami terminal operating company. This year we celebrate 65 years in this port providing services and organization started by my father in 1961. We helped build this port. The first company that helped them was the cruise industry. Eastern cruise line to vessels and the eventually. That was his first business here and he helped develop that and cargo. I'm here today with members of the southeast florida ports association. We are the stevedore's and terminals in this port and I think everybody knows what the problems here are. We have a lot of challenges but one thing I want to talk to you about tonight or this morning is that and you remember the late eric steer time. He once said to a group of businessmen in this community that three out of five citizens derive their livelihood directly or indirectly for international trade and tourism. That's operations at the airport, at the seaport with the cruise lines. What's going on right now , it's really inexcusable. We have made compelling arguments why this depot, this field depot is necessary. We cannot afford to lose this industry. It would be felt by every citizen or three out of five citizens in this community and it transcends every zip code. It's about three things. Jobs, jobs, jobs. Therefore I compel you, I ask you let's put this to bed, let's put it away. Let's vote to buy this land at fisher island. After all it was put there before any condos, before anything else to serve the poor . Thank you very much. >>chair: thank you sir. >>speaker: david freeman office is at s. Lakeshore doctor city of miami speaking in favor of two items related to the late great harvey ruben, those being 5c and 11a18. I represent the committee to honor harvey ruben, a committee put together to honor the life and legacy of an extraordinary gentleman. I'd like to thank our colleagues for a letter of support on the items which I will have published. Dear hon. Commissioners on behalf of the cuban american bar association I'd like to express our support for the proposal to name the north dade justice ctr. For harvey ruben and designate the section of w. Flagler st. And s. 1st avenue as harvey ruben way. Harvey ruben's decades of service left an indelible mark on miami-dade county and is a former county commissioner and long serving clerk of the court MR. Rubin exemplified the integrity and unwavering dedication to our community. His efforts to modernize the court system remote environmental stewardship and ensure equitable status and access to justice have improved the lives of countless residents and if I MAY sense I'm speaking on two items on a personal note. >>chair: that's not how it works but I will allow it. >> I met a fine young man named t on harvey ruben, two years old and he's MR. Rubin's grandson. In a few years he will know how to read and it's my great hope his family will take them to the old courthouse and show him aside and he will read the words harvey ruben way and he MAY ask why that name is on@ and explain to him now his grandfather spent 50 years in that building working for all of us for a better community. And you for your support. >>chair: thank you sir. >>speaker: bruce, vice PRESIDENT Of the seaport marine here to speak about item 6b2. See world marine has been quartered in miami-dade county for 42 years, the court's largest cargo line. Every year since 1990s between 41 to 47% of the cargo that passes through the port goes on our ships. Like the cruise lines we support and share this great port. As you've heard the cruise lines provide and the cruise industry provides tremendous psitive impact too many sectors. Cargo does to. In fact studies show cargo creates even more jobs and more positive economic impact to the broader county. Jobs are just not on the port but also to warehouses, logistic centers and other related support functions in hialeah, opa locka, medway, doral, miami gardens all throughout the county and like the cruise ships we have many home port ships at port miami. As port miami is the gateway to the americas and this means our ships many of our ships only call port miami in terms of the us port. And we must have fuel, we cannot have disruptions and quite simply all major us ports have fuel. Thank you very much. >>speaker: I am lisa ruben residing at 207 street , aventura. I'd like to ask questions, what would our committee look like with no land use master plan, how would our traffic be without the metrorail system. What would biscayne bay look like without our programs to clean it. How would our economy have been affected had we not undertaken to re-nourish and restore the beautiful beaches on miami beach. How many people would unnecessarily spend time standing in line at the clerk's office to get a copy of the documents rather than simply being able to click their computer mouse? My husband's fingerprints are on all of these and so many more things which we have taken for granted every day for the past over 50 years. Harvey was a loving husband and a father and was devoted to improving the quality of life in miami-dade county, a man for all people. Let's not forget him and on behalf of my family GOD bless you and thank you for your help. >>chair: ma'am. >> I'm speaking on 3a9, commissioner consent items improving allocations for the fiscal year 2024 25 cbo type discretionary funds to be one name and address please. >> samantha brazil norquist 15th ave., miami, fl. My name is samantha brazil a proud product of miami-dade county and I graduated from tracy lawrence senior high school or in my bachelors at iu. For the past nine years I've dedicated my time to mentoring and community work through honey shine, americorps and most importantly the circle of brotherhood. It's been more than a program, it's been a support system and community of safety. Through the work I've learned about community violence intervention mental health first aid training and juvenile advocacy and how generational trauma impacts our communities. Without their guidance I wouldn't have had the tools to help break cycles of poverty crime and trauma. We each have discretionary funds to support organizations that reduce crime and build opportunity so why not invest in one proven to heal and uplift our neighborhoods. Funding the circle of brotherhood is an investment in healing and public safety for all of us, thank you. >> my name is albert campbell, 351 20 nw. 24th avenue I'm here to speak on item 3a9. And first I want to send thanks and prayers to everybody that essentially works in our community to help make our communities a decent place to live. As I was writing this morning on my way here I scratched my head and asked myself why am I on furlough? With all the great work I've been doing in my community and then I asked myself as my training left me? And so I've come to a conclusion in my opinion that our political space in an area we serve is like an inferno. So we have a lot of us that's for load now that do great work in our community. And I just wanted to share that with the public, thank you very much. >>commissioner gilbert: MR. CHAIRMAN, point of inquiry to the chair. I'm listening intently and they're all saying good things but it doesn't appear to be something that's on an agenda item. If we're going to drive this big an exception through the rule then we can let anybody say any number. >>chair: you have to stay on topic, they are referencing an item . >>commissioner gilbert: but referencing it thing means talking about the things in that item, not everything else. I'm okay with us doing that but say that because we have residents from my city would love to speak and if they could write down any item and say whatever they want to they would do that also. >>chair: 100%, you have to stick to the item on the agenda . >>speaker: good morning, my name is lamont nanton here to speak on item 3a9 where the circle of brotherhood. >>chair: what item is it? >>speaker: 3a9, I apologize where circle of brotherhood was removed from an important contract that dealt with community violence intervention in the north and south of this county. I do want to say this, that public safety and human transformation is a key component to stopping the gun violence in our community. We support every entity that provides public safety but the circle of brotherhood is a key component in the ecosystem of public safety. There are dozens of crimes . >>chair: serve, again, I keep hearing circle of brotherhood but I don't see that . >>commissioner hardemon: it's because they're not following the rules, some organizations believe they are bought beyond the rules, the item says what it says, you're confused because you're being bamboozled and that's the situation we find ourselves in as long as you allow the speaking to occur that is not an item on the agenda or related to it you will be confused, you're confused because you're thinking honestly but your being dealt dishonest words. Say you are all wearing similar shirts here to talk about the same thing. That's not on the agenda. Unless you're going to speak directly to the allegations in the item 3a9 there's nothing to speak about so you're welcome to speak on 3a9 as a whole but you all keep mentioning things that are not in the item. >>speaker: so 3a9 is not in reference to that particular? I MAY have the wrong item, I do apologize for that. But I wanted to put what I said on the record. Let's stick to the same thing. Go ahead. >>speaker: brandon jones address 5120 nw. 24th avenue I too am an essential worker and I just would like to stand and say to all the commissioners who as it relates to item 3a9 in your ability to use any discretionary funds to support the work we do. We're just asking that on your behalf, thank you . >>chair: thank you. >>speaker: good morning, terrence johnson address 8120 nw. 24th avenue I want to start by saying I support every cov being recommended for funding in every district today. At the last budget hearing the board voted to remove funding from the international contract that supports the anti-violence entities to prevent gun violence in the district 123 and nine. >>chair: stick to the item on the agenda, I literally went over this. Thank you for your time. Your name? >> alisha dylan. I'm also here to represent item 3a9 . >>chair: I don't have you signed up to speak, that time closed at 9:30. Thank you. Claude miller. These all spoke. Tim gomez. Did tim gomez speak? >>speaker: tim gomez here on behalf of perl media. Here for a discussion item on six be one, we will be here with our land-use procurement and cofounder of perl media, brian cowen. And happy to answer any questions if you have them. >>chair: that's the last speaker I have registered to speak. Is there anybody's name I did not call sign up to speak. All right. That being said, reasonable opportunity is now closed. Is it in order to set the agenda at this time? >> I do have changes that are proposed. 3b1, the sponsors requesting deferral to the board's OCTOBER 21 meeting. That's item 3b1. 884 and its supplement, commissioner bermudez, commissioner steinberg senator garcia are adding this item to the pull list. Eight 886 commissioner bermudez adds this item to the pull list. 8a 7 commissioner bermudez as this item to the pull list. Eight and four senator garcia is adding this item to the pull list. 1184 , commissioner bermudez and senator garcia and his item to the pull list area 1188 commissioner steinberg as this item. 11 810. Commissioner gonzales at this item to the pull list. 11 a 19 substitute, commissioner steinberg and commissioner aliens are adding this item to the pull list and 13 b 1 senator garcia pulls this item. I have additional requests for cosponsorship, one d1 commissioner orbis wishes to be listed as a cosponsor. 5c, commissioner bastien and gonzales cosponsor. 7b senator garcia cosponsor, 11 811 omission or steinberg cosponsor. 11 815 senator garcia and commissioner steinberg cosponsors. 11 a 17 senator garcia. 1118 commissioner steinberg and commissioner gonzales and 11 822 senator garcia all those cosponsors. Items that today's meeting will be those listed in the final printed agenda with deferrals and scriveners errors noted in the CHAIRMAN's memorandum. The commission will approve all items by a single vote setting the agenda except item 2b1. Ordinances for first reading, the following discussion items, you have item 61 which is a discussion item on transit advertisements, discussion item regarding updates on matters concerning port miami's fuel supply, ordinances set for second reading. Items 882, and hp for commercial service airport contracts which must be voted on separately and are not on your pull list and the following items. Item 884 and its supplement. 886. 11 a 19 . At 14 b1. >>chair: set for bifurcation. I pulled 11 88 so I can release that b shall be released by commissioner gilbert. >>commissioner gilbert: I have to be shown as a cosponsor on the renaming of the item for the courthouse. >>chair: show commissioner gilbert, the vice chair the same thing. All the way around I think is fair. For the courthouse naming. >>. >>commissioner gilbert: I would move back with the agenda if anyone is going to call it, sister city agreement with casablanca. >>chair: and it was just on the courthouse. Are you all following this. There's quite a few. 14 a1 and 14 a2. Then 14 a2 . Which is what? Ludlum. Commissioner bastien. >>commissioner bastien: I would like to go prime the erosion . >>chair: with that senator garcia. >>senator garcia: I would release 11 a 13 . >>chair: show 11 813 released by senator garcia. Seeing no further on readiness and all that kind of stuff it is moved by commissioner regalado second by commissioner bastien, all in favor say aye, all opposed, nay. Show the agenda hereby set. >>mayor cava: MR. CHAIRMAN would you like me to do the report items? I think 8a1 I move tat. >>chair: second by commissioner regalado, any questions, seeing none do we need a rollcall for that one, all in favor signify by saying aye. >>commissioner higgins: I think the next one is 8a2. >>chair: second by commissioner regalado, all in favor signify by saying aye. >>commissioner higgins: and I have 8p4. >>senator garcia: I pulled that item. To make sure they were paying attention. >>commissioner higgins: 8p4. >>chair: so you want all that one for later. >>commissioner higgins: I will move 8p4. >>chair: seconded by the same two commissioners, all in favor say aye b-17 did I get them all? >>county attorney: 813 is still outstanding. >>chair: all in favor say aye, show all those airport items moved. i'd like to take a second and recognize director gomez if she is in the chamber. Director gomez. To read a statement into the record. I think this is just a statutory requirement. >> section 376.80 florida statute requires notice of a public hearing on a resolution designating a brownfield area be announced at a scheduled meeting before the actual public hearing. This serves as notice public hearings on resolutions relating to the following proposed brownfield area designations are planned for this board's OCTOBER 1, 2025 meeting. A proposal of mount sinai medical center of florida for property located at 8282 50 sw. 8th st., miami, fl, a proposal of costco wholesale corporation for property