HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2026-04-23 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 23, 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 April 23, 2026
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chairwoman King, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner
Escalona, and Commissioner Rosado.
On the 23rd day of April 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 9:14 a.m.,
recessed at 12:09 p.m., reconvened at 3:05 p.m., recessed at 3:06 p.m., reconvened at 3:54
p.m., and adjourned at 4:42 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
James Reyes, City Manager
George K. Wysong III, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Chair King: (INAUDIBLE) City of Miami Commission meeting for April 23, 2026. Good to see
everyone. We are going to get started in a few minutes. Good morning again. We have some
proclamations today, and today is also a special day. It's Bring Your Children to Work Day.
And we have several kids here that are with their parents.
Presentation made.
Chair King: Okay. Who would like to say the pledge of allegiance for us? So, let's face the
.flag.
Pledge of Allegiance delivered.
Chair King: And at this time, we are going to have our pastor this morning will start us off in
prayer. Good morning.
Natacha West: Good morning. I am Pastor Natacha West, and I pastor St. Mary's Wesleyan
Methodist Church in the City of Miami. Let's go into prayer. If you don't mind, I would like to
ask a favor. Can you hold the hand of the person that's standing next to you? Every now and
then we need to learn how to unite. We just need to learn how to unite. We're in this together.
Invocation delivered.
Chair King: Thank you, thank you. What a wonderful way to begin our commission meeting.
City ofMiami
Page 1 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2026
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1 PROTOCOL ITEM
19224
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
Bring Your Child to Work Day
Mayor and
Commissioners
Salute
National Child Abuse
Awareness Month
Mayor and
Commissioners
Proclamation
Monty Trainer
Mayor and
Commissioners
Proclamation and
Key to the City
RESULT:
PRESENTED
Chair King: And at this time, we're going to do some recognitions.
Presentations made.
Chair King: I would also like to say a warm hello to former Commissioner Rosario
Kennedy who's here with us today.
Applause.
Chair King: She helped shape the city. Love seeing her.
1) Mayor Higgins and Commissioners recognized the children that participated in the
"Bring Your Child to Work Day." Elected Officials warmly welcomed the young
guests and highlighted the importance of introducing them to public service at an
early age.
2) Mayor Higgins and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to raise awareness
and proclaim the month of April 2026 as "National Child Abuse Awareness Month"
in the City of Miami, emphasizing the community's commitment to protecting its
most vulnerable residents. Special recognition was given to the Police Department's
Special Victims Unit for their dedication and swift response in critical situations.
The Department of Children and Families was also commended for its ongoing
efforts to safeguard children and provide essential support services. Miami -Dade
County Public Schools were acknowledged for their role in identing concerns and
working closely with authorities to ensure student safety. The proclamation
specifically praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in the successful
recovery of a child reported lost by a City of Miami resident.
3) Mayor Higgins and Commissioners presented a Proclamation and Key to the City to
Monty Trainer in recognition of his lasting impact on the community. Fondly known
as the "Grove Father, " he was honored for his decades of dedication to preserving
the spirit and character of Coconut Grove. His establishment, Monty's, became a
beloved gathering place that helped define the neighborhood's culture and charm.
Elected Officials also acknowledged his instrumental role in supporting and
promoting the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, one of the city's most iconic cultural
events. Speakers highlighted his generosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment
City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
ORDER OF THE DAY
to the Grove and its residents. The Key to the City symbolized the community's deep
appreciation and respect for him. The presentation concluded with heartfelt remarks
celebrating his legacy and enduring contributions to the City of Miami.
Chair King: At this time, Mr. City Attorney, would you please read your statement --
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair, thank you.
Chair King: -- for the record?
Mr. Wysong: Good morning. George Wysong, City Attorney, City of Miami. Detailed
information about the processes, order of business, rules of procedure, and
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 the 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 the City Code section is available at
the Office of the City Clerk or online at www.municode.com. The Miami city -- 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 this meeting as part of the agenda materials will be
entered into the record at the City Commission's discretion. In accordance with
Section 2-330 and (g) of the City Code, the agenda and materials 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 9:45 a.m. and remain open until public comment is closed by the
chairperson. Any person making offensive remarks or who 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 he allowed in the Commission Chambers.
Persons exiting the Commission Chambers shall do so quietly, please. 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 form have been and
will be distributed to the elected officials, their staff and City administration
throughout the day so that 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, their staff, and
the 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
City ofMiami Page 3 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
the proposition is being considered 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 the 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
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 Office of
Communications or view it online at www.miamigov.com. 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 testing on
behalf of the applicant, appellant, or appellee may be present physically 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 Section 286.0115 and Section 7.1.4.5 of the
Miami 21 Zoning Ordinance. The order ofpresentation 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
noisemaking devices. This meeting can be viewed live here on Miami TV, the City's
Facebook page, the City's Twitter page, the City's YouTube channel, and the
Comcast Channel 77. The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Thank you,
Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Madam City Clerk, would you please
read your statement for the record?
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): Yes, good morning. 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 me, the Assistant City
Clerk, immediately after I 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 and/or quasi-judicial items.
Commissioners, are you comfortable with all of the notice provisions set forth in
these uniform rules of procedure we have established for this meeting?
Chair King: Yes.
Ms. Ewan: And Madam Chair, can I go ahead and administer the oath for our
Planning and Zoning items?
Chair King: Please.
City ofMiami Page 4 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Ms. Ewan: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning. If you will he
speaking on any of today's Planning and Zoning items, may I please have you stand
and raise your right hand? That's only Planning and Zoning items.
The Assistant City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to
those persons giving testimony on zoning items.
Ms. Ewan: Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. Mr. City Manager, do you have any items on this agenda
that will be withdrawn or deferred?
James Reyes (City Manager): Good morning, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor,
Commissioners. The Administration would like to defer or withdraw the following
items: RE.3, to be deferred to the May 14th meeting. That's RE.3 to be deferred to
the May 14th meeting. RE.6, to be withdrawn. RE.6, to be withdrawn. RE.12, to be
withdrawn. RE.12, to be withdrawn. And finally, RE.13, to be withdrawn. RE.13, to
be withdrawn.
Chair King: There are no PZ items that are going to be deferred?
Mr. Reyes: PZ.3, to be deferred to May 14th meeting, PZ.3.
Chair King: I asked for PZ.3 to he indefinitely deferred.
Mr. Reyes: PZ.3, to be indefinitely deferred.
Chair King: Okay. Gentlemen, are there any items on this agenda that you would
like to defer or withdraw? Commissioner Gabela?
Commissioner Gabela: No, I'm good.
Chair King: Commissioner --
Commissioner Escalona: No.
Chair King: Commissioner Rosado? No. At this time, may I have a motion to set the
agenda?
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, and that's unanimous. Thank you, Chair.
My apologies for the interruption. Briefly, I just want to state a cosponsor request
for the record. Commissioner Escalona will be cosponsoring PZ.4. And it's my
understanding that there is going to be a pocket item regarding fireworks at Inter
Miami Nu Stadium. I'm not sure if we have the title.
Chair King: You have the title for that, George?
Mr. Wysong: I have the title, yes.
City ofMiami Page 5 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Wysong: Pocket item. A resolution of the Miami City Commission issuing a
fireworks display waiver pursuant to Chapter 19, Section 7 of the Code of the City of
Miami, Florida, as amended, titled "Fire Protection, Manufacture, Sale, Time of
Display and Discharge of Fireworks," to allow for a fireworks display in connection
with the Inter Miami CF soccer games for the 2026 season, to be held on April 25,
May 2nd, May 17th, May 24, July 22nd, August 1, August 8, August 12, August 22,
August 29, September 5, September 12, September 20, October 10, October 14,
October 28, and November 7 in Miami, Florida.
Mr. Hannon: And Chair, I just need to read a brief statement into the record for
PZ.3. 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.
Chair King.: Thank you. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ALL ITEM(S)
19222 DISCUSSION ITEM
Office of the City PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
Clerk PUBLIC FOR THE APRIL 23, 2026, CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Chair King: And at this time, we're going to open the floor for public comment. You
may speak on any item that is before us, not the items that were withdrawn or
deferred. And if we can keep the line to five at a time so we don't block the exits, our
Fire Department is standing by to make sure that that rule is enforced. And good
morning.
Debbie Dolson: Good morning.
Chair King: Ladies --
Ms. Dolson: 1 get to go before Elvis, wow. Thank you.
Chair King: -- ladies first.
Ms. Dolson: Debbie Dolson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove. 1'd like to first
speak about PH 7. I urge you to allocate funds for the historic Ace Theater in
Coconut Grove. It's a jewel in West Grove/Little Bahamas/Coconut Grove, period,
and it needs restoration, so please support that. I'd also like to speak about RE.10.
Last meeting, there was a lot, a lot of conversation about what's fair and what's not
fair, and the word `fair" came up all the time during that conversation. This is about
the use of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. District 2 had requested parks and
affordable housing, but changing the rules in the middle of the game is also not fair.
That request was made, and all of a sudden, it's not fair. So, whether you change the
rules or not, whether you knew about it or not, that's something to be looked at in the
City of Miami
Page 6 Printed on OS/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
future, but I don't see how that can possibly affect the request that's on the table. It
needs to be considered and not affected by what people think are fair or not fair.
Also, on RE.5 and RE.18, both election schedule items, I'm sure you know that for
the first time in a hundred years, Coral Gables voted. The voters voted by a two to
one margin to move to even -number year voting elections in November. I urge the
City of Miami to support Stronger Miami for even -year voting, smaller districts, and
more commissioners. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Elvis Cruz: Good morning. Elvis Cruz. To start positive, I'm glad the Ace Theater
will be restored, should have happened years ago. But RE.17 is financially horrible.
The City wants $450 million because they showed the media water leaks in fire and
police station. They want to blame the buildings for the poor performance of people.
They call it deferred maintenance, but that's really a euphemism for irresponsible
neglect. The City won't do simple maintenance like change a shower pan, yet they
want us to give them millions to demolish then build new buildings that they won't
maintain either. Why is it that 1 can maintain my house built in 1927 with my limited
income, but the City of Miami can't maintain fire and police stations built in 1962
and 1976 with their operating budget of $1.2 billion? The City of Miami tries to use
its own incompetence to justify continuing its own incompetence. If you maintain a
building, it can last forever. Have you ever been to Europe? Mr. City Manager, it's
clear you need to make some personnel changes. Commissioners, please don't
reward dereliction of duty with more money to waste. Make them clean up their act.
Please vote no. Next, Item RE.7 would name a city street to honor a criminal. Yes,
it's that crazy. This is a classic City of Miami WTF. He pled guilty to voter fraud.
Later, while a city, commissioner; he was charged with exploitation of public office.
He resigned and pled guilty. He twice betrayed the public trust and wants you to
reward him for it. His name belongs in a hall of shame, but instead, he wants you to
put it on a street sign in front of his house in his honor. I'd like to say this will be an
embarrassment for the City, but one of the many things I've learned in the 46 years
I've been coming to Miami City Hall is that the City of Miami is incapable of feeling
embarrassment. Please vote no. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
John Dolson: Hi, John Dolson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove. PH. 7 is a no-
brainer. Let's do the Ace Theater. Even -year elections, I support Stronger Miami.
Don 't put it off We should be doing it like Coral Gables did. Now, RE.10, Affordable
Housing Trust Fund, I love this fund. The concept is great. To paraphrase Cousin
Eddie in the movie Christmas Vacation, this is jelly of the month. It's the gift that
keeps on giving. As we grow up and get more and more dense, we have developers
paying into this find to be used in the city for open space, affordable housing, and so
on and so forth. Christine -- Commissioner King, I'm glad you were able to pull from
this fund a couple weeks ago. Commissioner Gabela, I'm glad you're going to be
able to pull from it in the future. District 2 is a donor district. We poured a lot of
money into this, and all we're asking for is to claw a little bit of it back to put in the
Village West. And I'd like to see Commissioner Rosado get his piece of this that he
asked for two weeks ago. So, allocate the funds. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Sandy Moise: Good morning. Sandy Moise, 5910 Northeast 6th Court, Miami. Here
to say please vote yes on PH 7 to use City's Miami For Everyone Program funds for
Ace Theater. I had previously recommended funds from MFE (Miami For Everyone)
be allocated for the Olympia Theater renovations as was done for the Sandrell
Rivers Theater in Liberty City, which could have saved our city's most valuable
City ofMiami
Page 7 Printed on OS/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
cultural asset. Requesting a deferral on RE.18 until meaningful conversations with
the community can be held. Vote no on RE.10. We have already seen what these so-
called capital improvements do to our parks. At Morningside Park, a recent project
decimated greenspace in one of our Miami's most beautiful public assets. We lost
mature trees, some killed after a contractor pumped saltwater from the tidal basin
directly back into the park, and this happened without adequate mitigation.
Residents should not be asked to fund more projects that pave over natural areas,
remove tree canopy, and replace living landscapes with concrete. Not one more
dollar should go towards improvements that degrade our parks. Surely it should go
towards finding more greenspace for our parks. Regarding affordable housing, we
know we're putting up affordable housing that's not affordable for the people who
really need it to be afforded for them. Vote a hard no on RE.17. Public trust is
already broken. Yes, our police and firefighters, the heroes in our community,
deserve regular maintenance on their facilities before they deteriorated. But
proposing any new bonds, the City must clean house, conduct a forensic audit of
spending. Stop spend -- giving away our public assets for pennies on the dollar,
whether it's the Olympia Theater for $10 or the Watson Island parcel as a fraction.
And stop spending taxpayer money on glossy videos and social media campaigns to
sell bad deals to the public. The City needs to take a hard look at its salaries; 77
percent of the City's operating budget goes to salary, an increase in just -- in 57
percent in just five years. At the same time, the City has failed to properly manage
even modest allocations, like the $180,000 dedicated to --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Moise: -- community engagementfor Chapter 17.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Moise: Thank you so much.
Chair King: Good morning.
Rick Madan: Good morning, Commissioners, Madam Mayor. My name is Rick
Madan, representing the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association. I live at 2900
Northeast 7th Avenue. We're here today to advocate for our community's future in
Edgewater. Regarding RE.10, we strongly support the $15 million allocation for the
Public Benefits Trust Fund. This is a vital opportunity to invest in District 2. We urge
you to prioritize these funds for the long overdue completion of the bay walk, critical
waterfront access, and essential neighborhood park upgrades. In a high -density area
like ours, these projects are not luxuries. They are essential to our quality of life.
PZ.3 was deferred, 1 guess. Regarding RE.5 and RE.18, we support these charter
amendments to align mayoral and commissioner elections with (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
cycles. We believe these changes will increase voter participation and ensure that
those who represent us at City Hall are chosen by a larger, more engaged cross-
section of our community. Thank you for your time and your commitment to the
future of our city.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Yvonne Bayona: Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you for allowing us to speak
here today and giving us our opinion. In regards to the police and fire station,
obviously, I am opposing to this bond. We are in very difficult economic times. We
should not burden our taxpayers again with this kind of expense. The City should
have taken care of this a very long time ago and not allow these buildings to go
under these circumstances. Unfortunately, we have a lot of employees in the City of
Miami that make over six figures. Maybe you consider some of them reducing their
City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
salaries. Thirdly, you have a lot of property you're going to sell. I'm sure you're
selling the MRC (Miami Riverside Center) property. You're going to be selling the
police station property. Are they moving to the new stadium? And I'm sure that this
wonderful building, also this property which is prime property, will he sold in the
near future. So, with all these funds that you'll get from all these sales, you would
have enough money to be able to restore the police and the fare department. As far as
an avenue to be named under Commissioner Gonzalez, I don't think the City should
adequately do this right now. I think you should study this and should remove it also
from the -- you should remove it from -- defer it or remove it, whatever. I think that
once you have a criminal record, you should not have any kind of street named after
you. Actually, the City should pass an ordinance that any of the employees that work
for the City that have any criminal record should also not be allowed to work for the
City. As far as Ultra is concerned, I think this item needs to be deferred. It's under
litigation and should not be heard and discussed today. Thank you. Have a great
day.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Terrell Frig: Good morning, Madam Chair, City Commissioners, Madam Mayor.
Terrell Frig, III East Flagler Street, and executive director of the Flagler Business
Improvement District. On behalf of the BID (Business Improvement District) Board,
I'm here in support of FR.3, allowing alcohol service establishments to operate
sidewalk cafes within the Flagler Specialty District. This amendment is both
practical and necessary, an adjustment for the historic core of Downtown Miami.
Many of the storefronts in our district are small, legacy retail spaces that are
difficult to lease under conventional restaurant models. They require -- that require
full kitchens or large footprints. Allowing properly permitted bar -type establishments
to activate the sidewalk helps make these spaces viable again. Equally important,
sidewalk cafes support the pedestrian -friendly environment we are working to
rebuild on Flagler Street. Tables, chairs, and people returning to the front of
buildings, streets become safer, more visible, and more attractive to new tenants and
visitors. So, we are now five years -- some five years into what was planned as a two -
and -a -half -year streetscape project. And thanks to the City, it is moving forward
rapidly and we are excited. This amendment helps ensure that public investment can
begin delivering the intended benefits and is carefully limited to the Flagler
Specialty District. It simply allows existing businesses to participate in the same
sidewalk cafe framework already available to restaurants. As our historic
commercial district transitions into a Flagler mixed -use neighborhood, this is a very
significant step forward. I want to thank you for your consideration, and we would
appreciate your support.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kristen Browde: Good morning. Kristen Browde, 888 Biscayne Boulevard,
representing the 560 families who live in that high-rise, one of 10 or 12 high-rise
buildings with more going up along Biscayne Boulevard and in that area. I'm here
on RE.8, which is a no-brainer. You should defer it. You -- it is truly one of the few
whose side are you on issues. Are you on the side of the people who sent you here,
who elected you? Or are you on the side of people who come into our communities
for a couple of days and disrupt it? We welcome the economic activity of Ultra.
We've asked Ultra to do some simple things to mitigate the noise that makes some of
our buildings completely unlivable during that ceremony. They have said to us, we'll
do it after the vote when they have no incentive to do so. We've asked them year after
year to turn their stages around and point them towards the water. Biscayne Bay is
right behind Biscayne Park. They can point the speakers that way. They won't do it.
They point them towards the buildings, which makes many of our buildings literally
uninhabitable. 888 Biscayne, where I live, is almost half a mile away from where the
City ofMiami
Page 9 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
main stage is. Our floors and windows vibrate due to the noise levels during Ultra.
Simple mitigation, pointing the speakers the other way, reducing by a few decibels
the sound levels would be easy ways to fix this, but they won't negotiate, and they've
given you a contract which will hurt our neighborhoods, which will hurt the 30,000
residents of Downtown right now with more buildings' going up every day. There will
be 50,000 or 60,000 voters living downtown by the end of this 20-year contract. Do
you want them to remember you as the people who gave them the middle finger, or
do you want them to know that you have responded to their concerns? I urge you to
defer it or vote against it.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mel Meinhardt: Good morning. Mel Meinhardt, Virginia Street. Madam Chair,
Madam Mayor, Commissioners, RE -- Resolution RE.18 as presented contains a
fundamental flaw and should be deferred. Whatever it's good intention, it asks voters
to accept a trade that they should never have to make, that if they want better
governance, they must first give up something to those already in office. In practical
effect, RE.18 asks the public to accept an additional year in office for current
officials as part of its reform. This is the wrong premise. At its conception, the trade
presented by RE.18 is a holdover from an earlier chapter in the Commission's
history, shaped for different commissioners in a different political calculus, but that
chapter is closed. What remains is just the price, and the public should not be asked
to pay that price. No one here is suggesting had intent, but when an election timing
becomes negotiable, even for reasons presented as practical or beneficial, public
trust can erode quickly. In democracy, citizens should not have to bargain for good
government. Good governance is not a concession. It's the duty of those elected to
serve. More than 21,000 people signed the Stronger Miami petitions to put this
question before the voters. It's a serious civic effort and a clear call to action. So, I
urge you to defer RE.18 and return to a proposal that respects the first principles.
Give people a choice, not a condition. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Willie F. Ford, Jr.: Good morning. Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioner
Pardo, and to the Commission. Willie F. Ford, Jr., here representing the Coconut
Grove Ministerial Alliance, 3616 Day Avenue. Just want to lend supporting word to
PH.7 for the allocation of funds to the Ace Theater. We, in Little Bahamas of
Coconut Grove, we need something of history to remain in the community. With a lot
of things being removed and replaced, we need something to remain to remind us of
what we used to have, how we used to be, the love that used to be in the community.
We don't want everything to be wiped out because, again, even though people may
be gone, history stands forever, and we don't want our history to be wiped out. So,
we ask that you please, please, please support by giving the Ace Theater the funds
that it needs to remain in the community, to revitalize the community, and keep
giving our people hope despite the changes that are going on. Thank you. God bless
you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
George Simon: Good morning. George Simon, 495 Brickell, in Miami. Madam
Chairwoman, Commissioners, Madam Mayor, I'm here in support of RE.10, which is
asking for funds to be allocated for development of affordable housing and to -- and
to do park improvements. I think everybody who's in the United States today
understands the affordable care -- affordable housing issue. It's something that's
important. It's needed. It's a small amount of money. It will make a big difference. I
think it should be moved forward. The second part of that is about parks. Look, all
great cities have great parks, and they're important, in particular, for the dense
City of Miami
Page 10 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
areas. 1 live on Brickell and 1 don't think we have enough parks, but the parks we
have need attention. And this money was allocated from the developers who did
things in that area. That seems like it's a fairly straightforward position to be able to
have those funds used for the public benefit, in particular, for better parks, so I thank
you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Horacio Stuart Aguirre: Good morning, Chairwoman King, Commissioners, Mayor
Higgins, thank you. To you, Chairwoman King, thank you very much for showing up
yesterday on the Miami River with 10 of your finest people. You participated for an
hour of cleanup, picking up a great deal of garbage, debris, and refuge [sic] on the
banks of the Miami River. Great leadership, and I'm sure that you had the
admiration of all your other riverbank commissioners as well, Pardo and Gabela, so
thank you very much. Miami River Commission is here. I'm Horacio Stuart Aguirre,
chairman of the Miami River Commission, and we strongly support RE.11. RE. 11
requires $1.9 million to construct five blocks of the river walk. The river walk is
officially known as the Miami River Greenway, but we call it the river walk in easy
parlance. It goes from -- the money that we're looking for right now would be from
Curtis Park on the north side of the river from about 24th Avenue to 19th Avenue.
This will give us about two and a half miles of completion that we need to finish up
the river walk, and it would be a small amount of money for a great deal of benefit
Pr our residents and for our tourists. The Miami River Commission also supports
RE.10, which is the redevelopment or the repair of the riverfront Fort Dallas Park.
This is a City of Miami park, and this is the Flagler workhouse that was originally
from 1924 and 1897. It was destroyed during Hurricane Irma, has been closed. And
by the way, for all of us older folks, it's been closed for close to 30 years when it was
the Bijan's Restaurant property. Let's get this done finally now. Waterfront property,
very valuable. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
[Later...]
Chair King: Good morning again.
Glenda Perez: Good morning. Good morning, everyone. Good morning,
Commissioners. My name is Glenda Perez, and I'm a police sergeant representing
the Fraternal Order of Police in support of RE.17. For many years, we have seen
our police stations deteriorate and officers have been forced to work in unsanitary
and substandard conditions that no one should expect to work in, especially those
who serve and protect the community every day. This is not a privilege. It is about
basic safe and functional working conditions. It's about giving our officers the tools
and environment they need to do their jobs effectively and to serve the city the way it
deserves. On behalf of the men and women of the police department, I respectfully
ask that you please vote in favor of RE.17. We need a new station. Thank you very
much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Truly Burton: Good morning, Madam Chair and Commissioners. My name is Truly
Burton. I represent the Builders Association, with offices at 111 Northwest 183rd
Street in Miami Gardens. I'm here respectfully asking for a deferral of Ordinance
FR.2. And let me be clear here. Our members support the City's goal of ensuring
that development contributes its fair share to infrastructure. We're not here to avoid
responsibility. We just want to build and we want to ensure that the responsibility is
applied lawfully, proportionately, and transparently. And as currently drafted, FR.2
City ofMiami
Page 11 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
continues the system that was established back in the 70s that ties infrastructure to
a cost of percentage of value. That has been increased a little bit but not sufficiently.
That approach is -- rather than actually the cost of the actual project. That approach
is not only flawed, but it has serious legal concerns. And under established law since
the 1970s, any such requirement for funds for any improvements must demonstrate a
clear connection to the impact, be roughly proportional to the impact of that new
building and provide a benefit to the payer. From our perspective, this ordinance
doesn 't meet those legal standards. Even with the proposed changes, the framework
still lacks any objective criteria, cost controls, and measurable justification. The
result is that builders are often required to what amounts to the City's infrastructure
deficit beyond what their specific project actually demands. And all this happens
before they actually get a CO (Certificate of Occupancy), okay. So, this is holding
everybody hostage here. Pinecrest was sued on a similar issue. We do respectfully
ask for time with the City for a judicious deferral so we can come up with a modern
legally sound and impact -based methodology. And we're committed to helping
reduce the housing affordability crisis that we're all experiencing in the city. Again,
we're committed to being partners with you and we look forward to working with
you to resolve this issue. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Elissa Margulies: Good morning. Elissa Margulies, Rice Street in Center Grove.
RE.9, the Hangar. If the justification for this waiver is to generate additional
revenues for the City, then why aren't we charging the standard waterfront market
rate of $100 per square Pot, or at minimum, requiring additional public benefits?
The City isn't a charity and neither is Grove Bay. A waiver, in this case, a favor, is a
request for a concession. Why would we treat it like an entitlement? Please take the
opportunity to negotiate a better deal for our residents. RE.10, if the impacts are
local and the revenue is local, reinvestment should be local also. That's not
favoritism; that's fairness. At the last meeting, the word "equity" was invoked, but
equity doesn't mean ignoring the needs in District 2. West Grove is not a wealthy
neighborhood. It's one of the City's most historic yet underserved communities.
Every dollar requested has been earmarked for real projects, including affordable
housing and parks. These aren't frivolous luxuries. Using the Grove's name or its
location in District 2 as the justification to deny resources isn't right. We're asking
for your support in simply keeping the funds needed where they were generated.
Regarding the street name, the jokes just write themselves don't they? But, actually,
the more I thought about this --
Commissioner Gabela: Third time.
Ms. Margulies: -- it's actually insulting --
Commissioner Gabela: Third time and I'm going to answer. Third time.
Chair King: (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Gabela: Three times.
Chair King: (INAUDIBLE). I'm sorry, go ahead.
Ms. Margulies: Particularly with the invention of -- this invention called the Internet,
a quick Google search informed me that this is an individual that pled guilty to both
fraud and corruption charges twice. Surely with a little research we can find a
candidate whose legacy doesn't require legal footnotes. Finally, PH7, the Ace
Theater, the City didn't do a great job with the Olympia Theater, but this is a chance
City ofMiami
Page 12 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
at redemption. Please fund this historic jewel so it can be restored to its original
glory. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Walter Lewis: Good morning, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor, and Commissioners.
Chair King: Hold on a second. Let me -- because he just slid over, so for anybody
that's like what were we talking about, let me say what we were talking about.
Commissioner Gabela: You know what 1 was talking about --
Chair King: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Let me -- let --
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, but after you finish, I'm going to talk.
Chair King: Uh-uh, ah-ah, um -um, um -um.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm going to talk.
Chair King: What I said to him was that we're not going to interrupt public
comment. We can discuss what he would like to say in response to public
commenters when we discuss the item before us. We do not have to address the
public commenters. And there may be some other folks that'll come up, so we don't -
- we don 't want to get into that. We'll discuss it when we discuss the items that are
before us. We're not going to address public commenters. Go ahead, sorry.
Mr. Lewis: Good morning again, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor, Commissioners. My
name is Walter Lewis, executive board member of the Miami Fraternal Order of
Police, 710 Southwest 12th Avenue, here to speak briefly in support of RE.17. I'm
sure everybody here from the dais, from the Mayor's office, and every individual
commissioner's office has already done a tour of the police station as well as
several, if not all, of the fire stations in the city, and you see the deteriorated state
that they are in. We're asking that you guys do whatever is necessary to stop kicking
the can down the road and find a resolution to this issue. If you go to the police
station, we have portable bathrooms, we have bathrooms that don't work, we have
issues with water, we have water intrusion in the evidence room, and parking is an
absolute disaster. So, we're just asking for your support with RE.17. We know that
you support law enforcement and first responders in general. And we just ask that
you continue to show that support by supporting us with RE.17. Thank you, guys.
Have a good day.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Robert Mallon: Good morning. My name is Robert Mallon. I'm representing the
Fraternal Order of Police in favor of RE.17. As a member of a specialized unit, our
unit has had to be moved from the central station to a substation because of lack of
space and the conditions and many of the specialized units are in the same situation.
So, I'm respectfully requesting that you vote in favor of RE.17. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Yaosca Vanegas: Good morning, everyone. Yaosca Vanegas on behalf of the Miami
Fraternal Order of Police. We represent over 1,300 active sworn members in the
Miami Police Department, and we ask for your support in RE.17. Please provide the
resources and all the proper tools that our officers need to continue to service the
City ofMiami
Page 13 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
residents and the visitors of the city of Miami. Please show your support for first
responders by voting yes to RF.17 [sic]. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Anthony Boza: Good morning, everybody. My name is Anthony Boza. I'm here
representing the Fraternal Order of Police in favor of RE.17. Our officers live in this
community. A lot of them live in this community, serve in the community. Let's give
them a safe and clean, acceptable place to work. That's all we're asking. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Maria Gonzalez: Good morning, Commissioners, Chair King, and Madam Higgins.
Maria Gonzalez, 436 Northeast 77th Street Road. Madam Chair, I'm requesting 30
extra seconds. I come to today unwanting in reference to Item RE.7. The naming of
Northeast loth Terrace is Angel Gonzalez Way in honor of Angel Gonzalez's
exemplary services. I am perplexed as to why the commissioner of District 1 is
wanting to appoint a street after this individual. Gonzalez officially pleaded guilty to
exploiting -- to exploitation of public office. Gonzalez resigned then from his position
as commissioner of District 1. Prosecutors claimed and he took a plea deal fbr using
his commission seat to land his daughter a ghost job at a construction company that
did not work for the City. His daughter allegedly received nearly $50,000 in just
under two years from the construction company, yet never did any work for them.
But wait, there's more. He served as director of the Allapattah Business Authority in
1990. The agency became embroiled in voter fraud in 1997 election. Gonzalez pled
guilty to charges. The rap sheet continues, but the dais only allows two minutes, and
I am left without -- with cutting things out. Commissioner from District 1, you call
this exemplary service? This behavior should be condemned, not applauded.
Perhaps that is how governments are run in other countries, but not in the city of
Miami. Please break away from this. Madam Mayor, I voted for you. Please get a
hold of this dais. We elected our officials to represent us, not represent special
interests. Perhaps we should name a street after Elvis Cruz, who came out here --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Gonzalez: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Cliff Losh: Good morning. I'd like to speak in support of RE.10. The West Grove is a
very deserving recipient of this -- of the use of these funds. It's really nice to actually
see a provision to -- it really is going to provide affordable housing, as opposed to
some of the provisions we've seen in front of the commission recently. And in terms
of providing green space to nourish people that live in that area, it's hard to be
against that. I think it's a very deserving cause, and I applaud the commissioner who
proposed it. Now from the semi -sublime to the semi -ridiculous, naming a street after
a criminal, it's astonishing it's even on the agenda. I'd be even further astonished if
a politician wants to associate their name with somebody who was criminally
corrupting this political system. So, I urge you all to vote no.
Commissioner Gabela: Is it also your intention of the people that we have given
names to that also don't have a beautiful past to now take their names away?
Because the hypocrisy that I'm seeing here today, especially you people that do not
live in the district, number one. This man --
Chair King: Commissioner, Commissioner.
City ofMiami
Page 14 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Gabela: -- former Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, did a lot of things
for my district --
Chair King: Commissioner.
Commissioner Gabela: -- and he's like a Monty in my district.
Chair King: Commissioner.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so, please respect me, because when you guys
nominate one of your own, and like Jesus Christ said, let the first, you know, the first
one that didn't sin throw the first rock, okay? So, please give me a break, okay,
because you all are hypocrites. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Losh: I think you took some of my time, so I'm going to continue briefly.
Chair King: You can finish. You can finish.
Mr. Losh: Last, RE.17, I think there may well be a case for spending money on
repairing police stations, fire stations, or replacing them. But the case hasn't been
made, I don't think. It's too big a number for a bond issue without adequate
underpinning and detail to really support issuing that amount of debt to this city at
this time. Thank you.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): I'm sorry, Chair, ifI can have the speaker's name for
the record?
Chair King: Your name, sir? Sir?
(MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON)
Mr. Losh: My name is Cliff Losh. I live at 2811 South Bayshore Drive.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jens Klapatsch: Good morning. I'm here for RE.8, Ultra. Madam Chair, Madam
Mayor, Commissioners, good morning. My name is Jens Klapatsch. 1 live at the
Marquis Residence, 1100 Biscayne Boulevard, right across from Bayfront Park. I
stand with the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. They represent thousands of residents
across 20 downtown buildings. I'm here to ask for one thing. Please defer this vote
on Ultra. That is it. Just a deferral. Here's why. Ultra has held one public meeting,
only one, and only one because you asked them to. They have not met with the DNA
(Downtown Neighbors Alliance); they have not met with us residents who live next to
the park. If they will not meet with us 20-year deal, they will not meet with us after.
That is common sense. We're not asking you to end Ultra, we're not asking you to
vote no today, we're asking for a seat at the table. That is all. Give us a meeting. Let
us be heard. Let Ultra hear us directly and then come back to vote. Twenty years is a
long time. A few more weeks to do this right is not too much to ask. So, please defer
the vote. Let the residents meet with Ultra, then decide. Thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Ephraim Murillo, Jr.: Good morning, Commissioner, Madam Mayor. My name is
Ephraim Murillo, Jr. I'm in 601 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, Florida. I'm here on
Item RE.8. Every, time I come here, it's because there's another backroom deal, this
City of Miami
Page 15 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
time involving another private entity. Year after year, it's the same pattern, special
treatment, last minute changes, and no real transparency. Meanwhile, residents are
left out and expected to just go along with it. That's not right. If Ultra wants to be
here, then they need to sit down and have a real open conversation with the public,
not just the typical backroom deal the city of Miami is so used to. I'm asking for a
deferral on this item until there's been real public discussion. Miami deserves
transparency, accountability, and fairness, not another backroom deal like all of you
are used to. Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Katherin Schultz: Good morning. My name is Katherin Schultz. I reside at 4725
Northeast Miami Court in Chairwoman King's district, proudly. Good evening,
Chairwoman King, Mayor Higgins, and distinguished commissioners. Thank you for
the opportunity to speak. I'm here in full support of the City of Miami approving
Ultra's contract renewal. I work across corporate events, finance, industrial
conferences, large-scale productions, and yes, music events as well. I see firsthand
how these events in the industry operate, what makes cities thrive, what makes them
lose ground. Miami is in a position that other cities envy, and I urge you to protect
that. I also want to take the moment to sincerely thank Commissioner Gabel [sic] on
his work in helping bring this agreement together. That kind of leadership, willing to
roll up your sleeves and find a path forward, that is exactly what our city needs. So,
thank you, Commissioner. Now, to the matter at hand, Ultra Music Festival brings
tens of millions of dollars in economic impact to every Miami -- to Miami every
single year. Hotels fill up, restaurants are packed, small businesses see spikes they
count on. The event creates hundreds of local jobs, production crews, security,
hospitality workers, vendors, real employment for real Miamians. This isn't an
abstract benefit. It's a paycheck that people depend on. As someone who works in
events professionally, I can tell you that an industry like this is built on anchors with
events like Ultra. When a city hosts a world -class event consistently and well, it
signals to other promoters and every other conference organizer and every other
brand considering a major activation in the city that the City knows how to do
business. Downtown Miami has become recognized as a center for electronic music
culture, and that carries global weight. The terms of this agreement are balanced
and fair. The City receives appropriate compensation. Ultra assumes the risk, the
operational and financial risk. That's how a good deal should work. It's not a gift --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Schultz: -- it's a partnership. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Duriel Smith: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Sergeant Duriel Smith.
I'm here on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police in support of RE17. Basically, I
was -- I've been a sergeant -- I've been an officer for the department for 20 plus
years. I've seen the department run its course, problems from molding issues,
bathroom problems, relocating officers to different stations because of the constant
problems that we have within the department. Officers who serve and protect day in
and day out have been forced to work in unsanitary and substandard conditions.
Basically, we need a new station. And we would like you guys' support to assist us in
achieving that goal. This is to provide officers with a functional and safe working
environment. And on behalf of the men and women of the police department, I
respectfully ask fbr you guys to vote in favor of RE.17. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
City ofMiami
Page 16 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Gabela: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Paul Campbell: Good morning. My name is Paul Campbell. I'm talking about RE.8
in favor of Ultra extending the contract with Miami. I'm a 42-year-old man, but 25
years ago I attended my first electronic music festival, which was Ultra, and it
inspired me to dedicate my entire life into events, music, electronic music. From
then, I created an event with my friends in Miami that we produced a large paint
party that we toured all across the world, and Ultra was a big part of that. In that,
we've hired thousands and thousands of thousands of people in Miami for the 20
years that I've produced events. I'm also a partner at a club in downtown Miami,
and the impact of Ultra and Miami Music Week is the biggest week for us, where we
continue to employ thousands of peopk. We have on salary probably over a hundred
employees. It's a very important week, and somebody who's producing events
throughout Miami for the 20 years, I just say as a small business owner, the
economic impact is -- it's changing -- it's life -changing for some people, it's a
paycheck for other people, and then it's very important. So, the, you know, the
thousands of people that come internationally to put Miami on the pedestal of all
entertainment, I think what that does for Miami is undeniable, and I'd love to see
Ultra extend and be an inspiration for the next generation of people who produce
events in Miami like myself.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Charles Ratner: Good morning. Good morning, Mayor, Commissioners, City
Manager, staff neighbors. Thank you for the opportunity to speak about Ultra today,
agenda item RE.8. My name is Charlie Ratner. I am born and raised a Miami native
and transactional real estate attorney with offices on Lincoln Road. My grandfather
built the Clevelander Hotel. My uncle Nat Ratner was the original broker on 1950s
for Gar Wood on the sale of Fisher Island. Full disclosure, I represent the Ultra
family and occasionally Ultra affiliates as their personal real estate attorney. My
sister and I are city of Miami property owners and taxpayers with properties at 127
Northwest 5th Street, in Overtown, adjacent to Miami Central, which my family has
owned for almost a hundred years. What an honor to be able to speak to you today.
Miami is truly a global city, and the City is no greater global brand ambassador
than the Ultra Music Festival, whose mere name is globally synonymous with the
city of Miami. My children interned for Ultra for many years -- yes, Ultra has interns
-- and have collaborated with Ultra to raise money for Make -A -Wish, and my family
has witnessed firsthand the generous and responsible corporate citizen that Ultra is.
You should be proud that they want to continue their Miami residency as well as
their sustainability efforts, for your city. 1 was proud to have my wife and all my three
children at Ultra at the same time this year for the first time in my 14 year affiliation
with the Ultra family. Not a single company or event in South Florida is an
international brand ambassador for the city of Miami like Ultra is. Ultra brands and
magnifies the city of Miami like no one in the world. No one. And you get this for
free. Actually, they pay you for it. Ultras are held in cities all over the world, as you
know, but Miami is the only city that has its own Ultra flag. Ultra waves it proudly
all over the world and reminds the world that Miami is Ultra's showcase and home.
I've worn this hat around the world for many, years and people recognize the logo
and always come up to me and ask about Ultra in Miami. The economic --
Chair King: Thankyou. Thankyou.
Mr. Ratner: Thankyou so much for the opportunity to speak today.
Chair King: Good morning.
City of Miami
Page 17 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Anthony Rudiaz: Good morning, Madam. My name is Anthony Rudiaz, grew -- born
and raised in Miami. I'm an owner at Midline. We just opened in the Wynwood area,
and I'm here on behalf of Ultra in All support of the extension. The question we got
to ask is, why are we even discussing this? Ultra is a mainstay in Miami. The whole
city has benefited from Miami for over 30 years -- from Ultra. Downtown Miami has
grown in conjunction with the growth that Ultra has grown. From Miami Beach to
Bayside to Bayfront Park, getting rid of Ultra and even considering not extending it,
you're allowing another city to come in and take that venue from Miami. Ultra is
synonymous with Miami as they are the beaches. So, I am for extending this and it's
something that would benefit the community by having this for not just 10 years, not
15 years, we should probably be considering it as a lifetime extension of the brand.
Because anywhere else, it just doesn 't sit right. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Carolyn Donaldson: Good morning, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor, and our
commissioners. My name is Carolyn Donaldson, long time community advocate for
Coconut Grove. I'm also here representing GRACE, Grove Rights and Community
Equity, and as well Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, which is the oldest
African American church in Miami -Dade County. And we're here in strong support
of PH.7, which is the Ace Theater. The restoration of this historic theater is about far
more than a building. It is about reclaiming a cultural landmark in the heart of
Coconut Grove, one that has deep roots in its history, its identity, and its resilience
of our community. In fact, a number of us graduated from there when we attended
Carver High School because that's where our graduation ceremonies were held. For
generations, spaces like the Ace Theater served as a gathering place for culture,
creativity, and community life came together. Today, we have an opportunity to
bring that spirit back in a way that meets present-day needs. This project will create
a multi purpose venue for cultural performances, community events, educational
programming, and workforce development. That combination is powerful. It means
that we are not only preserving history, we're investing in opportunity. Good
morning and thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good to see you. Good morning.
Laura Okamura: Good morning. Laura Okamura. I reside at 50 Biscayne
Boulevard, and 1 am also on the condominium board. I'm here to express the will of
many residents of my community that cannot show up today in person because they
work. Any agreement with Ultra will have a profound impact on our bayfront
community. This item was unanimously deferred at the last commissioner's meeting
to respect the need for community input to be reflected in a revised proposed license
agreement. No such revised license agreement has been presented. During the one
community meeting we had, it was made clear that no one supports a license
agreement for a period of 10 years plus a 10 year extension. This is just common
sense. It's not good for the City or its residents. A,five-year term, as currently exists,
makes more sense and is reasonable. Noise levels are also a major concern. I
understand Ultra brings revenues to downtown businesses, and so some residents
are willing, to a certain extent, to put up with additional noise, traffic, garbage,
crime, and loss of use of Bayfront Park for over 28 days each year. As the most
negatively impacted residents of this event, we are asking to incorporate the existing
guardrails that Ultra already agreed to and currently exist in the settlement
agreement into the new license agreement. Noncompliance with the guardrails
should also have meaningful consequences. The existing major guardrails include
limits to noise, especially the bass, measured from 50 Biscayne and several other
residential towers, limitation on construction hours and construction noise, and
providing security fencing for most impacted buildings and traffic management. We
City, ofMiami
Page 18 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
believe this is a very reasonable request of the most negatively impacted residents in
an effort to coexist with this event. Please do not approve this unchanged proposed
license agreement. Please allow whatever time is required for Ultra and the City to
revise the license agreement to reflect our community concerns and provide it before
the next meeting. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Denise Wallace: Good morning. I'm Denise -- Dr. Denise Wallace, 3391 Florida
Avenue, owner of the Historic Ace Theater, here with my mother. Say your name.
Dorothy Wallace: Good morning. Dorothy Wallace, Dorothy M. Wallace, the wife of
deceased Harvey Wallace, and I'm representing the Ace Theater, which my husband
purchased in 1979 just to serve the Grove and to be a part of the Grove. And I just
must address our Chair, Eleanor [sic] -- Mayor.
Ms. Denise Wallace: Mayor.
Ms. Dorothy Wallace: -- the Mayor, and also our commissioner. Now, I didn't want
to do this again. I remember that commercial that comes on Stern, but I don't want
to do this again. But I must, I must come before you again and say thank you for all
you've done and all that I hope you're going to do right now to help us keep that
theater, keep that movie house as a part of Coconut Grove. Historically, we can't
change what has been, but we certainly can continue with what we have now and
make it speak for the past. You travel all over the world. And you go into places that
you know they are so old and old, but they speak of what was and speak to the
generation that was before them. So, let's keep this for the generation. Let's serve
our community and not forget from where we came from. And I thank God that he's
given me the opportunity at 97 years old to speak to you again.
Applause.
Ms. Dorothy Wallace: Now, indeed, this is a birthday present to me.
Chair King: Amen.
Ms. Dorothy Wallace: My birthday was April --
Chair King: Amen.
Ms. Dorothy Wallace: -- the 6th, 1929.
Chair King: Amen.
Ms. Dorothy Wallace: And I am the slave -- my grandfather was born as a slave in
1860 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. So, I know my history, and from where I came from
and we want to continue giving back to our community and we are one. Thank you.
Chair King.: God bless you. Thank you. Thank you.
Applause.
Ms. Denise Wallace: That's my mother, and that's a hard act for me to follow.
Chair King: It absolutely is.
City ofMiami
Page 19 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Ms. Denise Wallace: Thank you so much, Commissioner Pardo, Mayor Higgins,
Chairwoman and the other commissioners and we ask for your support on this Item
PH.7. Thankyou so much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
James Torres: Good morning, Chairwoman. My name is James Torres, president of
the Downtown Neighbors Alliance and I'm here on behalf of thousands of residents
who call downtown home. I want to be very clear this is not about chastising Ultra.
This is about supporting the residents. It's with all respect and fairness and doing
the right thing. Right now you're being asked to approve a 20 year agreement, a
generational long commitment without meaningful engagement for the people who
are impacted the most. Ultra has had every opportunity to sit down with residents
and they have not. One meeting organized by the City is not engagement. It is simply
checking off the box. And here's the simple question. If they haven't sat down with us
before the 20year agreement, what incentives will they give you afterwards? A
deferral is not unreasonable. It's responsible. It gives you the opportunity to set the
tone that in Miami, we respect the people who live here, not just the events that come
through the city. We are asking for something very basic, a seat at the table, a real
conversation, a chance to address concerns about quality of life, safety and
accountability before locking the city into a long-term agreement. This is your
moment to stand with residents. This is to show that the people matter first.
Deferring this item is not a no. It is a commitment to doing the right thing. And I'll
close with this. It's no secret that I've been critical of Commissioner Damian Pardo
and others on this dais. But this isn't about me. This is not about the politics. It's
about the residents and the people. I'm asking you to reach your better judgment and
give your residents something very simple, a real voice in decisions that will impact
our lives for decades. I urge you to do the right thing, to do the fair thing, stand with
the residents and defer this item and not do backdoor deals. Thankyou.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Felix Del Rosario: Good morning, Chair; Commissioners, Mayor, Manager, staff.
My name is Felix Del Rosario. I am the district -- the Florida District 6 director for
the Fraternal Order of Police in the State of Florida, and I'm also the president of
the Miami Fraternal Order of Police. I'm here in support of RE.17. I'm not only here
talking and speaking on behalf of the men and women that serve as police officers,
but I'm talking about the staff members, the administrative assistants, the
secretaries, the ID techs, the cleaning people; everybody that works there. It's just
not police officers. And for years, every one of you and those who came before you
have known the condition of our police headquarters. You have seen it, you have
heard about it, and we cannot allow this to continue. Our employees are working in
a building that is unsanitary, unsafe, unacceptable. We have documented cases of
mold exposure affecting employees' health. We have had working and women in the
building go months without access to a working bathroom. A sinkhole now sits in the
middle of a parking lot, leaving our employees without parking. And instead of
solutions, they are disciplined when they park around the station and not told where
to park. I've had public service aides that work in that station have their cars towed
and then call me on how to get their cars out of the towing company. You know, you
could read about in the old Crespogram about the flooding that's happened on our
basement and how it's damaged a lot of the evidence that our victims need for justice
and we have to work with. This is not about the officers, this is about every city
employee in that building, every victim who walks through those doors expecting
help, dignity, and professionalism. Let me be clear, this is not a surprise, this is
nothing new. The only question is whether the City is going to fax it. This is not about
luxury, this is just about a basic, safe, and functional working condition. It is about
doing the right for the people who serve and the community that depends on them.
City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
On behalf of the men and women of the police department, I'm asking you to do the
right thing and vote in favor of RE.17. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Adam Cervera: Good morning, Commissioners, Madam Mayor. My name is Adam
Cervera. I'm a shareholder with the Law Firm of Association Law Group, and I have
the distinct pleasure of representing the Downtown Neighbors Alliance today on
behalf of the thousands of residents who comprise our association and live
downtown. Our ask today is simple. The easiest lift of the day, defer RE.8. The DNA
and the Ultra Music Group entered into a settlement agreement in 2021, which
required Ultra to operate their festivals at certain noise levels, certain decibels. It
required Ultra to regularly corroborate with our downtown residents and citizens.
They have failed to meet that obligation. No community engagement, continuous
noise violations over the years. This is why, Commissioners, the DNA filed this
lawsuit yesterday in the Circuit Court of Miami -Dade County, in which we will hold
Ultra Music Festival accountable for these prior breaches. Approving this long-term
agreement undermines the leverage for our downtown residents. With a 20 year
deal, there's no incentive for future compliance or engagement by Ultra. Imagine
what Miami will look like in 20 years. Imagine what Miami -- I mean, we know what
Miami looked like in 2006. How different is it today, 20 years later? A 20 year term
agreement is simply irresponsible. Here's the good news. Ultra is willing to sit down
and meet with the DNA. Unfortunately, those meetings won 't take place until May.
Defer this item. Let that process play out. We're not against stopping Ultra. This is
ensuring that the law is filed [sic] and our residents and your constituents,
Commissioner Pardo, are properly heard and have a seat at the table. Defer this. It's
not only reasonable, it's necessary and proper to allow community engagement. Do
what is right. Represent the citizens --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Cervera: -- and not the special interests. Defer RE.8. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mercedes Rodriguez: Good morning, Madam Chairperson and Commissioners. My
name is Mercedes Rodriguez, and I'm here to support RE.17. All of you were not
here back in 2017 when the Forever Bond was approved. Part of $7 million of that
$400 million bond was earmarked for safety, but they didn't address the problems
that our fire and our police department has. I've been fortunate to serve for the last
fbur years as part of the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program
for the fire department, and I've worked closely with them, and I've experienced all
what they do. They run from one part of town to the other part of town during
COVID trying to get a vaccine. They have issues regarding health. They have issues
helping us with part of the problem, the infrastructure that was supposed to be
created with that bond going into areas like Brickell when it's flooding. So, I am
here to support this and I'm kind of taken back that our past city manager wrote a
letter, Mr. Gonzalez, not advocating in behalf of this bond. And the reason why I say
that is because he had an opportunity to come and change it just like our new elected
mayor, which I supported, and our new manager have been meeting with every
department seeing the needs and making an assessment and doing what is necessary.
They're doing a public cry this is our 911 call. This is our siren. They deserve these
buildings, the new fire stations, police stations to be built accurately. And it's not
correct that we are looking the other way. Having said that, part of the situation is
that we don't have enough funding. Our employees, our fire department, our police
department employees are also taxpayers. People forget that. They also have
families. I, myself for 14 years, my father, every time he had a heart condition, we
City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
called the fire department. The fire department knew him on a first name basis.
There is no way to thank everything that they did. And as we would say in Spanish,
(FOREIGN LANGUAGE). Part of the problem is that our seniors --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Rodriguez: -- most of them live in the city of Miami. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you. Good morning.
Reynold Martin: Good morning, Commissioners. Reynold Martin, Coconut Grove,
3325 Percival Avenue. I've been here and my family since the late 1800s, and I'm a
proud resident of Coconut Grove and a member of the Homeowners and Tenants
Association of the West Grove, as well as Grove Rights and Community Equity, who
are truing to do some great work in the Grove to bring back some equity and justice
in our community. I'm here to support PH 7. The institution of the Ace Theater has
been formidable in our community, and we'd love to see it continue a great work.
I'm also here to speak in favor of RE.10. You know, I grew up in Coconut Grove.
Things get old, and things need to be repurposed. And I think that the work that the
commissioner is doing in our community is a wonderful work, and we urge you to
continue to support it. Commissioner Rosado, he left. It was a good work he did at
the Nehemiah session with PAC (phonetic). And I think we'd like to have a talk with
him to further develop some concept of affordable housing that are real and essential
in our communities. So, we thank you for your support, Commissioner.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Cory Osit: Hello, everyone, and good morning. I'm here today to speak about RE.17,
the Safe and Ready Miami Public Safety Bond. I reside at 2890 Northwest South
River Drive. My name is Cory Osit, and I've had the pleasure of serving the citizens
of Miami for a little over the last 11 years. I currently work out of our Little Havana
station as a lieutenant for the City of Miami Fire Rescue. First and foremost, 1
wanted to thank you all for having me. I stand up here today to echo the sentiments
of my fellow brothers and sisters. Serving the citizens of Miami has been one of the
greatest and most rewarding experiences of my life. Our fire department provides
exceptional leadership, guidance, and a familial -type service to not only our citizens,
but to each other as well. We regard ourselves as one large family, and it's hard not
to, considering we spend a third of our lives working and living together. This is
what brings me before you today. Today, our Madam Mayor has graciously
proposed RE.17. This resolution would serve to support us men and women that
support you day in and day out without complaint. But our facilities are old. We do
what we can with buildings that have been lived in and worked in 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year, and some for over 70 years, and they need work. We
have leaky roofs, moldy ceilings, kitchens and bathrooms that are literally falling
apart. I'm here before you humbly asking for your support of this bill to allow us,
excuse me, to allow us to have facilities that are up to date and reflect the quality of
service that we provide to your constituents. This resolution would improve service
delivery and response time by providing new stations, a call center that fits our
demanding operational needs, stations that aren't moldy and falling apart, among
many other much needed improvements. We invest everything we have into our jobs
and proudly serving the great city of Miami. We humbly request that you now invest
in us, push us into the future and allow us to serve even better. Thank you very much
for your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Ted Kerr: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman and Commissioners. My name is Ted
Kerr and I'm an owner and resident at 50 Biscayne Boulevard. And I'm standing
here before you asking for the deferral of RE.8. I'm a long-time business owner, a
certified financial planner with over 32 years of experience. I've built and operated
businesses for more than 26 years, including four businesses based right here in the
city of Miami. I'm here today to respectfully voice a concern regarding the proposed
agreement for the Ultra Music Festival, specifically any contract structure that
extends beyond five years. In my professional life, I have advised families businesses,
and institutions through decades of financial decision -making, and one lesson has
proven consistent. The longer the contract, the greater the risk of unintended
consequences. Markets change. Leadership changes. Community priorities change.
What seems like a strong agreement today can become a constraint tomorrow. As
Neil Bohr once said, prediction is very difficult especially about the future. In my
own businesses, even though 1 delegate extensively, I always require personal
approval for any contracts over two years in length. Why? Because I've seen time
and again the cost of entering into long-term commitments without the benefit of
foresight. No one has clairvoyance, and yet long-term contracts often assume a level
of certainty that doesn't exist. This is not a statement against Ultra. It is a statement
for prudence. A five-year horizon or shorter allows the City to reevaluate
performance, adjust terms based on real outcomes and protect the interests of
residents, businesses, and taxpayers. My request is simple. If this agreement extends
beyond five years, I would strongly encourage the Commission to reconsider its
length or at a minimum ensure robust review and termination provisions are built in.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Kerr: Thank you for your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Raul Cernuda: Good morning, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor, Mr. Manager, and
esteemed commissioners. I'm Raul Cernuda, and 1 rise on behalf of IAFF
(International Association of Firefighters) Local 587, 2980 Northwest South River
Drive. I'm the district chief in District Number 1 on the B shift. District Number 1 in
the fire department includes Fire Station 1, home to the hazardous material team,
Station 2, 3, 4, 15, home to our fire boat, and 16. Three of those stations are
currently in temporary structures, and all of them are in dire need for major repair.
The men and women I have the privilege of leading are the most dedicated
firefighters in the world. Every day we run towards danger when everyone else runs
away. We save lives, we protect property, and we restore order in the face of
destruction. We routinely do more with less, serving with quiet pride and an
unwavering commitment to this beautiftil city. However, after a challenging fire or a
traumatic medical call that will likely stay with us for the rest of our lives, we return
to fire stations that are literally falling apart. For example, at Fire Station 1, my
home station, water leaks from the second floor onto our dinner tables. When I go
and take a shower, water from the drain backflows onto my feet. Mold and vermin
are common. We outgrew these facilities 20 years ago. To our administration's
credit, I'm grateful to say that they respond quickly when issues arise. However, we
can no longer take -- we can no longer place Band-Aids on this gaping wound. Our
citizens deserve better. Our firefighters deserve better. Therefore, I respectfully and
urgently, ask you to support our RE.17. Give us the infrastructure and fleet we need
to continue serving this world -class city with dignity to our citizens and allowing us
to continue our excellence through service. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Jessica Johnson: Morning. Morning, Commissioners, Madam Mayor. Jessica
Johnson, 5262 Northeast 5th Avenue.
Chair King: You can pull the mic down.
Ms. Johnson: I'm trying. Okay, there we go. SR.1, you are quietly amending Chapter
17, our tree protection ordinance, while specimen trees are being removed with
falsified permits. We demand a standalone moratorium on all specimen tree
removals and independent community chosen arborist assessments. Your own
charter says the City shall conserve and protect its natural resources. Any public
official who willfully violates this shall forfeit their office. You already violated this
charter when you canceled the 2025 election and Emilio Gonzalez sued you and won
over $300,000 in taxpayer money. In 2025, I watched a Morningside oak left on the
curb like trash. Five more trees have been murdered in Morningside Park since then.
You're permanently dismantling ecosystems that took two centuries to build. It's a
metaphor for your general lack of standard of care. Commissioner Pardo, your
permits called that oak sick. Your own arborist said healthy. We have the documents.
Madam Mayor, you promised an audit during your campaign. Our taxpaying
firefighters and police deserve an audit of the $400 million Forever Bond before you
borrow another $450 million more. I love EDM (Electronic Dance Music) festivals,
especially Ultra, but downtown residents don't want a 20-year lease. Listen to them.
Defer RE.8. Stop making us sue you to be heard. And Commissioner Gabela, instead
of naming another street, just clean the storm drain so Patricia doesn't have to.
Commissioner Gabela: We can do both.
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry, Chair.
Chair King: Thank --
Mr. Hannon: Ma'am, ifI could have your name for the record.
Chair King: Ma'am?
Ms. Johnson: Oh, Jessica Johnson.
Chair King: Good morning.
Herbert Roach: Good morning, Madam Mayor, Madam Chair, Madam -- Mr.
Manager, and Commissioners for this opportunity. Thank you. I am firefighter
Herbert Roach, address 2980 Northwest South River Drive. I'm speaking in regards
to RE.17 and the reasons why we need to have this for our men and women of our
fire department. I proudly served --1 proudly served, currently serve 12 years here
with the City at Station 13 at the north end of the city. And I'm here to let you know
that all of our firefighters uphold our motto, excellence through service. We do this
by responding to our citizens day and night in all types of weather, on people's worst
days, and we do it with pride. A major problem for us is that when we return from
these hard calls, we return to tattered stations that have been in existence for 50 plus
years. Remember, most of you go home every night. We're here for 24-hour shifts,
and in some cases, two days straight in these -- living in these deplorable conditions.
Our stations never get a break from our doors and our trucks and our feet going in
and out to save lives. Remember, we run over 100,000 calls a year. The stations have
run its course, ladies and gentlemen. And in most cases, our stations look like they're
under construction when they're not. There are too many patches to repair, and in
some cases, more patches than we put on any of our patients. Roof leaks with slimy
green things growing, plumbing that smells, outdated circuit breakers. At night, I
stare at holes in the walls with wires hanging down over my bed. It is very
City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
distracting when 1 need to be focusing on my citizens. Firefighters, we can fix almost
anything, but some things are beyond repair. These men and women sitting behind
me in yellow shirts, this is our home where we train, where we share our meals,
where we recover after hard calls and try to sleep for a few minutes before the next
alarm. We need new stations, we deserve it. And we want to thank you for your time,
and we hope that you vote unanimously for RE.17. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Brad Horenstein: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, Madam Mayor and
Commissioners. My name is Brad Horenstein. I'm here in support of RE.10 as a
parent, as a father. My son Amos is a member of the Coconut Grove Track and Field
Hornets. So, it's given me an opportunity to go to Armbrister Park and to watch the
team practice. And I have to tell you that these kids work so hard to achieve
greatness. And this park has been the product -- has produced greatness. Miami
legend Frank Gore, Amari Cooper, Denzel Perryman, to name a few. And the
program is not done producing superstars. But if you would just look at the park, you
wouldn't believe that a superstar has come from there. There isn't a track in District
2. District 2 needs a track. We produce too much pride for there not to be a track.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Christian Fernandez: Good morning, Madam Mayor, Mr. Manager, and
Commissioners. My name is Christian Fernandez, and I work at Fire Station 2,
located at 1901 North Miami Avenue. I'm here to speak in support of RE.17, the Safe
and Ready Miami Bond. I am the captain on the B shift and also the station
commander in charge of the station's overall operations across all three shifts. I
have spent most of my nearly 20-year career at Fire Station 2, which serves
Overtown, Wynwood, and Edgewater. Like many other firefighters, I consider my
station a second home. Our station was built in 1971 when our territory had
significantly less citizens living and visiting the area. Throughout the years, our
logistics division has made many repairs to our station, but without funding, have
not been able to keep up with the demand that a building of this age requires. The
current structure has had several issues that need repairs, such as a leaking, sagging
roof original windows that leak water into living spaces, and outdated AC units that
require constant maintenance to continue functioning, just to name a few. Every day
I come to work, 1 strive to ensure that firefighters working alongside me provide
excellence through service, as our motto states. Your Miami firefighters are
consistently ready to serve the citizens of our great city and keep them safe. Today
we ask that our city helps keep us safe and ready. Thank you for your time and I
hope we can count on your support.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kiona Cherry: Good morning, everyone. My name is Kiona Cherry. I'm here to
speak on RE.10 and keeping the money in District 2. Thank you for allowing me to
stand before you and share my thoughts concerning another much -needed
improvement in Coconut Grove, specifically Armbrister Park. I know that you have
been working very diligently to adhere to the needs of Coconut Grove community
and having a functional track at Armbrister Park for our children to be able to get
the adequate training needed. For so many years, they have had to practice on grass
or be transported to other locations to practice on an actual track. In case you
haven't seen or heard, we have some amazing athletes bringing home national titles
and All American titles as well and crossing barriers that some would say are
impossible. Our children have overcome many obstacles and adjustments to be
productive, but just imagine how much more they can do and become if they had a
City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
track right in their own backyard in the community. They would no longer need to
cross busy streets like US -I and Le Jeune Road to get to practice. This funding is the
perfect opportunity for our children to have a dedicated track facility for our kids to
safely practice every day. So, again, I ask that you please see it in your hearts to
allow this improvement to take place as we can continue to see our athletes thrive.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kelly Angel: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, Commissioners, Madam Mayor.
My name is Kelly Angel. I am a born and raised Miami native. I grew up in the city
of West Miami. I went to high school in MAST (Maritime and Science Technology)
Academy in Key Biscayne, and then the University of Florida. And I now am a proud
downtown resident for about three years. I am the founder of Humanity Cares, a
Miami -based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, formerly known as WaveWay Foundation. Our
mission is simple. We blend music, art, and culture with environmental action. We've
become known for creating what we call silent disco beach cleanups, where globally
recognized DJs contribute sets that people listen to while actively cleaning our
beaches. It transforms what many see as work into something people genuinely want
to be a part of To date, we've removed thousands of pounds of trash from Miami's
coastline, and we're just getting started. We're expanding into initiatives like
Everglades restoration, tree planting, and sustainable food initiatives. But what's
important is who we are reaching. In Miami, a city where music and entertainment
are deeply embedded in our culture, we realize that if we want to create real
environmental change, we have to meet people where they already are. And it
worked, 80 percent of our volunteers have never participated in a cleanup before,
but once they came through the music, they stayed for the impact. That is the
opportunity in front of you today. The audience that attends events like Ultra isn't
separate from our city; they are our city. They are young, engaged, global,
incredibly influential, and when given the opportunity, they show up for something
bigger than themselves. We believe Ultra Music Festival has the potential to he more
than just a world -class event. It can he a platform for lasting impact. By integrating
sustainability initiatives not just during the festival but throughout the year, in
partnership with local organizations, Ultra can help activate an entirely new
generation of environmental advocates. Because we've seen it firsthand. Music gets
people in the door; but purpose is what makes them stay. Keeping Ultra in Miami
isn 't just about preserving a cultural event. It is about harnessing its influence to
drive meaningful, measurable change in our community. So, I urge you to vote yes to
RE. 8. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Manuel Perez: Good morning, dear commissioners, Chairwoman. My name is
Manuel Perez. I'm a downtown resident. I'm here to urge you to defer RE.8 and vote
no on the proposal, 20-year license agreement with the Ultra Music Festival. Let me
be clear. This is not about whether Ultra should exist. It is about whether this
commission should lock our city into a rigid decades -long commitment that ignores
what downtown Miami has become and where it is going. Twenty years ago,
downtown was a ghost town after business hours. Today, it is a home for more than
100,000 residents, families, professionals, and seniors who live full-time and depend
on this neighborhood as their home, not a temporary venue. A 20-year agreement in
a rapidly evolving urban core is not planning. It is surrendering flexibility. It ties the
hands of'juture commissioners and prioritizes the weekend -long event over the long-
term livability of an entire community. We are no longer the city that shuts down for
events. We are a city that lives every day. We also need to challenge the idea that the
deal is an economic benefit. The probably $2 million that the annual rent for the
Bayfront Park sounds significant until you consider what it does not include. It does
City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
not account for the disruption to the residents, and it certainly does not account to
the real personal costs of the people who live here because for us, this is not
abstract. The noise is not a minor inconvenience. It's overwhelming, unacceptable,
and physically disruptive. And when weather delays extend, the hours that burden
only increase. No resident should be expecting to endure this year after year, let
alone have it guaranteed for the next 20 years. This decision comes down to a simple
question. Who is this city for? It is for people who live, work, and vote, here, year-
round, or as a single commercial event? Thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Sergio Nieto: Hi, good afternoon, everybody. My name is Sergio Nieto. I moved to
Miami about seven years ago, and I've lived in multiple cities leading up to this. You
just heard from my partner, Kelly, about our nonprofit and how we're combining
what we're doing with music, and it's making a really big impact. I'm going to speak
to you from a business owner's perspective. I have multiple businesses in Miami, one
of which builds businesses in Miami. What I can honestly say is the impact that we
have from events like Ultra and other music disoriented drivers is something really
special that you don't see in other cities. And not just living it and experiencing it,
but seeing the bottom line. You know, there's a lot of restaurants, there's a lot of
hospitality venues right now that are struggling. They see these bumps, they see these
impacts, and they're substantial. What I would encourage everyone to consider is
Miami is special for very ,specific reasons, and people are leaving from other cities
to come here. I would encourage everyone to think about these impacts and why
they're leaving, and let's not turn Miami into every other city. Just my perspective on
things. The other thing is Ultra being such an amazing driver for just not just
business during their, you know, two weeks or whatever their timeline is there. For
example, what they're doing for us long term is they're driving impact. We have now
acquired so many new faces that would never be, you know, cleaning beaches or
having -- driving impact on the community that are now coming. And our retention
rate is significantly higher than it ever was. And their impact, though it's for the city
maybe a month or two months, for us it's the entire year. So, 1 would just think about
the downstream effects of having such a big brand and such a big player in the game
that is also looking to do good and driving people on a yearly basis, not just on a
weekly or monthly basis. So, thank you. for your time. I appreciate the consideration.
I hope you vote yes. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Maria Vila: Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is
Maria Vila, and I represent Coast 2 Coast Enterprises. For several years, my
company has had the privilege of working with Ultra Music Festival, and I am here
today as a strong supporter of keeping Ultra at Bayfront Park. My specific role with
Ultra is something that I take great pride in. Once the festival ends, my team is
responsible for restoring Bayfront Park back to its original condition. From the
moment the festival moves out, we step in with one goal, to complete the work
professionally, efficiently„ and as quickly as possible so the park can be reopened for
residents. We understand how important this space is for the community, and we
treat it with a level of high respect. Beyond my role, I have seen firsthand the
positive impact that Ultra has on our local community. It supports small businesses
like mine and creates jobs for hundreds of workers across different trades. For many
of us, this event is not just a weekend event, it is a meaningful source of income and
opportunity. Ultra has also made real efforts over the year to improve operations
and address community concerns. It has become more than just a festival. It's part of
Miami's identity. I respectfully urge you to approve the recommended agreement
and allow Ultra Music Festival to continue calling Bayfront Park its home. Thank
City ofMiami Page 27 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
you for your time, your service, and for supporting what makes Miami special.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Diana Villa: Good morning. Good morning, Madam Mayor, Mr. Manager, and
elected commissioners. My name is Diana Villa, 2980 South River Drive, executive
board member for Miami Firefighters Local 587. I am here today in support of
RE.17. This issue is deeply personal to me. My mother began her 30-year career as a
Miami firefighter back in 1985 at the very same station 1 am assigned today in
downtown, Fire Station 1. As a little girl, I would visit her at the station. I walked
these halls and grew up at the station, spent many holidays there, decorating the
common areas to bring a festive environment and mask the broken walls. Today, my
own daughter walks these very same halls. Only now, they are in worse condition
than ever before. Before my mother, my grandfather served the city for 25 years as a
Miami firefighter. When I work at Station 9, I'm standing and living in the very same
place where my grandfather began his career in 1960. RE.17 is not only about our
firefighters and police, but for me this is about family. My husband, my sister, my
three brother -in-laws [sic], their father, all seven of us serve as Miami firefighters in
these various stations. Our story is not unique. Our department is filled with
generational families who have made this job a lifelong commitment. These stations
are our second homes. We spend 24 hours there. We take pride in what we do. We
want to bring our families into these spaces and show them how we dedicate our
lives too. But the truth is that's become harder and harder. Please support RE.17 so
that when the next generation walks through these station doors, they walk into a
place that reflects the pride, professionalism, and commitment Miami Fire has for
this city. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Alexsandra Herrera: Good morning. Hi, my name is Alexsandra Herrera. I'm horn
and raised -- Miami. I'm here in support of RE.8. 1 am a student and a freelancer
who has been a part of Ultra Music Festival's sustainability team .for .four years. I
started as an intern. Yes, Ultra does have interns. And I want to talk a little bit about
the impact that we've had. The sustainability program is extremely impactful not
only to the environment and Bayfront Park itself but also to the community and
young aspiring leaders within the community. Our volunteer program provides
incredible opportunities for college students to gain experience in the industry,
assisting with over 20 of our 65 total sustainability initiatives. These include food
rescue, educational ecovillage, audience outreach, and food vendor compliance.
Mission Home leaves a lasting impression on the festival and Miami itself, having
diverted over half a million pounds of waste and donating over a hundred thousand
pounds of resources to the community. Ultra's commitment to Miami and its people
is deep and true, and that's why I urge you to vote yes on RE.8. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Alexander Cardenas: Good morning. Good morning, Honorable Chairwoman,
fellow commissioners, Mr. City Attorney, Mr. Manager, and Madam Mayor. My
name is Alexander Cardenas. I'm president for the Miami Association of Firefighters
Local 587 located at 2980 Northwest South River Drive. And I'm here to speak on
RE.17, the Safe and Ready Miami Public Safety Bond. As you've already heard, for
decades now, our firefighters and paramedics have never missed a call, never
stopped responding to our citizens during the worst day of their lives, call after call,
only to return to dilapidated stations just enough to catch their breath, have a
moment of respite, and get ready for the next call. They deserve better. Now it's
important to note that this bond would not only improve our station's working
City ofMiami Page 28 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
conditions, but even more importantly, it would add additional stations and
resources to help improve response times across the city. I want to thank you,
Chairwoman King, for your efforts in supporting and securing Rescue 17. It was
meant to address an area of great need. However, Rescue 17 is currently responding
from a neighboring station, and until it gets its dedicated fire station, it will continue
to see delayed response times. This bond would fix that. Commissioner Gabela, for
your support on securing Rescue 18, we appreciate it as well, and for your
dedication towards getting a response site for it. However, we recently acquired
grant funding for Aerial 10, which can 't be housed at Station 10 until that station is
replaced. It, too, is responding from a neighboring station, causing further delay in
response times. This bond would fix that, and not only that, but that's just a few
examples in this bond. Now, Commissioners, all that we're asking, is to give our
residents the opportunity to decide whether or not they'll answer our call, this call.
The moment is now, and we can't risk allowing these subpar working conditions to
persist and delayed response times to continue. Now, I strongly urge your support on
RE.17 for a safer and ready Miami. It's what our citizens deserve. It's the least that
we can do for our first responders. Let's put away the Band-Aids, let's put away the
patches, and let's solve this problem with an adequate solution. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Christopher Lunding: Good morning. My name is Christopher Lunding. I live at
3350 Southwest 27th Avenue. I'm speaking on the subject of RE.17. I'm asking you
to defer a vote on this matter. Why am I doing that? Well, let me start with some
statistics. The median household income in Miami -Dade County is reported to be
$82, 700. That's per household. This particular $450 million long-term debt that
you're about to vote on puts $9,000 plus of debt on every man, woman, and child in
the city. It is a huge burden. It is not small. It is not business as usual. It's way out of
the ordinary. What is that going to be used for? You have firemen here. I appreciate
firemen. I know firemen. I love what they do. I visit my Firehouse Number 6. I have
ridden in EMS (Emergency Medical Services) ambulances where the door won't
close and the shocks are shot. They need money. They don't need $450 million to
replace every firehouse in the city. It couldn't cost more than $100 million. Where's
the other $350 million going to go and for what? Totally unexplained, but you're
supposed to vote to authorize this today. Trust us, we will spend the money wisely, or
our successors were, because this debt will go on for a decade or more. And we
don't know who's going to be in charge of the city in the future, and I'm not
knocking any of you. I'm just saying it's totally unexplained. The firemen are a
Macguffin, I think is one of the words that's used, or a stalking horse, or pawns here.
And as one of the fire department people said, they are taxpayers too. They will bear
this burden if it goes forward. So, I ask you to send this back. Explain to yourselves
and the voters where that money actually is needed and where it's actually going to
go. Conceding all the firehouses get replaced, they could be gold-plated and it
wouldn't cost this amount of money. So, something else is going on here. And one
last point, an election in August where less than 20 percent of the voters will show up
is not the time that the voters should be asked to vote on this. It should come in a
general election, which is what the mayor has said with respect to you folks.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Lunding: I will --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Lunding: You'll have to stop because otherwise I won't stop talking. Thank you
very much.
City ofMiami Page 29 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Lunding: So long.
Chair King: Good morning.
Dave Doebler: Hi, good morning. Thank you, Madam Chairman -- Chairwoman,
Commissioners, Madam Mayor. My name is Dave Doebler. I'm the cofounder of
volunteercleanup.org, chair of the Miami Beach Sanitation Advisory Committee, and
co-chair of the Biscayne Bay Marine Health Coalition. I live at 8000 West Drive in
North Bay Village. Today I'm here to speak in support of Ultra. In 2018, when Ultra
sought to relocate to Virginia Key, with 165,000 people partying right on the edge of
Biscayne Bay, an environmental organization such as mine had numerous reasons to
oppose them. Instead, we came together and negotiated. We drafted an MOU
(Memorandum of Understanding) with real teeth, eliminating single -use plastics,
polystyrene, balloons, confetti, requiring composting, recycling infrastructure, and a
Leave No Trace policy. Then we showed up for all three days and graded them on it.
We gave them an A. Over half a million single use plastic items eliminated, 56,000
pounds recycled with 100 percent acceptance rate at the recycling facility, 190,000
single use water bottles avoided, and 100 percent vendor compliance. Their mission
-- sorry, their Mission: Home campaign has since become a global benchmark for
sustainable festival production. You voted last month for plastic free standards and
special event permits. Ultra has been living those standards for six years. I
understand residents' have serious concerns about traffic, noise, and neighborhood
impact, and those deserve your full attention. I'm not here to speak to those. I'm here
to speak to the environmental record, and that record is clear. Ultra made
commitments to protect Biscayne Bay and delivered on every one of them. Thank
you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Fernando Weiner: Good morning, Commissioners. Good morning, Madam Mayor.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak. to speak. My name is Fernando
Weiner. I am a resident of the city of Miami. I'm an attorney. I represent -- I'm in the
government affairs space for one of the local health systems, and Fin here to speak
as a proponent of Ultra Music Festival. Prior to moving back to Miami in 2023, I
had the honor of living all over the country. I was in the military, I was a captain in
the United States Army for a couple of years. I had the pleasure of deploying to the
Middle East. And 1 mention that because I've seen what many different cities, many
different cultures experience, yet I couldn't wait to get back to Miami. And it's very
much because of events like Ultra. It's because of events like the Fl race that we
have here. It's because of events like the Miami Open. It's because of the Miami
Heat. It's because of the concerts that we put on at the Arsht Center, at the Kaseya
Center. It is because this city prioritizes cultural events. It's why I don't live in
Scranton, Pennsylvania or Little Rock, Arkansas. This is why you draw tens of
thousands of residents that are around my age group to live in this special city. I
hear the concerns of the residents that live around downtown and have to deal with
the inconvenience of traffic and noise, but I think I speak for tens of thousands of
residents that say, We're willing to put up with that. We understand that to live in a
metropolis like Miami, you have to deal with a little inconvenience, a little traffic.
Even today, we have the Lexus Corporate Run, totally blocks off downtown. There's
going to be traffic. Next month, when FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football
Association) gets here, guess what? Going to be traffic all over the city. And, in
Bayfront Park, it will be not shut down, but not totally, accessible. There's going to
be the fan experience for a year -- or for a month. So, I urge you, please move
forward and agree to this agreement with Ultra. Thank you.
City of Miami Page 30 Printed on OS/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Allisen Russo: Hello, Commissioners, Chairwoman, and Madam Mayor. My name is
Allisen Russo, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to stand here before
today and speak on behalf of something that is deeply important to me. Not just to
me, but to the identity and economic vitality of our city, Ultra Music Festival. Ultra
is not a -- just a music festival, it is an economic engine, a cultural landmark, and a
global system of Miami. Every single year, Ultra generates millions of dollars for
our local economy. It supports thousands of jobs, Uber drivers, hospitality, workers,
event staff security, restaurant employees, hotel staff, and even real estate
professionals. Hotels are fislly booked, restaurants are overflowing, and businesses
across the city thrive. This is not hypothetical. I have witnessed it firsthand as
someone born and raised in Miami, living just minutes away from Bayfront Park.
Ultra brings the world to Miami, and that matters, because Miami is not just any
city. We are that city, the city known worldwide for culture, energy, and
unforgettable experiences. Ultra's part of a much bigger ecosystem that defines us.
Miami Music Week, Art Basel, Formula 1, Three Points, Factory Town, Club Space,
Live. These are not disruptions; they are who we are. People don't move to Miami
despite these events; they move here because of them. I understand that concerns
exist, noise, traffic, disruption, but with all respect, traffic is not unique to Ultra.
Traffic is part of daily life in Miami. And for one weekend a year, we have an
opportunity to host a world -class event that elevates our city on a global stage. One
weekend for something that brings so much value, so much energy, and so much
opportunity. And if we start drawing lines here, if we begin pushing out events like
Ultra, where does it stop? Do we question Art Basel next, Formula 1, Miami Music
Week? At what point do we risk losing the very essence of what makes Miami,
Miami? Cities evolve, Miami today is not the Miami of 2016, and 2016 was not
2006. Growth is not something to fear, it is something to embrace. It means we are
thriving. It means the world is watching us. And Ultra is a major reason why. But
beyond economics, beyond tourism, beyond reputation, there is something even more
important, the human experience.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Russo: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Billy Corben: Good morning. Billy Corben on RE.7 and 17. The condition of our
police and fire stations in this city are an embarrassment. Our first responders
deserve better. The question is how to pay for it. And this bond seems to be the
wrong idea at the wrong time. Madam Mayor, you ran on a promise of doing a deep
dive into a budget that doubled in the last five years, which you yourself said you
have not seen your services double in quantity or quality. We need to figure out why
77 percent of the budget goes to salaries and benefits. And that's going to be 100
percent soon. And you're going to have no money, you 're going to have to keep
borrowing it. But before we borrow that money, what about the deep dive you
promised into the Miami Forever Bond? At a cursory glance, I'm not entirely sure
how it's being spent. There's $8 million on there for costs. Who are the lawyers?
Who are the underwriters? Where is that $8 million going, for example? We should
really figure out how to pay for this from the developers. The developers who are
creating the strain on our resources. When they want variances, when they want
upzoning, when they want permits, they should have to pay. I'll give you an example.
Damian Pardo just gave away Watson Island to a developer, and we need a $13
million fire station there for the fire boats. Why wasn't that negotiated as part of the
community benefits in that deal? We're failing at getting community benefits and
properly spending our developer impact fees. So, show some good faith. You're
City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
different from the previous administration. Show where the money -- the previous
money was being spent and then ask for another half a billion -dollar loan. 1 can't
believe 1 have to say it, but we cannot name a street for a commissioner that resigned
in disgrace and pled guilty, to corruption and pled guilty for voter fraud. It's a Miami
Mafia mockery. Where does it end? The reason why you need four fifths of a vote is
because he's still alive. We shouldn't name anything for a living person. That
alleviates the concern. Where does it end? We rename Bayfront Joe Carollo Park?
We rename Calle Ocho Humberto Hernandez Plaza? How about the new police
station in Melreese, Donald Warshaw Justice Center? Or the signature bridge, Art
Teele Memorial Highway? Of course, it's ridiculous that I have to say it. You cannot
do that, guys. It's an embarrassment. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Dylan Russo: Hello, Commissioners, Chairwoman, Madam Mayor. Thank you for
the opportunity to be able to speak today. My name is Dylan Russo. I'm a resident of
Miami, and I'm on behalf of Ultra Music Festival. I would like to begin by saying
that there is no place in Miami that brings me more inspiration and purpose than
Ultra. I understand that to some in this room, it may simply sound like beats and
noise, but to me and millions around the world, it represents far more. It is a cultural
movement, a source of creativity, and a movement that continues to bring people
together. Ultra is the reason I began DJing. It is the reason I developed a passion for
dance music, and it continues to inspire countless young artists and myself to pursue
something meaningful. Miami is globally recognized as a city that celebrates music,
culture, and large-scale events. Ultra plays a central role in that identity. Each year,
the festival generates tens of millions of dollars in the local economy, supports jobs,
and gives opportunities for workers and businesses during those three-day runs.
Additionally, Ultra has demonstrated a consistent willingness to collaborate with
city officials, addressing concerns, improving operations, and evolving responsibly
year after year. Yearly businesses and local residents benefit from the increased
visibility and economic activity that the festival brings to the area. Miami is a large
and dynamic city. While not every event is for everyone, I'm sure residents can find
somewhere else to stay for that weekend if they don 't enjoy the music. In closing,
Ultra is not just an event. It is part of Miami's identity, economy, and global
reputation. I respectfully urge you to consider its value and continued presence in
the city. I hope you say yes to RE.8. Thank you for your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kenneth Sims: Good morning, Honorable Commissioners, Mayor, and staff. My
name is Kenneth Sims. I'm here today to respectfully request you to vote yes on
Resolution 8 and support extending -- extending Ultra Music Festival license in the
city of Miami. I'm a resident of the Miami -Dade County area. 1 serve as a network
engineer and IT (Information Technology) entrepreneur throughout the South
Florida tri-county area. For more than a decade, I've proudly supported Ultra, not
just as an attendee, but as a team member behind the scenes as well. Ultra has
created meaningful opportunities for me and many others. Through my involvement,
I've been able to connect college students from Miami -Dade College, Florida
Atlantic University, Florida Inferno -- and Florida International University, with
real -world experiences in hospitality, event operations, and technology. For many of
them, this is the first step into professional -- into professional careers. Beyond my
personal experience, Ultra brings significant economic impact, global visibility, and
cultural energy to our city. It supports local businesses, creates jobs, and reinforces
Miami's reputation as a world -class destination for Miami -- for music and
innovation. Extending Ultra's license is not just about one event. It's about
continuing opportunities, economic growth, and showcasing the best of Miami
around the world. Thank you for your time and consideration.
City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Alejandra Ruttirnann: Good morning. My name is Alejandra Ruttimann, and I'm
here in support of RE.8. I'm a lawyer by trade and a house music lover at heart. I
grew up in Miami and have attended Ultra every year since 2012 when I was 15. I
even wrote my college essay, Accepted by Georgetown, on the unifying power of
festival culture, inspired entirely by Ultra. While some argue only large corporations
benefit economically from Ultra, it also creates real opportunities for small
businesses, creatives, independent artists and students, the future of this city. Beyond
economics, Ultra has a deeply powerful human impact. People travel from around
the world to experience Miami and be a part of something bigger than themselves. I
understand nearby residents want to feel heard, but there have already been multiple
opportunities for public input, including a full month of discussion. This vote was
originally scheduled for March 23rd, and further deferral only delays the inevitable.
Importantly, the proposed lease allows for annual revisions and nothing is
permanent. If more reassurance is needed, there are solutions that don't require
uprooting one of Miami's cultural pillars. Planting trees to reduce sound, offering
transportation reimbursements, or even providing residents with VIP access. Miami
and Ultra are inextricably linked. Moving Ultra from Bayfront Park would strip
away a vital piece of the city's culture and community. I urge you to keep Ultra
where it belongs, at home in Bayfront Park. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jerry Schuman: Good morning. Jerry Schuman, 2926 Southwest 30th Court,
Coconut Grove, a native of Coconut Grove. Today is Bring Your Child to Work Day,
so I'm here to talk about track and field. In my lifetime, there hasn't been a track in
District 2, and there isn't a track in Coconut Grove, so we desperately need one bad.
We're running right now at Armbrister Park/Carver. I'm an alumni there in 1976,
and you know, the track team is amazing. We're running on rocks, and kids are
falling when they're running, because they're running really fast. We need a real
track. We have an 80 -- like an 80-yard track there that's not done. They're redoing
the whole Carver field now. So, let's go ahead and get a track in the Grove. We need
one, desperately. Get these kids moving and ()lithe phones. And thank you for having
us. My son wants to talk.
Caroline Aimee Rodriguez de la Torre: Good morning. My name is Caroline
Rodriguez de la Torre, and I'm a born and raised Miami local. I'm here to speak as
a proponent of Ultra Music Festival. I've attended Ultra Music Festival every year
since 2013 when I was 16 years old. I currently work in Miami's hospitality industry
since 2019, and I'm currently with STARK Hospitality Group at Pastis Miami. 1 see
firsthand the impact events like Ultra have economically. We serve thousands of
guests each week, and during Miami Music Week and Ultra, that energy multiplies
for the hospitality industry. There are also concerns about property values, but the
reality shows the opposite. Areas like Brickell and downtown have seen property
values surge over the last 15 years due to growth and demand. You can even see it in
the transformation of Calle Ocho now being rebranded as some West Brickell.
Rising property taxes reflect increasing values, not decline. Major events like Ultra
make cities more desirable. People choose to live in Brickell and Downtown because
they want to be near the energy. And if Ultra is removed, that demand does not
disappear. It just gets replaced by smaller, less coordinated events without the same
level of structure and oversight. Bayfront Park is Ultra's true home. It's central,
walkable, and accessible. Removing it from Bayfront Park doesn't solve a problem.
It only disrupts a system that already works and that could be further improved each
year. Miami has thrived on culture, movement, and connection. Ultra belongs at
Bayfront Park because it embodies all of that. Thank you.
City, of Miami Page 33 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jian Gou: Good morning, Commissioner. Good morning, everyone. My name is
Jian. I've been here 15 years. I'm originally from Beijing, one of the busiest,
crowded city in the world. Guess what? When I go down my parents' building,
there's a track. I can walk from here to there. There's a track. Guess what? My boys
born in this beautiful city, Coconut Grove, and they're in track team, Coconut Grove
Hornet team. We have to travel to neighborhood city. I have to go to City of Coral
Gables and 1 graduated from UM (University of Miami). 1 asked for UM -- they were
so kind -- asked to use the track once a week. But we simply don't have a track,
public track, in District 2. This will benefit everyone, kids, senior, everyone. This is
not just public track. This is public health well-being. And everybody will benefit
every day, for decades, for generations. So, Stone, I have my eight -year -old Stone
right here. Stone, you want to say anything?
Stone (Minor): Good morning. My name is Stone. I like to run track. And I want to
be -- I want to go to the Olympics and be a track star.
David Porter: Oh, okay.
Ms. Gou: Thank you for your time.
Applause.
Ms. Gou: Thank you for listening.
Chair King: Good morning.
Mr. Porter: Good morning. First, I'd like to thank the Commission and Madam
Mayor for you all taking the time to hear all of our input and whatnot. I'm sure it
will go into informing your decisions. In any case, my name is David Porter, and 1
am a president of Stirrup Properties at 3619 Percival Avenue. Our family has been
part of Coconut Grove for over 20 years, with a longstanding commitment to
responsible development, in particular, the preservation and expansion of affordable
housing in the Little Bahamas community. I am here today in support of RE.10,
which allocates funding from the Public Benefit Trust for affordable housing and
park improvements within the district. From our perspective, this is not a funding
decision. It's about maintaining the fabric of an historic community while ensuring
that longtime residents are not displaced as property values rise. Affordable housing
and well -maintained public spaces are essential to that balance. When I do the math,
the data is clear. District 2 has contributed over 50 percent of the Public Benefit
Trust Fund. The proposal is -- right now is asked to allocate 42 percent into District
2 while leaving a portion for broader citywide needs. This to me is a fair approach.
More importantly, these funds are being directed toward tangible community focused
outcomes, from affordable housing initiatives in the Little Bahamas to meaningful
improvements in neighborhood parks and playgrounds, which many people have
talked about today. We believe this is exactly how these funds were intended to work,
reinvesting in the communities where development is occurring in a way that benefits
directly. I encourage all of your support. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Juan -Carlos Planas: Good morning, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor, Commissioners.
My name is Juan -Carlos `J. C." Planas. I am an attorney representing some
neighbors here on information on RE.16. The issue with RE.16, this is an agreement
that is completely different than what the Commission passed. In February of 2020,
City of Miami Page 34 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
the Commission passes a resolution with a public benefits package with a fire
station. Several months later, a commissioner who's no longer here with a city
attorney that's no longer here ends up rewriting the agreement. So, what is asked to
be enforced today is not what was passed by the Commission. That agreement had a
number of differences that you guys can look up. All the records are there. That
agreement that ends up being changed even had a slush fund for the commissioner of
that district. I think that the wise thing to do, because the residents are angry that the
fire station has not been built, you guys are obviously angry that the fire station has
not been built, is cancel the entire agreement, do an RFP (Request for Proposals) on
this and bring in other people because what would be enforced is not even what was
passed by the Commission and I think that a new RFP is probably what should be
warranted. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Madeline Kaufman: Good morning, Mayor and Commissioners. My name's Maddie
Kaufman and I live at 3375 Southwest 29th Terrace. I'm the Zero Waste Institutional
Change director at Debris Free Oceans and help lead Zero Waste Miami, a coalition
of over 150 people working to build Miami's circular economy. And I just wanted to
say how incredibly proud we are to partner with Ultra Music Festival, who has been
eliminating waste and emissions to incredible extents throughout the last few years
through their award -winning Mission: Home program. It really has been amazing to
witness them phasing out single -use plastics and using leftover food to feed people
and not landfill and more. They've actually diverted over half a million pounds of
waste from landfill and of that 100,000 pounds were donated as resources back to
the community. And they've been doing all of this before required by local
ordinance, permitting and contracts. They do this operating at very tight margins.
And their team has just three days to pull off all of these initiatives that they dedicate
countless hours to planning. Festivals really are mini cities that have inspired Miami
to be better and shown us what is possible. On a personal note, I've been attending
Ultra for 14 years and the excitement and energy and attention it brings to our city is
truly incredible. I've never had any issues with overcrowding or traffic because our
public transportation system, albeit its lack of geographic scope, actually serves this
event incredibly well. And so, I would love to see it operate in Bayfront and uplift
Miami for years to come. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good aft -- good morning.
Sofia Iglesias.: Either or is fine.
Chair King: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Ms. Iglesias: Good morning, good afternoon. Commissioners, Madam Mayor, Mr.
Manager, my name is Sofia Iglesias. I am in support of RE.8. I reside at 3750 South
Dixie Highway. I'm a contractor who serves as the Community Partnerships
manager for Ultra Music Festival. As a Miami native born and raised here, it's been
an absolute privilege to support this festival every season in this capacity,
specifically through our internationally recognized and awarded Mission: Home
Program. I've been with this program since its inception in 2019, but I have
personally witnessed how we've transformed our relationship with Bayfront Park
over the last seven years. I recognize that for some, an event of this scale is viewed
as a nuisance or an inconvenience. We must also recognize that City of Miami takes
immense pride in being a global hub for mega events, and Ultra is a cornerstone of
that reputation. We have proven that a world -class event can coexist with deep,
responsible stewardship of our public spaces. This isn't just a goal, it's our reality.
Since 2019, we've diverted 509,000 pounds of waste from the landfill. We invest
significant time and resources voluntarily because we treat this park like our own
City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
home. Our impact reaches far beyond the music. Through our rescue initiatives, we
have donated over 108,000 pounds of food and supplies back to equity -deserving
groups of the Miami community. We're also committed to our young leaders,
providing young adults with impactful opportunities through volunteering and
internships. We take pride in being a megaphone for our local heroes, partners like
Clean Miami Beach, Debris Free Oceans, Love the Everglades Movement, et cetera,
along with many others, ensuring that Ultra's platform of millions of people globally
strengthens Miami's environmental fabric year-round. While it isn't all about the
money, we cannot ignore the economic impact we bring to downtown. As we've seen
many other events leave the city of Miami footprint recently, there's a reason Ultra
has stayed. We are a Miami -born institution. We are loyal to the city. We are
committed to the neighbors, the local businesses, and the long-term health of
Biscayne Bay.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Iglesias.. I'm standing here today -- thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Iglesias: Appreciate the time.
Chair King: Good morning.
Rob Piper: Good morning, Madam Mayor, City Manager, Madam Chair, and
Commissioners. My name is Rob Piper. I'm at 1401 Southwest 17 Terrace. And I'm
just here to talk in regarding to RE.16. As a District 3 resident, I have actually seen
the differences between what was voted on by the commission in February of 2020
and what was -- what actually moved forward in April of 2020. So, I'm asking just to
please put this on the back burner for now until there's an actual chance to find out
just how -- to see just how different these agreements are and ensure that what went
forward on April 2020 actually matches what was actually approved in February of
2020 regarding this agreement with this developer. I am not -- I didn't grow up in
Miami, I'm a transplant, but I've been here for over 10 years. And it just concerns
me how what was agreed upon at the commission at one month, it suddenly changes
a couple of months later. So, I just urge you to please, let's not go down this road
and make sure that the process gets done the way it's supposed to. And on that note,
thank you, Madam Mayor, for your resolution to move your election to 2028. And for
the commissioners, I just have to ask, why do you need -- does it need -- does the
commission election need to be extended all the way to 2020 -- 2032? Can it just go
to 2030? Not looking for an answer, I'm just asking. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Thomas Kennedy: Good morning. My name is Thomas Kennedy. I'm here to speak
out against this irresponsible bond proposal. Now is not the time to saddle the city
with $450 million dollars' worth of more debt, particularly when we haven't gotten a
full accounting of the money left in the Miami Forever Bond, which I voted against
because I just don't believe that this commission and city government has been a
good steward of the residents' money. And nothing really has changed to prove
otherwise. There's an estimated, I've heard, I've read, $182 million left unaccounted
in the Miami Forever Bond. Just sitting there, nine years' worth of time, losing
money due to inflation. Why don't we get a full accounting of what's left before we
ask residents to foot half a Killion dollars for God knows whatever. And the other
thing that I will say is that the Florida Legislature right now is pushing, along with
the Governor, is pushing a proposal forward to eliminate property taxes. We don't
know if that's actually going to happen. We haven't seen a specific plan, but it's
City of Miami Page 36 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
something that's floated. And property taxes would be a revenue stream that the City
would use to repay this debt that we are supposed, you know, to take on. So, has this
been a factor, something that we've thought about when this is being proposed? I
don 't know, it just seems really improvised, rushed, irresponsible, and not the right
time both politically and economically for the City to take this kind of debt. Thank
you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
Andy Parrish: Not quite yet, Madam Chair. Good morning still, Commissioners and
Madam Mayor. Andy Parrish, 3940 Main Highway. Twenty five years ago, 1
attended a three- or four -day long charrette in Virrick Park. And that was attended
by Ms. Dorothy Wallace and by the late Thelma Gibson and many, many others from
the West Grove. And that charrette ended up producing the Grand Avenue Village
plan -- vision plan for Grand Avenue, which was brought before this commission and
nothing really ever happened to it. The key component of that, one of the key
components was the Ace Theater. The revitalization of that as a cultural landmark
as a meeting place, as an entertainment venue, never happened. Here we are 25
years later, so I hope on PH 7 and RE. 10 you'll vote yes. As for RE.17 and RE. 18,
we heard the firefighters, we all love firefighters, they deserve a place that's worthy
of them. But I have to say RE.17 and RE.18 I think are linked because this bond issue
is going to be -- right now, ifit was $100 million for the firefighters that get passed,
it's $450 million unspecified. It's going to he really hard to get that passed, Madam
Mayor, even from people like me who we love the city, but there's a lot of trust
missing. And that brings us back to RE.18, which is Stronger Miami's proposal,
which has anti -gerrymandering, even year elections, and also nine commission
districts. I think you guys are going to love nine commission districts because the
voters are going to be closer to you. They're going to be happier. And happy voters
make happy commissioners and a happy city. And they also get bond issues passed
because then the voters say, these people really do represent me. They listen to me,
they're accessible to me, and I will vote for that bond. Otherwise, I don't think they
will. Thank you very much for listening to me. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mia Laurenzo: Good morning -- good afternoon. Madam Chair, Commissioners,
Mayor Higgins. My name is Mia Laurenzo, and I'm here today representing the
Archaeological and Historical Conservancy. I'm also a native Floridian and a
storyteller. As a producer, I've had the privilege of bringing Florida's unique history
to audiences nationwide through PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), and I'm proud
to continue that work. On behalf of the Archeological and Historical Conservancy, I
want to express our strong support for RE.10, specifically to restore Flagler's
workers' cottage, an irreplaceable link to Henry Flagler and the founding of Miami.
Built in 1897, this modest structure is the last surviving building in downtown Miami
directly tied to Flagler's transformative role in shaping the city through the Florida
East Coast Railway. The cottage is not only a relic of early Miami, but it sits within a
far deeper historical landscape. This riverfront location lies at the heart of the
ancient Tequesta Indian settlement, an area of profound archaeological importance
where the Tequesta lived, traded, and established trails along the Miami River for
thousands of years. The cottage's placement along this historic corridor creates a
rare and powerful intersection of indigenous and pioneer history in a single site. So,
restoring this structure is more than preservation. It is an opportunity to interpret
layered histories from the Tequesta Trail network to Flagler's arrival and Miami's
birth. With thoughtful restoration, the cottage can serve as a meaningfid public
space that honors both narratives. We commend the City's leadership in advancing
this project and strongly encourage its continued support. Thank you.
City of Miami Page 37 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Manuel Prieguez: Good morning, Commissioners. Manny Prieguez, 4000 Malaga
Avenue. I'm going to move -- remove my lobbyist cap, and I'm going to put on my
resident cap, and that's why I'm here. First Reading 2, Section 54-56 of the City
Code has to be one of the most unfair sections that exists in the City of Miami Code.
The fact that if you are constructing a building on your property or you are
redeveloping your property, and if you pass $100, 000 in expenses, you are somehow
obligated, legally, obligated, as per the code, to have to make all these improvements
in the right of way, which, quite frankly, is the responsibility of the City of Miami.
After all, we pay taxes. The property owners pay taxes. After all, we pay impact fees
on certain projects and so forth. And you would assume as a property owner that this
is what that money goes to, right? So, that the City has and its budget enough money
to keep up with what it owns, i.e. the sidewalks, the right-of-ways [sic], et cetera. I
do not advocate that you should defer this item. I advocate and I petition my
government to take advantage of the fact that you have something before you that
can be used in order to try to correct the situation or at least head in a direction to
correct the situation. So, please don't defer it. Please amend it. I don't think the 250
goes enough, with all due respect to my chairwoman. And I quite frankly think that it
should be deleted and the administration should come back in three to six months
with a.formula that works, that's transparent, that makes sense, and that provides a
nexus between whatever improvements are being done on the private side with
whatever damage may have occurred on the public side. Thank you very, very much
for your attention to this matter.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Stanley Young: Good morning. Good evening.
Chair King: Good afternoon.
Mr. Young: Yes. Chaplain Stanley Young, Freedom Prison and Jail Ministry, 500
Northwest 2nd Avenue. You should know me by now because I try to cone every
meeting. Mayor, I've been trying to contact your office to have a word with you,
have a sit down with you and the new city manager. I really have a plan to really
help those who are in all of your districts. I have reached out to each and every one
of you commissioners. Some of you have been gracious, some of you I'm waiting to
hear back from you, but I'm here to talk on PH.1, 2, 3, and 4 and RE.10. It's just
about housing. Continue building housing. We need housing. You know, the former
president once said he was going to be up from the bottom up. I was hoping that that
would be the door that we, who are those unsung heroes who are down there in the
trenches, who walk the streets to see the homeless, who can't go to a music concert,
who can't sit inside of a theater, who can't, you know, go to some kind of these
events that people are protesting for. That's good and dandy, but let's help those.
Let's continue to help those. You know, Miami has the highest rate of homelessness
in the state of Florida. Why don't we have a shelter to help shelter these people who
really do need your help, who really do need you to help them to get off drugs, get off
alcohol. They was once business owners, they was once car salesmen, they was once
teachers. I've sat and listened to so many different stories from your residents, you
know, a lot of what -- thank you, thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Young: God bless.
Chair King: Good morning. Good afternoon. I'm sorry. Good afternoon.
City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Vanessa Conde: Good afternoon. My name is Vanessa Conde. 1 live at 333 Northeast
24th Street in Edgewater, and I am a member of the BNA (Biscayne Neighborhoods
Association) board. I'm here to speak on RE.17 simply because 1 had a very
personal experience recently with a tour that was given to me as a member of the
BNA board at the police department about two weeks ago. And I am the daughter of
a former New York City detective. And I thought to myself when I walked out of the
facility, how sad I would be for my dad if he had to work in an environment like the
headquarters of the Miami Police Department. And I'm not trying to throw shade.
I'm just saying. I think it's time, you know, we're the magic city, let's give a little
magic to the folks that are our first responders and put their life on the line for us. I
felt sad for them as I walked through the building and the major, every turn that we
took, every room that we went into, whether it was 911 operator section, the
communications office, probably the nicest area was where they have the technology
with the drones. But every room we turned into, they apologized for the condition of
the building. And despite that, everyone was gracious. Everyone was kind. Everyone
was friendly. And they did their best to accommodate us and make us feel welcome
while making excuses for the environment because they probably felt slightly
embarrassed. And I felt embarrassed for them. I encourage us to do something for
them, give them some dignity. And how we do it fiscally, I'll leave it to the experts to
make that decision. Whether we need another loan, I don't know that's the best way
to go. But I just hope we put our fiduciary hats on and make the right decisions for
these folks on behalf of the city. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Renita Samuels -Dixon: Good morning -- well, it is afternoon now, but thank you.
Renita Samuels -Dixon, Coconut Grove resident all my life. I'm here to speak
basically on -- to thank you for bringing the Ace Theater to the forefront. It's an area
that really is a bomb shelter if you think about it. And it's a building that needs to be
restored. And the family has worked very, hard to raise monies throughout the United
States to ensure that that building is preserved and that we can use it. Secondly, in
reference to the track, we have been lobbying for a track for over 16 years. We know
we cannot have an official track, but it would be nice to have a track on Arnabrister
Park so that our youth can continue to practice there. Gerald Tinker, as everyone
knows, an Olympian, came out of there. We've had so many others that, through just
perseverance and the dedication of the volunteers that work in those positions to
help these youth, so we're asking that the -- our commission do the same thing for
Coconut Grove, West Grove. In reference to the naming of the park, Armbrister Park
is the correct name, but I would like for you to go over into the building and you will
see who that building should be named after. Go into the park to see that. Lastly, I
thank you all, for what you're doing. And my suggestion to the city manager is that
there be an analysis of all of the parks with all of the buildings within the city of
Miami so that we know what needs to be done with each structure. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
Russ Walters: Good afternoon, Madam Chair. Good afternoon, Mayor
Commissioners. Can you hear me okay? Thank you. I thought we'd step aside for a
minute and recognize a few things. I've lived here 60 something years. We've all --
we all live here. I thought we'd take a moment and recognize that the city of Miami
is an exceptional city. Out of 50 states, I can't think of one that really compares to
the city of Miami. Number one. Number two is that the city of Miami has exceptional
events, one of which is Ultra, which happens to have an exceptional name. As a
matter of fact, I would consider that the City of Miami might want to join hands with
Ultra and possibly engage in a licensing agreement where it says, Miami is Ultra.
The name speaks for itself, and it's global, and it's recognized everywhere. What's
City of Miami Page 39 Printed on OS/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
really interesting is, for the first time, I actually attended Ultra this year, and 1
walked the footprint. And I have to tell you, it's the perfect place. Out of everywhere
in Miami -- and after 65 years, I've been everywhere in Miami. Everywhere, there
isn 't a place that fits. It's like a glove. I walked the entire event, went for three days.
And at 71 years old, for me to even consider going to Ultra and actually enjoying it
to the extent that I'd go back. And I just thought I'd tell you that we should embrace
it as a city and consider it a blessing that we have it. We're the founding -- you
know, the home for Ultra. And we should embrace it and put our arms around it and
welcome it instead of trying to push it away. So, that's what 1 had to say.
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: IfI can have the speaker's name for the record.
Mr. Walters: Russ Walters.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Walters: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak on behalf of
any item on our agenda today? Seeing none, the public comment period is now
closed. And, gentlemen, it is 12 noon. We have two CRA (Community Redevelopment
Agency) meetings. Would we like to break this city commission meeting, go into the -
- yes, to the --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: Okay. So, we're going to recess the City of Miami Commission meeting
and then we will take up the Omni CRA and the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA
meetings, and following the conclusion of those two meetings, we will break for
lunch for two hours. Yes? Okay. The meeting is now in recess.
AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
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 40 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PA - PERSONAL APPEARANCE
PA.1 PERSONAL APPEARANCE
19068 A PRESENTATION BY MIAMI DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS TO PROVIDE AN
UPDATE ON THE ADVANCE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(ATMS) PROGRAM.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Chair King: Hold on one second. It's been brought to my attention there's someone
here for a personal appearance and we just went past it. Miami -Dade County
Department of Transportation and Public Works, are you still here? Conte on up.
I'm so sorry. You guys, I'm so sorry. I should have recognized and allowed for the
personal appearance that's on the agenda. Apologies.
Josiel Ferrer -Diaz: No apologies necessary. Madam Chair, good morning,
honorable members of the Commission. I do have a presentation for you all today if
you would allow me. It is on the topic of the Advanced Traffic Management System
as well as Vision Zero, which are two projects of interest to your city. Bear with me
one moment. Okay, thank you very much. Josiel Ferrer -Diaz, deputy director of
Miami -Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works. As I
mentioned to you, we are in a very important project, 1 would say one of the most
important projects in our county for many, many years. 1 know one of the growing
issues in our county and two of the complaints that we get most is, one, housing. The
other one is traffic congestion. And the projects that we have here address two main
things, which is traffic congestion, as well as safety. We, unfortunately, live in one of
the most deadly cities and counties throughout the state, and that has a lot to do with
the fact that we are also the most dense, but we are taking several efforts to make
our county safer from a traffic perspective. So, first, I'm going to speak a little bit on
a quick agenda that we're going to follow, and I will gloss over this as you're going
to see the slides. So, the Advanced Traffic Management System project is nothing
more than taking your traffic signals that all of us use today, our 3,000 plus traffic
signals, and changing the system that exists today. So, the system that has existed in
its different forms, we've been working on it since the '90s. Some of the
infrastructure that you have there today is from that time. The central software was
upgraded in somewhere around 2006, but of course, new upgrades are necessary as
technology continues to grow on a daily basis. So, in addition to updating our
central software, we'll also be changing the 3,000 plus internal computers that we
call controllers that exist at each intersection, those cabinets that you see at
signalized intersections. And, of course, we're going to be changing a lot of the
detection that exists. So, this replaces, you know, outdated traffic signal
infrastructure, as well as catapults us into the next step in terms of technology,
connection to connected vehicles, potential connection to other technology that exists
out there, such as cell phone technology, as well as some potential future for
adaptive traffic signal control. So, the project consists of three main phases. Those
phases are the traffic signal functions, everything that has to do with software, right,
and testing of the hardware. That phase we're actually coming -- is coming to an end
right now and the contractor's achieving the final approvals. What we hope to start
in May, early May, is the actual deployment of the controllers, and that will occur in
mid -May, and we will go ahead and show you a little bit of the schedule for that. And
then the aspect after that is we're going to be upgrading the majority of our
City of Miami Page 41 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
detection to camera detection as opposed to loop detection. What that does is
whenever there are projects that affect our pavement, whether it be utility projects,
private projects, or just a simple milling and resurfacing project, our detection will
not be affected, which also affects the functionality of the traffic signal. So, I'm not
going to spend too much time on this slide, but this basically shows what the project
is. The project has some lengthy aspects. It's a ten-year project, hut realistically, the
actual effective installation will be completed within five years in five distinct phases.
Following that, we'll have a five-year period of just continuing service and
monitoring of the system as we move forward with this project. So, Task Group 1,
which we -- that's what we're calling the initial deployment of the controllers, as you
can see, we have a quick map here. The City of Miami, which is of interest to you, is
in year two. So, we could be looking at a very quick turnaround. We are working
with a very eager contractor that wants to move this along and finish this much
sooner than what we have, but contractually, it's a five-year deployment. And, of
course, you know, we have some areas of Downtown and the Central Business
District that will extend a little bit beyond into the -- into the last years of the
contract. This is always subject to change. I mean, this is the early parts of the
projects, so we'll be moving around some of these phases as we go forward and as
we advance. Task Group 2 is a little bit lengthier. It does require some infrastructure
improvements. That one, as well as some parts of the City, of Miami, are very early
on and we are working with your city, and we'll continue to work with the City in
collaboration as we deploy some of this -- some of this. So, just a quick aspect on
this, continued collaboration is critical. We work very, very closely. As a matter of
fact, at 8:30 this morning, we had a call with your Public Works Department, which
we do on a biweekly basis, and that -- we just use that time to collaborate, to be able
to talk through projects, be able to talk through even policy that may affect the
County or the City. One of the things that, you know, we're working through is
enhancing communication in this project, so talking to your department, making sure
that -- making sure that we communicate on a -- very often as we proceed. The other
aspect that we wanted to talk through, I know it's of interest to the community and
this is a busy slide, but I just wanted to pause a little bit on the Vision Zero project.
We have several county roads and city roads within our Vision Zero program that
we have received funding for. The total funding for our project between local, state,
as well as federal funding is about $44 million, and we are in the process of design
and early deployment for many of these projects. As you can see on the right, there
are many projects within the City. And last but not least is our high injury network.
We've identified -- these are the areas where most of the crashes, fatal crashes and
injury crashes, occur. These are some of the ones that we have identified that may
affect your city, and that's where the concentration of our Vision Zero projects are.
We continue, as I said, to collaborate with your city officials to try to collaborate on
projects and make sure that we're addressing common goals. Thank you very much,
and 1 appreciate your time.
Chair King: Thank you.
Glenda Perez: Good morning.
Chair King: Good morning.
Ms. Perez: Good morning, everyone.
Chair King: You can pull that down. Thank you.
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair? Madam Chair? Good morning.
Chair King: Yes.
City ofMiami Page 42 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Rosado: Thank you. This was actually an item that 1'd asked to be
added on as a presentation. 1 appreciate the information. Traffic light
synchronization is something residents ask me about all the time. When do you
expect the traffic lights within the City of Miami to be done? I know we talked about
a number of dates, but specifically for the City, when do you expect it?
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: So, the City ofMiami is within two of the phases. We have in phase
two, which is year two, and then we have some of the -- in the Central Business
District, we have -- that is in the later phases, about year four. So, that's -- that's --
basically, we're talking about -- we're in -- we're in the -- at the beginning of year
one, right?
Commissioner Rosado: Okay.
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: So, we're talking about next year, 2027-2028, for year two, and
then out to late 2029 for years -- for year four.
Commissioner Rosado: For year four? Okay, so 20 -- by 2029, we should have all
traffic lights within the City ofMiami synchronized?
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: Yes.
Commissioner Rosado: Okay.
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: So, I do want to add as well, I mean, any specific corridors that
are of concern, feel free to send it to us. Your Public Works Department has our
contact information, and we can look at those independently with the current system
and try to achieve the better coordination.
Commissioner Rosado: Thank you.
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: Appreciate it.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: I was just wondering, for the residents, can you just briefly
describe the benefit -- I mean, talking about synchronization is one thing, but is there
an Al (Artificial Intelligence) component where there's kind of smart intelligence
behind what's happening with traffic? Is that where we're headed and is that what
this will accomplish?
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: So, the system has adaptive capability, computer learning
capabilities. In this project specifically, due to finding and other aspects, it is -- it --
we don 't have it as part of the actual scope that we 're executing now, but we do have
capabilities within the contract to add that subject to funding, to identifying the
funding. So, -- but the system is ready to receive that technology, as well as
communicating with vehicles, which a lot of vehicles have communication
technology today. So, it is ready for the next steps in technology that are -- that are
coming.
Commissioner Pardo: And what would that funding look like?
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: Right now, I mean, it's -- it's -- I don't -- funding continues to
change on a daily basis and the cost of technology continues to change on a daily
basis. We have sort of a snapshot in time within the contract of an estimate, but I
don't want to mislead you with an actual figure at this moment. We can definitely
take a look at that and communicate with your office.
City of Page 43 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: Right. Appreciate that.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela, do you have anything for him?
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, I'm good. Thank you.
Chair King: Okay. If 1 could get your contact information, my staff we had a public
meeting about the trolley systems and routes, adding routes, CITT (Citizens
Independent Transportation Trust) firnds, Freebee in District 5 on the Upper East
Side. I'm very interested in that. I had a very good dialogue with your team during
that public meeting and we got a lot of feedback from my constituents, and I'd like to
stay in touch if that's okay with you.
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: Definitely. I will leave my contact info with the clerk.
Chair King: Appreciate it. Thank you --
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: Thank you very much.
Chair King: -- for coming.
Mr. Ferrer -Diaz: Appreciate that.
END OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE
City ofMiami Page 44 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
CA.1 RESOLUTION
19163
Department of
Parks and
Recreation
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, RATIFYING, CONFIRMING, AND APPROVING THE CITY
MANAGER'S FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS
EXHIBIT "A", THAT IT IS MOST ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY
OF MIAMI ("CITY") TO WAIVE THE COMPETITIVE SEALED
BIDDING PROCEDURE PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-90 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA AS AMENDED ("CITY
CODE"), AND RETROACTIVELY APPROVING THE SELECTION
OF BROUSS ELEVATORS INC. ("CONTRACTOR"), FOR THE
PURCHASE OF PARTIAL ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION
SERVICES ("SERVICES") AT THE LITTLE HAITI SOCCER PARK
COMMUNITY BUILDING FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT ("PARKS") FOR AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF
FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($56,000.00);
ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE FROM PARKS AND
RECREATION ACCOUNT CODE NO.
31100.291001.670000.0000.00000; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS,
APPROPRIATIONS, BUDGETARY APPROVALS, AND
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY
CODE, INCLUDING, THE CITY'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE,
ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY
PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY
CODE, 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-26-0179
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
City of Miami Page 45 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
CA.2 RESOLUTION
19042
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT, ALLOCATE,
AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
("GRANTOR") IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED
TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT
AND 75/100 DOLLARS ($227,298.75) ("GRANT FUNDS") FOR
PHASE II OF THE MIAMARINA PUMP -OUT ENHANCEMENT
PROJECT ("PROJECT"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
ALLOCATION AND APPROPRIATION OF SEVENTY-FIVE
THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX AND 25/100 DOLLARS
($75,766.25) FROM LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCES
AS THE REQUIRED CITY MATCH; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A GRANT
AGREEMENT AND ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
ANY APPLICATIONS, AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS,
RENEWALS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE
WITH APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS;
FURTHER 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 ANY
OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO CREATE NECESSARY ACCOUNTING
STRUCTURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES; APPROVING, RATIFYING, AND
CONFIRMING CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS BY THE CITY
MANAGER AND DESIGNATED CITY OFFICIALS TO UPDATE THE
CITY'S CAPITAL PLAN AND RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS,
ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS, FOR
PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING
SOURCES IN CONNECTION HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0180
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
CA.3 RESOLUTION
19053
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THREE (3) 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-26-0181
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
City ofMiami Page 46 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
CA.4 RESOLUTION
19149
Department of Risk
Management
CA.5
19194
Office of the City
Attorney
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY TO AND
ON BEHALF OF ARNDRE FISHER, SUBJECT TO THE
CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY CHAPTER 440, FLORIDA STATUTES,
THE TOTAL SUM OF ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE
THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($175,000.00), IN FULL
SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS AND DATES OF ACCIDENT
ALLEGED AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), ITS OFFICERS,
AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF
LIABILITY, UPON EXECUTING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT,
HOLD HARMLESS, AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AS
WELL AS A GENERAL RELEASE OF THE CITY, ITS PRESENT
AND FORMER OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES, FROM
ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR THOUSAND,
NINE HUNDRED AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($174,900.00) FROM
ACCOUNT NO. 50001.301001.524000.0000.00000 AND FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED AND 00/100 DOLLARS
($100.00), FOR THE SEPARATE GENERAL RELEASE, FROM
ACCOUNT NO. 00001.980000.531010.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0182
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT OF ARMANDO CARDELLA, AS
A TRUSTEE OF THE BOSCH TRUST, A LAND TRUST VS. CITY
OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 2025-017969-CA-01, PENDING IN THE
ELEVENTH CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, IN THE
AMOUNT OF SIXTY-ONE THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED
TWENTY AND 10/100 DOLLARS ($61,320.10), IN FULL AND
COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0183
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair King: Gentlemen, of the CA (Consent Agenda) items, is there anything on the
CA, the Consent Agenda, that you would like to pull for discussion? CA.1, 2, 3, 4, or
5?
Commissioner Escalona: No.
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Commissioner Gabela: No.
City of Miami Page 47 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Rosado: No.
Chair King: May I have a motion to pass CA.1, 2, 3, 4, and 5? And please note that
CA.1 is a four -fifths item.
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: Items passes unanimously.
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
City ofMiami Page 48 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PH.1 RESOLUTION
19075
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. R-25-0525, ADOPTED
ON DECEMBER 11, 2025, "AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ALLOCATE, UPON THE FULFILLMENT BY GALLERY AT
WAGNER CREEK, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
("DEVELOPER"), OF ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH
IN THE COLLECTIVE MEMORANDA TO THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY")
HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL LOAN COMMITTEE, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS COMPOSITE EXHIBIT "A," FUNDING ON A
REIMBURSEMENT BASIS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOUR
MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT THOUSAND EIGHTY DOLLARS
($4,848,080.00) FROM THE PROPOSED TRANCHE 2 MIAMI FOREVER
AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIMITED AD VALOREM BONDS FOR THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENTS OF A 27-STORY, MIXED USE
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROJECT TO BE LOCATED AT 1500
NORTHWEST 12 AVENUE, TO BE KNOWN AS "GALLERY AT WAGNER
CREEK," BEING DEVELOPED BY THE DEVELOPER; SUCH ALLOCATION
TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OF
FLORIDA, LOCAL, AND CITY LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING BONDS PROJECTS STRATEGIES,
THE TRANCHE 2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING INTENT TO REIMBURSE
RESOLUTION, AND THE TRANCHE 2 MIAMI FOREVER AFFORDABLE
HOUSING LIMITED AD VALOREM BONDS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE," AND REPLACING IN LIEU THEREOF THIS
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ALLOCATE, UPON THE FULFILLMENT BY THE DEVELOPER, OF ALL OF
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE COLLECTIVE
MEMORANDA TO THE CITY'S HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL LOAN
COMMITTEE, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS COMPOSITE
EXHIBIT "A," FUNDING ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED FOUR MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT
THOUSAND, EIGHTY DOLLARS ($4,848,080.00) FROM THE MIAMI
FOREVER BOND ("MFB") PROGRAM FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
COMPONENTS OF A 27-STORY, MIXED USE COMMERCIAL AND
RESIDENTIAL PROJECT TO BE LOCATED AT 1500 NORTHWEST 12
AVENUE, TO BE KNOWN AS "GALLERY AT WAGNER CREEK," BEING
DEVELOPED BY THE DEVELOPER; SUCH ALLOCATION TO BE IN
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OF FLORIDA,
LOCAL, AND CITY LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING BONDS PROJECTS STRATEGIES,
AND THE MIAMI FOREVER BOND VALIDATION ORDER.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0184
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PH.I, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)."
City ofMiami Page 49 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Gentlemen, from the public hearing items, PH.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, would
you like to discuss -- pull any of those items for discussion?
Commissioner Rosado: No.
Commissioner Pardo: I would like to make a comment on PH.7.
Chair King: PH.7. I would also like to cosponsor PH.7 --
Commissioner Pardo: Excellent. Thank you.
Chair King: -- with you. Go ahead.
Commissioner Pardo: The comment I wanted to make is really directed to the
Wallace family. I just really want to thank you for your perseverance. For -- I
appreciate what you are going through when you have to go through layers and
layers of grants and bureaucracy and truing to do the right thing and preserve
something that's so meaningful in our community. So, I just wanted to take one
second and thank you for that, and really standing up. It is so important for our
community because it's places like the Ace Theater, when we lose them, we lose who
we are as a city. And that's when, why should anybody stay if we're not -- if we're
not honoring our history where we came from and understanding it and appreciating
it. So, thank you very much.
Commissioner Rosado: Thank you.
Chair King: And thank you for staying to see that this happens for your family, and
God bless you, mom. God bless you.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you.
Chair King: Okay, so may I have a motion for PH.1, PH.2, PH.3, PH.4, PH.5, as
amended, and our City Clerk will --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): PH.6 will be as amended pursuant to a substitution
memo dated April 17th, 2026, PH 6.
Chair King: And PH.7, as amended?
Mr. Hannon: PH.7 as is.
Chair King: As -- oh, okay, sorry. And you show me as a cosponsor?
Mr. Hannon: For PH.7, yes, ma'am.
Chair King: Yes. May I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Items passes unanimously. Thank you.
City of Miami Page 50 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PH.2 RESOLUTION
19147
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," THAT
COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES
ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY") PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 18-85(A) OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED;
WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES;
AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT
OF FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($45,000.00)
TO SUNSHINE FOR ALL, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
ORGANIZATION, FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF CITY OF
MIAMI'S SENIOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
("PROGRAM"), FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026, WITH AN OPTION
TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FOR AN
ADDITIONAL FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS
($45,000.00) AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S DIRECTOR
OR DESIGNEE, AS SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, UTILIZING THE FUNDS GENERATED AND
BUDGETED EACH YEAR FROM THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
SCHEDULES OF FEES, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF
FUNDING; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS,
ALL IN A FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY,
SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS THAT
REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0185
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.2, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item PH.1.
City of Miami Page 51 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PH.3 RESOLUTION
19085
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. R-25-0519,
ADOPTED ON DECEMBER 11, 2025, "A RESOLUTION OF THE
MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED
PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING
THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "C," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 29-B(A) OF THE CHARTER OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CHARTER"),
AND SECTION 18-182(C) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"); WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A NINETY NINE (99) YEAR
GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT ("LEASE"), RENEWABLE FOR AN
ADDITIONAL NINETY NINE (99) YEARS, BETWEEN THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") AND SG LITTLE HAVANA, LLC ("DEVELOPER"),
ON THE CITY -OWNED PARCELS OF LAND, IDENTIFIED AS
GROUP "A," BY FOLIO NUMBER(S) 01-4102-006-6450, 01-4102-
006-6460, 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6480 AND 01-4102-006-
6490, LOCATED IN MIAMI, FLORIDA AND GROUP "B," IDENTIFIED
AS FOLIO NUMBER(S) 01-4138-003-2280, 01-4138-003-2270, 01-
4138-003-2260, 01-4138-003-2250, 01-4138-003-2240 AND 01-
4138-003-2150, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBITS "A" AND "B," RESPECTIVELY,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
AFFORDABLE ELDERLY RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT FOR
LOW-INCOME SENIORS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY; SUCH LEASE SUBJECT
UPON SUCCESSFUL REMEDIATION OF EXISTING
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, IF ANY," AND REPLACING IN
LIEU THEREOF THIS RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY
COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
(4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC
HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE
CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED
AS EXHIBIT "C," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS
AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR
ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") PURSUANT
TO SECTIONS 29-B(A) OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CHARTER"), AND
SECTION 18-182(C) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"); WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A NINETY NINE (99) YEAR
GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT ("LEASE"), RENEWABLE FOR AN
City ofMiami Page 52 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
ADDITIONAL NINETY NINE (99) YEARS, BETWEEN THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") AND SG LITTLE HAVANA, LLC ("DEVELOPER"),
ON THE CITY -OWNED PARCELS OF LAND, IDENTIFIED AS
GROUP "A," BY FOLIO NUMBER(S) 01-4102-006-6450, 01-4102-
006-6460, 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6480 AND 01-4102-006-
6490, LOCATED IN MIAMI, FLORIDA AND GROUP "B," IDENTIFIED
AS FOLIO NUMBER(S) 01-4138-003-2280, 01-4138-003-2270, 01-
4138-003-2260, 01-4138-003-2250, 01-4138-003-2240 AND 01-
4138-003-2150, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBITS "A" AND "B," RESPECTIVELY,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
A MIXED USE AFFORDABLE ELDERLY RENTAL HOUSING
PROJECT FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS ("PROJECT");
PROVIDING THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO
EXECUTE THE GROUND LEASE FOR PURPOSES OF
ESTABLISHING SITE CONTROL AND FACILITATING
DEVELOPER'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN CONSTRUCTION AND
PERMANENT FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT; PROVIDING THAT
THE LEASE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE CLOSING
OF CONSTRUCTION FINANCING; PROVIDING THAT THE
PROPERTY SHALL AUTOMATICALLY REVERT TO THE CITY IF
BUILDING PERMITS ARE NOT OBTAINED WITHIN THREE (3)
YEARS AND FURTHER REQUIRING THAT THE DEVELOPER USE
COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PURSUE
APPROVALS AND FINANCING; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY; SUCH LEASE SUBJECT
UPON SUCCESSFUL REMEDIATION OF EXISTING
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, IF ANY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0186
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.3, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item PH.1.
City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PH.4 RESOLUTION
19096
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE REALLOCATION OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG")
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FROM DISTRICT 2 IN THE
TOTAL AMOUNT OF FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE THOUSAND,
THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT AND 54/100 DOLLARS
($459,358.54) TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND
PUBLIC WORKS TO BE UTILIZED FOR CITYWIDE STORMWATER
DRAINAGE SYSTEM UPGRADES, SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS,
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ("ADA") UPGRADES,
AND/OR ANY OTHER CDBG ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS, AS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS,
ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY,
SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS THAT
REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0187
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.4, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item PH.1.
PH.5 RESOLUTION
19054
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE PLAT TITLED "BNA NORTH,"
A REPLAT AND A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI OF THE
PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN ATTACHMENT "1," SUBJECT TO
SATISFACTION OF ALL CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE PLAT
AND STREET COMMITTEE AS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, AND THE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED IN SECTION 55-8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS
SHOWN ON THE PLAT; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT AND
CAUSE THE RECORDATION OF THE PLAT IN THE PUBLIC
RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0188
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.5, please see Item PH.1.
City ofMiami Page 54 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PH.6 RESOLUTION
19148
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE TWO AMENDMENTS, (1) A THIRD AMENDMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, TO THE GRANT OF
EASEMENT, RECORDED ON DECEMBER 12, 2007, BOOK 26102
PAGE 2955 IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, AMENDED BY THAT CERTAIN FIRST AMENDMENT
RECORDED ON DECEMBER 12, 2007, BOOK 26102 PAGE 3110
AND AMENDED BY THAT CERTAIN SECOND AMENDMENT
RECORDED ON NOVEMBER 24, 2008, BOOK 26662 PAGE 355 IN
THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
CONTAINING A COMBINED TOTAL SIZE OF APPROXIMATELY
7.83 ACRES ON A PORTION OF CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 888 MACARTHUR CAUSEWAY,
WATSON ISLAND, MIAMI, FLORIDA, LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; AND (2) A
SECOND AMENDMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED
FORM, TO THE GRANT OF EASEMENT, RECORDED ON
OCTOBER 6, 2008, BOOK 26598 PAGE 1473 IN THE PUBLIC
RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDED BY
THAT CERTAIN FIRST AMENDMENT RECORDED ON OCTOBER
6, 2008, BOOK 26598 PAGE 1498 IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CONTAINING A TOTAL SIZE OF
APPROXIMATELY EIGHT THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY
(8,790) SQUARE FEET ON A PORTION OF CITY -OWNED
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 888 MACARTHUR CAUSEWAY,
WATSON ISLAND, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "B," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, (THE PROPOSED
SECOND AND THIRD AMENDMENTS ARE HEREINAFTER
JOINTLY REFERRED TO AS THE "AMENDED EASEMENT
AGREEMENTS"); FURTHER PROVIDING THAT THE PROPOSED
AMENDED EASEMENT AGREEMENTS ARE TO BE ENTERED
INTO BETWEEN THE CITY, BH3 IG DEVELOPER LLC, ("BH3"),
ISLAND GARDENS DEEP HARBOUR LLC, IG LUXURY LLC, IG
RESIDENCES LLC, IG LIFESTYLE LLC, IG RETAIL LLC, AND IG
PARKING LLC, ("TENANTS"), WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS,
MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED
EASEMENT AGREEMENTS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0189
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
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.6, please see Item PH.1.
City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PH.7 RESOLUTION
19160
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY A
FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND
CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING(S), ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
FROM THE DISTRICT 2 SHARE OF THE CITY'S MIAMI FOR
EVERYONE ("MFE") PROGRAM, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS,
IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED
THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($200,000.00) ("FUNDS") TO
ACE THEATER FOUNDATION, INC., A FLORIDA NOT -FOR -
PROFIT CORPORATION ("ACE FOUNDATION"), FOR THE
PURPOSE OF RESTORING AND REHABILITATING THE HISTORIC
ACE THEATER LOCATED AT 3664 GRAND AVENUE ("PROJECT"),
WHICH, UPON COMPLETION, WILL PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY
WITH A VENUE FOR EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES, A
CULTURAL PROGRAMMING SPACE, AND A WORKFORCE HUB,
SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
LAWS REGULATING THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSES.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0190
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PIL7, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item PH.1.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
City ofMiami Page 56 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE - RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
19032
Department of
General Services
Administration
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A CAPITAL PROJECT TITLED
"FDEP GARBAGE TRUCK GRANT PROGRAM"; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD FROM THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
("FDEP"), IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION TWO
HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,200,000.00);
APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS TO THE GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT ("GSA") FOR THE PURCHASE
OF THREE (3) AUTOMATED SIDE LOADER GARBAGE TRUCKS;
FURTHER ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
LOCAL MATCH IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE
HUNDRED FOURTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR
AND 20/100 DOLLARS ($114,154.20), FROM PREVIOUSLY
BUDGETED FUNDS IN CAPITAL PROJECT NO. 40-B233106;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO ACCEPT THE GRANT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, TO ADMINISTER AND COMPLY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE GRANT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0191
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Chair King: Okay. Gentlemen, are there any items on this agenda that you would
like to pull. for discussion?
Commissioner Gabela: The only one I would like to pull is the RE. 10.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Escalona: I would like to pull RE.8, 14 --
Chair King: Wait, 8, 10, 14.
Commissioner Gabela: 14.
Chair King: 8, 10, and 14. Anything else? Commissioner Rosado?
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, and RE.16, sorry.
Chair King: RE.16, okay.
City of Miami Page 57 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Pardo: And 1 just have a comment on RE.11.
Chair King: Okay, so I'm going to pull RE.11 for your comment so I can get --
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you.
Chair King: Okay. Anything else, Commissioner Rosado?
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, by the way, is RE.10 related to RE.11? Is that the one
that -- the fund that --
Chair King: RE.10 is --
Commissioner Pardo: The Public Benefits Trust Fund.
Chair King.: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.10 and RE.11.
Chair King: RE.10 and RE --
Commissioner Pardo: No, they're separate.
Chair King: -- 6 -- RE.10 and RE.14.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so the one that we were deciding --
Mr. Wysong: 14.
Commissioner Pardo: 14.
Commissioner Gabela: -- who gets what money --
Chair King: RE.10 and RE.14.
Commissioner Pardo: 14.
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.10 and 14 are the ones that last time we decided --
Chair King: Yes, they've -- yeah.
Commissioner Pardo: Right.
Commissioner Gabela: -- who gets what.
Chair King: That's been pulled.
Commissioner Gabela: So, that's the one I want to pull.
Chair King: Those have been pulled.
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, you pulled those?
Chair King: Those have been pulled.
City ofMiami Page 58 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Chair King: Okay. So, gentlemen, may I have a motion to pass RE.1, RE.2, that will
be amended, RE.4, that will be amended, RE. 7, that's a four -fifths, RE.15.
Mr. Hannon: My apologies, Chair; RE.9.
Chair King: I missed -- okay, RE.9, RE.15.
Mr. Hannon: My apologies, Chair, RE.11.
Chair King: It's been pulled for discussion, Todd.
Mr. Hannon: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that was 10, 8, 14, and 16.
Chair King: No, it's 8, 10, 11, 14, and 16.
Mr. Hannon: My apologies.
Chair King: Okay. So, let me go this one more time. May I have a motion for RE.1,
RE.2 as amended, RE.4 as amended, RE.7, RE.9, RE.15 as amended, RE.19 and 20.
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Mr. Hannon: And Chair, my apologies, just briefly. For the record, Commissioner
Rosado will be submitting a DDA (Downtown Development Authority) resolution.
Oh, I'm sorry, that's for RE.8. My apologies, Chair. Jumped the gun.
Chair King: Okay. I have a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Mr. City Clerk, you want to read the
amendments for --?
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. For RE.2, RE.2 will be amended. The title and
Section 2 of the resolution will be amended for RE.2. For RE.4, it needs to be
amended to correct a typo in the title of the resolution. For RE.15, it will be amended
pursuant to a substitution memo dated April 17, 2026. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you.
City of Miami Page 59 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.2 RESOLUTION
19045
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN CAPACITY
TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
("AGREEMENT") WITH ARDURRA GROUP, INC. ("CONSULTANT")
FOR RFQ NO. 23-24-004/4, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR
CITYWIDE FLOOD MITIGATION IMPROVEMENTS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF TWO HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT THOUSAND, NINE
HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT AND 23/100 DOLLARS ($248,938.23)
FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED UNDER THE
JOINT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE WATER
AND SEWER DEPARTMENT ("MDWASD") FOR THE
REPLACEMENT OF UNDERSIZED WATERMAINS FOR THE 8TH
STREET FLOOD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (PROJECT NO. 40-
B233606), THEREBY INCREASING THE CURRENT CONTRACT
CAPACITY OF THE AGREEMENT FROM ONE MILLION, THREE
HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED FORTY-
EIGHT AND 27/100 DOLLARS ($1,322,148.27) TO ONE MILLION,
FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE THOUSAND, EIGHTY-SIX AND
50/100 DOLLARS ($1,571,086.50); ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
MDWASD; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
AMENDMENT NO. 1 WITH THE CONSULTANT IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY
AMENDMENTS AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO ALL
ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGETARY
APPROVALS HAVING BEEN PREVIOUSLY MADE, AND IN
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, 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-26-0192
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.2, please see Item RE.1.
City ofMiami
Page 60 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.3 RESOLUTION
19158
Office of
Management and
Budget
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS RELATING TO
THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGET
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-25-0413, ADOPTED ON
SEPTEMBER 25, 2025, AS AMENDED, THE FIVE-YEAR
FINANCIAL PLAN, THE STRATEGIC PLAN, AND THE MULTI-
YEAR CAPITAL PLAN PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-25-
0412, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2025, AS AMENDED
(COLLECTIVELY, THE "BUDGET"), AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES TO ADJUST,
AMEND, ALLOCATE, AND APPROPRIATE THE BUDGET, AND
ANY PART THEREOF, REGARDING CITY OF MIAMI SERVICES
AND RESOURCES AS NECESSARY AND LEGALLY ALLOWED;
RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN
NECESSARY ACTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENTS TO UPDATE THE
RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS,
ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR GRANTS AND OTHER
FUNDING SOURCES IN PROGRESS AND FOR NECESSARY
RELATED DOCUMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND EXECUTIONS, ALL
IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY; PROVIDING
FOR APPLICABLE EFFECTIVE DATES.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item RE.3 was deferred to the May 14, 2026, City Commission
Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.3, please see "Order of the
Day" and "Public Comments for All Item(s)."
City ofMiami
Page 61 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.4
19153
City Manager's
Office
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION FOR A SECURED OR UNSECURED STANDBY
LETTER OF CREDIT ("SBLC") WITH WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TEN MILLION AND
00/100 DOLLARS ($10,000.000.00) IN FAVOR OF THE STATE OF
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
("FDEP"), ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND OF THE STATE OF
FLORIDA (THE "TIITF"), AS THE LETTER OF CREDIT REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO THE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT RELATING TO
THE PARTIAL RELEASE OF DEED RESTRICTIONS BETWEEN
TIITF AND THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY'); PROVIDING THAT THE
ANNUAL FEE FOR THE SBLC SHALL BE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED ONE HUNDRED FOUR THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED
AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($104,500.00); FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND
ALL NECESSARY AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN CONNECTION
WITH THE SBLC; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0193
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.4, please see Item RE.1.
City ofMiami
Page 62 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.5 RESOLUTION
18763
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("CHARTER"), FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE SPECIAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE PRIMARY
GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION ON AUGUST 18, 2026,
PROPOSING, UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE,
AMENDING SECTION 4(B) OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "FORM OF
GOVERNMENT; NOMINATION AND ELECTION/ELECTION OF
MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION; TERMS OF OFFICE; RECALL,"
SECTION 7 OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "ELECTION OF CITY
COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR," AND SECTION 12 OF THE
CHARTER, TITLED "FILLING VACANCIES FOR MAYOR AND
COMMISSION," TO CHANGE THE NOVEMBER 2029 GENERAL
ELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR TO AUGUST 2028,
THEREBY SHORTENING THE CURRENT 2025-2029 TERM FOR
THE OFFICE OF MAYOR TO THREE (3) YEARS, AND PROVIDING
THAT ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS FOR THE GENERAL
ELECTIONS AND RUN-OFF ELECTIONS OF THE CITY FOR THE
OFFICE OF MAYOR TO BE HELD EVERY FOUR (4) YEARS
THEREAFTER SO THE DATES OF THE GENERAL ELECTION
FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR ARE CONCURRENT WITH ANY
STATEWIDE OR COUNTYWIDE ELECTION; FURTHER
MODIFYING THE RUN-OFF ELECTION SCHEDULE TO
NOVEMBER 2028, AMENDING THE PERIOD FOR
QUALIFICATION, AND PROVIDING FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF
EXISTING TERMS OF OFFICE DUE TO SAID CHANGE; FURTHER
PROVIDING THAT UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE,
THIS AMENDMENT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item RE.5 was deferred to the May 14, 2026, City Commission
Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.5, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)."
Chair King: Gentlemen, from the RE, our resolutions, are there any items that you
would like to pull for discussion?
Commissioner Pardo: If it's okay, 1 wanted to pull -- Madam Mayor, if it's okay, if I
can pull RE.5 along with RE.18, and we can give an instruction to the City Attorney to
move them to the November -December cycle, group them all together as it was in the
past. Maybe you can weigh in on that.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Okay. So, that would be, I guess, rescinding the
resolution that separated them and put them back together. And we'll bring that
question back on the next meeting. And we'll also provide you different versions of it
City ofMiami
Page 63 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
relating to terms and whatnot. So, you'll have something to choose from at the next
meeting.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you.
Chair King: So, wait, are we deferring RE.5 and RE --?
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.5 and RE.18, right?
Commissioner Pardo: Correct.
Chair King: So, may I have a motion to defer RE.5 and RE.18?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And that will be to May 14.
Mr. Wysong: Yes.
Chair King: May 14th. May 14th, okay.
RE.6 RESOLUTION
18101
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER TO IMMEDIATELY STOP AND CEASE PAYING
ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS, AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO CEASE AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF THE
SAME, IN ANY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS BY JOE CAROLLO IN
THE HEREIN REFERENCED CASE EITHER IN THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF
FLORIDA, THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
ELEVENTH CIRCUIT AND THE UNITED STATES SUPREME
COURT; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
PROVIDE A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO ANY PERSON OR
ENTITY TO WHOM ITS PROVISIONS MAY APPLY OR THAT MAY
BE AFFECTED BY THEM.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.6, please see "Order of the
Day."
City ofMiami
Page 64 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.7 RESOLUTION
19137
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/STHS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION
54-137 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY
CODE"), WAIVING ANY RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO CO -
DESIGNATING NORTHWEST 14TH TERRACE BETWEEN
NORTHWEST 32ND AVENUE AND NORTHWEST 37TH AVENUE
AS "ANGEL GONZALEZ WAY," IN HONOR OF ANGEL
GONZALEZ'S EXEMPLARY SERVICE, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND
MEANINGFUL 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
CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0194
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.7, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item RE.1.
RE.8 RESOLUTION
19001
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE BAYFRONT PARK
MANAGEMENT TRUST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE
THE NEGOTIATED REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT, WITH
EVENT ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC., IN SUBSTANTIALLY
THE ATTACHED FORM, AND IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL AT
BAYFRONT PARK; FURTHER WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS OF
SECTION 38-113 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0195
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.8, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)."
Chair King: I believe our first discussion item will be RE.8.
City ofMiami
Page 65 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Gabela: Yep, that was me. So, I want to start off by saying that we
have listened, Commissioner, to you and to the residents. And at the end of the day, 1
have decided as long as that that indeed we need to go to the five years, five years.
And so, we're going to have a 20-year contract, but we're going to revisit it every
five years. So, I just want to say that to your public and to your residents and
everybody that's concerned with Ultra.
Commissioner Escalona: So, we're doing two 10 years, right?
Commissioner Gabela: We're doing two 10 years to be visited upon every 5 years.
Chair King: Hold on. Okay, Commissioner Pardo.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, I wanted to just get several things on the record for
clear understanding. The first piece I want is to discuss the outreach we've done in
our office with the residents, which I think is really important. On March 9th, we did
an update Zoom. We discussed the Ultra RLA (Revocable License Agreement). We
did a standard Q & A as part of that call. On March 11 th, we had a Sunshine
meeting, Ultra Town Hall virtually. We had 151 people attend and register. We had
15 to 20 City employees on that call as well, and press was in attendance. On March
11 th, we also did a general Ultra survey and we put it live on the system to gauge
feedback from the residents involved. On March 16th, we had a session at 50
Biscayne, a Zoom session at 5:30. It was a collaborative meeting with all the
building hoard and managers. It was co -hosted with Miami PD (Police Department)
and the focus was on the ingress and egress concerns of the buildings as most of the
buildings impacted had street closures and noise. On March 16th, we had a building
access plan distributed through Miami PD. The building access plan was sent to all
the property managers and approximately 150 residents on the downtown contact
list. On March 23rd, we had property manager office hours, Zoom at 3:30 p.m. It
was virtual. We had a Q & A with our office and Miami PD, approximately 30
people on that Zoom. We brought up a lot of unexpected topics, which was great.
Everything from seawall issues, drop-off with vessels and the speed of towing
services, all that stuff. On March 27th, 28th, and 29th, we did WhatsApp group chats
with 50 Biscayne Property Management and Board for any immediate updates or
concerns as they pertain to the maintenance of traffic or security. On March 27th,
we visited resident apartment, and we listened to what occurred during the event so
that we would better understand the physical context of the resident feedback we
were receiving, particularly around how sound travels and the access routes. On
March 28th, we did a grounds walkthrough with the sound engineer, David of Ultra,
who was incredibly knowledgeable and very concerned and incredibly helpful.
Understanding how sound is measured and how it's mitigated, Ultra aims to reduce
this by about 5 percent, receive about a 5 percent improvement in this, in sound,
year over year. On March 31st, we had an after -action debrief a post festival
meeting with 50 Biscayne residents and PD to discuss what worked and what to
improve. This came directly from a resident's request to have a timely feedback
channel rather than holding comments until the following year. And then on April
2nd, thank you, Commissioner Gabela, and thank you to the executive director of
Bayfront Park Trust, we had an open town hall forum where we all attended. We
listened to everything that the residents had to say. And what I want to say about this
is clearly there is a neighborhood in Downtown Miami and clearly quality of life
needs to be considered and needs to be addressed. I have -- I wanted to go through
the changes in what we are doing now versus what there was originally in the RLA.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I was getting to that.
Commissioner Pardo: Oh --
City ofMiami
Page 66 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Gabela: But no, go ahead.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: You go ahead and --
Commissioner Pardo: So, currently there's two 10-year terms. Ultra has agreed to
four 5-year terms, and at the end of each term, there's a 75-day window where an
event report will be placed on the Commission agenda for consideration. The current
lang --
Commissioner Gabela: On that one -- I'm sorry, Commissioner. On that one, we
have 45 days.
Commissioner Pardo: 45 -- oh, yes, correct. Thank you. Thank you. I had a -- on the
-- currently there's a 102-decibel limitation on sound measured at 60 feet away from
the stage. Ultra agrees to an additional limitation for low frequency sound of 97 with
a one decibel measurement margin of error based on a one clock hour average at
specified building monitoring locations. The remedy is $1, 000 of penalty for
noncompliance per event. Currently, they are required to remediate the park in 38
days post the event. They're cutting that back to complete the remediation in 28
days, subject to rain days and subsequent park events. Ultra agrees to provide
fencing for the buildings immediately abutting Biscayne Boulevard, for the buildings
on Biscayne Boulevard starting at Northeast 5th to Biscayne Boulevard Way. Ultra
agrees to conduct two community meetings 45 days prior to the event, and those will
be organized and sponsored by City officials. They also agreed to provide annual
internships to Olympia Downtown Music School students. There is also a closing
time violation, currently $1,000 per minute of closing time violation. They've agreed
to increase that to $2,500 per minute for closing time violation. For weather delays,
there's still some discretion with the City Manager and Bayfront Park Trust on the
days where it goes till midnight and there's a one -hour kind of latitude depending on
that discretion. For Sundays, the extension will he equivalent to any weather delay
up to a maximum of one hour added to the end of the show. That would be automatic.
While Ultra has not used Maurice Ferri parking, for its event, it agrees not to use the
Ferri parking lot for future events. It also agrees to provide a dog triangle area in
the southwest corner of the park to be open throughout all of Ultra's use period for
use by downtown residents. What I'd like to say about Ultra is that they want and
they understand what it means to be a good corporate partner. In terms of our
discussions and I'm sure, Commissioner Gabela, you would agree, they have been
very open to resident feedback and they have been very open to wanting to please
residents. I think their sound engineer basically has a heart attack whenever those --
the decibel meters go off track. And 1 did a tour and actually suggested that they do a
tour with residents starting next year so that people can understand the sound issues
and can really have a better grasp on it. I think Ultra has done a commendable job
of listening to this feedback. I think the residents have brought up very valid
concerns. I think we have tried to address them as best as possible, both of us and
the City Manager. So, I think we're in a place where I can certainly support this.
Chair King: Anyone else?
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, I'm ready for a motion.
Chair King: May I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Rosado: So moved -- second.
City ofMiami
Page 67 Printed on O5/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, my apologies. Commissioner Rosado will
be submitting a DDA (Downtown Development Authority) resolution in support of
RE.8 into the record.
Chair King: Okay. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Mr. Hannon: As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
RE.9 RESOLUTION
19159
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION PURSUANT
TO CHAPTER 52/ARTICLE I/SECTION 52-2(H) OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "SPECIAL
EVENTS/SPECIAL EVENTS IN GENERAL; DURATION AND
LIMITATIONS; CITY COMMISSION WAIVER/SPECIAL EVENTS ON
CITY OF MIAMI PROPERTY" TO WAIVE THE TIME LIMITATION
OF TEN (10) SPECIAL EVENTS PER YEAR PER LOCATION FOR
THE SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT THE
CITY OF MIAMI PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3385 PAN AMERICAN
DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM APRIL 23, 2026, TO DECEMBER
31, 2026, WITH CONDITIONS AS STATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0196
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.9, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item RE.1.
City ofMiami
Page 68 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.10
19034
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ALLOCATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 62-642 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
UPON THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION, FIFTEEN
MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00) FROM THE
PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT NO. 10095, WITH
FIVE MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00) TO THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT NO.
14008.910101.4810000.0000.00000 AND TEN MILLION AND
00/100 DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) TO THE PARKS AND OPEN
SPACE TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT NO. 11560.291001.549000;
FURTHER APPROPRIATING THE FIFTEEN MILLION AND 00/100
DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00) PURSUANT TO THE ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A" WITH AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED FIVE MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00)
FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND FOR LAND
ACQUISITION AND/OR DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING WITHIN DISTRICT 2 BOUNDARIES AND AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED TEN MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS
($10,000,000.00) FROM THE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE TRUST
FUND FOR PARK CAPITAL PROJECTS WITHIN DISTRICT 2
BOUNDARIES; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0197
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.10, please see
"Public Comments for AllItem(s)."
Chair King: Okay. Now we are on RE.10. Commissioner Gabela?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, so what 1 wanted to say is that I'm going to leave -- so,
the way this was done, 1 don't think -- because, you know, on this particular issue,
the way it was done wasn't necessarily, 1 think, the best. 1 think we should come up
with another method. I've instructed and spoke to the City Manager to maybe
identi) monies that we don't know about so in the future this doesn't happen.
However, 1 do understand your situation that you generated the money and you think
it should be kept in your area. I understand it. And I also understand the
Chairwoman's situation and mine's also that we preside over two of the most
poorest districts in the city of Miami. And sometimes it's not exactly equitable
because the liability problems that we discussed before that we don't need to go into
further, you know, context. But here on this one, it's a done deal. You know, I just
want my 1.5, what I put in and what I'm going to put out. That's what I want. I don't
want it from another fund. I want it from this. Commissioner Rosado, you, sir,
applied for four point something. Really, the problem, okay, you didn't put anything
City ofMiami
Page 69 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
in and you don't have a poverty situation like the Chairwoman does, like I do, and to
a certain extent, Commissioner Escalona does. But it is what it is. It was first time
come serve. I'm not going to make -- you know, I'm not going to start a fuss about it
because I want us to get along and we don 't want to appear like we're savages up
here sometimes, okay? But we do it to protect our residents. I know we do it to
protect our residents at the end of the day. So, for me, I want my one point, whatever
is allotted to me, 1.5 something, that's what I'm going to take. And you, ladies and
gentlemen, will figure out whatever's left, what you're going to do among you, and
that's where I'm at.
Chair King: Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Commissioner Pardo: Put your -- your mic.
Chair King: Hold on, hold on, hold on. Through the Chair, I have something to say
because I was very clear at our last meeting that I just felt like this was not an
equitable distribution of these funds. But this also brings up issues related to the
bond because we have identified and everybody has identified that there are so many
needs that are unaddressed because resources are so limited. You should not have a
park without a proper track. We should not be fighting over money, to bring housing
to our communities. Now, again, we weren't here in 2009 when they established this
And. And much ofpolitics goes by whose ox is being gored. In 2009, they set it up
exactly the way they wanted to. And the only person that was left on this dais knew
exactly. And that's how your district has like $13 million -- had allocated, was, you
know, reached into the And. But that still leaves us here. My district is not going to
be able to contribute $21 million. I counted seven cranes in downtown, high-rises
going up. D2 (District 2) has always been the donor district, and I'm not saying that
D2 doesn't have the need in Little Bahamas, the West Grove, but it's the majority of
our districts. Now, if my colleagues have had a change of heart, that's, you know,
that's one thing. But, again, like Commissioner Gabela just said, Commissioner
Rosado, your district put no money in. So, if we're going to use Commissioner
Pardo's example, where you're the major -- D2 is the major donor, how do we --
how do we justify giving Commissioner Rosado any money?
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, but listen, what I was saying is because of what
happened happened for this particular set of problems, we do that. Okay. And I said
-- I'll leave it among you. However, going forward, this cannot happen again. Going
forward, this has to be fixed. Money like this that we didn't know about, because
let's ask ourselves a question. I'm going to -- just real quick. This is the thing. How
did we all end up learning about this? Probably months after Commissioner Carollo
did. Somebody tipped off Commissioner Carollo, okay? Because I see no other way
how he knew about this. And then, you know, apparently --
Chair King: He crafted the legislation. He knew about it.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so he knew about it.
Chair King: He was here. Right. And it's because I stumbled on it and grabbed that
five --
Commissioner Gabela: That's what I thought.
Chair King: -- that you guys said, oh, wait, wait, wait.
Commissioner Gabela: And then the problem started.
Chair King: And then the problem, you know --
City ofMiami
Page 70 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Gabela: And so, this problem --
Chair King: -- and it's not a problem.
Commissioner Gabela: -- we have the problem, and I'm saying, let's fix this
problem. But going forward --
Commissioner Escalona: Exactly.
Commissioner Gabela: -- I don't agree with this problem. We got to do it another
way. And you, sir, have committed that we're going to look into if there are those
funds that are kind of lost that haven't been told to us, so this doesn't happen. So,
what I'm saying, I don't agree with what's going on. But you know, and yes, I agree
with you, Commissioner, nothing against you, sir. But the fact is that, you know, you
show up with five mil, and you didn't put anything in, and you don't have the same
problems that we do, is what I think the chairwoman is trying to tell you. I'm sorry, I
yield to my colleague.
Chair King: Commissioner Escalona?
Commissioner Escalona: Madam Chair, I do agree with Gabela. However, this is
pretty much in the process already. I know -- I believe in what Rosado wants to do in
his district. I like the project. Are you -- Commissioner Pardo, are you willing to take
the offer I made last time?
Commissioner Pardo: I absolutely am, and I'd just like to make a couple of
comments. Currently, revenue and impact fees are divided by five. They are
generated primarily in the donor district. In the Public Benefits Trust Fund, these
are contributions that developers are making to ameliorate the conditions in the area
in which they are building. The noise, the production and traffic, everything that I've
already mentioned, so 1 don't need to go hack into it, is originated there. And that's
why it's important that it stay there and not go to a general fund where it's reapplied
in other places. That said, we have not taken our full share, nor are we opposed to
any good project that's proposed. I did want to say that I wasn't here in 2009, but
did know about this And. And when Commissioner Carollo pulled those funds, we
checked to make sure he was pulling only as much as District 3 had put in. And
Madam Chair, when you pulled more than your share, we also saw that and we said,
well, you know, there's a project, there's a request. At that point, we were told there
was a first come, first serve policy. We had never heard that before, but we respected
it. We already had our projects lined up. So, we said, okay, let's go ahead and
submit since we have these projects ready to go and have had them ready to go. And
so, by either way, we kind of qualms under that criteria. Commissioner Rosado
qualifies because he submitted a good project and it was .first come, first serve.
Absolutely. Commissioner Escalona, I'm willing to go with what you propose.
Commissioner Escalona: Madam Chair, sorry. So, you're willing to take 13 --
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Commissioner Escalona: -- 3, 1.5, 1.5?
Commissioner Rosado: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: 1.5, whatever the exact number is, but no wheeling and
dealing, no horse trading, because I can do that. I've been doing that all my life. No,
no, not that. I want my 1.5 from this fund. I don't want anybody telling me, well,
City ofMiami
Page 71 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
we'll go ahead and we exceed it, and now we're going to take some money from
somewhere else. We got to stop playing that game that, you know, we borrow from
here, and then we got over here, and, you know, we got to stop doing that. You know,
and so I'm saying, yes, because of this situation, I'm going to let it go. I, again, I do
not agree on that. I disagree with you on that, respectfully. You know, that the
commissioner, he has -- I got a good project, too. You know what I mean? Are you
guys going to give me $10 million out of your money? No, you're not. I got a lot of
good projects that I got to do, but that's just the whole point. His -- you know, his
area didn't generate it. His area doesn't have the same need that Commissioner --
the Chairwoman does, that I do, that Commissioner Escalona does. You know what 1
mean? You two are probably the -- you know, you first, and then you second --
Commissioner Rosado: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: -- in affluent, you know -- right? And so, that's what I'm --
that's what upsets me.
Commissioner Pardo: Because there's affluence --
Commissioner Rosado: Yeah, I --
Chair King: No, hold on. Let him -- let him finish. Let him finish. And do "through
the Chair" so we're not talking over everybody.
Commissioner Gabela: For the sake -- for the sake of this commission, okay, and it's
a new day here in the city of Miami, okay, for the sake of this commission, I am
willing to put my differences aside. Accepting my, 1.5 what I got in, that's what I'm
going to take out, no more, no less from this fund. And then going forward, this
cannot happen again. And I got the assurance from the City Manager -- right, Mr.
City Manager? Mr. City Manager? I did get the assurance that this is not going to
happen again, that you're going to go ahead and identify any monies that are
unknown to us so this kind of situation -- and then develop a formula of how it is that
we're going to go ahead and divide that money up so we don't have this squabbling
among us.
Commissioner Escalona: I'm ready to call the question.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: Hold on. George has his hand up.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Sony, 1 have a quick question. So, in RE.10, you
have $10 million come -- $5 million from the Affordable Housing Trust, and then $10
million from the Parks and Open Spaces. Where are you deducting the $2 million
from?
Commissioner Pardo: From the Parks and Open Spaces.
Mr. Wysong: From the Parks and Open Spaces. And then for Commissioner Gabela,
I believe we should have another resolution directing that 1.5 --
Commissioner Gabela: The 1.5 from --
Mr. Wysong: -- from the Public Benefits Trust go to you. So, we should vote on 10
with that modification, and then do a separate resolution for Commissioner Gabela.
Chair King: And me. And me.
City of Miami
Page 72 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Rosado: So, could summary -- could somebody summarize the
breakdown?
Chair King: Commissioner Escalona.
Commissioner Escalona: 13, 3, 1.5, 1.5.
Commissioner Rosado: Second.
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Now we need to do a resolution.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
RE.11 RESOLUTION
19179
Office of
Management and
Budget
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") TO ISSUE TAX-EXEMPT GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS PAYABLE FROM AD VALOREM TAXES
PROVIDED THAT THE CAPITAL PROJECTS DEBT MILLAGE NOT
EXCEED THE RATE OF 0.5935 MILLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE NOVEMBER 7, 2017 BOND REFERENDUM APPROVED BY
THE VOTERS, INITIALLY IN AN EXPECTED NOT TO EXCEED
TOTAL MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF TWENTY MILLION,
FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS
($20,539,000.00) IN ORDER TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR FUNDS ADVANCED BY THE CITY
FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES INCURRED WITH RESPECT TO
CAPITAL PROJECTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY TO
IMPROVE STREETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO ENHANCE
PUBLIC SAFETY, ALL AS INDICATED IN THE ATTACHED
PROJECT LIST IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED (COLLECTIVELY, AS "MFB ROADWAY AND
PUBLIC SAFETY— GROUP 2"); ESTABLISHING CERTAIN
RELATED DEFINITIONS OF TERMS; AUTHORIZING CERTAIN
FURTHER AND INCIDENTAL ACTIONS BY THE CITY MANAGER
IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, BOND
COUNSEL, DISCLOSURE COUNSEL, FINANCIAL ADVISOR,
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, FINANCE DIRECTOR, BUDGET
DIRECTOR, AND SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS OF THE CITY AS THE CITY
MANAGER DEEMS NECESSARY, ALL AS REQUIRED FOR
PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 103 AND 141-150 OF THE U.S.
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, AND FOR
COMPLIANCE THEREWITH; FURTHER AUTHORIZING RELATED
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY'S MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN AS
NECESSARY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0198
City ofMiami
Page 73 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.11, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s). "
Chair King: So, that leaves us with RE.14, which will be amended. That's what you
wanted to tell me?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): RE.11.
Chair King: RE.11.
Mr. Hannon: Didn't want us to skip RE.11, my apologies.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: I just wanted to make a comment on RE.11.
Chair King: Uh-huh.
Commissioner Pardo: And that was the pump station in Edgewater on 23rd Street,
how important that is and the really desperate flooding conditions that are involved
in that area. So, I'm incredibly appreciative for this item.
Chair King: Okay. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Escalona: Move.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Commissioner Rosado: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Passes.
City ofMiami
Page 74 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.12 RESOLUTION
18335 MAY BE WITHDRAWN
Commissioners A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
and Mayor ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 3
COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE FUNDS APPORTIONED
BETWEEN THE FIVE (5) COMMISSION DISTRICTS PURSUANT
TO THE ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE FORMULA FOR THE
COMMISSIONER OF EACH DISTRICT IN ATOTALAMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED ONE MILLION, SEVENTY-SIX THOUSAND, THREE
HUNDRED ONE AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,076,301.00) FOR THE
DISTRICT SPONSORED "DISTRICT 3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND SENIOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE GIFT CARD PROGRAM"
("PROGRAM"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF
ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS, INCLUDING THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE; THE USE, 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, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY; 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
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.12, please see "Order of the
Day."
City ofMiami
Page 75 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.13
19156
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING
GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AND PASS
SUCH LEGISLATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO AUTHORIZE
COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO USE BUILDING
FUNDS TO OFFSET GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES;
URGING COUNTIES AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES TO PASS
SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE
DESIGNATED OFFICES DESCRIBED HEREIN.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.13, please see "Order of the
Day."
City ofMiami
Page 76 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.14
19109
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ALLOCATE FOUR
MILLION AND EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($4,800,000.00) PURSUANT TO SECTION 62-642 OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
UPON THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION, FROM THE
PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT NO. 10095, TO THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT NO.
14008.910101.4810000.0000.00000; APPROPRIATING IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOUR MILLION AND EIGHT
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($4,800,000.00) FROM THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO BE USED FOR THE
REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7001
SOUTHWEST 4TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND OTHER
ELIGIBLE SITES, FOR AFFORDABLE OR WORKFORCE
HOUSING AND RELATED PUBLIC BENEFITS, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO MOBILITY, OPEN SPACE, AND
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAY SUPPORT
CONNECTIVITY TO THE LUDLAM TRAIL CORRIDOR OR OTHER
REGIONAL FACILITIES, SUBJECT TO COORDINATION WITH
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AS APPLICABLE, AND CONSISTENT
WITH THE PRIORITIES AND OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (MDCPS), SUBJECT
TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES, APPLICABLE
PROCUREMENT PROCESSES, THE RECEIPT BY THE CITY
MANAGER OF THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT(S)
BY THE CITY'S HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL LOAN COMMITTEE
("HCLC") AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND
RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN SUCH APPROVAL(S), AND ALL
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE
USE OF SUCH FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0199
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 RE.14, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s). "
Chair King: Alright, RE.15. Wait, no, RE.14, to be amended for $3 million. Do I
have a motion?
Commissioner Escalona: So move.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion -- second.
City ofMiami
Page 77 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.15
19087
Commissioners
and Mayor
RE.16
19023
Office of the City
Attorney
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
ESTABLISHING FEE SCHEDULES TO SET FORTH FEES
CHARGED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, PURSUANT TO
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0200
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.15, please see Item RE.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE
ANY AND ALL ACTION(S) NECESSARY , IN LAW OR EQUITY, TO
ENFORCE THE CITY OF MIAMI'S RIGHTS RELATED TO THE
PUBLIC BENEFIT AGREEMENT REGARDING CONSTRUCTION
OF THE NEW FIRE STATION NO. 4, DATED APRIL 13, 2020, AND
ANY AMENDMENTS OR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAME, IN
CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MERCEDES-BENZ
PLACES, SOUTHSIDE PARK, AND CITY FIRE -RESCUE STATION
NO. 4.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0201
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.16, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)."
Chair King: RE.15 -- we passed RE.15 already.
Commissioner Escalona: Yes. You're missing 16.
City ofMiami
Page 78 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Okay. 16.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, I pulled that.
Chair King: You pulled that.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, so we're going to he in litigation because apparently
the developer went bankrupt, belly up, whatever you want to call it. However, there
is a bigger problem here that we have uncovered in our office, okay? We contend
that when this vote was taken, there were a different set of rules, okay, and then
those rules after were changed. So, I'm asking the Inspector General, okay, to check
into this because what I don't want is that we do stuff up here, we talk about it, and
then that's what we think we have in writing, and then we find out, you know what I
mean, later on that that's not what we actually voted on because somebody decided
to change it after the fact, okay. And we're not making any allegations but we see
there's a problem here, okay, and we need to address it going forward to make sure
that if this did happen it doesn't happen again.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: Do I have a second?
Commissioner Escalona: Move -- second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City ofMiami
Page 79 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.17
19183
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, SUBJECT TO
THE ELECTION HEREIN PROVIDED FOR, IN AN AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY
MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($450,000,000.00) OF GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS ("BONDS") OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA ("CITY"), IN ONE OR MORE SEPARATE SERIES, TO
REPAIR AND REPLACE CRITICALLY DETERIORATING FIRE AND
POLICE FACILITIES, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTING NEW FIRE
STATIONS AND A NEW PUBLIC SAFETY HEADQUARTERS FOR
POLICE AND FIRST RESPONDERS, WITH INTEREST PAYABLE
AT RATES NOT EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM RATE ALLOWED BY
LAW; PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AD
VALOREM TAXES TO PAY SUCH BONDS, PROVIDED THAT THE
DEBT MILLAGE NOT EXCEED THE RATE OF 0.5935 MILLS, WITH
SAID BONDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT
ANNUAL AUDIT CONDUCTED BY THE CITY'S EXTERNAL
AUDITOR; CALLING FOR A BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL
ELECTION AND MAKING PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC NOTICES
AND HOLDING A BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION ON
AUGUST 18, 2026, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE AT SAID ELECTION, WITH RESPECT TO THE
ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS; DESCRIBING THE REGISTRATION
BOOKS AND RECORDS MAINTAINED UNDER THE PROVISIONS
OF THE GENERAL LAWS OF FLORIDA AND OF THE CHARTER
AND CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
WHICH THE CITY HAS ADOPTED AND DESIRES TO USE FOR
HOLDING SUCH BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION;
DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE
OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH
RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND
RECORDS; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
PUBLISH NOTICE OF THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION
AND THE PROVISIONS HEREOF PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE
LAW; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE A
CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE
DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS FOR MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW
NOT LESS THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE
OF SUCH BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION;
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE
FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: Item RE.17 was deferred to the May 14, 2026, City
Commission Meeting.
City of Miami Page 80 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.17, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)."
Mayor Higgins: Madam Chair, if I may. I've had a number of conversations as the
City Manager has about the bond referendum, RE.17. I would respectfully ask that we
defer this item to the next commission meeting.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Escalona: 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.
Mayor Higgins': Thank you very much.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And that will he to the May 14th meeting.
Mayor Higgins: Yes, sir.
Chair King: While you were gone, the Mayor asked if we can defer RE.17, the bond
item, and it passed to defer it to the next commission meeting.
Commissioner Gabela: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: Uh-huh.
Commissioner Gabela: Is that the only one that was deferred?
Chair King: Other than the ones from this morning. Okay. I believe we have minutes
to approve.
Mr. Hannon: There are no minutes for this meeting.
Chair King: No?
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Okay.
City of Miami Page 81 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.18
19186
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER") AMENDING SECTION 4(B) OF THE
CHARTER, TITLED "FORM OF GOVERNMENT; NOMINATION
AND ELECTION/ELECTION OF MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION;
TERMS OF OFFICE; RECALL," SECTION 7 OF THE CHARTER,
TITLED "ELECTION OF CITY COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR,"
AND SECTION 12 OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "FILLING
VACANCIES FOR MAYOR AND COMMISSION," TO CHANGE THE
2031 GENERAL ELECTION OF THE CITY COMMISSIONERS TO
2032, THEREBY MOVING ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS FOR THE
GENERAL ELECTION OF THE CITY COMMISSIONERS AND RUN-
OFF ELECTIONS FROM ODD -NUMBERED YEARS TO EVEN -
NUMBERED YEARS SO THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR CITY
COMMISSIONERS ARE CONCURRENT WITH ANY STATEWIDE
OR COUNTYWIDE ELECTION; AMENDING THE PERIOD FOR
QUALIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR THE EXTENSION OF
EXISTING TERMS OF OFFICE DUE TO SAID CHANGE; FURTHER
PROVIDING THAT UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE,
THIS AMENDMENT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE;
CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM AND PROVIDING THAT THE
CHARTER AMENDMENT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE
ELECTORATE AT THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION
SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 18, 2026; DESIGNATING AND
APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE OFFICIAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH RESPECT
TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND
RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE
DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS THAN FORTY-FIVE (45)
DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH ELECTION; AND
PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS
RESOLUTION.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item RE.18 was deferred to the May 14, 2026, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.18, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item RE.5.
City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
RE.19
19187
Commissioners
and Mayor
RE.20
19188
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION
54-137 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), DECLARING NO OBJECTION AND
WAIVING THE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO STREET CO -
DESIGNATIONS AND CO -DESIGNATING NORTHWEST 60TH
STREET FROM NORTHWEST 22ND AVENUE TO THE WESTERN
BOUNDARY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AS "FREDERICK MORLEY
WAY" IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GREATER MIAMI AREA; 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-26-0202
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.19, please see Item RE.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION
54-137 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), DECLARING NO OBJECTION AND
WAIVING THE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO STREET CO -
DESIGNATIONS AND CO -DESIGNATING NORTHWEST 11TH
STREET BETWEEN NORTHWEST 7TH AVENUE AND BISCAYNE
BOULEVARD AS "HARLEM SQUARE STREET"; DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO
EFFECTUATE THE CO -DESIGNATION; AND DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO
THE DESIGNATED RECIPIENTS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0203
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.20, please see Item RE.1.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
City of Miami Page 83 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCE
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
18943
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE IV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/DEPARTMENTS," MORE SPECIFICALLY BY
AMENDING DIVISION 2, TITLED "PLANNING, BUILDING AND
ZONING DEPARTMENT," DIVISION 3, TITLED "DEPARTMENT OF
FIRE -RESCUE," AND DIVISION 4, TITLED "RESILIENCE AND
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT"; CHAPTER 3 OF THE CITY
CODE, MORE SPECIFICALLY AMENDING ARTICLE II TITLED,
"ALARM SYSTEMS/BURGLARY AND ROBBERY ALARMS"; AND
ARTICLE III TITLED, "FIRE ALARMS"; CHAPTER 10/ARTICLE
I/DIVISION1 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "BUILDINGS/IN
GENERAL," MORE SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE IV,
TITLED "REGISTRATION OF VACANT, BLIGHTED, UNSECURED
OR ABANDONED STRUCTURES, AND OF DEFAULTED
MORTGAGED PROPERTIES," AND ARTICLE V, TITLED "CODE
RELIEF PROGRAM"; CHAPTER 11 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED,
"CABLE TELEVISION"; CHAPTER 12 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED,
"AMUSEMENT GAMES OR MACHINES"; CHAPTER 17 OF THE
CITY CODE TITLED, "ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION," MORE
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, TITLED, "TREE
PROTECTION IN GENERAL" AND ARTICLE II, TITLED,
"ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION DISTRICTS"; CHAPTER 18
OF THE CITY CODE TITLED, "FINANCE," MORE SPECIFICALLY
BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, TITLED "IN GENERAL," AND ARTICLE
III, TITLED, "CITY OF MIAMI PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE"; AND
ARTICLE VIII, TITLED "STORMWATER UTILITY FEES" AND
ARTICLE XI TITLED, "LEASES OF CITY OWNED SUBMERGED
LANDS"; CHAPTER 19 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "FIRE
PROTECTION"; CHAPTER 20 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED,
"FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION", CHAPTER 22/ARTICLE I OF
THE CITY CODE, TITLED "GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID
WASTE/IN GENERAL"; CHAPTER 22.5 OF THE CITY CODE,
"GREEN INITIATIVES," MORE SPECIFICALLYAMENDING
ARTICLE VI TITLED, "SOIL EROSION, WATERWAY
SEDIMENTATION, AND AIRBORNE DUST GENERATION
CONTROL"; CHAPTER 23/ARTICLE I OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"HISTORIC PRESERVATION/HISTORIC PRESERVATION";
CHAPTER 32/ARTICLE I, TITLED
MERCHANDISING/BANKRUPTCY AND CLOSING -OUT SALES";
CHAPTER 35 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED, "MOTOR VEHICLES
AND TRAFFIC," MORE SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE IV,
TITLED "PARKING RATES," AND ARTICLE IX TITLED, "VALET
PARKING"; CHAPTER 38 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "PARKS
AND RECREATION" MORE SPECIFICALLARTICLE I TITLED, "IN
GENERAL" AND ARTICLE IV TITLED, "DAY CARE PROGRAM";
CHAPTER 39/ARTICLE II OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"PEDDLERS AND ITINERANT VENDORS/SIDEWALK AND STREET
VENDORS"; CHAPTER 42 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED, "POLICE"
MORE SPECIFICALLYARTICLE I TITLED,
City of Miami Page 84 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
"IN GENERAL"; CHAPTER 53 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"STADIUMS AND CONVENTION CENTERS," MORE
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, TITLED "IN
GENERAL," ARTICLE II/DIVISION 2, TITLED "CITY
STADIUMS/MARINE STADIUM," AND ARTICLE IV, TITLED
"CONVENTION CENTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI/UNIVERSITY
OF MIAMI, JAMES L. KNIGHT"; CHAPTER 54 OF THE CITY
CODE TITLED, "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS," MORE
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, TITLED "IN
GENERAL," ARTICLE II, TITLED CONSTRUCTION,
EXCAVATION, AND REPAIR," ARTICLE VI, TITLED "SIDEWALK
AND STREET CAFES," ARTICLE VII, TITLED "NEWSRACKS ON
PUBLIC RIGHTS -OF -WAY," AND ARTICLE IX, TITLED
"COCONUT GROVE SPECIAL EVENTS DISTRICT"; CHAPTER 55
OF THE CITY CODE TITLED "SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS";
CHAPTER 57/ARTICLE III OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"VEHICLES FOR HIRE/PEDICABS FOR HIRE;" AND CHAPTER
62 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING,"
MORE SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, TITLED "IN
GENERAL," ARTICLE III, TITLED "PLANNING, ZONING AND
APPEALS BOARD," ARTICLE VII, TITLED "HISTORIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD," ARTICLE XII,
TITLED "PARKS AND OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND," AND
ARTICLE XIII/DIVISION 8, TITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING
APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USES AND OCCUPANCIES;
PERMIT REQUIRED/TEMPORARY BANNERS," AND ARTICLE
XIII/DIVISION 9 TITLED, "PLANNING AND ZONING APPROVAL
FOR TEMPORARY USES AND OCCUPANCIES; PERMIT
REQUIRED /FARMERS' MARKET," TO REMOVE THE
REQUIREMENT FOR FEES TO BE ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE
AND PROVIDE FOR FEES TO BE SET BY THE CITY
COMMISSION THROUGH RESOLUTION; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14456
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item SR.1, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s). "
Chair King: I believe we have addressed all of our RE (Resolution) items. Mr. City
Attorney, would you please read the title of the second reading item for the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. Alright, SR.1, second reading,
hopefully the last time I read it.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: May I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
City of Miami Page 85 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Escalona: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCE
City of Miami Page 86 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
19047
Department of
Human Services
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE IV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/DEPARTMENTS," TO CREATE DIVISION 18,
SECTIONS 2-598 THROUGH 2-610 TO ESTABLISH THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
("DEPARTMENT"); PROVIDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S
PURPOSE, APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR, ESTABLISHING
DEPARTMENT DIVISIONS, FUNCTIONS, AND DUTIES OF THE
DEPARTMENT; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the first reading titles --
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam --
Chair King: -- for the record?
Mr. Wysong: Yes, Madam Chair. FR.1, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: FR.2, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: And FR.3, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: That concludes the first reading ordinances.
Chair King: Gentlemen, are there any of the items -- first reading items that you
would like to pull for discussion?
Commissioner Gabela: FR.2.
Commissioner Escalona: FR.2.
Chair King: FR.2. May I have a motion for FR.1 and FR.3?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
City of Miami Page 87 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Second.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And, Chair, just for the record, Commissioner Pardo
will be cosponsoring FR.1.
Chair King: Okay. I have a motion and a second for FR.1 and FR.3. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Passes.
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
19130
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 54/ARTICLE II/SECTION 54-56 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"STREETS AND SIDEWALKS/CONSTRUCTION, EXCAVATION,
AND REPAIR/CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED WHEN ADJACENT
PROPERTY IS IMPROVED BY CONSTRUCTION OF $100,000.00
OR MORE IN VALUE OR EXCEEDING 1,000 SQUARE FEET IN
FLOOR AREA; RESTRICTION," TO PROVIDE FOR THE
INCREASE OF THE CONSTRUCTION VALUE THRESHOLD THAT
TRIGGERS REQUIRED STREET IMPROVEMENTS, REDUCING
THE MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE OF REQUIRED RIGHT-OF-WAY
IMPROVEMENT COSTS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS, AND
REQUIRING COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) AND LIFE -SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item FR.2 was deferred to the June 11, 2026, City Commission
Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item FR.2, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)" and Item FR.1.
Chair King: And who pulled FR.2?
Commissioner Escalona: I have a question, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Escalona?
Commissioner Escalona: City Manager. Are homesteaded properties exempt from
this?
City of Miami Page 88 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Juvenal Santana: Good afternoon, Commissioner, Madam Chair, Madam Mayor.
Juvenal Santana, director of the Department of Resilience and Public Works. So, it's
actually creating a lower tier for homestead properties here, which would now be 2
percent after $250,000 worth of improvements. So, before there was no mention of
homestead properties, it was 5 percent. So, now if you're a homestead property, it
allows you to be at 2 percent.
Commissioner Escalona: Is there any way we can remove homesteaded properties?
Mr. Santana: If that's the request of the body, then that could be something that can
be looked at.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I'll back that up.
Chair King: I'm sorry. What did you ask for, Commissioner Escalona?
Commissioner Escalona: To remove homesteaded properties from FR.2.
Chair King: Okay. Gentlemen --
Commissioner Gahela: That's a good idea.
James Reyes (City Manager): Through the Chair.
Chair King: Mr. Manager?
Mr. Reyes: Commissioner, would you want to know the potential financial impact?
Commissioner Pardo: Impact. Exactly.
Commissioner Escalona: I would like to know that, yes.
Commissioner Pardo: Please.
Mr. Reyes: Okay, we'll get you -- can we get you those numbers and like that you can
make an educated decision?
Commissioner Escalona: Alright. Would you like to defer this then?
Commissioner Gabela: But here's the thing --
Commissioner Rosado: Yes.
Commissioner Gahela: -- here's the thing. Out of principle, out of principle, why is
somebody supposed to take care of what we're supposed to take care of? You see
what I'm saying? For me, it's based out ofprinciple.
Commissioner Rosado: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: Why should somebody, you know, outside of their, you know,
allotted property, be asked to improve the area when that's our area. That's why we
pay taxes.
Commissioner Rosado: Yeah, Madam Chair, if I could. I agree with those concerns. I
would like to request a deferral to the June meeting because I think there's additional
work to be done on this. I applaud your work to get this on the agenda, and I think it's
City of Miami Page 89 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
a step in the right direction, but 1 don't think it's as considerate of taxpayers as it
could be.
Commissioner Gabela: So, motion to defer?
Commissioner Pardo: I agree.
Commissioner Rosado: To the first meeting in June so that there's time to work on
this.
Commissioner Gabela: You want to make the motion or --?
Chair King: Do I have --? He just --
Commissioner Escalona: Yeah.
Chair King: Do I have a second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Item is deferred.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And that will be to the June 11 th City Commission
meeting.
Chair King: June 11, okay.
[Later...
Chair King: There's one discussion item.
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair?
Chair King: Update on virtual inspections.
Commissioner Rosado: I'm sorry. I was just kind of replaying in my head. Our
discussion on FR.2 really focused on Public Works and the financial aspects of that
ordinance, but we didn't really discuss the legal repercussions. And I've actually
received, over the last few days, several questions from folks that don't think that the
way that it's structured is actually legally sound. And so, I wonder if we could amend
the motion that we made for FR.2 to include a legal analysis as well.
Chair King: We deferred it, so you could just ask --
Commissioner Rosado: As part of -- yes, but as part of the deferral --
Chair King: You can just direct staff through your agenda briefing or talk to the
Manager. Yeah, because that's over.
City ofMiami
Page 90 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
18999
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 54/ARTICLE VI OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
AS AMENDED, TITLED "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS/SIDEWALK
AND STREET CAFES," TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN
ESTABLISHMENTS THE USE OF THE SIDEWALK IN THE
FLAGLER SPECIALTY DISTRICT CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.3, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item FR.1.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
City ofMiami
Page 91 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
AC.1
19181
Office of the City
Attorney
AC - ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA
STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION WILL BE
CONDUCTED AT THE APRIL 23, 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 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: Good afternoon. Welcome back to the City of Miami Commission
meeting for April 23rd, 2026. 1 believe our City Attorney has a statement that he
needs to read.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair, thank you.
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. At this time, the City of Miami Commission meeting will be
in recess for the attorney -client session and we will resume thereafter.
[Later...]
City ofMiami
Page 92 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
Chair King: Welcome back to the City of Miami Commission meeting for April 23,
2026. Mr. City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: Thank you. The attorney -client session in the pending litigation of Joe
Carollo versus City of Miami case number 2006-014464-CA-01 has concluded and
we return you to our regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.
Chair King: Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. I'm going to wait just a couple of minutes
for my colleague to join us.
END OF ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
City ofMiami
Page 93 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
BC.1
19146
Office of the City
Clerk
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Denise Wallace Mayor Eileen Higgins
Christina Cuervo Commissioner Ralph "Rafael" Rosado
Maria Napoles Commission -At -Large
Patricio Suarez Commission -At -Large
(Alternate At -Large, Miami -Dade
County
Public Schools)
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0207
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: A motion was made by Commissioner Gabela, seconded by
Commissioner Rosado, and was passed unanimously to appoint Christina Cuervo as
a member of the Art in Public Plaees Board, further waiving the term limits
contained in Section 2-885(b) of the Code of the City of Miami, as amended, by a
unanimous (5/5) vote of the members of the City Commission, as said requirement
relates to the appointment of Christina Cuervo as a member of the Art in Public
Places Board.
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk, our boards and committees.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. BC.1, Art in Public Places Board.
Mayor Higgins will be appointing Denise Wallace to the Mayor's seat on the AIPPB
(Art in Public Places Board). Commissioner Escalona will be appointing Maria
Napoles to a Commission at -large seat currently held by Francisco Herretes, whose
term has expired. Commissioner Escalona will also be appointing Patricio Suarez to
a vacant Commission at -large seat. And Commissioner Rosado will be reappointing
Christina Cuervo with a 5-5 term waiver.
Chair King: Motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
City ofMiami
Page 94 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
BC.2
19094
Office of the City
Clerk
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Chair King: Second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES' AND SANITATION
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT TRUST FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Fernando Acosta Commission -At -Large
(AFSCME Local 1907)
MOTION TO: Deny
RESULT: DENIAL PASSED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Chair King: BC.2?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.2, General Employees and Sanitation Employees
Retirement Trust. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees) Local 1907 is seeking confirmation of Fernando Acosta.
Chair King: Motion?
Commissioner Escalona: Madam Chair?
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Escalona: 1 have a question. Aren't they supposed to provide six
names?
Mr. Hannon: The Code does require that the AFSCME Local 1907 or 871 provide
six names. However, the Commission can, if it's the will of the body, accept one
name. But that's if the body accepts.
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, I also agree with him. I want -- I want other names.
Mr. Hannon: No, understood. I'm just trying to state what the code allows.
Commissioner Pardo: I do as well.
Chair King: Okay, so do I have a motion to defer this?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion to defer.
City ofMiami
Page 95 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
BC.3
19062
Office of the City
Clerk
Chair King: Or?
Mr. Hannon: We could do a motion to deny and then bring back an entirely new item
with the six names.
Chair King: Okay. Do I have a motion to deny?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion to deny.
Commissioner Escalona: Move.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Escalona: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD
FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Eduardo Fernandez
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0208
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Eileen Higgins
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.3, Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board. Mayor
Higgins will be appointing Eduardo Fernandez to the Mayor's alternate member
seat.
Chair King: Motion?
Commissioner Escalona: Move.
Commissioner Rosado: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
City ofMiami
Page 96 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
BU.1
18753
Office of
Management and
Budget
BU - BUDGET
DISCUSSION ITEM
QUARTERLY 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 need to mention that we had a budget item. Gentlemen, do you want a
report from staff on this, or did you read -- were you able to read your reports?
Everybody's good? Okay.
END OF BUDGET
City ofMiami
Page 97 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PZ.1 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.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14457
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: A motion was made by Commissioner Rosado, seconded by
Commissioner Escalona, and was passed unanimously, to conduct the hearing for
agenda items PZ.1 and PZ.2 before 5:00 p.m. in accordance with Section
166.041(3)(c)(2), Florida Statutes.
Chair King: Commissioners, I need a motion to hear PZ. 1 and PZ.2 before 5:00 p.m.
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Commissioner Escalona: Second.
Chair King: Motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk -- I mean, Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the
titles for the Planning and Zoning items into the record?
George Wvsong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. Thank you. PZ.1, second reading
ordinance.
City ofMiami
Page 98 Printed on OS/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.2, second reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: And then we have PZ4, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: That concludes the PZ (Planning and Zoning) items.
Chair King: Gentlemen, are any items on the PZ agenda that you would like to pull
for discussion?
Commissioner Escalona: No.
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Chair King: Okay. May I have a motion for PZ.1 -- the City Clerk has to read an
amendment to that item -- PZ.2 and PZ.4, the City Clerk also has to read an
amendment for that item. May I have a motion?
Commissioner Escalona: So move.
Commissioner Rosado: Move.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. Mr. City Clerk?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. PZ.1 will be amended to add an
asterisk next to adult daycares on page three of the resolution. PZ4 will be amended
to add PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board) information in the 14th whereas
clause.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
City ofMiami
Page 99 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PZ.2 ORDINANCE Second 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.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14458
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: A motion was made by Commissioner Rosado, seconded by
Commissioner Escalona, and was passed unanimously, to conduct the hearing for
agenda items PZ.1 and PZ.2 before 5:00 p.m. in accordance with Section
166.041(3)(c)(2), Florida Statutes.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.2, please see Item PZ.1.
City ofMiami
Page 100 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
PZ.3
18830
Department of
Planning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS, A MAJOR USE
SPECIAL PERMIT ("MUSP") PURSUANT TO APPENDIX C, SECTION
627.2, AND ASSOCIATED CLASS II SPECIAL PERMIT ("CLASS II")
PURSUANT TO SECTION 627.1.15 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED, FOR A MIXED -USE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE SD-
27.2 MIDTOWN WEST OVERLAY, LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY
3055 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, 2997 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, 2905
NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, 3000 NORTHEAST 1 AVENUE, AND 35
NORTHEAST 29 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; SUCH APPROVAL OF THE MUSP
WILL ALLOW UP TO 924 RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS, OFFICE
AND RETAIL USES, AND ASSOCIATED PARKING AND APPROVAL
OF THE CLASS II WILL ALLOW MANEUVERING OF TRUCKS IN THE
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR OFF STREET LOADING; MAKING
FINDINGS; 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 minutes referencing Item PZ.3, please see "Order of the
Day" and "Public Comments for All Item(s)."
PZ.4 ORDINANCE First Reading
19110
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
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 5, TITLED "SPECIFIC TO ZONES," TO ALLOW
THE USE OF T3 TRANSECT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND TWO-
FAMILY RESIDENCES ("DUPLEX") IN HIGHER TRANSECT ZONES
AND REMOVE THE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SIDE AND REAR
SETBACKS WHEN A DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A T5, T6, OR CI -HD
TRANSECT ZONE ABUTS AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOME;
MAKING FINDINGS; 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: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.4, please see "Order of the
Day" and Item PZ.1.
City ofMiami
Page 101 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
City, of Miami
Page 102 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
DI.1
19043
Department of
Building
DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
DISCUSSION ITEM
A DISCUSSION REGARDING AN UPDATE ON VIRTUAL
INSPECTIONS.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair King: Okay, discussion item? Whose item is this?
Asael Marrero (Assistant City Manager): Good afternoon, Madam Chair,
Commissioners, Mayor, Mr. Manager. This will be a very quick update. We have
evaluated the ability to bring back digital -- virtual inspections. There's also, Jro
reference, our integration with Opal for a future permitting enterprise solution.
We'll have that as a rollout out of the box. But in the meantime, we have evaluated
whether we do this as we did it back in COVID or we integrate with a third party
vendor. I think it's in the best interest of the City that we do it as we did back in
COVID. We are doing a minor enhancement to our iBuild system so that our
customers can request it. I believe we're going to have that rolled out in the next
couple of weeks so that we bring it back as we did back in 2020.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Marrero: Thank you.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS
City of Miami
Page 103 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
NA.1
19219
City Commission
NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ISSUING A
FIREWORKS DISPLAY WAIVER PURSUANT TO CHAPTER
19/SECTION 7 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, TITLED "FIRE PROTECTION/MANUFACTURE,
SALE, TIME OF DISPLAY AND DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS," TO
ALLOW FOR A FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN CONNECTION WITH
THE INTER MIAMI CF SOCCER GAMES FOR THE 2026 SEASON
TO BE HELD AT NU STADIUM AT MIAMI FREEDOM PARK,
LOCATED AT THE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NO. 01-
3132-000-0095 IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, ON APRIL 25, MAY 2, MAY 17,
MAY 24, JULY 22, AUGUST 1, AUGUST 8, AUGUST 12, AUGUST
22, AUGUST 29, SEPTEMBER 5, SEPTEMBER 12, SEPTEMBER
20, OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 14., OCTOBER 28, AND
NOVEMBER 7, 2026.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0204
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item NA.1, please see
"Order of the Day."
Chair King: I have the pocket item. If we can -- ifI can have a motion for our pocket
item.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: 1 have a motion and a second -- can 1 have a second?
Commissioner Escalona: Second.
Chair King: A motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Item passes unanimously. And this shall conclude the City of Miami
Commission meeting for April 23, 2026. Thank you all for your advocacy. See you
again in a couple of weeks.
City ofMiami
Page 104 Printed on 05/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
NA.2
19221
City Commission
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ALLOCATE PURSUANT
TO SECTION 62-642 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), UPON THE CITY
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION, THREE MILLION AND 00/100
DOLLARS ($3,000,000.00) FROM THE PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST
FUND, ACCOUNT NO. 10095, WITH ONE MILLION FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,500,000.00)
SET ASIDE FOR DISTRICT ONE AND ONE MILLION FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,500,000.00)
SET ASIDE FOR DISTRICT FIVE WITH FUTURE ALLOCATION TO
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND OR THE PARKS AND
OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND AND FUTURE APPROPRIATION
FOR PROJECTS IN DISTRICT ONE AND DISTRICT FIVE
ACCORDINGLY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0205
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Chair King: Now we need to do a resolution allocating 1.5 to D5 (District 5) and 1.5
to DI (District 1). Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, what you --
Commissioner Escalona: Move.
Commissioner Gabela: -- said you're going to give me half of the money of the 1.5.
Chair King: No, I didn't.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, we're ready.
Commissioner Escalona: Move.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And then Chair, I believe public comment.
Chair King: Oh, if anyone would like to speak on this resolution for public comment,
please come forward. Seeing none, all in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City ofMiami
Page 105 Printed on OS/27/2026
City Commission
Meeting Minutes April 23, 2026
NA.3
19223
Office of the City
Clerk
ADJOURNMENT
Chair King: Okay. Now, to be clear, Mr. Manager, you will be developing a more
equitable way to distribute this money, moving forward?
James Reyes (City Manager): Chairwoman, I will be working with all of your offices
to develop a more equitable way that satisfies the need of the Commission.
Chair King: Perfect.
Mr. Reyes: As well as we'll also advise of all the funds that have the same
discretionary use as well.
Chair King: Perfect.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION REMOVING
JOSEPH CORRAL AS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING, ZONING
AND APPEALS BOARD.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-26-0206
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Escalona, Rosado
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.3 as well. BC.3, Planning, Zoning, and Appeals
Board. Commissioner Escalona will be removing Joseph Corral from one of the
District 3 seats.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Escalona: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Hannon: That concludes the boards and committees. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you.
The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m.
City ofMiami
Page 106 Printed on 05/27/2026