| |
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
MINUTES PREPARED BY
|
| |
| |
REPORT:
Flora Garcia, Commission Reporter
305-375-4906
|
|
|
1A
|
INVOCATION AS PROVIDED IN RULE 5.05 (H)
|
| |
| |
REPORT:
Commissioner Bastien led the day�s prayer.
|
|
|
1B
|
ROLL CALL
|
| |
| |
REPORT:
Prior to the roll call, Deputy Clerk Jessica Tyrrell announced that the Clerk of the Board (COB) had received notice that Vice Chairman Garcia would be absent from today�s Safety and Health (SHC) committee meeting.
In addition to the Committee members, the following staff members were also present:
- Assistant County Attorneys (ACA) Kevin Marker and Anita Viciana;
- James Reyes, Chief of Public Safety (CPS), Office of the Mayor;
- Fire Chief Raied �Ray� Jadallah, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR);
- Captain William McAllister, IV, Operations Office, MDFR;
- David Clodfelder, Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and
- Deputy Clerks Jessica Tyrrell, Kerry Khunjar-Breakenridge, and Flora Garcia, COB
Chairman Gonzalez convened the Safety and Health Committee (SHC) meeting at 11:08 a.m.
ACA Anita Viciana announced, pursuant to the changes memorandum dated September 9, 2025, that Item 2D was added to today�s agenda.
Commissioner Higgins moved that the Committee approve the agenda, with the aforementioned change. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Hardemon; and upon being put to a vote, passed 4-0 (Vice Chairman Senator Garcia was absent).
Commissioner Higgins moved to consider Agenda Items 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 6A simultaneously. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Bastien; and upon being put to a vote, passed 4-0 (Vice Chairman Senator was absent).
Note: Agenda Items 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D were forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (Board) with a favorable recommendation; and Agenda Item 6A was approved.
|
|
|
1C
|
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
|
| |
| |
REPORT:
Commissioner Higgins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
|
|
|
1D
|
REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD AS PROVIDED IN RULE 6.06
|
| |
| |
REPORT:
Chairman Gonzalez opened the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard; and seeing no one wishing to speak, the reasonable opportunity to be heard was closed.
|
|
|
1E
|
SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)
|
| |
|
1F
|
DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
|
| |
|
1F1
|
|
| |
251776
|
Discussion Item
|
Roberto J. Gonzalez
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
DISCUSSION ITEM ON THE BUDGET AS IT PERTAINS TO SAFETY AND HEALTH
|
Presented
|
| |
REPORT:
Chairman Gonzalez inquired about the $44 million in carryover funds from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) budget. He referenced the Mayor�s comments from the first budget meeting, which indicated that the department had no fiscal emergencies and that all surplus funds were available. He inquired about whether a portion of those funds was already allocated for specific purposes.
Chief Jadallah explained that the entire $44 million was designated to fund specific capital projects and operational needs, and the department also anticipated additional capital inflows for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Mr. Reyes highlighted that the department expanded its operational capacity by adding six new units instead of the two originally budgeted for the upcoming fiscal year. He noted that four of the six additional units were funded using carryover funds, with support from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the County�s leadership.
Chairman Gonzalez pointed out that MDFR revised its Multi-Year Strategic Plan on October 30, 2024, to address service gaps that required the purchase of 24 suppression units. He asked how many suppression units had already been placed into service since the report�s release and whether the six units that were already budgeted were included in the total of 24 units.
Chief Jadallah explained that not all 24 trucks would necessarily be put into service immediately, as the department planned and allocated the acquisition of units and equipment for future fire stations over a period of five to ten years. He reported that the department had already deployed three suppression units and two fire rescue units in this fiscal year. He also mentioned that the department was actively pursuing available land to acquire and build new fire stations in areas identified as needing service.
Mr. Reyes clarified that the strategic plan projections for public safety were often adjusted based on the direction and priorities established by the Fire Chief and his administration. He explained that factors such as population density and area growth determined priorities; consequently, priorities changed frequently in response to changes in the determining factors. He noted that unaddressed priorities will remain listed in the strategic plan until they are resolved.
Captain McAllister, IV, agreed that the strategic plan was an evolving document that highlighted areas with response times significantly above the acceptable average. He emphasized that nearly half of the 21 suppression units were urgently needed to provide service to neighborhoods that had well-documented shortfalls and required immediate attention. He stressed that neighborhoods in critical need of service were not being adequately protected, yet some of the 21 units currently had no assigned service locations due to the challenges the County had encountered when attempting to open new fire stations.
Captain McAllister, IV, stated that new trucks were added to the fleet since the report's release, including Ladder 18 in North Miami and Engine 77, a Technical Rescue unit for the Technical Rescue Team (TRT) in the southern area. He noted that Ladder 87 was scheduled to be placed in service in Doral; however, due to service shortfalls in Medley, Engine 83 would be put into service next week in that area.
Chief Jadallah countered Captain McAllister�s assessment regarding the assignment of some units. He clarified that Ladder 87 was originally scheduled to be placed in service at the Doral Fire Station but was reassigned to Medley due to issues encountered during the reacquisition process and ongoing renovation efforts at the facility. He further explained that Ladder 83 had been assigned to Medley because the location was County-owned, housed the truck's repair shop, and a trailer was being installed next to the repair shop at that time.
Chief Jadallah advised that the department had an estimated timeframe of 18-24 months to complete renovations at the Doral Fire Station and confirmed that resources would be available to promptly place a unit in service upon the completion of the fire station. He noted that it would be ineffective to place a unit in a station failing to meet established criteria for reducing response times.
Captain McAllister, IV, further clarified that Fire Station 87 was expected to be available to house a unit in the upcoming fiscal year. However, the Board failed to appropriate funds in the budget for any of the 21 suppression units on the list to provide new service, even if the units were reassigned.
Chairman Gonzalez, Mr. Reyes, and Chief Jadallah discussed the daily total number of operating hours for the suppression vehicles, total operating costs for the trucks, the total annual service call responses, and how the department managed payments for ordered trucks.
In response to Chairman Gonzalez's question, Mr. Reyes clarified that the department's capital budget included reserve funds designated for the payment of purchased equipment upon receipt. He noted that Chief Jadallah and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) agreed on the need to develop a finance plan for future land acquisitions and fire station developments to help increase the number of units and reduce response times. He also mentioned the department had ongoing negotiations with the Miccosukee Tribe to assign a fire truck to their area.
Mr. Reyes emphasized the department's commitment to efficient operations and achieving goals.
Chief Jadallah announced that the department was currently evaluating different fire station models to determine the most optimal locations for their construction, regardless of the countywide delay in land acquisition. He noted that the existing impact fees were insufficient to cover the costs associated with building fire stations. As a result, he and the County Administration were working on performing an impact study to re-evaluate construction costs.
Chief Jadallah stated that he was discussing with developers of single-family homes the possibility of establishing a temporary fire station in one of the model homes once all the houses were sold. He also mentioned that the options being considered include constructing vertical fire stations and negotiating agreements with developers to waive impact fees if fire stations were built within parking garages, similar to Fire Station No. 86�s arrangement.
Commissioner Higgins noted that similar challenges arose during efforts to expand water pump stations as the County's population continued to grow westward and southward. She emphasized that identifying available land to acquire had been the most prominent problem for constructing fire stations and small water pump stations. She mentioned that the Board had recently begun requesting from developers at Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) and Zoning hearings to include designated land for the construction of a small water pump station in their applications. Additionally, she expressed willingness to forgo the construction of two housing units to facilitate the building of a fire station.
Commissioner Higgins requested that the County Attorney's Office evaluate the feasibility of requiring developers to include dedicated land for building a fire station as part of their housing development project applications and whether this requirement needed to be formalized through legislation.
A discussion followed among the Committee members regarding the appropriateness of requesting housing developers to allocate land within their projects specifically for the construction of fire stations.
Chairman Gonzalez inquired if the department could access additional financial resources, besides public-private partnerships (P3), to construct fire stations once the parcels became available.
Mr. Reyes confirmed that MDFR�s capital budget included reserved funds specifically designated to finance long-term projects.
Commissioner Higgins asked Mr. Reyes and Chief Jadallah to review the upcoming zoning agenda to assess if any housing development applications required the expansion of fire services in the area or a new fire station.
Mr. Clodfelder reviewed the total amount of funding in MDFR�s capital budget. He stated the FY2025-26 proposed budget currently included contingency reserves of $21.4 million in the Fire District Operations Fund in addition to the carryover funds. He explained that the first change memorandum set aside $13.8 million to buy-back the air rescue equipment, and the cap funds were approximately $14 million in reserves, resulting in a total of $49.2 million.
Mr. Clodfelder further explained that when Mr. Reyes referred to freed-up capital funds, he meant the department had sufficient funds in the operating fund account or non-ad-valorem revenues to possibly finance the projects rather than relying on cash flow. He explained that this financing process would free up $14 million in cash as of today.
Discussion ensued among Chairman Gonzalez, Mr. Reyes, and Mr. Clodfelder regarding the availability of funding and the source.
Captain McAllister IV emphasized that while he appreciated the committee's willingness to address real estate-related issues, capital expenditures, and construction of fire stations, processes that typically required five to ten years to complete, the department faced an immediate crisis that demanded urgent solutions. He stressed that response times were deteriorating, with the department averaging over nine minutes to respond to life-threatening calls within the urban boundary, and there was no provision in the five-year plan that would reduce these times.
Captain McAllister IV noted that the department would begin taking delivery of ten new suppression units the following month and nine new rescue units by January. He pointed out critical resource misallocations, including fireboats sitting on inland trailers while a southern zone remained without coverage, leaving residents 30 to 60 minutes away from assistance by water or air rescue. He explained that several fire stations had the physical capacity to accommodate additional units and argued that deploying equipment to these overwhelmed stations would immediately reduce response times, particularly when stations were frequently unavailable to respond within their primary service areas. He cited Arcola Lakes Station as an example, one of the County's busiest stations that had been awaiting an additional rescue unit for nearly two decades while its promised new station remained an empty plot of land.
Captain McAllister IV urged the committee not to focus solely on the long-term goal of building stations in ideal locations, a process that could take five to ten years, when immediate solutions existed. He stated that with proper funding, at least ten units could be placed into service immediately upon delivery of the apparatus, and he had confirmed with the fire chief's staff that ten stations could accommodate additional units without delay.
Regarding the Surfside incident, Captain McAllister IV explained that the event had occurred without advance notice, yet the department successfully built the necessary infrastructure within hours through urgent logistical prioritization of resources. He emphasized that while the department needed the Board's assistance with long-term solutions, it currently possessed the immediate capability to deploy units that would reduce response times and potentially save lives and prevent serious firefighter injuries.
In response to Chairman Gonzalez's inquiry, Chief Jadallah confirmed that transferring air rescue services from the General Fund to the Fire District Fund was not his recommendation.
In response to an earlier question by Chairman Gonzalez, Chief Jadallah responded that the department dispatched 1,100 units every 24 hours.
Hearing no other questions, Chairman Gonzalez closed the floor for discussion.
|
|
| |
9/3/2025
Presented by the Board of County Commissioners
|
|
|
1G
|
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
|
| |
|
2
|
COUNTY COMMISSION
|
| |
|
2A
|
|
| |
251597
|
Resolution
|
Oliver G. Gilbert, III
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO REVIEW AND COMPILE A LIST OF EXISTING COUNTY BOARDS THAT HAVE DUTIES OR FUNCTIONS RELATED TO HEALTHCARE, AND TO PROVIDE A REPORT
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
2B
|
|
| |
251751
|
Resolution
|
Natalie Milian Orbis
Sen. Rene Garcia
Roberto J. Gonzalez
Micky Steinberg
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EVALUATE COUNTYWIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES RESPONSE TIMES, DEVELOP METHODS FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND PROVIDE A REPORT DETAILING SUCH FINDINGS TO THIS BOARD
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
| |
REPORT:
Chairman Gonzalez asked to be listed as a co-sponsor.
|
|
|
2C
|
|
| |
251474
|
Resolution
|
Roberto J. Gonzalez
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS; WAIVING, BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT, THE PROCEDURE FOR DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY; AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT TO THE KORPS BRANDWEER SURINAME; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE A FOREIGN FIREFIGHTING ENTITY DONATION AGREEMENT, TO EXERCISE ANY AND ALL OTHER RIGHTS CONFERRED THEREIN, AND TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE FOREGOING
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
2D
|
|
| |
251780
|
Resolution
|
Roberto J. Gonzalez
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS; WAIVING, BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT, THE PROCEDURE FOR DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY; AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT TO ESCUELA NACIONAL DE BOMBEROS, COMANDANTE OSCAR RODRIGUEZ GOMEZ, TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE A FOREIGN FIREFIGHTING ENTITY DONATION AGREEMENT, TO EXERCISE ANY AND ALL OTHER RIGHTS CONFERRED THEREIN, AND TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE FOREGOING
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
3
|
DEPARTMENT(S)
|
| |
|
3A
|
|
| |
251687
|
Resolution
|
|
Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Department |
| |
RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH ALLEGUEZ ARCHITECTURE INC., PROJECT NO. A16-MDFR-01 FOR FIRE STATION NO. 68, DOLPHIN TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN AMOUNT OF $121,984.20 THEREBY RESULTING IN TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $520,830.20 AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE SAID AMENDMENT AND TO EXERCISE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS CONTAINED THEREIN AND TO ENFORCE ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
3B
|
|
| |
251293
|
Resolution
|
Kionne L. McGhee
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RESOLUTION APPROVING (1) A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AS TENANT, AND THE RHOMES BUILDING LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, AS LANDLORD, AND (2) AN ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AS ASSIGNOR, AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT (''DOH''), AS ASSIGNEE, FOR THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 10 N KROME AVENUE AND 12 N KROME AVENUE, HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA, TO BE UTILIZED BY DOH AS OFFICE SPACE WITH A FISCAL IMPACT TO ASSIGNEE FOR THE INITIAL YEAR OF THE LEASE TERM OF $174,125.00 AND AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY FOR THE ENTIRE TERM OF FIVE YEARS PLUS TWO FIVE-YEAR OPTIONS TO RENEW; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE BOTH AGREEMENTS AND TO EXERCISE ANY AND ALL OTHER RIGHTS CONFERRED THEREIN AND TO PERFORM ALL ACTS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAME
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
3C
|
|
| |
251689
|
Resolution
|
Kionne L. McGhee
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A QUITCLAIM DEED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SURPLUS PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 12350 SW 285 STREET, HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSE PURPOSES IN PERPETUITY
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
3D
|
|
| |
251704
|
Resolution
|
Juan Carlos Bermudez
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RESOLUTION APPROVING ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY UP TO $300,000.00 FOR A TOTAL MODIFIED CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,970,000.00 FOR CONTRACT NO. SS-10241 FOR EZ-IO INTRAOSSEOUS INFUSION SYSTEMS AND RELATED ITEMS FOR THE MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING ANY CANCELLATION, RENEWALS, OR EXTENSIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-8.1 OF THE COUNTY CODE AND IMPLEMENTING ORDER 3-38
|
Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
4
|
COUNTY MAYOR
|
| |
|
5
|
COUNTY ATTORNEY
|
| |
|
6
|
CLERK OF THE BOARD
|
| |
|
6A
|
|
| |
251703
|
Report
|
|
Clerk of the Board |
| |
APPROVAL OF THE CLERK�S SUMMARY OF MINUTES FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING(S):
� MARCH 11, 2025
� MAY 13, 2025
|
Approved
Mover: Eileen Higgins
Seconder: Marleine Bastien
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Garc�a
|
|
7
|
REPORT(S)
|
| |
|
8
|
ADJOURNMENT
|
| |
| |
REPORT:
There being no further business to come before the Safety and Health Committee (SHC), the meeting was adjourned at 11:48 a.m.
|
|
|
| 8/7/2026 |
|
|
|
Agenda Key: 5374 |