Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Agenda

on >> thank you MISS Brown. >>chair: now have our citt ambassador of the year award which goes, first that if the CHAIRMAN Of citt would join me. Welcome MR. Wolfarth. Are you going to do the honors? That's awesome. >> good morning everyone and thank you MR. Chair. And alex montalvo, congratulations. [Applause] We probably recognize you as the 2024 citt ambassador of the year before the members of the hon. Board of county commissioners of miami-dade county area alex, records show you served as a citt ambassador since JULY 2023 and have served 79,650 trends velos points making you the top performer for 2024 . In appreciation of your excellent volunteer service you are awarded 10,000 points last month that the citt ambassador anniversary celebration and presented with a beautifully engraved trophy you brought with you here today. And also last month at our celebration we celebrated our two year anniversary of the citt ambassador program and mayor cava we were proud to have her with us. We have 200,000 volunteer ambassadors covering over half of the better bus network, metrorail and metro mover and our goal this year is to get another 100 ambassadors to fill in the gaps and also transition into our local municipal services so we can get that feedback also and in that spirit for those regular transit riders who want to contribute like alex please consider joining the citt ambassador program. Learn more and complete an aplication or contact our ambassador cheryl MS. L at miamidade.Gov/ citt and there is cheryl right over there. So in closing I'd like to thank you again alex for being a volunteer ambassador and I'd like to thank you MR. Chair and all commissioners. Miami-dade county for your great support in our citt program and last but not least where is our department of transportation interim director and deputy director? Please come on up. Thank you sir and thank you for your partnership and for your cooperation, thank you very much. Before I turn the microphone back over would you like to say a couple of words? >> good morning everyone. Thank you for this recognition . I'm proud to be prt of this program to be a small part of the feedback that we give about the transit system in miami-dade. It's a blessing, and other and thank you. >>chair: thank you so much, let's get in the middle for a good group picture. >>... >>chair: I think that's it, it's a wrap. Okay guys, take your seats, exit quietly, let's get this show on the road. >>... >>chair: quiet in the chamber. Hello, quiet. Take your seat. The clerk please call the roll. >> good morning, clerk's office has received a memo stating commissioner cabrera will be absent from today's meeting. >>commissioner bastien: here. >>commissioner bermudez: present. Higgins: present. >>senator garcia: >>commissioner gilbert: >>commissioner gonzalez: >>commissioner hardemon: >>commissioner higgins: >>commissioner regalado: present . >>commissioner steinberg: here . >>vice chair: >>chair: I am present. >> we have eight members present, we have a quorum . >>chair: guys, please quiet. Let's all stand for the invocation letter today by doctor christopher bennett from first miami presbyterian church at the invitation of commissioner higgins. >> good morning. In an effort to censor our hearts and gratitude for the immeasurable blessings in our lives let us begin with 30 seconds of silence individual prayers of thanksgiving. So take these next 30 seconds to give thanks to GOD for the blessings in your life. Let us pray. Merciful GOD we come before you today with gratitude for this gathering of dedicated public servants who have answered the call to meet, serve and uplift the people of miami-dade county. Grant wisdom, patience and discernment to our commissioners as they deliberate and make decisions that impact the lives of so many. Today we pray for care for each of them and their loved ones and all of our public servants. Made our work be guided by justice and compassion and a shared vision for a community that flourishes in both unity and peace. GOD of grace we also give thanks for the people of this county, one and all his perseverance and contribution to the vibrant and diverse fabric of this region. MAY their voices be heard, there needs to be met, their hopes be sustained and paint each of them be seen known, nurtured and cherished. To that end lord made this meeting be filled with understanding, mutual respect and commitment to the common good. For all these things we pray in the name of the GOD who blesses us and guides us towards abundance and flourishing. Amen. >>chair: thank you rev., please join me in the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under GOD, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >>chair: you MAY be seated. >>chair: all right not an attorney, is it in order to go ahead and move into reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. >>county attorney: good morning, yes. >>chair: I'm going to open up reasonable opportunity. You will have a minute to speak. i'm going to call your name, please line up, approach the well. You will have a minute to speak, go ahead and state your name and address for the record. Just for sharon frazier , is sharon here? Sharon, so let me, hold the second. Your signed up to speed on 11a2 but that item was withdrawn, I will allow you to speak on 14a2 which is a replacement item but I will call you back up when that item is called. Debbie went off. [Reading names] You MAY approach. Name and address and you have a minute to speak. >>speaker: good morning everyone, marion brown 2300 nw. 17th avenue and when the PRESIDENT Got elected he said freedom of speech and he brought back into to regale us that in the community and the black community all the housing phd is growing all the public housing in the black community . It's more black people in the black community homeless and every other race or ethnic people that's in the whole community. I guarantee if I leave here and go into any other country I would not be allowed to do what others have done here. Everyone run to the community for election, we don't see the mayor, they barely see the commissioners, they don't see anyone but when it's time for something everyone wants you to show up and vote. There comes a point where you guys listen to the public, I'm a taxpayer, cut it down to one minute, what is it you guys are afraid of? Let the people speak. The people have a lot of things that want to share. This community has been disrupted, destroyed and taken. I've watched m parents be destroyed and beaten and no one here has ever seen six generations. I've seen my three grandmothers, three grandmothers with ropes on their back and all the things my family have suffered right here in this country. >>chair: MR. Brown, sgts. You hear me say the prson's name more than twice they can be escorted out of the chamber at this point. Don't, you know I'm extremely nice, don't. Do not. Do not. I'm extremely kind and nice with everybody. All right. Debbie , I'm going to let you say your full name. Debbie. >>speaker: 255 west heather doctor I am debbie. I've been a resident of miami-dade county for 34 years and I want to thank commissioner raquel regalado for sponsoring this life saving resolution urging the florida legislature and hands-free legislation. And I would like to thank diallo and alejandro for their help. The commissioners I am here to save your life today or your child's or someone else who you love. My son patrick was killed by a negligent driver, someone engaged with her cell phone while driving. Patrick was on a charity cross-country cycling trip when he was struck by a driver traveling at 8 mph and engaged with her phone. My son was in material science engineer , first in his class at uf, he was a physics and computer science teacher in the bronx. Patrick was a bassist who gained in new york city and boston the subway tunnels. >>chair: thank you . >>speaker: please pass this resolution, thank you . >>chair: [Reading names] >>speaker: if I could take the time of miriam and josh. >>chair: no. Sorry, you needed to register. >>speaker: miriam ramos, I stand before you on behalf of the PRESIDENT Of the cuban-american bar association to speak on behalf of the cause so close to our hearts, the naming of the miami-dade justice center. MR. Soto dedicated his life to fighting for justice and equality and civil rights for minority communities. As a founding member and depressed PRESIDENT Of, he created opportunities to thrive in the legal system that not so long ago was closed off. His contributions extended beyond the legal community. He fought for integration in law enforcement, advocated for education and for dismantling laws tat target the american population. He transformed this community into the one we hold today. Last week of the health and safety committee we heard heartfelt testimony from his family colleagues fellow attorneys members of the judiciary and elected officials who emphasized the profound impact he had on miami-dade county and beyond. Those sports included david lawrence, if I can be allow the additional minutes please. >>chair: no. They can come up and speak. You can't. >>chair: thank you MS. Ramos. >>speaker: city attorney catherine fernandez rundle . >>chair: your address for the record qwest 911 s. Dade land blvd. >> florida supreme court justice john coryell united states attorney mark kinsey appointed chief judge safety, PRESIDENT Of the bar association duane robinson, PRESIDENT Of miami-dade chapter of the national bar association , PRESIDENT Of the miami-dade trial lawyers association nunez, PRESIDENT Of the miami-dade realtor association john alfonzo, PRESIDENT Of the florida bar roland sanchez. PRESIDENT Of the florida bar, bruce layer, osvaldo soto's daughter and numerous other members and past presidents of the cuban-american bar association. In addition I presented a letter supporting this request signed by 400 attorneys, judges and community leaders including mayor francis suarez, carlos cabello . >>chair: thank you MR. Petrone . >>speaker: 7060 sw. 52nd court, thank you for everything you do . In addition to all those previously mentioned willie forever, stuart grossman, michael haggard, robert joseph spurred, john kozak, alex laster a , bob martinez, eduardo petrone, josc and many more. This request is not just for caba comments for all of us. 70% of miami-dade population is hispanic and a majority of the judges sitting in the court are hispanic. A testament to the progress made by leaders of this community. Yet no courthouse is to this day in this sate are named after a hispanic red naming this courthouse after osvaldo soto would correct this oversight and honor his legacy . On behalf of the cuban-american community, cuban-american bar association generations of community leaders we urge you to name the miami-dade justice center after osvaldo soto. His life reflects the values of the courthouse which are fairness and equality and justice. Thank you for your time. >>chair: I have MR. Stearns . >>speaker: good morning mme. Mayor, members of the commission, honored to be here. I'm here this morning on behalf of the courthouse that's about to be opened. I had the privilege of touring last week and I will tell you if you wanted boastful lavish grand extravagant you're going to be disappointed. If you want functional, practical attractive well-planned thoughtful for jurors and well organized for litigants you can do a victory lap. This is a spectacular building. I've been across this country trying cases for 52 years and have never been in a judicial system courthouse that is superior to what is about to be opened. We've gone from the worst to the best by a leap of cosmic dimensions and it is because of the judge bernie soto. I am here today to say I didn't know their father but bernie always said he was the greatest man who ever lived. And you have to take someone who did as much as she has done for this community and listen to her so I heard the courthouse to be named after judge soto's father. >>chair: you heard the board. Giselle gutierrez. >> good morning, thank you for your time. 13061 southwest 10 7th st., miami, fl 33186 . I'm speaking in favor today of item 1a5 I don't like to read a letter from justice john c couriel. I was excited to hear of the proposal to name our new courthouse for the late osvaldo soto. It is not too soon to say he inspired generations of lawyers to work for the cause of justice, I am one of them. he was at the time of the revolution brought into this country already an energetic advocate for freedom. It is our nation's great benefit that he made his career here. He was a voice for many who had another no other expression. Our community sound the way it does in no small measure because of his work. I think he would be happy to count three cuban-americans and one nicaraguan american on my court but he merits the tribute because of what he represents for all americans regardless of origin. With energy commitment and faith in the cause of fairness anyone can help form a more perfect union promised by our constitution, thank you. >>chair: now we have the tax collector gary l fernandez. Tax collector , the same rules apply my friend . >>speaker: don't be afraid. Good morning CHAIRMAN Rodriguez, vice CHAIRMAN Mcgee and commissioners, mme. Mayor. I am tax collector of miami-dade county, thank you for the opportunity to speak. I strongly support the item which will be established penalty and fine for those in tax collector appointments. Right now bad actors are charging fees for something that sould be free and accessible to all. This practice is unfair and harms our most vulnerable community. Thank you for bringing this important measure forward and I urge everyone to support it. Thank you to all of you are always putting people first. GOD bless miami-dade county, GOD bless the united states of america. >>chair: thank you tax collector and we are not frightened. Thank you. That is all I have for reasonable opportunity so reasonable opportunity is now closed. Is it in order to set the agenda at this time? Can you read the items on the pull list? >>county attorney: in addition to today's regular meeting at the appropriate time the board will recessed the regular commission meeting and convene a special meeting regarding the 2023 at the appropriate time the board will recessed the regular commission meeting and convene a special meeting regarding the 20 2324 external audit of the public health trust. The order of the day provides the special meeting will be held at 11 am and we have the following preliminary matters, 8n2, commissioner higgins and regalado at deciding to the pull list, 8n3, commissioner garcia and regalado having the same to the pull list. 10a1, commissioner regalado adds this item to the pull list. 11a2 has been withdrawn, 11a3, the sponsor has requested deferral and has released her up all of the items so with the setting of te agenda this item will be deferred. 1189, commissioner gilbert at deciding to the pull list. 11a10, commissioner bastien and higgins at deciding to the pull list. 11a16, commissioner gilbert adds this to the pull list. 11a20, commissioner higgins and gilbert are adding this to the pull list and 14a5 is being polled by commissioner gonzalez. A request for cosponsorship, 2b2, commissioner regalado, 3b4 are all commissioner regalado. 11a16 and 11a20 cosponsor. 14a1 commissioner bastien. And 14a5 commissioner garcia bastien and regalado cosponsor also cosponsoring 1188. Items will be those listed in the printed final agenda with additions deferrals withdrawals and sriveners errors noted in the germans memorandum. The commission will prove all these items by a single vote except ordinances for first reading public hearings, item 6b1, ordinances set for a second reading in the following pull list items. In addition commissioner cohen higgins is bifurcating 14a1 so these are the pull list items, 8 and two, 10a1, 11a9, 11a10 14a1 and its supplement is a public hearing and iwill mention the request to bifurcate that at the proper time, 1a2, 14a3 is a first reading item, 14a4 is also a first reading, 14a5 and 14b1. Motion to set the agenda is in order . >>chair: moved, seconded by the vice chair and commissioner steinberg . >>commissioner steinberg: I would like to be added as a cosponsor to 14a4 . >>chair: show steinberg added as a cosponsor. Seeing no other items being polled there is a motion, there is a second, all in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed nay, show the agenda hereby set. Shall we go into first reading items? Commissioner higgins, you are recognized the 17th as we have so many folks from the judicial center I'm not sure if you would like to take a 14a5 . >>commissioner regalado: second . >>chair: but it has been polled . We can take it up Let me see something . >>commissioner higgins: is at your discretion there is not many first readings, we will go through first reading and we will take it up bt can we have a little more silence? In the chamber. All right MADAM Attorney let's take the first reading items. >>county attorney: 4 a is a ordinance related to annual independent financial audits and oversight of county boards and the offices that provide administrative support to such boards; creating section 2-11.39.4 of the code of miami-dade county, florida; delegating to the chairperson of the board and the county mayor or county mayorc/b?B=s designee the authority to require annual independent financial audits of such county boards and offices; delegating to the county mayor or county mayor's designee the authority to place certain offices on management watch; requiring reports; providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. 4b is a ordinance related to the west perrine community redevelopment agency (Agency); amending section 2-2460 of the code of miami-dade county, florida; authorizing the agency to employ agency staff, agents, and other employees as the agency MAY require, and legal counsel and legal staff in accordance with section 163.356, florida statutes; providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. 4c is a ordinance relating to the employee protection ordinance; amending division 6 of article iv of chapter 2 of the code of miami-dade county, florida; revising the employee protection ordinance to extend protections to county employees who report violations of certain county ethics rules and regulations; providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. 4d is a ordinance granting petition of lennar homes, llc., for establishment of a community development district generally bounded on the north by sw 272 street (Epmore drive), on the east by theoretical sw 158 passage, on the south by sw 276 street, and on the west by sw 162 avenue; creating and establishing epmore community development district; providing for name, powers and duties; providing description and boundaries; providing initial members of board of supervisors; accepting proffered declaration of restrictive covenants; providing severability, exclusion from the code and an effective date. 4e is a ordinance approving and, adopting fiscal year 2024-25 mid-year supplemental budget adjustments and amendments for vrious county departments and funds, and for constitutional officers; amending ordinance nos. 24-97, 24-99, and 24-102 to make budget adjustments; ratifying and approving implementing orders and other board actions which set fees, charges and assessments for fy 2024-25 and providing for their amendment; appropriating grant, donation, settlement and contribution funds for fy 2024-25 to the county and to constitutional officers; and waiving section 2-1796(G) Of the county code with respect to presenting a mid-year budget amendment not earlier than APRIL 1; amending resolution no. R-454-24 relating to world cup funding; amending section 1-4.3 of the county code regarding reorganization of certain county departments and functions; providing severability, inclusion in and exclusion from the county code, and an effective date. >> 14 a3 incorporates by reference the regulations clarifying the environmental quality control board should not have jurisdiction to variances or extensions of treatment regulations revising reports related to pretreatment regulations, revising regulations pertaining to permits to remove obsolete provisions and make technical changes, and the next day and of environmental regulations amending section 24 b 2.4 revising definitions criteria and requirements requiring sewer district wastewater and storm sewers. Amending section 24 b four for updating reference to state regulations relating to criteria amending 2444.2 incorporating a reference treatment regulations and revising provisions including provisions related to compliance test , amending section 24 b 46 revising provisions related to liquid waste making technical changes providing inclusion in the code and the effective date, 14 a4 relates to the unauthorized sale of service appointments creating section 41.43 prohibiting the sale offered by the miami-dade county office of the tax collector amending penalties, providing severability inclusion in the code and effective date. Those are your first reading items. I have a request to bifurcate 4a for commissioner mcghee. He has withdrawn that request. A request to bifurcate 4e by commissioner cohen higgins. >>chair: any other bifurcations? All right, pull list I have a motion on the remaining items? Moved by commissioner regalado, seconded by commissioner bastien. All in favor signify by saying aye. Mdm. Clerk please call the roll. >>commissioner bastien: >>commissioner bermudez: >>commissioner cohen higgins: for. . >>commissioner hardemon: >>commissioner higgins: >>vice chair: >>chair:-yes. >> motion passes unanimously. Moves item 4e, seconded by commissioner gonzales. We need a roll call, mme. Clerk please call the roll. >>commissioner bermudez: >>commissioner cohen higgins: no. >>commissioner gonzalez: yes for now. >>commissioner hardemon: seeing none ha... I'm sorry what was that? >>commissioner regalado: yes for now. >>commissioner bastien: yes. >>vice chair: yes. Will add I am a yes for now. >> motion passes 9 to 3. >>chair: show them past. Now we will take up 14a5, pulling commissioner from district 11 you are recognized. >>commissioner cabrera: I will try to keep my comments brief and thank you MR. CHAIRMAN are allowing this because I am proud this item came to my committee because I am a practicing attorney and a practicing hispanic attorney. I want to thank my dear colleague eileen higgins for her leadership and for her bravery. I'm also thankful that so many pillars of our community, people I respect and people I admire all came to voice their opinions on the courthouse but one thing I would be remiss if I didn't mention is I want to state on the record that there is no doubt about the impact harvey rubin has had on miami-dade county and it is necessary that we find a meaningful way to honor his legacy and this is something not only I have said but commissioner higgins has said many times but today I do want to acknowledge that the distinguished career at the contributions that h had. As an attorney I have a deep appreciation for the dedication and commitment it takes to uphold the principles of justice. Osvaldo soto embodied these principles wrote his distinguished 50 year legal career leaving an indelible mark on our legal system and the lives of countless individuals in miami-dade county read the whereas clauses before themselves. >>chair: can we have quiet in the chamber? Can we have respect for the commissioner in the back? Go ahead commissioner. Seeing you are the only pulling commissioner, you move the item? Moved by commissioner higgins, seconded b commissioner gilbert and all in favor, do you want to speak on the item? >>commissioner bermudez: I want to be brief and thank commissioner higgins and all of you that will support this item. And I knew osvaldo soto briefly as a young lawyer but I want to add that his leadership wasn't limited just to the legal world . But the spanish-american league against definition he did fantastic work at a time when this body didn't want to have a lot of hispanics participate in the process so his daughter is here and so a lot of my colleagues that our fellow lawyers I think it's important to remember that the courthouse certainly he was a working lawyer but he also had a great contribution to all hispanics and all members of the south florida community area that he sought fairness and those who remember those battles, many of us were too young but we remember a little bit about the time where there were very few hispanic judges and this body , there was a time where you couldn't speak spanish in this chamber. He was at the forefront of that flight so I'm very proud. >>chair: commissioner cohen higgins. >>commissioner cohen higgins: I want to thank commissioner higgins for bringing this item, it is not easy to get 400 attorneys to agree on anything so I make note of that and if it is true there is not a courthouse anywhere in the state of florida that is named in honor of a hispanic, this is truly a historic moment deserving of our praise and the moment so thank you to all of the incredible members of our legal community that came and spoke today, thank you to kathy fernandez rundle because she called myself and many others advocating very staunchly that this courthouse should be named in his honor so it is my pleasure to take this vote today, congratulations to commissioner higgins for the work she put into this and this really is a historic romans, thank you for the opportunity . >>chair: commissioner regalado. >>commissioner regalado: thank you for mentioning the amazing work of salad, for those of us that remember english only and everything that happened in this community, osvaldo soto was a trailblazer. At committee for the hispanics that sit on this day us we would not be here but for the work of osvaldo soto. Just like our friends on the bench would not be here but for the work of osvaldo soto. Jean stearns mentions something that is also heartwarming to distribute and that is the amazing work done. You are your father's daughter so it is with great pride that we support his legacy and your legacy in the naming of this courthouse, congratulations. >>chair: with that I call a vote, all in favor signify by saying aye. >>commissioner cohen higgins: can I be listed as a cosponsor? >>commissioner higgins: anyone who would like can be listed as a cosponsor. >>chair: show us all cosponsoring. Sounds good. Did you want to commissioner hardemon. >>commissioner hardemon: yes. I guess first we should have a moment to realize what we've done so let's acknowledge that. But I would like for this board to hear item 14a1, I have a number of the people from my district that have come to speak. They withdrew 11a2. >>chair: that's coming up now. [Applause] >>chair: all right MADAM Attorney can we go into public hearing items with that will encompass 14a1. >>county attorney: I will read them quickly, improving the education facilities refunding bonds not to exceed $30 million to refinance capital projects on behalf of the lutheran academy for purposes of section 147. 5b is a resolution, designating that portion of sw. 52nd avenue to sw. 69th st. As columbia and its supplement, 5c grants petition of the development district bounded on the north by the theoretical sw. 56th st. On the east by southwest 1 77th avenue state road 997 and on the south by theoretical southwest 3523, and on the west by transportation corridor creating and establishing oceangate community development district providing for named powers and duties initial members of board of supervisors accepting proper declaration of covenants providing severability and an effective date and its supplement, 5d approves the waiver, 5d approves fiscal year 20 2324 supplemental budget adjustments amending ordinance numbers 2376 to make budget adjustments ratifying and approving board actions which set fees charges and assessments for 20 2324 operating contribution funds or fiscal year 2324 in accordance with 720 6d approving certain budgetary reallocations providing severability exclusion in the cold and effective date, 5f is pursuant to section 122 379 of an amended rep declaration of restrictions between miami-dade county 010 of an amended rep declaration of restrictions between miami-dade county 0102 allow the parcels to be utilized for affordable housing, 14 a1 code designates the following roads between nw. 18th avenue nw. 62nd ter. Nw. 62nd ter., northwest 63rd st. Nw. 62nd ter., northwest 63rd st., northwest 56th st. As chase st., northwest 67th st. And nw. 68th st. As big-money dollars street and nw. 69th ter. Is still the baddest street, and nw. 70th st. As it's your birthday st., northwest elliot street is bad boys rico designating the following roads in the jurisdictional boundary nw. 62nd ter. Elliot street is bad boys rico designating the following roads in the jurisdictional boundary nw. 62nd ter. Nw. 63rd st. As I love my dog street and I deserve it all street, northwest 56 three and northwest 56 street as tunnel vision street. Nw. 68th st. As you go girl street and nw. 69th st. As lovers and friends street, nw. 69th st. As lovers and friends st., nrthwest 70th st. As run in the yard street designating that portion of nw. 71st st. Between 17th avenue as no pain ordained street including a portion of 18th avenue between nw. 62nd ter. And 74th st. As memory ln., avenue. Those are your public hearing items. We do have some request for bifurcation and potentially some request for amendment at some point. Senator garcia would like to bifurcate item 5f and commissioner cohen higgins item 14a1 and its supplement . >>chair: garcia is 5f. >>senator garcia: for an amendment if the sponsor is okay with it . >>chair: and item 14a1, okay. We do have speakers lined up to speak though I am going to open up public hearing, any other bifurcations? I'm going to call your name, please come to the well area you will have one minute to speak, stay on topic, state your name and address and you MAY begin speaking. Terrence lewis, kenneth l patrick. Sharon frazier. MR. Roy hardemon. Theophilus williams. Broadway hardwood. Carl henry isidore. Wiley walter and margaret porter. You MAY state your name and address and you have a minute to speak. When I say thank you by the way , you all know what to do. Go ahead. >>speaker: my address is 1337 northwest 100 terrace miami, fl 33147. I am the proud mother of mike smith . And a hip-hop artist whose journey reflects the resilience of culture of liberty city. I stand before you today in full support of commissioner hardemon initiative to rename streets in honor of miami hip-hop legacy. Why? Economic and cultural impact. Hop drives the local economy. Hip-hop contributes billions to the us economy and miami's culture is a major role in that. Renaming streets will attract tourists, businesses and investments to liberty city . More visitors means more revenue for local shops , restaurants and event venues. Job opportunities for the community , recognizing artists who like my son mike smith inspires youth . >>chair: thank you ma'am, go ahead. >>speaker: good morning MR. Chair, thank you commissioners for allowing me through my illustrious commissioner of district 3, thank you for bringing them 11a2 which has been changed to 14a1. I appreciate you guys bringing this. I have always gotten coming from district 3 barbara jordan's district coming from district one coming down to district 3. Since I moved here I've been heavily involved in the model city cac. This is a say it makes sense, this makes sense but we also want to be in our neighborhood in our community work play and eat area last sunday I went to 14a1, I spend money. I had to adjust to his culture but I'm asking you commissioners to please support this. Make it make sense. Fair is fair. This is our community and we need to stay engaged and do things in our community area and I'm tired of driving and spending my money and other communities which I don't mind. Commissioner garcia because I go to hialeah a lot. Thank you so much, GOD bless you all. Kenneth kilpatrick. Actually, go ahead. First I want to say 18th avenue is long overdue for what they need. When I ride through everybody out here is having fun doing what they want to do. It's time now to put this to a halt and give us what we need to make our city look like others. For so long we've been on a burn. We've been burned and we are , you all are receiving but we're not giving back to our community so we want 18th avenue to lok like every other people come here, development comes here and you award them, we need the same treatment you all give others so I'm asking the board of commissioners, let's move this 18th avenue in the right direction to let the people enjoy this community so that we can have some like others have, thank you . >>chair: can you say your address for the record? Who is this, sorry? Kilpatrick, can you say or address for the record? >>speaker: theophilus williams . >>speaker: can kilpatrick northwest to 90th avenue at first I note that 18th avenue is the district which with it comes a reasonable expectation of our expressions that challenge our norms and force people or exploration. Street renaming as proposed accomplishes the intended controversial impact and thought provocation that could draw on the admiration of the arts community around the country and hopefully around the world. We should be noted the community is eager to see the comprehensive renaissance of the broadway arts district and we expect this will happen in accordance with the 18th avenue plan in 2022. Final note is that I don't think it's the burden of the community to defend or oppose sreet names, if that burden is yours with that burden we expect the arts district would be controversial enough to attract tourists in the arts community abroad and smart enough to allow for expressions that expose the african-american experience while clearing a path for community pride. >>chair: thank you, MR. Hardemon. >>speaker: thank you, former representative roy hardeman, CHAIRMAN Of the liberty city democratic club and we're here to support this item because we have already started the economic boon in our neighborhood. This would bring a little more focus on our area and when we look at the fact that every neighborhood from wynnewood to calle ocho to miami gardens they have a theme, our theme will be named after the different songs are people created and I think that's fair. It will allow us, we in the community as african-americans with the board of county commissioner, the mayor which is our county manager to take us serious about what we want to do for our neighborhood and that is name the streets after these different lyrics and have a good day. >>chair: thank you MR. Hardemon. >>speaker: mining first name is broadway, last name is harewood. Like commissioner hardemon said earlier the art was us crying out for something new, something better, something great. I can see the vision, I hear the vision and I want to be engaged with the vision so we the people from this area look forward to marching and standing behind our commissioner 100% because his vision will take us to the next level. We need to move the state. Thank you and please by all means don't hesitate to vote yes. >>chair: we've got carl henry isidore and margaret porter. Are you all still here? All right. There is one gentleman coming up . Public hearing is now closed. >>county attorney: I understand commissioner hardemon has a small amendment to the item. >>chair: can I get to the item? Thank you MADAM Attorney. I will call it up first, 14a1, commissioner hardemon you are recognized. >>commissioner hardemon: I appreciate everyone coming out to speak, obviously other people allow people to speak on their behalf which is fine. Just to get it straight out of the way the first amendment I want to make to this item is to delete the reference in the last sentence that says that code designates the portion of 18th avenue between 62nd ter. And 77, 71st st. I'm sorry as memory ln., avenue. That shouldn't be there so we want to delete that from this. Commissioners, we've had some discussion about this at our last hearing. For those of us that were present, we don't have a full board today either but I wish that we did. Because there's a few things I wanted to make claim. First, I understand that I miami dade county we've named predominantly the vast majority of streets have been named after people. And because of so we even started to implement certain policies to ensure we were naming it after people that met a certain regard in society. So that's why in which we created this policy that says that they must do this, they must d that, they must not be living up to people from your , there's a lot of policy about this, let's put it that way. Our rules don't sort of consider out-of-the-box naming. Although we've done it. And I say that to you to say many of you have heard the term azuka. Who says azuka? Hardemon celia cruz. She was at the height of her career when she met that he appointed band and what was different about her than most as you would say human people who were in america? Her skin tone. She considered herself to be afro-cuban. So she was she would say this term, azuka. And it was much to me in the same light as you would say the term or dj calle would say the term we are the best. It's one of those things they stamp on all their music even if it had nothing to do with the actual song. It was a simple. What did it mean when she said it, who was she referring to when she said azuka? So it was a reference to black who had been enslaved in sugar factories in cuba. It was an acknowledgment of black people in a place where she was being really displaying her culture all over the world. My question to this board is you think that miami-dade county ever in the industry azuka? Some people say no, some people say yes. I would tell you that on calle ocho there is a street called azuka. I think it was bruno guerrero that named that street. What's the distinction between calle ocho and ne. 18th avenue because it is night and day. Calle ocho was full of vibrancy, music, food, culture. You have ice cream places and cigar factories, many of them races where you can just relax and enjoy tourism and we send people there. And so I bring that up to bring reference to this because this is in a sense our azuka. No one fought this body when they wanted to name that street after not her name but her music. Something that was recognized by the latin community for decades and still is. So in our community what we're seeing on 18th avenue is we have similar music. You sick and I want to say something about music, music is art. We don't question the art. We don't question for instance if you're the mona lisa we don't question the mona lisa and say in all actuality her nose should have been a bit broader because during that century the native to that land would have had broader nostrils and the artist wasn't being quite politically correct he did it because she should have had broader nostrils, we don't make that comparison. I am asking not to do that with the language we choose to use in hip-hop. In hip-hop artists tend to use language that isn't always correct english if you will. So for instance people will say in the lyrics all the time conversation. Conversation isn't a word, the word is conversed the way the song was made is how they go about using that sort of language. And in the 1950s or so during the time of segregation 18th avenue was the place to be. When people would travel down to south florida they would especially people of color and especially artists so anyone from betty wright to harry belafonte, these individuals go to miami beach, they would perform and when it came time for the sun to come down they had to leave the beach. It was the order of the day if you wll. You need to leave the beach. So they would walk into areas like overtown, welcomed to areas like brownsville and would come into areas like 18th ave., 18th avenue was the place to be and juke joints and it had bars and it had restaurants and it had living quarters. That's where they named it broadway. Broadway, broadway came about the official name came about 2006 when there was a commissioner named dawn rowe who decided it was robert to recognize the history of the avenue and renamed it broadway . But not much came after that . There was no economic development, no investment to the area, no push to make broadway a special place in our community. So since I've been elected that's my mission. My mission now has been and where on the point where we are moving to the next phase of what it takes to bring broadway to the 21st century. And allow it to compete with other areas like wynnewood and overtown so what does it look like? I know people are looking at this, first I'd like to say I think the street naming has already proven itself to be true. These streets in this community in such a way it would invite a lot of attention and attention we have gotten. We've gotten national news reporting on miami dade county readying itself to name an avenue after music is dear to the miami people. And I'll say this about music. Some people were wrapped around an axle about certain songs. Certain songs were set on the record that are not part of this item and were never part of this item and since the last item some songs were taken out and put in red on not meriting any of the songs on this list, I am meriting what we're doing, the purpose of which is to cause economic development if there's a song or a lyric or a reference to him people don't like I invite you to work with me right now to say you know, is there a way we could change this one for that one, I would appreciate a little more , that's what this is about. It's about working together to list a neighborhood that needs this work. I am not beyond taking recommendations because I am not, well I'm saying hip-hop but it's not all hip-hop on this list. No pain no gain but eddie rogers is not a hip-hop song. Welcome to mia is not a hip-hop song so there's songs that are mixed in , lovers and friends is not a hip-hop song but if you play this music to the people from this area they are going to light up like it's 4 JULY. So the essence of this is to encourage economic development in our community. The essence is to bring a light to let people know this exists and you should come and see it and I think where we are in phase 1, phase 1 and this board has been part of phase 1 because you helped put and approve money to 18th avenue right now if you go to 18th avenue there's been a lot of construction happening. We have new bump outs for parking, we've reoriented the parking. We have plans planted in the right-of-way. We have new trees that are there, new lights install. We have traffic circles that are there with beautiful trees . The lighting hasn't even been turned on on 18th ave., we are waiting to bring it to life. So this physical improvement along with the street naming together is a way of saying we support what's happening in this space to show people we care about what the space looks like and how we introduce new people to the area. The second phase of 18th avenue has to be the encouragement of investing into the structures that are in the area so for example if you drive on 18th avenue there are many many structures that are without, they are gaping holes in businesses and residents roofs on 18th avenue in businesses and residents roofs on 18th avenue we have to change that. It needs support. If you go to 18th avenue right now and I'll say this about the music a lot of the businesses are already paying it in the area after hip-hop artists. The same way on calle ocho, it's interesting. On calle ocho there's a place where they play dominoes and you seen mayors visit this area from the city of miami and interact with those individuals playing dominoes there. It's part of their thing. It is a cultural and tourist attraction at that space. They do the same thing on 18th avenue and broadway park but I would dare tell you we've never had a mayor visit there to witness what's happening. So tere are a lot of cultural similarities that happen between 18th avenue and also calle ocho but what we don't see is and what we haven't seen when we want to encourage is the total embracing of that space. And I think if we are able to do that and include the music, include these artists and what I intend to do as much like what commissioner gilbert has done where you have one of the artists that were putting the music on this avenue and fluoride is an international known artist and he's broken many records beyond what you all can't even fathom but he's a hip-hop artist who people don't talk about it but he invested at least $10 million in buying real estate which is a commercial structure all of business storefronts in miami gardens so now it's like the first wholly owned black owned commercial development in miami gardens which is spectacular. What does it mean for them to come to the space and say maybe I'll buy a parcel there, put a mixed-use development there. Maybe I'll have a place where because they also have a studio 183 which is another place of cultural significance to miami gardens. They took a place which I remember when it was a restaurant, it was called, what was a cold, the love boat? I think it was the love boat. Had great food. I'm sorry, I'm getting there. But it's now a place that's affectionate to the area and they go there for music and dining. I want that for 18th avenue. I want that for 18th avenue so you all will be helping me accomplish this by doing so and I think that it is a novel idea that it is out of the ordinary when it comes to street names but it is the right thing to do for this narrow entertainment corridor. And I will say that in closing designations are not final. This is not something five years from now even if you want to change the name in the next commission meeting we have the authority to do that because they are streets co-designations. They are not cemented, not ironed in stone and things that would be offensive necessarily to the individual with the name being removed. So because of those things I hope that I have your support. I wish to have your support and I think the community wants to support and I'll tell you the individuals are excited we're talking about 18th avenue they didn't expect it to be such a long conversation about street names but I'm glad we have it because it's really exposed that there is a great need on 18th avenue and I think if we continue to pour into it we can have a positive affect in miami-dade county and begin to do in 18th avenue what we've done in places like overtown which is literally as introduced nightlife and find restaurants into a space that people would never come to. So I want to do that 18th avenue and they want to as well. >>chair: commissioner from district 5. >>commissioner higgins: thank you, this is an interesting and innovative idea. I saw the discussion, the lively discussion at committee and I do appreciate the revised item . The only one that worries me as a woman is grind with me harris, I don't want to walk down any street where somebody can say that to me without permission and I don't want girls and women so if you can find a different song you said you're not married and I did read the lyrics in this case grind doesn't mean work, and means what we think it means. So if you would agree that this is off and you would find a different street name for that particular one I would be willing to support this but I can't really vote for that particular street . >>commissioner hardemon: I will say the song is grind with me and one of the artists wrote grind on me so to that point I don't mind making tat amendment. >>commissioner higgins: to me it is a problem. And I'll trust you to pick something else, you don't have to present it to me . >>commissioner hardemon: I will work on it right now. Senator garcia. >>senator garcia: I have one issue on the church streets, there is a church there, I don't know what street it is but do you have anything of that street? >>commissioner hardemon: let me find out which street. She said 66 that's right. >>senator garcia: I will look through it . >>chair: tunnel vision street I am told. The commissioner from district 11 followed by bastien the sponsoring commissioner I can tell you I support each and every one of the names. I can tell you I know all of them, I know some of them. What I can tell you is I applaud the concept. And I actually think that whether this passes or not in years to come people will look at this as visionary and I know miami herald will hit me for this but I'm going to be completely honest, in the 13th century something very similar was done in florence by the meta-chief end of the plague was out, the church was losing control and you have this one family that concentrated on positivity and art, controversial artists like michelangelo. They adopted this 19-year-old kid and had him explore his mind through art and impact people and had bring people into the church. We forget that while art is being made its highly criticized. You look at somebody like ed or allan poe when he died poor in a bar yet he changed the culture. You look at somebody like william shakespeare and now we look at him and say what a genius. At the time they would say he was writing plays for fools. So I think part is definitely a way that you can increase positivity. I think art is a way you can express yourself out of negative connotations and out of a negative environment and mke it positive. I see what you're doing here , I applaud it and I'm going to support it. >>chair: commissioner from district 2, you are recognized. >>commissioner bastien: thank you MR. Chair. As we like to say miami is a capital of the americas. And more and more in the months ahead people will descend here for all over the world. Why do they come to miami? They come to miami because it is strange, diverse , inclusive sexy place. I believe this will bring more culture to miami. It will increase the allure of miami and that's what we want. We want a place that is always sizzling, that is dynamic, that is vibrant. That has allure. And I guarantee you just like the commissioner we will look at this and say wow, this guy has vision. A vision for miami that people from all around the world that want to pay money, buy a ticket to come and visit . Thank you. >>chair: I am being asked and I wouldn't normally do this by the person in charge of the estate of celia cruz because when she had nothing to do with the african african cuban slavery, the person in carge of the estate of celia cruz . >>commissioner hardemon: that's what the internet says . >>chair: I am getting texts. >>commissioner hardemon: you have artists on your speed dial? >> is not an artist, he is just in charge of the state but I've got a few. Azuka. Commissioner regalado, that's it. >>commissioner regalado: thank you and commissioner hardemon I want to thank you for your thoughtfulness. For those of us that know the area we know that not only is the investment in miami-dade county is making in it way overdue. But that many people have tried to change it. When we talk about what it's been and what it could become too commissioner bastien's point I think we all recognize your vision. It's one of those things where if you're not willing to risk the criticism that comes from the unusual you have no choice but to settle with the ordinary. And I think that you've done that well. This is not something that I need to do in my district. I have a very different district . I recognize that you know your district and you need to attract people there and create economic opportunity and that is no different than the conversations we have with the vice chair when kionne talks about what is happening down south or when commissioner bastien talked about the need to bring house into her district so I agree with my colleagues, I'm happy to support you, not here to pick the songs, that's on you. But I think that you are correct in that this will bring a movement and that's what you need, you need momentum. You need something to effectuate the change. And sometimes when you have a community like ours that has so many broken promises, so many broken promises you need to have something that's dramatic and unusual to break through the ordinary. Because people in some neighborhoods are just used two being forgotten and if were going to change that dynamic we have to do something that is extraordinary so happy to support you in this endeavor . >>chair: no one else, senator garcia. >>senator garcia: I voted against this last time. First of all I hated the way it came to us as it did at such a late hour and I understood you did it because of the timing for the completion of the street. Second of all I didn't know there was public input as related to some of these street names and I appreciate seeing the public that came out to testify in reference to what their vision for their community is and while we are a representative democracy and we elect members to represent us it's also important to make sure we hear from the public and hear from individuals and people I respect so thank you so much for standing up and speaking on some of the streets . I too had an issue with the grind with me street so I appreciate you looking into that and I understand the connotation. But I'll tell you I take 17th avenue many times to come from north dade, northwest date to come down miami-dade county. And I understand the plight of that community ad have gone to 18th avenue and I've seen the progress you've been doing their with that road. We've been there a cuple of times and have had the good fortune to be with some friends going down there we've had conversations about what potential impact this could have two the community itself. Even though not a big fan of some of the lyrics in the songs who am I to stand in front of a way to do something innovative for your constituents ad I think it's time we tried to do everything we can to uplift communities and I think this is something that will start bringing people into those communities, start getting money with small businesses there as well so I appreciate what you are trying to do. Just to make sure the street across from the church, I think I saw we are the best way? >>commissioner hardemon: it is closer to my dreams. And the exchange for grind with me, we cn make people change. >>senator garcia: for those reasons commissioner hardemon I will support the item today. >>commissioner gilbert: commissioner hardemon thank you for the item, I too wasn't here at the last meeting and I should have watched this discussion. it was interesting because I spent time on 18th. And in a former life I was the legislative aide , I see you out there so I've never seen that much interest in 18th ave., I've never seen it. I applaud what you are doing and I know and listen to a lot of these songs to. I would note about the songs on this list and this concept that what I thought about was miami-dade county because if you pulled up my title I have a lot of hip-hop and also country. I also have some gospel, r&b, classical. You would think I have an eclectic music taste but that's kind of our community. That's kind of our community. We are not one thing and what makes us special is we are not one thing . This is just a part of us and I see this as an appropriate expression. The other thing I would note to my colleagues, I've said this before, I'll say it again. If something has a uniquely district effect, it doesn't affect the broader county, it doesn't have a countywide implication. I think it's appropriate to be deferential to the district commissioner who is elected by the people in the district. I don't know whether we do this in district one but I do know that you're really to quote one of your songs, you own the streets and you were born on those streets. If you stay working in those streets and I trust you to make a decision about those streets. And you said something at the last commission meeting I thought was completely appropriate and it made me understand you understand the scope of our authority as a board. You said that this is going to work but if it doesn't work we will change it. It's a co-designation. We will change it. It's appropriate for us to pass this and I am supportive of this item. >>chair: vice CHAIRMAN . >>vice chair: this is going to be one of the those most consequential pieces of legislation I can brag to my children about since I sat in the chair and watch you defend it, push it through and more than anything watched you represent your community the way they elected you to do so. I want to go back to something that commissioner raquel said that was very interesting. I know colin powell came up with a term along with george bush, shock and on. But the term of art you came up with today speaks volumes. The term you came up with today was dramatic and unusual. I do believe I'm going to adopt that as part of my vocabulary when I see something that needs to be dramatic and unusual. What we're seeing today based on the conversations and feedback is nothing dramatic and unusual, it's dramatic because the world hasn't seen such input from our community to bring about a shot /dramatic hit that will force you to pause in your position whether you are for or against. Secondly this is unusual. Normally when we speak of miami-dade county we speak of the city of miami and we are speaking of wynnewood. Design district, coconut grove. Coral gables. We are speaking of all those places where individuals who would board a bus normally the double-deckers would travel throughout miami-dade county with their camera phones and take photos. You've done something here again that will be told for years to come. Economic empowerment, economic influence. Now that tourists are going to know on 18th avenue they can find these streets and take photos in order to show people they actually stepped foot in miami-dade county is second to none in my humble opinion the best I've ever seen so congratulations, I look forward to supporting this and let's celebrate this, this is huge. >>chair: we have five minutes left to our time and join me with the public health trust. >>commissioner hardemon: one last thing, not very long. The first black PRESIDENT Of the united states was barack obama. The question I have for you is do we have a street in miami dade named after barack obama? That gentleman says yes. Most of us don't know where it is. Most of us didn't even know it existed so I say that to say we can do these one-off things that means nothing but many people won't. It's not enough buzz about it to attract people that I think this in and of itself is creating a buzz to attract people to this space and I would appreciate you supporting it and I would move to approve this item. Been seconded. I commend you for your innovative sense of fortune but I have to stick to my original vote but I know your heart is in the right place and you are doing the right thing for your district but I have to stay with my original vote for personal reasons. With that all in favor, do I need a rollcall? All in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed nay >>commissioner higgins: and you will work on 60th