Board of County Commissioners - Regular

>> we improvise and do what we've got o do. There's many people who have worked for the county. In many capacities and we're blessed because of the service they give our citizens, and the way they represent our county. We're blessed to have so many employees that work for miami-dade county. And they do provide excellence every day. And we are very proud of that. My colleagues and I. And the mayor should be getting here pretty soon. I know we have one of the chiefs here already. So with that, there's a gentleman I want to introduce that he is one of those people that just excels. He put his foot on the accelerator and didn't want to put his foot on the brake for anything, and he kept going and going. I consider him a personal friend for everything he has done at all times in a professional manner. He has grown he department that was -- I hate to say it, kind of growing for a while. Just to say growing. And angel, why don't you come over here. He as taken it to a different level. he's protecting our -- has protected and put nets to protect us from cyber-attacks of many different levels, where other cities and counties have suffered tremendous losses. Thanks to the man and to my left and his team, we have not. It has not been easy and won't be easy in the future, but he's done it and set a different benchmark for so many. So angel, to me, and my colleagues who are here and are making their way somehow here and the mayor hopefully soon, to me it's a great honor to have you here today. 41 yars, my friend. So you deserve some words to say. You know we don't have too much time because I'm on a tight schedule today, but I couldn't go without having you here and your family. You can come up now, family, if you want. Do whatever you want. Come on. With that, angel. [Applause] >> good morning, and thank you, commissioner, for -- Mr. Chair for those kind words. I want to introduce the most important thing in my life, and that is starting with my friend, my partner, my motivation in life, my wife, I celebrate 41 years with the county but I celebrate a little bit more with our partnership together. As a result of that partnership, I'm going to start with the eldest which is angel junior, alice, my other son, when she was born, we asked her brothers what would be the name. They took the mother's name illiana and reversed it and that's how she became anaily. And my other son now, my son-in-law billy. And every grandparents grandparents dream, my world is william john iii. I want to thank commissioners, Madam Mayor for the opportunity to have served this county for 41 years. It has been a heck of a ride. I've seen a lot of things, but one of the things, and I'm going to make this as short as possible. One of the things I want and I need you all to know but whoever is watching is I can tell you with no reservations whatsoever that I have found the county family of employees to be one of the most tenacious, hard-working, innovative, and creative people I have ever come across. And I can tell you leading the department of extremely creative people, and by the way, all I did was recognize their talent and allow them to be as great as they are. Okay? That was my sole contribution. The best was entirely up to them. Because quite frankly, it does take a village, and they're very strong. But I will tell you that for those who have a perception of a county employee, that is nothing less than excellent, you're wrong, because they are. And I would put our folks up against anyone else any day of the week and twice on sunday. That's how passionate I feel about the excellence of the county employees. And I happen to be a little partial to the information technology, because I think that they are an incredible bunch of folks. There's nothing you can tell those folks that can't be done, and they will challenge you, and they will do it. Okay? So to make this short, I will tell that you 41 years has been an experience, and as I told my family and I old my senior leadership team at I.T.D., it is the county family, the family within my department. It is that energy, it is that creativeness, it is that passion for the art of the possible that for the last 41 years has provided the wings, the effort, the air behind this angel's wings. So thank you very much. [Applause] >> Commissioner: Madam Mayor, a couple of words real fast? >> Mayor: for me, I didn't have the good fortune to watch all the steps in angel's past, 41 years in the county. I know you've been all around and done incredible work for 41 years, and we have a lasting legacy not only with all the excellence that you've discovered and brought forth from your people, but in our internal communications, our metronet. You're really the father, the author of metronet which is an incredible piece of our operation here in the county. We know that you plan to retire. Is that true? he's promised to? More time with this adorable grandson. I don't know. Aren't we having a party and we have a proclamation. We would always welcome you with open arms. Mostly to say you have left really a lasting imprint on this county for the technology and the innovation, and you know, as a 65-year-old who believes in always adapting and innovating, it's very inspiring to know a person such as yourself who in this arena of the special innoivation and technology you have continued to adapt and really lead our efforts. So hats off to you. Tribute to you, angel and all you have done for our county, for our residents, for our business community, and we salute and you wish you the very best. Thank you. [Applause] >> Commissioner: I think we're good. I know was going to get into all kinds of things. Unfortunately, I can't. But it's kind of good. We have a bunch of stories. But the issue is that 41 years, angel. You have just done it with honor and excellence. And for that, let it be resolved that daniella levine cava, the mayor that's right next to me and myself as the Chairman Of this board do hereby proclaim today on behalf of the miami-dade county residents, which is about 2.8 million excellent people, do hereby proclaim wednesday, January 20, 2021, as angel pacifico -- pacifico day in miami-dade county. Picture time. >> I want you guys to know that 41 years ago I was actually [Not audible] Pet >> Chair: just like we have an incredible happy oment with someone who is moving on in his life, and e know as you said an angel with God's breath behind his wings moving forward, we have a special moment and like my colleague, I have to introduce. >> thank you so much, Mr. Chair. So we'd like to welcome our chief judge padilla souto up. He was an amazing attorney. We haven't gotten all the signatures. We're oing to deliver it as soon as we get all the signatures. We wanted to do this at our first meeting of the year and give you an opportunity to talk about your father. He was an mazing advocate-for- for everyone. Then he just happens to be your dad. You were blessed with an amazing mentor and amazing father, and as a county commission, we want to honor him and honor you and give you an opportunity to talk about his life and legacy. So thank you for being here, bertie. >> I want to say that the legacy of his man is something that we all are so proud of, the things that he did to make sure that our community became the diverse mecca that it is, the commitment to making sure that there was understanding and bridges of collaboration across our communities. I had the pleasure, you don't know this, but to be at his home for a salad eception many, many years ago. And you know, the man is a giant, and he lives on in you. We're so proud. Thank you. >> Chair: you're our personal friend. Your father, I would say almost 27 years ago -- it's very difficult, because it brings back a lot of memories and moments in life where we didn't have -- I didn't have much money at all, and I needed help. I was a young commissioner -- I'm sorry, councilmember in the city of weet water, and you know the political attacks started and the next thing you know, I was involved in something. I go where did this come from? It's not supposed to be. I reached ut to a man, osvaldo soto. He showed up and said don't worry about it. I got this. He made sure that not only the truth came out and everything was done and done properly, but he did it with such honor and in a distinguished way that only made us proud. I know my colleague, commissioner sosa has always so had a lot of experiences and we have a lot of experiences we could talk about. What I can tell you is he is -- right now in heaven making sure that he has some kind of a court set up to deal with the issues from some of the angels. I know that's being worked out. He's gotten them all straightened out. By now, they're all working for him except for the old man. But with that, there's so much I can say. I want to let my colleagues who would like to speak. Commissioner sosa, do you want to say a couple of words? >> I know we can be talking about his profession, how he helped everyone. I'm going to talk a little bit different. I'm going to talk about the family man that he was, the father, the husband, the person that loved his family so much. We used to sit down, my husband, your father and mother and I for hours sometimes when we were traveling, and the most important thing that he always said was his love for his family, and his desire for his family to admire his track record in life. So now you have a big angel. We all do up there that is looking for everyone, but you will always stay in our hearts. My love to you and your mother and your family completely. I know how hard it is. He's going to leave you that strength that is necessary to overcome this moment and to just say, "move forward." do it for him. >> Chair: commissioner heyman. >> Commissioner: okay. For health reasons, I breathed in and held my breath the whole time I hugged. I do that because I truly love our chief judge in billy. One sympathy stated by everybody. But I want to tell you something that is sort of special. We're blessed to have family that raised us and hung with us. Two different milestones, some of them better than others as we grew up. One thing that is exciting is when we get to show our successes for what the successes of our family, our foundation, our parents, especially, have done for us and the community. When I first got elected, I was really hoping my swearing-in would be timely enough for my mother who passed away right after, to see it. It was sort of a milestone of how I was raised for public service, and that, too, was the same for bertie and her father. But what's really especially special is we sort of moved up an issue that we all champion, for about six years on a daily basis, the new civil courthouse. Bertie was the foundation of the court. She was the face of the court system asking for justice, and behind her and next to her, all that time was her father with his instilled love of the law and his respect for justice and a sound, safe, efficient ouse to let justice prevail. I have to tell you, of all the people sitting out here, of all the people that day, and this was premask, the one person who had a smile on his face the whole time was er father, front row to the right sitting there with the rest of the family, and the legal family also. So o that, thank you to the family. Sympathy to everybody, bertie, the family. I'm glad I was able with the traffic to get here. My apologies for being late. >> Chair: your turn. >> mayor, commissioners, friends, because this has become family or the last six years for me, and actually, much earlier, because I was here many times with my father, fighting the fight, watching him be a decent miami-dade county citizen, asking for what was right, fighting for what was right, not for himself, but because he loved so much this community that had opened its arms to him, his family, and to all of the immigrants that had come here seeking democracy. And I thank you for picking this day, because today is a day of inauguration, and today is the day of healing. And we have a new President, and I know my father said always talk about politics. Always talk about religion. It's important. Never stop voting. Never stop acting. Never stop participating. And that's what he would continue to tell all of you. This is my daughter, billie, his granddaughter. He had ten grandchildren, four children, and four great grandchildren. She's also a lawyer, and he was extremely proud of being a part of this commission chambers. And so many of you and all of you are his friends, and you are correct when you say we have a fierce advocate. He's now looking at what you're doing and sending you messages, I have no doubt, because he's going to continue oving and being part of this community from heaven. Thank you so very very much. You know, there are no words that will ever describe y dad or the loss I feel. But I am so very thankful for the support you've given myself and my family. Thank you. [Applause] >> Chair: actually it's you we have to thank for all your dedication and your father's and your family's. Thank you so much. We'll follow up with -- we have to make sure all the commissioners are represented on the proclamation. With that, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to work. Thank you. >> The Clerk: commissioner higgins. Commissioner garcia. Commissioner hardy emon. Commissioner heyman. Commissioner higgins. Commissioner martinez. commissioner Mcghee. Commissioner commissioner monestime. Commissioner regalado. >> Commissioner: here. >> The Clerk: commissioner sosa. Commissioner souto will be joining us virtually. Vice-Chairman Gilbert. Chairman Diaz. You have five members present. >> Chair: the department heads and the people that are here on our staff, if you sit on the blue labeled seats, that's the seat you should be sitting on to follow C.D.C. Guidelines. Please adjust accordingly on the blue seat. I took a little time this morning to make sure that everybody comes in so we can start sharply at 9:30. So I'll do the roll. I wanted to make sure since there were some things missing, some things that we have to go over that we go over them now. This is our first meeting as the new board, and I want to make sure everything is correct and I want to start right on time at 9:30. Those in your offices sill, please start making your way down as soon as you can so we can start sharply at 9:30. Thank you so much. >> Chair: if we can start making our way to our seats. Mad am Madam Clerk, start calling the roll, please. >> The Clerk: good morning. Commissioner cohen higgins. Commissioner garcia. >> Commissioner: here. >> The Clerk: commissioner hardemon. >> Commissioner: present. >> The Clerk: commissioner heyman. Commissioner higgins. Commissioner martinez. >> Commissioner: present. >> The Clerk: commissioner Mcghee. >> Commissioner: here. >> The Clerk: commissioner monestime. Commissioner regalado. >> Commissioner: here. >> The Clerk: commissioner sosa. Commissioner souto will be joining us virtually. Vice-Chairman Gilbert. Chairman Di. >> Chair: here. >> The Clerk: you have 12 members present. You have quorum. >> Chair: thank you, Madam Clerk. I'm waiting for the vice-chair. If you could please take your seats. Please stand for a moment of prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance. [Prayer not audible] >> Chair: if we could please face the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. A couple of little items that we need to go through first before we start. But I want to thank you all for being here on such a historical day. And I want to start out by thanking all of you that are here to say thank you for being here today. I also want to say it's my first meeting. Thank you once again for electing me as Chairman, and of course, the vice-Chairman Also. So this agenda cycle had a different treatment based on the fact that we did not have committee meetings earlier this month. However, my aim is to have items assigned to their respective committees for review. Items will not be waived on to the bcc notwithstanding an extraordinary situation which then at that point we shall do. I have made o secret that my aim is to give our committees opportunities to really digest these items and in an effective and efficient manner. I intend to recess today this meeting to allow everybody to observe the presidential inauguration that will take place today. This meeting will reconvene at 9:00 A.M. Tomorrow morning. So for all of you that are here on this historic day, we understand the meaning for our country of what's taking place today. So everybody has that opportunity to spend the day with their loved ones or in their office or whatever. It is up to you to do so. So with that, Madam Attorney, I know that I believe you want to take up the house keeping items now or after we set the agenda. >> The Clerk: Mr. Chair, after setting the agenda would be fine if you want to extend reasonable opportunity. You can start with that. >> Chair: I just wanted to make sure. I want to make sure we set up the reasonable opportunity for people of the public to speak. Once again, t 11:00, I will recess this meeting, and we'll reconvene tomorrow at 9:00. And hopefully we can get through tomorrow pretty long agenda. with that, Madam Mayor. >> Mayor: I have a brief point the personal privilege, Mr. Chair. I want to bring our attention to the fact it's the 10th anniversary of the tragic passing of two of our finest miami-dade county police officers. Ten years ago they were killed in the line of duty. Amanda hay worth and castillo. Our thoughts are with the family and I wanted everyone to be aware of this. >> Chair: understand and appreciate it. For all of you, take a moment of silence to remember them. On another note, I want to congratulate gerry for her birthday today. Congratulations on being with us. >> thank you. >> Chair: wanted to make sure we did that. And gerry, thank you so much for all your leadership in the last several days and weeks. With that, let's start off with the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. Sergeant-at-arms, you already have people lined up. >> Commissioner: Mr. Chair. >> Chair: okay. And sally, I want to say something else. Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to understand that I'm trying o find the proper system so you can be recognized properly and in a sequential order as you get recognized. We're working on it. I know that staff s on it, and jennifer has been working hard to make this happen. we're still working out some bugs. I want you to understand that. Bear with us as we get through it. Commissioner heyman. >> Commissioner: thank you. I appreciate the timeliness starting and whatever. We have required by the senate and to you, Madam Attorney a requirement that we must have an opportunity, a legitimate opportunity for the public to be heard. My concern is specifically for today and here after that there's items on this aend that the public wants to -- agenda that the public wants to speak about that they're actually being withdrawn and deferred. If the public is allowed to speak first without knowing the intent is to withdraw something very challenging or something that needs o be redone and have great public input on it, instead of having them come up only to find out, hey, it's being withdrawn anyways. It's being -- is it possible to set the agenda. The requirement is allow the public to speak at government meetings. But it should be on what is before the agenda for the public meeting. If things are set to be withdrawn, they can save it to when we're going to the thing. That's my concern. I know one of them that has people ready to speak on is proposed to be withdrawn. So to save their nergy to when the item is ripe, is that something as long as we allow the public to speak by florida legislature direction. >> County Attorney: commissioner hay lan, the law requires that the reasonable opportunity to be heard occur before you set the agenda. However, I do have a number as you said, a number of deferrals that have been requested s well as some withdrawals. You May -- this board May inform the public before they come up to speak that this item will not be considered today or these items will not be considered today and will be considered at a future date should they wish to return at that time. They do have to be extended the opportunity today. >> Commissioner: thank you. Mr. Chair, to that point, I think that should be a consideration as you move forward. You're making some very relevant changes. I think it would behoove everybody if you could say these items are likely to be deferred and/or withdrawn, and so if you want to reserve your statements to when it's going to be heard, whether -- whatever, instead of for a meeting where it's not going to be heard, but there's great public concern lined up downstairs. >> Chair: commissioner heyman, I understand your concern. We are looking at it. This is a special meeting that we have tried to deal with several issues that have come up on a day like today. This meeting should never have been posted for today. We have worked and tried to make sure that this meeting is in the best-possible way. So we'll start the meeting and work through the issues that we have. Your advice will be taken and look at it and see how we can fix whatever we need to moving forward. With that, thank you for your input. I would like to start calling out, and I'm working on this program, so bear with me. It is my understanding that I have first person is Mr. Jose vega. Is Mr. Jose vega here? Please come to the mics in the back. State your name and your address for the record. >> good morning. My name is jose vega. I live at 2641 northeast 212th terrace, unit 211. That's miami, florida 33180. Thank you for the opportunity. >> Chair: Mr. Vega, you have -- can you start the clock again, please. For all those that are going to speak, it is two minutes hat you have to speak at this time. So Mr. Vega, proceed. Thank you. >> I am here to oppose to the dredging of the halover sandbar located just across bal harbour. This place is magical. It is a major tourist attraction that brings people from all over the world. It is outdoors. It is open 24/7. It's a great place where people from different walks of life get together, and if we want to use a metaphor, it's like going to a dentist and who is going to remove a tooth, a perfectly good-positioned tooth to put it somewhere else in your mouth. Basically what they want to do is dredge the sand, eliminate -- as a matter of fact, the sandbar, and put the and at the bal harbour beach. This is going to kill the sandbar because people get there because there is sand. Kids can walk. Dogs can run. People can stand on the water when they come on their boats, on their jet skis and kayaks. It's a very very unique location. It's going to end by the time they start dredging, and it's going to [Not audible] In about five years. Most importantly, in my case, am one of the food vendors. My business is going to be dead. Without the sandbar, I'm just going to have to shut down. I don't know what I'm going to do with my food boat. The local economy is going to get hurt badly if they dredge the halover sandbar. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you, Mr. Vega. Next person is [Not audible] Rosenberg. >> what was the name again? >> Chair: Mr. Rosenberg. All right. Mr. Michael finny. Is he here? >> good morning, Mr. Chair. >> Chair: good morning. >> commissioners, Madam Mayor. It's a pleasure to come before you this morning. I'm michael finny, the President And C.E.O. At miami-dade beacon council, your official development partner here in miami-dade county. I'm here to speak in support of 11a8, a resolution directing the county mayor. >> Chair: Mr. Finny. Can you give me an address for the record, please. >> address is 80 southwest eighth street, miami. >> Chair: thank you. Restart the clock. Go ahead Mr. Finny. >> I'm here to speak in support of 11a8 on the agendaa, a resolution direct the county mayor to develop economic development recommendations to attract technology, financial services and other companies here to miami-dade county. We are supportive of this resolution and offer ourselves as we are referenced in the resolution as a resource to aid in the development of this plan. I would say that myself and several members of our team have extensive xperience in doing such work, both here in miami-dade and other parts of the united states. One of the things that -- I think miami is having a moment, and it's a time for us to really double down our efforts to be successful in bringing these types of companies, and of course, their investors to miami-dade county. Just to remind you of some of the opportunities and successes that we've had over the last year or so, it's companies like icon enterprises, I swear capital, star capital, universal investments, private equity bank and most recently, blackstone's tech center all within the financial services states that has recently announced they're coming here. In the technology space, soft make and investment funds, one of the largest in the world out of japan established an office in brickell. Tabbit, another tech company jumped to it. Korean chopper and reef technology, also some of the tech companies that recently landed here in miami-dade county. The opportunity is real. We're excited about it. We are doing some preliminary work and look forward to working in partnership with the myor's office and of course the commission in developing a comprehensive plan that will move this initiative forward. Thank you very much. >> Chair: thank you. Mary kathleen. >> good morning. Mary waters, address is 13600 southwest 229th street in miami. I'm here to speak on 11a6 that has to do with the suspension of the fines for or the revision for he suspension of driver's license fees. I don't find that appropriate in the fact that if someone has gotten a suspended license that means they did smething. I understand if this went before the supreme court and the state of tennessee to where someone filed a lawsuit against that because there was a hardship for them to pay the fine. I understand that. However, he got the fine for a reason, and it was suspended for a reason. I believe accountability is a key item that we need to be paying attention to. And therefore, I would say ork out some arrangement with people that do have suspended licenses for them to pay, but do not just completely eliminate the suspension of that license completely. I think that's a dissift to -- disservice to those people who follow the rules and don't have a suspended license. As a former community councilmember, the fact you're reducing the advertising, the publications for hearings to the public, I think that's a huge disservice to the pblic. If anything, you need to provide more services to the public so that they can be informed rather than taking it away from them. So I would truly appreciate if you would reconsider the idea on that and allow advertising to be out there. Not everybody does texting. Not everybody has a computer, and certainly not very many people take the miami erald anymore. The only way they're going to find out about that is word of mouth, and that doesn't seem to get around ery often. So I would appreciate if you would consider that as well as not suspending on the licenses. -- on the fines. I'm sorry. >> Chair: thank you, Ms. Waters. I apologize they had your name differently here on my list. Thank you very mch. >> if I might add one quick comment. Thank you very much for allowing speakers to be here in chambers. It's absolutely horrible on the first floor. >> Chair: thank you, Madam. With that, Mr. Michael rosenberg again. Is he here? Yes, all right. >> sorry. A little confusion dwnstairs. Michael rosenberg, miami, florida. Welcome commissioner diaz to your first time, I think running a meeting here. It's great. After speaking with the zoning department yesterday, I learned about a new computerized system that will offer a tremendous amount of sunshine for our citizens when it comes o learning about zoning issues that impact our quality of life. When this new system is launched, members of the community will have a really wonderful new tool hen it comes to being alerted to these zoning issues. However, as of today, this system is not functional. And it's a work in progress. So I would strongly encourage you to think about delaying 7e until the new system is in place. If the new computerized system works as advertised, the reductions of public notice on 7e won't be as impactful. Until you know for sure and have seen this program work with your own eyes, I would ask you delay 7e until this new technology is in place and you're personally convinced that all is good and these new programs work. >> Chair: thank you, Mr. Rosenberg. And with that, I want to make sure, sandra or cassandra dennis, one of the two. Ms. Dennis. State your name and address for the record, please. >> good morning. - nigh my name is sandra dennis, 745 northwest. Good morning, mayor levine cava and county commissioners. I'm the executive director of miamay miami worker. Center. In connection with the community justice project, we've been canvassing space. It is out of these comments with hntdz of community members living under extreme economic duress that we maintain it is imperative for the public hub of our communities that we increase notifications period. Thank you to commissioner higgins and commissioner monestime for sponsoring item 5c. Definitely in support of that. And really quickly ith my one minute and 14 seconds left, I also want to speak in support of 11 a 11. It is important that we are aware of qualitative and quantitative data about evictions in this county. It will allow us to address economic and racial ine qualities. Thank you for all that you are doing to save lives and eep people in their homes during this pandemic. We really appreciate the policies that you all continue to enforce and we hope that we will get over this pandemic together. Thank you for your time. >> Chair: thank you. With that, that's the list that I have of speakers. Is there anybody else? We're good? Excuse me? >> I believe the mayor of the city of miami wants to address. >> Chair: if the mayor wants to address, please tell him to make it to the mic. Mr. Mayor, if you're here. Please make it to the mic. >> thank you, Mr. Chair. It's the first time that I have viewed in this manner. I appreciate your indulgence. I want to thank and congratulate the new members of the county commission, many of which re my dear friends, former colleagues, the people who I've grown up with politically. And the not so new members. I call them the wisdom crew, the ones that have been tpo members and colleagues of mine for many years. Thank you for your indulgence. I'm here in support of 11a8 whose prime sponsor is danielle cohen higgins and cosponsored by eileen higgins. Many of you, I'm sure, have followed this momentum we're seeing in the city of miami and miami-dade county for tech companies moving to this region from other parts of the united states. For me, it's an existential issue. I have a 6-year-old and a two and a half-year-old, like many of you have children in your homes and families. We have to prepare ourselves for the economy of today and tomorrow. It's imperative we all work together as governments and collaborate to make sure that we realize this moment and convert it into a movement. I want to thank the mayor for her constant collaboration, for always picking up the phone and always be available every time I have spoken to her about doing cross jurisdictional collaboration. She always says yes. I'm very grateful for that. I want to thank commissioner cohen higgins for her initiatives. I don't know where she s I don't have such great eyesight. There you are. And thank you for coming by city hall. You're hitting the ground running as are all of your colleagues, and I want to of course thank all the new commissioners that I have grown up with and am friends with. Thank you very much. This is a tremendous moment. And when you're tweeting with elon musk at 4:00 in the morning and you have the county mayor getting involved as well, you know that omething special is happening. You have a confluence of the state of florida working with miami-dade county, working with the city of miami, and when those governments are working together, putting aside any sort of political differences and partisan differences and making sure that we can ork together for the betterment of our community, amazing things can happen. So again, I want to thank the sponsor. I want to thank the cosponsor, and I want to thank all of you for your support of not only our generation but the generations that follow, will be able to study here, and work here and make a career here and won't have to leave for other places. Miami will go from brain drain to brain gain. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you, mayor suarez. It's true. We've seen you grow up. So the wisdom crew has been around for a while. With that, thank you for being here today. With that, I believe that is it. Sergeant-at-arms, am I correct? We're good. Okay. With that, Madam Attorney. I believe the next item of business is to set the agenda. Am I correct. >> County Attorney: yes, Mr. Chair. There are a few preliminary matters. >> Chair: I could not understand what you said. >> County Attorney:terior there are a few preliminary matters that need to be addressed. 8e1, vice-Chairman Gilbert has requested deferral of this item to this board's February 2 meeting. >> I'm sorry,, what item that was? >> County Attorney: 8e1 and commissioner martine sez adding his name to the pull list for 8e1. They'll have to decide if they want to defer it or keep it on the pull list. 8f6, commissioner hay man ads her name to the pull list. 8f9, commissioner heyman pulls this item. 8f11, commissioner heyman adds her name to the pull list. 8I3, commissioner martinez has pulled this item. The title is shown on the original pull list is incorrect. Item 8I3 remains on the pull list. I believe a new pull list has been circulated with a corrected title. 8n1, n as in nancy, commissioner martinez is adding his name to the pull list. 11a2, the sponsor has requested deferral of this item to no date certain. This item is also on your pull list. The board will need to decide how it wishes to proceed. 11a4, and 11a4 substitute. The substitute for the item is added to the pull list. And commissioner cohen higgins is releasing her pull of this item. That's 11a4 substitute. 11a8, commissioner sosa did not pull this item and should not have been listed as a pulling commissioner. 11a10, commissioner heyman is adding her name to the pull list. The sponsor has requested deferral of this item to this board's February 2 meeting. Board will need to decide how it wishes to proceed. 11a12, commissioners cohen higgins, martinez and sosa did not pull this item and should not have been listed as pulling commissioners. 11a13, the sponsor has requested deferral of this item to this board's February 2 meeting. The item is on your pull list. The board will need to decide how it wishes to proceed. Mr. Chair, I have some additional requests for cosponsorship. 3a2, commissioner regalado cosponsor, 4a, commissioner regalado cosponsor. 5b, gilbert cosponsor, 8l1, commission regalado. 11a7, commissioner regalado cosponsor. 11a16, vice-Chairman Gilbert and commissioner Mcghee wish to be listed as cosponsors. The items to be considered at today's meeting will be those listed in the final printed agenda with the deferrals, withdrawals and scrivener's errors mentioned in the Chairman's memorandum. The commission will approve all of these items by a single vote setting the agenda except for ordinances for first reading, public hearings, the following discussion items. You have 6b1 a discussion item regarding excessive delivery fees being charged to our local independent restaurants, item 6b2, discussion itemarding community safety and government buildings, ordinances for second reading. Items subject to the 4-day rule surround section 14 and the following pull list items, 8e1, the board will have to decide if it wishes to defer this item as requested or leave it on the pull list. 8f2, 8f6, 8f9, 8f11, 8I3, 8l4, 8n1, 8o1. >> The Clerk: 11a1, 11a2 is on the pull list. However, we have a requested deferral to no date certain. 11a3, 11a4 substitute. 11a6. 11a8, 11a10 also on your pull list with a requested deferral to February 2, '11a11, 11a12, 11a13, 11a16, 15b1 and 14a1. A motion to set the agenda is in order. >> Chair: thank you. Before we start, I know that Mr. Vice-chair, you had an item. >> Commissioner: I ant to be listed as a cosponsor to 11a8. >> Commissioner: Mr. Chair, I'll move to set the agenda, including the deferrals 11a2, 11a10, and 11a13. >> Chair: okay. I have a motion. All whys requested deferral will be taken precedence too, everything stated. Do I have anybody else? Okay. Madam Attorney. >> County Attorney: Mr. Chair, there was also a requested deferral of 8e1. Is that included in the motion. >> Chair: all deferrals are included. The maker has asked for a deferral. I will respect that. With that, anybody else? Mr. Hardemon. Commissioner hardemon. >> Commissioner: thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Item 11a1, please put me down as a cosponsor of the item. That is a relic of the past that is supported in the city of miami in 2019. I want to ensure that I'm listed as a sponsor on that item as it comes here. And then secondly, I know -- >> Chair: I'm sorry to interrupt you. Can you get that mic a little closer to you? >> Commissioner: I'm trying to lean in to it. >> Chair: thank you, sir. >> Commissioner: you did hear what I said? >> Chair: no, I did not. >> Commissioner: in the city of miami, item 11a1 in the city of miami, we -- back in 2019, we showed -- passed a rez rugz solution that basically did what this does in the county. We're working with this south florida community land trust that have developed affordable housing within our community. I ant to be shown as a cosponsor on this item. I think you're shown as a cosponsor and flowing through the board of county commissioners. I'd I. Would like that. And second, Madam County attorney. >> Chair: to be clear, I'm sorry. >> Commissioner: was I not clear? >> Chair: high hearing. Let's put it that way. You want to defer the item. >> Commissioner: no. Cosponsor. >> Chair: cosponsor. >> Commissioner: I know our county attorney, she's stated a number of different things on the record regarding continuances and deferrals and such. You gave options and I didn't really hear anyone describe those options. So can you, for me, for the slowest person on the dias, tell us which items are being deferred so I can write those down? >> County Attorney: yes, commissioner hardemon. There are a few referrals that have been requested. >> Commissioner: and also withdrawals and whatever it might be. >> County Attorney: yes, sir. As far as the deferrals that have been requested, I have item 8e1, vice-chair gilbert is requesting this be deferred to February 2. Item 11a2. The sponsor is requesting deferral of this item to no date certain. 11a10, the sponsor is requesting deferral of this item to February 2. And item 11a13, the sponsor is requesting deferral to February 2. In addition, we had a withdrawal requested of a discussion item which was 6b3 on your agenda and commissioner hardemon, I have taken note that on item 11 a1, you wish to assume sponsorship of that item. You'll be listed as the prime sponsor. Is that correct? >> Commissioner: that's correct. >> County Attorney: thank you, sir. >> Chair: commissioner hardemon. >> Commissioner: thank you, sir. >> Chair: with that, I have a motion. Commissioner sosa and a second by commissioner heyman. Roll call, Madam Clerk. >> The Clerk: i don't really need to do roll call. All right. All in favor say aye. [Chorus of Ayes]. >> Chair: any opposed? Let the record reflect accordingly. None opposed. Next item, Madam Attorney. >> County Attorney: would you like to take up some housekeeping items? >> Chair: yes, let's do tose. >> County Attorney: Mr. Chair, item 14a1 has not been pulled. You would like to entertain a motion to approve this item. >> Chair: I'll entertain a motion. >> Commissioner: moved. >> Commissioner: second. >> Chair: moved by commissioner societia and seconded by commissioner martinez. Who said second, guys? Bear with me. >> Commissioner: I'll second it for commissioner higgins. It's her item. >> Chair: with that, all those in favor say aye [Chorus of ayes]. >> Chair: any opposed? None. Next item on the list we have to deal with. >> County Attorney: Mr. Chair, you had a housekeeping item to amend the board's calendar. Would you like for me to read that motion? >> Chair: yes, please. >> County Attorney: a regular meeting of the county commission is scheduled to be held at 9:30 A.M. On tuesday, February 16, the day after President's day. I would like to entertain a motion to amend the 2021 calendar of the county commission to reschedule the February 16 regular commission meeting to wednesday, February 17 at 9:30 A.M. And to reschedule the zoning and cdmp meeting currently scheduled for wednesday, February 17 to thursday, February 18 at 9:30 A.M. If approved, item 15b1 would be amended accordingliment we would need a motion and a second. >> Chair: I have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. [Chorus of Ayes]. >> Commissioner: one question. >> Chair: commissioner martinez. >> Commissioner: February 17, is that ash wednesday? >> County Attorney: I don't know. I would have o check the calendar. >> Commissioner: you know I don't ask a question hat I don't have the answer to. I'll see you on the following wednesday. >> Chair: all in favor say aye. [Chorus of Ayes]. >> Chair: all opposed? . None. Madam Attorney, was that the last item we needed to deal with for housekeeping? >> County Attorney: as far as I know, yes, sir. Would you like to go to the public hearings. >> Chair: let's go to the public hearings. >> County Attorney: your -- would you like for me to read all of them at one time. >> Chair: so item yes, ma'am. >> County Attorney: 5a is a codesignation from northwest 135th street to northwest 151st street as commissioner barbara jordan way and 5a subelement. 5b is a ordinance relating to termination of certain residential tenancies; creating section 17-03 of the code of miami-dade county, florida; increasing notification period related to termination of certain month-to-month residential tenancies in incorporated and unincorporated areas of miami-dade county; providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. 1 and 2. 5c from southwest 100 avenue to southwest 104th avenue as johnny fletcher way and 5c supplement. 5d is a resolution authorizing conveyance and four additional properties for prohousing for the purpose of developing such properties with affordable housing in accordance with the county's infill initiative program. 5e substitute number two an downtown retail associates, llc., for establishment of a community development district generally bounded on the north by nw 7 street, on the east by nw 2 avenue, on the south by nw 6 street, and on the west by nw 3 avenue; creating and establishing sawyer's landing community development district; providing for name, powers and duties; providing description and boundaries; providing initial members of board of supervisors; accepting proffered declaration of restrictive covenants; providing severability, exclusion from the code and an effective date. And 5e substitute number two supplement. 5f is a resolution approving a governmental facility with additional sign program for the jackson west medical center of the jackson health system. 5g is a resolution ranting vacation of right-of-way from southwest second street north. 5h is an comprehensive development master plan (Cdmp); amending section 2-116.1 of the code of miami-dade county, florida; providing that applications involving the expansion of the urban development boundary (Udb) Or the urban expansion area, or proposing changes to land use classifications outside the udb May be filed as expedited applications during certain years; providing that applications to redesignate properties outside the udb from one non-urban use to another May be filed at any time; providing authority for the director to extend certain deadlines for holding public hearings under certain circumstances; revising references to evaluation and appraisal of cdmp to conform to state law; making technical changes; providing severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date. >> Chair: thank you, Madam Attorney. And commissioners, two ways we can do this. We can go through each one. I could bifurcate -- I only have 5b, 5e and 5h that we have speakers on. So those are the only ones we're going to take up. if there's any issues. I'm going to ask the vice-chair, I would like to be coprime on your item which 5a, and so do you accept -- >> Commissioner: absolutely, yes. >> Chair: thank you very much. Commissioner martinez. >> Commissioner: on 5a, I have to step out of the room. Take it separately. >> Chair: okay. So let me -- is everybody okay with just taking up all the items that don't have public hearings -- speem to speak on? Okay. So Madam Attorney, will you bifurcate 5e, 5b and 5h and 5a. >> County Attorney: Mr. Chair, 5a, 5b, 5e and 5h al. >> Chair: all right, guys. There's a bad echo in here. >> Commissioner: Mr. Chairman, I do have a question on 5d. >> Chair: on 5e? 5b. >> Commissioner: 5d as in david. >> Chair: we'll bifurcate 5d also. Anybody else? Commissioner heyman, I saw your hand up. >> Commissioner: same here. A request to speak on 5d. >> Chair: 5d. Madam Mayor. >> Mayor: when it's appropriate I'd like to comment on 5a and 5h. >> Chair: thank you, Madam. So 5h, we're taking now as is. So if you need to say something on 5h? >> Mayor: yes. I know we have speakers on it. >> Chair: let me make those first, please. Commissioner higgins. >> Commissioner: I need to bifurcate 5h for a question and comment. Then that's fine. Bifurcate 5h also. The rest of the items, I have motion by commissioner societia and second by commissioner Mcg Mcghee. >> Chair: that's what I have. Am I correct, Madam Attorney? >> County Attorney: yes, sir. >> Chair: so first and a second. All those in favor say aye [Chorus of ayes]. >> Chair: any opposed? Let the record show none opposed. Let's take up 5a. Do I have any speakers on that? I don't believe so. Just wait a minute. See if somebody -- letting somebody step out. Thank you. Mr. Vice-chair, you're recognized. >> Commissioner: thank you, Mr. Chair. This item is from the city of opa-locka's desire to recognize the extraordinary public service. My predecessor commissioner barbara j. Jordan. Before she was a county commissioner, she's served as an extraordinary public servant here at miami-dade county rise the level of assistant county manager. Her service to miami gardens and opa-locka district one and quite frankly the to residents of this county is in some ways unmatched, and I move this item. I feel this is a very appropriate designation. Thank you. >> Commissioner: second. >> Chair: commissioner sosa. >> Commissioner: can I become a cosponsor? >> Chair: yes. Coprime? >> Commissioner: yes. >> Chair: so Madam Attorney. Recognize the people. Hold your hands up. So they can -- >> Commissioner: cosponsor. >> Chair: thank you, commissioner souto. I even forgot you were there. I apologize. >> County Attorney: Mr. Cair, I know everyone in the room including senator souto who is appearing virtually as a coprime sponsor on the item. >> Chair: okay. Everybody that's within the room. Thank you. With that, I'll take a motion. I had a otion from vce-chair. Second by commissioner heyman. All in favor say aye. [Chorus of ayes]. >> Chair: any opposed? None. Mayor. Do you want to say something? Mare >> Mayor: >> Mayor: ish I could vote on this. We all know why we're honoring her this way. Thank you to the vice-chair for bringing this item. She's been a voice of reason and fairness and integrity for everyone. And she always spoke her mind even when it wasn't popular and spoke up for the needs of her community. I want to say they join with you in this important honor and am very great of that we'll be honoring her this way. >> Chair: as we all do. She's incredible nd has been incredible. She gave a great portion of her life to this community and this commission. I could not think of a better honor that putting her name on a street. With that, thank you so much. Next item, Madam Attorney. >> County Attorney: yes, Mr. Chair, your next item is 5b and its two supplements. >> Chair: okay. 5b. One second. Commissioner higgins. >> Commissioner: do you have speakers on this item? I'm not sure. >> Chair: I'm sorry. They didn't pop up. I apologize. We do ave quite a few speakers. All right. We have to fix. This I know it's hard. I want to thank jennifer and team for making sure that we're working and trying to deal with sophisticated system here. I apologize that I didn't recognize them before. With that, I have jeffrey martin tierney, I believe. Again, state your name and address and you have two minutes. Thank you. >> good morning. Jeffrey hardin from legal services of greater miami. 4343 west flagler. As an attorney who represents low-income tenants for over 20 years, it's a story 've heard over and over again. I lived in my house for years. I didn't sign a new lease ut I've always paid my rent on times and now my landlord is telling me to move within 15 days. Oftentimes these tenants end up in viction or homeless because they can't find housing in 15 days. It's especially true for our clients with limited means. They would take time off work and lose money in the search time and come up with a new security deposit and pay moving costs. A tenant is much more likely to accomplish this if they have time to prepare. If a tenant cannot move out within those 15 days an eviction is filed and that eviction record makes it much more difficult to find housing. It's important to remember these are tenants who are paying their rent and complying with the lease. If he landlord wants to evict a tenant for violating the lease, there are other options with much shorter time period. For nonpayment of rent, three days and other lease violations, seven days. It only changes the how much advanced notice the landlord has to give the tenant f the family wants if they want to move out January 31, they have to notify them on January 1. The city of miami beach already gives 30 days notice. The miami beach increased to 30 days in the 1990s and miami in 2017. This will bring uniformity as to how tenants are treated. They need time to move. It gives families time and advanced notice hey need to avoid evictions and homelessness. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you. Next person is velardy sabrina. >> good morning, commissioners, sabrina velardy on behalf of miami homes for all, 1951 northwest seventh avenue, miami, florida 33236. I'm just here to log my support for 5b and I'd like to yield the rest of my time. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you. Next person, dennis sanis. Okay. While you get her here, castallanos, natalie. >> good morning, commissioners. I'm speaking on behalf of health foundation of florida located at 2 biscayne boulevard, suite 1710, 33131. Good morning. I am commenting in support of 5b on behalf of health foundation of florida. South florida's largest health- health-related nonprofit grant-making organization. Some of you May be wondering why a foundation devoted to health would be here supporting an ordinance o improve renter protections. The reason is because health foundation of south florida's board and leadership have long understood that health care does not equal health. Health begins not in our hospitals and health clinics but in our homes and communities. Housing is among the most studied nonmedical factor in health and research confirms that one in four key pathways linking health and housing is housing stability. The proposed ordinance is an important step in creating greater housing stability for renters in miami-dade county. Thank to you cosponsors, commissioner higgins and commissioner monestime, and because greater housing disability means better health and less burden on our county's healthcare system, health foundation of south florida is pleased to support this ordinance. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you, ma'am. Again for the record, who is the last speaker? Madam Attorney. Who is registered as the last speaker, or Madam Clerk. >> The Clerk:. >> County Attorney: if this is the end of the public hearing. >> Chair: I have a lot ore people on the public hearing. I wanted to for the ecord -- who was the last speaker? Again, we're working through our little app here we're trying to get together. Let me just take the next person. I believe it is sequential. Rocks anna rod -- roxanna rodriguez. >> good morning. Thank you for having me. My name issox roxanna, 740 southwest 109th avenue apartment 1039. I live in district 12 and my commissioner is pepe diaz. i'm part of the youth council to end youth homelessness in miami-dade county. I am a student who has experienced homelessness myself. I know this 15 to 30-day period would benefit other families and youth. My mother and I could have benefitted from this years ago when suitable places to live yet provided us the option not being bound to a lease if we didn't pay the monthly rent. Implementing this would be a backbone to prevent future homelessness. Families use an individual's need more time to establish an action plan of affordability for their unit to prepare for another unit. 15 days is just not enough to pick up everything and prepare to move to another unit. So commissioners, please pass item 5b to help our families in need in miami-dade county. Thank you. >> Chair: thank you, Ms. Rodriguez. Mr. Sandra ennis or sandra dennis. If we could get the correct spellings and people, it would help a little bit better. Thank you. She's not here at this time. All right. With that, annie lord. >> good morning, Mr. Chair and the vice-chair and commissioners, Madam Mayor. My name is annie lord, the executive director at miamy homes for all. Address is 1951 northwest seventh avenue in miami. I'm here to express my support for item 5b. as you're all aware, we're a county on the edge of a precipice. We have 1/3 of our residents struggling to barely get by, and we quantify that as 250,000 miami-dade households learning less than $35,000 a year and paying more than hey can afford for their housing. The census recently calculated a couple of weeks ago that at least 180,000 households in the three county area expect to be evicted in the next two months. With that, we actually have an impressively low number of people who are facing homelessness. Of course one is too many. But we don't compare to other major metropolises in the country yet. With this pandemic, I wonder if not this, what would it take for our excellent systems of care and providers to become overwhelmed? And for us to experience what other major metropolis in this country have which is an explosive homelessness issue. What's going to be our tipping point? Undeniably, the eviction moratorium has been a very good thing, but of course, it cannot last. Eventually, we must prepare to move from crisis management to crisis resolution. This policy is just one of those good policies that we can do. In a time when people have even more vulnerability, when the savings are depleted, when it's extremely dangerous for them to be in the situation that the young lady roxanna was in with her mother, this is the time we can track policies that allow for families to resolve their chris cries /- crises effectively. Thank you for sponsoring and cosponsoring the items. >> Chair: with that, alanna greer. >> good morning, commissioner. I'm alanna greer and the attorney and director at community justice project. We support grass roots. 3000 biscayne boulevard. >> Chair: thank you, ma'am. >> we support community organizations made up of tenants and doing direct outreach to tenants before this pandemic and throughout this crisis. What we have seen is countless households in fear of what happens next, what happens when they get that notice on the door. And we really think thank the commission for taking this issue up. It's incredibly important that we give people, even just a observing amount of time to prepare. We need to do much more to protect tenants. This is an important first step. We took a look at eviction records filed in August of this year to get a sense of who would be impacted by this change. What we found was less than half of tenants in ekwikz eviction court had a written lease. They were at the mercy of issue punish -- pushed out for no reason with just 15 days notice. About a third of those cases would have been directly impacted by this change. We have seen tenants who have lived in their property for decades, folks in the process f buying a home or in a crisis that are impacted by the absurd laws frankly that we have on the books that allow this. We need much more wholesale change but we appreciate this effort as a first step towards that. We also wanted to thank the commission for taking an interest in eviction data and making sure that was being reported to only to the commission but the broader community and been working with the university of florida and university of miami and others to study that data during this crisis and would love to continue working with commissioners to make sure that we are getting resources to those who most need it, not only during the pandemic but afterwards as well. Thank you very much. >> Chair: thank you, Ms. Greer. With that, next person is bill blanket the fourth. >> greetings Madam Mayor, commissioners. My name is hill blackett, 2584 northwest fifth court. Just to start, I want to echo the sentiments of previous speakers in support of item 5b. You know, I think jeffrey hearn summed it up excellently. You know, t seems like a no-brainer. Let's bring the whole county into one, you know, under one set of rules that, you know, gives tenants some extra protection. you know, as the previous speaker alanna greer said, I really don't think that e're nearly there in term of what we need to be doing. But I do commend the county and our mayor in keeping in place the moratorium on removals. I did want to just offer a few suggestions. One, it would be great to have a clear announcement of an extension of that moratorium until at least the end of this year. Two, it would be nice to reexpand that to include all evictions, not just ones filed after March 12. Unfortunately, yesterday, I had to assist with, you know, a man who had an beingerts vikz -- an eviction filed with him on March 11 and unfortunately, the county police came to remove him yesterday. I would like to see the county do a much better job of informing landlords and tenants of what the current rules are. We'd love to see, you know, a mass mailer, radio spots, billboards and also working with community organizations like the miami workers center and other community heart based organizations to knock on doors and actually inform tenants that they don't have to go anywhere right now, that they're allowed to remain in place. I thank you for your time. >> Chair: thank you, sir. Next person, rafael antonio saldana. >> good morning, commiss