Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

>> let's get organized. My left side here -- let's start sitting down, guys. How are y'all doing? Seriously? We live in paradise, man. It is awesome. It's not raining. There's no storm, there is no nothing. We have incredibly great people here today. I'm going to ask one more time. How are you doing? There you go. That's the one I wanted to hear. We have a lot of presentations today. I want to thank you all for being here and being patient. My colleagues are making their way down. It is one of those mornings that even though we are living in paradise and everything we do have a lot of traffic. So that is something that we all deal with on a constant basis. That start out with two very special men. Lt me find my eyes. I have two special presentations. One is for a gentleman that really has been working for this community for a long time since he was about 10 years old I think. He hasn't stopped and he has got his 30 years, but when the director of the department makes 30 years, chief you can join me if you want. Stop hiding in the corner over there. When he does his 30 year it comes up before this commission, this body and we thank them and we do that by giving him something special of recognition now want to bring up alex munoz. Where are you alex? [Applause] >> alex munoz has it worked extremely hard for all of us for many years, 30 years. It like I said he started when he was 10, but today we recognize him because he has done an incredible proficient job at what he does. He has been all over the place in ministration. You know what, he is one of those guys that they send him in for the firefight because when things are hard need somebody who is good and can do the job very well. Before I give you this word I know we have some people around us, especially the mayor who would like to say a couple of words and then we will let you speak. Do we have someone who can rescue a little bit? >> there is too many of them. Quickly, really. Stop it. MADAME Mayor? >> thank you. It is really a joy and we even held this over for yu because we were going to celebrate you last meeting, but you have actually been through fires on behalf of this county. You live and breathe this county. You were a part of the original management training program. A whole cohort of really great people who have really been able to lead throughout this county and you have had myriad of response bodies. you are our unofficial or official sports maven. So we send you to negotiate for those big deals that are coming to town like world cup, just saying. Super bowl and all of that. You have been responsible for land use and development, parks, culture, and tourism. Transportation and infrastructure, internal operations, oh my GOD that is all before my time. I got to know you early on in your career, but not that early perhaps and in my tenure you have been responsible for animal services, yes, okay. We have some fans. Oay. Most recently for internal services department, thank you, yes. You have your supporters. You have brought such a sense of calm, confidence , integrity, thoroughness, attention to detail. You have built the confidence of our partners and the community like the courts and I know all of our county commissioners who turn to you always as a person they can count on and rely on to get things done and be straightforward and direct always about what is going on. So we're so so proud to recognize you. Don't go anywhere anytime soon. This is not permission to do anything drastic. So forget that. So we love you, we need you, thank you. Thank you very much, alex. [Applause] >> those of you that are supporting alex come on up. Please. I know there are several people in the audience. Okay before I go to -- your family? >> my family is here. I will talk in a second. Most service folks. Amy, lorna, anna, gilda. Those of you come on up. Alayna good to see you. My ist family. My new team. If some of you could come up, please. I'm going to wait a couple minutes to talk. >> give me the microphone. It is not your time yet brother . See this is why I did it. I will empty out half the room. You want to say a couple of words? >> yeah. I guess I get to represent everybody who worked with alex before. I have known alex since I was an intern and you are a trainee . >> alright. Please. The one thing that we try to do is be quiet in here so we can respect everybody that is talking. As you make your way down do it quietly. All rght we are good. Sorry. >> so no matter what our relative positions where we always work really well together and you said, is anybody going to roast him? So I will remind him -- I will remind him that we were the inaugural members of (Name?) In omb because we refuse to work late. We got our work done during the day and we said we were going to go home to our families and we got yelled at about that currently. I learned from alex how important family is and there is nothing more important than that so I'm just so happy and proud to be your friend. I got to be your boss for a little while and you are awesome and you were my boss for a little while, too. So thank you. Thank you for everything. >> vice CHAIRMAN. >> thank you MR. CHAIRMAN and alex, thank you. It is interesting. Everything the CHAIRMAN Said, everything jennifer said is absolutely true. Sometimes when we see the success in the county we either think it happens or we do as elected officials or the mayor does it, but in truth it is a team. It is a fmily and it is people like ours. It is people like alex that show every day to ensure that our animals are say. To ensure that our purchasing is right. To make sure this county operates for the people who needed to operate. Always see us as the face of the county, but in truth the people who are actually making the county work for the people who need it to work. The people who wake up here every day and just want to be and work with the families and people like alex. thank you for your service. I appreciate you. >> hello! Well alex. As you know every project to work on in district 5 is the easiest one. [Laughter] >> no. Actually that is the opposite and what I can tell you is particularly when we are trying to build anything because downtown is the oldest part of miami when we start digging up with no idea what is under there and it makes every project a little more complicated, a little more difficult and requiring a lot of thinking, a lot of patience and so everything from the courthouse to our wonderful project that is going to redesign all of our empty lot here around government center. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for bearing with us in district 5. Your work has been amazing and the amount we have accomplished since you have taken over in ist is just amazing. Working with you is a honor and a pleasure as well. . [Applause] >> wow. MR. Chair, thank you. Only 21 years working together. I have to say something. Let's go back in history when we had a lot of problems with procurement in the past. I remember we sent a special task force of experts to give us recommendations. Alex was instrumental. He was one, as a matter of fact, it was the first time that a governmental entity one a nation wide prize for procurement and since then we never had any other problems with the procurement process. So congratulations because it was incredible. In animal services no one did better than you. You are the family, you are miami-dade county and not on behalf of me, not behalf of her neck, on behalf of the community. Thank you for your service for some years and mayor, I second your motion. He's not going anywhere. Thank you, MR. Chair. >> thank you. Alayna, come up. [Applause] >> thank you, MR. Tritt met american with thank you for inviting me to be here today. Of your family so I feel very happy to be here and I have to start my comments by saying, anybody who knows us and knows our family here in the county knows what it takes to get gladys fernandes anywhere and that gladys fernandes came out of retirement and is here today. You know, I have not seen her in three years and it takes a lot to get her here. So alex, you got her here. You know, I spent -- of his 30 years I spent 27 of them working in some capacity with him and when you worked this many years with anybody, you know, it is not just work. We are family and we have been through all of our life moments. Whether our children being born, our parents being sick, and eventually passing, and through all of that we have been here doing the people's work. Doing what we all love to do. It was everybody here loves to do. Building an incredible animal services facility and that so many so many years of hard work and struggle, and you know, fighting for the funding, and fighting with the contractor and making it happened. Whether it was the creation of two metro and then the abolition of team metro or it has been organizations and reorganization. There was a time period and now we forget, but there was a time period for about 10 years where we had three managers and we had transitions in our response abilities every two years. So we went from this thing, to the next thing, to the next thing and figuring out how to provide leadership to things. So I'm honored to be here. I'm honored to be a part of alex's life. Matter mayor I'm so honored and happy that he's a part of your senior leadership team and is still here contribute to our community. I'm a resident of unincorporated dade county so I'm glad to know that my county is in outstanding hands and I'm so proud of him and so honored to share with my family this moment. So thank you so much for inviting me. It is an honor to be here. Congratulations, alex, I love you. I love you very much. >> thank you, lena. Sally. >> if you look around this chamber. In my 19 1/2 years I cannot remember so many people in here before the start of a commission meeting. I think that's a testimony where we recognize people all the time that contribute as a career to the community and miami-dade all the services just make us work . What is great about alex and why I'm so happy to be part of team at miami-dade when he has been a steward here is he has always been a go to person. So for all the accolades you heard from colleagues, peers, the administration. He is one of these people you can send into a situation and if it's a problem it will be fixed, but if it is moving it's going to be better and that is what you want. You want it in team leadership and you want it to carry on for the rest of the people to say, "this is how a good job could be done with good people." so thank you for team efforts and making our county better. [Applause] >> thank you. You sure? GOD I love doing that! So there is somebody that you had next to you for a long time and I'm not going to take everybody, guys. I'm sorry because I've ate presentations that stress you want to say something? Go ahead. Mademoiselle you have to say couple words. >> I just want to thank alex for everything. Mentorship that he gave us for many years. All of us at animal services and I know every department he ever goes to he is wonderful. He is a great boss. Thank you, alex. [Applause] >> thank you! > hi. I've known alex for 12 years personally, okay? I've seen him around 20 years, 27 years ago in the county. I want to thank the mayor for making him isd director. Alex is one of these people that sees a problem and fixes it like everybody has been saying and he thinks out of the box. He's a great person and it's been a pleasure for me to work with him the past year and 1/2. Thank you, alex. Sir. [Applause] >> thank you! So with that! No. Seriously, bro? We have something to give you before you start talking and I have not roasted you yet. [Laughter] >> alejandro munoz. I like that. A rcognition of your 30 years of continuous and loyal service to miami-dade county government. This is, I know it is a piece of plastic, but it symbolizes how we feel about you. Thank you . I know tat looking around the room I think that you already know that you are very special. Thank you for what you have done and what you continue to do because you are going nowhere as my colleagues have said. So with that on behalf of all of us. Congratulations on your 30 years, my friend. [Applause] >> thank you. Yes I'm going to bring my family up and thank you to everybody. It has already been said. This is the best part. This is the best part of being here, right here. All the work and all if that is great, but the relationships that we build when we are here and that's the way we get the job done and nothing that was mentioned I did alone. It was done with all the people you see here and a lot of people that are not here. Obviously cannot make it. On that note I would bring my family that is not standing up your. My daughter is here. My wife. I love you both very much. Thank you for the sport. Come up. As the vice chair was saying about working and getting the job done and showing u, the love and support that we get from our families, me in particular my family. My wife adriana, my daughter catalina. My son is doing an internship so he is not here. The one time, not going to say love stories and I'm going to go quick because I know how much is on the agenda and I'm anxious to get to work instead of doing this. One time I missed my own birthday party, pfister, I was being waited for but -- reference to jennifer and what jennifer was saying and I literally had to send people home because we were here working. Another time commissioner sosa sent me home setting a budget hearing. My daughter and I going to embarrass her, she was getting a pretty serious surgery and I daughter comes up to the county manager of the time and says, "what is alex doing here?" he goes, oh alex go hundred commissioner sosa threatened him. That was like 12:00 P.M. At night and there's only things and silly stories that I'm not going to go through those of course, but really, the different parts of my county here are represented. Team at metro, the budget office, the mayor's office, the manager's office, the animal srvices department which is here. They shut up and are very excited. My current isd family and team. Thank you fr being here as well and so many assignments that I've been blessed to work with so many pople. Bill (Name?) In for me. Bill (Name?) Didn't come out, but he told me he came for me. Maybe he can for something else because he is good like that. Really so many people, so many memories. Thank you, mayor. it is incredible for me to be on your team. I'm beyond honor. I thought I was going to finish my career at animal services and I'm happy to serve in any capacity and this is an incredible journey. So thank you so much to the new commissioners. To the chair, we have been through some battles. You know the ones I'm talking about. Thank you, always, always, ys. We can disagree, we move on, and we get things done. Thank you so much to the person who hired me. Alayna (Name?). Likely, but a boss, my colleague, my friend, and her family as well. A beautiful family. Thank you so much alina and there are so many people. I can I go through all the names are. Jackie, anna, who was behind me who we worked together before. The animal services. New commissioners I look forward to forging new relationships as we moved to this new era and I'm here to sy. Hopefully we can do the credit mayor I don't plan on going anywhere. My wife says ineed to keep working. She says I need to keep working and that this covid thing, the few times I did stay home I just drive her crazy. So she's like, get out of the house. But that's I know we need to get to work so thank you to everybody and they count my blessings and then just honored to serve here with everybody and to my family, again, thank you, I love you. [Applause] >> I know we have to move, but I have two here a couple of words from you because I know you are the driver behind this, ma'am. Just take boards. >> thank you. I have to say that the county is the second wife. It has been a journey. We have been married 25 years, but we've known each other since we were 18. From the moment he started the county a new right away, her place in his heart. GOD, family, country, and county. For this man and I do need him to keep working. [Laughter] >> he was home for two weeks- -he was home testing positive for covid for two weeks and I got a little taste. He had actually mentioned it job and I said "now" after those two weeks. I need him to be nice and old and continue serving his other love and I'm okay with that. I'm not jealous. Keep him as long as you need him. Thank you. >> and with that! [Applause] >> I told you you were going to get roasted! I did not lie! Bring it in everybody. This is nice and tight. Nice and tight. Let's go, get it tight. You are in charge. how far back? Armando is wearing shorts here. Do not fall. [Camera shutter] >> all right! [Applause] >> all right guys let's get it going. Come on. >> okay! Let's get it going. Gys let's go. Okay! Let's go, people! Let's go! We have a lot of presentations to go. How does that go? If he does not move his people fast we will start targeting all of his items. With that let's get the -- izzy, guys, start moving people that way, please. All right! With that MR. Vice CHAIRMAN You have a very special presentation. I know we have a lot of people. Everybody is special here today. Everybody. So bear with us and if we could continue to move quietly we will appreciate it. So with that MR. Vice CHAIRMAN You have somebody very special here today. >> good morning, everyone. Good morning, everyone! >> good morning. >> I don't do necessarily a lot of presentations or proclamations or anything like that because there are some anywhere the stories in miami-dade county. There are so many worthy people and worthy organizations to do extra ordinary things, but one of the things that I know that was, we have a young person among us who is truly extraordinary and so-it's not the baby there, but she is asked ordinary, too. Often we recognize young people in our community when something bad happens. The story is always they did this or they did that. We don't take the time to actually acknowledge when greatness as we see it mtures in time. So I have a resident in district 1. She's a young lady who went to high school, miami-dade county pub. Schools here in miami-dade county and she got accepted to every ivy league college. [Applause] They won't even let me drive past yale. Let me just tell you it is interesting because I think it is harvard except 3% of the people that apply and gail maybe 2.9% and she got accepted to every one of them, but she didn't just do that. She also started an organization that helps empower young women of color in finding their voice. So when you see someone like this. A young lady who is excelling at the debate team. To dedicate her life to public policy because she understands the power of shaping our collective voice, our collective discourse. I think that we should actually recognize that. So ashley adrika come on down. Y'all, give her a round of applause. [Applause] >> yeah. Give her a round of applause. So sometimes we might not actually understand because we are living in it and we don't know history when it is happening. This is history. This is somebody who's going to help advance our community, advance our county, advance our country. So I appreciate you. I appreciate your accolades. I appreciate your hard work. I was every school in my district and one thing I always say to my kids is keep working, if you keep working it works out. This is someone who kept working. Someone who didn't quit. Someone who dedicated herself to excellence and congratulations and we wish you well. [Applause] >> you want to speak? >> well I heard about you through my nephew, sebastian (Name?) Who is your classmate at miami beach. Of course she told me how extraordinary you are. Then I got to read a little bit about you in the paper and I hope some of it rubs off on me. Even though you passed at my alma mater, gail. I'm just saying, but we know that you will have a fantastic career. Is not that you are so successful, you are so determined. You work so hard for what you have achieved and you are an incredible role model for somebody. so we are so proud of you. We hope that with everything that you get up there in the northeast you bring it right back here. There is a job for you as long as I'm in my office there is a job for you. Summer internships, too, young lady. Okay, thank you. [Applause] >> mayor. Meta-mayor I think you are going to be in a very long line to get this one hired. Yeah, really, seriously. All I can tell you is, I'm buying some stock in you, young lady, okay? Because you're going to go very far. Thank you and GOD bless you. All we ask is that you continue to make us proud in our great community. With that! MR. Chief! >> well first of all as a fellow high tide and graduate of miami senior high school, a few years earlier than you and an alumni of the school you will be attending I just have to congratulate you. I was a high school debater and student council and when I read the article I was so proud of what our high tide nation, all of you columbus guys, high tide nation. Not only did she get into all eight schools, she had the wisdom to choose the right one. Congratulations. [Applause] >> first of all, congratulations. We know that at schools like harvard, schools like yale, people of color have hd an interesting time. Some people it wears well on them and some people they really struggle through it. So no matter which way you find yourself. Know that you can reach out to people who will show you favor. Who will shine light on your face. Know that you are never alone because you are not alone. I don't know if you have apply to any hbcus. At least apply to a few of them so you can throw them in the mix as well. Congratulations. [Applause] >> you are not shy. >> on that. Good morning. I just want to say thank you to commissioner gilbert for inviting me here to be recognized, but also to the entire county. The work that you guys do every single day does not go unnoticed and you guys have continuously empowered youth like me so I'm very appreciative of my time here in miami and then going to use everything that I've learned here to tackle the world. So thank you so much. [Applause] >> with that! Let's get a picture. [Camera shutter] >> okay! Congratulations again. With that we now have another special person. We have a lot of good presentations today, but with that commissioner sosa. Front and center, ma'am. you have a special presentation. >> yes I do, MR. Chair. Thank you and I hope you all join me on this one. I want to excuse my colleague, commissioner Mcghee. He is the prime sponsor of this presentation. I cosponsored the presentation with him, but he is going to be late, but he is not going to be on time. He has asked me to do this presentation on his behalf to someone who is very special to our community. I want to call doctor jose dotres, our own miami-dade county pub. Schools superintendent. Please come and join us. [Applause] >> MR. Dotres, I am honored, together with the chairperson, the myor, and all of my colleagues today. The journey that has led to this moment begin many years ago when you came to miami from cuba. You were only five years old and you enrolled in the miami-dade pub. County school system. From there you graduated high school and have attended many institutions of higher learning in the county starting with miami-dade college, florida international university, barry university, university of miami and st. Thomas university. With that miami-dade county education, you have proven yourself to be the educator to educator. Teacher, don. Danceable, don. Administrator, regional superintendent, assistant superintendent. All the way up to superintendent of cholera county and now back home with your experience that you have in our own county. At the fourth largest school district in the nation. It was just rated a level school district. It is incredible. It is because of all of you and the leadership. I've no doubt in my mind that you will be an incredible asset to our community. To our children, and to our future. So with that, on behalf of mayor daniella levine cava, on behalf of our chair josc diaz, on behalf of our college. It is not us. We do not place ourselves in this position. It is the public. It's the residents of miami-dade county that are the ones that join forces in proclaiming today, tuesday, JULY 19 of 2022 as doctor jose dotres day in miami-dade county. [Applause] >> we are very proud of you and I know that you are going to make a difference. Not only k-12, but on the needs that we have in the mayor has been very interested in instrumental in that. Adult education, technical education, vocational education because that is the future of this nation. So thank you. Thank you very much. >> meta-mayor a couple of words? >> yes, thank you. Well I am so moved by your own story and that you came as a young child. You were not in english speaker. He went on to teach in the slo program and now to lead this great great public school system and as you know we met even before you took the job. We planned, what could we do together? And we are doing it. So I cannot be more excited for your leadership, for your administration and all the great things that the counties going to do together with the school system. Together we can. Okay. [Applause] >> doctor you are an incredible person. We have been friends a long time and am I going to repeat everything that was said because you know how I feel about you, but now it is time for you to say a couple of words. >> absolutely. First of all I want to think commissioner Mcghee and commissioner sosa ad the entire commission for this recognition. It's very touching and it's a true honor. I value and really recognize the incredible leadership that you provide to this community. My story was pretty much said. I'm a product of this county and I am so so fortunate that I now come back and serve as a superintendent. I came back and I was in collier county ad thought i would be continuing doing the work there. The opportunity arose here in miami-dade county pub. Schools and they came back because of the folks, rght? The individuals that are in the school district, but however more importantly because of this community. This community invests in our education, in our teachers. This community has invested in the safety and security of our school sites and it's just a true honor to be a part of the district again. It is an aerated school district and I want to brag about a couple of other things. So in our state we have 67 school districts. Only 14 were rated in a. I'm very proud to say that miami-dade pub. Schools is rated eight out of the 67. Again thank you very much. I'm honored to serve because the children in our community deserve the very very best. Thank you for everything you do and your entire leadership of our county. Ready? ? [Camera shutter] >> all right. Commissioner cohen higgins. >> good morning, everyone. Good morning, welcome everyone to chambers. I want to share with you just a couple of words about a part of the county MAY not be familiar with. This is south minded county. You don't see on television shows can we don't see it in till -- it's in the south. The area I have a pleasure of representing we have wonderful communities and I have the pleasure of representing one in particular that is truly special. As a district a commissioner of the pleasure of representing the amazing palmetto bay, the awesome homestead and today I am recognizing the truly exceptional town of cutler bay and the reason I'm recognizing the town of cutler bay is for their environmental stewardship. You hear about environmentalist and when you hear about environmental as yu typically think of individuals. Today I'm recognizing an entire town that went above and beyond to protect and conserve our environment. In public service we don't only have the responsibility of being responsible stewards of your tax dollars. We also hold the responsibility of being response will stewards of your land and the town of cutler bay, amazingly had 8.4 acres in the town I could have gone to developers but it could have gone to high-rises. It could have been paved into a parking lot, but instead after a ton of work and years of investment they purchased the 8.4 acres of land for environmental stewardship and cnservation and have an incredible project to talk about. So this morning I want to welcome up the town of cutler bay to recognize them for their incredible efforts towards preserving our environment. [Applause] >> so long with our madame mayor, our CHAIRMAN, our vice CHAIRMAN, my colleagues I do hereby proclaim today tuesday, JULY 19, 2022 the town of cutler bay, a.4 acre conservation and resiliency project day. Thank you so much, everyone and I will and over to you, mayor. Mayor broad and susie. >> thank you very much. Over 12 years ago it was the residence of our town that found it important to preserve our time. As you said they're not making any more green space. Cutler bay, they started the eel application started by the citizens 12 years ago and the funding has not come through with that yet and we have act. The developer was going to build on that land so the town of cutler bay decided to go ahead and take the bold initiative and purchase it. That was almost half of our entire budget for that year, but we knew we had to do something. Cutler bay is going to lead the charge, but you know what? We're looking for others to join us and we have a great partner in the county as we move forward looking for ways that we can help spread the burden of preserving green space for not just cutler bay because this is a regional issue. This is a county issue. Quite honestly it is a state issue as well. I just think the board of county commissioners, the mayor, the CHAIRMAN, and the vice chair for your support in making south florida the best possible place to live and preserving as much green space and showing a genuine concern for the environment. Thank you very much for your support. >> so this was my district. It is still my district and I have the great pleasure to pull weeds on this site and to plant native species and to look at it now it is just gorgeous. It is amazing. So people should go appreciate it. It took cutler bay and your foresight in your environmental focus to make this a reality. There were naysayers. There was lots and lots of pressure and because of your commitment, your investment, the people of cutler bay, we were able to get some heal dollars from the county to invest and now it's a little mini paradise serving our environmental needs as well and everglades restoration. So so proud to have been a part of it. It's a beautiful beautiful heritage piece for you, but also for the whole county. Thank you, thank you very much. >> yeah! [Applause] >> MR. Mayor and of course michael greeted together we had an instant not too long ago. There was a little bit of flooding. I know a thing or two about flooding. So I will tell you that I look forward to working together. My colleague especially who came to me. We will find a way and solution so that will never happen again. Even though I think mother nature had a big hand on this one, but we will find solutions. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for what you've done and I salute my colleagues for recognizing you. GOD bless. [Music] >> the guardianship program miami-dade program is a nonprofit agency which acts as a public guardian for adults who are adjudicated, incapacitated, and reside in miami-dade county. The program is quite unique. Not just in florida, but around the country. For starters the guardianship program is the state's oldest and largest of the public guardianships as handle roughly 55% of all the state cases. This represents approximately 1600 people during the course of the year. As a public guardian for the 11th judicial circuit court systems that move the cases. So I want to thank you. Where are you? Carlos? My old friend. It has been a long time. >> since you are the mayor of sweetwater. >> that was yesterday. Without on behalf of us we want to thank you and I know MADAME Mayor you always have something to say. So come on up. >> well of course I am very very impressed with this program. It is a model for our country and they are doing GOD's work every single day. These men and women who make sure that are not exploited. That people have the means to be healthy whether they are disabled or aging. It is through the court system that you are assigned, but it is through the love that you exhibit every day and the stewardship for the limited funds and the special needs of this population. So we're just so proud to call you our own and by the way you need more support, don't you? So a little plug here for the guardianship program because they really, they need our love for the love that they give to the community. Thank you so very much. Thank you. >> (Spanish). You have a good team next to or behind you as a sacred. >> we don't do it alone and this is part of our staff that is here today we are very unique across the country and most people hven't heard of us except maybe law enforcement or the fire department. Every now and then you have to assist one of our individuals, but we thank you for your support and the support financially from the county and we haven't even asked for any more money. So thank you very much. >> thank you, carlos. My eyes. They are in my pocket. Resolved that mayor daniella levine, myself as f as the chair of the board and my colleagues are here today and the members and the residence of miami-dade county, which is over 3 million people. That's a lot of people. Do hereby proclaim that today I'm date county wednesday, JULY 28, guardianship program of miami-dade county incorporated 40th anniversary day. Congratulations. [Applause] >> let's get you in the middle. [Music] >> so just keep piling in. Come on. >> okay as they are coming down. As you all know, as you all know a couple of weeks back, red ear flight two or three decided to make a different type of landing in our airport, but let me tell you something. With that catastrophe would have taken it to a different level and beyond. We have people in our community that now what they are doing. They are professionals. They train all the time. And they train for situations like this that nobody expects. When you hear an aircraft crash could immediately the worst comes into your mind because usually there is no survivors and in this case thanks to the men and women that responded and responded the way they did and of course staff and everybody participated. There was some minor injuries. No loss of life and the things got taken care of in a record time. That is thanks to you guys. Thank you for what you did. On behalf of all of us. [Applause] >> this is why it is important to give these presentations to gallant people who really put their life in the way to make sure that they take care of others before themselves. It is not easy knowing that a plane could blow up at any time, but they ran to it and made sure everybody got evacuated. Check the plane out and did everything that needed to be done and today we are here once again to say thank you. So with that you want to say or do I start with the airport director? >> so I was landing right at the time that this accident happened on a different airplane, okay? That's right. Right away on my phone the text message came in with some photographs and so when I got to the gate I said, let's go. So we wanted to meet with the folks that were coming off the plane, but one thing or another and went out to the site and many of the people here today were there and many of them were working behind the scenes because one side of the plane was on fire. I think you saw the pictures and on the other side people were being safely evacuated from the pane. The fire rescue trucks came within a minute. They were there. This is extraordinary. [Applause] >> it was truly a sight to behold and american airlines stepped up and said we will help with the removal of the plane and to take it to the warehouse. We are going to get a commendation aren't we for the faa for this effort, are we? You will tell us more about it because it really this was the picture-perfect handling of a disaster that could have been a total catastrophe. Also, customs and border patrol. They worked themselves like in a frenzy as always and not a single person missed a connecting flight. >> very important! >> very important. So between our police and our fire, and our miami international airport staff. We have american airlines help. I don't know I'm sure I'm leaving somebody out and you will tell them, ralph, but it was one of those real aha moments for this new mayor. Like my GOD if you're going to have an accident you want to have it at miami international airport. Thank you. You know what I mean. Knock on -- >> give me the microphone back, mayor. >> if you have to have one we know how to take care of you. Thank you, thank you ralph. >> I have to take the microphone away after that one. Seriously? MR. Airport director. First of all thank you for your leadership. Alright? That leadership, if it is in their things don't get done. So thank you. >> thank yu. MR. Terry, MADAME Mayor pretty much covered it so I will be brief since I know we have worked to get to, but I am very proud and very honored to have all of these men and women here because they are the ones that made it happened and I'm going to put what you and me are put in context. That flight crash landed at 5:30 P.M. On monday, JUNE 21. Our site units old on the call as well as our air rescue and we were there in about a minute and 15 seconds and fire rescue was there in a minute and 30 seconds foaming on that wing as the mayor said. To put that in cntext the faa requires us to be there in three minutes. Requirement. The test is once a year. They come down into annual inspections and our team, please, fire, cpd. Drill, drill, drill every day. They did it in a minute and 36 seconds. There are 141 people alive today because of the men and women standing here behind us. So those of us who have played team sports they say, you play like you practice. These individuals practice every single day to make sure that our airport is sacred that we are taking care of. You know cpd helped us clear those passengers and got them on the connecting flights and where they need to go. Our maintenance staff make sure that all of our runway lights were repaired. That everything was repaired. Correct. We had to clear all the foreign object debris and got both runways that were impacted. Runway nine and runway 12 back in 72 hours. so when I was on site the ntsb they put into writing and told me it was a stellar and professional performance and I could not be more proud of our team. That's all I have to say. It is all about them. >> thank you. I know the airport is in your district and you always have to say something about that one. >> I have to say one thing. I have to ask you for a favor. Let's give a wonderful applause to the best fire department in the nation and the best police department in the nation! [Applause] >> thank you! Thank you because it cannot be possible without you. Your leadership, MR. Director, MADAME Mayor, or my colleagues. Even though this happened on an airfield enclosed two runways at mia, persons from every section of the airport came together to assist. Terminal operations had the assistant director credit whole rooms for the affected passengers and security protected the route and landside directed traffic and outside fire units all the time. The cbp came to the crash site to guard the passenger and buses. Mdad maintenance supplied employees to assist in the cleanup. Even mdad procurement division was able to get us 26 employees in short notice from the janitorial contracts to help us. American airlines and everyone was together. so we owe a lot to fire, to police, to the leadership of the airport and to all of the employees of the airport that joined forces together to save lives. Thank you. Thanks to you all there are a lot of people together that are able to enjoy with their families. MAY GOD continue blessing you and thank you very much. Thank you, MR. Terry. >> outstanding! [Applause]. With that! Armando? She go, hurry up. Somebody help him up. Front and center. >> all right guys. Thank you so much. >> all right guys! Thank you, thank you, but I have to clear you out. >> okay! We have two more and we will get them done. All right quietly guys, quietly. Quietly, quietly, quietly. So with that there is a gentleman, there are two presentations left. I leave one for the end, but I have a gentleman, all right let's keep it quiet! Come on! Guys if we could move the group up there so we can get them through. Thank you. Commissioner martinez stop holding everybody. Let's go. Okay! All right with that there is another gentleman that is very special to all of us and today he came really cute! I'm going to say it that way. Yes! Look at that. You know gray and pink. That works. Where is my fashion guru? Where is the vice CHAIRMAN? All right MR. Daniel borges. Come on down! Come here, danny. >> when did you start? Did you start when you were five? >> alex started when he was 10. >> where is my fashion guru? Where is he? Not when I need him. >> he is too afraid. >> he had competition. >> your competition today? [Laughter] >> we had someone who started working when he was 10 years old in the county, alex. Danny started when he was five and danny is an incredible man that has taken care of this building and us for a very long time. In doing so he has done it with grace. It never complains. Just solves the problems and I know the mayor, you know, is one of your best. He has done this for 37 years. Yeah! That is a long time, man. So I will tell you, you know, and he is only 40. With that MADAME Mayor say a couple words. >> we know danny because he is down there in the lobby smiling at us when we come, when we go. Danny has shown me a few little secrets. There's a special place where there is a little, whatchamacallit, little microphone that covers the whole building. Some of you have heard me. Little other secrets. We got him to put down the benches and the tables for socializing for the employees. Truly danny is an incredible human being. He always cares about the people. He cares about the chickens. A little thing between us here. I like the chickens and he cares about the people who are in need. We have a little office to help them right in the lobby. Little social service department and he has also got an extra job. I don't know if you got permission. You know you have to apply for those extra jobs. He is an actor. On behalf of miami-dade county. So you will see him with the elections department. It with the parks department. Look closely at those faces those advertisements and commercials. I don't know how they discovered your hidden talent, but you do us great honor. We love you. You so much and congratulations. We are so grateful. >> thank you, MADAME Mayor. Who is here with danny? Come on up, guys. Come on down. Don't be bashful. The familiar is here. Really? Seriously, guys? oh this is special. Somebody make sre to bring them up. Hold on, hold on, hold on. This is a first. Wow, danny. >> that is the first time you have been dressed up. >> all right (Spanish). Everybody's here. So bring it tight. Who is this one? Danny who is this one? >> my granddaughter. >> your granddaughter! No, no. You said you were 40 so we will keep it there. Danny before I give you this a couple of words. >> wow. (Spanish). Thank you everybody for being here. I'm very honored to be here. I have been here for 37 years as a public servant and one of the things I'm most proud of is I'm not just a public servant. Serve the employees here also. I do both roles. I'm here to take care of everybody here and make sure all of our buildings are safe, secure. Our grass is cut. Everything is done. I'm very honored to have my mother here. My mother was also quite yeah, baby! [Applause] >> she worked for the county for 42 years. She was a head brain at the hispanic branch library. Really happy to have her here. My family. My daughter, my brother, my granddaughter, my girlfriend, my son, and my whole family from miami-dade county because I really feel everybody here is my family. I've been here 37 years since I was 18 and I pretty much lived everything as an employee. 18, 18. If you do the math it is 56 and I have six more to go so you're not getting rid of me at. Not yet, not yet. >> another one, MADAME Mayor. >> okay, but there is a very special lady here that I want to hear some words from. Say something. >> I'm very proud of my son. He started to work when he was 18 and is still going. I had the pleasure of introducing him to the county and right now is the second generation and that there is 3rd generation coming up. My son is also a county employee. David. >> thank you very much for everything and for coming today. >> it is our honor, ma'am. He is incredible and it makes it great for us. So let it be resolved, mayor daniella levine cava, mayor of miami-dade county there are so many of these already. Myself as CHAIRMAN Of the board and of course my colleagues that are here and over 3 million people in miami-dade county on behalf of all of us, okay, let it be proclaimed that tuesday JULY 19, 2022 as danny borges day. But we are not done! Really after this. This is a first. ever seen this? Anybody else? Dude you are turning red. Okay. There is something special. See? Wait. You know, danny has a lot of keys on. He has the keys to everywhere. Nygren asked too much, but while we appreciate him and the work is done in everything he has done there is a special key that we wanted to give danny. On behalf of my staff, my colleagues, okay. This is something that is very well deserved. I don't know what the hell is going to open it, but you will find something, right? So on the behalf of all of us thank you, danny. GOD bless. In q2 is he, myself, and everybody who put this together. Let's get this proclamation here and picture time. Let mom have a piece of this. [Applause] >> if we could be a little quiet, please. Last, but not least. To my colleagues, mayor, this is a very very special presentation as the others have been, too. This is a group of gentlemen that are called the makasi warriors. I have the honor and privilege to introduce and recognize an extraordinary group of men this morning. The makasi warriors are made up of three divisions. Aviation division, naval division and commando division. these men fought communism 60 some odd years ago in the republic of congo in africa. Most if not all of these men saw what communism did to their motherland, island nation of cuba. These men are men of action. They travel to other sides of the world and engage the enemy that was building a stronghold of communism in the congo. These men have never been recognized for their efforts. Or their actions due to the scope of their work. These men are true heroes. Today miami-dade county is proud, very proud to thank them for their courage, their bravery, and their devotion to our nation and our way of life. Ladies and gentlemen I am beyond honored and proud to introduce the makasi warriors. Please come on up. If you can. I know some of you it is a little hard, but if you can make it up please do. Come on down, guys, please. Please come down. I know that we have some pilots. We have commandos. And we have some that like to navigate. So with that please get together right here and family. We also have some very important people that are here who would like to say some words. Before I do I want to say thank you on behalf of my colleagues, mayor, and the 3 million people who live in miami-dade county. You guys have shown bravery beyond what anybody could expect. you went to a country. He did not know the language. You do not know the land to well. You didn't know, except enemy and what you needed to do and you conquered and you did what your job and your mission was entitled to do. So all I can continue to say is thank you, but I have other people, too. Command sergeant major would you like to join us? >> thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN, MADAME Mayor. These great warriors on behalf of all the service member, my fellow service members of special service command south we want to say thank you. This is long overdue. Way long overdue so you inspire us and your heroics, your bravery. Your fight will never be forgotten. You fought the russians and other communists in faraway lands and you did not hesitate. You will not be deterred. You will not be dissuaded. He stepped up and acted and we could never think you enough for that. So on behalf of all the servicemembers of my command and the station I want to say thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of this. Thank you for finally doing this long overdue recognition and any time that we can do anything for any of you please don't hesitate to ask. We are forever in your debt. Thank you, sir. >> command sergeant major hall. Thank you for everything you do for all of us. It is fitting and important that I want to hear a couple of words. So who wants to be the first? >> hey, guys. This is just a note from the commander of the makasi group. Jayne hall's who cannot be here today. He is in texas and I want to note they sent. Thank you my muted county for noticing the courage and fortitude for these men who were dropped into a hostile place with a mission to save lives, the lives of the innocent. These men were equipped with only ingenuity and courage. They knew they had no prospects for aid. If shot or injured. Those saved were children at the time of their rescue and have lived entire lives because these rescuers mighty at first. The same courage and ingenuity, and great was exhibited throughout the entire cuban-american contingent, the ground force, the air force and the naval force. These men are more importantly, their families have received very little recognition. No metals, no rose garden thanks. They have always known that is the way it would be and then they are asked for more. What they do have that no one else can ever deny them is the respect, admiration, and affection of those here today and those remaining few who were in truly know how bravely and honorably these men performed. of course gratitude for those who were saved. What these men had were each other. Their mutual trust, respect, pride in their performance and their dedication to the eradication of communism. These were no expressions of entitlement then and there are still none. They took the condition come circumstances and threats that were presented and did what they were tasked with accomplishing. They were not mercenaries. They were paid modestly and did not participate in the looting and theft that was possible and ramp it by others less honorable. Instead they were disciplined and proud participants in historical event saving the lives of thousands including many of those saved who were privileged. >> let's please quiet down in here and show some respect. Sit down. All of you that do not need to be standing up that are not part of the county. Staff, please take a seat. Thank you. >> from all over the world to attend the 50th commemoration in 2000 -- in order to exclude the rescuers to say thanks for the lives, the actions of these men and enable them to live. The -- congo diary starts with his own admission that this is a story of failure. His first attempt to export the castro revolution ended in a knot diminished retreat fleeing across the lake. He then went to bolivia to felix's and and he got the proper sendoff. He recognizes the success of the makasi cubans who repelled his every effort and interjected his supplies and weapons from across lake (Name?). Resulting in his defeat. I believe these men cherish that humiliation and his thugs more than any deserved recognition. Almost 60 years later there are lessons in those events that we are honoring today that are relevant to today's war on terror. In a relentless threat of communism and its excesses. By other names as we witness in ukraine. He takes dedicated men and women of intelligence, judgment and courage willing to go into harm's way to protect the lives of the innocent and to destroy those of perverted political and religious belief who seek to harm us, exemplified by these men. We salute those serving men and thank their families. Jim haas, thank you. >> investor rod johnson would you like to say couple words please? >> I want to add all the words that have already been said to thank you for fighting what has been an infestation in this world. Communism. We have seen the damage it did to my wife's country and your country, to cuba. We have seen an attempt to spread to other places around the world, but we have never seen it benefit anyone. we've always seen it cause harm to the people. To the people that live there so I think you so much. It is so-it is such a pleasure to see you finally get the recognition and the honor that you deserve here today and mayor thank you. Thank you MR. CHAIRMAN for doing this. Outstanding. Thank you. >> thank you, and better. And better thank you fr all the work that you've done throughout the years. With that I one more person who wanted to say something. >> hello my name is janet rae. I have a message from those of the cia that served with these men and from the missionary children. You lost your country. You have the scars of the loss of cuba's freedom, but when the united states needed you you volunteered and went. You lost comrades on the wall of the cia there are three stars of cia people who were with you and we are so very proud that you fought for our country, which is your country. Thank you. >> thank you, ma'am. >> commando uit. Please hold. Gus, by the way gusts thank you for all your hard work. Naval division. Aviation division. >> I just want to say word. You said you save the last for us and we've been waiting for this for 55 years. We can wait another hour or so. Thank you so much. >> any of you? no boss, members of brigade 2506 after what happened we came back to miami and we were all recruited in miami and we were asked that the united states if we would volunteer to go to africa and fight communism. Of course most of the pilots started the makasi were brigade at 2506 members. We went to africa. It was not only an honor. We had to. We had to keep on fighting communism. Especially there were cuban troops under the leadership of (Name?), plus all the tribes that were on the communism. The people on airplanes did their job. There was not a combat that was not helping us. Also we had the navy patrolling lake (Name?) And the commander who saved, I think it was 19 missionaries in the stanley bill as they were taken by rebels. We are proud we did our job. We lost three of our pilots and if we had to I think we would do it again. Everything for this country. >> it is an honor to be here with all of you. I was not with makasi. We admire you. Everything you did in their. I'm proud of the brigade that was part of it. So an honor to all of you. >> thank you. Anybody else? Johnny? >> thank you, mayor. Thank you to all the commissioners and it is true. It was time to recognize the efforts of the makasi group. I didn't go. I went to the bay of pigs, but I'm representing the family of one of the makasi members, which is afrank cortez. He was very proud of his participation and one oer the things is that he didn't have the chance to go to the bay of pigs. However wen the time came to go to africa he said I'm going because I have to defend this country. I have to fight communism. Thank you very much and congratulations to all the members of the makasi. >> thank you. With that, absolutely. >> I just want to say everyone in (Word?) Or 65. One night in (Name?), fall back, he run like crazy ducks with his tail in the back and he disappeared from the aea. That's the only thing we can say to his death. (Name?) Was finished. We did not finish him, but he ran out like crazy. Thank you. >> thank you. [Applause] >> with that. You want to say anything? No? Okay. Again let's get a picture. Please join us. There is no greater honor and thank you for allowing me to have the honor of saluting you with my colleagues, the mayor and the citizens of miami-dade county. Felix come on in. Gusts get in the picture. To my colleagues. we have to get the (Word?) Up front. (Spanish). [Music] >> all right guys if yu don't mind we have to kind of move. Chaplain if you stay around. Grab one of the microphones around here. Guys, we need to move. I need to get the meeting going. It is going to be a long one for us. All right please continue to walk out. We appreciate it. Thank you. >> gentlemen if you can make your way out. Those that are here for the meeting please sit down. Sergeant in arms please help out. >> chaplain, chaplain. Can you do it? State your name. Who you represent. All right guys let's go. Please. Please sit down. Unless you are county staff please make your way to a seat. MADAM Mayor . Please, guys. I'm not going to ask again to sit down. All right at this time if you could please stand for a moment of prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance. MR. Cohen higgins lead us in the pledge of allegiance and the prayer of a special guest today that will lead us in prayer. Chaplain, sir. >> can warning ladies and gentlemen I'm chaplain lieutenant colonel omari thompson of the special operations command the south in homestead florida. It is my honor to bring forth the implication. Please bow pretty gracious GOD of all power and glory we thank you for this privilege and opportunity. We ask that yur presence be with us as we go forth in this board of commissioners meeting here for the great dade county. I thank you for your presence and power and I ask for a spirit of cooperation, a spirit of teamwork, a spirit of collegiality that all the plans might go forward and will prosper that you be glorified and that this great county will continue to do great things. It's in the matchless name of jesus name we pray. >>all: amen. >> please turn and face the flag. >>all: 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. >> outstanding. Up up up up up up up up >> MADAME Clerk. It do us the honor, please. >> good morning. >> good money, ma'am. >> commissioner cohen higgins. >> commissioner garcia. >> commissioner hardemon. >> commissioner amen. >> commissioner higgins. >> good morning, I'm here. >> commissioner mrtinez is present. commissioner Mcghee. >> yes, good morning. >> commissioner monestime. >> commissioner regalado. >> present. >> commissioner sosa. >> present. >> commissioner suoto. >> vice CHAIRMAN Gilbert. CHAIRMAN Diaz. >> here. >> we have 10 members present. We have a quorum. >> thank you, ma'am. With that MR. -- MADAM Attorney. Both pretty good morning. >> good morning. >> how are you guys? Good to my. >> great. >> you ready for this marathon? >> of course. >> with that I think -- let's just go into the reasonable opportunity for speakers. I have a list of names on the following items. A few people. Please you come up to speak state your name clearly. State your address and you have two minutes to speak. So reverend victor hickson, senior. 981. Doctor choy (Name?). 981. Elizabeth ice on, 9a1. Giovanni castro, 11 let