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1.
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MINUTES PREPARED BY:
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REPORT:
Flora Garcia, Commission Reporter
(305) 375-4906
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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:
Chairman Gilbert, III, convened the Joint Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners and Miami-Dade County Youth Commission at 9:37 a.m.
Chairman Gilbert, III, led the prayer followed by Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Cohen Higgins expressed her condolences to Chairman Gilbert, III, for the loss of his mother, Mrs. Kirklyn Gilbert.
In addition to the members of the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission, and the Honorable Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the following staff persons were also present:
- Chief Operations Officer (COO) Jimmy Morales, Office of the Mayor
- County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan and First Assistant County Attorney Gerald Sanchez
- Division Director Basia Pruna, and Assistant Director Linda Cave, Deputy Clerks Kerry Khunjar Breakenridge and Flora Garcia, COB, Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller
Assistant Director Linda Cave, Clerk of the Board (COB) Division, Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, administered the Oath of Office to the Youth Commission.
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1C
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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1D
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WELCOME
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1E
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REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD AS PROVIDED IN RULE 6.06
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REPORT:
Chairman Gilbert, III, opened the reasonable opportunity for the public to speak; and hearing no members of the public wishing to speak, Chairman Gilbert, III, closed the reasonable opportunity to be heard.
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2
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PRESENTATIONS
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2A
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240543
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Presentation
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INTRODUCTION BY CHAIR
1. YOUTH COMMISSION EFFORTS 2023-2024, CHAIRMAN BRYAN RODRIGUEZ DISTRICT 11
2. SECRETARY REMARKS, MARTINA JARAMILLO DISTRICT 8
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Presented
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REPORT:
Miami-Dade County Youth Commission (Youth Commission) Chairman, Mr. Bryan Rodriguez, introduced himself as a senior student at Miami Arts Studio, representing County Commission District 11. He extended their condolences to Chairman Gilbert, III, for the passing of his mother.
Mr. Rodriguez presented the commission's annual overview, highlighting their decade-long commitment to amplifying youth voices in Miami-Dade County. He emphasized that the commission represented over 350,000 students and reported that four (4) urgings addressing youth-related issues were passed during the year. Mr. Rodriguez announced plans for a youth legislative tour to Washington, D.C. in June 2025 to meet with congressional representatives and advance advocacy efforts.
Youth Commission Secretary, Ms. Martina Jaramillo, introduced herself as a junior student in the International Baccalaureate Program at Coral Reef Senior High School. She detailed her service across multiple committees, including her role as Secretary of the Cultural Affairs and Community Engagement Committee and Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for Youth Excellence Awards. Ms. Jaramillo highlighted community programs implemented under Commissioner Cohen Higgins' guidance and explained the selection process for the Youth Commission Change-Maker Award.
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2B
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240544
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Presentation
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COMMITTEE ACHIEVEMENTS
1. ADVOCACY AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE, CHAIR ETHAN BAZAK DISTRICT 4
2. EDUCATION AND SERVICES COMMITTEE, CHAIRWOMAN ARMANI INMAN DISTRICT 1
3. CULTURAL ARTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHAIRWOMAN JASMINE WILLIAMS DISTRICT 3
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Presented
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REPORT:
Miami-Dade County Youth Commission (Youth Commission), Youth Commission Advocacy and Legislation Committee (ALC) Chair, Mr. Ethan Bazak, thanked the Board for the honor of speaking today before them and their continuous dedication and commitment to youth empowerment. He expressed pride for the Board's prioritization of youth and the opportunity to represent County Commission District 4 under the sponsorship of Commissioner Steinberg.
Mr. Bazak reported on the committee's focus on constituent concerns and voter registration efforts for the November 2024 election. He noted key initiatives included proposals for smoke detector installation in school restrooms to combat smoking and two (2) urgings related to creating temporary animal shelters and combating illegal dog breeding. Mr. Bazak reported the smoke detector proposal was deferred to the following year due to timing issues.
Youth Commission Education and Services Committee (ESC) Chairwoman, Ms. Armani Inman, introduced herself as a senior student at Miami Norland Senior High School, representing County Commission District 1, and was proud of the Chairman of the Board. She stated that she had the honor of serving as the Chair of ESC and was working on several initiatives. Ms. Inman outlined multiple environmental and educational initiatives and noted the committee developed urgings to integrate county-sponsored recycling containers in schools and mandate swimming lessons in Early Head Start programs, recognizing swimming as an essential life skill in Miami-Dade County. Additionally, she advised that the committee had partnered with Lotus House to create educational resource workshops and developed the Youth Commission Tribune Newsletter.
Youth Commission Cultural Arts and Community Engagement Chairwoman, Ms. Jasmine Williams, introduced herself as a senior student at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, and proud resident of County Commission District 3. She presented initiatives focused on expanding arts access for county children and noted the committee developed a volunteer-based art mentorship program at centralized library branches, connecting high school students and professional artists with younger students for career development opportunities. Ms. Williams advised that the committee continued their "Books for Tots" tradition, distributing age-appropriate books in Head Start programs throughout the County after COVID-19 restrictions prevented in-person reading sessions the previous year.
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2C
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240545
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Presentation
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COMMISSION EXPERIENCE
1. THE YOUTH COMMISSION EXPERIENCE, ANY VALIDO DISTRICT 13
2. FIU ROPES COURSE, SOFIA QUINTANA DISTRICT 10
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Presented
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REPORT:
Ms. Any Valido, Miami-Dade County Youth Commission (Youth Commission), introduced herself as a junior student at Hialeah Senor High School, representing County Commission Districts 13; and she noted the Youth Commission was providing the County�s future with extraordinary opportunities and experiences that continue to motivate their ambitions.
Ms. Valido shared her personal experience with the Youth Commission, highlighting participation in various events including the Tobacco Summit, voter registration drives, and a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris during her "Fight for Our Freedoms" National College Tour. She emphasized how the Washington, D.C. field trip provided opportunities that would have been financially inaccessible as a low-income minority student.
Ms. Sofia Quintana introduced herself as a senior student at Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School, and stated it was an honor to serve as a youth commissioner for County Commission District 10. She reported on the March 2, 2024 team-building ropes course at Florida International University, which focused on developing teamwork, communication, and trust skills among Youth Commission members. Ms. Quintana noted that the experience significantly improved the commission's group dynamics and collaborative abilities.
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2D
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240546
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Presentation
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FINAL REMARKS
COLLEGE DECISIONS, JASMIN ROSSI DISTRICT 5
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Presented
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REPORT:
Ms. Jasmin Rossi introduced herself as a junior student at Cushman High School and noted it was an honor to represent County Commission District 5 under Commission Higgins. She stated that the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission wished to recognize and celebrate their outstanding seniors departing for college next year since they were taking the values learned while serving as youth commissioners, who would continue to foster a spirit of service and advocacy no matter their destination. Ms. Rossi read into the record the names of accomplished students nominated for the Miami Herald Silver Knight Nominees Award for their commitment to service and selfless citizenship as follows:
� Ms. Armani Inman, County Commission District 1, undecided college, nominee in music and dance
� Ms. Sienna Lallemand, County Commission District 2, Harvard University, nominee in Journalism
� Ms. Justine Guthier (phonetic), County Commission District 2, Miami-Dade College Honors Program
� Ms. Jasmine Williams, County Commission District 3, undecided college
� Mr. Ethan Bazak , County Commission District 4, undecided college, nominee in Speech
� Ms. Gabriela Suarez, County Commission District 4, undecided college
� Ms. Rania Echuff (phonetic), County Commission District 7, absent college, nominee in Speech
� Ms. Isabel del Valle, County Commission District 7, Florida State University Honors Program
� Mr. Ichiak Sekai (phonetic), County Commission District 8, undecided college
� Ms. Sofia Quintana, County Commission District 10, Florida International University, nominee in Science, and winner of �Orgullo de Nuestra Juventud Award� from Univision
� Mr. Bryan Rodriguez, County Commission District 11, Northwestern University, nominee in Social Science
� Ms. Shekinah Montpellier, Mayor�s appointee, Florida State University
� Mr. Javier Perez, Mayor�s appointee, Northwestern University
� Mr. Jaden Genius (phonetic), Student Advisor to the School Board, Duke University, nominee in English
� Ms. Gwendolyn Pittman, Committee member, Talladega College, nominee in Athletics
� Mr. John Carlos de Motta, Committee member, Miami-Dade College Honors Program
In a closing statement, she stated that the Youth Commission was proud of their peers and contributions to Miami-Dade County. She thanked the Board for their continued support of the Youth Commission and highlighted the Youth Commission�s legacy extended far beyond the County.
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ADJOURNMENT
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REPORT:
There being no further business to come before the Joint Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners and Miami-Dade County Youth Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Upon the adjournment of the Joint meeting of the Board of County Commissioners with the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission, the Board reconvened its Board of County Commissioners meeting.
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3
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CONSENT AGENDA
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| 8/7/2026 |
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Agenda Key: 5077 |