Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners - Regular

>> test miami-dade . >> test miami-dade. >> test . >>chair: look at all this pink . I like it Official , I'm going to end this over to you. We got the funds ready and everything? Breast cancer awareness month every month, not just on that side of the month. It's a pleasure as your CHAIRMAN For miami-dade county joined by my colleague jesse bermudez, the rest of my colleagues. Apparently it is still cold outside. They're going to be running late today. It's a pleasure to be a part of this. I know that airport and jimmy, you are here on behalf of the mayor, where is the mayor? She's on her way but in all seriousness the airport is one of our largest fundraisers in the county and that merits real recognition so before we do what we are here to do I want to say thank you to the director for putting that on, obviously with your 5k team which I saw right there. But not just either, even though I love you and you are my constituents and you went to columbus as my sons do but your entire team because it takes a team effort to put all this together so around of applause for not only the director of the entire aviation team and 5k team. with that director taken over. >> thank you MR. Chair, I promise I will be brief. I want to thank our mayor, chief morales, CHAIRMAN And our board for all your support for making strides against breast cancer over the last few years. We started this thing about four years ago with 1000 runners at mia and since then we've groaned all three airports, miami executive and transfixed mia and finished with 1500 participants and raised $130,000. Total over the last four years for making strides against breast cancer so that is a huge number and obviously we take a lot of pride in participating with that and being a big part of fighting breast cancer. Second I want to give a big shout out to our sister departments who help us with this. Our parks and recreation department and the bleachers for these events, former and current wasd director roy coley . Water stations for the race and obviously frank and ruiz here, they put together a first-class event every single year. They do a great job , first class and obviously our making strides against breast cancer partners amy perez represented here today by morgan so we don't do it alone in a vacuum and last but not least obviously you mentioned MR. Chair our mia team, they do a great job working collaboratively with everybody. It is a team effort, we take pride in doing it and we welcome all of you to join us or our events this year. We will have our first 5k at miami executive in MARCH. Then our second event at opa locka executive in naples and our big event in OCTOBER at mia so come out and have a good time and if I can run it, you guys can run it, believe it I do and every year w grow, it's more money and with that MR. Chair you can do the honors and present the check. Come on up. >>chair: you are receiving this big check today. >> let me hand it over to the chief . >> to say a few words we talk a lot about infrastructure at the airport and the number of passengers who go through it but it's decimal to the people who work out there and effort that goes into putting these events together. I had the chance to kick off the event, I did not run it, my wife did when it is a unique opportunity without having to go through many levels of security and background checks to get out on the runway and run and walk on that while planes are landing and taking off so it's an incredible experience, thousands of people who came out, hundreds who volunteer. We couldn't do it without hundreds of volunteers and frankie and his team for what they do but ralph, to you and your team and obviously it's also supporting an incredible effort. There's not a family in this county that haven't been touched by this disease so it is the least we can do. Coming out frankie and team aviation, come on down. Frankie had a little event, the marathon that was another hit success. >>chair: for the record I will not be running it, I will walk it happily, I will not be running it. . [Inaudible] [Applause] >>chair: thank you all for coming out for this. >>.. [Music] >> commissioner bastien. [Roll call] We only have four members present, we don't have a quorum . >> with our heads for prayer. Heavenly father, most holy and precious GOD . GOD of grace and GOD of mercy. We stand before you this morning humbled and grateful for the opportunity that we have to gather here to serve your people. For the GOD , I pray that you open the floodgates of heaven and pour out your blessings upon our mayor , our commissioners and the entire staff of miami-dade county. Grab them all GOD the ability to make decisions that promote the well-being , safety and prosperity of all citizens. inspire them almighty GOD t work together in unity , putting aside all differences so that they can work for the betterment of our community. Bless our community of GOD with diversity, inclusivity and respect to all. Our differences be celebrated and MAY we strive for justice , equality in this we pray in the majestic and naturalist name of our lord jesus christ amen and amen . >>chair: thank you bishop and now join us in the pedge led by commissioner regalado . >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >>chair: MR. Attorney, not an attorney. Can we first set the agenda and then we will move into reasonable opportunity for the public . >> reasonable opportunity would be first. >>chair: has to be? All right, we will open reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard then. I have several speakers sign up, I'm going to call your name, please line up. You will have one minute to speak, state your name and address for the record. And then the clock will start, kenneth brown. Angel brown. corey walden. Ricky west. [Reading names] >>speaker: good morning, is the floor open for reasonable opportunity? The one it is open for reasonable opportunity, you have to state your name and address, you have a minute and be respectful, do not call any commissioners out by name and speak on item of which you are registered to speak on. >>speaker: but also can I speak on reasonable opportunity? >> this is reasonable opportunity on item you signed up to speak on. You signed up to speak on 11 810? This is the item, state your name and address and you have one minute. >>speaker: I would like to also speak on something on reasonable opportunity. >>chair: were going to start the clock now, you have to start speaking, your time is about to run out, you have a minute. >>speaker: kenneth brown. I just want, sign up just for the information to be open to be heard. At 2300 north 17th avenue I am here today to speak about the unjust and the things that's done here in the community and in a community based on this theme that they're trying to bring in the match, they brought them back in based upon someone that's away from the county that sat on the board of the county that does a lot of work environment with the county that that particular agenda should be rescinded and should be called back. The other matter I need to speak on is the housing, the unjust housing that we have in our community located in the liberty city area, in the brownsville area. A lot of the women and men that doesn't have housing, they are hmeless. >>chair: thank you MR. Brown. >>speaker: how are you doing this morning? >>chair: name and address for the record. >>speaker: wayne c tarver, address 18 w. 33rd st. I am here seeking information. I want to know , I hear they're trying to annex, they are trying to make us a city and I want to know what benefit will we be receiving that the county doesn't always ready provide for us? If anyone could answer that question for me I would like an answer. >>chair: we don't do questions and answers here name and address for the record . >>speaker: 18910 northwest nw. 10th ter., pembroke pines florida, 33029. This morning, okay, good morning. I am a realtor that helps south florida and most of my clients are seniors, single women and convicted felons. I wanted to speak about the disparity some of my clients facing the community as far as I hate to say but discrimination for housing. So I wanted to see is there a way the county can come up with some ways to assist the single women , senior citizens and felons facing homelessness in our county and what programs or what assistance we can provide so we can have equal opportunity for everyone and not just a specific group or what we can do just to offer equality in for everyone in our county. >>chair: please remember to speak on the item you are registered to speak on. >>speaker: leroy jones, 14b one , thank you MR. Chair for allowing me the opportunity, appreciate that. Im speaking on that report you all requested. And I want you to know 95% of that funding those reorganizations receive it was an open competitive process, we applied and we were awarded funding. So it's not against us because we have good applications so you can't hold that against us how much funding we received, it was a competitive process. We apply it, we got selected and we got awarded funding. I don't hold any shame on the part of those reorganizations, all three are doing amazing work. And I'm not going to shy away from being a part of reorganizations, there's nothing illegal about it. I came here to speak about the last time, I didn't ask for no money, all I ask for you to look in to see what's happening with what we were awarded because we have people waiting on those laws that have been approved. The credit is getting messed up because we haven't finished the lot, that's what I came here for. >>speaker: josette, 5120 nw. 24th ave., miami. As the youngest board member and the first female PRESIDENT I bring you all greetings. On behalf of the board. I am a proud 47 year resident of dade county. Pretty much homegrown from preschool to va school and also a healthcare professional and provider providing community, our community services for over 20 years and I'm speaking on 14b, I apologize. I was raised by my two parents, first-generation asian american raised by my two parents and I came to speak on the services that my parents provided to this community as to who I am as a community leader. I just wanted to put my name and the face with the organizations that I represent, thank you . >>speaker: jeffrey mack, nw. 21st st. >>speaker: jeffrey mack, nw. 21st st. I've been pastor in the community for 30 years. I've served on liberty trust revitalization board and I'm here on 14b one. I am also one of the cofounders of the brotherhood. And I understand proverbs 22 first one says good neighbors once chosen are more favored than silver and riches. We've done great work in the community and as a board member we stand to say that we are not thugs. We are not gangsters. Our past should not be a hindrance in the good work we are doing. I think this you should consider all that we do not only to help in the community that we're helping each other to grow to what we need to be. So I just want to say if we continue to work together and not try to be divided then we can do better in the community. Thank you for the opportunity. >>speaker: my address is 1395 northeast corporation miami, fl 33150 here to inform you there are very few black businesses in miami-dade reedit since the 80s rent money was here to rebuild the black communities that have been passed, that never happened. So they are your two . [Inaudible] The funds for the businesses. We have very few black businesses in miami-dade and black businesses in miami-dade are replenishing every day. So again I am here to petition for funds for small black businesses once again to be on the rise in miami-dade and that's why I'm here. And here is where I stand, thank you. >>chair: name and address for the record . >>speaker: 4743 nw. 23rd avenue in the bay area. We're here for our community to stand up our own and rebuilding our community and I applied for a job and there's not one black person there. Funding for our community and I don't see it so I'm trying to figure out what's going on and that's why I'm here. >>chair: I'm missing ricky west. Teresa the floor. Trent cannon, christopher sweeting. Charles stringer and edward haynes. Please line up and be ready to approach the podium. Go ahead. Quest. >>speaker: we came to becky with support for our initiatives in the community. As we all know it's a digital revolution and we're so excited to be on the forefront to ensure the communities connect with the important technologies, emerging here out of miami. Miami's consider the not just the crypto capital right now but it's the most important all eyes on the emerging technologies coming out of miami-dade county so we just want to make sure our communities get access and understand the adoption of these new technologies. CHAIRMAN We have a meeting with you next monday so I look forward to that. >>chair: looking forward to it, thank you so much. >>speaker: my name is german butcher a four hour crypto currency task force for miami-dade county and I bring greetings and support in black history month to our honorable CHAIRMAN And mayor, to the commissioners of the county and to the residents, miami-dade county is at the forefront of this technology and there's a lot of things happening so as a result of tat are miami-dade digital commission which is our community technology partner is here to offer free counseling, our webinars as well as education for all dade county citizens on what's happening in crypto but also ai quantum in cybernetics so thank you once again , and kudos and thank you commissioner. >>speaker: teresa leflore northwest 102 street miami, 33147. I'm speaking on 14b. I'm here in support of neighbors association. I have been a board member, secretary for the past 20+ yars. I've worked at miami-dade college for 34 years, I am currently retired. And I'm here in full support of the work that we have done. We worked tirelessly in our communities. I have also been the ceo of a nonprofit organization for over 15 years here in miami dade county serving district 2. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. >>chair: thank you so much, sir . >>speaker: my name is edward haynes, one of nigeria. My address is 7900 nw. 27th ave., miami, fl. I own haynes security services, the largest black security company in south florida. I've served as united states marine as well as the first black police officer in the city of miami shores. As a police instructor at miami-dade school of justice and safety administration I also served as head of security for our honorable congresswoman frederica wilson as well as being a 5000 role model of excellence. I am vice PRESIDENT Of the doctor martin luther king parade committee. I am south florida coordinator for the universal circus as well as a prince hall mason from 291 in temple 149. I sit on the grant cardone foundation that is presently I the process of opening a 10 x hub in the heart of liberty city to take at risk children and teach them how to become millionaires and billionaires. I want to take this opportunity to let you know I represent the circle of brotherhood and we appreciate their support. >> my name is trini's canon, address 5120 nw. 24th avenue speaking on behalf of the item 14b one. I am a board member of man as treasurer and I stand before you being amazed at the work that has been done in the community through nana and the circle of brotherhoods. I have one biological brother but I am pleased and thankful I have more than just that one brother in the community that help and support me. I am a member of the united methodist women of faith. I am also in the network of packed, people acting for community together. And I thank mayor cava for standing to the call when we asked her to speak on behalf of items such as gun violence in which circle of brotherhood stands for. And also mayor cava in standing for justice. Let justice roll, amen. >>chair: surrey card, your name and address . >>speaker: charles stringer, I reside at 3555 nw. 96th st., miami, fl 33147, one of those concerning zip codes. I am a retired professor. From emory university a few years ago as an assistant professor , clinical medicine. I've also been a clinician for a number of years as a physician's assistant. I've worked at places such as the hi, family health center, university of miami and so on. I'm here to speak in support of mana and the circle of brotherhood, item 14b1. I am a proud board member for over 20 years. I am also a member of circle of brotherhood. I sit on the committee within the circle of brotherhood that is a substance abuse mental health committee and one of our activities is helping to reduce opioid overdose, redistribute ... >>chair: thank you so much. Sir, name and address . >>speaker: christopher sweeney. A member of the circle of brotherhood, 20533 n. 13th ave., miami gardens, fl 33169 and I'm here to speak on 14b1 in reference to the circle of brotherhood. I want to say thank you mayor, mme. Mayor and commissioners and CHAIRMAN For allowing me to speak what I want to let you guys know a little bit about myself. First of all, I serve as the treasurer for the circle of brotherhood. For the circle of brotherhood and I own multiple businesses here in miami-dade county within different districts throughout the county . I also am a full-time employee of a major large corporation here in miami-dade county and I want to let you guys know I have a bachelors of science degree from florida a&m university in engineering and also I deal with inner-city kids each day every day dealing with gang violence and that's what I wanted to address to let you guys know I am not a gang member, I am not a terrorist and I want to let you know all the things that I do also known as coach chris in the county, all students know me. >>chair: ma'am, your name. >>speaker: angel brown, address 2461 nw. 61st st. >>chair: MISS Angel brown, you are on here. >>speaker: I've been a resident of miami-dade for 55 years and what I'm wondering is why it's so hard to get affordable housing for us like the bar is set so high for us to get affordable housing even if we work we still can't afford and we should have the same opportunities as other people have. >>speaker: responded thomas, my name wasn't listed but I'm here to say that I heard all the businesses and organizations being heard but I wanted my plea to be heard. I want to know what's going on with the housing. The waiting list for the housing. There are a number of homeless people, homeless young ladies who are sitting over here with children . Shelters are not an option. So I wanted to come here to say that there is a problem with homelessness. Amongst the young , especially women with children and I want to know what's going to be done about that. Thank you. >>chair: if the administration could get with the lady to speak about her options. All right, anyone else signed up to speak that I did not call their name. Please approach. >>speaker: good morning commissioners, chaplain stanley young, freedom prison of jail ministry 500 nw. 2nd avenue >>speaker: good morning commissioners, chaplain stanley young, freedom prison of jail ministry 500 nw. 2nd avenue I want to speak about getting an education. In side of the department of correction. I see there's a resolution hb one. We're working backwards because we're not educating our inmates coming back of our prisons and jails. This is a must. This is something. That we have to do. We can't just have been sitting in jail doing nothing. They need to be getting their ged. They need to be getting a trade . They need to be getting the things that's going to prepare them when they are being released. When inmates are being released you can't get a job, they can't get a place to stay. You can't get anything. And he needs your support. That's why where I come in. Where we are freedom prison of jail ministry, they want to assess these men and women humming out of our prisons. Thank you, GOD bless. >>chair: your name. I don't have your name on the list. >>speaker: I did register . >> that is public hearing later in the meeting. That's all I have on the list guys, sergeant >> that is public hearing later in the meeting. That's all I have on the list guys, sergeant albert. Albert, that's all I have on the list, the list is done, I don't have anybody else, male, female. She did not. All right, reasonable opportunity is now closed. Mme. Attorney if we could set the agenda. >> we have a number of changes, item one by one, commissioner aliens at this item to the polis, that is one I want. To be six, commissioner hardeman is adding tis item to the pull list. 2b7, CHAIRMAN Rodriguez as the item to the pull list. 2b8 commissioner hardemon is adding the item to the pull list area 2b 10, CHAIRMAN Rodriguez and commissioner higgins and item to the pull list. 3-d three, senator garcia is adding tis item to the pull list. 8 8e 1 commissioner gilbert at this item to the pull list. 8g 2, senator garcia at this item t the pull list. Hp three senator garcia this item to the pull list. 8p 500 supplements senator garcia and commissioner steinberg and gilbert are adding this item to the pull list. 11 82, commissioner gilbert at this item to be pull list. 11 a for commissioner gilbert at this item to the pull list. 11 a 5 . 11 a 6, commissioner regalado, vice-CHAIRMAN Mcghee and commissioner gilbert are adding this item to the pull list. 1189 CHAIRMAN Rodriguez and commissioner gilbert at this item to the pull list. 11 810, senator garcia is adding this item to the pull list. 11 811 commissioner cohen higgins at this item to the pull list. 11 814, senator garcia is adding this item to the pull list. 14 b 1 commissioner hardemon adds this item to the pull list. 15 b 1 commissioner cabrera and higgins and this item to the pull list and 15 g 1 CHAIRMAN Rodriguez asked tis item to the pull list. I also have additional requests for cosponsorship, item hb one, commissioner bastien. Item 8 h2 commissioner hardemon and commissioner gonzalez wish to be listed as cosponsors. I have commissioner regalado would like to assume sponsorship of item 803. She also wants to be listed as a cosponsor on hb one. 11 a 6 commissioner cabrera cosponsor, 1188 , commissioner regalado cosponsor, 11 813 commissioner higgins and commissioner gonzales cosponsors. The items to be considered at today's meeting will be those listed in the final printed agenda with additions deferrals and scriveners errors noted in the CHAIRMAN's memorandum. The commission will approve all these items by a single vote setting the agenda except ordinance works is for first reading, public hearings, items 8a 1, 8p 4 which are the commercial service airport contracts which have to be voted on separately and the following pull list items. 1 I 1, 2b 6, 2b 7, 2b 10. 8e 1, 8p 3, 85, 11 a 2, 1185, 1186, 1189, 11 810, 11 811, 11 814, 1481 , 1480 2, 14 adrian at supplement, that's a first reading item, I will read that with the rest of the first readings, 1484 is also a first reading so I will read that with the first reading items and I have a couple of requests to bifurcate. 14b1, 15 b1 and 15 g1, emotions set the agenda is in order. >>chair: seconded by commissioner regalado. We've got to take up some airport items separately. >>commissioner regalado: quickly I want to four day rule 14a4. >>chair: show it four day ruled. >>commissioner regalado: to staff, there's a lot of things that can be late, this is not one of them. >>chair: this is the new budget? Is tere a reason for why it came today but it's been four day ruled. That's fine, it will go to the next bcc meeting during our solid waste discussion. Class I want to release 11a14 . >>commissioner higgins: I move it. Second . >>chair: we already voted on the agenda. We made a motion in the second but why are we moving and second doing it again, we have regalado and bastien, do you want to speak on setting of the agenda? >>commissioner hardemon: I want to release 2b6 and 2b8. >>chair: show 2b6 and 2b8 released by commissioner hardemon. >>chair: anybody else wants to release an item? Auditor and hold your report to put comments on the record, thank you for your work on the tid. We made major revisions to the tid so look carefully to make sure all the numbers are adding up in the existing fiscal year and with that I dropped my pole. >>chair: that was 1I1. Seeing no other commissioners having to release teir poles all in favor of setting the agenda st. Aye. Up the two airport items or the several airport items we have? >> there are three items, items eight a1, 8p4 and eight p6 so if we could take 8a1. >>chair: seconded by commissioner bastien. And a voice vote is fine mme. Attorney. All in favor say aye, opposed nate, call the next one . >> 8p4. >>chair: seconded by commissioner gonzalez. Seeing no discussion all those in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed nay. Show the items silent, all in favor signify by saying aye. Show the item passes, call the third one. >> 8p6. >>chair: 8p6 seconded by commissioner regalado, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Show that item passes, commissioner higgins you are recognized. >>commissioner higgins: no one polled 14a1 and 14a2. >>chair: show 14a1 and 14a2 moved by commissioner higgins, seconded by commissioner regalado. Seeing no discussion of voice vote is still in order so all in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed, nay. Show those items passed as well . Commissioner don dollars you are recognized for a motion I am looking at you though, you look a little like gonzalez. Gonzales is not even here. it's the hairdo, commissioner cabrera you are recognized. >>commissioner higgins: colleagues a few months ago we discussed the g and x situation, you instructed me to negotiate with mdx and gmx. Thank you commissioner oliver. Upon negotiations with them they've agreed there is a motion that the past, there's a letter in front of you where they've agreed the money will stay in miami in the system. Also to continue working on the properties we have previously discussed and we started that discussion all sorts of things we are doing including this chapter in the past and moving forward it's in all of our best interests, the county has reached out to you regarding a little bit more details regarding what could happen or not happen should I continue so I hope to have your support in what the attorneys have to read . >> commissioner cabrera moves to accept as final the order issued by the court in 2024 encase 2021 b 02425 determining sections 18 through 28 of chapter 2023 b 78 laws of florida collectively the greater miami expressway agency constitutes a valid general opportunity and the matter of statewide concern because it dealt with components of the state highway system. The commission not participate in litigation challenging the validity of the expressway agency after 2023 and county attorney has directed to withdraw any pending motion seeks to voluntarily dismiss itself from any review of the state quarter. The county attorney is directed to memorialize this and shall include appropriate whereas clauses regarding the operation on the expressway system operated by gmx within miami-dade county to move forward various projects between county and gmx and the county does not intend for this motion to serve as PRESIDENT In any future matters regarding home rule. The board is directed to transmit a copy to the executive director and chairperson of the greater miami expressway agency. Commissioner cabrera, now a second by commissioner gonzalez . And commissioner regalado you are recognized . >>commissioner regalado: I want to thank commissioner cabrera for working on this. We all want this resolved ad this is an important step forward. I appreciate the resolution by gmx and like our resolution it can be undone in the next meeting but I think we are at a point where we need to take some action. I would prefer to work like we do some of it, they do some of it before we release all litigation but I understand releasing the litigation is like the linchpin on this thing. So I just want some clarity from our attorneys as to the dates just on the record where we are in terms of what we have out there that we would now be retracting. And obviously this motion does not mention mdx which I am glad because we have nothing to do with them. I think that was in the original request a little like apples and oranges. So just from the attorneys in terms of the timeline where are we and what is pending that now we would be rescinding? >>chair: MR. Attorney you are recognized . >>county attorney: there was a final order entered by the trial court in order to preserve this board's flexibility with the understanding of g and x the settlement negotiations were ongoing and we found a motion for rehearing which essentially abates the time in which you need to appeal. That motion has been set for hearing for the trial court and what this motion would do is have us withdraw that motion and we pull out of any appeals. Action could theoretically continue but that is where we are at, that holds any appeals in abeyance until that gets resolved. >>commissioner regalado: that is my point. I think it's fine to rescind that request because that's holding the clock on all these different things. I wouldn't necessarily foreclose all our legal rights into the future. I want them to work with us. At least I have some credibility issues on this thing but what is the window to appeal? Once we withdraw because it's holding the appeal window. They already appealed, jerry is shaking her head. The appeal has already moved forward. >> mdx filed an appeal . >>commissioner regalado: we are not participating in that appeal. >> the third district said us having filed a motion for rehearing the motion is in abatement so if we withdraw the motion for rehearing then the appeal moves forward. There's not a lot of time if we withdraw the motion for us to do something with respect to the appeal whether we ae in the or not. >>commissioner regalado: the only thing I would say is we are not in the appeal if we pull this request and move forward, I don't think we need to say on the record that we accept the order. We are not appealing. Is that okay? Legally I just take issue with an admission of that nature. >> effectively if we don't appeal that's the same thing . >>commissioner regalado: we end up in the same spot but it's not the same thing. >> if it ends quickly then I am happy to do it . >>commissioner gilbert: can we say we moved to acknowledge the existence of gmx pursuant to whatever the statue was and leave it like that? Cleaner and simpler. wouldn't that just be... >>chair: we have a motion on the table right now. >>commissioner regalado: I prefer commissioner cabrera's motion because it speaks to the things we want to resolve area I don't think it speaks to the order. >>chair: motion by commissioner cabrera, amended by regalado. Commissioner trends when you are recognized . >>commissioner bermudez: I want to thank commissioner cabrera for working on the side with gmx. By the way I don't agree from your unique perspective. That this is one way to do it, I felt comfortable with the county attorneys but maybe it's not so much for the county attorneys, the letter is dated SEPTEMBER 5 but I didn't talk to you guys until yesterday. That to me and I'm going to talk about this later on other things coming up. I think information is very important and I think information to the elected legislative body is very important. Even were it to be my item, I would hope that commissioner cabrera and others would have access to that information on something as important as the authority to delegate it to a fellow commissioner. I want to be clear that if you have information, it's a little bit disconcerting to receive it less than 24 hours before. It's happened before, I didn't say anything about it but moving forward I will. Because if we're going to be efficient and transparent and everybody's got to be efficient and everybody's got to be transparent. The result is fine and I am supportive of it. And I will be voting for it but I want to make sure everybody understands it. If it's a matter of lack of communication between you and one of us that's fine. There are times it is legitimate to give us something at the last moment, I'll talk about this with one of the other motions coming up I am also not going to support because it eliminates transparency and information. But if one can get the information earlier than one can be much better prepared to make that decision. In this case it's not the case but the process is what I'm concerned about. It's not the end result of the process and I will be supportive of it. >>chair: I couldn't agree more on other items that I think on this one we delegate authority to commissioner cabrera, that's probably why they were sticking with him but I do agree on other items, just this one maybe was a little different and specific but point taken, I understand the whole date thing . >>commissioner bermudez: we did delegate and I felt comfortable delegating it, I am talking about the information we received after the process, that's what I'm referring to. >>chair: this is important for my constituency and the ones that live out west for the parkway can do it wednesday. I think that's important for this to move forward so thank you for your efforts, seeing no further discussion all in favor signify by saying aye. Almost nay. It shall be item but the rest I think. Commissioner you are recognized. >>commissioner regalado: as a question to commissioner cabrera I don't know if you spoke to them about a timeline for the land swaps, I don't know if you have any idea because I don't want to have this conversation even if you go to panama, I don't want to call you a year from now and ask you about the land swaps. >> as soon as we passed everything will start moving forward. , they will be bringing it up at their next meeting. >> senator garcia, you are recognized for emotion. >>sen. Grcia: thank you MR. CHAIRMAN and if you could indulge me for a minute this last week, two weeks ago we've been hearing a lot about the tps issue the protected status for different ethnic groups in our community and particularly the patient's venezuelans and nicaraguans and hondurans and also salvadorans. I hope I'm not missing anyone else and we recognize that I for one understand what we're trying to do with the immigration issue trying to make sure we go after the illegal elements and those that have been in contact with the law. I don't disagree with getting deporting those illegal elements from our communities and those criminals but I do think we have to take some caution when we talk about tps and those legally residing residents in our community. Particularly the venezuelan community who have benefited two times from the tps approvals and so our patient brothers and sisters especially after the devastating earthquake that devastated the islands, especially now with the uncertainty that exists in a with the political issues that they're facing. MR. CHAIRMAN I do have a motion to urge the federal government and county attorney's office if they can wait on a motion for us to make sure they do consider the issue of tps making sure that it is law-abiding citizens and until conditions remain or if conditions don't remain the same so they can make sure that tps is reinstated . >>chair: the attorney can read . We're going to be out of here soon guys, I promise. Or not maybe actually. Attorney could read the whole motion. >>county attorney: senator garcia moves that the board urged donald j trump and the secretary of homeland security to maintain temporary protected status designations for law-abiding allegory and asian honduran nicaraguan and venezuelan nationals living in the united states while conditions exist and preclude them fom safely returning to their country. To direct the clerk of court to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the PRESIDENT Of the united states, members of the florida congressional delegation and secretary of homeland security and three, and direct that the county's federal lobbyists advocate for the action set forth in section 1 and authorize and direct the office of intergovernmental affairs to include this item in the 2025 federal legislative package when it is presented. >>chair: moved by senator garcia, seconded, do we have a second by commissioner higgins. Commissioner bastien followed by commissioner gilbert, you are recognized. >>commissioner bastien: thank you MR. Chair. Senator garcia I wish to first that you for this motion. And I do agree with the fact that tps recipients should be protected. Because tps is given to nationals whose nations are too dangerous for them to come back. This is the premise for which tps is given. I do appreciate you bringing this item however I would submit to you that yes I agree with the nations that you mentioned that they are all the relations. That are similarly situated that we cannot leave out. There are nations for example in liberia, there is a list of nations who are living here , some have been here as long as 30 years and have had tps so I would make a friendly motion to you to include those if we do not have a list if someone can work on the list you can probably say an older tps nation. I don't think we can choose who we allow here when the mere fact that they are here and protected under tps means there nations are too dangerous for them to go back. Number two I would caution anyone in this volatile political climate to be very very mindful and careful when we are calling and talking about illegal aliens. First of all. For the most part people who come here they are not illegal. Even when they cross the border to ask for political asylum or when they request political asylum across the border in which they were allowed to do a few months ago that they cannot do now they are not illegal. They are doing the right thing by coming here and requesting political asylum because of pressures that they face in their homeland. I want to make sure we understand this difference because these days I have heard the term illegal being used each time we talk about refugees when in fact for the most part most immigrants and refugees are not illegal. They come here legally and they must be afforded the basic rights of due process and senator garcia, I would like to submit another friendly motion. When we talk about criminals, again we have to be careful. You are aware that any citizen here can be arrested I they owe money. If they drive without a license. If they have an accident , if they are arrested for any reason. This can put them in the category of those we call criminal. So we have to be mindful of that fact because I know senator garcia and my colleague would you agree to deport someone who's been living hre contributing , have their own businesses, paying taxes just because of something that they pay because they couldn't pay something. We have to be again mindful and I would submit another friendly motion to include in that that everyone arrested because of whatever infraction that they had to make sure that they are afforded the basic right of due process. These are the two friendly amendments that I would like to submit to you senator garcia . >>sen. Garcia: MR. CHAIRMAN, I understand the feelings and I MAY nt disagree on a lot of your comments and I will be happy to accept the one that includes all the other tps recipients, I'm sorry I missed that, I would be happy to include those but this amendment talks nothing to the legality. It doesn't mention illegals in here, it just mentions the fact that we want to protect extend tps status for those individuals. If we start going down this path of nuances, making sure what verbiage, what's not, what's there I think it's important for this community to say we stand behind our brothers and sisters who are here under tps and we look forward to the administration continuing to extend that tps for the law-abiding individuals that are here in our country. Meanwhile conditions exist in their countries that they cannot return, that's all the amendment does and I don't think we should try to complicate the amendment more so so this is where I stand and I will accept including other tps recipients, I think that's only fair. >>chair: commissioner bastien you are recognized for a response. >>commissioner bastien: in that case what I would propose is for you to hold on before voting so we can get to the list of nations that have tps. >>chair: I don't think that's necessary. I think we are going to include all tps. >>commissioner bastien: the other thing I understand what you just said but I think as policymakers we have to be mindful . We have two protect every residence who lives in this great miami-dade county. And we have to be the voices out there. Not to repeat terms sometimes that we don't really understand . Because when the administration, the present administration is telling you that they are arresting criminals, you have to pause and understand who are they arresting? That is extremely important and vital because someone who whose wife is about to have a baby and then who has two drive to the hospital and did not have a valid drivers lcense because we refuse to give them driver's licenses like other states do. Can be arrested. Do you understand, that's why it is important to be mindful when we are hearing that goal, we are only deporting criminals. It is our responsibility to be mindful of exactly we are arresting and we need to make sure that everyone arrested as the basic rights of due process. >>sen. Garcia: I appreciate that but this resolution addresses just use of continuing ps for those residents legally in our country right now, this is why we have to be very specific to this . >>chair: let's not forget we have no jurisdiction on this, this is simply an urging to the federal government, commissioner gilbert you are recognized followed by commissioner regalado. >>commissioner steinberg: I'm going to be supportive of the eye and I agree that the second amendment with regard to due process probably goes beyond the scope of the initial origin . I will note though as I heard the motion, it encourages us to not deport law-abiding citizens. One of the reasons why we don't necessarily talk about things that aren't within our jurisdiction here on the county commission is because it's a lot more nuanced than we could allow for because and let me say I am not sure the PRESIDENT Is going to pay attention to our urging. He's the PRESIDENT Of the united states elected by americans and he's doing what he said he was going to do. That he's going to pay attention to our urging argument is that by entering the country illegally you're a criminal. So if we just transmit the motion that's read it doesn't necessarily still allow for the folks who have tps to be here. Because the argument is when you become a criminal if you enter the country illegally you're saying you're a criminal at that point because you broke the law to enter the country. That is what they are saying. It did not necessarily agree with that but so I think the motion is well intended but they could read the motion, accept the motion and say yes, we are doing that and still invoke tps for everyone. Who entered the country illegally. So it's so nuanced that I support the urging because I understand where it comes from, it comes from a very good space that we need to be aware of when we speak about these issues and when we pass legislation we express the will of the county on these issues and it speaks a lot more nuanced than is provided for in the motion so I want to make sure we are clear about how they are interpreting it and how we are seeing it differently. And we clearly see it differently but tere's some gray area there. >> commissioner from district 7 you are recognized. >>commissioner regalado: sen., I appreciate the item and I appreciate your comments , commissioner bastien. When I was on the school board I worked on immigration run 2010 through 2014. And to commissioner gilbert's point it is a very nuanced thing. And by the way one of the things that comes up in washington when we talk about this is when you say tps it's temporary protected status. Emphasis on the temporary. And that gets volatile. And there are a lot of countries that even for folks that do not have tps they cannot be deported because those countries want to accept them so there's a series of other things that occur there. I'll be supportive of the item but I think that when we bring these items they should have some sort of nexus to the authority that we have. Technically we no longer provide police protection so we have to be very careful when talking about safety because we are no longer the people that are in charge of that. That's the sheriff. But we do still have the jails. I hope at some point we bring that item forward and talk about that because I'm fascinated to see how we are going to run jails without police officers. But I think if you want a nexus and you should have a nexus there is a concern obviously that these folks will end up in our jails. So I would offer that as something to consider. When we talk about this because I do think there should be a nexus between what we're doing and what we're saying and the urgings that we are making. But to commissioner gilbert's point , I think what's happening in washington is a lot more complicated. Then this and I think that this board should be careful when participating in these conversations. Because as we've learned before with sanctuary cities, and other things yet, there's a lot of different things that get impacted by these decisions thank you. >>chair: commissioner bastien followed by the vice chair. >>commissioner bastien: I will be very brief. I think we should discuss some of these issues because we have residents living here for years. And I want to push back on the fact of them people being illegal at their entry. Commissioner gilbert's because there are some refugees and immigrants that are protected by conventions that we sign as a nation. To protect people who are coming here because their lives in danger where they are coming from. The fact that they enter without implementation doesn't mean that they are illegal. Number two, I believe that this country is built by immigrants and one thing that we often forget and I'm going to end on that note is that we as a nation , we create conditions forcing these people to come here. We create conditions and I'm talking about haiti for instance and we're not going to get into that. We're not going to get into that but we create conditions forcing people to be here. From venezuela, from cuba . From all over. MR. Chair, give me a minute please. >>chair: I'll give you a minute but this is your third go-round, I've had the courtesy . how many times commissioners have spoke. >>chair: but when I call your name understand. >>commissioner bastien: thank you MR. Chair . >>chair: you are welcome. >>commissioner bastien: I'm going to an end on that note. When we have these discussions and maybe it's not a good idea to bring them up here. When we have these discussions we have to be mindful of the fact that often times for the most part immigrants are here because of conditions that we created. That's all. >>commissioner gilbert: point of information . >>chair: would you like to withdraw your motion sen.? >>commissioner gilbert: MR. CHAIRMAN some things we can't ... >>chair: let me say the unspoken on this board, this is what nobody wants to hear and this is what we keep a secret, urgings mean nothing. Urgings mean nothing. >>commissioner regalado: I was about to say. >>chair: a lot of people make money on urgings but it means nothing to the county. But go ahead, you are recognized for a clarification. >>commissioner gilbert: just to clarify for you I appreciate your passion and I don't get into whether it's true or not, I assume they are true. I'm not saying when people into the coming to the country they are illegal, I am saying that's the position they have some understanding that is urging that we're going to pass right now they could read the urging, accept the urging and say that's what we are doing. Because implicit in it you have to determine when somebody becomes permanent. Not my position but it is their position and I agree with the CHAIRMAN. This is way beyond something that we atually do and they do not care what we say. >>chair: vice chair, commissioner bermudez and commissioner hardemon after. Commissioner transcended you want to say something? >>commissioner bermudez: first of all it's going to senator garcia. We have these motions but I am going to be supportive of senator garcia's and I think his intent. He understands all everything all of us have said. His intent is to make sure this has an impact on our community . It MAY mean nothing, it's symbolic, it's a community of immigrants and the tps in particular for some of the communities here the commissioner was mentioning the venezuelan community that obviously has gone through a lot in the last generation. But it includes oviously the asian community, we go down the list and the list includes countries like ukraine and yemen so you know. And the second thing I would say with the CHAIRMAN And commissioner gilbert which I agree with is the best we can do here because immigration is a national policy issue. Both parties have certainly in different parts of the country been involved in it for different reasons but it has been and we haven't had reform since 1987 which we should have because every country including the united states of america has a right to set the rules as to who can comment who can go. It certainly has a right to set the rules if there are people here from gangs from venezuela, from ncaragua, etc. Are in the final comment I will make while I am empathetic and sympathetic because like commissioner bastien I am in my case technically a political refugee from the age of three. The united states of america cannot be blamed in its entirety for some of the things that have happened in other countries. Our countries and I'll speak for that dictatorship 90 miles away that I have little memory of what I've done a lot of work on human rights on adults before the venezuelan community that is a large chunk of the community in doral. A lot of responsibilities or the responsibility belongs for the actions of these countries. And to refute or infer that the united states is responsible for that action I think I not only disingenuous but also unfair. The united states takes the brunt of every blame and sometimes in some instances rightly so. But at some point whether you are human , whether you're venezuelan, haitian, nicaraguan w need to look inside ourselves and say if you want to help then try to help change where it should happen which is in those countries, not here. I don't think we should be discussing foreign-policy all the time here, I agree with you MR. CHAIRMAN because the best we can do is and hurting and I will support the item because we are a community of immigrants. I'm sure there's people from all those countries on that list, you can probably guess. There is senegal, sudan, I'm sure there's a bunch of them again I want to be clear because I don't want it to be interpreted that at least from my case I think the federal government has a right regardless of which party is in power to do the things they want to do, I have a right to express myself on it like I did at the commission meeting over the decision the prior administration took referenced to cuba, the dictatorship that causes 90% of these problems but that doesn't mean you shouldn't drive us for drive divisions within us because I think all of us to agree and I MAY be mistaken but all of us agree that it is a country of immigrants. The country has a right to set rules and this community is one of the communities that has been most impacted by immigrants across the country. So I will leave it at that. I am supportive of it but again, hopefully we can move forward, send a message and move on with the agenda. >>chair: commissioner. >>commissioner hardemon: MR. CHAIRMAN, to explain to the community that these urgings mean nothing but that they are urgings is obviously an issue. Part of the reason it is an issue is because when we have these sort of urgings, everyone does not agree. And many of these urgings that, , we find that the dais is absent commissioners . Because they don't want to engage in this conversation nor do they want to be part of the vote. So we put these urgings on that make each other feel uncomfortable. It's not just this issue for one reason or another, it could be other issues that everyone does not agree with. Some people on the board want to support certain things and others do not. Some people feel like they said something about a particular issue that was against what the majority feels, they would be ostracized and even punished in many ways, not necessarily by the board members but other people in the community but here we are once again having an urging where we are discussing issues we probably shouldn't be discussing at our bedrooms or dining room tables. So it's one thing to have an honest discussion about these issues, it's another thing to pretend as if we are having an honest discussion. We know we don't have honest discussions about urgings that are really and truly the belly of many of our constituencies. One way or another. I don't fault commissioner bastien. She cannot and will not be quiet in a moment like this. She will not absent herself because her career has been built upon standing up for people in the position they are in and the labels in which they have been wrongfully accused of no matter how we go about trying to dissect this so she at least must define properly who is and who is not a criminal. We can debate those issues time and time again. So it is true, this dais is not the place for federal discussion of issues yt this dais many times is not a place for state discussion of issues and yet we do. Not all times does it feel good. So I applaud those of us who stand on the dais to be part of these boats even when we don't want to be a part of them. I don't know about you. But when I go home there is a person besides myself that is an adult that understands the nature of these discussions that I have to talk to and that person is my wife. She owes me accountable for everything I say on this dais. And so many times her and I agree about issues that are political and federal in nature and they are not the standard of agreement on this dais. But I support you. You forced me to have a conversation. You forced me to be a part of it. Some religions would conflict with how , the position you have put them in. Some people actually have a bona fide disagreement with what you are discussing. And in fact many times they will flip that conversation and accuse you of things in which you are supporting that they feel throughout their heart that you are the cause of because you are supporting things of that nature. If you want to have a real conversation about it we can but I know you don't. None of you do. So if you don't, then we should probably stick to the issues that are very simple in nature if you want to show federal or state wide support. Is not going to hurt me and there's no political issue that's going to hurt me politically because this that we are doing, this is a game. It's politics part of it, this is gamesmanship. However, it does have real consequences. When people take what we say seriously and apply it to their everyday lives. So in this circumstance we find ourselves down to the bare minimum of people we need to get this done , I think that we should spend more time on the issues we already have and that we actually control bcause there are many of them. So senator garcia if you in fact wish to move forward this I would suggest you call a question on this so we can move on with the rest of the agenda and not continue to pontificate about things not of us feel comfortable discussing. >>chair: I agree and I will take your suggestion commissioner. All in favor of this motion signify by saying aye. All right, show the item cosponsored and commissioner higgins, commissioner gilbert, vice chair, that's it. Show it cosponsored and I call the question, right? Show the item past. >>sen. Garcia: tank you colleagues . >>commissioner higgins: I have a little urging but this one is totally within our control. >>chair: commissioner hardemon, I don't think commissioner higgins listened to what you said. All right, you are recognized. Everybody understands you got to wait to be recognized because we are a little bit out of order. Okay senior commissioner, I don't mean age but length of time here. >>commissioner higgins: this should be noncontroversial, I have been asked by jess Mccarthy to do an urging for two street projects right near school that our pedestrian safety or school projects so I am urging the florida legislature to appropriate funding for the park and children's academy pedestrian safety initiative as well as citrus grove pedestrian safety initiative directing clerk of the board to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the appropriate people in the state and directing the county state lobbyists to advocate for the foregoing and direct office of intergovernmental affairs to amend the 20/25 package to include this item and include this item in the 2026 legislative package. Though I move back, it's really not needed because I'm doing all the work find it and I already have all the sponsors but I am required by the county attorneys to do it. >>chair: all in favor signify by saying aye. Show the motion passed. Then real quick vice chair before I recognize you I think you have some additional poles that are being released. >> commissioner gilbert is releasing item 8e1. Seconded by the vice chair, all in favor say aye. Opposed to a nay. Show item 8e1 past . >> these don't require a vote, this would be for the record, commissioner bermudez is adding his name to the pull list for item 8e1 and commissioner steinberg would like to cosponsor the item 11a13 and 11a14 . >>vice chair: the bcc adopted an item ratifying emergency purchase in reference to an item on OCTOBER 2024. MR. CHAIRMAN pursuant to this board's rules I would move 3b3 to make a minor technical amendment . >>chair: show the item moved, seconded by commissioner cabrera. All in favor of reconsidering the item consider by saying aye. All of those, nay. You are recognized for reconsideration, you are recognized . >>commissioner gilbert: I appreciate the fact that you reconsider and the fact that we are going to make that small change but this is something that got passed in my office, I MAY have a potential conflict of interest which ratifies the mayor's emergency access contract. It's the sole-source contract for revision of sandbags during hurricane milton and I am the attorney and law firm and as such we weren't aware that it was passed. >>chair: so you are recusing yourself, you have to step away . >> showed item moved as amended for technical purposes, seconded by commissioner bermudez. >>commissioner regalado: what was the amendment? >>chair: it was really for the recusing but vice chair, you are willing, is that sufficient enough? All in favor signify by saying aye. Show the item that was reconsidered previously passed . All right, mme. Att