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1
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MINUTES PREPARED BY:
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REPORT:
Kerry Khunjar Breakenridge, Commission Reporter
(305) 375-5108
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1A
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INVOCATION AS PROVIDED IN RULE 5.05(H)
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1B
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ROLL CALL
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REPORT:
Acting Chairwoman Sosa convened the Board of County Commissioners Special Meeting at 12:02 p.m. followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner McGhee.
The following Board members were present at roll call: Acting Chairwoman Sosa, Commissioners Diaz, Garcia, Gilbert, Hardemon, Heyman, Higgins, Martinez, McGhee, Monestime, Regalado and Souto; (District 8 � Vacant).
In addition to the members of the Board, the following staff members were also present:
- County Attorney Geri Bonzon Keenan;
- Clerk of the Board Director Melissa Adames and Deputy Clerk Tawana Parker
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1C
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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SPECIAL ITEM(S)
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Special Item No. 1
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202284
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Resolution
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Rebeca Sosa
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RESOLUTION MAKING APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 8
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Amended
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REPORT:
(See Agenda Item Amended Special Item No. 1; Legislative File No. 202463 for the Amended Version).
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11/19/2020
Deferred by the Board of County Commissioners
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12/1/2020
Deferred by the Board of County Commissioners
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AMENDED Special Item No. 1
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202463
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Resolution
 Clerk's Official Copy
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Rebeca Sosa
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RESOLUTION MAKING APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 8 [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 202284]
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Adopted as amended
Resolution R-1232-20
Mover: Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Seconder: Kionne L. McGhee
Vote: 10 - 1
No: Garc�a
Absent: Martinez
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REPORT:
Commissioner McGhee moved to appoint Ms. Danielle Cohen Higgins to be seated immediately and to serve as the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for Commission District 8 for the remainder of the term.
County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan advised the only item before the Board today (12/7) was Special Item No. 1, a resolution to appoint/fill the vacancy in the Office of County Commissioner for District 8.
Vice Chairman Diaz moved to nominate Ms. Danielle Cohen Higgins to serve as the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for Commission District 8 and to subsequently appoint Ms. Cohen Higgins to the Board of County Commission in the event she is duly selected to serve as the District Commissioner for Commission District 8.
Commissioner McGhee proffered the following amendment to the motion made by Vice Chairman Diaz to allow Ms. Cohen Higgins to be seated immediately and to serve as the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for Commission District 8 for the remainder of the term upon her appointment.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa asked if there were any more nominations for the position and reviewed the nomination and voting process.
Commissioner Hardemon pointed out the guidelines provided regarding the nomination and voting process stated that seven votes were needed to appoint Ms. Cohen Higgins and requested clarification regarding the vote count needed in light of the fact that there were only eleven Board members present.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa noted there were no additional nominations to consider and recognized Commissioner Garcia.
Commissioner Garcia stated his intent to oppose the nomination and appointment of Ms. Cohen Higgins and voiced his concerns about appointing a District Commissioner absent a special election. He urged his fellow colleagues to also vote �no� and allow the matter to be decided by a special election.
Commissioner Heyman stated while she acknowledged and agreed with Commissioner Garcia�s concerns regarding the appointment of a District Commissioner absent a special election, the Board of County Commission (Board) had already considered and voted twice to fill the vacancy via the nomination and appointment process and as such this decision should be respected.
Commissioner Monestime moved to call the question in light of the fact that there were no other nominees to consider.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa cited other instances in which a District Commissioner was nominated and appointed without a special election.
Vice Chairman Diaz moved to amend the foregoing resolution to appoint Ms. Danielle Cohen Higgins to be seated immediately and to serve as the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for Commission District 8 for the remainder of the term upon her appointment. This motion was seconded by Commissioner McGhee.
There being no further questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as amended by roll call.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa thanked all candidates who expressed an interest in the position and asked the Sergeant at arms to escort Ms. Cohen Higgins to chambers.
Vice Chairman Diaz inquired about the procedure for swearing in the newly appointed Commissioner and asked whether it could be done immediately in chambers.
County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan explained while the resolution was effective immediately, Ms. Cohen Higgins was required to certify that she had read the Code of Ethics, to sign an affidavit with the Ethics Commission, be officially sworn-in and have the swearing-in acknowledgment signed before she was officially appointed.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa stated she believed Ms. Cohen Higgins could be sworn in today by the Clerk of the Board and comply with all the other requirements so that she could immediately join her colleagues on the Commission. She pointed out a separate ceremony with Ms. Cohen Higgins� family could be scheduled at a later date.
Commissioner Monestime invited his colleague Commissioner Garcia to join in the appointment of Ms. Cohen Higgins.
Commissioner Garcia clarified that he did not oppose Ms. Cohen Higgins, but he was against the nomination and appointment process used to fill the seat.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa welcomed newly appointed District Commissioner for Commission District 8, Ms. Danielle Cohen Higgins.
Ms. Danielle Cohen Higgins thanked the Board for their vote of confidence. She also thanked the residents and stakeholders for their support during her 19 month journey to serve as the District Commissioner for District 8 and vowed to protect and uphold the values of the residents of Miami-Dade County.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa commended Ms. Cohen Higgins on her efforts over the past 19 months and briefly reviewed the swearing-in process.
Commissioner Hardemon pointed out that Ms. Cohen Higgins would be able to immediately assume her position on the dais if the oath of office was administered and all the other requirements were satisfied today.
Responding to Acting Chairwoman Sosa�s question as to whether Ms. Cohen Higgins could be sworn in and serve on the Board immediately, County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan stated once the oath of office was administered by the Clerk and the respective affidavit was filed with the Ethics Commission, Ms. Cohen Higgins would be considered officially appointed and could serve immediately.
Vice Chairman Diaz congratulated and welcomed Ms. Cohen Higgins to the Board of County Commission.
Acting Chairwoman Sosa thanked the Commission Auditor�s Office, the County Attorney�s office and staff for working diligently to ensure all the necessary paperwork and background checks were conducted.
Commissioner Gilbert congratulated and welcomed Ms. Cohen Higgins.
Commissioner Regalado congratulated and welcomed Ms. Cohen Higgins and pointed out the decision to appoint a District Commissioner instead of conduct a special election was not an easy one but was one governed by the Board�s acknowledgement that Commission District 8 residents needed representation, especially now during the pandemic.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava appeared via zoom to congratulate and welcome Ms. Cohen Higgins.
Commissioner Garcia welcomed Ms. Cohen Higgins and reiterated his opposition to her nomination and appointment was not personal but more a statement against the process.
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ADJOURNMENT
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REPORT:
There being no further business to come before the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), the Special Meeting noticed for 12:00 p.m. and convened at 12:02 p.m., was adjourned at 12:34 p.m.
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3A
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CONSENT AGENDA
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| 8/21/2026 |
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Agenda Key: 4526 |