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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2026-01-22 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 22, 2026 9:00 AM City Commission Meeting City Hall City Commission Eileen T. Higgins, Mayor Christine King, Chair, District Five Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner, District One Damian Pardo, Commissioner, District Two Rolando Escalona, Commissioner, District Three Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner, District Four James Reyes, City Manager George K. Wysong III, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Chairwoman King, Commissioner Escalona, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Pardo and Commissioner Rosado On the 22nd day of January 2026 the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met at its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in regular session. The Commission Meeting was called to order by Chairwoman King at 9:12 a.m. and adjourned at 11:38 a.m. ALSO PRESENT: James Reyes, City Manager George K. Wysong III, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk Chair King: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the City of Miami Commission meeting for January 22nd, 2026. We are going to begin our meeting in prayer. So, look, the pastor 's so accustomed to a whole bunch of bunch of bunch of stuff I got to get him out now. I am joined today by my colleagues, Commissioner Escalona, Commissioner Gabel -- Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner Rosado, our mayor, Eileen Higgins, and today we are joined by -- Hare Das: Hare Das, thank you, from Sacred Vedic Arts. Invocation delivered. Chair King: Thank you. Commissioner Escalona. Pledge of Allegiance delivered. Chair King: Thank you. ORDER OF THE DAY Chair King: Good morning, everyone. Mr. City Attorney. George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. Chair King: I believe you have an opening statement for us. Mr. Wysong: Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I'm George Wysong, City Attorney, City of Miami. Welcome. Detailed information about the processes, order of business, rules, or procedure in scheduling or rescheduling of City Commission meetings can be found in Chapter 2, Article 2 of the City Code, a copy of which is available online at www.municode.com. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the City Clerk and comply with related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City Commission. A person may not lobby a City official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the code section about lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's Office or online at www.municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request, or petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosures required by the City code in writing. A copy of this City code section is available at the Office of the City Clerk or City of Miami Page 1 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 online at www.municode.com. The City of Miami requires that anyone requesting action by the City Commission must disclose, before the hearing, any consideration provided or committed to anyone for agreement to support or withhold objection to the requested action pursuant to City Code Section 2-8. Any documents offered to the City Commission that have not been provided seven days before the meeting as part of the agenda materials will be entered into the record at the City Commission's discretion. In accordance with Section 2-33(f) and (g) of the City Code, the agenda and the material for each item on the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's Office and online 24 hours a day at www.miamigov.com. The meeting of the Miami City Commission is a limited public forum. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the City Commission unless modified by the Chair. Public comment will begin at approximately 9:20 a.m. and remain open until public comment is closed by the chairperson. Any person making offensive remarks or becomes unruly in the City Commission Chambers will be barred from further attending City Commission meetings and may be subject to arrest. No clapping, applauding, heckling, or verbal outbursts in support or opposition to a speaker or his or her remarks shall be permitted. No signs or placards shall be allowed in the City Commission Chambers. Persons exiting the City Commission Chambers shall do so quietly. Members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by submitting written comments via the online comment form. Please visit www.miamigov.com/meetinginstructions for detailed instructions on how to provide public comment using the online public comment form. The comments submitted through the comment firm have been and will be distributed to the elected officials, their staff and City administration throughout the day so that the elected officials may consider the comments prior to taking any action. Additionally, the online comment form will remain open during the meeting to accept comments and distribute to the elected officials or staff and City administration up until the chairperson closes public comment. Public comment may also be provided here live at City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, subject to any and all City rules as they may be amended. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before the City Commission takes action on such proposition. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must first state their name, their address, and what item will be spoken about. Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services for this meeting may notify the City Clerk. The City has provided different public comment methods to indicate, among other things, the public 's support, opposition, or neutrality on the items and topics to be discussed at the City Commission meeting in compliance with Section 286.0114(4)(c), Florida Statutes. The public has been given an opportunity to provide public comment during the meeting and within reasonable proximity and time before the meeting. Please note Commissioners have generally been briefed by City staff and the City Attorney's Office on items on the agenda today. Anyone wishing a verbatim record of an item considered at this meeting may request it at the Once of Communications or view it online at www.miamigov.com. For the Planning and Zoning items, PZ items shall proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of the Miami 21 Zoning Ordinance. Parties for any PZ items, including any applicant, appellant, appellee, City staff, and any person recognized by the decision -making body as a qualified intervener as well as the applicant's representatives and any experts testifying on behalf of the applicant, appellant, or appellee may be physically present at City Hall to be sworn in by oath or affirmation by the City Clerk. The members of the City Commission shall disclose any ex parte communications to remove the presumption of prejudice pursuant to Florida Statute 286.0115 and Section 7.1.4.5 of the Miami 21 Zoning Ordinance. The order of presentation shall be as set forth in Miami 21 and in the City Code. Staff will briefly present each item to be heard. The applicant will present its application or request to the City Commission. If the applicant agrees with the staff recommendation, the City Commission may proceed to its deliberation and decision. The applicant may also waive the right to an evidentiary hearing on the record. For appeals, the appellant will present its appeal to the City Commission followed by the appellee. Staff will be allowed to make any recommendation they may have. Please silence all cell phones and other noise making devices. And this meeting can be viewed live on Miami TV, the City's Facebookpage, the City's Twitter page, the City's YouTube channel, and Comcast Channel 77. The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Thank you, Madam Chair. City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Mr. City Clerk, would you please read your statement for the record? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. The procedures for individuals who will be providing testimony to be sworn in for Planning and Zoning items and any quasi-judicial items on today's City Commission agenda will be as follows: The members of City staff or any other individuals required to be sworn in who are currently present at City Hall will be sworn in by nie, the City Clerk, immediately after 1 finish explaining these procedures. Those individuals who are appearing remotely may be sworn in now or at any time prior to the individual providing testimony for Planning and Zoning items and/or quasi-judicial items. Commissioners, are you comfortable with all notice provisions set forth in these uniform rules and procedures we have established for this meeting? Chair King: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Chair, may I administer the oath for the Planning and Zoning items? Chair King: Please. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. If you'll be speaking on any of today's Planning and Zoning items, those are the PZ items, may I please have you stand and raise your right hand? The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those persons giving testimony on coning items. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. City Manager, are there any items on this agenda that will be deferred or withdrawn? James Reyes (City Manager): Good morning, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor, Commissioners, City Attorney, City Clerk. The Administration would like to defer or withdraw the following items: RE.2, indefinitely deferred; RE.5, to be deferred through March 12th; FR.1, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ I, to be recorded as discussed; PZ.2, to be withdrawn; PZ.4, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ5, to be deferred to February 12th; PZB, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ.9, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ.10, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ.II, to be indefinitely deferred; and PZ.6 will be heard as a second reading ordinance. That is all, Madam. Chair King: Gentlemen, do you need him to go over that again? Unidentified Speaker: Yes. Chair King: One more time. Yes? One more time, Mr. Manager. Mr. Reyes: We will do it one more time. RE.2, to be indefinitely deferred; RE.5, to be deferred to March 12th; FR.1, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ. 1, to be recorded as discussed; PZ.2, to be withdrawn; PZ.4, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ5, to be deferred to March -- sorry, February City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 12th; PZ.8, indefinitely deferred; PZ.9, indefinitely deferred; PZ.10, indefinitely deferred; PZ.11, indefinitely, deferred; and PZ.6 will he heard as a second reading ordinance. Chair King: PZ.6 has to he heard after 5: 00 p.tn.? Mr. Wysong: No, he's referring to -- it printed on the agenda as a first reading item, but it 's actually a -- Chair King: Second reading. Mr. Wysong: -- second reading item. But there is an item -- hold on, let me find it real quick. PZ.6,1'm sorry, PZ.6 is an item that has to be heard -- Chair King: I believe that's what I said. Mr. Wysong: I apologize. Chair King: Mr. City Clerk is never wrong. Mr. Wysong: It has to be heard after 5 -- Chair King: After 5. Mr. Wysong: -- pursuant to City Code, so -- Chair King: Okay. Mr. Wysong: -- you might want to defer that. Chair King: I just want to let my colleagues know that PZ.6 has to be heard after 5 p.m. Okay. At this point, I'm. going to ask my colleagues if they have any items that they would like to defer or withdraw from the agenda. Commissioner Pardo? Commissioner Pardo: On Item PZ.1 that's going down as discussed, I just wanted to add to that, that that gym equipment will be removed. So, just as part of that, close that chapter. Thank you. Chair King: You mean PZ.2? Commissioner Pardo: Or PZ -- well, they go together. Chair King: Being withdrawn. Commissioner Pardo: Yeah. Chair King: And that's why it's showing as discussed. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Pardo: Exactly. Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Gabela? Commissioner Gabela: No, I'm good for now. Chair King: You're good. Commissioner Escalona: Sorry, Commissioner Pardo? Do you mind if we get that equipment? Commissioner Pardo: Not at all. Although we're looking at it. Commissioner Escalona: Okay. Commissioner Pardo: Wherever, wherever it can best go, we want it to go there. Commissioner Escalona: Okay. Commissioner Pardo: Absolutely. Commissioner Escalona: Thank you. Chair King: It's being removed from the park? Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, it's not being -- it really isn't being used. I mean, I ride bikes by there all the time. You see adults kind of sitting there and kids playing where they probably shouldn't be playing. So, yeah, it is -- it is being removed. And I recommend to check it out, like go by and see how people use it, use it yourself, and then make the decision. Chair King: Every time I passed by it, it was being used, so I don't know. Commissioner Pardo: Well, Commissioner Gabela, you know. Commissioner Gabela: I don't want to be in the crosshairs here. Commissioner Pardo: Well, your executive director knows. Chair King: Commissioner Rosado, any items? Commissioner Rosado: No, ma'am. Chair King: Mr. City Clerk? Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. I just need to read a brief statement into the record. Pursuant to Section 62 -22 of the City Code, an indefinitely deferred action initiated by the City will cost the City mail, noticing, advertising, and posting of properties as applicable. Thank you, Chair. City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: Thank you. May 1 have a motion to set the agenda? Commissioner Rosado: So moved. Chair King: I have a motion -- Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: -- and a second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: The agenda has been set. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEM(S) DISCUSSION ITEM 18828 PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THE JANUARY 22, 2026, CITY COMMISSION MEETING. Office of the City Clerk RESULT: PRESENTED Chair King: At this time, I'm going to open the floor for public comment. If there's anyone here that would like to speak on any item that is before us on this agenda, please step forward; five at a time so we don't block the exits. Thank you. Good morning. Alexander Miles: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Alexander Miles. I reside in the City of Miami, and I direct state and local housing policy here in Florida for Enterprise Community Partners. And I want to thank Commissioner Rosado for his leadership in bringing forward PZ.3, which I'll be speaking about today. Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for millions' of families who need one. And we've been active since 1982 across the country and here in the City of Miami to help folks with our housing crisis. Earlier this year, Enterprise helped advance Senate Bill 1730 through the Florida -- through the Florida Legislature, which helped create the Yes In God's Backyard, or YIGBY, tool. The law gives local governments a clear optional tool to allow housing on faith -owned properties. PZ.3 is how the City of Miami is choosing to implement that tool locally, joining other Florida cities that are beginning to put YIGBY into practice. Houses of worship have long been pillars of Miami's neighborhoods, and they're often owners of well -located, underused parcels of land near jobs, transit, and services. This ordinance provides clarity, predictability for houses of worship that want to say yes to building attainable workforce housing on their land. Statewide, fully leveraging this school [sic] could unlock as much as 30,000 parcels of land for housing -- for affordable housing. By adopting PZ.3, the Commission unlocks the potential of religious land for community benefit, expands housing choices for Miamians, and demonstrates that faith -based planning and development is an important part of addressing our housing challenges. Enterprise City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 looks forward to continuing to partner with the City and with houses of worship to support more housing options for Miamians. Thank you for your time. Appreciate it. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Angelo Remuzgo: Good morning, Mayor, Chairwoman, Commissioners. My name is Angelo Remuzgo, 1000 Southwest 57th Avenue for the record, and 1 serve as legislative aide to Miami -Dade County Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis. I'm here on behalf of the commissioner, who is currently in a county zoning meeting, so she cannot be present today, but she asked that I convey her support for Resolution Number 16, sponsored by Commissioner Rosado. The commissioner fully supports efforts to stop bad actors who will use loopholes to enrich the Cuban regime. As she stated yesterday, following the unanimous adoption of a similar legislation she filed at the County Commission, will not allow the Cuban communist regime to use Miami - Dade County as a financial platform while it continues to jail dissidents, deny basic freedoms, and act as a state sponsor of terror. Miami -Dade County will not be complicit in the business model of a communist regime. On behalf of Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis, I want to thank Commissioner Rosado for bringing this item forward and respectfully express her support to this resolution. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Maria Doval: Good morning. My name is Maria. Good morning. My name is Maria Doval. I'm the president of the Coral Gate Homeowner's Association. We are here -- 1'm representing the homeowner's association. We're here to support Commissioner Rosado's wanting to name 20th Street Bob Valledor's Street. Let me just take a brief moment and tell you who was Bob Valledor. He lived all his life in the same house from newborn to the time of his passing, Christmas -- New Year's Day. He was pres -- he started the homeowner's association with other members in 1987. He was president of the homeowner's association three times. He played a vital role in the acquisition of the barricades in Coral Gate that later on turned into a wall. He played a big role in our parade celebrating 50 years in Coral Gate. He was a member of the steering committee for many years, a gentleman well -liked by neighbors and friends. I'd like to thank Commissioner Rosado, and I know he as well as I and residents of Coral Gate would dearly miss Bob. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Stanley Young: Good morning, Chairwoman and Commissioners, Madam Mayor, all the staff. My name is Chaplain Stanley Young, 500 Northwest 2nd Avenue. Before I start, I just want to congratulate James Reyes for the post that he has taken. I met Mr. Reyes at the jail. He opened up his door, he opened up his heart, he shared his vision for the jail, and because that's my passion, that's me -- that's what I do. And you really got a good person there, and I really appreciate that. But I want to talk about PHI, the community block grant that you guys do a great job in actually reaching out to the community to help CBOs (Community Based Organizations) like myself to get that funding that they really need to really do what they're really doing in the community. But there's one small snag with that particular grant. You almost have to be an attorney or some very strong professional to really understand and actually to fall through and complete that particular grant that's doing an amazing job in the community. But for those ones who don't have a lot of those technical skills, a lot of emerging community leaders that is in our community that really need that help and support. You do do a community meeting to go over it, but it still needs more of a helping hand from you guys to really help people complete this online grant proposal City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 that you put out. So, that's my passion today. That's what 1 wanted to share with you today to really look into that. Thank you very much. God bless. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Erica Scott: Good morning. My name is Erica Scott. 1'in here representing Miami Homes for All, address 3250 Southwest 3rd Avenue. So, on behalf of our team, I'm here in strong support of PZ.3, an ordinance that allows affordable housing to be developed by right on land owned by civic, religious, and K-12 educational institutions. We support PZ.3 because it unlocks underutilized civic land to help address Miami's housing crisis. I want to highlight again that we 're short 90,000 affordable rental homes for households earning up to $75,000 a year. The City has identified almost 700 civic use properties that would be eligible under this measure. Every unit counts, and PZ.3 represents a valuable opportunity to increase the supply of affordable housing. To be clear, PZ.3 is not a blanket density increase or a gateway to unchecked development. Rather, it's a responsible way to empower civic institutions rooted in our communities, like churches with vacant lots, to create homes affordable for people in their neighborhoods and that maintain the character of those neighborhoods by matching the adjacent zoning. So, we urge you to support PZ.3 and help move Miami towards a more affordable, inclusive future. Thank you fbr your time and your commitment to addressing our housing crisis. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Dariel Fernandez: Good morning, thank you. Chairman -- woman, Madam Mayor, and City Commissioners, my name is Dariel Fernandez. I am the Miami -Dade County tax collector. My, office is located at 200 Northwest 2nd Avenue. I am here today, in strong support of Resolution RE.16, sponsored by Commissioner Rosado. This resolution addresses serious concerns in our community, ensuring that businesses operating in Miami -Dade County are not engaging in illegal or improper commercial activity connecting to the Cuban Communist regime. For many of our residents, this issue is not theoretical. Miami -Dade County is home to families who fled dictatorship, confiscation of property, and political persecution. They understand the consequences when authoritarian regimes are allowed to benefit from weak oversight and lack of enforcement. This is a national security issue Jrothe United States of America. Resolution RE.16 ensures accountability by promoting coordination and oversight to verify our local businesses licensing systems are not used to circumvent U.S. law and/or deny federal sanctions related to Cuba. Under Florida law, the Miami -Dade County ordinance, my office has a clear legal obligation to deny or revoke business tax receipt when required. We do not make policy, but we do enforce the law. Miami - Dade County must never become a safe haven or economy lifeline for a dictatorship. Our duty is to protect the integrity of our local economy, uphold the rule of law, and stand firmly with the value of freedom and accountability that define this community. Thank you, and I respectfully, urge your support of this resolution. Thank you. God bless you all. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Elisa Margulies: Good morning, Elisa Margulies, 3333 Rice Street in Coconut Grove. I have a question. Is there something in the water here at City Hall that transforms you from citizen champions to the board of Enron? The Miami traffic is oppressive. It's soul crushing. Our streets are flooded with salt water and storm water. We're losing our green spaces, our airspace, and your solution is to increase the water -- to increase the density. City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: Ma 'am? Ms. Margulies: Yes? Chair King: What item are you speaking --? Ms. Margulies: PZ.3. Chair King: Thank you. Ms. Margulies: Building on land occupied by civic institutions, high-rises on hallowed ground, I suppose that makes Mercy Hospital the Holy Grail. Only in a world led by lawyers, lobbyists, and developers does PZ.3, as written, make sense. Is the plan for us to leave our cars at home and walk? Where? Here in the Grove, our sidewalks have been hijacked by developers. Try walking down Tigertail past the wall -- The Well, or the Oak Street past the new buildings. Four Seasons on Bayshore hasn't been a good neighbor. Even Mary Street, there's a 15 by 11 by 7-inch-deep hole right in the center of the sidewalk that's been there for months. 1 reported this P1 (Personal Injury) lawyer's dream, but it's still there. We're here every meeting begging you to please slow down the development train and fix the infrastructure. Please force yourselves to resist the siren song coming from the back rooms, and then you'll be able to hear the beautiful voices of your constituents. Regarding PZ.14, not every building has to be a sacred cow. However, if it's a build -- if the building is designated historic or there's a bonding agreement for a particular area, that should be honored. What's the point of having laws if you're just going to exempt every developer who has a dream? Please uphold the appeal. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Edward Martos: Good morning, Chairwoman. Good morning, Commissioners, Madam Mayor, and Mr. Manager. My name is Edward Martos, offices at 2800 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, here on behalf of Alchemy Media. I'm here to speak about FR.4. Alchemy Media is an advertising company. We've operated across the country, and in particular, we operate in Los Angeles, operating a program very similar to this one. We think the legislation is a great idea, but it is fundamentally flawed. The flaw in this ordinance, as it's written today, is that it doesn't allow for competition. That's not American. That's not good for Miann. It's not good for property owners. And so, the fundamental request that we have for you is that you open this up, if you proceed, with additional competition, whether it be my client's company or any company that meets the qualifications under the ordinance. Let me talk about why the ordinance is good. Right now, you have construction sites, they are barricaded. They are, in many instances, not sightly, okay. This ordinance creates an opportunity to put advertising on those unsightly locations, and then it does two things for the City and for property owners. One, it gives a revenue stream to the City, helping your budget. The ordinance specifies that that revenue will be used to help clean up streets, remove graffiti, remove waste, remove weeds in the side -- in sidewalks and other locations. And finally, just 10 more seconds, please, Chairwoman. The ordinance says an additional thing. It creates an additional obligation for those construction sites to clean up as well. So, property owners have an obligation, but now also the construction site or the sign operator has an additional obligation. And finally, this is first reading. Every ordinance can be improved even further and I'm confident that there's going to be people opposed to it. We -- there's probably opposition on the dais City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 to this. We can make it better before second. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Francois Illas: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners, Madam Mayor. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on FR.4. My name is Francois Illas, and I'm here on behalf of New Tradition Media, one of the largest independent out -of -home advertising owners in the United States, and a portfolio company of Blackstone. We maintain offices here in the City of Miami at 333 Northeast 23rd Street, and we are long-term stakeholders in the community's health, appearance, and economic vitality. We respectfully urge the Commission to vote no on the proposed pilot program for offsite commercial advertising on construction fencing. Our concern is not about innovation, it is about policy design, process, and long-term impact. We have seen similar programs implemented in other major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, where temporary construction fencing signage led to visual clutter, inconsistent enforcement, and neighborhood blight, ultimately forcing those cities to scale back or undo those initiatives. Here in Miami, the City already manages thousands of active code enforcement compliance cases annually, with limited enforcement staffing. Introducing a new temporary category of commercial advertising tied to construction sites that change frequently would further strain enforcement capacity and make consistent oversight unrealistic. The challenge is structural. Construction fencing is transient and often poorly maintained. When off - site commercial advertising is layered onto these conditions without strict design standards, duration limitations, and real enforcement mechanism, the result is not placemaking, it is visual noise. Equally important in the process, this proposal appears to have moved forward without meaningful input from impacted residents or from experienced out -of -home operators who understand spacing, illumination, safety, and cumulative visual impact. Permanent signage operators are held to rigorous standard zoning and permitting standards for good reasons. Creating a parallel advertising channel that is less regulated, temporary by definition, disconnected from long-term land use, planning risks undermining the City's sign code, and setting a precedent difficult to reverse. Miami's urban core is dense, dynamic, and highly visible. Once visual standards are loosened, they are extremely difficult to restore. A pilot can quickly become policy, as we all know. If the City wishes to explore -- Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Illas.: -- new advertising formats, we should do so deliberately, with resident engagement -- Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Illas: Thank you. Chair King: Good morning. James Torres: Good morning, Chairwoman. Good morning, Madam Mayor. My name is James Torres, president of Downtown Neighbors Alliance, here to oppose FR.4. Downtown Brickell Edgewater residents are already carrying more than half of the fair share as it relates to the burden of density and construction, the most traffic, the most viable -- visible clutter. We absorb the impact so the rest of the city doesn't have to. On top of that, Downtown, Brickell, and Edgewater residents are being double - City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 taxed through the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) hostage tax, paying extra every year, while we're being told that this type of improvement will be helping the quality of life within the neighborhoods. That is not true. If that was the case, let 's dissolve the DDA and allow those funds to help the community. That is not happening. Let's be clear about the ordinance. It does not reduce construction blight; it monetizes it. It turns fencing into ad spaces. It treats Downtown, Brickell, and Edgewater like inventory instead of communities. At the notice, this is what 's happening. None of this is happening in the Grove, not Coral Gate, not Silver Bluff, not Morningside. Once again, Downtown is the bald-headed stepchild that they're using this for, and that should not be the case. This is not coincidence; this is targeting. We were told that this is about beautification and graffiti removal and prevention. But if that were true, then why are we not talking about artwork? Why are we not talking about public display of art? Why are we not taking accountability from the developers that are currently having this issue as well? This is not in order for what we 're asking for. Downtown, Brickell, and Edgewater are not billboards. They are homes, they are communities, they are not revenue generating machines and neighbors. We're kindly asking that this Commission defer and/or indefinitely remove the item as it relates to what it is today. We are tired of billboards and enough is enough. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Thomas Reyes: Good morning, Chairwoman and Commissioners, Madam Mayor, Mr. City Manager. My name is Thomas Reyes or Tommy Reyes as most of you know me. I am a City resident at 2820 Northwest 5th Street. I'm also a City employee for almost 20 years. This is probably the friendliest time I've visited this dais, so thank you very much. But I'm here to speak on RE.14, the mini park. I encourage you all to vote in favor of it. Our neighborhood has -- is going through a change. We're having more families move in as people are -- our elderly people are leaving the neighborhood one way or the other and we have new families moving in. The mini park will be greatly appreciated. I know personal experience, every time I've wanted to go to a park to either work out or run or something like that, I've had to go all the way to Grapeland, get in my car and drive to a park when I can 'Oust walk to a park. So now this is going to be, I think, something great for our neighborhood. So, thank you very much. Please take that into consideration. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Michael Freedman: Good morning. My name is Michael Freedman. I'm the chief executive officer of Alchemy Media. I'm speaking on behalf of FR.4. What I heard earlier from some of our colleagues is that there 's problems -- potential problems with the ordinance as it's drafted. I don't disagree with that. I think there's things that need to be done to this ordinance to actually make it more beneficial to the City. But 1 do believe that graffiti abatement is a worthy and very difficult aspiration to attain. And I believe that if we leave graffiti abatement to the landowners themselves and/or the City, that the abatement doesn't necessarily happen. So, sometimes you have to bring in a third party to actually work on this stuff because that's the way to abate graffiti. With that said, I believe that there 's a lot that can be done to make this ordinance worthwhile for the City, beneficial for the City, valuable for the City, important for the City, and we'd like to be part of that. The one major infirmity that I see to this ordinance right now is it's set up as a sole source pilot program. Pilot programs are terrific and they need to be worked on. And so, what makes a pilot work is you actually get more than one applicant involved in the process, and those applicants can actually make, together, can make it work on behalf of the City. So that's what we're proposing, is that the sole source aspect of this ordinance be City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 stricken from it at this point in time, but we would like to see the ordinance move forward, if at all possible, and then whatever changes are necessary to make the ordinance worthwhile and work for the City, we'd like to do between the first and second read, if at all possible. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Freedman: Thank you very much for your time. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Mario Torres: Good morning, ma'am. My name is Mario Torres, and I'm here to support RE.14. And my parents bought a house 2820 Northwest 4th Terrace in the `70s. We love the neighborhood so much that when 1 got married, I bought a house around the block at 2811 5th Street. My next -door neighbor is Sergeant Reyes, and we're supporting this. I mean, I've been in this neighborhood 50, 60 years, even though I feel 25. I don 't know, how do you feel? 50 years, and I rode bicycles on the 836 when they were building it. So, we're the original guys. And in our neighborhood, I've never really seen anybody step up like they've stepped up now with just making a park. I can't take my kids. They're big already. but I can take the grandkids. And I want to thank you so much for that., and thank you for all the work you 're doing. God bless you. God bless all of you. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Ben Fernandez: Thank you. Madam Chair, Madam Mayor, members of the board, Ben Fernandez, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard. Fin speaking today as a resident of the city and also a member of the Housing Commercial Loan Committee for the City of Miami in support of PZ.3, which 1 think is a brilliant idea. The CI (Civic Institution) zoned properties throughout the city are many times situated in a way to ensure compatibility with residential development. And we have a housing crisis. We see it every day before our board. And I think that this is a fantastic idea and encourage you to support it and pass it. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Elvis Cruz: Good morning, Commissioners. Elvis Cruz, 631 Northeast 57th Street. And okay, I'm up there. So, if you take a look at that door over there and that door over there, you'll see that this room has an occupancy load maximum of 155 persons enforced by the fire department. That makes total sense, so we don't overload the room. What about the City itself? The city of Miami did this study back in 2016 to determine the maximum density potential, how many housing units could be built in the city under that zoning at that time? And the total was 948,000 units, which turns out to be eight times more housing units than were counted in the 2010 census, eight times more. We already know what the situation is today with our traffic. And that study was before numerous SAPs (Special Area Plans), before enhanced T5, before rapid transit zoning, before transit station neighborhood developments, before this item that wants to add 660 properties covering 1,800 acres. So, what about affordable housing? That's the problem. If you want to solve the crisis, solve the problem, which is foreign buyers that take up close to 40 percent of new housing purchases, and corporate buyers, big Wall Street firms buying up housing. That's the problem. You can add affordable housing under the existing zoning with tax deductions, tax exemptions, tax credits, Section 8 vouchers, and housing projects that you build all City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 the time. There's a huge adverse impact to our infrastructure with this over zoning. Not just traffic, potable water supply, even though we've been under water restrictions since 1997. Sewage treatment capacity, garbage handling capacity, and hurricane evacuation time. Thank you for listening. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Zee Sultan: Good morning. My name is Zee Sultan. I'm the vice president of the DNA (Downtown Neighbors Alliance). I'm speaking here on Agenda Item FR.4. We just want to be clear. The concern here is not just beautification. It's long-term consequences of introducing commercial advertising into construction heavy residential area and also the enforcement of those advertisements, especially when they're just external and not just local advertisements. We've seen this play out before in New York. We've also seen it play out with respect to the PAMM (Perez Art Museum Miami) billboard situation that occurred in Miami. When advertising is allowed in spaces meant to mitigate construction impacts, it also becomes -- it often becomes a nuance rather than a -- nuisance rather than improvement. What starts as a limited, controlled advertisement tends to escalate and ads grow larger, more aggressive, harder to regulate. Enforcement become reactive instead of preventive. Miami has experienced this firsthand. Prior billboard approvals tended to be narrow, ultimately resulted in legal battles. It's not a theoretical risk, it's a pattern. Once advertisers are given access, they push boundaries and residents are left dealing with all the fallout. We want to acknowledge something that not all activations are bad. There is examples where fencing has been used thoughtfully, highlighting local businesses, neighborhood branding, and city information in a way that reflects the surrounding community. But this approach is generally very restrained, contextual, and community -oriented. This proposal, we think, is a little bit beyond that, inviting external advertisers whose incentives are not aligned with the neighborhood livability. Downtown already carries the heaviest burden of long-term construction and noise disruption, adding commercial advertising risks, turning mitigation infrastructure into permanent advertising corridors. Once the City begins generating revenue from these installations, temporary measures have a way, of becoming permanent. Downtown residents deserve relief from construction impacts, not another layer of monetized visual clutter. The goal is enhancement. There are better proven models that do not open the door to abuse. For those reasons, I urge you to reconsider this approach. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Henrietta Schwarz: Good morning. I'm speaking on PZ.3. My name is Henrietta Schwarz, and I live at 2627 South Bayshore Drive. Congratulations. Congratulations. Oh, he's gone. I didn't get to say it to you the last time; I wasn't at the meeting. But I'm very concerned about PZ.3 because I believe that it is built, written, and executed for Mercy Hospital, and Mercy Hospital has already gone through extensive litigation about two decades ago when Grove Isle demanded that they not build towers there. So, I guess my question is, on PZ.3, since the whole push is for afjbrdable workhouse -- workforce housing, what guardrails are you going to put into this amendment? Will you put in a height restriction? Will you put in a price limit? Will you? You 're nodding yes. What is that? (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Commissioner Rosado: We can discuss it when the item -- City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: We'll discuss it when the item comes up. Ms. Schwarz: Okay, so, you know, as a concerned resident, I live across the street and I talk to the D2 (District 2) office all the time about what we are going through as residents in an area that you are promoting walkability. Walkability is huge. This is what Miami is all about, right? You want to put things, you want to walk, you want to go places. We can't. We can't. It's a mishmash of closed sidewalks and roads all over the Grove, and you want to put in all these things, and then you want to give bonus height when an ordinance was improperly opened up. And mysteriously, it's unbelievable, but eight or nine properties vested in that bonus height. Magic. Is that -- am I done, or is that -- Chair King: Yes. Ms. Schwarz: -- my ha f vay? Chair King: No, that's your -- thank you. Ms. Schwarz: Darn it. Chair King: Good morning. Brian Behnejad: Good morning. My name is Brian Behnejad, born and raised in Miami, and basically just here to oppose the FR.4. You know, as a Miami native, I don't want to see my city go down the wrong path. So, yeah, that's it. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Walkidia Polanco: Good morning. Chair King: Good morning. Ms. Polanco: My name is Walkidia, and I am from the Prospera office. As you may, know or may not know, our organization is a nonprofit organization that helps small businesses, entrepreneurs by protecting -- by protecting support, and help them start, sustain, and expand their businesses, including pathways to private and public contracting. We at Prospera will provide the direct technical assistance and small business in all districts, Districts 4. This includes the one-on-one consulting to help entrepreneurs in licensing, permits, financial planning, and compliances, as well as business seminars on core entrepreneurship topics. Prospera will also expand access to capital, city procurement, and opportunities while -- while assisting in legal, accounting, and HR (Human Resources) support to help stabilize businesses and protect their local jobs. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Jose Felix Diaz: Good morning. Thank you for the quickest public comment I have ever seen in my life. Congratulations on that. It's a new day at the City of Miami. My name is Jose Felix Diaz. I'm at 2 Alhambra Plaza. Nice to see all of you. I'm here to speak on FR.4. I've already spoken to Commissioner Rosado, who I know is well - City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 intentioned, and this comes from a good place. 1 do represent Becker Boards, which is an outdoor advertising company that has actually seen this type of program launch in the City of Los Angeles, and we are greatly concerned about the law of unintended consequences that a program like a construction advertising might do for the City of Miami. We live in a city where people figure out loopholes and they figure out ways to do things and extend things to make money, and I could totally see a world where a construction company might take a little longer for the ad to run a little longer, or they might do something in a way that they apply for a permit to put up a signage because there's real money in real neighborhoods to have these advertisements out Jroa really long time. I'll tell you that in the City of New York, there was a horrible incident where somebody got killed because of a construction accident. And so they started to require scaffolding. So, when you go to New York, there's scaffolding all over the place. And the advertising companies very quickly realized they could make money by putting ads on the scaffolding. And what ended up happening was the city had to come in after the fact and disallow that because people were keeping the scaffolding up for so long. I could totally see that happening here. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Silvio Pupo-Casco: Good morning, Chairwoman, Commissioners, Madam Mayor. My name is Silvio Frank. I serve as the economics appointee to the Climate Resilience Committee, and I've also had the honor of serving as the ambassador for the City of Miami, close to a decade, as the Mayor's International Council, which, by the way, we need to reinstate, so we can bring the rest of the best cities around the world to Miami and also the best of Miami to the world. Today, I come to speak to you really in my personal capacity and on RE.5, FR.2, and PZ.13 as a proponent. The message is clear. Miami doesn't just need more plans -- although these are good -- we need a way to see them, okay? That is what the Miami -verse was built to do. A Miami (UNINTELLIGIBLE), Miami focused platform that ties mobility, housing, zoning, resilience, climate data, permitting, public works, emergency readiness, et cetera into one unified, authoritative dashboard. Imagine what your life would look like and your staff if you start each morning opening one single window to get a view of the city. Imagine what's happening today. What's being built? What's flooding? What's failing? What's improving and needs attention? City data, county data, emergency data, water data, all together; finally connected. One place to understand everything, one shared source of truth. This is the Miami -verse. On the waterfront, Project Aquadome completes that vision. Some of you have been following this for the last two years. I'm going to go over it in just a second. Because we have letters of support from the Florida Inland Navigation District, FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), sheriff offices on board, and many other things to be able to host this pilot. So I ask the commissioners, Madam Mayor, to potentially consider sponsoring a resolution to adopt the pilot for the Miami -verse to be able to work with me to adopt Aquadome and to submit a grant to the Florida Inland Navigation District to reimburse our city to do this. Again, my name is Silvio, and thank you so much for your service. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Kathy Parks Suarez: Good morning. Thank you. I don't know where to -- good morning, everyone. I don't even know where to fit in here, but I want to mention the Building Department, and we keep changing things. I have a dedication since 2013 in my front yard on Battersea. No one else has had to do it. We're making someone in Mr. Rosado's district do tubs, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) showers, when other properties have been approved in the very same building that didn't have to do that. So, we're either going to do everybody the same or not do everybody the same. City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner -- Mayor Higgins, Fin counting on you for the permitting. I've been 2023 of August to fix a problem at my house, and it's not getting fixed. And if I knock my house down, 1 lose $2 million in profit to sell my house. So, we need to fix the problem. We need to stop selective enforcing. That couple that has that issue with the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) in their backyard, they were supposed to do a dedication. I had to do one, but it's never been implemented in South Grove since 2013. So, please, let's fix this problem. And thank you, Mayor Higgins. I appreciate it i f you get this fixed. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Mitchell Bierman: Good morning. Mitch Bierman, with offices at 2800 Ponce, representing Alchemy on FR.4. Just with regard to all the other comments that were made about FR.4, they all suggested that there is a workable solution. And so, before we toss the baby out with the bathwater, let's work on strengthening this baby just a little bit so that it can address all the concerns that have been raised by the other people who spoke about it. Thank you very much. Chair King: Thank you. Seeing no one else for public comment, public comment period is now closed. AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS: AM.1 City Commission - City Commission Meeting - Oct 9, 2025 9:00 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Chair King: Gentlemen, may I have a motion to approve the City of Miami Commission meeting minutes for October 9th? Commissioner Rosado: So moved. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 MV - MAYORAL VETO(ES) There were no mayoral vetoes associated with legislation that is subject to veto by the Mayor. END OF MAYORAL VETO(ES) City, of Miami Page 17 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 CA.1 18629 Department of Police CA.2 18652 Department of Police CA - CONSENT AGENDA The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-82(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), CLASSIFYING A WHITE 2015 FORD EXPLORER K-9 VEHICLE, ASSET NUMBER 215403, VIN NUMBER 1FM5K8AR6FGC08486, AS FURTHER DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED ("VEHICLE"), AS CATEGORY "A" STOCK SURPLUS; AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF SAID VEHICLE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0031 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.1, please see "End of Consent Agenda." RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING A DONATION TO THE "DO THE RIGHT THING" PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($170,000.00); ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND, PROJECT NUMBER 19-690001, AWARD 1169, AND ACCOUNT CODE 12500.191602.883000.0.0, WITH SUCH EXPENDITURES HAVING BEEN APPROVED BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DIRECTIVES PROVIDED IN SECTION 932.7055, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS AMENDED. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0032 This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.2, please see "End of Consent Agenda." City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 CA.3 RESOLUTION 18769 Department of Solid Waste A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE RESULTING CONTRACT FROM REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ("RFQ") NO. 495344 FOR THE PROVISION OF COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE HAULING SERVICES FROM GREAT WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, LLC. TO GREAT WASTE SERVICE LLC.; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN ACCEPTANCE OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF CONTRACT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH GREAT WASTE SERVICE LLC.; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS, AND COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), INCLUDING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0033 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.3, please see "End of Consent Agenda." CA.4 RESOLUTION 18643 Department of Resilience and Public Works A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING SEVEN (7) RIGHT-OF-WAY DEEDS OF DEDICATION ("DEEDS"), AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE RECORDATION OF THE DEEDS IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RETAIN A COPY OF THE DEEDS. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0034 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.4, please see "End of Consent Agenda." City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 END OF CONSENT AGENDA Chair King: Gentlemen, of the consent agenda items, are there any items that you would like to pull for discussion? Seeing none, may 1 have a motion -- Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: -- to approve CA.1, 2, 3, and 4 with CA.2 as amended? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Commissioner Rosado: Move -- second. Chair King: 1 have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Items passes unanimously. City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS PH.1 RESOLUTION 18681 Department of Housing and Community Development A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") FUNDS FROM FISCAL YEAR ("FY") 2025-26, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO PROSPERA INITIATIVES, INC., D/B/A PROSPERA, TO BE UTILIZED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FOR -PROFIT BUSINESSES AND TO CARRY OUT OTHER ELIGIBLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN DISTRICT 4, AS SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY, SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0035 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PH 1, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)." Chair King: Gentlemen, do you want to pull any of the public hearings items, PH.1, 2, or 3, for discussion? Commissioner Rosado: No. Chair King: May I have a motion to pass PH.1, 2, and 3? Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Commissioner Gabela: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair? Chair, my apologies. PH.1 will be amended to remove (UNINTELLIGIBLE) by the mayor. And PH2, a backup document consisting of a memo dated January 14, 2026 is being submitted into the City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 record for PH.2. The backup document is not an amendment to the legislation. Thank you, Chair. Chair King: Thank you. PH.2 RESOLUTION 18661 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, CONFIRMING, AND APPROVING THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION AND WRITTEN FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"); WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING METHODS AS NOT BEING PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") TO ESTABLISH P CONTRACT FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS TO PORTIONS OF KIRK MUNROE PARK AND PORTIONS OF THE PUBLIC RIGHTS -OF -WAY ALONG FULLER STREET ("PROJECT"); ALLOCATING THREE MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($3,000,000.00) FROM CAPITAL PROJECT NO. 40- B253530 OR OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCES FOR THIS PURPOSE, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH COCONUT GROVE CONDO, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("DEVELOPER") FOR THE PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($3,000,000.00) IN CITY FUNDS ("CITY CONTRIBUTION"), WITH A TWO MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLAR ($2,000,000.00) DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTION ("DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTION") FOR A TOTAL PROJECT AMOUNT OF FIVE MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS, AND COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING, THE CITY OF MIAMI'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FINDING THAT THIS WAIVER AND DIRECT AWARD COMPLY WITH SECTION 255.20(1)(C)10., FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0036 City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.2, please see Item Number PH.1. PH.3 RESOLUTION 18762 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(C) OF THE CHARTER OF CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER"), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A GRANT OF EASEMENT ("EASEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BY AND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS AND ITS DEPARTMENTAL SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST ("COUNTY"), FOR A PERPETUAL NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT OVER A PORTION OF CITY -OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2795 SOUTHWEST 37TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBER 01-4116-000-0220, AND COMMONLY KNOWN AS DOUGLAS PARK ("PROPERTY"), CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY NINE (439) SQUARE FEET WITHIN THE PROPERTY, AS LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A" ("EASEMENT AREA") FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSE OF ENTERING UPON THE PROPERTY AND INSTALLING NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL POLES AND TRAFFIC CONTROL CABINET, THEREBY UPGRADING THE EXISTING SPAN WIRE SYSTEM TO MAST ARM SYSTEMS ("FACILITIES"), TOGETHER WITH ALL APPURTENANT AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT REASONABLY NECESSARY FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE FACILITIES, WITH FULL RIGHTS OF INGRESS AND EGRESS THERETO; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE EASEMENT, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID EASEMENT. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0037 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.3, please see Item Number PH.1. END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE - RESOLUTIONS RE.1 RESOLUTION 18732 Department of Parks and Recreation A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION AND 00/100 ($1,000,000.00), CONSISTING OF A REIMBURSEMENT GRANT AWARD FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR AGING INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION, ADMINISTERING FUNDS FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS ("DOEA"); FURTHER ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT TITLED "LOCAL SERVICES PROGRAM AT REBECA SOSA CENTER 2025- 2026," FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE ACCEPTANCE, IMPLEMENTATION OF, AND COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANT AWARD. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0038 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Chair King: Gentlemen, are there any items on the RE (Resolution) agenda that you would like to pull for discussion? Commissioner Escalona: I would like to pull RE.4 just to put something for the record. Chair King: RE.4. Anyone else? Commissioner Gabela: 16. Chair King: RE.16. Anyone else? Mayor Higgins: Madam Chair, I'd like to put comments on the record on RE.16 as well. Thank you. Chair King: Okay. All right. I have RE.4 and RE.16 pulled for discussion. May I have a motion to pass RE.1, RE.3 as amended, RE.6, RE.7, RE.8 as amended, RE.9, RE.10, II, 12,13,14,15,and 17? Commissioner Escalona: Moved. Commissioner Pardo: So moved. City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Item passes unanimously. Back to RE.4. Mr. Hannon: And Chair, just briefly for RE.8, it will be amended to add a city commission meeting date in the title and Section 2 of the resolution. So, for RE.8, what should that future commission meeting date be? Commissioner Rosado, have a - - for RE.8. And my apologies. So RE.8 has to do with the fee schedule and fee changes and there was a blank in the title. Commissioner Rosado: Oh, I see. Mr. Hannon: In Section 2 of the resolution, where you just need to -- Commissioner Rosado: Right. Mr. Hannon: -- provide us with a future commission meeting date for this legislation to be brought back. Commissioner Rosado: I think the March meeting date would be appropriate. Mr. Hannon: March 12th or the 26th? Commissioner Rosado: Oh. We actually just -- Chair King: There's only one date. Commissioner Rosado: -- merged them. Chair King: We just combined -- Mr. Hannon: Oh, that's right. Commissioner Rosado: Right. Chair King: There's only one. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Commissioner Rosado: To the March meeting. Mr. Hannon: March 12th. Thank you very much. And additionally, for RE.8, there'll be a further amendment to clarify responsibilities in the title, sixth whereas clause, and Section 3 of the resolution. Thank you, Chair. City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.2 18309 Department of Planning RE.3 17982 Department of Planning Chair King: Thank you. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE HISTORIC AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD, FOR THE OWNER, ALFONSO LOZADA, OF THE HISTORICALLY DESIGNATED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 920 NORTHWEST 9 COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA, WITHIN THE SPRING GARDEN HISTORIC DISTRICT. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.2, please see "Order of the Day." RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE UPDATED PLANNING AND ZONING SCHEDULE OF FEES, PURSUANT TO SECTION 62-22 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "SCHEDULE OF FEES," AS DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0039 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.3, please see Item Number RE.1. City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.4 RESOLUTION 17812 Department of Solid Waste A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, RETROACTIVELY RATIFYING, CONFIRMING, AND APPROVING THE CITY MANAGER'S EMERGENCY FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A", PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-90 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"); WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING METHODS AS NOT BEING PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI; RETROACTIVELY APPROVING THE SELECTION OF JMP GROUP LLC, ("CONTRACTOR") FOR THE PROVISION OF LITTER WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES (CITYWIDE) ("SERVICES") FOR AN APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $1,668,092.20 FOR FY24-25 AND $1,292,000.00 FOR FY25-26; RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "B," WITH CONTRACTOR FOR THE PROVISION OF THE SERVICES; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, AND EXTENSIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND BUDGETARY APPROVALS HAVING BEEN PREVIOUSLY MADE, COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING, THE CITY OF MIAMI'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0040 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Chair King: And RE.4 was pulled for discussion. Commissioner Escalona: I just want to say something for the record. Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Escalona: I would like the contractors that are working on this business to do a better job. So, the new administration -- James, the new administration, I would like you guys to have a proper supervision when it comes to the job that these contractors are doing. That's not what I see at the moment in Little Havana. That's all wanted to say. Chair King: Anyone else? May I have a motion? City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: All in favor? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And my apologies. For RE.4, with an amendment pursuant to the substitution memo dated November 13, 2025, and distributed via email on January 16, 2026. Chair King: Thank you. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries. RE.5 RESOLUTION 18325 Department of Resilience and Public Works A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE BICYCLE MASTER PLAN, DATED SEPTEMBER 2025, PREPARED BY KIMLEY HORN, INC. FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NUMBERS 40- B203613 & 40-B70245, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A" ("BICYCLE MASTER PLAN"), TO UPDATE THE 2009 BICYCLE MASTER PLAN PROVIDING UPDATED TYPICAL SECTIONS, IDENTIFYING IMPROVEMENTS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING SAFETY AND MOBILITY, AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE BICYCLE MASTER PLAN; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: Item RE.5 was deferred to the March 12, 2026, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.5, please see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item(s)." City of Miami Page 28 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.6 RESOLUTION 18489 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE FOUR (4) EVENTS FOR A MAXIMUM OF SEVEN (7) DAYS PER EVENT ON THE SAME PRIVATE PROPERTY PURSUANT CHAPTER 52/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED, "SPECIAL EVENTS/SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT," FOR THE PADEL X EVENT BEING HELD AT 1361 NORTHEAST 1 AVENUE FROM JANUARY 28, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0041 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.6, please see Item Number RE.1. RE.7 RESOLUTION 18711 Office of Capital Improvements A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT ("WASD") FOR THE PROVISION OF WATER AND SANITARY SEWER SERVICES AT 3701 SOUTHWEST FIRST AVENUE FOR THE WOODSIDE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER, CAPITAL PROJECT NO. 40-6193517. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0042 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.7, please see Item Number RE.1. City of Miami Page 29 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.8 RESOLUTION 18761 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AND PRESENT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ALL PROVISIONS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI CODE OF ORDINANCES THAT REQUIRE AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ESTABLISHED FEES, IN ORDER TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY COMMISSION TO APPROVE FEE CHANGES BY RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COMMISSION AT THE , 2026 CITY COMMISSION MEETING; FURTHER DIRECTING THAT ALL FEE SCHEDULES BE MAINTAINED FOR PUBLIC VIEWING BY THE CITY CLERK AND POSTED ON THE CITY'S MAIN WEBSITE AND ON THE WEBPAGE OF EACH RELEVANT DEPARTMENT.. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0043 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.8, please see Item Number RE.1. RE.9 RESOLUTION 18759 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR - FIFTHS AFFIRMATIVE (4/5THS) VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE") WAIVING THE RESTRICTIONS CO - DESIGNATING SOUTHWEST 20 STREET FROM SOUTHWEST 36 COURT TO SOUTHWEST 32 PLACE AS "BOB VALLEDOR LANE" IN HONOR OF ROBERT VALLEDOR'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO EFFECTUATE THE CO -DESIGNATION; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0044 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.9, please see "Public Comments for allltem(s)" and Item Number RE.1. City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.10 18775 Commissioners and Mayor RE.11 18770 Commissioners and Mayor RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," TO ALLOW INSTALLATION BY THE COUNTY OF A RAISED CROSSWALK UNDER A TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT AND FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI TO MAINTAIN SUCH FEATURE LOCATED ON BRICKELL BAY DRIVE APPROXIMATELY FIVE HUNDRED (500) FEET SOUTH OF SOUTHEAST 8TH STREET. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0045 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.10, please see Item Number RE.1. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 1 SHARE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE ("API") PROGRAM IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($210,000.00) FOR THE DISTRICT 1 HOLIDAY MEALS DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM, TO THE DISTRICT 1 DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNT FOR EXPENDITURES CONSISTENT WITH THE API PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0046 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.11, please see Item Number RE.1. City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.12 18771 Commissioners and Mayor RE.13 18772 Commissioners and Mayor RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TEMPORARILY PAUSE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND FUNDING ALLOCATIONS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-25-0542 AND RESOLUTION NO. R-25-0543 ADOPTED ON DECEMBER 11, 2025; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0047 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.12, please see Item Number RE.1. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE PRIVATE PROPERTY LIMITATION FOR SPECIAL EVENTS PURSUANT CHAPTER 52/ARTICLE I/SECTION 2 OF THE CODE OF CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "SPECIAL EVENTS/SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT/SPECIAL EVENTS IN GENERAL; DURATION AND LIMITATIONS; CITY COMMISSION WAIVER," FOR THE GROVE BIMINI-NASSAU QOZB, LLC'S RACQUET SPORTS EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE FOLLOWING CONTIGUOUS ADDRESSES OF 3410, 3520, 3522, 3530, 3560 AND 3574 GRAND AVENUE AS WELL AS 3428, 3521, 3547, 3551, 3559, 3577 AND 3587 THOMAS AVENUE FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0048 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.13, please see Item Number RE.1. City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.14 18774 Commissioners and Mayor RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND CARLOS ENRIQUE CHAVEZ ("SELLER"), FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2840 NORTHWEST 4 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBER 01-4104-011-0800, ("PROPERTY"), FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF SIX HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($615,000.00); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID ACQUISITION; FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION SHALL NOT EXCEED SIX HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($695,000.00) WITH FUNDS BEING ALLOCATED, APPROPRIATED, AND AWARDED FROM DISTRICT 4 PARK ENHANCEMENTS AND EXPANSION CAPITAL PROJECT NO. 40-6243516,TO COVER THE COST OF SAID ACQUISITION, INCLUSIVE OF THE COST OF SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE INSURANCE, SECURING THE PROPERTY, DEMOLITION, PROJECT SIGNAGE AND ALL RELATED CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACQUISITION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT ONE OR MORE APPLICATIONS FOR A FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT AND REZONING AS NECESSARY TO DESIGNATE THE PROPERTY AS "PARKS AND RECREATION" ON THE CITY'S ADOPTED FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AND "CS" TRANSECT ZONE ON THE CITY'S ADOPTED ZONING ATLAS OF THE MIAMI 21 ZONING CODE, UPON ACQUISITION BY THE CITY. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0049 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.14, please see Item Number RE.1. City of Miami Page 33 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.15 18777 Commissioners and Mayor RE.16 18778 Commissioners and Mayor RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION COMBINING THE MARCH 12, 2026, AND MARCH 26, 2026, CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS INTO ONE (1) MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026, STARTING AT 9:00 A.M. TO BE HELD AT CITY HALL, 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS PROPERLY NOTIFIED OF THE CHANGE IN DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0050 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.15, please see Item Number RE.1. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE HEADED BY THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF BUSINESS LICENSES WITH POSSIBLE TIES TO THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE TASK FORCE'S DUTIES, COMPOSITION, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR COORDINATION WITH FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0051 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.16, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s). " Chair King: RE. 16was pulled for discussion. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I pulled it. So, I agree totally that this must be done. I've been, you know, an anti -communist all my life because of my story that I came from six years old from Cuba and what my parents went through and my whole family and many of us up here. The only concern I have that -- about this is that we don 't get into legal wrangling, and then it winds up us costing money. So that 's all I wanted to say. I'm for it, but I just want to, you know, I suggest we tread lightly. I believe the county is actually going to do the work, and I suggest that they do the work, and we City of Miami Page 34 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 maybe piggyback, you know, but not, you know, just being careful not to, you know, to maintain our fiduciary duty to the taxpayer. That's all. So, I don't want to see us getting into lawsuits. That's all. Thank you. Chair King: I also have a concern. In the legislation, what's defined as contact with Cuba? Because I have a lot of friends that are Cuban and they have families that are still in Cuba, so they send their families money. They send care packages and they're business owners. Would that be considered? 1 don't think this legislation is defined enough, and 1 share the same concern as Commissioner Gabela, that if this is just overreaching, overarching, and I'd like to defer to my colleague Commissioner Escalona because he's the most recently come to this country. But 1 know like one of nay dear friends, her son is still in Cuba, and she takes care of him. Someone else, her mom and her sister are still in Cuba, can't come over here, and they take care of them, much like what happens with families in the Haitian community. They're still supporting their families. I wouldn't want these business owners to -- and they also operate in the City of Miami -- to be pulled into this dragnet and punished unintentionally because we didn't do our due diligence in really making sure that this legislation, as intended, is to catch bad actors and not families who are supporting their families in Cuba. Commissioner? Commissioner Escalona: City Attorney? George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, sir. Commissioner Escalona: With the new modification that was done yesterday, aren't we just kind of piggybacking into the county? Mr. Wysong: Essentially, yeah, and just for the record, the previous iteration of this resolution called for the creation of a task force and headed by the inspector general and all that stuff. The substitution that was submitted yesterday from the District 4 office essentially changes that to -- the meat of the resolution would be the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to work with and support the Miami -Dade County Tax Collector to ensure that all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing business tax receipts and related compliance requirements are properly followed and enforced and providing for an effective date. But at its essence, it is designed to look at Section 205.0532, Florida Statutes, which authorizes a local -- a Florida statute authorizing a local governing authority to revoke or refuse to renew a BTR (Business Tax Receipt) if an individual, business, or entity is engaged in activities prohibited under state or, federal law with Cuba. That -- so that's the statute. It doesn 't provide the safeguards that the chairwoman was talking about. It doesn't define really what doing business is or the prohibited activities, but whatever activities are prohibited under state or federal law. So, we would have to rely on the federal government to let us know whether or not these entities are in accordance with law or violating law. I just wanted to mention as well that there is a current lawsuit pending in the federal court system. It's Xael Charters versus Miami -Dade County Tax Collector, where an entity that was found to have violated -- initially, found to have violated 205.0532, according to their complaint, proved that they were not in violation of the statute, then had their -- their BTR reinstated, but they've alleged that there were business losses, defamation, et cetera. But more importantly than those allegations is there's a request for a declaration and injunction declaring 205.0532 unconstitutional because it requires interplay with the federal government, and, you know, they allege in their complaint that this is something that should be enforced by the federal government, not necessarily the tax collector of Miami -Dade County. So, that's just a complaint that's .filed. The state law is presumed City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 constitutional until found otherwise under -- under, you know, jurisdictional law. So, I just wanted to flavor this discussion with that, that there's issues. But to answer your initial question, as written now, it just requires the manager to cooperate lawfully with the tax collector. Commissioner Escalona: So, we have no liability, now, right? Mr. Wysong: Sorry, could you say that --? Commissioner Escalona: So, we have no liability? Mr. Wysong: Well, the issue -- so do we have liability? If we were to revoke a license based -- you know, if the tax collector contacts the city manager and says, `I've identified this business, you need to revoke their license." We have a provision in Chapter 31 of the City Code relating to BTR, so we would have an independent review, we would provide due process, no -- opportunity to be heard, all that stuff But we would potentially be entering into this lawsuit if -- if the court ultimately finds that the statute is unconstitutional. So, I can 't say that there is no liability associated with cooperating with the tax collector. There is a possibility of liability, just have to be honest with you. But as written, you know, there 's no time frames, there 's no urgency in this, but we -- you would be authorizing the city manager and the City, ostensibly, to work with the tax collector to enforce this statute, which is currently a challenge. Chair King: Commissioner Pardo? Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, I'd also like to hear from the city manager, and I know, Madam Mayor, you had a note for the record. I'd be interested in hearing that as well. Mayor Higgins: So, colleagues, just a few short weeks ago, the residents of this community and the small business owners of this community spoke pretty loudly and clearly at the ballot box that they were rejecting a Miami that weaponized its government against small businesses. And for eight years, when I was county commission, I had to witness small businesses being accused falsely of all kinds of things, inspected in the middle of the night, their reputations ruined, their businesses shuttered, their lives ruined, their livelihoods ruined, and their employees put out of business because of the capriciousness and opinions and personal dislikes of one person. So, I had thought we had moved past this to be a government that is all about making sure we have a strong and robust economy. In this city, there are 17,250 businesses with a BTR that, should this pass, are open to investigation. Obviously, that is the job of OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control). Let's be very clear. I'm not sure if any of you as commissioners have ever had any experience working with U.S. Department of Treasury and OFAC, but I certainly' have when I was in Mexico doing anti -narcotics and anti -weapons work. They know very well how to investigate individuals and companies that are violating the law, violating sanctions laws, cooperating with communist regimes or any other horrible form of government, such as Iran, and putting together an airtight case that doesn't end up in a lawsuit. What the situation we are currently facing, which is, as the city attorney described, is we have a system now locally that is being rolled out pretty capriciously, and we are already in the middle of a lawsuit. If it were me -- and by the way, the City Manager has already advised me I'm not able to veto this legislation, which, should it pass, if I were able to, I would. Because I promised the residents we would not be involved in wasting their tax dollars on lawsuits unnecessarily when we could be working on City of Miami Page 36 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 projects that keep their streets from flooding or improving community centers at our parks. This is not without risk to us and liability. My suggestion is we defer this until the entire case is settled in federal court. That would be my suggestion. We get the law established, and then, quite frankly, we let the state and the county do what it 's always done. And whenever they revoke a BTR, we immediately are informed, right? We've always been doing that. We look at that and we say, you know what, we probably need to revoke it as well. But we also file -- we follow 31, which says that person still gets due process in our city. So, in my opinion, we are jumping the gun on this particular item, given the fact that we already have federal lawsuits working their way through the courts. 1 think it's important to note, 17,250. We are talking some of the largest companies in the world could now be under investigation with no rules. There's no process. Our city attorney just (UNINTELLIGIBLE) there's no definition, right? One of their employees sends their grandma medicine, and then suddenly they could be -- their reputation and their business could be ruined. 1 think there is great risk to our city. We have a federal process that seeks out these horrible businesses that violate U.S. laws, cooperate with regimes that are repressive to people, that dehumanize them, do not follow human rights. And we should follow that process rather than creating a separate process that could put the hard-earned tax dollars of our residents at risk where, once again, we have a reputation of a city that wastes millions and millions and millions of dollars on unnecessary lawsuits rather than on the things that our residents need to live and work. And let me be very clear to anyone that does business illegally with Cuba or Iran or China or Russia, I don 't like it. You're going to follow the law. The federal government is in charge of making sure that happens. When they tell us you have done something wrong, we absolutely positively will make sure your BTR is revoked and you will never; ever; ever be doing business in the City of Miami. Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner Gabela: Madam Chair? Chair King: Commissioner Gabela. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so I think part of the problem that we're having is that maybe these sanctions or laws were not applied. I suggest we write a letter as a body that we are contacting the DOJ, the Justice Department, and anybody that has to do with sanctions and the embargo against Cuba, and let them investigate, okay, properly. I think the problem here is that some of us feel that in the past, these businesses that have been doing business, in this case with Cuba, have not been -- you know, what's on the books has not been followed. I don't think we should get into that business. I agree with you on that. However, there is a big anti -communist sentiment from us Latin Americans here in Miami that cannot be ignored. We have to take care of that too. Okay, so what I'm suggesting is we urge, we write a letter as a whole, as a body, with you, Madam Mayor, suggesting that what we're asking for, that the DOJ, the Department of Justice, and the -- whatever department has to do on the federal government, with enforcing those sanctions and embargoes are done. The last thing we want to do is, you know, have a lawsuit, you know, with a business that's communist that's doing business with the dictatorship in Cuba, and then all of a sudden we're in a lawsuit, and then we reward them in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. You know what I mean? And then the flip side of that. So, this is my suggestion, that we write a letter strongly urging for these entities to investigate properly, and I think they have the tools better than us to identify which are the ones that are breaking the embargo laws in this country. Thank you. Commissioner Escalona: Madam Chair? City of Miami Page 37 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: Commissioner Escalona. Commissioner Escalona: Yes, I came from Cuba 11 years ago, and this is how I feel about this. I strongly support you. I believe this is fantastic, but I don't want to bring any liabilities to the City of Miami, because I represent Miami. When I have to send something to my family in Cuba, I do it through a friend, because I don 't want the Cuban regime to make any money at all. So, my point is, based on your opinion, if you believe this is going to bring liability to the City of Miami, 1 do not want to vote for it. But if you believe, based on what you told me, that this is just a piggyback to the county, and we will not be hold liable, I'm all for it. 1 believe we should do more of that. That's all. Chair King: Commissioner Rosado? Commissioner Rosado: I do. I appreciate nay colleagues' feedback on this item. The initial version that was submitted as part of the agenda was certainly much more stringent. But I think at this point, what we have put forth in a substitution memo that came out yesterday afternoon essentially is about coordination with the county. So, it would not be our role to determine who is violating the law. That's outside our purview. But it is about continuous, regular enforcement of laws that are already on the books that, as Commissioner Gabela says, probably are just being overlooked and they have been for decades, not for months or weeks, but for decades. And so that is ultimately what this is about. So, the county moved forward yesterday with a companion item that is more strenuous on their part. City of Hialeah is doing the same thing. This is about coordinating on a regular basis with the county and implementing what is already on the books, not for us to determine who is violating the law or not. Chair King: Okay, so based on the comments from my colleagues, it seems as if this legislation may be a little premature and we can either defer it until -- Commissioner Gabela: I'd like to pass a directive -- I'm sorry to interrupt you. I'd like to pass a directive to the City Manager that we write a letter to these departments, the DOJ, to the Department of Justice, and have them, you know, pay attention to this, that I agree with Commissioner Rosado. They have not in the past, and that's why we're probably here. Now, should we be the -- you know, like I say again, should we be the body to, you know, that has the tools to properly investigate this? Maybe well get ourselves into trouble, but I don't see -- I don't want to see this go away. I'm with you. I think this needs to be pursued, but by the proper -- you know, by the proper department of our federal government. So, I would -- I would say if anybody wants to join me to write a strong letter, you know, to these departments as a whole that we represent, I represent one -fifth of the city, so does Commissioner Pardo, the Chairwoman, Commissioner Escalona, and Commissioner Rosado. Chair King: So -- Commissioner Gabela: That's my suggestion. Chair King: -- based on your suggestion, that would have to -- I have to do something with this legislation. I have to vote it down, I have to defer it, because you 're presenting something entirely different by sending a letter, and that's not what this legislation -- City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Gabela: But 1 don't want to thwart -- Commissioner Rosado: Yeah. Commissioner Gabela: -- his efforts. 1 don't want to thwart anybody's efforts on what they're doing here -- Chair King: Okay, so let me -- Commissioner Gabela: -- today. Chair King: -- let me dispose -- Commissioner Gabela: But it's -- Chair King: -- of this legislation. Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair? Chair King: Let me take care of RE.16, yes. Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair, ifI could add something. I don't see those two ideas as mutually exclusive. I think this could pass and we could supplement with -- Chair King: Absolutely, but we have to take care of RE.16. Commissioner Rosado: Absolutely. Chair King: Do we want to defer it, or do we want to vote on it the way it is? I'm not comfortable voting on it the way it is, and I'll be a no vote if you want to move forward. Commissioner Pardo: I would like to see -- as much as an anti -communist as I am in my upbringing and my background, I share a lot of the passion that's on this dais. I don't think it would be prudent to vote on this right now. I think there's more we need to know about. And I think the mayor's eloquent comments about maybe letting it go through the lawsuit is a wise -- I understand that other jurisdictions, because this is a city that's very passionate on these issues, may be passing it in this moment. But I think it would be wise on our part to give it time. Chair King: So, do I have a motion to defer? Commissioner Rosado: I'd like to move on the item as it is. Chair King: But answer my question. Do I have a motion to defer? Anybody? Seeing no motion to defer, do I have a motion for RE.16? Commissioner Rosado: Yes. Pursuant to the substitution memo, as the clerk has City of Miami Page 39 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 reminded me. Commissioner Gabela: So, so I will vote on it. My condition is that I will vote on it, but the letter has to be sent, you know, to the Department of Justice, the DOJ, everybody, everybody else, you know, to handle this, this matter, you know, and then, you know, at least that way we have some cover for liability, if there is a liability situation. Commissioner Rosado: I accept. 1 accept that amendment. Commissioner Gabela: That's my condition, that we write a letter, and along with your -- you know, and we don't get ourselves into trouble here. Chair King: George, I believe you had your hand up. Mr. Wysong: I was just going to say, in lieu of writing a letter, we could do a resolution of the Miami City Commission urging the federal government -- Commissioner Escalona: That's what 1 thought. Mr. Wysong: -- to vigorously enforce these laws and that I think would have more weight than a letter so -- Commissioner Gabela: That's fine with me. Chair King: So I have a motion. Commissioner Gabela: Are you good with that, Mr. Rosado? Commissioner Rosado: Yes. Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second? Commissioner Escalona: Second. Commissioner Gabela: A second with the amendment of what our city attorney just recommended. Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And my apologies, Chair. So, this resolution, I guess urging whomever, that's included in this resolution? Are you doing a separate resolution? Mr. Wysong: I believe it's a separate resolution -- Mr. Hannon: So, then they'll need to vote -- City of Miami Page 40 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Mr. Wysong: -- will be the easiest way to do -- Mr. Hannon: -- on a separate resolution urging them to take some action. Mr. Wysong: 1 suggest to the chair they get through this item and then we do a follow- up resolution urging the federal government and the proper authorities to strenuously and vigorously investigate ties to the dictatorship in Cuba. Mr. Hannon: No, understood. Understood. My apologies, Chair. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to clarify the motion. So, the motion then -- Chair King: 1 understand. Mr. Hannon: -- is simply to adopt pursuant to the substitution memo dated January 21st, 2026. Chair King: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Understood. Thank you. Chair King: Okay. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Commissioner Gabela: Second. Commissioner Escalona: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Commissioner Gabela: And now I'll pass the motion to -- Mr. Hannon: And my apologies, Chair. Commissioner Gabela: -- for the resolution. Mr. Hannon: That was unanimous? Chair King: Yes. Mr. Hannon: As amended? Chair King: As amended. City of Miami Page 41 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 RE.17 18779 Commissioners and Mayor RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REPLENISH SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($75,000.00) IN THE SPECIAL EVENTS ACCOUNT AND FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000.00) IN THE OFFICE ACCOUNT IN THE DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE BUDGET WITH LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCES; DECLARING THAT THE ALLOCATION AND APPROPRIATION OF THE FUNDS REFERENCED HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS AND THE RECEIPT OF ALL NECESSARY APPROVALS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ADJUST, AMEND, AND APPROPRIATE THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET, FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, STRATEGIC PLAN, MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS AS NECESSARY AND APPLICABLE, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AUTHORIZING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS BY THE CITY MANAGER AND THE DESIGNATED CITY DEPARTMENTS TO UPDATE THE RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0052 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.17, please see Item Number RE.1. END OF RESOLUTIONS City of Miami Page 42 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading 17938 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Department of CHAPTER 10/ARTICLE I/DIVISION 2/SECTION 10-18 OF THE Building CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "BUILDINGS/IN GENERAL/BUILDING ADMINISTRATION, FEES, AND WAIVERS/BUILDING PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE; WAIVERS; ELEVATOR, ESCALATOR, BOILER ETC.," AMENDING SECTION 10-18 OF THE CITY CODE TO INCORPORATE CURRENT ELEVATOR INSPECTION FEES, BOILER AND UNFIRED PRESSURE VESSEL FEES, AND FINES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14439 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the titles of second reading ordinances for the record? George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. First readings first, right? Oh, I'm sorry. Chair King: No, second readings first. Mr. Wysong: Second reading ordinance. An ordinance of the Miami City Commission SR.1. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong:: SR.2, second reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: That concludes the second reading ordinances, Madam Chair. Chair King: Gentlemen, are there any of the second reading ordinances that you would like to pull for discussion? Seeing none, may I have a motion for SR.1 and 2? Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Commissioner Rosado: Second. City of Miami Page 43 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Items passes unanimously. SR.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading 18601 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PARKS AND RECREATION/IN GENERAL," BY CREATING SECTION 38-40, TITLED "NAMING OF SUPERHERO PARK," TO PROVIDE FOR THE NAMING OF THE PROPERTY CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 14,200 SQUARE FEET LOCATED AT 235 NORTHWEST 26 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA AS "SUPERHERO PARK"; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE NAMING OF THE PARK; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14438 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number SR.2, please see Item Number SR.1. END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES City of Miami Page 44 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading 18448 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING City Manager's CHAPTER 23/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, Office FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "HISTORIC PRESERVATION/HISTORIC PRESERVATION," BY AMENDING SECTION 23-6.1, TITLED "WAIVERS, EXCEPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS FOR LOCALLY DESIGNATED HISTORIC RESOURCES," TO PROVIDE FOR AN EXCEPTION TO PERMIT EVENT VENUES IN HISTORICALLY DESIGNATED STRUCTURES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number FR.1, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 45 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading 18548 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 10/ARTICLE 1/DIVISION 2/SECTION 10-20 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "BUILDINGS/IN GENERAL/BUILDING ADMINISTRATION, FEES, AND WAIVERS/RESERVED," TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-33(C)(9) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS PILOT PROGRAM," THAT INCENTIVIZES RESIDENTIAL STORM -PROOFING AND FUTURE -PROOFING HOME UPGRADES- INCLUDING IMPACT -RESISTANT WINDOWS, REINFORCED ROOFS, FLOOD PROTECTION, SOLAR PANELS, ENERGY -EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, LOW -FLOW TOILETS, INSULATION, AND OTHER SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS - THROUGH REDUCED PERMIT COSTS, EXPEDITED PERMIT REVIEW, AND PUBLIC OUTREACH MATERIALS TO INFORM RESIDENTS OF THE PROGRAM AND ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s) RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.2, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)." Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the titles for the first reading ordinances? George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. First reading ordinance, FR.2, The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: And I wanted to note there was an error in the prime sponsor. It should have been Commissioner Rafael `Ralph" Rosado. It's reflected as Commissioner Pardo, but they are both working on this. Commissioner Pardo: Yes, we're co -sponsoring. Mr. Wysong: FR. 3, first reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: FR.4. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. City of Miami Page 46 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Mr. Wysong: That concludes the first reading ordinances, Madam Chair. Chair King: Thank you. I believe FR.4 will be pulled for discussion? Commissioner Pardo: Yeah. Chair King: Yes, okay. Commissioner Escalona: I'm going to pull FR.2. Chair King: And you want to pull FR.2. Okay. [Later...] Chair King: Okay, FR.2? Commissioner Escalona: So, for FR.2, I have a question. Is this pilot only going to apply to homesteaded properties? And the second question is, are we going to have a financial impact study done after this ends? Asael Marrero (Assistant City Manager): Good morning. Commissioner, yes, the answer to the first question is yes, homestead properties. 1 forget, I apologize, I did not hear the second question. Commissioner Escalona: Are we going to have a financial impact study done after the project ends? Mr. Marrero: That is correct; yes, we will. Commissioner Escalona: Okay. Chair King: Anyone else? Mayor Higgins: Madam Chair? Chair King: Madam Mayor. Mayor Higgins: Thanks. To the two gentlemen that have sponsored this, I think this is great to incentivize people, make it a little bit easier to do this. I was wondering if you might add permeable pavement to the list for there because that's obviously a storm prevention. Commissioner Pardo: Definitely. Commissioner Escalona: Yes. Mayor Higgins: Thank you. City of Miami Page 47 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Rosado: I think -- and this was brought up at, 1 believe, the last meeting, there were questions about what is left out, and I think there 's -- the language is written broadly enough that even if we didn 't identify something, if it generally fits the criteria, absolutely. Chair King: May 1 have a motion for FR.2? Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Commissioner Rosado: So moved. Chair King: 1 have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Carries. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended. Chair King: As amended. FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading 18706 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RENAMING CERTAIN CITY OF MIAMI OWNED REAL PROPERTY CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 8,219 SQUARE FEET, LOCATED AT 1 SOUTHWEST SOUTH RIVER DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CURRENTLY KNOWN AS "SIMON BOLIVAR PARK," AS "FISHERMAN'S PARK"; AMENDING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "PARKS AND RECREATION/IN GENERAL," BY AMENDING SECTION 38-30 OF THE CITY CODE, CURRENTLY TITLED "NAMING OF SIMON BOLIVAR PARK" TO RENAME THE PROPERTY DESIGNATED THEREIN AS "FISHERMAN'S PARK"; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE RENAMING OF THE PARK; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.3, please see Item Number FR.2. Chair King: So, that leaves only FR.3. May I have a motion for FR.3? City of Miami Page 48 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second? Commissioner Escalona: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. FR.4 ORDINANCE First Reading 18776 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE XIII/DIVISION 7 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING/PLANNING AND ZONING APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USES AND OCCUPANCIES; PERMIT REQUIRED/RESERVED," MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING DIVISION 7 TO BE TITLED "TEMPORARY OFF -SITE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING ON CONSTRUCTION FENCING," TO ALLOW A PILOT PROGRAM FOR OFF -SITE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGNAGE ON A TEMPORARY BASIS FOR CERTAIN SITUATED CONSTRUCTION SITE FENCING WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI URBAN CORE; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.4, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.2. Chair King: Now, for FR.4, if I may, I don't take issue with the pilot program. However,, I want to exempt District 5 because District 5 is unique in that we have historic neighborhoods. We have areas like the Design District, and I don't want to just blanket have legislation that covers all of District 5 because District 5 is so unique. So, I would be in favor of this if you can just exempt District 5 out of it. Commissioner Pardo? Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, I will say this is in the urban core, so it's really heavily in our district. And the urban core is going through enough. It is between construction, noise, it -- this is -- this adds an element of unintended consequences. It's single source. There are many, many problems. A lot of the issues that people in public comments raised, I fully support. I think we should indefinitely defer this. That's what I think. I think we need to do a lot of work with the community. We need City of Miami Page 49 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 to go out to the community. This hasn't been discussed with the district or the residents of the district. They already went through the whole billboard fiasco. We don't need another situation like that in the urban core. So, I'm okay with indefinitely deferring. If this needs to go, then leave out District 2. Commissioner Escalona: The same for District 3. I don't want it either. Chair King: Commissioner Gabela. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so my only problem is that this is for a single company, and I don 't want any single company to hold a monopoly, right? Commissioner Escalona: Yeah. Commissioner Gabela: So, if we do this -- I don't mind doing it in my area, because I'll be honest with you, the scaffolding and all this stuff and everything that comes with it is also not, you know, doesn't look right, you know? I understand that, you know, the media companies that were here, it's their competition, right? Let's call it what it is, you know, but I would like to see it. I agree with you. Maybe we should defer it, but we've got to take out that provision that only, you know -- we've got to open it up to multiple companies. That's my take. Commissioner Rosado: And I think that's helpful feedback. So, I proposed this for two reasons. One, there is a construction site a block away from my house that I drive by all the time that's got a construction mesh that's either tagged and retagged and tagged again, or it's tattered and it's flapping in the breeze, so it looks terrible. And a lot of our construction sites fall into that situation. So, not just the one near me, but a number of places in the city where just they look bad. And some of these construction sites, construction isn't actually taking place. The one close to me, the project should have started a couple of years ago, and for whatever reason, it hasn't. So, construction sites are many -- in many cases, they're an eyesore. This is trying to approach that. In addition, I know it's something that was being workshopped at the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) because so many of the taller buildings are in downtown, and again, the construction sites look terrible. Somebody had mentioned, you know, this is about blight abatement. That's exactly what it is. I respect everybody's feedback. I'm happy to support a deferral so we can workshop it a little bit, but I think we need to have better standards for how our construction sites look, whether there's construction taking place or not. I wouldn't throw it out completely. I think we -- it does merit some refinement, right? I think we got some helpful feedback from folks that are in the field that understand this, that have seen how it's played out in different places. I think there is a better version of this once we've had some input that we can arrive at. So, I'm happy to see -- I don't know about an indefinite deferral, because then, you know, then nothing is scheduled to get feedback, et cetera, but maybe for the March meeting, so it gives us from now till March 12th -- Chair King: Try April -- Commissioner Rosado: -- to be able to do that. Chair King: -- because you're piling up on the March meeting. City of Miami Page 50 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Pardo: Listen, I -- that's why it should be an indefinite deferral. We have a lot of work to do. Maybe the DDA did some workshops, but District 2, the whole urban core, is way bigger than what the DDA represents. We really need to do a good job with this in the district, and I think we bring it back after that 's been done. That may take six months, it may take less, hut I don 't think we should put a date certain. Commissioner Rosado: 1 can accept that. The DDA did have a presentation on this and there was a unanimous support resolution in favor of the item as it stands, so I did want to point that out. Chair King: Again, I don't take issue with the item. I don 't mind the pilot program. I just don't want District 5 -- it's not ready for the uniqueness of District 5 with our historic neighborhoods, spaces like the Design District. It just -- it doesn 't work as just a blanket -- Commissioner Pardo: I mean -- Chair King: -- legislation. Commissioner Pardo: -- we have Coconut Grove, Morningside. Chair King: Right. Commissioner Pardo: We have MiMo (Miami Modern). We have, I mean -- Chair King: Right, exactly. So -- Commissioner Rosado: I'll accept the indefinite deferral. Chair King: Okay, so do I have a motion to defer indefinitely? Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Commissioner Escalona: Move. Commissioner Gabela: Second. Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Item is indefinitely deferred. END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES City of Miami Page 51 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 BU.1 18752 Office of Management and Budget BU - BUDGET DISCUSSION ITEM MONTHLY REPORT I SECTION 2-497 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES (RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET) II SECTION 18-502 (CITY'S ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT) III SECTION 18-542 (FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES) RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair King: I believe we all had a presentation on the budget. Do you need a presentation or did everyone read their memo? Commissioner Pardo: We read it. Commissioner Gabela: I got my memo. Commissioner Rosado: We're good. Chair King: Everybody read it? Okay, moving right along. END OF BUDGET City of Miami Page 52 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 DI - DISCUSSION ITEM DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM 18760 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION REGARDING AN UPDATE OF RECENT PERMITS PROGRESS AND UPCOMING IMPROVEMENTS. RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair King: Now, Mr. Manager, it has been a -- my application of the agenda, 1'd like to take the discussion items after we do all of the other work of the city. Could we arrange our agenda to reflect such that the discussion items are after PZ (Planning and Zoning) items, please, moving forward? Don't want to seem as if I'm giving anybody unfair advantage. But I do this all the time. I take the discussion items after the PZ items, so if we can do that. [Later...] Chair King: And we have one discussion item, update on permitting improvements. Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair, this is a presentation I have been working on with our assistant city manager. We've had a series of permitting related items in the last few months. And so, he and I had agreed that we would approximately every other month or so, provide some sort of an update. While Graham is uploading that, there is one thing that I'm not sure we necessarily put in the PowerPoint, but that is that 1'd read recently that Miami Dade College is working with four cities in Miami - Dade County in order to test out whether Al (Artificial Intelligence) technology could be used to streamline the permitting process. And it mentioned they're going to be working with Coral Gables and some others, but it didn't mention Miami. And so, I contacted Miami Dade College and I asked, you know, is there an expense to participate? Would they consider adding in the City ofMiami? And they said there's no expense and that they would include us. And so, they're -- we're going to be doing, if the administration and the commission is supportive, a test pilot program to see how AI may be able to streamline our permitting process. Graham Jones: Good morning, Commission. Graham Jones, assistant director of Planning. I appreciate the opportunity to provide a program update today. It 's pertinent. I know there's renewed interest in processes and a focus on permit time scales and streamlining that. So, it's very pertinent to bring you this update this morning. I did provide an update back in October on this program, but out of respect to the new commissioner and also the new mayor, I'm just going to do a very brief overview of the program and its intent and where we got to. So, just a quick summary, we have a number of entitlements within the city ofMiami. The two -- the majority are administrative, they include the ASPRs (Administrative Site Plan Reviews), waivers, warrants, which include noticing and are repeatable. We also have some that require public hearing, and those are an exception variance, rezone, and FLUMs (Future Land Use Maps). Entitlements come with positives and some negatives. Generally speaking, the positives are that they include neighbor notification, they allow engagement and awareness by neighbors, they allow for a right of appeal, they allow Ai, a design focus consideration within the neighborhood context, and the majority are administrative. But the important aspect here, anything we do with entitlements in terms of making them by right does remove both the neighbor notification and the City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 right of appeal. There are challenges associated with them. There is some uncertainty. Obviously, there's a staff review. There are criticisms in terms of delays. Sometimes there's conflicting criteria. And there's obviously a complexity that cones with entitlements. They normally require some kind of legal support in order to move them through the planning process. So, with that context, we've received the mandate back in October to push forward with a program that addresses many of these concerns, creating more opportunities by right, rather than going through an entitlement process. So, we received a mandate from the City Manager's Office in order to support to bring forward amendments as quickly as possible. We did this with both an interdepartmental group as well as external stakeholders. And they'd be meeting regularly through workshops to shape the program and also provide staff with feedback as the initiatives are being brought forward. This includes the team, with myself as program manager, and Ace as the assistant city manager, and David Snow, director of Planning, a champion in the project. And as you can see, we 've also brought in other departments, including the strong support from the Department of Zoning and Tamara Frost. Looking at the program timeline, you can see we 've moved fairly quickly through the program. We're now into the beginning of this year, but we've had regular workshops. We've been doing discovery and testing of various ideas. We've had good feedback from commissioners and their constituents through various meetings, and that's created a very robust program. And we're very excited by the fact that in the last few months, we've actually been able to bring forward a number of Miami 21 zoning amendments that helped alleviate some of the unnecessary reviews and also created a much more streamlined process. I do want to mention that we have embedded a process of continuing improvement within the Department of Planning. I know that's true of other departments as well. But, you know, in terms of our department that we did start quite a challenging position three years ago. We were very short of staff We didn't have the right skill sets. The timelines were particularly difficult for us. So, in the last three years, under the leadership of Sevanne Steiner and David, they've been implementing a program where we 've been able to resource the department, field posts, have focus teams, introduce checklists, and we've seen some early sort of impact as a result of those initiatives. We've been able to meet some of our initial KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in terms of getting permits into the system and doing a first cycle of review. So, you know, these positive results have been, you know, noticed and we've had good feedback from our stakeholders on that. That being said, you know, this program came about because we knew there was more work to be done and we very, much appreciate any support in bringing more further initiatives forward. These are the number of legislative amendments we've been bringing forward over the last few years. It's been a steady number, but again, these have been very much focused on stakeholder feedback and ensuring permits are moved quickly. We also had a very strong program, outreach program, that was put in place a couple of years ago called the Miami 21 Task Force Program that brought about, I think, almost I think it was 180 -- around 180 recommendations from industry for us to work through. And we've completed around 40 percent of those; another 20 percent have been completed through other initiatives. So, you know, the feedback that we've got, we've been acting on and moving things forward. This program builds on a lot of those efforts and initiatives, this entitlement reform program. It's very much focused on modernizing and clarifying, simplifying Miami 21 code. We want to make it the most usable codes in the country. We 've been introducing by -right options when the specified design criteria is met. So, if you follow a design that the City has kind of pre - approved, then sure, we can go by right. We don't need to burden you with an additional entitlement process. So, that's the basis of the program. We've been consolidating any overarching review criteria. We've been looking at the timeline. We've been looking at technology. And we want to update a lot of the formatting around the code as well. So, this is the main slide I wanted to bring you today. So, we can see we've already had quite a number of achievements. We brought forward and it's been approved by the City Commission that the efforts to update the personal City of Miami Page 54 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 service wireless facilities [sic], PWSF (Personal Wireless Service Facilities), that's been approved. We also have made by right across the city where applicable micro - dwelling units is now by right. We've done a number of initiatives around educational reform. Those have also been approved. We're also bringing forward through now at the city commission stage, we briefly touched on YIGBY earlier, adult daycare, also related commercial, and the vessels, docks, and marine -related commercial. So, they're obviously moving at different paces and we 're getting different feedback around that. But the important thing is, through this program, we're bringing forward these initiatives and they're being heard by yourselves. We 've also done some work around the use table mapping to help, you know, map the various codes that we have in place and the different uses that are referenced in there to help our applicants understand the form -based code and its initiatives against some of the other Florida Building Code requirements. And then we have a number of initiatives that are really making good pace now, 9 through 16 here, that focus on outdoor dining. The vast majority of our warrants are outdoor dining applications. They're nearly all approved. They're very rarely appealed. And we 've created some design criteria around that. Depending on the scale of it, you can go by right without the need to request a warrant. So, we're getting good feedback on that. We know that Midtown has its own overlay. It hasn 't been updated for some time. It's mostly built out. So, we want to simples some of the rules around Midtown to bring it in a line with Miami 21 so that, you know, small businesses can open much more quickly, people can change signage without going through a warrant process, those kind of things. So, that really just brings it up to the same level as Miami 21 in terms of simplicity. Then at this point in the program what we're doing is really moving into process. So, a lot of the code amendments that we've done up `til now have really focused on the outcomes on the ground and whether or not you need to go through a warrant or not. What we really want to focus on now is the process, reducing redundancies, simplifYing the review criteria. We want to look at the traffic impact study process. We 're looking at using the -- getting some technology in place, such as the enterprise system, and we're also looking at the certificate of use process, and I know there's been some successful workshops led by Zoning recently on that. So, we're shifting the program into a new phase very much more focuses on process. We 're currently getting feedback from our stakeholders on what that process -- those elements should focus in on. I know that you yourselves have got ideas around how we can improve that. I know that Madam Mayor also wants us to focus on some of these elements. And so the program is kind of shifting into that new phase, but I wanted to update you today on the success we've had so far through this initiative. So, this is the current program phase that we're in, Entitlement Reform Workshop we've just held. We're having another one coming up in January. We've got this discussion item today. We're very - - as these items outlined below, much more shift in terms of into the process world of what we do. So, that's the end of my presentation and I appreciate your support as we move forward with this program and continue to improve on behalf of our stakeholders the entitlement process. Commissioner Pardo: Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. END OF DISCUSSION ITEM City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.1 15113 Department of Planning PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S) RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY ARTHUR NORIEGA V, CITY OF MIAMI CITY MANAGER, AND MIGUEL FERRO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BAYFRONT PARK, ("APPELLANT") OF THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING, ZONING, AND APPEALS BOARD THEREBY REVERSING THE CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING DEPARTMENT'S ISSUANCE OF WARRANT NO. PZ-23-16544 ISSUED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, TABLE 12, AND ARTICLE 7, SECTIONS 7.1.1.2 AND 7.1.2.4 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ("MIAMI 21 CODE") TO ALLOW FOR THE RECREATIONAL FACILITY USE ON A PARCEL ZONED "CS," CIVIC SPACE TRANSECT ZONE, LOCATED AT 1095 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. LRESU DISCUSSED Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.1, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 56 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.2 16562 Department of Planning RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0212, WHICH DENIED THE APPEAL FILED BY ARTHUR NORIEGA V, CITY OF MIAMI CITY MANAGER, AND MIGUEL FERRO, THE THEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BAYFRONT PARK, ("APPELLANT") OF THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING, ZONING, AND APPEALS BOARD THEREBY REVERSING THE CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING DEPARTMENT'S ISSUANCE OF WARRANT NO. PZ-23-16544 ISSUED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, TABLE 12, AND ARTICLE 7, SECTIONS 7.1.1.2 AND 7.1.2.4 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), TO ALLOW FOR THE RECREATIONAL FACILITY USE ON A PARCEL ZONED "CS," CIVIC SPACE TRANSECT ZONE, LOCATED AT 1095 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Withdraw RESULT: WITHDRAWN MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.2, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 57 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.3 18563 Commissioners and Mayor - PZ ORDINANCE First Reading AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY AMENDING ARTICLE 4, TITLED "STANDARDS AND TABLES," SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING TABLE 3, TITLED "BUILDING FUNCTION: USES," TO ESTABLISH DEFINITIONS AND REGULATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL USES FOR CERTAIN "Cl" CIVIC INSTITUTION PROPERTIES AFFILIATED WITH OR OWNED BY A RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, NOT -FOR -PROFIT INSTITUTION, OR A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, AND TABLE 4, TITLED "DENSITY, INTENSITY AND PARKING," TO ESTABLISH RULES FOR APPLYING DENSITY ALLOWANCES; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Deny RESULT: DENIAL PASSED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona NAYS: Rosado Note for the Record: A motion was made by Commissioner Gabela, seconded by Commissioner Rosado, to defer PZ.3, which failed by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Gabela and Rosado; NOES: Commissioners Pardo, Escalona, and King. Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.3, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)." Chair King: We're going to skip the discussion iteni and move right into the PZ (Planning and Zoning) items. Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the titles of the PZ items? George Wysong (City Attorney): Absolutely, Madam Chair. PZ.3, first reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: PZ.6 is actually second reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: This item is the item that should be heard -- must be heard after 5 p.m., so we may not get to it. PZ.7, second reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: PZ.12, first reading ordinance. City of Miami Page 58 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: PZ.13, first reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: And PZ.14 is a resolution. That concludes the ordinances in the PZ. Commissioner Gabela: Sorry, George, which is the one that is after 5 p.m.? Mr. Wysong: PZ.6, which is -- Chair King: PZ.6. Mr. Wysong: -- the -- Commissioner Gabela: Okay, thank you. Chair King: Adult daycare. Okay, gentlemen, are there any items on the PZ agenda that you would like to pull for discussion? Commissioner Escalona: No. Chair King: I'd like to pull PZ.3. Anyone else? That's it? Okay, so may I have a motion to pass PZ.7, PZ.12, and PZ.13? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Commissioner Rosado: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Passes. [Later...] Chair King: Okay. I pulled PZ.3. I'm a firm no on PZ.3. Curiously, you did not see one pastor come before us to say that they want this legislation. Not one pastor, not one parishioner. The only persons that came to speak on behalf of this legislation were developers. I have a church in my district that is going into foreclosure because they got in bed with a developer that is unscrupulous. I will not vote for this. I am not in favor of it. It should not be by right. If a church is desirous of doing any development on their property, it should be -- they should go through the same process as everybody else. We should not make it easy for our churches to lose their property that for many of them is historic. They -- generations have worked for them City of Miami Page 59 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 to acquire the property, et cetera, et cetera. I am a firm no on this. No. And 1 would ask my colleagues to pay attention that you did not see one pastor, not one pastor come and ask for this legislation. 1 didn't have one pastor in my district come to me and say, Madam Chair, this is great for us. It is not. And the potential unintended consequence of moving this as of right can be disastrous for our churches, particularly our historic churches, who they -- they do not have the expertise to negotiate deals such as this. And with it going as of right, there are no checks and balances, as you will. And you'll find out about it when it's too late. And I'm not going to be a part of that. Commissioner Pardo. Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, I join you in voting no. 1 also oppose this. 1 think it's a whole host of unintended consequences that can happen when it moves in by right. So, I'm a firm no on this as well. Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair? Chair King: Commissioner Gabela. Commissioner Rosado: I was actually going to say we prepared a brief presentation because I do think there's perhaps a little clarification that should take place. So, my deputy chief of staff is here to pull it up on the screen. Chair King: Hold on one second. Commissioner Gabela, you had a comment. Commissioner Gabela: No, go ahead. Let him. Chair King: Go ahead. Commissioner Gabela: I'll talk after you do your presentation. Commissioner Rosario: I accept your point about the pastors. We did not do extensive outreach to the religious community. We wanted to talk about it more as a concept. And it -- Chair King: Well, it's not a concept -- Commissioner Rosado: Yeah. Chair King: -- if we're voting on it today, and I do the outreach. I have an annual pastors' breakfast with all of the pastors. All of them are welcome because they are stakeholders in our community. And without input from our stakeholders, from our pastors, from parishioners who are owners of property, it's not just the church, it's the folks that attend the churches. This is a no. I'm sure your presentation is wonderful -- Commissioner Pardo: Agree. Chair King: -- but it will not move me. It will not move me. City of Miami Page 60 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Rosado: Understood. Chair King: Go ahead. Commissioner Rosado: Happy to do some additional outreach to get that kind of feedback. But we do want to go ahead and clarify a few things and address some of the questions that -- Chair King: Right. But I also want to say that not one pastor from any of our districts showed up to say this is great legislation. No pastor from your district, no pastor from your district -- Commissioner Pardo: No. Chair King: -- no pastor from your district. Commissioner Pardo: And we have a very close relationship with our pastors. Chair King: I have a fantastic relationship with the pastors in my district. So, go ahead. Commissioner Rosado: Thank you. And we know there's been some reference to the legislation being YIGBY (Yes In God's Backyard), which is sort of the opposite of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard). It's Yes In God's Backyard, because there was something introduced at the state level in the last session that was approved to allow housing on church -based sites, but we actually changed the title of it. We've been calling it Land of Opportunity for two reasons. Number one, there are a number of organizations of different types. They're not specifically just religious institutions, but we have -- yes, sure, go to the next one. So, we have not only religious institutions that are in what some have called land rich but cash poor, we also have a number of nonprofit organizations. We have government at all levels. So, the idea that the city of Miami is in many cases we're sitting on land that we can and I think in some cases should make available for workforce housing is important to note. We also have educational type sites. And educational sites include not just schools, there are seven public schools in my district, for example. We also have two administrative sites owned by MDCPS (Miami -Dade County Public Schools) that are very underutilized. One of them is a vacant building that's an unsafe structure and it's just sitting there, but it's surrounded by condominiums that are relatively affordable in nature. In my district alone, and I certainly didn't do a deep dive into everybody else's district, my focus was District 4, but it's essentially a concept that could have wider applicability. We have St. Michael's Church, which is owned by the Archdiocese of Miami, and it's a very large parcel on Flagler. It is adjacent to the Dade County Auditorium, another very large property that has redevelopment potential. We have -- in terms of nonprofits, we have the Boys and Girls Club, which may want to do something in the future, Legal Services of Greater Miami, and other nonprofits that own their properties. We have the public schools that I -- the seven public schools, as I mentioned, the administrative sites, and a number of city -owned sites, including on 50th and Flagler, we have a site that has a county library, and it's a lease on city - owned land. And we did -- I did get approval for that a couple meetings back to put that out pursuant to an RFP (Request for Proposals) to do workforce housing specific to that site. Next. There are workforce and affordable requirements that are built in that piggybacks off language in Miami 21. So, we're not talking about letting the institutions that I just mentioned do a series of luxury projects. This has to be -- these City of Miami Page 61 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 have to be housing units that serve the community, especially those that are most deserving. So, there are built into Miami 21 two tiers of how that can be done. I know our Planning director is here and he can certainly elaborate if you all would like, but the idea is that this would be housing that serves the community. In addition to that, it would allow each of the aforementioned institutions generate additional revenue. Churches are constantly fundraising. Nonprofits are constantly fundraising. Our governments, whether it's the school board, the city, the county, are constantly looking for additional sources of revenue. In many cases in the city of Miami, what can really make it hard for us to get housing addressed is the underlying cost of land. We know that the cost of construction is high and increasingly high, but if you are able to create housing on land that is already owned by somebody else that doesn't need to turn a huge profit, we are potentially helping thousands of individuals. There were questions from -- one of the members in the public had some great questions and this helps to address some of those things. This, again, does not encourage luxury development. This doesn't affect city parks, and this does not eliminate any other requirements that we have, so any height restrictions, parking requirements, lot coverage ratios, anything like that, that doesn 't change them. So, if somebody cannot, they cannot add an additional building because they otherwise wouldn 't meet their parking requirements for their church, then they're not able to do an additional building. So even though it was mentioned that there are over 600 parcels that fall into one of the civic uses that has been discussed, the vast majority still would not be able to take advantage of this. So, it is not like some sort of wholesale, redevelopment or new development of housing across civic uses, right? This will help larger parcels throughout our districts if approved. And finally, in District 4, and perhaps in each of your districts, this is perhaps the number one issue, or the number two, or the number three issue. Housing affordability is something that we are constantly being asked to address. I am constantly being called by people that are asking for rent vouchers. We are constantly being asked to put people on the waiting list for the project that is being built in my district on 50th Avenue and Flagler by The Related Group. We have such a massive, massive demand to address housing affordability, I would be negligent if I didn't put this forward, given that this is land that somebody doesn't have to buy from somebody else. So, I feel terrible to hear that a church is taken advantage of but that's very much a sort of case -by -case situation. Other organizations are savvy enough and have, you know, enough attorneys that can help them out that they should never be taken advantage of. And on the contrary, they should be able to serve their parishioners if the parishioners are requesting housing and the religious institutions are able to provide it. This would help the School Board, which has got a mandate to help teachers. Teachers are incredibly underpaid and that's not changing anytime soon. Schools would be able to both on their school sites or their administrative sites, they'd be able to add housing for teachers and for essential workers. Nonprofits that are constantly having to ask for money, whether it's at the city or the county or from private donors, they'd be able to provide housing on their properties for their employees or those that they serve. Sometimes those that they serve are abused women, or they're children, or they're seniors, or they're veterans, or they're the disabled, the autistic, and a variety of other folks that we are often being asked to serve. And here's one way to do it that doesn't cost us money and it helps to provide for those that need it, including those that own the land. So, I actually would urge you -- I understand your concerns. If there are modifications you'd like to make, I'm open to that discussion. But I think if we do not approve this, this is such a wasted opportunity in what is arguably the least affordable city in the United States ofAmerica. Chair King: Thank you, Commissioner Rosado. Commissioner Gabela? Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. Are you saying that with this legislation, that if somebody wants to turn it into affordable, they have to form a partnership with the City of Miami Page 62 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 institution, is that what you're saying? They can't sell it outright? Commissioner Rosado: They could sell it outright. They could also build it themselves. They don't have to form a partnership. Commissioner Gabela: Got it. Commissioner Rosado: They could turn around and hire a general contractor. If they wanted to partner with an outside organization, whether nonprofit or for profit -- and I know we actually did have some nonprofits that spoke today. The Archdiocese is one example. If they wanted to partner with, you know, a nonprofit affordable housing builder -- and there are a number of them in the city of Miami -- they could do that. If they wanted to partner with a for profit, they could do it. What it does for them is that it expedites getting to construction and it saves them a lot of money in legal fees to get there. We know that there is a path to do things via a variance or rezoning. We totally understand that. It is so complex, so time intensive and so costly. And we 're talking about organizations that are typically cash strapped. They may be land rich, they are cash poor, and they don't bother to go through those processes because of the costs that are incurred and the fact that it's uncertain what the outcome will be and if they'll get the approval. Again, it maintains all our other important requirements about height, density, parking, lot coverage, permeability, et cetera. It doesn't touch any of that. It just says you can now do it as of right if you have the space to do it. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. Commissioner Rosado: And many of these organizations will not have the space, but some of them will. Chair King: Commissioner Rosado, I just want to say one thing. You said that the organizations are land rich and cash poor. So how do you think that they have the ability to retain and/or hire an attorney to advocate on their behalf to make sure that they're getting a good deal? And again, I have experience with this. There were two churches in my district, two churches, one in Overtown and the Southeast Overtown Park West had to save that 100-year-old church from being foreclosed on and would most certainly have turned into luxury development. Doing this as of right is a mistake. With respect to the school board, that's a government entity. They can -- they have a host of attorneys that can help them manage our processes. This, in my opinion, is a mistake. And irrespective of your presentation, I'm still a no. It has not moved me. And you say that, you know, we're addressing this, but are we being tone deaf to our constituents who are concerned about building as of right? I know more than anyone the need for affordable housing. And by the way, a hundred percent of AMI (Area Median Income) is not affordable housing, not for moderately income families. It is not. Commissioner Gabela? Commissioner Gabela: Yes, ma'am. Thank you. So, what I was -- I'm always for market forces in the sense that, you know, if a church is in -- they don't have money, the institution doesn't have money, you know, and their walls are crumbling, and maybe they sell and then they can build their church somewhere else and give the service, I'm always for that. However, I do hear your side also. What's dangerous about this is that precedence is set, and then all of these buildings start disappearing, you know, because of the need that they have, right? What if we did it by warrant? Would that change your mind? Not only a right, but by warrant. You still in the middle on that? City of Miami Page 63 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: I want it to go through the regular process. Whatever that is, let them have to go through the regular process. Commissioner Gabela: Then 1 think 1 'm for, you know, deferring. 1 think I'm -- and study the situation more because two of my colleagues are concerned. That's my take. Thank you. Chair King: You're what? Commissioner Escalona: Let's call the question, please. Mayor Higgins: Madam Chair? Chair King: Madam Mayor. Mayor Higgins: Commissioner Rosado, I mean, I think what you're working on here is something that's going on all around the country. In our county, the largest landowners are local governments, the Catholic Church, and our school system. And the idea of being able to activate all that land for housing to me is important. But like the chairwoman, I've served on -- I have some concerns particularly when it comes to historic faith -based institutions. There are groups all around the country that have worked on this, and I have served on some housing stability task forces that have come up with some best practices, particularly around faith -based institutions. To the county [sic] attorney or perhaps to Mr. Snow, it seems as if the chairwoman's concern is very much around faith -based institutions rather than not -for -profits in the CI (Civic Institution) space. And so, 1 don't know if we are able, or if you are interested in talking about moving this forward and looking at what some of these not - for -profits might do without, right now, dealing with the worries of what we have about making sure that our faith -based communities are capable of doing it, have a congregational process that's inclusionary to do this, and does not put these historic buildings and historic places of worship at risk. So, I'm not sure if there's a way to separate those legally, and I'm sure, Mr. Snow, you would know the answer to that. Thank you, Madam Chair. David Snow (Director, Planning): Good morning, Commission, Madam Chair. You know, I think that -- I think the message that you've put forth about the stresses, the undue stresses put on the churches in our community from the development sector is real. One thing that we might want to consider is additional criteria when -- when a church is involved in this process, what that looks like, to assure that the church stays involved, that it provides an opportunity for the church and the congregation as intended, and then that way that we're not losing churches to development. Chair King: No. I don't think it is smart of us to pass as of right legislation, by right legislation. I am a no, and I'm not typically this firm on no, but this is a no in every respect fbr me. It is a solid, firm, not crossing the line. I am not bending, modifying. These churches, historic churches, all they have is their land. And I've already seen this happen in my district one too many times. And I'm not going to be a part of it. I'm not going to be any part of something detrimental to the historic churches in our district. That's why -- and I'm cognizant of that. That's why we implemented the eleemosynary grant to help our churches with that grant, to shore up their churches, help them get through their 50 -- 40, 50 year recertification. I was in favor of that, to help them, hurricane impact windows, repair the roofs of the churches. Again, the City of Miami Page 64 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 silence of not having one pastor here in support of this legislation speaks louder than anything 1 can say. And even with nonprofits, there are not a lot of nonprofits that even have land. 1 support nonprofits in Overtown to help families and children. They don 't have land to develop. They're always asking me for space to house their program. And the one nonprofit that I know of that I think Commissioner Rosado was speaking of, they developed -- it would be the Lotus House, and went through the entire process, and it was their own land. I don 't think it's unfair to ask for any development to go through the process, and we shouldn 't be making these exemptions, particularly for vulnerable institutions like our historic properties. Commissioner Gabela: Motion to defer so we can study the situation. Commissioner Rosado: Yes. Commissioner Pardo: I thought the question was called. Commissioner Rosado: I accept that, absolutely. Commissioner Gabela: Is everybody okay with that? Commissioner Rosado: Oh, the question was called. Chair King: So, Commissioner Escalona called the question. Motion to approve? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, Chair, just for the record, a subsidiary motion does take precedence over a main motion, so if Commissioner Gabela does want to move forward at least with the subsidiary motion to defer, you would want to address the subsidiary motion first before you get to a main motion. So, I think that is -- Chair King: Are you saying that I have to? I can -- we can address it. Commissioner Gabela: Motion to consider. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Motion to consider. Commissioner Escalona: Defer. Commissioner Gabela: Sorry, guys. No, not motion to consider. Motion to defer. Chair King: Motion -- Commissioner Gabela: Motion to defer. Chair King: There's a motion -- Commissioner Gabela: To study the situation -- Commissioner Rosado: Second. Commissioner Gabela: -- to see if we can have a -- City of Miami Page 65 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Commissioner Rosado: Second. Chair King: So, I have a motion to defer and I have a second. All in favor? Commissioner Gabela: Aye. Commissioner Rosado: Aye. This would just allow us to bring it back and have some additional feedback. This was a very helpful discussion. I didn't know how anybody felt about this. Chair King: Motion fails for lack -- Mr. Hannon: Motion fails, 2-3. Chair King: 2-3. Now, do I have a motion for PZ.3? Item fails to receive -- Mr. Hannon: Well, it could be just -- Mr. City Attorney, you can correct me if I'm wrong. It could just be a motion to deny? Chair King: Motion to deny. Mr. Hannon: Or a motion to withdraw. George Wysong (City Attorney): So, I'm sorry, I'm catching up. I thought we just deferred the item. Chair King: No, we did not. Mr. Hannon: No, the motion failed -- Commissioner Gabela: No, no. Mr. Hannon: -- 2-3. Chair King: The motion failed. Mr. Wysong: Oh, the motion failed. I'm sorry. Commissioner Gabela: Motion to -- since in light of the situation that we don't have the majority, I will make a motion to deny. I'm sorry, Commissioner Rosado. Chair King: Motion to deny. Do I have a second? Commissioner Rosado: Since it was -- I have a question. Since it was my item, could I withdraw it? Could I offer to withdraw it and bring it back at some later point? City of Miami Page 66 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.4 18709 Department of Planning Chair King: Todd? Mr. Hannon: So, no, absolutely. If the Commission decides to withdraw the item, the item can be brought back. Even if the item is denied, the item can still be brought back. Chair King: Right. Mr. Wysong: In other words, you don't have unilateral ability to withdraw it. You would make a motion to withdraw it and then -- Chair King: But we have a motion to deny on the floor and a second. All in favor? 1 second it. Commissioner Pardo: Ave. Chair King: Aye. Commissioner Escalona: Aye. Mr. Hannon: Motion passes, 4-1 with Commissioner Rosado voting no. Chair King: Okay. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 55, SECTION 55-15 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, CLOSING, VACATING, ABANDONING, AND DISCONTINUING FOR PUBLIC USE THE THOROUGHFARE OF NORTHEAST 64 TERRACE ("NE 64 TERRACE RIGHT OF WAY") GENERALLY BOUNDED BY NORTHEAST 67 STREET TO THE NORTH, NORTHEAST 7 AVENUE TO THE EAST, NORTHEAST 64 STREET TO THE SOUTH, AND BISCAYNE BOULEVARD TO THE WEST, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.4, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 67 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.5 ORDINANCE Second Reading 18590 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AN AMENDMENT, IN A FORM Planning ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI FREEDOM PARK, LLC ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION VIA ORDINANCE NO. 14094 AND RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 33783, PAGE 2301 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA GOVERNING THE PROPERTIES GENERALLY LOCATED AT 4000 NORTHWEST 14 STREET AND 1900/1950 NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE TO UPDATE SECTION 14 AND EXHIBIT D OF THE DEVELOPMENT REGARDING PUBLIC BENEFITS, CONSISTENT WITH THE RELATED LEASE DOCUMENTS, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, A DRAFT OF WHICH IS ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A;" MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: Item PZ.5 was deferred to the February 12, 2026, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.5, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 68 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.6 ORDINANCE Second Reading 18487 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE Planning ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1/SECTION 1.2, TITLED "DEFINITIONS/DEFINITION OF TERMS" TO INTRODUCE A DEFINITION FOR "ADULT DAYCARE INDOOR ACTIVITY AREA"; FURTHER AMENDING ARTICLE 4, TITLED "STANDARDS AND TABLES," TABLE 3, TITLED "BUILDING FUNCTION: USES," TO INCLUDE A CROSS REFERENCE TO SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS AND TABLE 4, TITLED "DENSITY, INTENSITY AND PARKING," TO CLARIFY PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR ADULT DAYCARE; AND BY AMENDING ARTICLE 6, TITLED "SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS," TO ALLOW ADULT DAYCARE FACILITIES BY -RIGHT OR BY PROCESS OF WARRANT WITHIN CERTAIN SPECIFIED TRANSECT ZONES AND WHEN SPECIFIED CRITERIA ARE MET; PROVIDING FOR CRITERIA; MAKING FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.6, please see "Order of the Day" and Item Number PZ.3. Chair King: We need a motion to defer PZ.6 because we're not going to be here until after 5 o'clock. Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, to what meeting? Mayor Higgins: Madam Chair, if I may? Chair King: Madam Mayor? Mayor Higgins: It's a pretty simple fix of city code to allow this to be held and heard City of Miami Page 69 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 during the regularly scheduled meetings. It does require two readings, my understanding from the city attorney, so we'll get to work on that during February for your February meeting so that we can continue to comply with state statute but also hear these items should our meetings continue to progress the way they are, where we start on time, we discuss things, and we move along the city business. So, with your permission, I'll get that on the next agenda. Chair King: Okay, so let's defer it until April. Mr. Hannon: April9th? Chair King: Oh, actually, let's indefinitely defer it, and that way we can bring it back whenever we want. So, once we clear up the legislation, we'll just bring it back. So, let's indefinitely defer it. Do I have a notion? Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Commissioner Gabela: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Item carries. PZ.7 ORDINANCE Second Reading 18259 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Department of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY Planning OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.9, TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES/SPECIAL AREA PLANS," CLARIFYING PUBLIC BENEFIT REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SPECIAL AREA PLANS ("SAP"); AND AMENDING SECTION 3.14, TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES/PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAM," CLARIFYING HOW SAP PUBLIC BENEFITS ARE CALCULATED; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14440 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.7, please see "Order of the Day" and Item Number PZ.3. City of Miami Page 70 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.8 ORDINANCE First Reading 18481 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS Planning AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO §163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FROM "MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF REAL PROPERTY AT 500, 522, AND 544 NORTHEAST 78 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.8, please see "Order of the Day." PZ.9 ORDINANCE First Reading 18482 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, Planning FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "T4-R," GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE — RESTRICTED, TO "T5-O," URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE - OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTIES GENERALLY LOCATED AT 500 NORTHEAST 78 STREET, 522 NORTHEAST 78 STREET, AND 544 NORTHEAST 78 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.9, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 71 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.10 ORDINANCE First Reading 18675 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS Planning AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO §163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FROM "DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL" AND "MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES" TO "LOW DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF REAL PROPERTY AT 145 AND 151 NORTHWEST 60 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.10, please see "Order of the Day." PZ.11 ORDINANCE First Reading 18676 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE Planning NO. 13114, THE ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ("MIAMI 21 CODE") BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "CI," CIVIC INSTITUTION ZONE, AND "T3- O,"SUB-URBAN TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, TO "T4-L," GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE — LIMITED, FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 151 NORTHWEST 60 STREET AND 145 NORTHWEST 60 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; FURTHER RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTANCE OF THE VOLUNTARILY PROFFERED COVENANT ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.11, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 72 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.12 ORDINANCE First Reading 18014 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Department of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY Planning OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), AMENDING ARTICLE 6, TITLED "SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS," TO CLARIFY AUTO -RELATED COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS, UPDATE ASSOCIATED DESIGN STANDARDS, AND STREAMLINE THE PROCESS FOR THE REESTABLISHMENT OF THOSE RECENTLY OPERATING; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.12, please see Item Number PZ.3. PZ.13 ORDINANCE First Reading 18479 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE Planning ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, TITLED "DEFINITIONS," TO INTRODUCE AND CLARIFY DEFINITIONS RELATED TO VESSELS; FURTHER AMENDING ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.6, TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES/OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS," AND ARTICLE 6, SECTION 6.1, TABLE 13, TITLED "SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS/INTENT AND EXCLUSIONS," TO CREATE CONSISTENCY WITH THE DEFINITIONS AND ESTABLISH AND UPDATE REGULATIONS, PROCESSES, AND BY RIGHT CRITERIA PERTAINING TO VESSELS, BOAT SLIPS, BOAT HOUSES, AND DOCKS / PIERS; FURTHER AMENDING ARTICLE 6, SECTION 6.3, TITLED "SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS/COMMERCIAL USES," TO ESTABLISH A NEW SUBSECTION REGULATING MARINE -RELATED COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.13, please see "Public Comments for allltem(s)" and Item Number PZ.3. City of Miami Page 73 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 PZ.14 18657 Department of Planning RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY ELVIS CRUZ AND REVERSING/AFFIRMING/MODIFYING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD'S APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 23- 6.2(B)(4) OF THE CODE OF CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, OF THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TO PERMIT MODIFICATIONS TO PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PLANS FOR RENOVATION OF A CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE AND NEW CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE MIMO/BISCAYNE BOULEVARD HISTORIC DISTRICT LOCATED APPROXIMATELY AT 5101 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA, 33137, WITH FOLIO NUMBERS 01-3219-018-0070 AND 01- 3219-017-0090. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0054 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Escalona, Rosado ABSTAIN: Pardo Note for the Record: Commissioner Pardo abstained from voting on item PZ.14 and submitted a FORM 8B MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS with the Office of the City Clerk on February 6, 2026, in accordance with Section 112.3143, Florida Statutes. Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.14, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)." Chair King: Now, we have PZ.14. Did I miss any? I don't think so. Everything -- PZ.14. Okay. We have PZ.14, which could not have been a block vote. George Wysong (City Attorney): Yeah, it's a quasi-judicial -- Chair King: It's a quasi-judicial item. Mr. City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: Madam Chair, first thing I wanted to say is Commissioner Pardo has indicated he has a voting conflict. He has submitted the form, and he has exited from the chambers because it's a quasi-judicial hearing. And Anther Ketterer, Division Chief of Land Use and Transaction, will handle the appeal Pr this. Chair King: Thank you. Madam City Attorney. Amber Ketterer (Senior Assistant City Attorney): Good morning, Commissioners. As you know, this is an appeal from a HEP (Historic and Environmental Preservation) decision. It was an application for a special certificate of appropriateness. The HEP Board did approve with conditions, and there was an appeal .filed by Mr. Cruz. His City of Miami Page 74 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 appeal -- the sole reason for his appeal was based on a settlement agreement. There is a settlement agreement regarding this property. In terms of your view, it is a de novo hearing. So, it is based on the criteria in Chapter 23, which is the Secretary of Interior Standards, based on the intent of Chapter 23 and any specific historic guidelines for that area. Any challenge to this regarding the settlement agreement, that jurisdiction lies exclusively with the courts. And in the settlement agreement, it expressly indicates that the court has the sole jurisdiction to enforce and/or interpret that settlement agreement. So, your review is limited to the standards in Chapter 23. Chair King: And you're asking us to do -- uphold the appeal or deny the appeal? Ms. Ketterer: So, I would recommend that, you know, you give the -- the -- Mr. Cruz an opportunity to present his -- Chair King: 1 am going to do that, but based on what -- Ms. Ketterer: But what -- Chair King: -- you just said -- Ms. Ketterer: Based on the filing -- Chair King: -- it lies solely with the court. Ms. Ketterer: Correct. So, based on the appeal filed, it does not seem that there is competent substantial evidence to grant the appeal. Commissioner Gabela: I'm a no on this, butt want to hear what he has to say. Chair King: We have to hear what he has to say. We're required to. Okay, Mr. Cruz, you may start. Elvis Cruz: Elvis Cruz, 631 Northeast 57th Street, since 1977. Commissioners, my appeal is based on some important history. This property was the subject of a lawsuit originating in 2006, which was settled with a settlement agreement and restrictive covenants in 2014, which are still in effect. And now I will pass out those two documents and walk you through some brief highlights. Chair King: Mr. Cruz, you have five minutes for your -- I'm going to give you extra time because you took time to pass. You have five minutes. Mr. Cruz: Madam Chair, the clock is running even though they were -- okay. Chair King: Todd, reset the time. Mr. Cruz: Okay, so settlement agreement, you can see it was registered with the county. Let's open it up to the first page, which has a number two at the bottom. This settlement agreement is entered into between Morningside Civic Association, Elvis Cruz, Bayside, and the City of Miami. So, at the bottom of page four, the existing two - City of Miami Page 75 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 story historic structure of the Bayside Motor Inn consists of 13,500 square feet. Again, historic structure. Carlos Diaz: Madam Chair, ifI may object very quickly. I think the City -- Chair King: No, allow him to do his presentation. Please, thank you. Mr. Diaz: Sure. I just -- I just -- Chair King: You're interrupting. Mr. Diaz: Okay. Chair King: Give him an opportunity. Mr. Diaz: Go ahead. Mr. Cruz: Okay, the next paragraph I'm going to read is from page .five. This is the most important paragraph that I will mention today. Please pay special attention. The foregoing recitals are true, correct, and incorporated herein by reference, and no party shall raise, and each party expressly, knowingly, and voluntarily waives any defense to the enforcement of this agreement based on any assertion that it is unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, public policy considerations. Next page. The City agrees that in order to encourage the preservation of the historic property, the City gives TDRs (Transfer of Development Rights) and certificate of transfers, then if the property qualifies as an eligible contributing resource for the purposes of the TDR program and that Bayside will apply to the HEP Board for approval of the rehabilitation project. The City recognizes the additional costs, and so the City gave them a special deal, a multiplier of four times the square footage, giving them 459,000 square feet of total unused development rights. The agreement is binding upon Bayside, as well as its heirs, successors, and interests and shall serve as a covenant running with the property. And the property owner, Bayside, expressly agrees to adhere to the requirements for the preservation of eligible historic resources and they expressly agree to file a restrictive covenant. And signed off by myself, Morningside, and the city attorney. And so now, let's go to the restrictive covenant. So, in this document, first page, the property in question is the sending property, a two-story historically designated and contributing property of approximately 15,000 square feet. The sending property shall be preserved and maintained in accordance with this declaration and city code, according to the special certificate of appropriateness approved by the HEP Board, 14-006, and the building shall be preserved in accordance with the existing conditions and maintenance schedule. And this shall apply to all present and future owners of the property. And this was signed off by city attorney, by historic preservation officer, zoning administrator and director of Planning and Zoning. Okay, so with that as background, in summary, the three parties agreed that the original lawsuit would be withdrawn, that the property was historic, that the owners would be granted a special deal of TDRs with a multiplier of four, and that the property owner would preserve, renovate, and maintain the existing building. The property owner sold many of the TDRs and raised money that was required to be spent to preserve and restore the buildings. But then in 2017, the property, owners changed their mind. They went back to the City and asked for permission to demolish one of the two buildings so they could build something different. Pause. Mr. City Attorney -- excuse me, Mr. City Clerk, I'd like to enter those documents that I've passed out as evidence into the City of Miami Page 76 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 public record as part of this proceeding. Thank you. So, the City ignored the requirements of the settlement agreement and restrictive covenant. The item went to the HEP Board. The City did not tell the HEP Board about the settlement agreement and restrictive covenant, and the HEP Board approved the demolition. I then appealed it to the City Commission. I did indeed tell the Commission about the agreement and the restrictive covenant. The City Commission didn't seem to care about -- Chair King: Mr. Cruz? Mr. Cruz: -- that contract. Yes ma'am? Chair King: Five minutes, thank you. Mr. Cruz: So, I'm no longer allowed to speak? Chair King.: Your time is up. (INAUDIBLE). Mr. Cruz: Okay, just want to make it on the record known that 1 feel like there was not given adequate time, but thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Okay, sir. Mr. Diaz: Mr. Chair, Madam Chair, City Commissioners, Carlos Diaz with offices at 33 Southeast 2nd Avenue. We introduced a binder into the record which has all the items that the HEP Board reviewed when they unanimously approved this project. 1 want to make that part of the record. I just want to touch two points very quickly on Mr. Cruz's presentation. He talked a lot about the settlement agreement. As the city attorney mentioned, that settlement agreement is under litigation. It has an exclusive jurisdiction clause which says it has to be litigated in the circuit court. That case is pending, so nothing about the settlement agreement is relevant to this case or should be considered. Second point, Mr. Cruz mentioned a restricted covenant. I'll put into the record now that covenant has been amended and restated in 2025. And it says here, the declaration amends, restates, and replaces in its entirety. The third declaration of restricted covenants recorded October 3rd, 2014, which is the one that Mr. Cruz mentioned. I just put that into the record, so that's a document that has been superseded. As to the appeal today, this is very, very simple, right? This is a project that was approved in 2017, as Mr. Cruz said. In 2017, he appealed to the City Commission,, to the circuit court, and to the appellate court and lost at all levels. That project is the one that you see on the top. That project is approved. We can build that project today. A new owner bought the property and modified the design to what it looks like on the bottom. We have the architects here who'll explain how this meets the criteria. This was presented to the historic board, staff issued a recommendation of approval. The HEP Board unanimously approved the new design. That's all that's in front of you today is the change from one design to another. All the experts agree that it meets the guidelines. Mr. Cruz is obviously not an architectural expert and has not said anything about the change in design in the project. So, with that, I conclude my presentation and remain to answer any questions you may have. Chair King: Mr. Cruz, do you have a rebuttal? Mr. Cruz: Thank you, Madam Chair, yes. So, if I could put up on the screen what I City of Miami Page 77 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 have and on my laptop, if the people in the back could plug me in. Chair King: Is anyone addressing the IT (Information Technology) request? Mr. Cruz: There we go, okay. So, this is one of the display boards that the attorney showed at the HEP Board. And the HEP Board's decision was based on some flawed information. You'll notice that they said that -- yeah, there it is. Great, thank you for that. That they received a building permit issued for a 27 special certificate of appropriateness. They got that on October 12th of 2023. So, as you may be aware, under the City of Miami's Zoning Code, Section 23 -- excuse me, the City Code, Section 23-6.2(g), the certificate of appropriateness expired after one year. And yet, they went and somehow got a building permit six and a half years later. I'm not sure that that's legal. Also, they said I had no lawsuits, no pending lawsuits regarding this property. That's what they told the HEP Board. And you'll notice their display board only lists an appellate decision of February 2nd, 2018. They neglected to mention two current cases 1 have pending before the court, circuit court case number 2021- 010716-CA-01. And second, at the Third District Court of Appeals, case number 3D- 2024-2199. Regarding the issue of whether or not what they're proposing is in violation or not in violation of the settlement agreement, I would let everybody within the sound of my voice know that this is extremely disturbing, the idea that the City can enter into a binding contract with the public, and yet the City can then turn around and ignore that binding contract. I'd like to point out that during the various court hearings that we've had, at one point, the City argued that the settlement agreement was not a legally binding contract because the City had sovereign immunity. Essentially saying that the City does not have to obey any of its own contracts because they are the city. What nerve, what blatant dishonesty. Both the circuit court and the Third DCA (District Court of Appeals) disagreed with the City for good reason. And you can look that up, that's case number 3D21-2424, June 22nd, 2022. So, in closing, I would ask this commission to do the right thing to not reinforce a violation of a settlement agreement and not reinforce the misbehavior on the part of the city administration and uphold the appeal. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Diaz: I will be extremely brief. So, again, this is not about the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement is in circuit court. Nothing about the settlement agreement has to do with substantial competent evidence that was presented at the HEP Board and is presented as part of your record. Since we presented sufficient substantial competent evidence that the proposed design is compatible with the applicable rules and guidelines, we ask that you uphold the HEP Board decision and deny Mr. Cruz's appeal. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Gentlemen, any discussion on this item? Are we ready to vote? Okay. Do I have a motion to grant the appeal? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Madam City Attorney, so either the motion is to grant or deny the appeal. Chair King: I said to grant the appeal first. I'll go first with that. Seeing no motion, do I have a motion to deny the appeal? Wait a minute. Commissioner Gabela: Motion. City of Miami Page 78 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 Chair King: Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Okay, 1 have a motion to deny the appeal. Motion? Commissioner Rosado: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Mr. Hannon: As amended, 4-0. Chair King: As amended. Thank you. Mr. Cruz: Thank you, everybody. Commissioner Gabela: Thank you. Mr. Cruz: See you in court. END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S) City of Miami Page 79 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 NA.1 18823 City Commission NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S) RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STRENUOUSLY AND VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE FEDERAL SANCTIONS AND EXPORT -CONTROL LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRANSACTIONS WITH, AND BENEFITING, THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA AND CUBA- RESTRICTED ENTITIES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT THIS RESOLUTION TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND AGENCIES IDENTIFIED HEREIN; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0053 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado Chair King: And now may / have a motion to -- Commissioner Gabela: The resolution. Chair King: -- adopt a resolution urging -- say it. George Wysong (City Attorney): I would say the federal government and all appropriate enforcement authorities to vigorously investigate and enforce laws related to doing business with Cuba. We'll obviously wordsmith that a little bit better, but that would be the intention of the -- Commissioner Gabela: So, motion. Mr. Wysong: -- resolution. Commissioner Rosado: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and I have a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries. City of Miami Page 80 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 NA.2 18827 Office of the City Clerk DISCUSSION ITEM UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE FEBRUARY 12, 2026, MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER OF JOE CAROLLO V. CITY OF MIAMI, ET AL., CASE NO. 2006-014464-CA-01, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FLORIDA, TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH INCLUDE THE CHAIRWOMAN CHRISTINE KING, COMMISSIONERS MIGUEL ANGEL GABELA, DAMIAN PARDO, ROLANDO ESCALONA, AND RALPH "RAFAEL" ROSADO; CITY MANAGER JAMES REYES; AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL FABIAN A. RUIZ. A CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THE SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE -CITED, ONGOING LITIGATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE PERSON PRESIDING OVER THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION. RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair King: At this time, George need -- our city attorney needs to make a statement for the record. George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, and before I read the script in the record, I want to, with a point of privilege, to introduce -- we have students here from Lynn University College of Business with their professor, Wendy Wallberg. Please wave to the city commission and the mayor. Applause. Mr. Wysong: They drove all the way down from Boca to observe an efficiently run City of Miami Commission meeting. So, thank you for coming and attending. We also have three interns from our spring program. They're students from St. Thomas University School of Law and University of Miami School of Law, so welcome. And now back to business. Script for request for attorney -client session. City of Miami Page 81 Printed on 03/09/2026 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2026 ADJOURNMENT The Attorney -Client Session was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: Thank you, Madam Chair. Chair King: Thank you. And this shall conclude the City of Miami Commission meeting for January 22nd, 2026. Thank you to my colleagues. The meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m. City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 03/09/2026