Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

>> test miami-dade . >>chair: I'm oliver gilbert, chair of the board of county commissioners for about 27 more minutes. This is the presentation portion of our agenda and we use this portion to recognize people of organizations, express sentiment, this is when we bring people in and say things about them. This morning the mayor has asked for a special presentation so I recognize our mayor daniela levine cava. >>commissioner rodriguez: half the people in the room are here for this award and the other half will understand why it's such an important occasion so welcome. We've had an exciting day or two. We were up to tallahassee to install our speaker of the house, a local homeboy, we were so excited, danny perez. Right on cue. Thank you MR. Speaker, very good. We're also saying goodbye. >>chair: excuse me everybody, I know this is sometimes, I see you still talking at the door, you all sit down. I will start to call your names . The mayor is speaking, we are into our agenda, be quiet. >>mayor: have a little respect. Good morning again everyone. I want to say thank you to our speaker of the house danny perez for being with us today, thank you very much MR. Speaker. [Applause] We are so proud of your great achievements and your leadership and it was a great personal privilege and joy to be with you yesterday in tallahassee. I woke up dreaming of all the good things that were going to come to miami-dade thanks to our local leadership and we also have representative vicki lopez in the house and I don't know. Where is he? Is, representative rizzo and the former representative vance aloupis, I will recognize her again. As I was saying we welcome and we also bid I do. I have a great privilege and some sadness to tell you about our wonderful outgoing director of the department of public works, eulois cleckley. They've given me some remarks to say to recognize the incredible achievements that he has brought to our county but I was thinking coming over of something very personal. MR. CHAIRMAN. [Inaudible] The wardrobe guy. So we recruited eulois from denver where he had made a huge impact in the great impression and brought him here and he has led through many challenges and accomplished great things in a short tranny of time and when we heard rumors he might be looking for something else we were actually delighted that he made it something right here at home to head the underline here in miami-dade county. So I was thinking of the award the greater miami chamber of commerce gives every year, the sand in my shoes award for people who've made a real difference because of their incredible dedication to our community and I was thinking what was it that made miami-dade county sticky for eulois that he decided to stay here? You will have to tell us that, eulois. I don't know what you might tell us but the truth of the matter is he came, he conquered and he stayed so we are excited you're going to be moving to our sister agency underline and making sure we have the greatest not only mobility options but that we are doing it with flair in a beautiful setting and that is what the underline is about what I'm going to briefly tell you some of the trendsetting things that have happened under eulois's watch. The smart program is coming to fruition under your watch. Yes. The s. Dade transit way will be the nations, not the nations, the world's longest emission free bus rapid transit corridor. Yes. And I see javier betancourt here, our partner with citizens information transformation trust to made this and other parts of our smart program possible, thank you so much. We have our secretary of transportation for the state, stacy miller. We call her the secretary even though she is just our secretary but we love you and we are so proud of your partnership and you and eulois have been a formidable team in tallahassee and beyond. At which point I have to acknowledge commissioner eileen higgins so I said knows more about transportation than GOD. I hope that's not , you want me to go quicker. Okay, but this is really important. And you know, it is my installation day for second term so give me a little space please. Just a little. I know, later I'll have more chances. Door is open at 4:30. The south dade transit operation center is another huge achievement and it's in homestead and we have the mayor of homestead here, there he is . It's not just a state-of-the-art facility but also our model for sustainability and innovation that will inspire agencies across the country and we also have federal approval for the northeast corridor to enter the engineering phase. Hooray. I see josc with that. You're going to share the rail . These are the kinds of projects that will truly transform us into best destinations and we are the only public transit agency growing since the pandemic so we are extremely proud of that and I want to say thank you for leaving behind such a great legacy, you're not leaving it behind because you're making sure we have incredible mobility options along the corridor so thank yu, it's been up personal privilege to work with you eulois. Very grateful. [Applause] >>chair: be it resolved that daniela levine cava, mayor of miami-dade county, CHAIRMAN Gilbert ad board members of the board of county commissioners in this entire community do hereby proclaim wednesday, NOVEMBER 20, 2024 as eulois cleckley day in miami-dade county. Congratulations. [Applause] You all gather around for a picture, picture time really quick. Three steps back please? All right, big smiles everyone. Let's go right here. Big smiles, big smiles. One more for good luck. >>chair: thank you all, the meeting will begin imminently. >>... >>clerk: commissioner bermudez. Commissioner cabrera. Commissioner cohen higgins. Senator garcia. Commissioner gonzalez. Commissioner hardemon. Commissioner higgins. Commissioner mcghee. Commissioner regalado. Commissioner steinberg. Vice CHAIRMAN Rodriguez. CHAIRMAN Gilbert. 12 members present, we have a quorum. >>chair: sgts. If you could secure the chambers. If you are not sworn law enforcement, like actually sworn law enforcement, not you wanted to be a police officer when you were a kid, don't stand up, find a see, there are seats available. We are going to rise for the invocation and pledge of allegiance as soon as they finish setting us up. Bow your heads. GOD, we reference ourselves and come before you with a grateful heart. Thank you for allowing us to have one more opportunity to express your word in this work. We are here on this day we've never seen before and will never see again. We have today to do good. I appreciate your work and the wisdom you gve to this board, this body. Bless this county, bless this administration, bless this state. Amen. >> colorguard, please present the colors. >> now I welcome a few special boys and girls who are part of the county's community action and community services headstart program to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. [Applause] >> it's a privilege for me . >>chair: mdm. Attorney. Good morning. I think it's probably appropriate that we go into reasonable opportunity to be heard. Open the agenda for folks to actually address the commission. All right, a reasonable opportunity to be heard is open. I have names, people have signed up. I have four names, when you come up you have two minutes. Feel free not to use all two minutes. Use as little of the two minutes as you want and give me your name and address and then we're going to start backlog and if you see me say thank you, it's our polite way of saying your time is up. So please, names are steve klausner, lawrence ventura, and I see you standing up there but you can go ahead . >>speaker: thank you chair, vice chair, commissioners, mme. Mayor. Congratulations to those who will assume leadership positions later this morning and on installations later this evening. My name is steve here in my capacity as mayor of the city of homestead with an address of 100 civic court in homestead. My discussions with respect to item 11a6. This commission accepted the findings of a report nine months in the making with respect to the construction of a multipurpose entertainment and sports venue on approximately 22 acres of city-owned land included in the miami homestead speedway. This proposed facility would be the new home of the 75-year-old homestead rodeo as well as a venue or all manner of other events beneficial to the city and the entire county. And to become a hub of entertainment and sports for the far south end. The plan described in the narrative for today's item 11a6 could be seen as a duplication of the effort with the homestead project passed just two weeks ago. For me it is an imperative homestead projects continue to progress in a partnership between the county, city of homestead, homestead miami speedway in homestead rodeo association. It is requested no action should be taken today that could be utilized to justify any delay or attempt to relocate the homestead project. Upon learning of this item late last thursday it was confirmed that neither space florida nor homestead air reserve base had been notified, briefed or consulted as to the compatibility of this item. The sponsor of this item has not been able to MISS Schedules and discuss this item despite our efforts. That's it. It's a fast two minutes, thank you. >>chair: you are recognized. >>speaker: larry ventura representing homestead air reserve base, thank you for the time. I submitted a letter on behalf of this item to everyone . Comments this morning are brief, this is on the agenda item 11a6 title the homestead air reserve base multipurpose port complex and while the base support initiatives to support economic development there are aspects of the project that merit careful consideration to ensure compatibility with the bases operational and security needs. The proposed development which includes plans for a retail commercial and sports facilities will need to be evaluated by the air force for operational security concerns from tall structures as well as aircraft operational compatibility. To address these concerns I would request the opportunity to provide comments during the due diligence phase and for the explicit inclusion of air force consultation as the project develops to ensure its ongoing compatibility with hard operations. We look forward to working with you to ahieve a successful outcome for everyone involved. >>chair: thank you. Balase and nya balase. >>speaker: thank you, sorry I am not signed up to speak. >>chair: one second. Okay, so we don't get too far afield on our procedures was there a time limit where people had to sign up to speak? >> for reasonable opportunity, yes . >>chair: so this isn't open mic. If you don't sign up generally you don't speak. So is there a reason you didn't sign up? >> I apologize, I did not arrive here by 9:30 so I apologize. >>chair: tat's going to be challenging but thank you for coming. You are recognized. >>speaker: good morning mayor, esteemed CHAIRMAN And esteemed members of the commission, my name is nya balase, cofounder of systems are us bridging the digital divide in miami-dade county looking to close the digital divide in miami dade county through training programs and access to technology for the underserved community. Our ordination is it is a part of miami foundation gives day and we've already raised $50,000, we are raising $100,000 and looking for support from the 13 commissioners to get us past our threshold. The digital divide is real. I don't think I need to talk about the importance of technology and our youth being engaged in a way that brings them in. But my sister and I cfounded this organization and we wanted to use this time to bring it to you guys attention what we are doing in the county . >> what she meant to say is great news, we got the commitment of $50,000 and we are raising $100,000 so we are here to ask for additional support on that what she said some of the most important things is technology right now. We know access is important for technology. We see where innovation and ai is taking us and we don't want to leave our youth out of that conversation so this is vital work and we want to ask for your support. My name is adia balase and this is nya balase and our organization is assistance are us . >>chair: I appreciate the fact you are sisters and that you did the two minutes together. I was just reminded, did you sign up to speak? >>speaker: my response is I've had a couple of your colleagues asked me in the last 20 minutes to speak . >>commissioner higgins: we've already had the public hearing on this item. >>chair: I don't even know which item it is. >>speaker: I will be brief. >>chair: you will be brief because you are not recognized . If I start doing that I have to go back and let him because , so no I'm not doing that. No one else has signed up. Reasonable opportunity to be heard is now closed. We are now on the agenda. Before we get into the agenda I was writing into the building this morning and I think this is an appropriate story to share. My algorithm on insta gaham is crazy so it gives me the funniest things sometimes and I never know how it's going to play out but there was this video about this mn and he was in a crocodile park. The owner of the park came out and said if you, if anyone jumps in their and they swim across when they get to the other side I will give them $1 million. But it's all these crocodiles and they show the video and it's all these crocodiles and no one jumps in and one guy jumps in and he swims really fast and makes it across and sure enough he gets to the other side the guy gives him $1 million and tells him he's very brave but they get back to the hotel and the hotel manager says you're very brave, can't believe you did that and he says I didn't jump in, someone pushed me. Someone pushed me and then his wife smiles and says yeah, someone pushed him. So the moral line that story is behind every great man there is a great woman and my wife is here. Welcome, you know it must be a big day, she is here. she definitely pushes me. We are on the agenda. >> your item is item 6a1, election of the chair and vice chairperson . >>chair: do we have to approve the agenda first? >>county attorney: not on your order of the day . >>chair: you are recognized commissioner period for a motion cohen higgins for a motion. >>commissioner cohen higgins: thank you for sharing that your beautiful wife is with us and anytime I hear the saying behind every good man is a great woman I like to say is often true that it's next to every great man is a great woman so I second that ,thank you for being here. Thank you for recognizing me for the honor of making this morning's nomination for our next CHAIRMAN Of the board of county commissioners. Before I make that nomination however I want to take a moment to say thank you to our current CHAIRMAN Who has served us honorably and with dignity and with incredible energy and insight for the last two years. When he was nominated as CHAIRMAN Two years ago the CHAIRMAN Before him wasn't on the dais to have that applause so if the chambers will join me and I'll round of applause for our outgoing CHAIRMAN. [Applause] >>chair: you all know the meeting has to end quick so come on . >>commissioner cohen higgins: as we know leading a county of 3 million people, managing a $13 million budget is not easy . Sometimes it's even difficult to mnage 13 commissioners that sit here on the dais and it's not an easy role and it takes a special person to want to ascend to that role, someone I want to take on that leadership role and the leadership of that is a big task but tankfully we have someone among us that has worked very hard for the last two years and has thrown his name in the hat to be our next CHAIRMAN Of the board of county commissioners, someone who does not seek out consensus but rather molds it, someone who does not follow paths but carves paths and leaves a trail. Someone who has invested time and energy and devotion not only to this county but to all of us here as his colleagues we have attended funerals together, attended births of children together. We operate as a family here and being the CHAIRMAN Of this board doesn't just mean leaving this incredible county of individuals, it means leading this body of individuals and it's a special role and it takes a special person. We are , I'll keep it brief because our CHAIRMAN Values that. We had the installation of our coming speaker who value that as well so I will say with levity if he is not fighting over which commissioner has the best hair and there was actually whole one which commissioner has the best hair this is someone who's always tirelessly fighting for his community. If he's not schooling everyone on the dance floor with his sulci moves he is schooling everyone about the importance of dignity, respect and appreciation. This is someone among us who we we are fortunate to have house our colleagues. He is not only commissioner, he is a businessman and finally man. He is a lover of his cuban culture and moreover a lover of our entire miami-dade county community and it is my honor to nominate as our next CHAIRMAN Commissioner anthony rodriguez. [Applause] >>chair: pursuant to the rules set out by the office of the chair this motion requires a second. If you all let me run the meeting. Let me run the meeting. I'm joking. One last joke. I'm going to second the motion. You all know this, I know anthony knows this because I had the privilege of sitting here with him for two years. So about a year ago I made up in my mind we need to be the next chair. So he's been running the meetings. He's been doing the job . I made up my mind because I understood its temporary. You all are a wonderful group of people, I have so much respect what you all are are difficult. Your difficult. No, but really. he has the temperament to understand not just your passion that you are passionate because of the people you represent. And he doesn't take it personally that way. He's able to move past those things and understand they're all going to want to yell but ultimately it's a calm voice and steady hand that runs this county. He gets that so we've been doing this transition I think for a year. I'm so over comfortable about the type of chair he will be for this county and it's my pleasure to second the nomination of commissioner cohen higgins for anthony rodriguez. Are there any other nominations? You are recognized for a comment or a nomination. >> I moved to close nominations . >> second . >> because there is no other person by ascension join me in a round of applause for your new chair anthony rodriguez. [Applause] We have one more piece of business to do. Hold on. Please, you all take your seat. We have several older traditions for an older commission, we were the first commission of this new iteration of the county commission, the new generation . One of the traditions I started is I'm starting today is MR. Speaker you'll appreciate this. We don't use the gavel because there are 13 of us and we have a lease officer right here though we say stop and people stop but we're starting this tradition, it's the crystal gavel tradition and it will be passed to every CHAIRMAN Of the county commission. It's my pleasure. [Applause] MR. CHAIRMAN, the gavel and the dais is yours. The meeting is yours. >>chair gonzalez: thank you guys. First I want to say thank you for putting your trust in me today, to each and every one of you. Look forward to working with each and every one of you over the next two years to shape the agenda and the future of the board of county commissioners. Just a few weeks ago we had a very very important, very important before the few weeks ago comment is I want to thank my wife and my kids with us here today. [Applause] As you all know we can't do this without her support, with the kids yesterday she sent me a text saying she needs me home more. So baby, I'm sorry this needed to have gone a different way for the crew. Thank you, I love you. Guys several weeks ago we had a historic election and we for the first time in decades collected five new constitutional officers. I think that was very telling of the residents of this county when they opted for these offices to be cnstitutional officers and that is them sending a message they want their representatives at any and all levels of government to be accountable to the voters and be transparent in their actions. Colleagues, as we chart the future path of this commission together I would encourage us all to keep that edict in mind. We are elected by our community to serve them, not to serve ourselves or implement special interest agendas. Thank you again for this great honor and I look forward to working with each and every one of you. Thank you guys. [Applause] Met an attorney what's next on the agenda . >>county attorney: at this time it would be appropriate to take a brief recess to get you sworn in as chair of this commission and then we can proceed with collection of the vice chair meeting. >>chair rodriguez: fair enough, show us recessed. . [Recess]... [Recess] >>chair rodriguez: clark please call the roll . >>clerk: commissioner bastien. Commissioner cabrera. Commissioner cohen higgins. Commissioner garcia. Commissioner gnzales. Commissioner hardemon. Commissioner higgins. Commissioner Mckee. Commissioner regalado. Commissioner gilbert. German rodriguez. we have 13 members present, we have a quorum . >>chair rodriguez: all right, mme. Attorney what's in order? I liked the vice chair of the board of county commissioners? >> it would be appropriate to solicit nominations at this time . >>chair rodriguez: the floor is open for nominations and I'd like to kick off by making, I'd like to take this time to nominate colleagues a colleague of ours who I personally have known for many years and have had the privilege of serving with not just on this body but also in the state legislature. In a place where sunshine is not a street and were able to bond much more and create real relationships. Someone had the pleasure of sitting next to the last two years and it's been fun , it's been a fun roller coaster to look over and sometimes tell me he needs to speak up, not speak up so much. But definitely a good friend to have next to me and I look forward with the support of this body to have him as the vice chair of this board of county commissioners over the next two years. With that I made the official nomination. Like the CHAIRMAN Said before former CHAIRMAN Not so fast. I know everybody's eager. But is there commissioner bermudez is officially seconded the motion, any debate or other nominations. >>commissioner hardemon: i moved to close nominations. >commissioner egalado: second . >>chair rodriguez: nominations are closed, congratulations MR. Vice chair. >>chair rodriguez: congratulations vice CHAIRMAN. Mme. Attorney is it appropriate for him to take his oath of office now. . >>clerk: a brief recess before we take the oath of office. >>chair rodriguez: before we do that I like to recognize the new vice CHAIRMAN For a few words. >>vice chair: thank you to my colleagues for having this trust that you placed inside of me and with me. MR. CHAIRMAN if it's okay with you similar to how you and our CHAIRMAN Emeritus commissioner gilbert and yourself recognize your better house I like to also recognize my better half stacy Mckee who is here with us also. And go the comments made by my CHAIRMAN . We are here for the people to support the people and work for the people and with that said MR. CHAIRMAN these are my remarks. Thank you. >>chair rodriguez: let's get you sworn in. We're going to take another brief recess to get the vice CHAIRMAN Sworn in. >>. [Recess] . [Recess] >>clerk: commissioner bastien. Commissioner bermudez. Commissioner cabrera. >>chair rodriguez: guys, hello. Can we raise the mic? Hello. We don't want to speak without a mike. I am cuban and I can speak without him mike. Sergeants, hello. Where are our sergeants? >>commissioner regalado: I don't think you should use the crystal gavel. >>chair rodriguez: continue the roll call. >>clerk: commissioner cabrera. Commissioner cohen higgins. Senator garcia. Commissioner gilbert. Commissioner gonzales. Commissioner hardemon. Commissioner higgins. Commissioner regalado. Commissioner steinberg. Vice CHAIRMAN Mcghee. German rodriguez. We have 13 members present, we have a quorum. >>chair rodriguez: mme. Attorney can we set the agenda? >>county attorney: we have some preliminary matters. Item 2b1, commissioner regalado is adding this item to the pull list. 2b5, commissioner regalado at this item to the pull list. 3a10 and supplement, commissioner regalado as the item to the pull list. 11a1 and its supplement senator garcia and commissioner cohen higgins add this item to the pull list. We have more. >>chair rodriguez: but wait. 11a2, commissioners regalado and cohen higgins add this item to the pull list. 11a4, senator garcia and cabrera add this item to the pull list. 11a5, commissioner steinberg regalado and higgins add this item to the pull list. 11a6, add this item t the pull list. 11a6, senator garcia and commissioners regalado and cohen higgins. 14a1 and 14a2 are being polled by senator garcia. 15b1, commissioner cabrera adds this item to the pull list. We also have a request for cosponsorship from senator garcia who wants to sponsor 11a7 so the items considered would be those listed in the final printed agenda with withdrawals and strainers errors and items I just mentioned. The commission will approve all these items by a single vote except ordinances for first reading, public hearings and the following items. 11 a 100 supplement, 1182, 1184, 1185, 1186, 1481, 1482, 1483 ordinance for first reading, I will read that when we do the first readings, 14 b1 and 15 b1, a motion to set the agenda is in order . >>chair rodriguez: moved by commissioner gilbert, second by commissioner cohen higgins. All in favor signify by saying aye. >>commissioner higgins: would you like me to move 14a1? 14b1 as well. >>chair rodriguez: shows moved, seconded by commissioner regalado. All in favor signify by saying aye . >>county attorney: 14 a1 and 14b1 were not polled. 14b3 is a separate item. 14a1 , 2 and 14b1 are part of this motion to approve. >>chair rodriguez: motion and a second. This is also a voice vote. All in favor signify by saying aye. Show those pst. Mme. Attorney are we on the public hearing items? >>county attorney: we have 14a3 as a first reading item if I can read that quickly, and ordinance relating to subdivisions in the incorporated and unincorporated areas amending section 28 b 11 of the code revising standards for issuance of building permits after it attended a flat making technical and conforming changes providing severability inclusion in the code and an effective date, that is 14a3. >>chair rodriguez: do we have a motion on 14a3? Moved and seconded by commissioner gilbert and all in favor signify by saying aye. Show our first reading item approved. >>county attorney: commissioner cabrera has a procedural motion with respect to 14a3. >>chair rodriguez: you are recognized. >>commissioner cabrera: it I think we need a roll call if it's an ordinance. >>chair rodriguez: thank you MR. Half attorney, clark called the role. >>county attorney: commissioner bastien. Commissioner bermudez. Commissioner cabrera. Senator garcia. Commissioner gilbert. Commissioner gonzales. Commissioner hardemon. Commissioner higgins. Commissioner regalado. Commissioner steinberg. Vice CHAIRMAN Mcghee. German rodriguez. Motion passes unanimously. >>chair rodriguez: commissioner regalado you are recognized. >>commissioner regalado: I polled 2b1 and 2b5, I'm happy to release those reports and make comments if I can have the attorney read item. Rodriguez: give me one second. >> it's about moving it to the next meeting. >>chair rodriguez: you are recognized to read commissioner cabrera was item. Speed. >>county attorney: commissioner cabrera moves to suspend rules regarding review and a six-week municipal notice requirement as to item 14a3, ordinance pertaining to planning and building permits, schedule second reading of the DECEMBER 3, 2024 board of county commissioners meeting and an end item 15b1, publish al notices and direct the coordinator to send the appropriate municipal notices. You are recognized. >> since we're changing the rule the only thing I'd ask is that they get noticed about the second reading because it's important. There are 44 municipalities impacted by this . So I would ask that we make sure we do that. I don't know if that requires a friendly amendment or something. >> promotion includes a directive to send all the necessary notices . >>chair rodriguez: moved and seconded, any other discussion, all in favor signify by saying aye. Show the motion approved. >>county attorney: would you like to read the motion commissioner regalado . >>commissioner regalado: yes, thank you. >>chair rodriguez: is this the motion I have in front of me? I have a similar motion so read it and we can see. >> commissioner regalado's motion is to direct the county doesn't need to allocate from the reserve identified in the fiscal year 2024 2025 budget funding in an amount not to exceed $250,000 per officer elect to enable constitutional officers to share on the property appraiser and tax collector to retain outside counsel so such outside counsel can provide representation to the constitutional officers elect during the transition period leading up to the establishment of such offices on JANUARY 7. These officers shall elect the outside counsel of their choosing and county mayor's designee shall work with these officers to have any invoices for such services submitted to miami-dade county for payment not to exceed $250,000. >>commissioner regalado: really quickly, we've been talking about this transition for a long time and I've called to report which I am happy to release, one of them includes the interlocal which has been very difficult since it came. One of the things I think we need to do is ensure the transition is a good one, and this is in terms of the deadlines really a labor issue. We've talked a lot about our services and whether the constitutional officers are going to take our services and how much of the services they are going to have but from my perspective what has happened unfortunately is the tail is wagging the dog and we're talking more about services and how they're going to use us than talking about the transition of those employees and ensuring that happens seamlessly. I think the issue with us in the services can wait a minute. We can put a pin in it and figure it out but I want to make sure they feel comfortable with the legal advice they are receiving and that the employees feel they are well represented when this transition happens on the seventh so there is no displacement. That's really the purpose of this item is to give them that opportunity. We want it to move quickly. I know the clark has been working on this transition for some time and one of the things I asked the administration to consider is and one of the reasons I think they need their own attorneys is to accept their drafts. I don't think they need to be held on this interlocal. Once upon a time if the interlocal would have been approved a year ago and people would have had a year to work through it was originally plan that would have been a different story but the fact that is being presented the way it is I think that they should have the right if they have a different documentation, what we want is a good transition and we want them to have confidence in us and confidence in the system and the best way to do that is to provide them with their own legal counsel and a vehicle to have that legal counsel. >>chair rodriguez: there is no set yet but if the attorney can read my motion more importantly describe the differences to see if there's a way to merge them and make sure we draft the best for these, because I agree with everything you just stated, they need their own representation to review this but there are minor differences but differences nonetheless. >>county attorney: difference between the chairs motion and commissioner regalado's motion is she would have had the constitutional elect to be at $150,000 but it would provide the chair to be delegated the authority to approve payment of any invoices exceeding each officers allocated amount on a case-by-case basis provided such services be provided prior to JANUARY 7 and the necessary funding for such payment identified as legally available funds in this fiscal year's budget. >>commissioner regalado: I am happy to withdraw my motion and support yours. second. >>commissioner gilbert: will support the motion, I just don't know if we need to be in a position of checking what they do, just give them the money and let them figure it out. I don't need to check their invoices, I'm okay with giving them the money and they have offices to run, they can't run it. >>chair rodriguez: I uderstand where you're coming from and I would agree other than it is taxpayer dollars. I think we need to get invoices to pay them out, we are paying it out directly so I think our department needs the invoices to properly process payment. >>commissioner gilbert: generally speaking but they are constitutional officers. So we transferred money to them and then they have the same regulations about spending taxpayer dollars that we do, the same limitations. They can only do that. We've created this fund. We can do this this time if we get into the business we are going to create the stuation where they come back every time and have to do invoices that's a lot of work. They have the same responsibilities we do for county funds. >>chair rodriguez: this is also a unique situation, only until they take office JANUARY 7 so this situation will unlikely come before us again in our time here. We have a motion, have a second. Any further discussion. In favor. >>commissioner regalado: some clarification from the administration in terms of them being able to provide other documents or amendments to the interlocal, just so we can have flexibility because they are up against the gun. I just want to make sure we are giving them as much flexibility as possible. As an attorney as long as the terms are there I don't care whose document you use. We don't have origination but that would be, I would just want on the record for the administration to say that, thank you. And we need to make sure the clerk is also included, it's all the constitutional officers. >>chair rodriguez: in my motion it's all of them. I think we've got this, right? Chief, appreciate you. We had a motion, second, all in favor say aye. You can go find an attorney now. >>commissioner regalado: thank you. >>chair rodriguez: mdm. Attorney, lots of attorneys here. They can watch the meeting, say hi. What's next on the agenda, public hearing? >>county attorney: the administration as a statement to put into the record regarding a public hearing item, a brownsville designation. I don't know if lourdes is available to make that statement. >>chair rodriguez: lourdes. I do love you, lourdes. >>mayor: through the chair . >>chair rodriguez: you are recognized. >>mayor: I'm happy to read this required section if you like. >>chair rodriguez: lourdes can read it to >> I was just trying not to delay you. Section 376.80 florida statute requires notice of a public hearing on resolution designating a brownfield area be announced at a scheduled meeting before the actual public hearing. This announcement serves as notice that hearings are being planned for this board's DECEMBER 3 board of county, DECEMBER 3, 2024 board of county commissioner meeting for a resolution relating to a proposed brownfield area designation. The proposed designation is for property located at 7040 and emily 50 sw. 44th st., 7704 sw. 45th st. And that portion of the ludlum trail corridor between sw. 44th st. And sw. 48th st. Miami-dade county florida. >>chair rodriguez: thank you lourdes and there's no action to be taken on this? Before we going to public hearing if we can take up the monday street naming commissioner, I see you walking away there. I'm confused. >>county attorney: that is 3a10 ended supplement . >>commissioner regalado: I just wanted to ask for your support, as many of you know monte traynor has been an icon as a representative of the grove. It is an honor to have him here. We lovingly refer to him as the mayor of coconut grove. Though I would love for him to join us. >>chair rodriguez: monte will join us. Regalado: he is like madonna, we just call him monte but it is monte traynor. >> is wonderful to be here after all these years. It's been so much a part of the dade county days . And so much to do with the grove. I really appreciate all the support we had from the city of miami and from dade county. So appreciative of what's going on with our community. There anything else anybody wants me to say? >>chair rodriguez: thank you monte. >>commissioner higgins: MAY I be recognized? Class appreciate what you've been doing. It's coming along way and maybe we get something on the playhouse, I like that to be a legacy. What you're doing in the grove, we will get something going with the playoffs. >>commissioner regalado: we are on it and thank you for the arts festival, you and charlie started an amazing tradition here and thank you for all your time and dedication to the grove. We love you. >>chair rodriguez: mdm. Mayor you are recognized. >>mayor: to commissioner regalado for bringing this item I want to say monte traynor, excuse me, monte, I'm talking to you. I want to say how much I love you, how much I appreciate you, how you lead me for many many years, taught me about civic engagement, yes you have and thank you for going wth us to tallahassee still. It's your trip. Love you. >>chair rodriguez: senator garcia, you are recognized. >>senator garcia: thank you MR. CHAIRMAN and monte I want to echo the comments everyone said and thank you very much for your contribution to this community in so many different aspects, not just only in the festival in miami county but your philanthropic work and encouragement and mentor ship with so many that have come before you. You are the type of individual that looks to the future and always tries to help those move up and I am one of those and I want to thank you very much for your encouragement throughout the years, for your chastising sometimes I didn't do things certain ways but I appreciate you and your legacy in this community does not live through any festival or any dade days, it was through every single one of us you have touched so thank you monte traynor for your contribution to this community. you are an awesome individual and I love you dearly, my friend. >>chair rodriguez: we are not done, commissioner bermudez followed by commissioner steinberg. >>commissioner bermudez: I wanted to echo the comments of my colleagues. Great legacy that you continue to create for us. Not only with what you've done for the coconut grove area but also for dade days and the league of cities. And senator garcia pointed out so many people have been impacted by you, myself included including close friends of mine. John is a wonderful restaurant, free plug in the coconut grove area, a great time restaurant you helped mentor her as a great restaurant tour. Able to realize the number of people you've impacted and this is a small token and I think commissioner regalado for making sure we recognize in this fashion and tank you again. >>chair rodriguez: commissioner steinberg. >>commissioner steinberg: thank you for everything and I love to be added as a cosponsor. >>chair rodriguez: commissioner bermudez, commissioner bastien, commissioner gilbert. >>commissioner regalado: raise your hands, people. >>chair rodriguez: show us as cosponsors. And commissioner mcghee. Fair enough, we have a motion and a second. this is a voice vote. All in favor signify by saying aye. Congratulations . >>commissioner regalado: congratulations, monte. >>chair rodriguez: go ahead, you're looking at me like you need to say something so go ahead mdm. Attorney. I wanted to ask commissioner regalado to release 2b1 and 2b5 but you want to move the report . >>commissioner regalado: I will seconded. >>chair rodriguez: moved and seconded by commissioner regalado, any discussion on the report, show the report, all in favor signify by saying aye. Show the report approved. >>county attorney: 2b1 and 2b5. >>chair rodriguez: correct. Mdm. Attorney, go ahead. >>county attorney: would you like me to read all the public hearings? Five a is a resolution approving 323 north dade government ctr. To reduce its allocation from $7.5 million-$260,000,017 $.21 declaring $7,238,982.79 and surplus funds and approving the addition and new bond product project program to 94 north nate cultural arts center, weaving bond program is an advisory committee review. 5b is a resolution approving an amendment to the fy 2024-28 five-year implementation plan update of the people's transportation plan (Ptp) To include the fare collection system replacement project funded in part by charter county transportation srtax funds. 5c is a ordinance creating and establishing a special taxing district in miami-dade county generally bounded on the north by theoretical southwest 2 49th ter., on the east by southwest theoretical southwest 143 path known and described as el cayon, authorizing and directing the mayor designee cost to maintain and operate various public improvements and provide for the installation of streetlights, approving a streetlighting agreement with florida power and light and authorizing mayor's designee to execute the agreement waiving provisions of resolution are 1306 and providing exclusion from the code and an effective date and five c1 is a corresponding resolution confirming the preliminary assessment role for the district. 5d is a ordinance creating and establishing a special taxing district in miami-dade county, florida, generally bounded on the north by sw 232 street (Silver palm drive), on the east by sw 133 avenue, on the south by sw 236 street, and on the west by theoretical sw 133 place, known and described as siena reserve west multipurpose maintenance and street lighting special taxing district; identifying services to be provided; authorizing and directing the county mayor or county mayorc/b?B=s designee to cause to be maintained and operated vrious public improvements and to provide for the installation of streetlights; approving a street lighting agreement with florida power and light and authorizing the county mayor or county mayorc/b?B=s designee to execute the agreement; waiving provisions of resolution no. R-130-06; and providing for exclusion from the code and an effective date. Five d1 is a corresponding resolution confirming the preliminary assessment role for the district. 5e is a ordinance creating and establishing a special taxing district in miami-dade county, florida, generally bounded on the north by sw 212 street, on the east by sw 117 avenue, on the south by sw 214 street, and on the west by sw 117 court, known and described as southpointe vista multipurpose maintenance special taxing district; identifying services to be provided; authorizing and directing the mayor or designee to cause to be maintained and operated various public improvements; and providing for exclusion from the code and an effective date. 5f is a resolution approving the plat of jimenez subdivision filed by heritage homebuilders I, llc, located in the southwest 1/4 of section 14, township 56 south, range 39 east. 5g is a resolution approving the plat of sunrise estates by lucky start filed by lucky start south, llc, located in the southwest 1/4 of section 35, township 56 south, range 39 east and 5h is a resolution approving the waiver of plat of rolando delabat and beatriz rojas. >>chair rodriguez: I have no public speakers signed up so i will close public hearing at this time. Anyone wish to bifurcate items. >>county attorney: I have a request by senator garcia to bifurcate 5h. >>chair rodriguez: any other bifurcations, hearing none do I have commissioner gilbert moves all the remainder of the items with the exception of 5h, second by the vice chair. And mdm. Clerk please call the roll. >>clerk: commissioner bermudez. Commissioner cabrera. Commissioner cohen higgins. Senator garcia. Commissioner gilbert. Commissioner gonzales. Commissioner hardemon. Commissioner higgins. Commissioner regalado. The commissioner steinberg. Commissioner bastien. Vice CHAIRMAN Mcghee. Motion moves unanimously. >>chair rodriguez: is there a motion on 5h, moved by commissioner higgins seconded by commissioner gilbert, any discussion, seeing none all in favor say aye. Show 5h past. The rest of the agenda now. >>county attorney: now we are on the pull list, your first item was eight a1. >>commissioner higgins: 5b had to pass before this so I release my hold. Rodriguez: seconded by commissioner regalado, all in favor say aye. All opposed nay. Show that I am past. 11a1, is that correct? >>county attorney: and its supplement. >>chair rodriguez: I have a commissioner from the 13th district followed by the commissioner from the eighth district. Senator you are one of the polling commissioners. >>senator garcia: this is the appointment of ron book waiving the requirements and I do have a couple of questions before I take a vote on this in reference to what is happening on the health trust. I have a few questions of MR. Book if it's okay. And then I want to talk a little bit more about process and procedures because I see this is the second or third time we are waving this requirement and we are waving residency and waving term but anyway, if I could ask MR. Book some questions I would truly appreciate it. >>chair rodriguez: you are recognized for a cab and flowing conversation with ron book but I believe he said health trust, you are referring to the homeless trust. Trust. >>chair rodriguez: you are recognized. MR. Book when we originally had a conversation about the purchase of la quinta, we were spending an extra million dollars on the property. You came up here and you had testimony that said that we are not going to buy the purchase spending an extra million dollars and not going to lose any beds in our inventory. Then we followed up with the issue that happened with camillus house where residents of camillus house were taken out in the middle of the night and sent over to the beach. My question to you is what happened? And how do you justify that move when you are standing up here and you said there is not going to be any shortage of beds in the continuum of care when it comes to the homeless. >>ron book: through you. >>chair rodriguez: you are recognized for an eans flow. >>ron book: at the time we were not aware of where camillus house was making a unilateral decision to not extend not only our contract but the contract with city of miami, city of coral gables and at one time brought the contract they had with miami beach. And ph cd. Our contract turned out expired in SEPTEMBER, city of miami's contract expired in DECEMBER and miami beach turned out had a period till MARCH. We were not aware they were going to make a decision to attempt to increase if you will the reimbursement rate from $32.50 to a rate of $67.44 at that time to now looking to get in excess of $70. We reviewed, they finally provided some backup for what they had to justify it. The fact of the matter is if I were to pay them what they were looking for at that point in time it would be the equivalent of spending $26,000 a year and I can put somebody in a market rate unit for that price instead of shelter. At the time which I made that representation we were looking at permanent supportive housing at la quinta and not shelter and I didn't have any reason to believe we would have a decrease by camillus house pulling those beds off the market. As I said to you briefly this morning we have now stood up in the process of implementing standing up in excess of 400 shelter beds to replace not only the inventory that were eliminated but access to deal with the challenges we have hundred 13 six. >>senator garcia: CHAIRMAN, because you are CHAIRMAN Of the homeless trust, the inventory is still there. It's just not available to the homeless trust . I want people to be clear when they say the lost inventory, the inventory is there, just not for the homeless trust. Those beds are there for camillus house though I don't want to mischaracterize the issue where we think that camillus house is no longer offering these services, they are. But to all the providers that can help with the situation they are in so when you got up here you did tell me we were going to take care of the situation and it wasn't. It's just the reality. You say at that time the facts were this and they changed what I think as a county commissioner I for one don't appreciate it when we even had a pivate conversation and I said we need to figure out this resolution and I don't think it's $57 but it is what it is. So my next question is and I appreciate what you're saying but there's just a lot of other issues I want to talk about. So that when we made that decision, when the homeless trust made that decision in the middle of the night, knowing very well that the contract was up but just because our contract is up doesn't mean... Wait, wait. Have a little bit of respect , not for renc commissioner on the dais that's up here. I'm asking a question and having a conversation and all of a sudden what I'm asking makes no sense is interrupted. At least wait till I hve a conversation. >>chair rodriguez: there will be respect in this chamber and respect to the commissioner on this body. >>senator garcia: when the decision was made, I want to go back. There was a decision made to move these beds because the contract was up and we know very well when contracts are up you can extend them a couple more months, come up with a solution to figure out how we can humanely treat individuals who are hard to place. But we did not do that. We acted in the middle of the night, when did you gave them a couple of hours to pack their bags and ship them because that's what we did, ship them to miami beach. My question then here is how did we have those 50 beds available in an hour or two when this was just thrown on the homeless trust . >>ron book: through you, first of all let me put the facts on the table as we can substantiate and provide evidence of. First of all it wasn't in the middle of the night and I'm not disagreeing with what you're saying because that's information provided to you but number one it wasn't in the middle of the night, number two camillus house send an email and a text message to the city of miami, our partners two days prior to the first saying that the contract was up, they were not going to extend it any further and that they needed to be prepared to engage the d3 individuals which were the last 53 that the city of miami had placed at camillus house and were paying camillus $32.50 per night per bed. They made that position in the middle of the afternoon on friday. I can tell you I was unaware of the email and the text that the co of camillus house had sent to the city of miami, dana gilbert. And a point in time they were, they can call it whatever they want to call it, I call it dumping. They were releasing 53 people to the streets of which more than a majority were senior citizens, six of them in wheelchairs, one of them blind . These are facts. >>senator garcia: I love how we say the facts, the facts as we see them. As you see them. MR. Book, I appreciate this for a minute. You've done a lot of good in this community but the fact that we have 50 individuals, yu said the decision was made in the middle of the afternoon so the decision was made in the middle of the afternoon but when I say evening, early late afternoon whatever the case MAY be but the reality is that you are now saying that this was cmillus's decision to dump, they did not dump MR. Book. Camillus house would have come into an agreement, I know them very well and I was very intimate with this with what was going on and the fact that we just went from one moment to the next because of an email sent out without having a conversation and coming up with a plan for these individuals to treat them, the homeless trust should have treated them like humans . >>ron book: with all due respect the homeless trust had nothing to do with those 53 individuals. Those were 53 individuals placed in the city of miami contracted beds, not trust contracted beds. We had nothing to do with it and when the city of miami showed up to move those folks to shelter so they weren't on the streets on a friday night, 60+ percent of them senior citizens, six of them in wheelchairs, one of them blind, I don't believe the city of miami had any option and as relates to where there was availability the trust had been working for three months with all our partners in this community to stand up new shelter beds to meet the demand of 1365 coming OCTOBER 1. One of the places we had seen 2 and a half months earlier and not our insistence, the only hostile on miami beach reached out to us and the city of miami to say we have 200 beds available. We are prepared to contract with you all to house people here. We went over two and half months earlier. They were on a list senator that was provided to you and other commissioners through the mayor. In the memo stating very concisely what our 1365 plan was and it included those beds at the hostel that by the way they are being paid for by the city of miami. Not the homeless trust. We ae the lead agency. We are the implementers and funders but at the end of the day those beds are city of miami beds. I cn't make it up, I can't change it. There's been a lot of rhetoric, a lot of misstatements. They said we didn't see people that night. With all due respect we have video of everybody that was brought there in a humane way on friday, five or 6 o'clock right at that point in time it was getting close to evening time but video showing they were all given a hot meal that night so I don't know why we are the ones being held responsible for decisions we didn't make. >>senator garcia: I appreciate that and I'm not going to belabor the point, we are going to agree to disagree but took for me it's hard to believe the homeless trust the first time you had conversations with the city of miami about these 50 clients for residents was the night of this event happening. It's hard for me to believe there was not a plan in place to try to figure it out and then when we add insult to injury with what's happening on the beach you have to understand this didn't look good. What was happening on the beach at that time with the money and the dollars, with the referendum that we were trying to pass in miami beach, just the timing didn't look right the way it was done. At the end of the day those individuals, those clients could be any of our family members. I want you to know that. They could be any of your family members and I think we didn't do right by them. Just because we gave them on a plate to eat doesn't mean we did right by them. But when we say we give them some food, that's not right. Just because we give them food I don't think that's right and not to belabor the point but I do have a question in reference to the city of miami beach. The city of miami beach and there's been a lot of back and forth CHAIRMAN About what happened in miami beach. In reference to the referendum and so forth. I did see a tape that you specifically told the commission in miami beach and I don't know what the rles are about showing takes here that said if the city, if you could not get an interlocal agreement approved through the homeless trust with the city of miami beach we would ask to rescind the referendum question. Was that interlocal agreement ever established? >>ron book: through you. >>chair rodriguez: you are recognized. Senator, in 2021 we provided the city of miami beach with our draft resolution and a draft interlocal agreement that we were prepared to execute. I think that without putting former city manager amar alice on the spot, I think he would tell you while he was manager I went to his office after a dozen times with a blank piece of paper and said tell me what you want in exchange. After he departed I did the same thing with elaina hudak and eric carpenter and said tell us what you want. When we didn't get that we drafted an interlocal. It takes three basic things to have a contract, acceptance and consideration. Offers to reach an agreement are not open-ended . Three years ago they chose not to accept it, that wasn't us. We proffered it without them. So at the end of the day the offer expired and then the negotiations with the beach by designation by this board of county commissioners were given to commissioner hagans and I was no longer in negotiation. >>senator garcia: I'll stop this right now. This is important to me. You all have your issues. >>chair rodriguez: that's why you have a floor. >>senator garcia: I appreciate that. That interlocal agreement, you went ahead. Commissioner higgins did a great job of negotiating and were going to vote on it. But there was never , that interlocal agreement never came into existence and you said if that interlocal agreement didn't come in you well rescind that. It takes two parties but you said that on the record. You said that on the record. You need, I takes two parties, it didn't happen but you did say that . >>ron book: but not because of the trust or myself. The city chose not to accept our offer. They rejected the offer, period. They never took it up because they had no interest in it . >>senator garcia: this is the last one. You guys approved an interlocal agreement and the trust? >>ron book: we were given authority by the trust to advance an iterlocal agreement proffered to the city in 2021 . >>chair rodriguez: thank you senator the other polling commissioner is the commissioner of the eighth district, you are recognized. >>commissioner cohen higgins: thank you MR. Chair. MR. Book I know we've had our differences in the past and our differences have stemmed if not exclusive to a particular project in my district, this item has nothing to do with that. This item spoke to reappointing you as CHAIRMAN Of the board of the homeless trust for another three years, waving the rule that says you can only serve in that capacity for a term of three years. And the items says here the third whereas clause says MR. Book has successfully served as chair of the homeless trust were over 12 years you've been the chair of the homeless trust since 2004. You've been the CHAIRMAN For 20 years. So for us here as a body when this came before us two years ago commissioner monestime said you were the CHAIRMAN For eight years, that wasn't accurate either. I appreciate your passion and commitment. I know you live and breathe this issue and the work you've done for and on behalf of this community is tremendous. The question I have though is you having served as CHAIRMAN, leader of this organization for the last 20 years means this body has waived that requirement every single time it has come before this body. You've served on this board since 1993 having been appointed by the mayor pinellas. The question I have is simply a question we ask ourselves here and though voters have voted on term limits as appropriate. We only get to serve for a course of eight years , our mayor gets to serve eight years.