Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners - Regular

>> test miami-dade . >> we are waiting for commissioner monestime. I understand he's walking down, hopefully. ... >> good morning. While were waiting for commissioner monestime to group then I'm going to start because I don't want to go past a certain time. We have a very long meeting today so we'll try to shorten it as much as we can and where we can so with that I want to welcome you all being here, miami-dade county today. It's another great day, going to be a beautiful day out there so for us it's very important to be able to share these events as we do legislation . And we don't have to worry about oppression or things like that that happened in other parts of the world. We are blessed here and we are blessed because of the men and women that protect this country every day and make sure the fight stays outside, not inside our country . So today is a very special day because we're going to have some recognition on some very special people but let me start with two of those. Gentleman that have also dedicated their life the service . I have done an incredible job. And I want to bring the first one up . His name is vincent betancourt. MISTER Betancourt, come on out. Well, I call him vinny , kind of like the movie thing but not really . But then he is a incredible person that has worked with the city of miami in making sure that a lot of the great things that you see on tv and in the movies and all these events that happened around miami , vinny has been a great part of that . Not only has he done that for years with the city of miami but he also is one of the key things and I'll say this real fast . Then he calls me one day and he's in canada dealing with the entertainment that comes out of cannes to deal with certain movies and he calls me and he says pepe, I'm sitting next to the people from f1 and I said okay, I'll stand . He says these look like the guys in f1 . And I said all right, why are you not giving me the phone to talk to them and he says that's why I called you, to tell you that and he gave me the phone . The rest is history. we have our first race f1 this last year but it started with this man right here. So I wanted to make that public . And I wanted to thank him because that is something that we tend to forget and there's a lot of people that take credit for things that sometimes they had nothing to do with but it's just part o life . So I want to make sure that I brought vinny here in front of us and say thank you by giving you your own day but let me get that right now, thank you. So you want to say a couple of words real fast ? You're sure? And then a few words. I could go on with your history, vinny . It's been great all the things you've done for our community and now you're moving on two dfferent levels of entertainment and business. You're becoming a tycoon from what I understand but that's important for us and it's important to recognize people like you so now be it resolved that mayor daniela nancy in cava right here ,coming up next to me right now, myself as CHAIRMAN And my colleagues of the board of county commission and the 3 million people that represent miami-dade county and live in miami-dade county do hereby proclaim tuesday, november 1, 2022 vincent vinny betancourt day. It sure you don't want to say something? >> I do so much . >> MADAME Mayor, commissioner. All right. The other gentleman that is here is like a brother to me . And he is one that worked for dade county for 20 years of his life as a police officer . He worked hard , was gone for most of those years undercover and he was in the worst laces you could possibly imagine . And you know what, why don't I just bring them up . Luis fernandez ladies and gentlemen. [Applause] Lewis served miami-dade county but he also became part of our task force right after I call it boot camp, what do you call it ? Training. After training and he went and started becoming an agent and he served basically , it was the hardest , he was in the hardest situations you could ever imagine. He was as a result because of him and his partner and a good team of people was able to bring down the medellin cartel. He never got notice for it and i was not going to leave this county as a CHAIRMAN Without saying thank you to this man. Because of him, this you are death that occurred in the streets of miami-dade county and a lot of arrests were made and we are safer due to people like lou. And I thank him publicly and also there has not been a time that we haven't asked lou to help us with events in miami-dade county that he steps it up , comes in and does whatever it takes to help out. So citizens like him need to be recognized and thanked publicly and that's what we're doing today . Lewis, thank you for what you've done for all of us. [Applause] So you want me to read the whole thing? Oay. Because not here. All I can say is your srt days were enjoined, you went straight into srt . You continued on, I explained the other part, how many years were you undercover? Eckstein years undercover, ladies and gentlemen. That's not easy. And well, before I give you this let me say a couple of words. >> it's 40 years later and I've seen the county change a lot to a much better place than what we were out there in the sreets . It's been a pleasure. I'm humbled to be part of what happened in the 1980s and we had a big fight because our city, our country which was the drug problem. And 40 years later it's gotten a lot better. Maybe some of you don't remember but it was very tough in the 1980s with the drug cartels using miami as the distribution point for the entire united states. So I'm humbled , I'm glad I did it, the experience was great and I have a lot to give to dade county. [Applause] >> well, let it be resolved that mayor daniela levine cava, myself as CHAIRMAN Of the board , my colleagues , the commissioners of miami-dade county and on behalf of this community which is 3 million people do hereby proclaim tuesday, NOVEMBER 1, 2022 as luis fernandez day, thank you lewis. [Applause] Okay. Commissioner, you ready? >> thank you MISTER Chair. Good morning everyone. Good morning. I'm so pleased for this opportunity to recognize today the inaugural class of these grant winners 2022. I authored the miami-dade business relations grant to promote the sustainability of small businesses in our community with a focus on equity and inclusion. This year $1 million in grants have been awarded to 18 small and local businesses who truly reflect the diversity of the this great county. As an interpreter myself, I know how critical it was to get these businesses and injection of funds to help advance their businesses . These small business owners, this these small business owners participate in a competitive process in which they submit an application, a five-minute video pitch , competitive bidding, the mayor and I were not a member of the vetting committee. Participate in that. Of the 300 submissions received , 30 finalists were selected and pitched in front of a panel of judges like the shark tank who then made the 14 awards . 12 firms were awarded $50,000 . Two firms were awarded $100,000 . All 30 fine finalists were connected with startup fiu local with the help of bank of america. We awarded for up-and-coming miami-dade tech firms at the emerging america conference with $50,000 grants each. As a side note , amazon recently launched its own small business grant program because they probably are afraid of the small companies we funded with our $50,000 when unfortunately form is only given $25,000 each so we're building on creating the next amazon here. I know next year the competition will see more of the biggest and brightest of the small and local businesses because the word is out now and the mayor has budgeted another $1 million for 2023. [Applause] And the county commission with the support of my chair and my colleagues through that allocation and all I want is that next year I'm also invited for the awards of these grants . Of my 12 years on the county commission , I truly believe this initiative has been one of the most impactful as evidenced these hard-working small business owners and families before you today . And one was the missing chair but this is a good one to me . I look forward to following on the successes of these small companies . Before I recognize the winners I'd like the mayor to say a few words because the mayor is not just recognized as a partner in this but as a collaborator in chief. As a staff culture and a special thank you to our partners from startup local fiu, doctor anna ntn who will say a few words read krista almonte and nikki a williams and bank of america . Also , MADAM Chair your economic development agent mj green . He's a superstar. Michael john green is a superstar, he's done a wonderful job so we're here to recognize them and we will give him a plaque from the county in a few minutes . But the mic is yours right now. >> thank you very much commissioner ad thank you to the entire board did approve this important grant program. We are attracting technology startups, technology successful companies and we want to be sure that people right here in miami-dade county who are so inventive, who are so entrepreneurial that we can support them they can grow up to be the next amazons like commissioner monestime said. So it was a great joy to design this program with the commissioner and now we have a great county development team led by fernando casamayor, john green and others and they are here as well . We had the opportunity to go to fiu to be there with anna etienne and recognize these award winners so I'm pleased to be have them be part of the county family and have them get recognition. We are grateful for their talents, their ingenuity and we support you and what you to help you grow and prosper and build our local economy . >> tank you MADAME Mayor. Now a few words from the other businessmen on the board. My chair, josc >> this is what it's all about, commissioner monestime has taken it to a different level . We want to ensure we help all parts of our community, all different levels whether it's business, whether it's art, whatever it is that people could grow and improve themselves. That's what we're about so by doing this program it wasn't hard to say no because I mean, it wasn't hard to say yes. It would have been hard to say no because that is an incredible program. For doing what you've done, it's a legacy you leave behind and it's something I know will be in good custody with the mayor and our colleagues moving forward so thank you for a great program. >> now before I called each one of the awardees to give them a plaque I want to say a big thank you to the mayor's it department, communications. We have a lot of support in our back office and the county hoping advance this program. And you know, one of the reasons I created this program as a small business owner myself is because I wish I had all the support when I started. And I did not . And it's only a miracle that my business is still open, it's only a miracle. But I think it will be a bigger miracle for the individuals that have received these allocations . >> I want to invite anybody who's listening that might have a small business to join a group strive 305. For virtual business consulting , weekly huddles with experts to help you grow and get to the point where you can be a biz up winner . >> we have winners from almost every district in the county. Yes, doctor etienne, would you come forward please? I think it's more important that I allow you to say a few words. And also announce the winners as the mayor and I hand the plaques out to them as the mayor and the chair and myself will hand out the plaques . Doctor anna etienne leads the start up fu local program at fiu, my alma mater . >> go blue and gold. tie everyone, good morning. My name is doctor anna etienne and I am born and raised floridian, a graduate of fiu and director of start fiu local . I'm grateful miami-dade has decided to invest in our home . We have had the pleasure of working with the small businesses, preparing them for that final pitch and thanks to bank of america sponsorship they're going to get that needed support that monestime talked about, him needing it for a full year so thanks to our saff of local entrepreneurs and fiu faculty. The businesses would not be alone in the journey of making change when it comes to implementing this grant fund into miami-dade county. I look forward to seeing all of you visit their companies, their locations and supporting local, tank you so much. >> let's call them out. [Applause] >> okay, very good. Okay, so we're going to call up these folks. You'll notice that the vast majority are women owned businesses. [Applause] All right. We have anastasia michalocina, ciana armstrong with fashion incubator . Vicki lopez with venous builders . Zenia martinko, make us films. Metro mommy agency . Bart merville and ashley thomas, miami urban contemporary experience. Felton brown, air international transport and that was $100,000 award winner. Airport international transport . Melissa guzman , the caribe vegan. Lakisha cooper, a lollipop's and gumdrops. Francisco torres, compost for life . Rita ruesca, pinkerton learning projects . Rebecca lee , lavek. I think I got that right. Natna bontuce, bontu. Deena hernandez and francisco cornejo, storybook at . What a beautiful group. Mj and fernando, please join us up hre as well. >> one thing I want to mention, all the people you can see the diversity with the people standing here but also diversity in the districts that received the grants read district 3, district 1, district 7, district 2, district 1 again. District 7, district 5, district 12. Happy you got one in there. If you listen to these young folks and all the people that received the grants they are the future of business. Everybody get your smile ready for ryan and the other gentleman . >> if your perfect height, you're in front. >> you got us ? Okay, I'm up here on the latter I'm going to take three photos . 123. We're going to get two more. Last one here. One, two, three. [Applause] >> congratulations. >> george carter is going to receive it . Okay, guys. We've got it, let's get going . [Applause] . [Inaudible] >> we have another very special presentation. ... A very special lady >>... [Inaudible] Georgie carter is a very special lady she's a mother and basically just a hero. He saved his fellow squad in vietnam when he jumped on a grenade that had landed to take out his squad that were together. He died that day but became banner of honor recipients. And georgie has kept that going. Forever . She's an incredible person and incredible lady. She serves in the va every day , I know she's very young. And she spends her time , her daughter helps her out ad does an incredible job in or community for our military. But this today, she's here supporting. Gunny is out there doing something again, hopefully for the marine corps and young marines but this is our future . And our military. You're a lot taller than me. I've got two corporals here, part of the young marines. This is the future for us to protect our country ladies and gentlemen. [Applause] And I want to give you this check on behalf of us miami-dade county came from myself, some military liaison. I wanted to make sure that they have the funding they need to take them places, to do the things they need to do. To go to many different events. To show pride and to do what they need to do. So I think it's important to as always say thank you and especially to the parents that are involved that give of their time to make sure that there doing something extremely positive for the community , helping out in storms, helping out in advance, helping out when we did the covid relief , they came and stood in line all day giving food out at every event that I've asked for them to support they have come out and help so as a small token from us back to you saying thank you and thank you for being who you are. So on behalf of all of us, this is part of it and I think we've got something more . Thank you. Will start out with a check. And we want to also thank you by giving you this proclamation that let it be resolved b mayor cava, myself as CHAIRMAN, the board of county commissioners and on behalf of miami-dade and its 3 million residents do hereby proclaim OCTOBER 23 through 31st 2020 as pfc. Bruce w carter young marines red ribbon week. So on behalf of all of us, [Applause] Okay. Let's make sure , let's get a good pic and head back a little bit and I want you to say a couple of words. Do one of those softly, slowly. A little more. You've got the queen. That she is. >> good afternoon, it is afternoon or morning yet ? All this money will go to the young marines. they work very hard at everything they do. I want you to know I'm 91 . [Applause] And I go down the va hospital, bruce carter marine corps va hospital and I love being there. I love my veterans and I hope we see today we don't need people like me anymore which will never happen but thank you all very much. Mayor . >> I can't think of a more fitting tribute than to have this special group of young people serving in the name of your son who gave the ultimate sacrifice and it's such a joy to be with you once again. We were there together on the tarmac as we enter into his final resting place and thank you to the chair or all he has done to honor and recognize. >> I like to add when she said she was at the tarmac two years ago we in turn bruce arlington he was here in miami and we wanted him to go home so I worked to bring bruce home and he is now with his buddies at arlington. >> amen . They don't build them like this anymore . They really don't. Let's get a pic. Got to get in the middle. Of course I want to hug you, all the time. >> 1, 2, 3 . Thank you so much. Help me out, I'm proud being a marine. After that, while. There's another gentleman that helps tremendously when it comes to all issues military because he director of the military board. And his name is gus cruz. He's always there. With me since we did the welcome back to the vietnam veterans parade. That we did several years ago . And it was the first parade ever that took place welcoming back our veterans that never got the welcome back like many others have. With that I want to have him take over at this point, gus, you ready? You're like me, aren't you? >> thank you CHAIRMAN And thank you mayor. Thank you for coming in. Today we're joined by for the first time ever here at the chambers from miami northwestern battalion the junior rotc program so if I can have everybody stand up for the presentation of colors. >> colorguard, present colors. And so the colorguard you see here is flags from all of the branches . This is a competitive team that partakes in competitions within te district and the county and also does competitions throughout the state. With that I'd like to have colonel garcia , the lead instructor for the program to lead us in the pledge of allegiance please. Colorguard, retire the colors . >>... Okay, ladies and gentlemen unless your media, work for the county or sergeant at arms, please make yourself available to ac. That means everybody including the two people back there, some other ones. Yes . There's plenty of seats . Come on down. Everybody, please find a seat. Those of you that are going to stay here please find your seat . >>... Today the person leading the prayer is pastor jocelyn from our community and he will introduce himself so pastor. >> testing. Pastor alphonso jackson senior, second baptist church in richmond heights. Just a brief word of invocation . GOD our father we come to this appointed place at this point in time and thank you GOD for this day, this is a day you have made. We rejoice and are glad in it . as we assembled out for the business that we brought before this AUGUST body today, pray GOD that we invoke your presence here as well. And even in matters that we disagree on, we pray that they will not be in a spirit of disagreement. GOD bless this assembly we claim it now in jesus name amen. >>... >> MADAM Clerk, call the roll please . >> good morning. ... [Rollcall] We only have 4 members present, we do not have a quorum . >>... >> MADAM Clerk . [Rollcall] We only have five members present, we do not have a quorum. ... >> MADAM Attorney . >> good morning MISTER Chair . >> are you guys doing today? >> wonderful, thank you . >> let's get going. Reasonable opportunity for speakers at this time or do we have anything before? >> no MISTER Chair, if you have a quorum you MAY extend a reasonable opportunity to be heard on any nonpublic propositions. >> let's make sure guys, if you want to speak on something else you know, I have a different list which I have old army of people who want to speak on the issue down south . If not, this is a different time for those that need to speak on other issues. For instance, right now I want to start calling off names. , mayor martel mayor mitchell . Derek ferrau, george smith . And it nobani. It's two different people. Christopher ritchie . Charles malkus. Nestor machado, marissa gill . Jeffrey colger. Andrea, northwest 51st street, miami florida. Sergeant at arms. Mayor martel, mayor mitchell, each take a podium. You have two minutes, opened up by sticking stating your name , your address and we will start the timer. Thank you, we welcome you . Ladies first always apparently . >> good morning. As always it's a great honor to be here before our distinguished county commissioners. I want to thank you for this opportunity. I'm here to talk about the annexation for the city of miami springs . As you know this has been an application that has been going on for 20 years. So many things have happened in miami-dade county during this time and yet our city has consistently pursued this annexation because we know it's the best match for our city and for the area. And we have done everything that the county has requested of us. Followed all the procedures so I wanted to give you briefly and I know my time is short but I wanted to give you briefly some information on the annexation because it seems to be a lot of misinformation still going around even though we held several sessions with the property owners, the business and property owners in the area and once they have come to our sessions and we talked about the true figures for the millage which are nowhere near the millage would be which is nowhere near what they think it's going to be, they're very happy. They're happy with the services that we promised going to provide to the area on behalf of our 14,000 residents and 500 businesses that operate in the city of miami springs I want to thank you for considering our annexation application our current millage rate this year was reduced by four percent from 7.2 to 6.9 and that's been a consistent over 10 years, over a decade our city has continued to reduce our millage rates so our trajectory even after the annexation will be to continue to reduce the millage rate even more. Our proposed millage rate when the annexation is approved will be 3.7, 3.7. That's a phenomenal drop in what our current millage rate is and some of the misinformation that's been used to assume that the property is going to be higher . >> thank you MADAM Mayor. Stick around, we will hopefully have questions. MISTER Mayor . >> good morning chair, good morning commissioners and thank you for giving me this opportunity today. Pleasure to be with you at 77 northwest 77th avenue. Our businesses are in our platform and our city is the most this friendly city for commercial industrial ever. We cut back our permits 10 percent and are planning to cut them back another 10 percent to attract more business to our city. We have a good police force and attend our businesses 100 percent so that's mostly what we can say somewhere in favor of the annexation and are hoping soon this will be done, thank you everyone, have a wonderful day. >> sir, your recognized. >> 35. Rothman road miami florida. I own a business and building in the property that's going to be annexed. I understand that some of you might be in favor of being annexed but I want to give you some reasons why you shouldn't support it. 53 years ago, my family was forced out of the country by the government and along with thousands, hundreds of thousands of others we all left . The country, the economy collapsed . Because all the brain drain that went out of it why I'm making this analogy . >> bring it in . Stop the clock . Anybody that is not a police officer or media please sit down now. I'm asking nicely guys. I don't want to mention the obvious by name. Let's find a seat. I apologize, sir. With that continue >> the analogy I want to make is miami springs is made decisions that are harmful to businesses and you can see that especially on 36th sreet if you drive from lejeune road heading west. Go see a lot of properties that are vacant, but businesses seem to be dying. There old buildings, just looks very dilapidated and property values have been dropping. I'm worried .- that they are going to bring that same bad luck to the rest of us like we get annexed . Miami springs has shown an inability to manage the tax revenue that they currently receive . And miami springs is not a good steward of their taxpayer revenue . They're not deserving of us being annexed. Humbly, I want to remind you that we are your responsibility. We are the citizens of miami-dade county. Citizens of miami springs. We need you to support us . Our businesses are going through a tough time . Where in the verge of a recession and we worry about this a lot . And it is reflective , thank you sir, your address . >> 3530 rothman road, miami florida . >> my name is andre and I'm the owner of the property on 7415 northwest 63rd street in miami-dade county and I would like to oppose this annexation from miami springs . >> your address 7415 northwest. >> your home address, northwest southwest 89 quarts llb florida. 33176. I want to oppose this annexation because first of all we don't know how much these taxes are going to increase so we didn't have anything in writing. So far miami-dade county facilitates everything that we need . Miami springs like the person who was talking before me mentioned the businesses on the 36th street close to the airport. Everything is falling apart. Doesn't look good read the whole miami springs looks like a residential area and we didn't have any chance for that. So we as the business owners are pretty much bringing all the revenues , all the taxes and with this hard time with inflation and everything going on in the whole world we definitely something that will bring us on a normal level . Also I came from the communist country and over there we don't have a chance and here we need a chance for would to see who is for the annexation and who is against annexation so that's what I want to say. >> you so much. MADAM, your recognized . >> my name is yvonne and my address is 3530 rothman road miami florida. We don't believe , we don't belong to miami springs. Our area is incompatible and separated by a gigantic railroad and two canals. There is no way they conserve us any better than the county does and I am opposed to this, thank you. >> sir, you are recognized. >> 4225 northwest 72nd avenue 33166 , against the annexation. I've been a resident since 1889 and were happy with miami-dade services. Please with the services they always did. Since that came up to be getting close and that annexation uses , it's making me very worried about losing income in my business I feel all the neighborhood is not as it used to be in the past . If this happens, my business will be affected. My profit margins will go down because of also the taxation increases that would affect me. I requested you to keep us with miami-dade . We're happy, where contest with our services and I believe in the same if it's working to fix it and it's wrking very well for us, thank you. Your recognized . >> my name is jeffrey lugar southwest 116th street pinecrest . My family and I own several businesses, properties and the targeted area this is nothing more than an attempt at a hostile takeover . If anyone doubts that let's have a vote on the property owners . That's what would happen in every other county in florida and that's how democracy is supposed to work. This is been an 18 year battle and it was a bad idea when first proposed in a bad idea today. Yet it continues last year legislation was passed ignoring the counties continuity test to 500 feet, guess by how many linear feet are upon its claim to touch miami springs, 650 . Somehow I don't think lowering the distance of 500 feet last year was coincidence . Some have said this particular legislation gives little cities the right to grow. I'm not sure where that right explicitly exists but under no circumstances should any city growth, the expense of those who want nothing to do with that city. Miami springs talk about lowering millage I checked and found the typical home in their city had a millage rate of 7.67, eight years later 2021 there millage rate was 7.21 with more than 51 percent increase in the property's assessed value . Let's face it, at that rate and with their history novels will be here long enough to see miami springs millage rate lowered anywhere close to miami-dade counties. I hope the citizens understand every dollar of the multimillions it into miami springs is a dollar taken away from the rest of umpsa. This commission changes seven days after a potential ordinance and possible adoption . Why not list at least let those who have to live with this idea be the ones to vote it up or down. Mayor tran five, you've always represented those who have been treated unfairly. This doesn't qualify as one of those instances I don't know what does . A heartfelt thank you for keeping an eye on these proceedings. Thank you for your time. >> sir, your recognized . >> george smith, 3400 w. 78th avenue . >> I'd like to mention that when you address us as a whole everybody. Not as individuals. So I want that tis policy that we have here and we will continue that policy so I want to be fair. With that continues her. >> thank you commission for allowing me to be here and speak on behalf of all the industrial airport owners. And an industrial broker servicing the area for years now. I every if not all property owners, business owners in the area as an entrepreneur myself I can feel for their pain as they don't have an opportunity here to speak up for to vote on this issue is going to negatively impact them on property taxes obviously. Their property taxes will go up causing their property values to g down not only that but the employees they employ are going to be affected and these are all residents of dade county and this is going to negatively impact them and have to even be let go on some of these jobs. So we ask you as a commission , commissioners and mayor tran five to please reconsider this as this is going to negatively impact the economy as far as the employees here and the workforce. You for your time and this opportunity. >> sir, your recognized. >> my name is mike , 12854 northwest seventh street miami florida 33102. I oppose this annexation because it will only increase the owners municipal taxes by 362 percent without any new additional services. And only empty promises of reductions. Just like we are seeing in the residential real estate market , businesses are experiencing all-time highs in rents in commercial real estate along with other expenses that continue to skyrocket . This would only make it worse. If costs increase businesses would hve no choice but to leave the area with increases in rents or reduce expenses including personnel to offset. These businesses should not have to subsidize the city of miami springs. >> thank you sir. Ma'am, your recognized. >> I am melissa gill of 5800 northwest 74th avenue. We employ over 500 team members in the area and we invite members of the public to go to our website that we have formed with small and medium business owners in the area called stopannexation.Com so they can be informed about the repercussions of such an antibusiness process. Reform needs to happen. Hard-working small and medium-sized businesses stand to gain trap triple taxation. It's a very real possibility. They speak about a 3.7 millage rate which is still double what we are currently paying. These policies are antibusiness, anti-growth and not conducive to economic development. In the last hearing we spoke about a reduced mileage rate written in the interlocal agreement. None of these things have happened to date and we deserve answers to the reason behind this. We are the ones that don't get a right to elect our city officials simply because we are not residents in the area. Just because there is a legal loophole that makes this possible doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. We have sent countless amounts of emails to voice our position. We oppose annexation to miami springs and urgent reform and urged the commissioners here today to do the right thing, thank you. >> thank you ma'am. Are recognized. >>... Again, address us as a whole. >> coral gables florida. Hello mayor. I came to this country from cuba in 1960 as a 15-year-old boy. My parents didn't want me to live in a country without freedom. A lack of freedom that included no right to vote. Now 62 years later no 40 years later which you recognize and he was my previous tenant. I am encountering this lack of freedom where were not able to vote or have a referendum on increase in taxes. I would like to thank our patrons for standing with the unincorporated business by voting against annexation or requesting a postponement when the commissioners are able to cast their vote. Sadly , some commissioners are planning to vote for annexation . For unclear reasons, a vote that will increase our taxes. By the way , I vote for representatives regalado . >> MISTER Machado, please do not mention another name again, I'm going to ask you to stop. >> you're welcome. >> also you did the recommendation today but at the same time at the same time you're trying to hurt another small business and the airport west place. >> thank you MISTER Machado, your recognized. >> gabriel martinez 5800 northwest . The riva family took a lot of considerations and a local millage rate and taxes being one of them. Now that we've moved in and are operating this MAY change. A lot of immigrants from countries fled to the us to pursue the american dream and avoid these same scenarios here today. These tpes of unanticipated decisions taken here today which we have no say in is unfortunately in the same direction. You are recognized. >> esther machado, coral gables florida. A shopping center owner in the area threatening to be annexed . Miami springs is going to mitigate or at least promised to mitigate this tax increase but it's not going to be enough. An increase in 250 percent in taxes instead of 365 percent is still going to be a burden on my small bsiness tenants that just faced a pandemic, were closed for months and are now facing inflation and a recession. Here's what miami springs cannot mitigate. The fact that these areas are completely incompatible. Ours is an industrial area of warehouses and factories. They are a small bedroom community without even an industrial zoning code to speak of . Furthermore, the areas are divided by two canals and a huge railroad yard from and to end . Have you looked at the map? These areas will never be or feel contiguous . Did you know you have to drive through virginia gardens to get to miami springs from my property? The commission has rejected this item several times including an eight to vote against in the pab. It's clear this continues because we property owners do not have a voice or a vote. And you as commissioners are our only representation. Each one of you has constituents that are either property owners, tenants or employees of small businesses impacted by this situation. One commissioner not to be named as an item to fix this and gives property owners a vote in annexation . Instead of rushing this through and leaving it through committees at the last minute, let's deny this and protect small businesses and give your constituents are proper vote and voice in the future. Thank you. >> your recognized . >> good morning, charles malthus 6796 west 62 avenue south miami . i'm here this morning to talk about the process which has some serious gaps . I think the one thing that just about everybody in this room can agree with is the fact that the communications is most important with our relationship , okay, it's really important to give you an example with a marriage. You have a long-lasting marriage of two spouses communicate. Sadly , this process has lacked communication from representatives of miami-dade county with the property owners . It's unfathomable. We're not asking for the commissioners for any elected official to communicate with the business owners but how about some representative , some representation from your staff? Those responsible from the small business department that we heard great things of earlier this morning with the presentation. That was heartwarming. This process of an annexation without medication is devastating to every business person in the room, every employee in the room and frankly , every resident of the county at a time when there's a recession. We heard earlier last meeting there was going to be a struggle that came from the dais. There was going to be a vote of the business owners. That has not happened. And frankly the business owners should have options . They should be able to look at what are the other potential city annexation possibilities. That doesn't happen. Governments shouldn't run like this. But there's a chance to fix it . You have a chance today each and every member has a chance to fix it. Thank you thank you sir and point of clarification, the straw vote was for the commissioners, not for anybody else with that sir. >> my address is 3047 west in florida. We own several buildings in the area. To be annexed and I agree with the gentleman that spoke that there's a lot of miscommunication. Frankly the mayor and city manager for at miami springs have been tremendously communicative with me, very helpful. Called to ask questions about the annexation they been very helpful and I frankly think most of the people that have spoken have not had the opportunity to meet with my administration. They are open all the time to perhaps resolve some of the concerns they have. Wants more taxes. The tax increase is not as big as has been presented. However, if we could have some extra taxes the city of miami springs will definitely improve the services in the area including the storm drainage, police presence . They're taking care of the streets, etc. After meeting with the miami springs representative, the mayor and city manager and excited about the annexation. It will be wonderful to feel as happy as the miami springs residents feel , extremely happy and I'm proud to be part of that city and I think with time all those business owners will find a way to work with the city for the promise of belonging to the city. >> sir, you are recognized. >> I'm a business owner and the owner also of the building in the sergeant area and I'm completely against this annexation . >> address, home address 10250 southwest montana street. And I'm completely against this annexation because first of all our taxes second of all, we had a pandemic and online I ask 60 percent of the building completely empty right now. And I believe that taxes increased even is higher than the wages right now. It's going to force us to some of the owners at our properties. That's where white I believe I can pay the taxes and I have to pobably sell my property and close my business. Thank you for the time today and I hope all of you work to change this and we are very happy with miami-dade county. You sir, sir, you are recognized. >> I represent the business units o television, and studio productions. ... >> the address please. >> 6721 northwest 74th avenue. >> your home address. >> I'm against this annexation. >> your home address. Residence address. >> miami city . [Speaking spanish] 331 , I'm confused with my address because I sold my apartment . >> I understand that but you need to say your home address . >> 3220 87th avenue. 33 165. >> thank you sir . >> against this annexation to miami springs, thank you very much. >> tank you, sir, you are recognized. >> fernando garcia 4905 coral gables. I am a family and myself on a business there since 1978 in this area that's going to get annexed and we are completely against annexation. It's 5901 northwest 74th avenue. My neighbors have given a lot of great reasons why this annexation without a vote is a bad deal for our businesses. Higher taxes, higher interest rates with a recession heading our way. It will cause businesses to fail, to downsize and jobs will be affected. Commissioners, you should protect our jobs and this is really going to have a negative effect on all of us in this area. So again, I am against this annexation of miami springs. >> good morning MISTER CHAIRMAN , 1600 bristol and I'm here on behalf of 14 affected property owners in the targeted annexation area . Just to cut right to the chase because of course the time is limited this annexation is being done solely for the purpose of patting miami springs tax base . in violation of section 6.0 4b of the county charter . Also in violation of the county code 20 b seven a1 , this is an unsuitable and incompatible annexation. These two areas have nothing in common. Miami springs doesn't have an industrial zoning code or land-use designation. It's mstly a veteran community with two poorly managed commercial areas, one on 36 which hasn't changed in 20 years at least not for the better and an area around their city hall which is the only other commercial area which also hasn't changed for the better in terms of closed businesses and dilapidation. This is a massive tax increase as you heard from the property owners. 362 percent, I heard a lot, this is 362 percent. It is a burden without benefit . This area as you heard is adequately serviced my by miami-dade county and all you're doing isn't swapping out miami-dade for miami springs police and they get to the 362 percent more in taxes. The pab voted 8 to 2 against this annexation for good reason . You saw what a joke it makes for the cost of continuity connected at the northern end and now on top of that they don't want to pay mitigation either leaving the rest of umpsa holding the bag. There hundred 62 folios here and the overwhelming majority of 99 percent are against and the one person who is for it in the targeted area, most are not . It was a bad idea 18 years ago, it's the worst idea now. The reason is worse, inflation and recession. Thank you so much and vote no. >> okay. Let me be real clear. If you like what somebody says, do this. If you don't like what somebody says, do this. Do not use other fingers. With that, michael gratis, gabriel marcos. Fabian lopez. Lily a seal. Lauren, I'm not even going to try. 1605 pennsylvania avenue, apartment 301. Marty costa . Susan curry. Rory della marta and john gray. If you spoke already for some reason I lost count of the other ones, and if your name has been called and you haven't spoken please,. Ladies first. Go ahead and am. >> good morning commissioners, I'm here with a different issue, you're on 14 b1 with regard to the icp executive director, I'm hoping you all will pass this unanimously today . This issue . And for those commissioners on turning out I want to wish you the best . And all your future endeavors. Thank you. >> thank you MADAM. >> you are recognized, there was a gentleman standing there sir. Gentleman. Go ahead. >> good morning honorable CHAIRMAN Diaz, mayor cava and board of county commissioners, my name is marty acosta residing at 8230 southwest 84th court in miami florida, 33143 thank you for listening as I also represent countless others that weren't able to attend today to express the importance of meeting the increasing demand for clusters of dedicated people all courts with lighting free for all miami-dade county citizens. As a former miami-dade county public schools educator and volleyball coach my personally rewarding career provided me the opportunity to witness firsthand how the benefits of team sports helped build the physical mntal and social abilities of our youth and their families. And in MAY of this year my friend eileen introduced my husband and me typical ball and we haven't stopped since however as we've attempted to play in different parts we noticed it's getting extremely crowded. Wait times are up and we can't play at night because there are insufficient cords available. Evidently the demand for pickle ball continues to rise daily and that's why I'm here to ask you all to please continue looking at the data and find solutions. As the fastest growing sport in america pickle ball isn't just for active seniors a multi generational sport where I find friends playing with their grandchildren. According to recent new york times article, titled why is pickle ball so popular the us pd association found the fastest-growing segment is under age 24 this board in particular appeal to the older and younger people, experts are quoted saying most anyone can play regardless of age. You can actually work up a sweat and feel a great sense of, lottery as one connects with others and isn't that what we all could use a little bit more of? Our health, socially connect with others while having fun ? Let's begin right now in our own backyard by providing more dedicated pickle ball courts that have lighting and are free for all. Thank you for your consideration. >> you are recognized . >> good morning commissioners, my name is manny cyrus, 8220 west 92nd avenue. I'm going to bring a bit of a personal perspective to the sport. I've been playing this for three years at a private location. For a small fee. My wife and four adult children have now been playing for seven months. Unfortunately they were not able to get into the location I play at because of at least 100 people on a waiting list to join. So they in turn had to play another private location for considerable higher fee. We are a family of six and we were spending for approximately five months an average of $480-$720 a month to play 2 to 3 times a week, the six of us. Fortunately just recently they were allowed to come and play at the facility I play at now for the considerable less the, lucky for us. Played competitively a few tournaments in atlanta georgia , I played in a 32 quart facility eight of which were covered. Lighted dedicated courts. This month I played in daytona beach where they had 30 lighted covered courts dedicated with 10 covered and 14 more under construction. Just this past sunday I played in plantation with 20 lighted dedicated courts , my son and i competed for the first time. Why not here? The numbers don't lie. The popularity of the sport is growing exponentially. We asked for dedicated, lighted, no fee court in our public parks. For all families to enjoy. You heard the saying all of you have heard it . Build it and they will come. Let's build it because we're already here. >> sir, you are recognized. >> my name is desiring . >> it's quite common. I live at 1605 west sylvania which you correctly pronounced . 301 miami beach . Thank you very much. I'm josc of commissioners and the mayor for allowing me the opportunity to see or rather read. I've been here already with a group of 50 people but there was no quorum so we were not able to present our case which is really about the pickle ball courts and funding of the pickle ball courts. It has been all over video, pickle ball has been all over videos that you are very aware by now that it is a growing sport and there are many people there . Addicted to it. The professional tours stopped all over the country and in florida and delray, boca, to gordon and orlando just to name a few . Some big sports names are investing now in pickleball. It is the fastest growing sport in america . It is no longer a senior citizen sport and it is no longer the sport of my generation, it is not a sports of young people, of working families. They are about 40 to 50 people now at the tropical park where there are only four courts and they wait for half an hour to 40 minutes to play. Why mark because those four courts are the only courts with lights in miami-dade county. We need more. Pickleball brings tremendous benefits. It's easy to learn and play is very social, like other sports pickle ball and courageous droppings, you go to the court, place and you can play in the next game. It's a great exercise and a very low cost to play. A plastic ball is all you need so we need funding for more courts with lights, thank you very much . >> thank you sir. You are recognized. >> my name is rudy and I own rudy's ready mix and I'm here to stand up for annexation , against annexation . i've had my business for over 25 years. >> your address please. >> my address 7301 northwest 47th street . >> can I have your home address please . >> my home address. >> ladies and gentlemen, let me be clear. Unless you're a police officer and accepted by law not to give your home address when you do testimony here you have to provide your home address. With that, that's why I keep asking is the laws that we have the light in this dais. >> you guys are trying to annex my business so I don't want to give you my home address. >> thank you for speaking. If you don't give your home address and thank you very much for stepping up and speaking. >> I got my 1350 southwest 196 avenue pembroke find florida 32029 . >> you MAY see . >> this is completely against everyone around the area. Nobody is once you get taken over by the city of miami springs and you guys think that we're going to be represented by the police, it's like to be more police presence but we don't need police presence. The county jail is down the street. My gate is open 24 seven. The for my business, there's really no need for more police presentation. Everyone around my area is completely opposed to this. So it's going to raise our taxes. And it's bad business for everyone . And we have number we don't even have one resident, it's all businesses. All warehouses so we have no vote. We've been there for 30 years , general has been there since 1964. So we have no vote. You guys already are retiring so you guys really don't care. But we've been there for a while. Everyone's going to have to sell their businesses and go somewhere else before you guys start raising our property taxes . So we're trying to avoid that before we get to that point. I already have my business for sale. Just to let you know. >> you so much. Sir, you are recognized, next person and before I recognize you call some names. Mayor dino. >> dean simmons, monica sandani, maria gada, patrick villar , marques berman. Christina , christine... Laura olcott. Those are the people left for me to call. With that , sir, will you let the lady go first . Thank you, go ahead . >> my name is lily is out and I'm the usa pickleball ambassador, 601 north east 36th street miami florida 33137. I want to thank the honorable pepe diaz and mayor cava for the opportunity to speak . 15,000 miami-dade county residents would be playing on day one if the county had the facilities that is moms, dads, youth , grandparents. Item to be one substitute the feasibility study is long overdue and although it is not , it does not meet the current demand in our county it is a start. The feasibility report has been revised to include eight additional courts at tropical park for a total of 12 dedicated pickleball courts. 12 dedicated courts will still not be sufficient because there are no plans and other proposed parks where the greatest concentration of players reside. That is why we ask four courts be cnstructed at tropical park. Miami-dade county as the third-largest parks system in the country. With the state-of-the-art pickle ball facility we can track major tournaments to this world-class region to attract the regional tournaments we would need 24 courts and a national tournament, 40 courts. This evening the city of fort lauderdale's commission is discussing an agenda item to construct a 41 court state-of-the-art facility. Broward county and our neighboring counties are ahead of miami-dade county by several years. We can catch up and get pickleball the miami flavor. It brings tremendous economic impact on communities, east naples park, collier county, 60 courts known as the pickleball capital of the world . The championships play there every year, $20 million this year and the one event. Commissioner cohen higgins and heyman thank you for sponsoring this report. It's been a long time waiting and we thank the saff for all their hard work. I would like to extend a personal invitation to each and every one of you commissioners . Person. Next. >> my name is alfredo lopez, 58 100 74th avenue. I'm here on behalf of cost x corporation working with the cost x from more than 20 years. I've been in business with the company for all its employees, we have right now around 500 employees that represent 500 families. We want to keep going, to keep to continue to support all the families. And we are also a manufacturing company, we would like to support the us manufacturing process . But for that we need the right support. We don't feel this annexation is the right support for the company, for all its employees so that's why we are against the annexation, thank you . >> man, you are recognized. >> my name is sophie downplaying . >> I'm sorry. I couldn't understand you. >> thank you . >> 9th drive bell harbor florida . >> I'm here about the pickleball and I'm an avid recreation and competitive player and what I'm seeing is I traveled across the state. The other counties are way ahead of us and I feel we're going to MISS Out on the opportunity for having recreational events young families because the problem as we've been discussing if there's a huge waiting line for people to play that doesn't allow for young kids to be able to play. All these cute young families I see they want to go to play together as a family it's really hard to get off the court when you've got 400 adults sitting there waiting, salivating to play so we're going to MISS Out on the future chris ever because we're not going to have the courts and when I go and play competitively they have big courts. Many many courts. So it allows them to have a national venue or potential international venue so I think miami is somewhat shooting iself in the play it doesn't leap on this opportunity to do whatever is on the ballot to be built, the little bit bigger because you will have a greater opportunity with people coming here to train from all over the world to also play professionally. That's all I have to say, thank you. >> my name is monica. My address is JANUARY 5, 2002 southwest 134th place miami 33106. My business address is 760 northwest . We purchased our warehouse almost 20 years ago before all this annexation conversation started. And when we decided to purchase it over there it was because of all the conditions that involve the purchase and investment that we were making in a new warehouse. 18 years after that you're changing the rules. My warehouse currently plays $12,000 a year and county taxes . we would be going between $36-$40,000 a year in miami springs txes . With exactly the same service because it's going to be serviced by a miami-dade county. I disagree with some people that we have no representation. I believe that we, not we but you are forgetting that we do vote in NOVEMBER for each and every one of your posts . Coming NOVEMBER this year and in two years when the new commission is going to be renewed, you are going to be lacking a lot of votes from us. This is not helping businesses at all. We cannot spend that money, we honestly need that money to have better employees with better salaries so they can have a better life too. That's what we came to this country for. Thank you very much and have a good day. >> man, your recognized . >> my name is l'oreal scott, 181 35 northwest 14th avenue. I'm speaking on behalf of item 14 b1 on the mayor's report regarding icp and I'm also here to give you a brief update. When I last stood before this commission back in OCTOBER or SEPTEMBER , we presented to you our candidate for executive director MISS Ursula price. We're happy to report we finalize our contract with this price, that's the item before you today that you'll be voting on. We're eager to get her up and running and working by DECEMBER and of course we ask that you vote on that item unanimously just as you did as her official selection. Thank you again to the mayor's office for pushing this and thank you again. >> thank you ma'am, MISTER Mayor. >> vice chair, commissioners MADAME Mayor, thank you for having us here today. 3770 northwest 64th avenue. I want to rehash everything that's been said here today. Our main issue we have on the item on your agenda today is our agreements, annexation was discussed in JULY and for the last 20 years we have followed county code. We have done everything that's been asked of us. We would not be here today at this point if we did not do that. So the only thing we ask is support . We have committed already to lowering our millage rate. We're at 4.6 . On the high side 3.0, that's what we committed to we're hoping to go even lower. All depends on mitigation fees and we're just asking you to support our locals today, thank you very much. >> thank you. Sir, your recognized. >> ptrick filardi, 1865 avenue, 1410 miami florida. There's clearly not enough pickleball courts in miami but don't believe us, come on out today at 430, 5:00 tropical park. There's forecourts there and you're going to find that the forecourts are full. They will be waiting there for hours until about nine, 9:15 . You will realize there's not enough courts. I've realized that because I've been playing there for about two years and I've also driven to other places, miami beach, kendall and sometimes have to go to plantation and plantation I was surprised. They have a facility with 18 let courts dedicated courts so then I said what's wrong with miami-dade county? To jupiter and I found out jupiter there's several places with establishments of 10 to 15 quarts, dedicated courts with light and I went to tampa to visit a friend, he's a allow addict like I am there's several places there with 10, 15, 20 courts with lights and then you realize what is going on, there's not enough courts in miami-dade county. This is not a sport that's coming in the future, is now and in spain, europe and australia all over the place. Miami-dade is behind the eight ball. We need dedicated courts with lights, people are ready to play. If you do come out today be ready to wait because there's not enough courts. >> thank you. Ma'am, your recognized . >> thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm not 10 500 southwest 96th terrace , 33176. Miami-dade county is a world-class city but our world is behind when it comes to pickleball. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the nation. I discovered it in the height of the pandemic and have become an addict due to the ease on the social benefits of the sport. I am a seasoned player who plays locally when I can and when I can is when courts and space are available. And also travel out-of-state for competitiv