FINAL OFFICIAL
Miami-Dade Policy Council Minutes
Monday, February 10, 2025
9:00:00 AM
Anthony Rodriguez (10), Chairman; Kionne McGhee (9), Vice Chairman; Commissioners Kevin Marino Cabrera (6), Danielle Cohen Higgins (8), and Sen. Ren� Garc�a (13)
Disclaimer Minutes Definitions    

Members Present: Kevin Marino Cabrera; Kionne L. McGhee; Anthony Rodriguez; Danielle Cohen Higgins
Members Absent: None
Members Late: Sen. Rene Garcia
Members Excused: None
Members Absent County Business: None

         
MINUTES PREPARED BY:  
  REPORT: Bryce Stephenson-Pickett, Commission Reporter (305) 375-1296  
1A INVOCATION AS PROVIDED IN RULE 5.05 (H)  
1B ROLL CALL  
  REPORT: Chairman Rodriguez convened the Policy Council (PC) meeting at 9:04 a.m., with a prayer led by Vice Chairman McGhee, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Cabrera.

In addition to the Committee members, the following staff members were also present:

~Assistant County Attorney (ACA) Abbie Schwaderer Raurell;

~ Chief Operations Officer, Jimmy Morales, Office of the Mayor;

~ Chief Strategy Officer, Carladenise Edwards, Office of the Mayor; and

~ Deputy Clerks Jose Soto and Bryce Stephenson-Pickett.

SETTING OF AGENDA

Assistant County Attorney (ACA) Abbie Schwaderer Raurell advised the items to be considered at today�s (2/10) meeting were those listed on the final printed agenda, along with the addition of Agenda Items 1G1 Supplement, 1G21 Supplement No. 2, 1G2 Supplement, 1G2 Supplement No.2, 1G1 Supplement No. 3, and 2B as noted in the Changes Sheet memorandum dated February 10, 2025.

It was moved by Commissioner Cohen Higgins to approve today�s (2/10) Policy Council (PC) agenda, with the aforementioned changes. This motion was seconded by Vice Chairman McGhee, and upon being put to a vote, passed by a vote of 4-0 (Senator Garcia was absent).
 
1C PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
1D REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD AS PROVIDED IN RULE 6.06  
  REPORT: Chairman Rodriguez opened the reasonable opportunity to be heard; seeing no one come forward to speak, the reasonable opportunity to be heard was closed.  
1E SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)  
1F DISCUSSION ITEM(S)  
1F1  
  250218 Discussion Item     Anthony Rodriguez        
  DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING COUNTYWIDE STREET LIGHT MAINTENANCE Presented
  REPORT: Chairman Rodriguez introduced the discussion item and expressed concerns about the growing number of broken street lights throughout the County. He
requested Mr. Jimmy Morales, Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Mayor, and Mr. Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, Interim Director and CEO of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), to prepare and provide a comprehensive report on the County�s streetlight maintenance contract to include a detailed status update of the current contract, document the total number of streetlights that have been converted to LED technology, and provide a complete inventory of streetlights currently awaiting repairs. He asked that the report be presented at the upcoming Policy Council meeting scheduled for March 10, 2025.

Commissioner Cohen Higgins voiced her concerns regarding 35 street lights located between 112 Avenue and 184 Street that had been out of service since September of 2024. She emphasized that the lack of working street lights created significant safety issues for residents, and reported that she had repeatedly contacted the contractor regarding these problems. Commissioner Cohen Higgins requested that the streetlight maintenance report include a status update regarding the 35 inoperable streetlights located along the corridor from 112 Avenue through 184 Street in District 8, as well as detail the department's immediate action plan for restoring these lights to working order, outline preventive measures to address the underlying causes of streetlight failures, and provide a clear timeline for service restoration. Additionally, she asked for the report to address the operational procedures necessary to expedite repairs to broken streetlights to minimize service disruption to residents.

Mr. Jimmy Morales, Chief Operations Officer, Office of the Mayor stated that the administration was collaborating with the Sheriff�s Office to investigate the street light problems , and would provide a comprehensive report at the next Policy Council meeting to which would include all maintenance recommendations.

Senator Garcia expressed frustration about the lack of information regarding traffic lights, specifically mentioning several accidents that had occurred at the intersection of Palmetto and 122nd Street.
He asked Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales and Interim DTPW Director/CEO Josiel Ferrer-Diaz to develop a plan for repairing the traffic lights.

In response to Senator Garcia's concerns, Mr. Morales clarified that Chairman Rodriguez's requested report specifically addressed street lights, not traffic lights. However, he assured the council that staff would address both issues separately and work to resolve the traffic light problems at the specified intersection.
 
1G PUBLIC HEARING(S)  
1G1  
  250168 Ordinance     Kevin Marino Cabrera        
  ORDINANCE RELATING TO ANNEXATIONS AND INCORPORATIONS; SUSPENDING CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ANNEXATIONS AND INCORPORATIONS; CREATING SECTION 20-10 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; PROVIDING TIME PERIOD FOR EXPIRATION OF ANNEXATION APPLICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTIONS; REQUIRING A REPORT; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN AND EXCLUSION FROM THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing
Mover: Kevin Marino Cabrera
Seconder: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Vote: 5 - 0
  REPORT: Assistant County Attorney (ACA) Abbie Schwaderer Raurell read the title of the foregoing proposed ordinance into the record.

Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing; the following persons appeared before the Council in opposition:

- Mr. Richard Kuper, Miami-Dade County League of Cities, 2655 S. Le June Road, Miami FL, requested the foregoing item be deferred to allow the affected municipalities time to fully review the item.

- Mr. Richard Block, Village of Virginia Gardens Councilman, 6131 NW 40 Terrace, Miami, FL, voiced his concerns about the delay in annexation of the Village of Virginia Gardens, and urged the Council to defer the item.

- Ms. Maria Mitchell, Miami Springs Mayor, 830 Bluebird Avenue, Miami Springs, FL, requested the item bedeferred, and requested that the Council give the Miami-Dade County League of Cities a four (4) week period to properly review the proposed ordinance.

- City of Sweetwater Mayor Jose �Pepe� Diaz, , 500 SW 109 Avenue, Sweetwater, FL, voiced his concerns about the rushed timing of the item, which left Council members insufficient time for review. He warned that suspending annexations would have detrimental effects on unincorporated areas and create additional confusion.

There being no other persons appearing to speak, Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing.

Chairman Rodriguez clarified that the ordinance had been listed on the agenda for a full week, which he considered adequate time for
municipalities to review the legislation.

Commissioner Cabrera confirmed with Assistant County Attorney Schwaderer Raurell that the ordinance had met all County notice requirements and was properly advertised. He detailed the fiscal emergency driving the legislation, explaining that the administration's analysis had projected a significant financial shortfall for Unincorporated Miami-Dade Service Areas (UMSA) over the next five (5) years. Commissioner Cabrera stated that this was particularly concerning because UMSA funded approximately 65% of the County's police officers, and any reduction in UMSA's financial contribution would create a deficit in County services.
Citing a memo from the County Mayor, Commissioner Cabrera emphasized that annexing industrial and commercial areas would severely impact County finances. He stressed that this ordinance was essential for maintaining the County's financial stability.

In response to comments made by City of Sweetwater Mayor Diaz, Cabrera reviewed Mr. Diaz's record as a former County Commissioner, pointing out several instances where Mr. Diaz had advocated for annexation items. He concluded by explaining that business owners in his commission district who were located in UMSA had voted against annexation to avoid higher millage rates and taxes, and he was committed to protecting their interests.

Commissioner Cabrera explained that this ordinance would suspend annexations for a five (5) year period which would allow the administration adequate time to fully analyze vital services and their costs to make efficient decisions in the future. He noted that the addition of constitutional officers created a financial uncertainty that the County needed to be prepared for.

Senator Garcia indicated his support for the foregoing proposed legislation explaining that while he advocated for the complete incorporation of Miami-Dade County, the fiscal uncertainties surrounding constitutional officers led him to support this measure.

Commissioner Cohen Higgins echoed her colleagues' sentiments, emphasizing that the administration sought to partner with municipalities rather than oppose them. She explained that financial constraints required the County to temporarily pause and reassess its annexation process. Commissioner Cohen Higgins concluded that once the administration achieved better fiscal stability, the Board of County Commissioners could then comprehensively review annexation policies.

There being no other comments or objections, the Council voted on the foregoing ordinance, as presented.
 
  1/27/2025 Requires Municipal Notification by the Board of County Commissioners  
  2/4/2025 Adopted on 1st reading, PH sch for 2.10.25 Policy Council & 2nd reading sch for 2.19.25 BCC by the Board of County Commissioners  
  2/4/2025 Tentatively scheduled for a public hearing by the Board of County Commissioners  
  2/5/2025 Municipalities notified of public hearing by the Board of County Commissioners  
1G1 Supplement  
  250256 Supplement      
  FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO ORDINANCE RELATING TO ANNEXATIONS AND INCORPORATIONS; SUSPENDING CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ANNEXATIONS AND INCORPORATIONS; CREATING SECTION 20-10 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; PROVIDING TIME PERIOD FOR EXPIRATION OF ANNEXATION APPLICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTIONS; REQUIRING A REPORT; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN AND EXCLUSION FROM THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Forwarded to BCC
1G1 Supplement No. 2  
  250259 Supplement      
  SOCIAL EQUITY STATEMENT TO ORDINANCE RELATING TO ANNEXATIONS AND INCORPORATIONS; SUSPENDING CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PROPOSED ANNEXATIONS AND INCORPORATIONS; CREATING SECTION 20-10 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; PROVIDING TIME PERIOD FOR EXPIRATION OF ANNEXATION APPLICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTIONS; REQUIRING A REPORT; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN AND EXCLUSION FROM THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Forwarded to BCC
1G2  
  250181 Ordinance     Kevin Marino Cabrera        
  ORDINANCE RELATING TO ZONING; AMENDING SECTION 33-193.9 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; AMENDING PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE VOLUNTARY WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; REVISING THE FORMULA FOR THE CONTRIBUTION PAYMENT IN LIEU OF CONSTRUCTION FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing
Mover: Kevin Marino Cabrera
Seconder: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Vote: 5 - 0
  REPORT: Assistant County Attorney (ACA) Abbie Schwaderer Raurell read the title of the foregoing proposed ordinance into the record.

Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing; seeing no one come forward to speak, the public hearing was closed.

There being no comments or objections, the Council voted on the foregoing ordinance, as presented.
 
  1/29/2025 Requires Municipal Notification by the Board of County Commissioners  
  2/4/2025 Adopted on 1st reading, PH sch for 2.10.25 Policy Council & 2nd reading sch for 2.19.25 BCC by the Board of County Commissioners  
  2/4/2025 Tentatively scheduled for a public hearing by the Board of County Commissioners  
  2/5/2025 Municipalities notified of public hearing by the Board of County Commissioners  
1G2 Supplement  
  250199 Supplement      
  SUPPLEMENT TO 7B - COUNTY MAYOR'S REPORT IN RESPONSE TO RESOLUTION NO. R-510-24 Forwarded to BCC
  2/4/2025 Presented by the Board of County Commissioners  
1G2 Supplement No. 2  
  250260 Supplement      
  FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO ORDINANCE RELATING TO ZONING; AMENDING SECTION 33-193.9 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; AMENDING PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE VOLUNTARY WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; REVISING THE FORMULA FOR THE CONTRIBUTION PAYMENT IN LIEU OF CONSTRUCTION FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Forwarded to BCC
1G2 Supplement No. 3  
  250261 Supplement      
  SOCIAL EQUITY STATEMENT TO ORDINANCE RELATING TO ZONING; AMENDING SECTION 33-193.9 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; AMENDING PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE VOLUNTARY WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; REVISING THE FORMULA FOR THE CONTRIBUTION PAYMENT IN LIEU OF CONSTRUCTION FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Forwarded to BCC
2 COUNTY COMMISSION  
2A  
  250018 Resolution     Kevin Marino Cabrera
Juan Carlos Bermudez
Sen. Rene Garcia
       
  RESOLUTION RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR CERTAIN COUNTY AND PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST EMPLOYEES AND APPOINTEES; CLARIFYING COUNTY POLICY REGARDING THE REVIEW OF CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS UNDER SECTION 2-30 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES PRIOR TO CHANGING JOB POSITIONS OR TRANSFERRING BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS; AMENDING IMPLEMENTING ORDER NO. 7-41 ENTITLED �PRE-EMPLOYMENT FINGERPRINT-BASED CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK� CONSISTENT WITH THIS POLICY; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR AND PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OR THEIR DESIGNEES TO ESTABLISH RULES AND PROCEDURES CONSISTENT WITH THIS POLICY; DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR AND PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OR THEIR DESIGNEES TO PROVIDE ONGOING TRAINING TO DESIGNATED DEPARTMENTAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST THEM IN REVIEWING CRIMINAL HISTORY FINDINGS AND VETTING EMPLOYEES Forwarded to the BCC by the BCC Chairperson with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Kevin Marino Cabrera
Seconder: Sen. Rene Garcia
Vote: 5 - 0
  REPORT: Assistant County Attorney (ACA) Abbie Schwaderer Raurell read the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record.

Senator Garcia requested to be listed as a co-sponsor.

There being no comments or objections, the Council voted on the foregoing resolution, as presented.


SPECIAL NOTE: The Clerk of the Board received notification that the foregoing proposed resolution was placed on the Feburary 19, 2025 Board of County Commissioners meeting agenda.
 
2B  
  250241 Resolution     Juan Carlos Bermudez        
  RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO SOLICIT VENDORS FOR THE PROVISION OF SANDBAGS DURING DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY; ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM SCOPE OF WORK FOR SUCH SOLICITATION; REQUIRING SUCH SOLICITATION CONFORM WITH REIMBURSEMENT REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE STAFFORD ACT Amended
  REPORT: See Agenda 2B Amended; Legislative File No. 250305, for the final amended version.  
2B Amended  
  250305 Resolution     Juan Carlos Bermudez        
  RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO SOLICIT VENDORS FOR THE PROVISION OF SANDBAGS DURING DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY; ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM SCOPE OF WORK FOR SUCH SOLICITATION; REQUIRING SUCH SOLICITATION CONFORM WITH REIMBURSEMENT REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE STAFFORD ACT [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 250241] Forwarded to the BCC by the BCC Chairperson with favorable recommendation with committee amendments
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Kevin Marino Cabrera
Vote: 5 - 0
  REPORT: Earlier in the meeting, Assistant County Attorney (ACA) Abbie Schwaderer Raurell read the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record.

Chairman Rodriguez requested the foregoing proposed resolution be amended to require the administration to complete the procurement process and enter into the necessary agreements by June 1, 2025.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Clerk of the Board received notification that the foregoing proposed resolution was placed on the Feburary 19, 2025 Board of County Commissioners meeting agenda.
 
3 DEPARTMENT(S)  
4 COUNTY MAYOR  
5 COUNTY ATTORNEY  
6 CLERK OF THE BOARD  
6A  
  250004 Report     Clerk of the Board
  APPROVAL OF THE CLERK�S SUMMARY OF MINUTES FOR THE MAY 13, 2024, CHAIRMAN�S POLICY COUNCIL AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING Approved
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Kevin Marino Cabrera
Vote: 5 - 0
  1/13/2025 Meeting cancelled by the Policy Council  
7 REPORT(S)  
8 ADJOURNMENT  
  REPORT: There being no further business to come before the Policy Council (PC), the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.  


8/7/2026       Agenda Key: 5216

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