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1
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MINUTES PREPARED BY:
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REPORT:
Jos� Soto, Commission Reporter (305) 375-1294
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1A
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INVOCATION AS PROVIDED IN RULE 5.05 (H)
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REPORT:
Commissioner Milian Orbis led the invocation.
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1B
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ROLL CALL
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REPORT:
Chairman Rodriguez convened the Policy Council (PC/Council) meeting at 9:06 a.m.
In addition to the Council members, the following staff members were present:
- Dr. Carladenise Edwards, Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the Mayor;
- Ms. Olga Espinosa-Anderson, Deputy Director, Disposal Operations, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD);
- Assistant County Attorneys (ACA) David Murray and Lauren Morse; and
- Deputy Clerks Jessica Tyrell, Kerry Khunjar Breakenridge, Israel Alonso, and Jos� Soto, Clerk of the Board.
ACA Murray advised the items to be considered at today�s PC meeting were those listed on the final printed agenda, along with the addition of Agenda Item 3A, as noted in the Changes Sheet memorandum dated June 8, 2026.
Commissioner Milian Orbis moved to approve today�s agenda with the aforementioned change. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Cohen Higgins and upon being put to a vote, passed 4-0 (Vice Chairman Gonzalez was absent).
Commissioner Gilbert III requested to bifurcate Agenda Item 3A.
Commissioner Cohen Higgins moved to consider Agenda Items 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 6A. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Milian Orbis, and upon being put to a vote, passed 4-0 (Vice Chairman Gonzalez was absent).
NOTE: Agenda Items 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F were forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC/Board) with a favorable recommendation, and Agenda Item 6A was approved.
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1C
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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REPORT:
Chairman Rodriguez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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1D
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REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD AS PROVIDED IN RULE 6.06
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1E
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SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)
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REPORT:
Chairman Rodriguez opened the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard and closed it after no one appeared to speak.
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1F
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DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
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1G
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PUBLIC HEARING(S)
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2
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COUNTY COMMISSION
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2A
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260850
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Resolution
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Natalie Milian Orbis
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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY�S INTERNATIONAL TRADE CONSORTIUM TO NEGOTIATE AND, TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE, PREPARE A SISTER CITIES AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LIMA, PERU AND TRANSMIT SUCH AGREEMENT TO THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE FOR EXECUTION; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE SUCH AGREEMENT UPON RECEIPT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CONSORTIUM; AND DIRECTING THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CONSORTIUM TO MONITOR PERFORMANCE OF SUCH AGREEMENT AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO THIS BOARD
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Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 4 - 0
Absent: Gonzalez
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2B
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260869
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Resolution
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Natalie Milian Orbis
Juan Carlos Bermudez
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RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE AMERICAN FLAMINGO AS THE OFFICIAL BIRD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
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Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 4 - 0
Absent: Gonzalez
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2C
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260961
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Resolution
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Anthony Rodriguez
Marleine Bastien
Juan Carlos Bermudez
Kionne L. McGhee
Raquel A. Regalado
Micky Steinberg
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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO ANALYZE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A LOW-INTEREST REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM�TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DADE COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OR A SIMILAR TRUSTED LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION�TO ASSIST LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES WITH THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FINANCING AND INSTALLING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REASONABLY NECESSARY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE COUNTY�S FATS, OILS, AND GREASE (�FOG�) REGULATIONS; AND REQUIRING A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
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Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 4 - 0
Absent: Gonzalez
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2D
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261018
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Resolution
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Anthony Rodriguez
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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO CONDUCT NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING EXERCISES FOR THE HORSE COUNTRY AREA, INCLUDING PUBLICIZED COMMUNITY MEETINGS, RELATED TO ITS UNIQUE AGRICULTURAL, EQUESTRIAN, ARCHITECTURAL, AND AESTHETIC CHARACTER AND THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC THEMATIC ZONING DISTRICT; AND REQUIRING A REPORT
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Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 4 - 0
Absent: Gonzalez
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2E
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261019
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Resolution
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Anthony Rodriguez
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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE, THROUGH THE MIAMI-DADE CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT (�MDCR�), TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO MAKE COMPETENCY RESTORATION TREATMENT AVAILABLE TO CERTAIN INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND PROVIDE A REPORT
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Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 4 - 0
Absent: Gonzalez
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2F
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261020
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Resolution
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Anthony Rodriguez
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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO: (1) NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH ANDE CORPORATION TO PURCHASE THREE ANDE RAPID DNA SYSTEMS AND TO PRESENT SUCH AGREEMENT TO THE BOARD ALONG WITH ANY RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SAME; (2) APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $7,903,270.00; AND (3) EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS FOR THE RECEIPT OF SUCH GRANT FUNDS AND EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS SET FORTH THEREIN; AND WAIVING RESOLUTION NO. R-130-06
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Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 4 - 0
Absent: Gonzalez
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3
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DEPARTMENT(S)
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3A
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260739
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Resolution
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Strategic Procurement |
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RESOLUTION APPROVING AWARD OF CONTRACT NO. EVN0016781, DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL MONITORING SERVICES, TO TETRA TECH, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $190,070,000.00 FOR AN INITIAL FIVE-YEAR TERM AND ONE, FIVE-YEAR OPTION TO RENEW FOR MULTIPLE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT AND EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING ANY CANCELLATION, RENEWAL, OR EXTENSIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-8.1 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA AND IMPLEMENTING ORDER 3-38
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Amended
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REPORT:
See Agenda Item 3A Amended, Legislative File No. 261096, for the amended version.
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3A AMENDED
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261096
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Resolution
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Strategic Procurement |
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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND AWARD CONTRACT NO. EVN0016781, DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL MONITORING SERVICES, TO THOMPSON CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC IN AN AMOUNT CONSISTENT WITH THE PRICING OF ITS PROPOSAL FOR AN INITIAL FIVE-YEAR TERM AND ONE, FIVE-YEAR OPTION TO RENEW FOR MULTIPLE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT WITH THOMPSON CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC AND EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS OF SAME, INCLUDING ANY CANCELLATION, RENEWAL, OR EXTENSIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-8.1 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA AND IMPLEMENTING ORDER 3-38 [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 260739]
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Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation with committee amendment(s)
Mover: Oliver G. Gilbert, III
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 5 - 0
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REPORT:
Commissioner Gilbert III asked what the deciding factor had been for recommending Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra) as the vendor for the disaster debris removal monitoring contract, observing that the scoring did not appear to track with the substantial cost difference between the two top-ranked proposers.
In response to Chairman Rodriguez�s question whether Ms. Namita Uppal, Director, Miami-Dade Strategic Procurement Department (SPD), was present to respond, Dr. Edwards advised that the director was not yet available but was on her way.
Chairman Rodriguez explained that the contract served as a monitoring agreement activated only in the aftermath of a disaster such as a hurricane. He noted that the recommended proposer had scored roughly 10 points higher than the second-ranked proposer, Thompson Consulting Services, LLC (Thompson), whose proposed cost was nearly $1 million lower.
Ms. Olga Espinosa-Anderson described the purpose of the contract. She explained that it had been competitively solicited and was used following a disaster to monitor the debris-removal contractors, ensure debris was delivered to designated staging areas, and preserve the County's eligibility for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement.
Commissioner Gilbert III clarified that both he and Chairman Rodriguez were concerned that a small difference in points corresponded to such a significant difference in cost.
Ms. Espinosa-Anderson stated that she had not served on the selection committee and did not have the detail to explain the scoring, and she indicated that Ms. Uppal would be better positioned to answer.
Chairman Rodriguez explained that the cost disparity had prompted him to have his staff examine the procurement. He distinguished this item from an earlier matter in which a lower-cost proposer had lacked the relevant experience, noting that here the second-ranked firm was well established, holding numerous comparable contracts in Florida and other states, and that several of its senior executives had come from the top-ranked company. Satisfied that both firms were qualified and that the alternative would save approximately $1 million, he recommended advancing the second-ranked proposer.
Commissioner Gilbert III proffered an amendment to recommend Thompson as the vendor for the contract.
Commissioner Cohen Higgins voiced support for the proffered amendment but questioned the recommendation, noting that the five-year contract carried a cumulative value of $95 million and that no representative was present to address basic questions about it. She stated that she would support advancing the item to the Board while seeking an explanation from the administration in the interim as to why the top-ranked firm had been recommended over a proposer that was $1 million less expensive.
Commissioner Milian Orbis added that she too had questions, particularly regarding how much weight had been assigned to cost, which she believed should be among the most significant scoring factors, and she voiced support for identifying savings given the County's budgetary climate.
In response to Vice Chairman Gonzalez�s question as to whether anyone present could explain the formula used to arrive at the recommendation, Dr. Edwards reiterated that Ms. Uppal and staff were en route, adding that she was not sufficiently familiar with the details to respond.
Chairman Rodriguez called the vote.
Hearing no further questions or comments, the Council proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as amended to direct the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to negotiate and award Contract No. EVN0016781, Disaster Debris Removal Monitoring Services, to Thompson Consulting Services, LLC.
SPD staff arrived just after the vote had been taken. Chairman Rodriguez noted that the vote had already been called and asked that Ms. Uppal and her team meet with the commissioners' offices and brief the attorneys on the basis for the selection.
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4
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COUNTY MAYOR
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5
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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6
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CLERK OF THE BOARD
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6A
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260581
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Report
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Clerk of the Board |
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APPROVAL OF THE CLERK�S SUMMARY OF MINUTES FOR THE POLICY COUNCIL MEETING(S) [AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE BOARD DEPARTMENT]:
� MARCH 9, 2026
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Approved
Mover: Danielle Cohen Higgins
Seconder: Natalie Milian Orbis
Vote: 4 - 0
Absent: Gonzalez
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7
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REPORT(S)
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8
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ADJOURNMENT
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REPORT:
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:17 a.m.
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| 8/21/2026 |
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Agenda Key: 5521 |