Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

Miami-Dade Commission Agenda

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Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Agenda

OFFICIAL

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Tuesday, April 21, 2026

9:30:00 AM

Commission Chambers

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County Commission Rules - Rule 6.05 DECORUM

"Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks or who becomes boisterous while addressing the commission, shall be barred from further audience before the commission by the presiding officer, unless permission to continue or again address the commission be granted by the majority vote of the commission members present. No clapping, applauding, heckling or verbal outbursts in support or opposition to a speaker or his or her remarks shall be permitted. No signs or placards shall be allowed in the commission chambers. Persons exiting the commission chamber shall do so quietly.

The use of cell phones in the commission chambers is not permitted. Ringers must be set to silent mode to avoid disruption of proceedings. Individuals, including those on the dais, must exit the chambers to answer incoming cell phone calls. County employees may not use cell phone cameras or take digital pictures from their positions on the dais.

Miami-Dade County provides equal access and equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs or services. If you need a sign language interpreter or materials in accessible format for this event, please contact the Miami-Dade County Agenda Coordinator�s Office at 305-375-2035 or [email protected] at least five days in advance.

When a resolution or ordinance is placed on the agenda at the request of a commissioner, the commissioner who requested the preparation of the item shall be designated as the prime sponsor. Any other commissioner who wishes to sponsor the resolution or ordinance shall be designated as a co-sponsor.

Pursuant to Rule 5.06(h), where a commissioner is listed as a sponsor, the first named commissioner is the prime sponsor and all other named commissioners are co-sponsors."

1A

INVOCATION AS PROVIDED IN RULE 5.05(H)

1B

ROLL CALL

1C

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

1D

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 8:30 AM)

1D1

260407

Special Presentation

Anthony Rodriguez, Prime Sponsor

SPECIAL PRESENTATION IN RECOGNITION OF THE 2026 ''EVERY DROP COUNTS'' CHILDREN'S WATER CONSERVATION POSTER CONTEST WINNERS

4/21/2026

Presented

1D2

260618

Proclamation

Anthony Rodriguez, Prime Sponsor

PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 30-YEAR MILESTONE AND IMPACT OF CHABAD OF KENDALL & PINECREST, FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE, AND MITZVAH KITCHEN

4/21/2026

Presented

shortly. >> good morning. I commissioner natalie orbis, blessed to be with you today tuesday, APRIL 21 as we kick off our county commission meeting and we have some very presentations this morning so thank you for joining us in first one is for national volunteer lunteer month. That, kathy, would you like to come on down. We have our community services department director kathy burgos, thank you for joining us. Yes. I'm honored today to present a proclamation dicing national volunteer month with our mayor and fellow commissioners that is the time to celebrate individuals who not only give their time but their hearts to uplift others and help us accomplish the goals of our community. Volunteerism is the spirit of our community in action and brings people together, strengthens families and reminds us of the power we have each day to make a difference in here in miami-dade county that spirit is alive and thriving through our community services department and division of older adults and individuals with disabilities. We especially appreciate our senior volunteers. you've seen so much, been through so much and you make such a difference in our community, thank you so much. Round of applause. So to our volunteers you are the heart of miami-dade county. Your selflessness inspires all of us and leaves a lasting impact on the lives of everyone you touch and with that I have a proclamation but first I want our mayor say some words. >>mayor cava: thank you for making it possible for us to recognize these wonderful people do so much or our community. Truly a joy to see people in action, volunteering is giving your heart and soul to the community, am I right? There you go and this is all through our community services department and kathy burgos, our director and she wanted to be sure we recognized you so together with our great commissioner and to those who have joined us we give you a special salute. I want to say volunteering can encompass so many different things, whether you're helping a child, nobody who has a disability someone or infer. Whether you're out in a park setting or community building, whether you're at an event there's so many ways we can help and we have a number of programs that include the release program, foster grandparent, do we have any foster grandparents in the house? That is so special. Our senior companion program. Good showing there. And are retired and senior volunteer program to name a few. You make us so proud, we are proud to honor you this special month. Here are volunteers through our community but we are sitting singling you out or this shall recognition and before we do the proclamation would you like to see a quick word? >> thank you so much, it means so much to our department, to our volunteers, to our staff. Your work and your advocacy means a lot to us and this, that's right. And mayor, thank you for taking a no wrong door approach to services. This is our group of lovely people who give as you mentioned commissioner their hearts each and every day so I wanted to personally thank you as well as our community services department staff are also here to support them, thank you. >> can we have all of you, now, everybody who's here fire the volunteer proclamations come up, we have a special presentation. >> good morning, let's get you where we can see you and if you can take off your yellow stickers. If you get in trouble the mayor is here. >> I think we need some of them, can we get some of you around us here. >> as we spoke before this proclamation I'll be the end of it, be it resolved mayor daniela levine cava, CHAIRMAN Anthony rodriguez and members of the board of county commissioners on behalf of miami-dade county and this community do hereby proclaim APRIL 2026 as national volunteer month so thank you everybody for everything you do. [Applause] >>. >>chair: all right guys, we are going to and my team will keep me honest and on track but we will move onto the next presentation, it's a lengthy morning this morning so we will try to get through it quickly. He next presentation is a special presentation in recognition of the 2026 every drop counts children's water conservation poster contest winners. [Applause] Sponsored by yours truly, the CHAIRMAN Of the board and our mat on the mayor's office so good morning, I am pleased to welcome you to this presentation recognizing the winners of the 2026 every drop counts poster contest hosted by our w asd department. This program highlights the creativity of our young future leaders and the importance of protecting one of our most valuable resources which we know is? Water. This year's theme was use water wisely, does this have something to do with why 305, I don't know but use water wisely, do not wastewater in these talented young persons did a great job at that. It is a great reminder that small actions like turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or running full loads of laundry can make a big difference when we do them together. This year 1800 students from 55 different schools through miami-dade county participated start showing strong commitment to conservation. Before we begin I want to congratulate all the students recognized as well as their parents, some are here today, teachers of course the schools or supporting these efforts but I want to take a moment of personal privilege and do a special shout out to emiliano from venture elementary. All right, [Speaking spanish] So emiliano at venture elementary, he speaks spanish so that's why I'm doing this and he is at venture elementary. [Speaking spanish] Give it up for my district 10 and the yada and now I will turn it over to the mayor and wasd director for today's presentation. >>mayor cava: so much excitement in the room, all these young people they are starting done, elementary school students all of them in their learning about the importance of water we had we know water is life and they are learning to conserve like our CHAIRMAN Said and I'm sure they are teaching their parents. >> could you all be quiet please? Thank you. >>mayor cava: thank you. We appreciate you, we appreciate the fact that you put your heart and soul into these beautiful drawings. Personally I'm going to make a set of note cards from this beautiful artwork because I celebrate it so, I am so proud of each of their expressions of concern and celebration of water so they are all water warriors, our young people, are you all water warriors fighting for our water? I know you are. So, and your work is just beautiful and you've learned small actions do make a difference. By the way, you can tell people, you can be an evangelist, you can be a champion, a crusader protect our water because you will know more about it than many people thanks to the efforts of your teachers and parents don't be shy, let people know you have learned about the importance of it. We have to first splitter was district 9 from this year, last year's first place winner, let me see if I've got this right. Okay, well this is very important. So in addition to all the celebration we are also recognizing the fact that at last year's drop savers poster contest first place winner and this year's every drop counts poster contest district 9 winner, a young child named rider showed us the impact his voice could have. He won two years in a row. Nd he could not be with us sadly today, he lost his life in MARCH and his parents are here and we are so grateful to them for coming, thank you for letting us share this moment with you and our great pride in his accomplishments and we know he contributed so much in his lifetime including his love of art and his love for our environment so thank you. Thank you. So we MISS Him and we know that the other children are going to carry on his legacy through their work as well so thank you one and all. I'm going to pass the mic now to our director. >> thank you MADAM Mayor and that wasd, I am the director of miami-dade water and sewer department, happy to be here to celebrate the creativity of our youngest stakeholders. It's an honor to be here celebrating the creativity and commitment of our youngest community members, programs like every drop counts, children's poster contest provides miami-dade counties water use efficiency plan helping educate students about the importance of conserving and protecting water resources. This year we received 1800 entries, each one reflecting thoughtful ideas and powerful messages about conservation. These students are not only talented artists, they are ambassadors, for responsible water use and that wasd we remain committed to water service while continuing to invest in conservation programs that make a lasting impact. Congratulations to all today's winners and thank you for helping us spread the message that every drop truly does count. We have a winner representing each district this morning with that I'm going to pass it off to our water use efficiency manager patrick martin who will introduce the winners. >> good morning everyone, thank you to the students parents and teachers for attending and in just a few moments we will be welcoming the 13 first place winners of the contest and one from each county commission district but before we begin I'd like to take a moment to recognize the sponsors of the contest displayed on the screen. Thank you for your continued generosity and support of this program. I'd like to extend a thank you to publix for the generosity of providing us today's recognition luncheon which will take place on the outside terrace upstairs following the ceremony and now the moment we've been waiting for, I will be calling our winning student artists. We kindly ask the teachers to remain in their seats during the presentation and following the ceremony we will have an opportunity for family photos on the terrace. Commissioners stepped forward to join your district winner for a photo and his students as I call your name come to the front of the room to be presented with your award and remain for final group photos. District 1, parkway elementary school. Congratulations. District 2, pietro meson, aventura learning center. District 3, eric willer, it's a small world elementary school. District 4, valentina, coaches elementary school. District 5, olivia martinez, la prima casa montessori. Everett castro, sylvania heights elementary school. District 7, natalie now, kendall elementary school. District 8, emma van drell, cutler ridge elementary school. District 9, writerly, pinelake elementary school. His father james Mcveigh will accept the award on his behalf. District 10, emiliano the same, gentry elementary school. District 11 mila our abject, academy charter west. It's district 12, juanita velasquez, bridge prep academy. And finally district 13, edward montecito diaz, lakeview academy. Congratulations allow winners in the thank you to every student who participated in this contest. I also have a special announcement, the florida section of american water works association fsa ww a have a statewide drop savers conservation contest they've announced one of the poster contest winners also placed first at the state level and at the drop savers conservation posters poster contest, marissa vasquez, she's a state coordinator if you can join me in announcing the first place winner of the state competition, that would be juanita from district 12. Gloria velasquez. Thank you juanita, congratulations and I hope you continue to participate in these initiatives about water conservation in your daily routine and I'm now requesting our 13 winners, and wasd director j think stay together for a group photo. >> water is life! >> thank you everyone, this concludes our awards ceremony, we invite students and families join us on the terrace for a special luncheon, you'll be directed out. Thank you to the CHAIRMAN For hosting the annual special presentation thank you for being here today. >>. >>chair: all right guys, let's get the next presentation going. Staff, all right. We did pictures. We recognized everyone. All right guys. Thank you again to all the very talented children that participated in our wasd 2026 poster contest. Exit quietly? We have one more presentation before we get started. And the last presentation of the day, I am pleased to all or, present a proclamation recognizing the 30th year milestone and lasting impact of the chabad of kendall and pinecrest and mitzvah kitchen, a journey that began decades ago as a small storefront and has grown into the friendship campus now hold to these three impactful initiatives. I personally have had the privilege to witness firsthand the work that the mitzvah kitchen and the entire body is doing at the friendship circle. I've seen the work they are doing and obviously I'm honored not just as a member of this community to support it but also to call you a friend rabbi and to be part of such a great mission. I won't rant too much because I know this is not technically in my district so I will hand it to the district commissioner to do the presentation so thank you for being with us this morning. >> thank you for taking a moment to extend a formal proclamation on behalf of our community to the incredible work he does, please join us here, we all know the rabbi very well and if we can have a copy of the proclamation I frankly think this is long overdue. You've done so much for our community, our present and front facing every time at any time that we need you and frankly your work continues and we are extremely grateful for it and we will pass the microphone because I know there are a number of my colleagues that will share their gratitude for the great work you do and frankly you haven't had the opportunity to visit the friendship campus, take a moment to do so. They are doing extraordinary work and the mitzvah kitchen is the newest addition to this extraordinary space, preparing meals for those, hundreds of meals and training young adults with skills they will use and take well into their lifetime. Extraordinary, thank you this proclamation in my humble opinion is long overdue. >> this rabbi and I are dear friends and his wonderful wife who probably is taking care of business I would say while the rabbi is here receiving his award but truly they are partners in life and partners of service. So they founded the combine, somebody is a movement and you start small and put out a seed spending grows and this surely has grown into a phenomenal presence not just for self paid for all miami-dade county and beyond friendship circle founded by this rabbi and has become the go to place for so many when their children need special support because of their special needs and I mentoring program for young people looking at our youth commission and thinking these are mentors and some of them have been part of friendship circle. So extraordinary program, I know it's respite care for the parents and now the latest mitzvah kitchen preparing meals for so many of our programs in the community where people need that substance read everything about service, community learning and caring is reflected in this great rabbi and I'm proud to join him, thank you for bringing this recognition. >>. >>commissioner regalado: belle and sebastian participated for 14 years, it is such a wonderful organization and as parents of autistic children and adults we can pay for therapy, we can pay for intervention we can't necessarily get that friends so it so important for us and for their self-esteem and their growth into adulthood to ask friends and friendship circle is a godsend for so many of us and a a great opportunity for us to talk about inclusion as we tell all the volunteers if you volunteer friendship circle it will change your life, if you allow on the road I've diverted person into your life your life will be better for it and really the foundation of it is it's amazing volunteers there day after day and make a commitment to stay with that child for a long time so it is not a revolving door. Now that there is the friendship campus and addition of the adult program it's so important. You go up to 30 which is amazing where everyone drops off at 22 now friendship circle is serving adults way into their 20s to 30 which for some of us that have been with friendship circle a long time, minor 22 and 21 it was a natural transition. Hey have an amazing kitchen, bella has volunteered. It's so wonderful but they are also doing a lot of different vocational training so if you haven't gone out to the friendship campus, if you haven't volunteered these consider doing so and for all our parents out there that are wondering about the socialization just because someone is on the spectrum doesn't mean they are antisocial, quite the opposite they need community if you take them they will find their tribe to be better people have their people as a result. >>chair: commissioner steinberg . >>commissioner steinberg: i will say congratulations on this milestone you serve the greater community and I don't know that people understand that everybody in need can come to the friendship circle and to your center so thank you. >> would you like to say a few words. >> on humble to be here today and this is meaningful because for me the work that we do, we couldn't do it without having the support of the county area and a lot of times people just talk the talk but our commissioners led by our mayor and I'm looking around, all of you have been big financial supporters of the work we do and the lives that we impact. We can only do it through your support so thank you on behalf of winship circle and mitzvah kitchen because the work we can't do without you and it's but by divine providence doing this commission volunteer month. Because I saved a specialty of our friendship campus, it brings people together. To change other people's lives. I think that's the uniqueness of our campus, that was division to be lamplighter's and inspire other people so it's by divine providence we did it this month because that's what it's all about, inspire people to help other people so thank you so much. >>commissioner steinberg: thank you rabbi so be it resolved not on mayor daniela levine cava, CHAIRMAN Anthony rodriguez and members of the board of county commissioners on behalf of this community do hereby proclaim tuesday, APRIL 21, 2026 as carbonic kendall in the pinecrest 30th anniversary date, congratulations rabbi. >>chair: I knew godfrey would set up his high-tech letter so we could take a photo. It's. >> I you you and all will I will and will is is is is is. >> let's get started. >>chair: clerk please call. >> good morning to all, >>commissioner bastien: here. >>commissioner bermudez: >>commissioner cohen higgins: >>senator garcia: >> commissioner gilbert. >>commissioner hardemon: >>commissioner lopez: >>commissioner orbis: >>commissioner regalado: present. >>commissioner mcghee: >> we have nine members present, we have a quorum. >>chair: this is very busy, if we can always stand for the invocation this morning let led by rabbi of the chabad of kendall and pinecrest at the end division of commissioner colin higgins. >> we gathered with an shared responsibility to serve to lead and care for every person who calls miami-dade county home from the almighty GOD we ask for your blessings upon our mayor, upon CHAIRMAN Anthony rodriguez, upon all the commissioners and upon all those entrusted with the well-being of this diverse and vibrant community. Grant them wisdom to make sound decisions, clarity and moments of challenge and the courage to do what is right. Bless them with the ability to listen. truly listen and to lead with integrity, guided not only by policy but by compassion or every individual. We are reminded that leadership is not only about decisions made in this chamber but about lives impacted every day beyond these walls. Behind every agenda items is a person a family, a story. As we stand in this month autism awareness month reminded of powerful truths, every so soul matters in every life counts as a director of the friendship circle I have the privilege of seeing every day the beauty of neuro-divergent and the strength of individuals with unique abilities. Limitations of different ways of seeing and contributing to the world. If we think of the children, their families and dedicated professionals and volunteers support them with strength, love and commitment. Maybe we as a community ensure that every individual is given the opportunity to thrive and feel is true sense of belonging. Help us build not just a stronger county but a kinder one, where inclusion is a lived reality and every person is seen, valued and empowered, almighty GOD bless miami-dade county with unity, with peace and with a shared commitment to lift one another and let us say amen. Thank you. >>. >>chair: extent rome join me in the moment of silence as one of his team members lost her uncle. so if we could just have a moment of silence together. Join me for the pledge. >> I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >>chair: you MAY be seated. All right, good morning use commissioners, how are you, thank you for being here for this joint commission meeting. Am sure you are all thrilled, I think we have 20 of you guys being sworn in today so I'm sure you are all thrilled to be skipping school today. Of course not to be here with us but because you get to play hooky. The goal of our youth commissioners colleagues is to foster great youth involvement in county government and I can the impact this program has had especially through my own appointees. Collector. >> good morning CHAIRMAN Rodriguez and the members of the board, I'm here to strongly support item 7a, and our role that requires businesses to display the local tax receipts. This is a sunset we don't need in digital eight. Thank you commissioner for bringing this item forward. We are here to continue supporting a small business and we support 11 a8, right now we send more than 120,000 bills to collect $60,000 in total and in many cases it equals more than the amount collected. This change would save about $750,000 and allow those resources to be used where they truly benefit residents because we are here to protect the taxpayers money. I think commissioner organist for moving this forward. I am one more point, during last budget process I committed that the tax collector's office would return 20 million to the county to continue supporting the different programs and essential service our community truly needs. As of today that money is already in the county bank accounts where we continue to put people first in miami-dade county, GOD bless miami-dade county and GOD bless united states of america. >>chair: I thought you were going to say it because you supported so many issues but from my colleagues, we are part of this process through the last as an budget and we're aware of negotiations with our tax collector's office, today we received the remaining 20 million in advance committed for us to balance our fiscal year budget so thank you again tax collector for that, I know it's not statutorily required so appreciate your good faith efforts in helping us balance our county budget. With that remaining two minutes each, just as a tax collector is thomas kennedy followed by stanley young. You MAY approach the wells, state your name and address. The item on which you're speaking, please remain on topic, you have to minutes to speak, stanley young, I see you coming up. Whoever gets to the well first gets to speak first. MR. Young. >> good morning chair. MADAM There, distinguished commissioners who are leading our city, leading our community and in the way that we need to go. My name is chaplain stanley young. I'm a chaplain here in freedom prison and jail ministry, concerned a