Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners - Regular

? . >> good morning. The calendar date of the 11th of the sun. It happens to fall tuesday APRIL the 12th. His legacy is honored today by introducing and calling upon anyone to call a day of education and sharing. Education and sharing day. This is basically to inspire everyone. To increase in their efforts of educating and sharing with others. Education, to inspire and encourage ourselves and others to make this world a more beautiful and peaceful place for all. Sharing, each and every one of us has a piece of GOD in us. This spark of GOD is energy, positiveity. It's happiness and it's goodwill. Share wit your neighbors, friends and hey, even with a stranger. I pray and I really truly hope that we will all merit very soon, very speedily to a world, a much better world, more beautiful with more people smiling and more peace and happiness and goodwill towards one another. That kind f wraps up basically what it's all about. >> Chair: thank you, rabbi for the wisdom, everything we share in your community on behalf of all of us in miami-dade county we want to give you this proclamation and respect to exactly the words that you stated just now of the education and sharing day. so on behalf of the mayor, myself, my colleagues, the vice CHAIRMAN That is here, and all of us, we want to give you this and proclaim today, the members of the board of dade county and on behalf of miami-dade county and its community to hearby proclaim APRIL 12th, 2022, education and sharing day from all of us. [Lost audio. ]] Okay. Now hopefully my colleagues make their way down and we'll start as soon as they get here. Thank you so much. [Whistling jeopardy theme] [Laughter] Applause ] >> Chair: a couple of our constituents are here, too, and she experienced what we all did, a lot of traffic this morning. But, you know, nobody is immune to it. She's here and she's got a very special award to give out at this time. And let's just get it together. Commissioner cohen higgins. >> thank you so much, MR. Chair. It's a pleasure to be here this morning and it's really a pleasure to begin this next recognition. I believe we have two very special guests with us this morning. If I can have jacob and christian beard step up and step forward with us, please. If we can give them a round of applause I think it's appropriate. P.L.C.. [. Applause ] Think it's appropriate. I'll explain why. Good morning, jacob and christian. The reason these young men are here, age 15 and 13, is for a really special reason. I'm glad that our MADAM Mayor is here because I believe that we are doing this recognition together. These two young men are truly exceptional. We as adults we often -- it is our role to teach our young people nd teach our children. But often times, if we're paying very close attention, our children will often teach us very important lesson often to be honest. In this instance a lesson of bravery. On JANUARY 28, jacob and christian were outside playing as young kids often do when unfortunately they saw their neighbor run outside screaming in fear because her nine month old baby was choking and could not breathe. There are two types of people in this world. There are the people when they see a conflict or problem, they run away from it and there are people who run directly towards it. That's exactly what jacob and christian did. They performed cpr. They immediately dialed 911 and thankfully they were able to dislodge the blockage in this nine month old -- in her throat causing her to have a wonderful result and she's okay as a result of it. There was an award received as well from do the right thing organization awarding a trip to D.C. In recognition of their heroism and their bravery. That's what bring themes here this morning. I wanted to congratulate you on your bravery. [ Applause ] And literary thank you for saving life and being wonderful upstanding members of the community. I look forward to what the future holds for both of you and we wanted to honor you with this important recognition this morning. MADAM Mayor. >> thank you, commissioner. You are proud residents of district 8. This is your commissioner. I was the former commissioner in the district and mary waters reached out to tell me about your heroism and I'm happy we here at the county can celebrate you as well. I want to say shout out to your parents. Where are the parents? Come on up, parents. We can take pictures for you. These parents, obviously trained these children well. How did you learn cpr? Could we hear? We would love to hear you from. >> my P.E., MR. David, taught us cpr. >> and did you ever think when you were learning cpr that you would actually use its? >> possibly. >> possibly, how about you? >> I don't know. I wasn't the one who did the cpr. >> together you did the rescue. Team work. Parents, congratulations to you. We know how proud you are and we are all in your debt and we hope that you set a great example for many others for preparedness and heroism. Who else? CHAIRMAN? >> Clay: you >> Chair: you know, commissioner cohen higgins and MADAM Mayor, those are the moments that we do these awards that are special. To recognize two young men who went above and beyond while others would be screaming and saying oh, my GOD, they took it upon themselves to solve the problem to. Me, that's very important. Because as a marine, sometimes you don't decide how to handle a situation -- I mean, deal with a situation because it's decided for you and that's what happened to you. You had no choice but to do what you did. You stepped up and you came through and that's why you are recognized by these two lovely ladies and all of us. With that, I want to give you a coin that you ould each have. And this coin is my coin. It's also -- most of I'm the military liaison so your bravery goes very noticed by all of us. Thank you for bringing it together. [Applause] Do you want to say something? >> no, no I'm good. >> are you sure? It's just on tv. That's it. [Laughter] >> no, no, no. >> commissioner sosa. >> good morning MADAM Mayor, my colleagues, and the family of miami-dade county. What a special person you are. My goodness. You are an encyclopedia when it comes to sonny. Am I right or wrong? Your olleagues, can you please join me? You have worked on some of the pieces of legislation that come our way in the past ten years, the smart plan corridors, the urban centers, the employment center plan area development, the retail district entertainment in sonny's district and one of the most dear projects in my heart, the ludlum trail corridor. You've been an incredible piece for us and you were there since the beginning. You were there working with the community. I'm very proud of the work that you have done in our county and the quality of life of your residents have always been a priority to you. So part of that planning department, you and nathan, are a powerhouse team. No questions asked. Nathan, will you please -- MR. Chair, do you want to say anything. >> Chair: no. >> my colleagues? >> I would like to say a few words. >> do you want before im? >> whatever you want. >> mayor: I personally got to know gianni in south dade. He shot us about smart growth and good planning. He designed the urban centers. He has done -- as the commissioner says, he is an encyclopedia, but actually he designed the design started yards being recognized in the media today. The work you've done is making an indelible mark for the good in the community. We're grateful for you and really I would not want to let you go but legally I'm obligated to. [Laughter] That's the only reason. [Laughter] Thank you. >> Commissioner: thank you very much. Any colleagues or other members. >> I'll say something -- >> Commissioner: thank you, commissioner. I didn't want to speak before the mayor. I thought she was going to use her power to make sure that gianni doesn't get to retire. At least not now. We thank you. I'm glad I was able to make it here on time to be part of this presentation. You know how comfortable you've made all of us feel when you come to my office or when you come to the, you know, when we come to the county to get briefed by you on any item. My folks in the district love you. Our constituents that you've been able to work with, they love you. I probably would have taken the day off if I know you were going to retire today because I didn't want to be part of. This but, you know, I hope you take time to enjoy yourself, to enjoy your family, to travel, to have fun but yeel MISS You a great deal. I'm going to MISS You. I know elizabeth, tracy, samantha, louie and everybody on staff they are going to MISS You a great deal. Thank you. I'm still praying that the mayor use her power to say no, you can't retire. [Laughter] >> thank you. >> Commissioner: nathan, now is your turn. >> last time we spoke I was in tears. I'm going to try to hold them back. You are an inspiration to all of us. We're all professionals here and you've taught us so much. We want to live up to your expectation. We have some really difficult times ahead with housing issues. You've been selfless your whole time here. It's time for you to be 1e68ish selfish and enjoy your time. [Cheers and applause] Applause ] >> Commissioner: we covered most of the things. Proclamations are an important thing to take home to share with your family and friends but it's mostly to take in your head and your hand. Gianni, we join forces, the administration, the members of the board, the mayor, the chair, my colleagues, to be clear -- to declare the day in your name. Today is juany gianni lodi day in miami-dade county. Don't think it's us. I cannot say I. No one can say I. You know who are the ones that make this possible? The residents of miami-dade county who elect each one of us to represent them. And you have been instrumental in helping us to be able to answer all their concerns. MAY GOD bless you always and enjoy life every moment and celebrate your day the way it should be pgh [Applause] >> MR. Chair? >> a couple words. Now is your moment. >> well, this -- I'm immensely thankful to you, commissioner sosa and the staff and the rest of the commission. Vivian and betty, wherever you are, I love you. I think the -- I love this place and this this is my home. I was very, very -- you were all my siblings in many ways because this is my home and literally it was my home. I was here the longest hours. But it's just because I love the place. I lover the community, as you know, and -- I love the community, as you know, and I learned. And I learned so much. I was very fortunate at the end of my career. I was with such a edicated team and even hough we worked together in the manager's system it was such a pleasure to come back to this amazing team. I'm thankful. Again this, is my community. As a team, nobody wanted to listen to us. We took the time and that wears us out. We know we made it because you pay big attention and this board definitely and the board had done it and it's essential because that's what we wanted. All right. >> Chair: all right. Let's keep this going. Commissioner momestine, it's your turn. >> we're here to recognize APRIL as the first mami dade month. I want to thank the colleagues for adopting this. Poetry is significant because poems offer wisdom, uplifting idea and language that can help readers gain new perspective and explore different cultures. National poetry month was inaugurated by the academy of american boards in APRIL 1996 to mark the importance of poetry, honor the great poets of american history and celebrate creativity. Throughout the month of APRIL, miami-dade college and mdcc north campus, my alma mater. [Cheers and applause] And the entrepreneurial education center celebrate poetry by observing national poetry month. The campus officially began celebrating national poetry month in 2017. Since then, mdc students have honored the national observance every APRIL by reading and writing poetry on campus. For its civic engagement campaign, the students, faculty and staff of mdc north campus have allocated for this to be expanded to all of miami-dade county. I'm pleased to proclaim together with my colleagues APRIL 2022 as poetry month in miami-dade county. [Cheers and applause] And as you can tell, I have behind me representative from the cleag. -- college. I had a special conversation with DR. Vazquez and we think behind him nd our staff not only for educating our children for introducing this idea of declaring the month of APRIL as poetry. We know how grateful we are when we read the notes that are penned down by all the great writers that inspire us that provide us the tools to communicate and do what we do more effectively. So it is with great pleasure MR. Vice chair, you are my cochair on the item. Would you like to share poetry this morning? That's a treat, right? >> all right. Here we go. >> yes so, first of all, thank you all for doing this. I believe poets have nd will change the word. You give meaning to words and feelings that we don't -- we can't. I remember a while back I did write a poem. Roses are red -- joking. [Laughter] >> I could have done that one. >> entrance. Cry baby cry, your soul's name is and ity tempe, zulu for life and hope. No clowns just frowns, no pain, my child. There should be no rain on your parade I lived this life into the means of hatred into the idea that you weren't good enough or can't make the cut this time my child. You will yell their talk and run their walk. Here is looking at you love of my mine and those that came before. Don't cry for next sit. >> my vice chair, ladies and gentlemen. [Cheers and applause] My vice chair, drop the mic. Boom! [Cheers and applause] >> now in spanish. [Laughter] >> mayor: thank you for uplifting us. And for the college of miami-dade thank you for all you do to remind s to the idea of culture and reflection. It's a great partnership. I wanted to share with you, you might not know, we actually have an official poetry ambassador on our staff. That would be nicole talman. It's in her by line on her email. Look for it next time. And she's actually just pun lished her first -- published her first book of poetry. [ Applause ] Nicole is assisting me in bringing document tour to the office. He who clings to the joy as it flies -- no. I'll come back to you. [Laughter] I can't beat oliver. I was ready. I had the poem ready and he started and got disattracted. I'll be right back to you. Yes, I'd like us to consider, MR. Chair, incorporated poetry to our regular meetings, if ou would. >> Chair: we'll do our best. >> I'll pass the mic. >> Chair: I thought we did, right. >> I'm going to come back to you. Who is ext? >> Chair: are you sure? All right. You know, this is say bilingual county. Am I correct? Yes. >> would you give me the strength. There's a book that is called [Speaking spanish] Your dreams make them come true. >> we have serious talent in this place. Me, no, my points are different. [Laughter] Mine are marine core language. Are you ready? Okay. Trilanguage. >> it's my pleasure to introduce to you PRESIDENT Vazquez. [Laughter] If you on't mind me, very kindly I thank you for this opportunity for miami-dade college to be here, to the mayor, to the CHAIRMAN, to the vice chair, all no strangers to the north campus. to nicole which was once part of our family and now in good hands with the mayor, to our two faculty champions professor bouvier, to all the student body here, to the students that represented, to amy the editor-in-chief from the reporter. I want to thank the county from the bottom of my heart for this recognition. We're all dreamers. And this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for myself, for my whole team, for my campus. We thank you for the recognition. And no that I've learned today that's what we need this world is coming together like brothers, like humanity carrying hand in hand to find piece. Thank you so much. >> I'm ready. Okay. Whohe who binds to himself a joy does to the winged life destroy but he who kisses the joy lives in eternity's sunrise. >> all right. >> worth the wait. Commissioners. Do you want to try a moment? >> this is a first, ladies and gentlemen. >> this could be good. >> one of my favorites in tough times but also in hopeful times in a world of grief and pain, flowers bloom even then. [Cheers and applause] >> now it's time to end a proclamation declaring the month of APRIL as poetry month to DR. Vazquez and staff. Congratulations. >> okay. Section, ready, one, two, three. one more, mile. Over here. Smile. One, two, three. One more. >> wait, wait, nother picture. >> one more. We had a little mix up on that one. >> one more, one more. Three more please. One, two, three. One more. Keep smiling. One more. Okay guys. You are welcome. >> all right. Commissioner sosa? >> I have commissioner regalado. You have something very special to presented. Am I correct? -- something very special to present, am I correct? >> thank you so much. APRIL is a month where we celebrate a lot of things. We were talking about poetry month. For those of you that know it's autism awareness and autism acceptance but it's also water conservation month. We would like to our director to come on down! Yay! >> Chair: I thought we had water drop over ere. >> the water drop is here. Come on down, water drop. >> Chair: and in spanish la goda. Right? [Laughter] We have water barrels, we're doing a contest if you want to join us. I want to give the director a chance to talk about water conservation. >> Chair: front and center. >> good morning. This is water conservation month. What I would like to -- [Laughter] Here in miami-dade county we use about 130 gallons of water a day per person. And other parts use less than 100 gallons a day a person. Miami-dade county to facilitate that we're giving away one of most important small devices to reduce your personal water consumption. That is water reducing shower heads at our libraries all month on each tuesday of each month. You can go to miami-dade county libraries and get free shower heads. We have rebate programs for low-flow toilets. We do inspections of irrigation systems to help you design your systems to reduce your water consumption. Thank you for being here. We're very excited about water conservation. >> thank you. If you go on the web site you see how much ater you are using and how you are using. Changing your toy ots, changing your toilets and showers. You can see how much water and you can make a plan to reduce your water footprint. We were going to make roy say a poem about water -- kidding. [Laughter] >> and in spanish. >> in creole. [Laughter] >> mayor: I'm very, very proud of our water and sewer department. They've done well at educating the public. The public has been responding. We're going to step up -- in the back quiet. We have to go from 130 gallons to 100. We can do it, right? We will do it. Young people are learn being watt -- learn being water conservation and pushing parents to do the right thing. It's my favorite part of the year, really, is the poster contest. They are displayed right now in the lobby. Take a look to the creativity and passion that young people are displaying towards our precious resource. It's very important. I can't wait to see who won. I just want to thank you, commissioner regalado for showcasing this with recognition of this month. And we're going to have a special week, too. There's more to be done. All right. >> Chair: amen. And -- >> I was speak back here with commissioner moams stein. >> Chair: you are going to reduce showering from weekly to biweekly, right? We have naives our ourselves, right? The mayor calls herself the water warrior, right? >> right. >> what do they call you? >> they call me the water nerd. >> and I'm the plug guru. It's ll about the ater, dade county. we're very proud of it. My colleagues, thank you. Let's get together and get a pic. How about that. >> wonderful. >> if we could sit down in the pack and make sure we're a little quiet on this one everybody else that could find their way to a seat, I would appreciate it. Sergeant at arms, please help me on this. This award is an award you never want to receive but it's an award that is also extremely important to receive it after a tragedy occurrence in your lives lives. We have people before us today receiving this award. This award was started some time ago by one of our commissioners, commissioner martinez. And this award, once again, that is extremely important in our community. And today we have several presentations of this award. I want to start out with the vice CHAIRMAN That has I'll hand the back to you. >> I believe dominick is here. Are you in the audience? They told me that you are. Shows coming upstairs right now. >> Chair: I'll start with commissioner cohen higgins. >> thank you, MR. Chair. I echo your sentiments that we're entering this morning's presentation that we wish we never had to. This award was created in recognition of parents going above and beyond in what is considered impossible circumstances. i have the honor and privilege of presenting a vilomah award to a special woman I met recently. We were on a video call and she was smiling and beautiful and sharing sharing with me her mission with be he light foundation. They shared that be the light foundation is a foundation recently created to allow children to attend private schools and private schools with a commission focus and faith and providing those children with scholarships. I was enamored with the organization. It wasn't until the end of the presentation that she explained to me what be the light was and where it came from. MS. Ortega f you want to come up with your husband, I would love to have you with us. This is ysha artega. Unfortunately she had to experience what no parent ever wishes on their worst enemy. My mother had to endure this. Anyone who knows what it's like to lose a child know it's truly an impossible feat. It's difficult -- I imagine watching my mother endure this, it's difficult to figure out how to take one step, much less move on and take care of your other children and she went forward and created be the light foundation. I am proud to present you with the vilomah award and honor the work did ou. Ari passed a few years ago in 2018. He holds a special place in my heart because he was a beautiful young man, athletic, charismatic and it's my understanding -- correct me if I'm wrong -- immediately before he passed he changed his social media handle to be the light. Kind of his motto, his slogan because it's how he lived. I think he was 16 or 17. >> 16. >> 16. He knew how important it was at that young way to be positive. After his untimely and unfortunate passing you created the foundation in his honor. I'm happy to present you with this award and to -- here it is. I'd love for you to share a few words about ari and be the light. >> thank you. Thank you for this award. My name is ysha artega, the mother of ari art taiga and ariana art taiga. Ari passed on JULY 28, 2018, in a tragic car accident. He died on impact but he left a legacy. He was a kid as he was standing up for others who were bullied. He had a way with kids and adults. We saw common ground with stories and it was his compassion and so -- when we started be the light shortly after we thought that that needed to go on because that's sort of what he left in the last few months is how to be a light for somebody else and their time of need so we created the e a light foundation. We have given so far over 35 scholarships in the last three years to attend private school with commission faith. It's what our family believes in and it has helped us in the grieving process and we see how important it is for those in need of faith and community. So we also created the be the light club that was started by his friends. We have over 800 kids in seven chapters in the community and we help other organizations, feeding the homeless, becoming a buddy to a special needs child. So on and so forth. In his passioning a lot -- passing a lot of goodness has come through. It brings us joy and peace and something to tragic that we can find light. Thank you for this and recognizing us. I appreciate it on behalf of the family and the foundation. >> thank you. >> Chair: the next award is sponsored by commissioner regalado. >> Commissioner: thank you very much. As commissioner cohen higgins was saying these are very solemn awards. As parents it's unimaginable to lose our children, let alone turn that loss into an opportunity to educate ther people. I think for the folks being honored today, you really have taught us so much about grief and moving on and really seeing the better -- what is available for other people and how your grief could really help other families. We thank you for that. This is what these wards are all about. I'm honoring marta blanco. For those of us that have had our loved ones have cancer and have suffered through chemo and unfortunately had them not survive it, we know how grueling that entire process is. And while we all talk about the games that we've had in terms of cancer research for adults, unfortunately, that's not the case for children. More than 17,000 children every year die because of pediatric cancer and there's not a lot of options. I think last year we were actually talking about a similar case and one of the parents was talking about how their needs to be more awareness and more conversations around options and how the medications are not really fit for children and have detrimental effects. It was the case of sophia blanco who passed away and that's why we're honoring her mother today. She created sophie's hope which educates parents, raises aware and really tries to elevate the conversation so we can talk about pediatric cancer, we can bring families, resources and they can make choices that work for them and for their children so. If you can come up. Come on unpgh up. Applause. >> thank you. >> Commissioner: can you talk a little bit about the foundation and your daughter. >> sure. I started sew feefa's hope -- sew feefa's hope nine years ago. My daughter was four when she was diagnosed with non-hood kins lymphoma. She did well with treatment but eight months into treatment he had heart failure. A lot of people don't realize that drugs they give kids and adults, too, can affect their heart. All the oncologists thought it was probably viral. In the end it was not. While sofia got eight months more of life -- eight more lives of life she died of heart failure on her 13th birthday. I started sophia's hope to give back. We were very lucky. Most families that have a child with cancer have tremendous financial impact, they lose their jobs. They lose insurance. They have to pay for child care for the other siblings. We were very lucky. My husband had a very good job with very good insurance. And I saw so many other families in the waiting room suffering. We also had such good insurance that sophia got things done that other kids had done with no and teasea -- anesthesia which is horrifying. Those things affected me. We got a lot of support from family and friends and our church. It was my way of giving back. I thought it was something sophia and gabby could do in high school as a club so I decided to put it together. With do parent patient and family programs. We have a newly diagnosed to cancer kit. Things you don't want but a lot of things I wish I had when she was diagnosed. We have college scholarships for patients and warriors as well as for siblings. For me gabey was just as important as so feea. A lot -- sophia. A lot of familiars get focused and people around them focus on the patient and yes, they are the patient but so are the siblings. All of programs are involving and welcoming siblings. We have art they are therapy. We do a lot with the zoo. My daughter loved riding horses. We also do horse camps for kids. We support all the hospitals in miami-dade, broward as well as in palm beach. And because we've been able to do a lot of virtual programs with covid we've also touched a lot of families and kids all over the country. I love what I do. It's heard but it's mportant. -- it's hard with but it's important. We do research. Research is important because it's related to what happened to sophia. She didn't die of the cancer. She was considered -- three months before she died, her oncologist was telling me she's fine. I guarantee it. She's cured. Yes, she was but, no, she died three months latedder from the treatment. That area is called pediatric cardio oncology. All of our research dollars go towards that area. There's a drug that can give kids before the chemo that protects their heart. A lot of that is because of reach in the area. That's what our money goes for in that area as well. I appreciate the opportunity to share that sophia's hope and just how important the talk -- no. How important it is to talk about childhood cancer. People think it's a tab yoo. They don't want to talk about it. They think if they don't talk about it, it won't happen to them. That's not how it works. Thank you very much again pgh [Applause] >> thank you. Your beautiful. -- you're wonderful. >> Chair: this is not easy. We have one more to give out. >> I would say this is not easy for us but it's not easy for them. This recognize is in large part with how with grace and courage you actually move forward. As a parent, I don't know that I could. My vil vilomah recognize goes to dominique brown. Dominique, come on up pgh [Applause] Dominique is -- was the mother of jadey page. Jada was taken from this community, this family, this morning from an act of senseless violence. Commissioner monestime named a street after her in district two because we could never forget just who she was, her personality, her video she was everything. You understand what we lose not just in the moment but going forward. We should always stand against that type of violence and stand in favor ever this type of courage. Dominique, her family formed a foundation. They are in schools. They are doing community events. They are paying forward and helping families in ways that truly matter. I'm appreciative of her as a person, as a friend and I'm in awe of her courage and grace. Congratulations. Thank >> thank you. >> Commissioner: would you like to say something? >> just a couple words. First of all I want to thank you guys for giving me this honor. But all of it is dedicated to my daughter. Like you say, if you haven't been in those shoes, you truly don't understand. And as a mother, I gist -- you know, I could not have imagined that happening but being that it happened and I have to move forward, I want to make sure that the world continues to remember her name. That's why we started the jade gentleman page foundation. I see what I do for the kids in community and seeing the light on their faces. Every event we throw, whether it's the toy drive or it's the summer camp we do, I see the kids enjoying themselves, I imagine her in the midst of all of it. My hole thing is changing the narrative around the story. She was taken due to gun violence. I don't want to focus on that. We want to change the narrative and figure out how to give back and make sure the world knows she was here. She was loved and continue to be remembered even beyond me. That is the goal for this foundation. I want to tell you guys, thank you so much. You didn't have to do this. I appreciate it. [ Applause ] >> Chair: time to work. Let's go. >> can we please quiet down. Thank you I appreciate it. All those that do not need to be standing in the back, not sergeant at arms or staff that needs to be back there, please move. Thank you. Also in the doorway. MR. Vice CHAIRMAN If your prayer today f you can mention a person we are all care about that worked together with us and did trips with us and was in charge of our economic department for dade county and that is MR. Michael finney. Please. >> absolutely. If we can prize for ino -- rise for invoa case and pledge of allegiance. We want a moment of silence for michael finney the PRESIDENT And ceo of the beacon council. GOD, today, on this day that we've never seen before and will never see again, we pause first through grief and sorrow just to say thank you. Thank you for the air in our lungs, the sun on our face, thank you for allowing us to live and lead in the extraordinary community. Father, we pray you grant special gase and protection -- grace over the protection of michael finney. He was a part of our family. We take some solace knowing necessary your arms, but we will MISS Him. Keep them well. Ease their pain. GOD, today, we pray you bless our decision making. Help us to be good stewards of your research and your people. Keep us in your will and your way. Order our steps. Amen. >> Chair: amen. Commissioner regalado, lead us 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 for liberty and justice for all. >> Chair: good morning, welcome to tuesday, APRIL 5, 2022, county commission meeting. I do have a -- all right. Commissioner hardemon is here. I do have a moment of personal privilege before we begin by commissioner haman. You are recognized. >> Commissioner: thank you, MR. Chair. I wanted to bring to my colleague's attention a situation that happened yesterday. We're here for the significant impact tragedy still going on losses related to the surfside collapse. This body supported legislation that we put in immediately whether the repercussions of construction failure started to occur county wide. What was happening was people were removed from their homes under the guys of safety for an unsafe structure with alternative but to go to the homeless trust, come to the government, local and county. And so we looked at it and immediately passed legislation. And I thank my colleagues. It was unanimous. We did it in spite of hearing that the state was going to was going to set it as a priority and likely preempt us. We did what we thought was right putting obligations on to owner, developer, significant financiers of these buildings that were disrupting and displacing the public. Yesterday, bay view in north miami beach, a 60 unit complex, was determined to be unsafe structure for immediate evacuation. I have to tell you, I've never seen something where we've done it on the dais as slow as government can go sometimes have such an immediate positive consequence. I have to tell you he owner of the building, the city, county, the homeless trust all got together with law enforcement, 40 something of the 60 units have places to go immediately. The money was financed by the person who owned the building and gave back APRIL rent and APRIL cost to the people. They left with money in their pockets and a hotel room waiting for them. The impact to the government, local and county was minimummal. To my homeless trust, to my colleagues, thank you. It works. I have feel it's going to be ongoing with more inspections but know that something in place is successful and meaningful to the people that are adversely eu78 impacted. Thank you MR. Chair. >> thank you, commissioner heyman. At this time, MADAM Clerk, roll call, please. >> good morning. >> Clerk: the clerk's office has received notification that commissioner sosa needs to leave today at 2:00 P.M. [Roll call] >> we have 12 members here. >> you counted commissioner cohen higgins as here? >> yes, did because I saw her. >> Chair: all right. Reasonable moment opportunity for the public to be heard. I have the following: liz hernandez, daniela rivera, grace hannon, martha bueno, garcien casas, maricela yadgunia, MR. Williams. Please line up and come forth in the order called. MS. Ernandez, riviera, grace hanker. Come up to the podium. Sergeant at arms, help them. Okay. You have two minutes. Please state your name and address for the record. And I understand you are speaking on 4c -- speaking on 4c SEPTEMBER for the last two. With that, ma'am, state the topic. thank you so much. >> good morning, commissioners. My name is danielle rivera. I live at 2300 southwest 4th avenue apartment 11 miami, florida 33129. I'm here to have you repeal the mac for westchester. The friends of tropical park political action committee have been sending fliers in support of the mac has also had contributors in common with every single commissioner currently on the board to the total tune of 1 million 43,000 -- $1,043,582, direct contributions, $462,082 and indirect contributions of $581,500. Commissioner ilbert, you have received a total of $93,500, $28,500 in direct contributions and indirect of $65,000. >> Clay: I'm going to ask you. -- >> Chair: MADAM, I'm going to ask you that address the body, not individual commissioners, please. >> it's public record. >> Chair: I doesn't matter. Please address the body as a whole. >> solt so the entire body has $1 million and verybody wants to take it s a whole instead of the higher people taking it. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you so much. >> all right. Next person, MR. Vif rivera. You could get the other podium, please, the other person that is next. I believe it's MS. Hannon. >> good morning. >> Chair: thank you. Please proceed, ma'am. >> Speaker: go ahead? >> Chair: you are first, yes. >> Speaker: I'm liz hernandez miami florida 33165. I'm here to represent thousands of citizens of west chester because we're happy to be part of the miami-dade unincorporated area. We are not interested 234 becoming a city. We do not want any of this proposals that you guys have suggested. So what we're requesting is actually let you know that there's a strong sentment in our community to keep us -- keep west chester as it's unincorporated. We're happy with our little village and we want it to stay that way. It's construction and everything that is being planned is going to happen, let it happen through the already established channels. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you, ma'am. >> Speaker: good morning -- >> Chair: I don't think she was on the list, sergeant at arms. Make sure she fills out a paper. >> Chair: go ahead. Sorry to interrupt you. >> my martha bueno and I'm running for commission, hopefully to serve with you all next year. I am here today because I am part of the west chester community because this community does not want -- >> Chair: your address for the record. >> Speaker: so sorry 11455 southwest 40th street. The community came together because they did not like what happened here. They did not like that this body took a procedure that needed 20% of the community to sign up for it and railroad it through. They did not appreciate the way they were spoken to and said that the commissioner that is supposed to be representing them, did not care what people thought. The community is upset and we are here. We are here to show that we did not appreciate this and we would very much like for this to be rescinded today. The community came here today because a letter was sent out by commissioner souto saying he wanted it on the meeting today and we're hearing it's going to be pushed for committee for JUNE. I think the residents residents who took time out of their day to come here today to show they don't want this, deserve to be heashed. They asked me to speak on their behalf. Most of them did not want to come up here to speak. I'm here to ask you to please rescind this. Please don't ask them to come back two months from now. Don't keep pushing this down the line. No resident that wanted this is is here today to support this measure. Everybody here is against this. Please take the time to listen to he residents and resigned this mac creation. thank you very much. >> Chair: thank you, ma'am. >> Speaker: my name is dwight wills 2019, northwest 33rd street. I'm here to present something that is historical. I'm going to give it to sergeant at arms so you can make sure the body receives each proposal. This proposal is on behalf of MR. Kesse lee roy far who purchases land from f. Dssments miller in 1937 to create a memorial space. The house has been neglected. We here ask -- >> Chair: sorry, to interrupt you. Is this on one tem? >> it's on the memorial wall. It's about memorial and this presentation is to present for the outside of the memorial to be enriched and preserved. >> Chair: thank you, sir. I didn't hear you, correctly. Thank you. Keep going. >> basically we're here today on behalf of them to enrich and preserve the preservation of historic lincoln memorial national 35rbg. We ask that the board of historical preservation be the lead provider and provide with us the proper education to further this project. We worked tirelessly to preserve the land. This is not enriched to preserve as the same as MR. D.A. Dorsey house is. This is not just the embalmer but he was our prison of nigger housing association, did he so much for this great community. We ask, if I can get one minute of y'all's time to read our mission statement real quick and open for it to be on record. We will create an event, long term, historical education and generation -- for generations to come by providing knowledge and preparing the student body to try for greatness and positivity. The impact of local and international education system as well as the local and global community. Our vision statement to ensure enrichment and diversity of the historic lincoln memorial national park and historical resources are identify, protected and celebrated for their history and value right here in maimy dade county, -- miami-dade county. Bikes up, guns down -- >> thank you so uch for your. It your two minutes are up. Thank you so much. >> thank you so much. >> Chair: next person? Maricella, dwight just spoke, williams? >> the people you are calling, they are the ones that wanted me to speak on their behalf. >> Chair: thank you, ma'am. All right. So, sir, state your name and address for the record. >> williams 1391 norwitch 91 street. Good evening, everyone. First of all I'm -- I'm a former employee at miami-dade county corrections. >> Chair: one second, sir, stop the clock. If I can -- if you could please sit down and -- besides, please keep it quiet. If we can adjust his mic so I can better hear him with all due respect. Thank you. Go ahead. >> Speaker: we bring in so much top management. We have to look at employees and more help getting into the system. That's where we having a problem at. More management is more problems. But you got more management and less workers. The workers is overwhelmed, tired, beat out, dragged out, so the number one thing here is, it should be more people. More workers for help. Let's give full service for what they want. It's quite a while for these people to be burnt and told down when everybody is not getting them the help. I'm asking you y'all today make this yul's first priority to get some help in the kitchen and all over this system because they need it bad. They don't need no more management. They need workers. That's what make the system go. If you don't have the workers it won't work. Your system is crippled without staff. Your administration is running the place in a minute. You looking at all them who walk out the door, it need to be changed. I'm asking you to please get the help for the people. >> thank you, sir. I believe there's some people that would like to speak also. Please make your way to the podium. sergeant at arms, get their names. State your name, address and you have two minutes to speak, please. >> good evening I'm daniel estes. My address is 3035 southwest 18th street miami florida. I'm commissioner is regalado and I'm here to speak on item 11a13. As I'm sure you are away florida has one of the highest incarceration rates in the nferg and remains well above the national average. The high cost of this can result in budget cut inside different programs to finance the growing needs. Not only does it effect the economic cost to the state, it's lasting negative effects on individuals, family and communities. Household income decreases, poverty rises, children's educational success is hindered, also leaving them more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than their peers. We can reduce the economic and social cost to the state, our community and families by supporting family centered services for incarcerated parents. They are children and families focusing on parenting programs. And this can begin by ensuring that those incass rated fairly have the ability to build and maintain a support network before coming home. I believe by relieving the financial burden, we can begin making this happen. Thank you. >> thank you, ma'am. >> ood morning. I'm bessie young 28104 southwest 143rd court. Homesaid it florida 33033. Commissioner mcghee is my commissioner. I support item 11a13. This item is personal to me. I have a son that is incarcerated. Communication is key. I put the money on the phone because I need to talk to my son. People are incarcerated but they need love as well. I'm asking you to pass this item item. Its would really help. I'm asking to you pass this item. Please. Thank you. >> thank you. , ma'am. >> sir. >> good morning. My name is darrell young. Address 28104 southwest 143rd court homestead 33030. Commissioner mcghee is the commissioner of y area. This item is highly important to me as well. That was my wife. We have a son who is incarcerated. Waiting to go to court for four years. It is very difficult to communicate with the phones being taken away, whether -- but mainly we can't afford to put monies on these phones. If these kids can be able to talk on the phone with their loved ones, I think it would help with the morale within the facility. It would help with the violence. It would help with -- even officer safety. It would be comforted. My son can't handle his business. He can't talk to his lawyer properly. He has an outside lawyer we paid for. He can't talk to his lawyer. He can't handle his business properly. It's not just about my son. It's about the entire population. It goes beyond the bars. It goes way beyond the bars. Putting them inside but put on the outside, anyone can be there. We're just one mistake away. Anyone. Anyone can be there. So we ask that you give consideration and you pass this item. It would help. It would help so much. Weerp innocent until proven -- we're innocent until proven guilty. These guys need love, too. Have a good day. >> good morning, I'm david tucker 9122 miami florida. I'm PRESIDENT Of the transition inc. It's a recenter. I'm here as a 40 year practicing criminal defense lawyer. I have a side practice which is say drug and recovery practice who individuals who are addicts as we get through the system walking through the court system. I think what the gentleman just said about love is probably most important thing. i ex share with you based upon all of these hats that the opportunity to communicate with your family is so important. It's so important in so many different ways. It's support on the for some of our inmates who are drug addicts. They need that connection because connection is part of recovery. It's equally important. I talk to clients saying I'm taking over a case. Tell me the last time you spoke to your lawyer? I can't because I don't have any money in my account. I don't have any minutes. I don't have a phone. Connection is so important. Thank you so much for the sponsors of this bill. Thank you the commission so much for supporting this bill and allowing people in jail who need communication even more than we do to get that communication through free phone service. It is a real problem. Thank you very much for your time. And all of your service. >> Chair: thank you, sir. Ma'am, before you begin, I have jose sanchez. MR. Jose sanchez, please take the other podium white lady speaks. Ma'am, you are recognized. >> Speaker: good morning I'm alejandra rondone. I'm an elder at rivera presbyterian chech. As a matthew 21 congregation riviera is called for those who are faithfully called to help those incarcerated. Staying connect with family and friends is integral to the mement and well-being of all people and especially incarcerated people. As christians, we are meant to follow a theology of grace where all are offered mercy and redemption. We're called to love and not to condemn. We're called to listen and to act and GOD calls us all to share in this work of redemption by seeking justice, loving our neighbors and sharing our lives not just with those in close proximity but with every single one of GOD's beloved children. There's no place n a society that values justice and believes in personal redemption for making a profit from people behind bars. We pray for the comfort, peace, safety, reconciliation of relationships and opportunities for healing and change for those incarcerated in miami-dade county jails. We believe there's much to do in the work of solidarity and the congregation at riviera PRESIDENT Tairn church -- press presbyterian church asks that you accept this today. >> Chair: I'll allow you to stand. Okay. All right. MR. Sanchez? >> is it work something in good morning, MAY it please the commission. I'm jose sanchez rivera I'm a resident of west chester and I'm here in support of tumg 4c the repeal of the mac ordinance. >> Chair: your address, sir, for the record. >> 2425 southwest 0th avenue miami florida. Miami-dade county florida. >> Chair: thank you. >> I'm a resident of west chester. We oppose incorporation. We support the repeal of the ac ordinance which just passed behind our backs in the very stealthy and undemocratic fashion with a waiver of the requirements of section 2029a of 20% of the westchester residents consenting to the creation of a mac. I'm thankful to ommissioner souto for having finally listened to the wishes of the constituents of his district and of the area that was being -- they were trying to incorporate. I urge the commission to pass the repeal. And take into account always the wishes f the residents, the process that was in west chester was something done by special interests, financed by special interests from outside west chester without the input of us, the residents there that would have been affected by high taxes, high fees, overdevelopment, construction and possibly even building of a stadium in tropical park. So I ask everyone to support it, the renewal of the ordinance for today and the repeal of the ordinance today in first reading and then in second reading. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you, sir. That was my last person that I had. Okay? So at this time, I close the opportunity for the public to be heard. It is closed. And let me stop a second. All right. I think we -- if we can -- let's the noise, please. At the end of the day 34r-z there's process in government. The process followed by this board was a process that exists whether it comes to the west chester and nextation procedure. I want to be -- and flexation procedure. -- annexation procedure. There's two processes. One was followed and the other one could have been followed but the process was up to that commissioner. It was followed properly and by the book and by the law and notified according. Both process ends up with the people of the district voting. Or the people of the annexed area to be voted upon. So to state that it was done in the way it was done and that nobody had a chance to vote was misleading and wrong. So I want us to get that clearly for the record. With that, MADAM Attorney, good morning. >> attorney: good morning. Are you ready to set the agenda. >> Chair: yes, ma'am, I am. Go ahead. >> attorney. There are a few preliminary matters h5, 1 commissioner cohen higgins releases this. She's the only pulling commissioner. With the setting of the agenda it would be approved. 9a1 commissioner heyman releases this item she's the only pulling commissioner so with the setting of the agenda, the item will be approved. 11a2, senator garcia releases his portion of the pull on his item. There are other pulling commissioners so the item will remain on the pull list. That's 11a2. 11a17, the prime sponsor has requested referral of this item to the APRIL 19th commission meeting. The item is on your pull list so the board needs to decide how it wishes to proceed. 11a21, commissioner sosa is - adding this item to the pull list. >> sorry which was that? >> attorney: 11a221. 11a222 commissioner monestime adds this to the ull list. >> Chair: can you go back. Let's start from the beginning again because I think I missed a couple, too. >> attorney: yes, sir. The first item was 8j1. Commissioner cohen higgins is releasing the item. 8j1. She's the only pulling commissioner. 9 a1 commissioner heyman is releasing the item and also the only pulling commissioner. On item 11a2, senator garcia releases his pull. But there are other pulling commissioners so 11a2 will remain on the pull list. 11a17, he prime sponsor is requesting deferral to your APRIL 19th commission meeting but the item is also on the actual list so you need to decide how you wish to proceed. That's item 11a17. 11a21. That item is being added to the pull list by commissioner sosa. For and an amendment. So 11a21 is added. 11a22, commissioner means monestime is adding to the pull list. 15c21 there's a requested deferral to no ate certain. >> Chair: I'll release my pull if you defer it. >> with the setting of the agenda, the item will be deferred. >> Chair: any releases? >> MR. Chair. >> Chair: go ahead. I was going to take a moment for the deferral. Go ahead. You finish first. Ladies first go ahead. >> there are additional requests for coexxonship. 11a1 senator souto, 11a6, commissioner regalado, cosponsor, 11a7, commissioner regalado, cosponsor, 11a23, commissioner higgins cosponsor. The items to be considered at they had to's meet willing be those it willed in the printed final agenda with the additions, withdrawals and scribner's errors noted. The commission approves these by a single vote reading setting the agenda. Item 6b1 which is the discussion item regarding economic stimulus program for capital projects and other ongoing procurements. Ordinances set for second reading. Items 8a1, 8a2 and 8f7 the commissioner project statuses which must be voted separately and are not on the pull list or fulling pull list items. >> MADAM Attorney, if I -- 11a17 I was the only one that pulled it and the prime sponsor asked to defer it. I'm okay with releasing my pull. I'll speak to director gomez. Thank you. >> Chair: okay. >> so with the -- what remains is 2b8, 8e5, 8f1, 8f2, 8 f4, 8f6, 8f10, 8g1, 8g2, 8g3, 8g4, 8g5, 8n1, 11a2, 11a3 and its supplement, 11a5 and its supplement, 11a9, 11a11, 11a13 with the setting of the agenda, item 11a17 will be deferred to APRIL 19. 11a18, 11a21 and 11a22. 15c1 will be deferred to no date certain. >> moved. >> moved it. >> Chair: I have a motion but before we have a vote, is there anyone that wants to release any other items? >> I do but after. >> Chair: okay go. Ahead, ma'am. >> I have a quick procedural question. I understand that we have to pull them so that they don't in consent, but there are a lot of items that learly commissioners just want to vote no on. Is there another vehicle, MADAM Attorney? We would have to then pull but go straight to the items and take a vote on it? >> attorney: that would be perfecting perfectly appropriate, yes. >> Commissioner: MR. Chair, if we could take a poll. If there's others folks wanted to vote no on. >> Chair: I'll set the agenda and we'll do that. That's a good idea. I have a motion. Do I have second. Second by the voice CHAIRMAN, all in favor say aye. Opposed? None. MR. Martinez, I now you had some. >> 11a3, 11a3 supplement, 11a5 and supplement. These are non-miami-dade county residents. I vote no. You need a two-thirds vote. >> to my point, can we just move those. >> Chair: okay. Beforebut he asked for permission to do what he has done. >> it's either that or talk about every item. >> Chair: we're oing to go ahead and just listen to the no on his. Anybody else would like to be no on these items? Okay? So record commissioner martinez as no. >> Commissioner: but MR. Chair, let the sponsors move the item. >> I move the item. >> cohen higgins and mcghee. >> second. >> Commissioner: commissioner cohen higgins second the item. >> MR. Chair, I'm happy to second. I wanted clarification on commissioner martinez's objection. You heard you saying these are not miami-dade county residents appointed to the boards. >> yes, ma'am that's what I have on my paperwork. >> 11a5 is my appointee and he's a miami-dade resident. >> I stand corrected on that. >> we have a motion and second. All in favor say aye. >> against? >> on that one 'm good. >> Chair: 11a3 you are good -- >> 11a3, no. >> Chair: did you get that MADAM Attorney? I'm glad you did. All right. Commissioner sosa, you had something? You cleared it. Anybody else. ? Anybody else on the nos? MADAM Attorney? >> MR. Chair, you have some aviation items which pursuant to florida law need a separate vote and not on the pull list. Do you want to take those up now? The first item is 8a1. >> move it. >> Chair: I have a motion by the vice CHAIRMAN And second by commissioner sosa. All in favor say aye? Anybody against? None. Go ahead. >> attorney: 8a2. >> Chair: I have a motion and second by the same two. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? None. >> attorney: 8f7. That's the lafts item. >> Chair: I have a motion by the same two. All in favor say aye. Opposed? none. Okay. That's it? Anyone? MR. Chair, I pulled item 11a21 because of an amendment. If the attorneys can read the amendments is very fast. >> Chair: 11a21. >> attorney: I don't know if we have the amendment ready as of yet. As oon as we have it, I'll let you know. Thank you >> when I have a cra in my area I always want to watch where the municipal's spent. Because if it's a city that's going to spend it and do good for the city under the cra direction of blight or slum I'm okay with it. It doesn't have to be in our county general fund for us to help out an underserved area, a needing area a disparaged area whatever and they exist. So I support conceptually CRAs but when it comes to ones in my area I really take a look at what they're spending the money on. And also where other CRAs that are successful spending the money. North miami's is unique. The money comes from coffers on the east side in my district and when I got elected initially it went to the west side which was deemed a cra area with then chair roll now commissioner monestime. The area was a sunday fund area and did not meet a blight slum criteria it could be corrected under superfund and development 3 moneys. So I was glad to see it go to the rest of the city. here's where I have a problem twice before with the cra I have stopped it because instead of spending money to address slum and blight, they were spending money like it was their own party fund. And literally it was. They were throwing parties. They closed roads. They made changes, and actually hurt area businesses and an entire area almost had to be condemned because the buildings ot so bad. So over the years it really improved. And it did great. And mostly with the change of commissioners, and they've even added another north miami area into the cra, but what now I have a problem is the person who used to monitor it is no longer the same person. I found that out calling the city. She has come over to the county. And what we have seen now, what I have seen and I got it from speaking to the city and speaking to a commissioner, is exorbitant funds for people who are being employed to do a cra instead of render the service. If you look at some of the othe