City Council - Regular Meeting

It looks weird. Why does it look like that? Oh, can you see if they find one? Okay. Yeah, please. John, let me see yours. It doesn't look like yours. Let me borrow yours. Trade. Yeah, I'll give it back. She can give it back to you. Yes, she'll bring it.

Okay, thank you.

good good good evening everyone welcome to our regular our last council meeting of this year um it is july it is tuesday july 14 2026 and the time is 709. madam clerk did i get that correct you did mayor deslame and roll call please

May it doesn't make your vice mayor Timothy here Councilman burns Councilman estimate of in present Councilman Charles with Mary of a corn to proceed.

Thank you so very much we will have the pledge of allegiance by major crystal Fernandez of our North Miami Police Department followed by invocation by the Reverend the final setting of the bet Bethel North life ministries and then we'll get into the agenda crystal.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Please remain standing. Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you for gathering us together. And we thank you, God, for this wonderful grace and mercy that you bestow on us every day. We pray, Almighty God, that you would bless this city of North Miami, all of our citizens and residents. We pray blessings upon our city council, our mayor, and everybody on the council. And we pray that you would guide tonight's meeting with wisdom, knowledge, understanding, according to your divine will. In Jesus Christ's mighty name we pray. Somebody say amen. Amen.

amen you may now be seated thank you reverend reverend sutton thank you so much sir um and now madam clerk no i'm sorry we are madam manager any addition deletion amendment or fraud to the agenda

yes there's a uh deletion well actually a deferral of the discussion item regarding suncus grove community okay and and mayor on uh tabby i just want to clarify um i think there's a scrivener's error in there um i just want to make it clear that that lawsuit has already been filed and that we are continuing continuing to pursue that lawsuit is what you're voting on tonight okay on tab e yes on tabby okay that's part of the consent Yes may I just want to make it clear so that I think the language is a little bit change.

OK thank you so much Councilwoman thank you I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor to tap see.

Thank you and Mister attorney are we all set.

This may be a gender said you may proceed.

Thank you Sir. And we are going to have a quick presentation in honor of parks and Recreation month. And then we will have a annual audit report which is very very important to us by Anthony Brunson P a they will start the meeting guys. Let's go.

Who am I? Who am I?

Mr. Director, we have our new Parks and Rec Director, and we want to say thank you. Like we said, it always starts in the park. And this is a special proclamation of the City of North Miami, and it's a couple of ways the City of North Miami is pleased to issue this proclamation in honor of Parks and Recreation Month. Whereas parks and recreation are essential to health, well-being, and the quality of life for the residents of North Miami, and whereas parks provide safe, welcoming, inclusive spaces that promote physical activity, mental wellness, environmental stewardship, and meaningful community connection. Whereas parks and rec facilities encourage active lifestyle by providing opportunities for sports, walking, hiking, swimming, fitness activities and a wide variety of other recreational pursuits and whereas parks and rec contribute to the economy increased by property values attracting visitors and supporting local businesses and strengthening our community resilience whereas parks and rec and natural resources preserve the beauty of the community while providing an opportunity for residents of all ages to connect with nature, enjoy the outdoors, and improve the overall and the quality of life of all. And now, whereas July is recognized nationwide as Park and Recreation Month, celebrating the vital role of parks and recreation professionals facilities and played a vital role in build building a stronger healthier and much brighter brighter and vibrant community now therefore i mayor alex de somme along with VICE MAYOR CASANDRA TIMOTHY, COUNCILMAN KEVIN A. BURN, COUNCILWOMAN MARY ESTIMATE IRVING, AND COUNCILMAN PIERRE FRANCHARLES DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY AS THE OFFICIAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH IN THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI. AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN US. AND WE'RE GOING TO GET THIS BY OUR PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR. YOU HAVE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, SIR.

THANK YOU, SIR.

Thank you, Mayor and Council. I'm Rick Perrine. I'm the Director of Parks and Recreation and I appreciate this honor and I will present it to my department and the rest of my team later on in the week. Thank you. Everybody have a good evening.

And now we're going to have our financial review. This is it, Tony.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor. certainly the management team of the City of North Miami and the City Street. We have the pleasure of presenting the results from the annual audit. It is as of the September 30th, 25, audit examination. For those that are aware, you know, these audit reports, the AFR is 250 pages, so we kind of do the summary in a PowerPoint presentation. And appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens and the leadership of the city of North Miami. So a bit about the scope. We do the audit pursuant to generally accepted auditing standards, as well as government auditing standards. And the city has two versions of its financials. One is the government activities and business type activities, which are entity wide. It's a full accrual basis and done much like corporate America. So we capture all of the expenses and the revenue. Major governmental funds that audit it with the city. This is what you do on your budgetary basis. Modified accrued accounting and how your budgets are typically based. We audit general fund. The CRA is audited by a third party, but included in the report. The building fund as well as Cagney Park project fund this year was captured in the auditors as a result of some of the capital activity that's going on there. The major proprietary funds, these are your business funds, typically your water and sewer and stormwater fund. We also do a review of the internal controls over the financial reporting, as well as compliance with the state laws and regulations. Tests of compliance pursuant to uniform guidance. These are the federal programs often referred to as single audits. And we test compliance with the rules of the Auditor General, and these are the state grant awards. When we talk about the significant audit results, We have an unmodified audit opinion on the financial statements and on the uniform guidance, the compliance report. Actually, we have one finding into the internal control environment, and it's basically an accounting mechanism. Typically, it's dealing with the accounting for the leases and some prior year adjustments that resulted from it. Typically, as most of... world does you have an operating you have a lease and it's charged annually based on operations new rules make sure that you capitalize them so all your major leases now are capitalized so they're reflected as assets related liabilities are captured so they show up on your balance sheet as liabilities and then they're amortized over the term of the lease so it's just getting that accounting in order with the city a couple other recommendations as you know and we've talked about in the past the accounts receivable and the allowance for uncollected accounts city continues to grow bringing more units online so uh in connection with the account receivable balance it's really just a comment recommendation of as what as uh in terms of being vigilant with the collections related to those cities and shaping policies to be consistent so that they're all handled in the same manner. And lastly, we talked about the schedule of federal wars and state assistance, and it's just the reconciliation process throughout the course of the year. We believe it should be reconciled at least quarterly to be sure that the city maintains a handle on its federal and state grant awards. Okay, as you can see the growth in the city assets grew from over $241,269,000,000. It's $28,000,000 of growth, 12% increase. and liabilities gone down from 181 to 167. That's about 8% decrease, $14 million. So assets are going the right way. Liabilities are going the right way, which is great news. When we talk about net inflows and outflows, these are things that the actuaries typically do in connection with the pension plans, the benefit plans of the city. So it varies each year based on their assumptions. And lastly, the net position. Again, you can see almost a 25% growth in your fund balance, your net asset position. It grew $19 million from 76 million to 95 million. Again, a real credit to your team and staff. And the mayor. And the mayor. And the leadership. Yes, indeed. Okay, the next grouping, we look at the net position of the proprietary funds. These are the business funds, those water and sewer funds we talked about earlier. You can see it grew from 100 million to 104 million. So it's a $4 million increase, about 4%. Assets were, I'm sorry, the liabilities grew from around 23 million to 25 million. It's primarily timing differences in connection with some of the capital programs and the costs. as costs have all gone up entity-wide but it's primarily timing difference nothing really sticks out there again we talk about net deferred outflows and inflows which again are the actuarial calculations but as you can see your net position remained pretty consistent, came from 78.5 million to $78.9 million, almost 79 million. So there's slight growth there. Next slide gives an overview of the revenues for the governmental activities. As you can see, last year's revenues were $119 million. This year grew to 124 million, almost $125 million. And it's rather consistent in terms of the source of those revenue streams. You see charges for services, grants, franchise fees, et cetera. The big growth related to the change is the $5 million increase in property taxes. again, related to the growth of the city that we'll kind of demonstrate a little later, but the actual collection of property taxes grew from $43 million to $48 million. So it's over $5 million growth, and that's really the driver of the change from 119 to 124. Similar slide for the operating expenditures. We can see last year is $112.8 million. This year is 114.4, which is less than a 2% growth, right around 2%. And I just, again, do want to credit your team and the leadership in connection with holding the costs steady. As we all know, costs have really taken off over the last cycle from inflation. Again, it's pretty consistent when we talk about the divisions of the governments, when we look at public safety and general government, physical environment, etc. They're all pretty consistent than what they were last year. And any change is really kind of associated more with a little reorganization and reallocation of some employees to different groups. So again, a credit to the overall leadership team here at 112 million versus 114 million. It's very, considering inflation, very austerity measures been taken by your team members. Just some of the operating highlights. We talked about sharing that the general fund surplus this year. That budget versus actual and expenses were $700,000 surplus. We talk about the general fund, which kind of drives everything. So the fund balance is over $22 million this year. So when we look at the health of the city, we got a $22 million fund balance on our net worth this year. And again, we talked earlier about the general revenue gains for over $4 million, kind of driven by those property taxes. And we put the program income, which was $100,000 increase, and that's really the grants compared to the year to year from the city. All right. When we move over to the business type activities, we can see the growth there. $2 million increase 2025 in the revenue, 47 million compared to 45 last year. Expenses went from 35 to 37. So again, if you were to net this activity, I'd like to point out that These funds currently show a profit of $10 million, but a lot of that's tied up in these accounts receivables. So we can't quite get our handle on that cash yet. I'm sure we continue in the city, your team continues to vigilantly pursue those receivables to get them collected. When we look at your property tax value, again, if you look at your property tax value, it went from almost $5.8 million to over $6.3 billion, excuse me, $5.8 billion to $6.3 billion. So that was over a $500 million increase that occurred since last year. again is those properties coming in line all the development activities that that has occurred within the city um you know brings more of those meters and water and collection efforts as well but it's still a real positive news and it's i think it will continue given some of the future activities uh that projects that are on on board for this is for the city to continue to grow from Okay. Just as another matter, we completed the landfill audit report. That report was issued for the county in the state. Yeah. And and what's really relevant about that is we still have the assets of about $6 million and the projected liabilities are like 5.7 to take care of costs related to cleaning up that landfill. So that's really important. Lastly, we like to talk about the CFA, which is the federal grant schedules. And these are the programs that were audited. during the current year. But the last footnote, I'd like to point everyone's attention to the city and your team still qualifies as a low risk auditee, which it means that you satisfied all the grant requirements for not this year, but the prior two years as well. So you have a three-year track record of no findings in connection with your federal and state grants that have been received by the city. So with that, we'd open up for questions. And I'd just like to introduce Gene Borno, who really did all the heavy lifting in the audit process. A new partner with the firm. So really want to take my hats off to the work that he has done with your team in connection to getting the audit completed.

Awesome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so very much, Mr. Bronson, for your work and your team for the past couple of years. And this is absolutely great news for us. I remember a few years ago we'll be here and it would not be looking this good on this side of the, you know, where we are right now. And I know that next year IS A DIFFERENT STORY BUT THAT'S ALL ON A NEW MANAGER NEXT YEAR SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR BUT THIS IS THIS IS GOOD IN TERMS OF THE REPORTING AND ONE OF THE THINGS I MUST SAY I HAVE TO TAKE MY HAT OFF TO THE COUNCIL I REMEMBER FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST BECAME MAYOR WE REALLY PRIORITIZE THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE CITY TO START TO You know do what we need to do with the reserve and looking at the spending So to all the residents for everything that we we've done this is this is a pretty good report in terms of the financial There's work that needs to be done and we will do that and especially the critical months ahead with the possibility of property taxes being eliminated and The hard work is ahead, but this is great work. I don't know if any of my colleagues have any questions. Yes, yes sir.

Thank you for the work that y'all did. You covered quite a few things and I know that we met one-on-one with you to get an explanation of this. And you only found two areas of concern on housekeeping matters. One was, of course, as you said, how we regulate and report the leases and those assets. But one of the things that kept coming back in some of your comments for this program is we do a horrible job at collecting on our utility bills and this report ended in 2025 and not even taking in what we did for 2026 and the difficulty that we're having setting a clear policy that we need to collect between the 30 and 40 million dollars that are out there on utility bills because we still have to pay Waste Pro. We still have to pay Miami-Dade County for the water that we use. We still have the expenses, but we're not doing a proficient job of collecting. And I noticed in the report that you mentioned that several times that we have money there, but we're just not grabbing it that's out there. And whether any of it is still collectible is a whole nother discussion that this council will have to have. down the road um but uh hopefully we can get that under control and i'm glad that you pointed that out that it was uh because it could jeopardize other things our borrowing power with the state for the future water plants and so forth so i just wanted to thank you all for for pointing that out and and highlighting that that is something that needs to be addressed thank you Yes, thank you.

Anyone else? Okay, thank you so very much. Thank you, Mr. Brunson.

Thank you.

We do have a lengthy agenda, so city announcements. Beverly is coming up, followed by Do we have any, the hurricane preparedness, do we have anything to date? Assistant Chief, nothing? Oh, okay, you're coming. All right.

Good evening, Mayor, Council, staff, North Miami neighbors and guests. My name is Beverly Graham and I am presenting the following announcements on behalf of the City of North Miami. Join the North Miami Public Library's 2026 Summer Reading Program now through July 24th as we celebrate 100 years of stories during the centennial year. Readers of all ages can track their reading for a chance to win exciting prizes, including gift cards, electronics, toys, and more. Register today by scanning the QR code on the flyer and start your next chapter. The city of North Miami is offering the residential tree trimming grant program, which offers up to $1,000 for hazardous tree trimming and removal with no repayment required. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can apply now by visiting www.northmiamifl.gov slash tree trimming. For more information, contact the Community Planning and Development Department at 305-895-9825. The city of North Miami invites residents to attend the virtual budget workshop on Thursday, July 16th at 5.30 p.m. to learn more about the fiscal year 2026-2027 city budget. Residents can watch live on the city's YouTube channel and Nomi2V and are encouraged to register in advance at nomivirtualbudgetworkshop.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit www.normiamifl.gov slash budget. The City of North Miami's Housing and Social Services Department invites residents to the second annual Housing and Social Services Community Fair, happening Friday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Joe Sellerson Center. The free event will feature community resources, vendor booths, backup distribution, home ownership information, family activities, and more. Residents are encouraged to register in advance at 2026HSSCommunityFair.eventbrite.com. We are excited to invite you to experience the Nomi Night Market, a vibrant evening filled with food trucks, local vendors, and live music. The market will take place on the first and third Fridays of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mocha Plaza. For more information, please contact the Economic Development Department at 305-895-9801. Join Vice Mayor Cassandra Timothy for Yoga and Pilates in the Park, a free wellness series designed to help you relax, recharge, and stay active in North Miami's beautiful parks. Yoga classes will take place on the third Saturday of each month at North Bayshore Park at 9 a.m., while Pilates classes will be held every first Saturday of the month at Alfred Esposé Park. For more information, please contact 786-385-8662. The City of North Miami is offering basic to advanced computer classes for North Miami residents now through Saturday, September 5th at the North Miami Public Library. Sessions include basic computer classes from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. Intermediate classes are from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. and the advanced computer classes are from 2.30 to 3.30 p.m. with no classes August 1st. To register or for more information, residents should call 305-891-5535. As part of North Miami Centennial Celebrations, residents are invited to the Historical City Tour Trolley Ride, taking place this Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., departing from North Miami City Hall. Take a journey through North Miami's rich history as you explore historical landmarks, cultural gems, and stories that shaped our community. Space is limited, so residents are encouraged to RSVP at julytrolleyhistoricalride.eventbrite.com. One game, one passion, and one North Miami is the vibe. Join us for the final official FIFA Watch Party on Sunday, July 19th at 1 p.m. at Nomi Village. This free event brings the community together to watch the match, enjoy the atmosphere, and rep your team with your neighbors. Please RSVP at nomiwatchparties.eventbrite.com for the latest updates and event details. Madam City Clerk Vanessa Joseph invites the community to take advantage of the Tax Collector Mobile Office, offering convenient on-site services right here in North Miami. The mobile office will be available Thursday, July 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Miami Public Library. Services include driver's license renewals, ID services, vehicle registration renewals, and more. No appointment is required. Walk-ins are welcomed. The North Miami Police Department invites families to Cops and Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, July 25th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at North Bay Shore William Lehman Park. This free family-friendly event is open to all children and includes fishing, bait, light refreshments, and the opportunity to connect with North Miami police officers. Families are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles, although a limited number will be available. Please register at 2026copsandkids.eventbrite.com. Reddens students are invited to the Pathway to Possibilities Resource and Health Screening Fair on Saturday, July 25th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scott Galvin Community Center. This free community event will offer health screenings, educational resources, giveaways, family activities, and the chance to connect with your local organizations and provide support for services. All are welcome to attend. For more information and to register, visit www.morbility.org. The City of North Miami does invite you to the upcoming flood outreach information sessions, learn about flood prevention and the City of North Miami ordinance. Sessions will take place 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 23rd at the Scott Galvin Community Center and Thursday, July 30th at the Joe Celestine Center. For more information, please contact Glider Dominguez at 305-893-6511, extension 19010. The City of North Miami and the North Miami Police Department invite residents to back to school slash national night out block party taking place Tuesday, August 4th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mocha Plaza. This free event will feature backpack giveaways, educational resources, family activities, and more while supplies last. North Miami residents will receive priority. Children must be present with an adult and proof of residency is required to receive a free backpack. For more information, please contact the Office of Mayor and Council at 305-895-9818. Mayor Alex D'Souma and the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency invite entrepreneurs, business owners, and marketing professionals to the AI and Marketing Summit on Thursday, August 6th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Joe Sellerson Center. Attendees will learn about industry experts, about the AI power marketing strategies, emerging trends, and practical tools to help grow their businesses. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is encouraged. The Economic Development Department invites you to attend their upcoming small business training. The virtual five-week program will provide you with the tools and skills needed to grow your business while guiding you through the creation of your business plan. Taking place August 4th through September 3rd, occurring Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m. Apply today at northmiamifl.gov slash sbtraining. Councilman Pierre-Franc Charles and North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency invites small business owners and entrepreneurs to the upcoming District 4 Small Business Expo, taking place at the Joe Sellison Center Friday, August 21st, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy the afternoon of panel discussions and networking with the featured speaker and owner of CEO of CMS International Group, Jeff Lozama. Apologies, I'm butchering the last name. To stay up to date with the Nomi news, events, programs, and services, log on to North Miami's official website at www.northmiamifl.gov. Connect with Nomi on the homepage and sign up for the city's newsletters. Also, give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram at NorthMiamiFL. This concludes the city announcements.

Thank God. Thank you. And now we're going to have hurricane preparedness by our very, very own Assistant Chief Angel Rivera.

Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Angel Rivera, Assistant Chief of Police, Police Department. I'm here to provide a brief emergency management update as well as hurricane preparedness. Over the last several weeks, we've experienced typical South Florida weather, which has included scattered thunderstorms, but more importantly, extreme heat. Extremely is what has concerned us. Where heat indexes have reached all the way up to 110. They've ranged from 103 to 110 degrees. This has prompted the National Weather Service to put out extreme heat advisories. which prompted our Division of Emergency Management here in North Miami to also put out those extreme heat advisories. We've actually put out three. We did one today, actually. We've put out these advisories using our media platform and our alert notification system, Everbridge, which I'll tell you a little bit more about as we go. In regards to hurricane preparedness, So far so good. This hurricane season, right? We've only had one name stormed, which did not affect us. And as we enter our summer, as our sessions here and we enter our break here for the summer, we want to urge you to prepare because now, historically speaking, these next weeks are usually the most busiest historically when it comes to hurricane preparedness. So if you haven't prepared, Yet, do so now. Go ahead and prepare. Also, in order to stay informed, I want all of you, urge you to sign up for emergency alert system, which is called Everbridge. It's very easy to sign up. If you Google North Miami emergency management, you'll get the website. And if you hit on the link that says receive alerts, or ask for your email address, and you can receive alerts many ways. You get emails, text messaging, and actual phone calls. So again, before we go on our break, I urge you to prepare, be safe, and be well.

Thank you thank you chief thank you so very much. I don't think we have any appointments on so we'll move on to consent agenda.

Unless a member of the City Council wishes to remove a specific item from this portion of the agenda tabs a 3 constitute the consent agenda these resolutions and items are self-explanatory and are not expected to require additional reviewer discussion these items will be recorded as individually numbered resolutions adopted unanimously by the following motion that the consent agenda comprise of tabs a 3 be adopted. Thank you so move second. I have a motion made by Mayor Deslame to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Councilman Charles. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The motion carries with a 5-0 vote.

All right, thank you so much. Tab F, under resolutions.

A proposed resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida, authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate and execute an agreement with LMK Pipe Renewal LLC for the completion of sanitary sewer system repairs at a cost not to exceed $1,100,000. Utilizing City of Claremont solicitation RFB, number 26 dash 039 dash sanitary sewer lateral rehabilitation services pursuant to section 7 dash 167 of the city code providing for an effective date and all other purposes tab f okay thank you so much um public hearing is open on top if i do have a couple of questions for public hearing is open

Mister shot are you there. Public and his clothes seen on coming. I guess this would be for you to miss the shadow you might a manager in terms of that is this a piggyback was this something that was sent out through the solicitation process.

We see the bid from this contract is one of his that we received.

OK from and then the next that the funding is it is not from a general fund.

It's well remember it was from one of our project wants to do we from the previous meeting we actually removed about this we removed about 2 million some dollars from a previous projects because this was required by regulatory so we had to do both of the Senate Terry sewer work.

OK so my question so we received the bid I'm trying to understand if I'm L-M-K, pipe, to read,

Yes, sir. Did we ask for the bid or did they just send it to us? They provided us with a proposal for the record, Alberto Estrada, Procurement Director, and through the manager. Yes, both for tabs F and G, which are related tabs. These are both proposals that were submitted to us. This is for work that is required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and also by county's Durham office. And there are timelines that are required for the sanitary sewer system repairs. So we are awarding first again in tab F to LMK Pipe Renewal. And then in tab G is for Atlantic Pipe Services. And again, this is work that is required by both the state and the county. And there are timelines that are in place in order so the city doesn't have to deal or face with the possibility of a moratorium.

Okay, I get that, what's required and what's the state and the county. My question is, how did these two selectors, these folks, how did they, did they just know that the state required this, so they just sent us an unsolicited proposal, or did you put out a notice, or did they just, out of the blue, just apply?

No, this is based on proposals that we requested both of these firms. Because these are companies that have an extensive amount of experience in doing this particular work, again, for sanitary sewer repairs, which is kind of a specialized type of civil engineering work. So that's what's being reported right now.

So we put out the request for proposal or for bid.

No, we actually requested proposals from each one of these firms.

Okay, so we requested from them.

Right, because of the timeline that's in place, again, the work has to be completed by no later than November of this year. So it was critically important to have both of these awarded and get the work started as soon as possible.

So how did we get... My question would be how did we get them? Like how did we decide to like they were there? The right person to do this job. Well, that's the vendor.

Thank you. Fortunately, I have here the interim public works director who we've been working with his department with Tom Positano.

Yes.

And so we work with the user department. to make sure that we have the right companies to do this work.

Okay.

And I think- Tom, yeah, this, yeah.

Good evening. So we're working with 300 Engineering who is our consultant on this SSCS and these were companies that were suggested by them. So we reached out to them.

Okay. All right. Thank you. That was my question. And this is with both, um, Todd F and G are, um, companion items.

Yes. They each do a different service. So the second one Atlantic does more mainline lining and LMK does mostly laterals.

Awesome. Thank you so very much. Thank you. I did open public hearing to this, right? Yep. It's closed. Sir, you have a question? No. Okay. Second. Second.

I have a motion made by Councilman Burns to approve the item at Tap F. The motion was seconded by Mayor Desimale. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The item passes with a 5-0 vote. Thank you. Tap G. Thank you. Tap G. A proposed resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate and execute an agreement with atlantic pipe services llc for the completion of sanitary sewer system repairs at a cost not to exceed one million four hundred thousand dollars utilizing st john's county solicitation rfb number 2536 county-wide pipe and manhole lining renewal and rehabilitation services pursuant to set to section 7-167 of the city code providing for an effective date and all other purposes tab g thank you um public hearing is open on tab g

Public hearing is open. Seeing none coming. Public hearing is closed.

I have a motion made by Councilman Charles to approve at the end of a tab G motion was seconded by Councilman estimate of an all in favor. Any opposed the item passes with a 5, 0, vote. Thank you Tom 8 have each a proposed resolution of the mayor and City Council of the city of North Miami Florida proving the proposed bid award to tennis holdings acquisition LLC doing business as fast-track courts as the lowest responsive and responsible better for the conversion of existing shuffleboard courts in the tennis and pickleball courts. at the griffin community center located at 122 20 griffin boulevard further authorizing the city manager and city attorney to negotiate and execute an agreement with the selected contractor in an amount not to exceed 267 289 in accordance with the terms conditions and specifications contained in invitation for bids number 21-25-26 tennis and pickleball court conversion project providing for an effective date and all other purposes tab h

Thank you so very much. I have some questions for this as well. Public hearing is open on the item. Public hearing is closed. Question. I guess this is Madam Manager. When was this? I think I must have missed this in briefing. I didn't know anything about this until it was actually, yeah, not this one. A resident actually told me about it, but it was during the cone of silence, so we couldn't discuss it. When is this? So what are we doing here? If you don't mind.

We're adding tennis and pickleball courts to Griffin.

Well, yeah, that's what I saw.

Where there's the shuffleboard. Okay. Replacing that. The shuffleboard hasn't been used for a while, as you see that here. No, no, no, no.

I don't have any issue. I wish I had... You guys would have briefed me on it before it went out to bed. That was a... I must have missed that one.

Did we do something similar at Alfred Brisset? Yeah, and there was actually a discussion... before but then we actually went to go out to be because of what the pricing was going to be so I had had those discussions with the pricing was going to be. I'm going to get caught pepper and we put it out but yeah we've done it at those different places.

What these be open to the public been is not going to be paid like a park is.

I don't know it's hours like okay like the you know, Sam sushi courts and that okay.

Yes, thank you so much for bringing this item. Is the contractor here, a potential contractor? I just have a question.

Yes, the representative is here, Mr. Nick Schultz.

Yes, please. Yes, I just want to make sure that this is going to be, the measurements are for a single court or double, or does it include double as well?

It will be one asphalt tennis court and two permanent pickleball courts Correct.

So the the the measurement so I just want to make sure that that tennis court is going to have They'll be able to play singles and double as well, correct? Yes, but just want to just clarify that on the record So that's all I want basically I was looking at the measurement just a little confused I just wanted to make sure that that's what it's gonna be.

Yep singles and doubles. Yep. Okay.

Thank you And I want to again think singles and doubles oh okay right thank you so i want to thank the administration because um like to your point vice mayor a lot of people have been asking about pickleball um a lot you know um i guess the one that is in pepper park they're they're charging and so um and i think in our last budget meeting i had a resident that came in to talk about it so again thank you for bringing this item um to us that's all the questions that i had thank you all very much

have a question um which parking lot is being it says here a parking lot is going to be turned into the tennis court which parking lot on the north side of the griffin center i believe it's on the north side um our parks director he's back there and he might be able to uh to help us with some of those questions but i believe it's on the north side of the uh happening with the south side okay

What's going to happen? It'll be the north side.

North side, okay. Yes, that'll be the one that's reconfigured a little bit to put in the tennis court on that side.

Okay, and then a second question is, in the near future after this year and it's completed, will there be a mechanism in place to, if we wanted to, to add shade over, especially the pickleball court? eventually because I know especially in the the water park the councilwoman is making sure that screening goes over because it's so hot out there same thing with the pickleball courts a lot of people are having that problem that midday you really can't use it because of the extreme heat.

Yeah going forward we should be able to add some shade structure and we're not removing any trees so the old old growth trees will still be there providing some shade. Okay great.

What's happening to the south side of the building?

The south side, we're gonna take that shuffleboard out and that's where we're gonna put the pickleball court side in.

Oh, okay, so it's both of them.

Yeah, it'll be two pickleballs on the south side and one tennis on the north side of the Griffin building.

Oh, okay.

On that side of the facility.

All right, thank you. Go ahead. If I may, Mayor, and to that point, what happened to parking? No.

The southern parking lot's not gonna be touched, so that'll stay the same. And the northern parking lot, I think it's just being reconfigured. I don't think we're, the expectation is to lose any spots.

Okay. Okay, thank you. One more question. Yes, sir. And it's gonna be operated under the Parks Department, it's gonna operate it as a facility, correct?

Yes, that's correct. It'll be our facility, and as the question came up a couple times, this will be free play for the residents, unlike what goes on at the San Susi and Pepper Park.

Okay, thank you.

Move for approval. Oh, go ahead. I think you did. I did? Okay, thank you. I believe.

Second. I have a motion made by Councilman estimate to approve the item it's have each a second by a vice mayor Timothy all in favor or any opposed night. The item passes with a 4, 1, vote thank you to I. Tab I, a proposed resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida, waiving competitive bidding in accordance with section 7-120 parentheses capital B of the North Miami Code of Ordinances and authorizing the City Manager to select one or more vendors to provide federal lobbying services for the proposed expansion of the North Miami Winston Water Plant Facility. Further authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate and execute an agreement with the selected vendors in an amount exceeding $50,000, providing for an effective date and all other purposes. Tab I.

thank you so very much public hearing is open on tab i public hearing is open seeing none public hearing is close um so move i have a question i'm sorry so with this one madam manager i know this is you're requesting for lobbying services are you are you going to put a cap on the federal lobbying services

I'm generally going to be in the same range as the others the others are over 50,000 and because we're on the break so that's it like currently it's around 90 something for the other ones so it will be in in range of them.

And so how many lobbyists then with this one or more.

Maybe 2, 3, there's there's what we're kind of looking at is a couple different things they were lobbying separately White House were lobbying separately the department we also need to consider where we are congressionally so it may be maybe 2.

So and will these come back to us or you're just going to select them and advise us who you're picking for these this I was going to talk to you all each individually.

It's okay. That's what I was going to do. Okay.

And are you are you expecting to engage these people after the November elections and see what happens in Washington?

Well, I would like to get started with what we know already because we're trying to get funding right now. Okay. So... Okay. The idea that we'll have a comprehensive ability with all of the different lobbyists that we have that have different experience in other areas. We do have one currently now that does have a lot in terms of there so we can for any shift we're prepared for. Okay.

And we know the White House won't be changing in November. Nope. Okay, thank you. I think it was moved and second.

I have a motion made by Mayor Deslame to approve the item at tab I. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Estimator Irvin. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? thank you tab j item passes with a five zero vote i'm sorry um tab j tab j a proposed resolution of the mayor and city council of the city of north miami florida amending the utility billing policy to transition from quarterly to monthly billing cycles further authorizing the city manager to take all action necessary to implement monthly billing cycles for the city's utility billing customers providing foreign effective date and all other purposes this item was tabled from the march 24th council meeting

Tab J. Tab J is open for public hearing.

Tab J is open for public hearing.

Jim, good evening. Congratulations, everyone. Four consecutive budget show classes. Good. Good work. Yes, coming from you, that's good. This should have been done back in 1996 when the internet came on. It's long overdue. Right, Kevin? right am i right it was done in 2006. it was done okay excuse me i might be wrong sometimes let me tell you this i worked in water and sewer my first job down there i answered the phones back in back in back in the summer of 1979 i was in 11th grade i finally got inside city hall here the people were nasty when they called in here about the water bills okay and the water bills were The water bill was high. We're going to need to go monthly. That needs to be done. I'm in favor of this. Also, we need to address, there's going to be, Metro Day is down to one dump in South Dade. They can't open the route. It's in the Miami Hill today. We're going to have problem with our sanitation. Broward, the dump by my house south of where I live at the county line in Broward is going to close eventually. That's Waste Pro and Waste Management, the two dumps here. This city is going to have an issue. Either we transport the stuff down in South Bay or we transport it up to West Palm Beach off of Okeechobee Road. That's where the two other dumps are. I'm giving you a warning because guess what? Sanitation is going to be an issue along with water in the future in this state. You guys are addressing the water insurer issue. And by doing this, you're doing it. You're doing it for everybody. Thank you.

Coming up. All right probably for those we have a car couple of comments come from the guy you move it could be some second my only concern matter manager from previous. With this, the reason I can't support this tonight is because we are dealing with the affordability crisis. The concern that I've had in the past, if these people can't afford to pay the quarterly bill, which is a concern, i know this monthly does help us as a city that we always recognize and help us build and get the money faster but i do think that we need we need to think about the residents um and i want to know what would be put in place because the the number of calls that i'm getting about people needing water NEEDING HELP TO PAY THE WATER BILLS. THAT'S JUST THE REGULAR BILL. SO BREAKING IT, AND WE ASSUME THAT BREAKING IT DOWN EVERY MONTH WILL LOWER THE COST. AND IT KIND OF SOUNDS GOOD. IF IT'S $300, YOU'RE PAYING $100 EVERY MONTH, THAT WOULD HELP YOU. But the way things are going right now, and that's always been the fact from previous time, they just don't have it. That's just the bottom line. If they had it, and those who do have it, we don't really hear much about the water bill. So I just put that in there. I know this is good for administration, but I do think down the line, those people who cannot pay their water bill, now they're getting, it's every month, and you're already getting the your your monthly bill that was added again on the city side i would be all for this but talking for the residents that i do know i just can't right um support it but you know if it does pass i just want you you all to know what is it that you guys going to do for the line that's coming because they cannot afford fifty dollars or the $50 that's coming regularly. So that's just, you know, just keep that in mind with that. I have a question.

What is the implementation process or the timeline to go from quarterly to monthly? And will there be provided, I guess, like a,

Yeah, we'll definitely do notice and and times to kind of catch up. I mean, one of the issues that we really face even for I mean, we have a lot of people that complain to us. How come it's just coming, you know, in the quarterly and now by the time it gets to us, it's so large that we couldn't handle your behind. and if you're behind, so that's one of the complaints that we've gotten a lot of times. We're gonna look to a phase and obviously we'll have to let people know when we're gonna do that and I'm also gonna have a conversation if we are changing over to metering to see how we can do that better. But if we move to monthly, we'll also be able to do kind of better ways of reminders, a better way to move forward. And honestly, one of the main things for monthly was also As we've seen, the collections are very difficult. Even if we go to quarterly, and I can agree that this is on the city side, but even if we go to quarterly, some of the problems that we have is the catch up is too hard. so we can't we can't even you know grab the receivables because the catch-up is too hard i'm not getting bills where it's you know three months and it's three hundred dollars i'm getting bills where it's like six months and it's nine hundred dollars and that's a different scenario um for people to do the catch-up but we're gonna work with that we'll do a lot of notices and uh we'd already shared kind of what um the bills may look like during the four town halls

from and had a bit of that conversation during the budget town hall where they also be assessed the same fees twice as well like I guess there's like a will all those people. I'm assuming yes like the county fee and all those other fees but it'll just be small it'll it'll be smaller okay yeah and then my last question is where are we with a lot of people to pay online.

We are having several technical difficulties. I think it's kind of come with getting us back online from the IT. So that's something that we're kind of working on right now.

yeah because that's also i think a huge issue that we're having here like people cannot pay online like i don't pay any of my bills in person but my water bill but i think we really have to prioritize that as an administration you know it's 2026. folks can't pay online if they can't pay for summer camp online like why are we still open at this point like we have to figure this out and we have to figure it out soon thank you question um to that um on the same line as vice mayor

So there once we move to the monthly bill part of this I'm going to go on their mortgage is that an escrow no there's no part on the mortgage none of that there's no part on the mortgage that would be completely separate that's a different that that's a higher that's a different thing so that when they would get that though they would get that.

that we're not moving anything on the mortgage what's happened is what's in the three months goes monthly um i think what you might be referring to is removing sanitation but that is not going to split the bill yeah this isn't for the court right this is not to remove that and put it on the property tax bill that's not this okay this is just to go monthly yeah now like i said it sounds good I'll notify you all, but once we go through this, we'll go through a process. I mean, in all honesty, it'll probably be the beginning of the year. I think that's closer to enough time to kind of prepare and get everyone ready and for us to prepare as well.

Let me say this, and I know we're getting ready to vote. Just this week, if it's not two days ago, one person called me and they had already sent me an email about their bill. It's $2,600. And I said to them, what's the issue? They had gotten a final notice to pay. So whatever that happened, my staff sent it to the correct department. And then this week, I believe, I think maybe the day before yesterday, no, yesterday, the person reached out again and said, I need to know, can you help me? And then when I reached out to the finance department, they said, yes, we did talk to that particular person. When I called the resident back and I said, it's my understanding we had already spoken to you. She said to me, she said, yes, but I need help. I said, so tell me, what do you need? i'm just thinking about this one person and it's every week if i and you you guys can ask the finance department this if i don't get these calls it i mean i'll be it's it's a good week and her basic thing is and she's renting from the landlord and the landlord is asking us to turn off the water and obviously she got small kids she got things in the house her basic thing is I just don't have the money I had this I had this I had that so it's real that's that's all I'm saying out there it doesn't really it does it would make some type of sense to the person they're getting it every month but the the Nothing is increasing, but everything else is going up, especially for the seniors on fixed income. So again, I'm just saying it may look good now, but a couple months from now, let's just think about it. But that's basically it. Thank you so much. Yes, ma'am.

Yes, thank you. I have a question. I know that there were surveys that were done to ask the residents if they wanted it to be converted. Can you share what that result was, please, on the records?

We we had different questions we had our questions were towards removing all that and moving to electronic those were what our questions were towards so the so that we didn't know we didn't ask them the survey on the survey we presented not in the survey, but in the town hall we presented what the smaller bill would look like.

Thank you Madam Manager.

I just want to add this. Sometimes we have to look at the other side of the issue to make sense of it so that we can have a balanced argument. We have some residents who have not paid their utility bill since we had the hacking situation. Since then we put a stop on on basically cutting off the water and everything. And some of them have not come up and pay a dime. And it is not fair to the other residents who are like, every three months they're pushing and pushing and pushing and making sure that they're doing what they're supposed to do. And then some of the residents just decide not to pay. So sometimes we have to balance it. And one of the problems that we have in the city as a whole has to do with collection. and we just heard it from the auditor and everything so we need to find some type of mechanism in order to uh level the playing field because if uh some of them are playing happy and some of them are pushing some of them decide not to do it so we need to find a way to uh make sure that we uh level it up so i think um this uh monthly will definitely help not only the city, but also the resident, because all the residents who come up with those bills, they don't pay, but every month they have to pay T-Mobile. Every month they pay Metro PCS. If not, they just cut you off. So again, it is, I know some of them can't, and that's why we have the fund to help those who really, really in need. but some of them are just basically taking advantage of the system so that's another way to also look at it and come up with a solution that would basically level the playing field and that's why I am in favor of moving from a quarterly to a monthly because that would be helping not only the city but also our residents because it is not fair to those who are like pushing and paying every quarter and then some just sit down and piling up because in order for you to have a utility bill that is over 1,000, meaning that you have not paid at least for three quarters and then just keep on piling up, that's something that we have to rectify, something that we need to work and fix it. So I think this will help not only the city but also our residents because it's time for us to take charge. And we've got I move it.

It was already moved.

I have a motion made by Councilman Charles to approve the item a tab J the motion was seconded by mayor doesn't mail in favor was not oh yeah, I heard you say second.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

The motion was seconded by Burns, you're sure?

Are you sure?

I'm sure he's sure. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Nay. All right, the item passes with a 4-1 vote. Thank you. TAB-K, A PROPOSED RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A MASTER INSTALLATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI AND PERFORMANCE SERVICES, INC., FOR THE PURCHASE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE, AMI, SYSTEMS ON A CITYWIDE BASIS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS RFQ NUMBER 30-24-25 guaranteed energy, water, and wastewater performance savings contracting services, providing for an effective date and all other purposes. This item was tabled from the March 24th council meeting. Tap K.

Good evening, Arthur Sori, 660 Northwest 7th Avenue. I'm here today on behalf of Performance Services. We've been here at this day as before. This is our second presentation, and smart water metering, the infrastructure, and we're going to just go through the presentation quickly, and we're here to answer any questions you may have. This project started, the background, a little bit of the background, started with the RFQ issued by the city back in April of 2025, later awarded to Performance Services in July of 2025 as well. That award was to move forward with completing the investment grade audit for energy savings. It focused on upgrading the water metering infrastructure and upgrading the smart water utility and wastewater. objectives, accuracy, efficiency, customer service, and approved utility diagnostics. That audit was completed in July of 2025. This item was procured in accordance with Florida Statute 489.145 and goes in the order of procurement, selection, survey, audit, final design, and guarantees, and we're here today for the approval for the implementation. This investment grade audit is not a standalone design document. With the statute, you review the statute, it's a kind of a one-shot thing where the person who does the design work turns around, does the work, and makes a performance guarantee on the dollars that will come in to repay the debt that comes forward. In that same statute, performance services is required to guarantee the savings amount or the revenues. If there's any shortfall in any year, Performance Services is required to supplement that shortfall, make it up. If the number's $4 million, the number's 4.1. If 3 million comes in, Performance Services is responsible for the 1.1 million. Performance Service annually will certify and verify all numbers that come in and remain on the hook for that guarantee for 20 years. um before the statute contemplates that all those responsibilities remain with one contractor who will be performing services planned upgrades accuracy water meters ami infrastructure district metering leak and pressure voice water mi smart utility What those upgrades mean to you, real-time accuracy, that's the number one. Residents, the city, everybody will be able to monitor by the hour what your water does. Everybody can download the app, have the app on their phone, they'll be able to monitor, know exactly what they're using, know if they have a leak immediately. That's what the AMI technology does and brings to the table. cost and satisfaction, reduce operation and maintenance costs because it's a smart utility. It basically gives you a digital footprint of what you're doing and you'll be able to identify problems before they happen. water loss management, real-time water loss that we know immediately when there's a leak. I think there was the manager spoke and maybe some of the council people spoke of people getting bills three months later and the bill being extremely high. Sometimes that's because of a leak and they don't find it out for three months. However, with this, they'll know they have a leak immediately. And that goes into the system monitoring as well, water loss management, and just proactive maintenance with the system. You'll know where your leaks are gonna happen, where they're gonna occur, what's feasible to repair, what's not worth repairing. We anticipate the commercial meters being installed by the end of this fiscal year, end of 2026. They will go full online in 2027. We anticipate you seeing an operational savings of about $153,000. additional revenues on the commercial side of about $9.8 million. Right now you're currently collecting at 40%. I know it was mentioned in your actual presentation about collection rates. We're going to be working with the staff to ensure that those rates can go up the collection. They'll be provided with the tools that they need to ensure that happens. Right now it's about 40% for commercial. First year, we anticipate 2027 being about 50% working with the manager and her staff to get it to 50%, which will bring an additional $9.8 million on the commercial side only, not affecting anything on the residential side. Net financial impact being about $10 million. 2028, the second year, expected commercial increases also at about 60 percent collection rate saying that the manager and staff and our assistants will get up to a 60 percent collection rate makes that number jump about 15 million dollars so your net impact turns out to be 15.5 million dollars again these numbers are without anything happening um residentially this is only the commercial installation residential meters will be begin being installed in 2027 probably will conclude the first half of 2028 beginning of 2028 during that time we'll start doing education and everything for the residents 2029 what makes 2029 of january important that's your first lease payment that's going to be doing this plan That first lease payment is in the second box there, about $4.1 million. As I talked about the revenues coming in from the new collection incentives on the commercial side, you'll bring in a total of $25 million by January of 2029. That first lease payment, $4.1 million, netting a financial impact on a positive side of about $21 million. Again, this is based on the moving up to 50 and 60% collection rate on the commercial meters as well as the new accuracy on the commercial meters. As I said, the residential meters will be installed. in the first part of 2028. We anticipate all being in the ground. Then we start our Helping Hands media outreach campaign. Noah spoke about individuals needing help. That's what the Helping Hands program is for, to help those people on fixed income, low income retirees, to help them with water assistance. We'll be working with the staff to put together a plan and the city will determine what those qualifications are. and program be funded through the new revenue streams. Financing. The estimated cost of all of the improvements approximately $43.8 million with finances charges added $47 million total financing of the whole project $67 million and you see the financial terms there. So implications, what happens? The commercial bills will see an increase when they do go in and your collections will increase as the staff works on increase the collection rates from the 40% up to 60% by 2028. We increased commercial revenues due to both collections and meter accuracy, as I said, and that's it on that one. THOSE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM AND WE DO HAVE THE PERFORMANCE SERVICES TEAM HERE IF WE NEED TO ANSWER ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

YES, SIR. GO BACK TO YOUR PRESENTATION. I DON'T HAVE MUCH QUESTIONS, BUT THAT PROGRAM, WE ALREADY HAVE A UTILITY PROGRAM. ARE YOU SAYING YOU'RE GOING TO ENHANCE THE EXISTING CITY PROGRAM OR ARE YOU DOING A NEW PROGRAM?

WE CAN WORK TO ENHANCE THE PROGRAM YOU HAVE.

IS THERE A DOLLAR AMOUNT?

No, I mean, you guys will determine what you want to use or what can be afforded. We'll work with the staff on that.

So we would determine if there's additional savings and that savings is what goes into because at one point, okay. Yes.

All right, thank you public hearing is I have some question.

Are we do we do it has some questions first you and the questions first or are we okay question which question.

Okay, public hearing is open on the item and I'm sorry before I just saw a Mister Walden would like to recognize. I think may appear was here. Also may a Frank Walden is here and from the city. Yes, I'm sorry guy.

Good evening, I'm Frank Wolland. I live at 12934 Banyan Road. I have had personally some experience with water leaks. I don't know anything about rates. I don't know anything about whether the city makes money or not, but I know how it affects me when i find out about a water leak when i get my bill and it's been going on for like two months and my bills thousands of dollars and i have to come in here and you know beg someone to help me and it's it's difficult my daughter lives in key west where they have this system they call her on the phone from the aqueduct authority they say hey You know your water is running. She runs home Yes, there's a leak. It's ruining her apartment. She stops it You know deals with it immediately saves thousands of gallons of water Saves her, you know a lot of money not not a water bill save, you know, what's getting damaged? So this is a very positive

system and uh and i think it's something that you should support thank you jim garrett 247 britney out doorway beach florida my mom lived at 6 45 northwest 132nd street one of the places where there's a rv parked on the side okay out from my old white on the side oh yeah oh rv rv it's on the it's on the east side by my old bedroom Oh yeah, I'll wait until we get to that issue. I'm totally in for this. My first job in this city, Doris Jacobson had me doing water meters with Pier St. No, Pierre, Harold Williams, and Arnie. I had to go, and Jack Truesdale. I had to go out with the book and do the water meters. They were water meters in this city, and I think they saw in Griffin and Park in certain parts from 1928. My mom's water meter is from 1946. It never got replaced. They said, I used to go out there and read the meter. I knew how to read a meter. This is way, you're right, Cassandra. about this we need we need to be online. We need to get. The point is this we need to do this. But yesterday you guys are doing it and giving you hosannas okay take it as it is this season be in the permit with the only thing I'm asking is there's a community benefit there and want to publicly stated. we need them bleachers because them poor kids at north miami stadium have the kids at north miami high and atm have to play the road games at various places we need them bleachers and what i understand there was a community benefit tied to this and it was the bleachers at the stadium thank you thank you do i get it yes or no oh for what i'm holding you accountable for the bleachers yeah the bleachers originally the original was there it was before galvin no originally originally when they came originally part of the first i know thank you we'll work on it we're working on the bleachers kevin that's you right here yes sir that's right

Good evening. My name is Gio Dardo, 12500 Northeast 4th Avenue. I'm glad earlier, just recently you asked, is it open call or do you have questions first? I don't mind progress in the city. I've said that over and over again. What I do mind is not understanding properly when there's an item that comes up and I don't feel informed enough to be able to take personal choice and either have time to call my council person, my mayor, to see something that could really jeopardize my future finances and my personal safety in the sense of financial safety in my community. And this is why I bring this up here. I once in a while get some heads up on particular items that put a big question mark to my head. And I go, well, OK, $67 million is a big deal to deal with. Who's paying for that? And if I'm paying for it, great, but I want to make sure that my council people have vetted, not one, two, three, or maybe more people, so I can then make, you know, either stand behind it and know whatever I'm backing, that whatever the repercussions is, I was part of that decision. not just based on what we say here at one moment, only because it's kind of hard to follow everything that comes up if it's not well detailed. You, my council and mayor, do get briefed prior. And you get a lot more information than we do. So I think that if we're based on more information, then I could be more of judgment and be able to either understand it or not. Because this is a long, you know, we might be paying for this for a very long time. Who's paying for it? You know, it's just, how did it get to this particular person? It's a wonderful presentation. But I could do a great presentation of, you know, manure at this point, really, if you give me enough time.

Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. Judy Brown, Northwest 128 Terrace. My question is this. I like the smart meter idea. But my question is, what have we done about the pipes? It's been a while since I've been here, but there was a study that was done by the city, and we are losing at that point, it was a couple of years ago or two years ago, like 30% of our water. with the leaking pipes and every day we get an email where there's a pipe being fixed mayor knows that so before we go to a smart meter what do we we need to do something about the pipes that's on the ground that's leaking because um that's our problem it's like putting the horse before you know it's in a wagon we need to get the pipes stop them from leaking and then consider the smart meters thank you thank you miss brown i think the two companion items prior to that miss um madam manager addressed some of the pipes is that part of

Yes and but as you saw that there's also like a leak detection because right now if we think that there's something going on we're kind of just going in and we're just fixing by what we know of the the date of the actual pipe right I might know that there's a 100 pipes on there and one is like you know 50 years old so I start going I repair from there but when you have the leak detection system part of what it's going to do is like tell us where that is and so we can actually do projects that are specific to that area that's part of where some of the operational savings come over the years with the ami is because we would have some level of leak detection so that helps some of the operational savings long term when we can see where we're going we can expend those monies and go there But as you know, we're also endeavoring for a new water plant. Part of that will also be going through how that distributes as well. Are the manholes also included in this? Yes, they are.

So the manhole repairs are included in this proposal?

A certain number of them, yeah, the manholes. I would ask them to come up.

Just to kind of answer some of her questions, what does the manhole repair cover?

Can we if we can go ahead and there's and yet because I saw one person I don't want her to stand there for too long, but Mister sorry you and my representative if you guys could write these questions down and then we could answer them at the end. Sir so did you get at the end we could answer them that would the one so public hearing this to Mike's but go ahead ma'am yes.

Good evening, everyone. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for the opportunity. My name is Marie-Andrée Billab. I'm a newcomer to the city of North Miami. Welcome. I have inherited a property on 128th Street. I'm a new non-profit organization owner in the city of North Miami. I am listening. This is my first time participating in a commission meeting. I'm hearing a few questions because I am inheriting an old property in the city of North Miami. I have a few questions. I don't know if I need to address them now or if I can make an appointment to come because in terms of order, I heard Madam City Manager mentioned that they're going to come from paying every trimester to paying every month. You ask the question, is this going to alleviate the bills for the resident or is it for the city to receive, for account receivable for the city of North Miami? I am concerned about that too. Is it because you want to bring down the monthly bill for the resident of the city of North Miami or it would make it easier for the city to collect when it comes to collecting revenues.

That's your answer.

Now, for the old properties, is there any grant, any money available? Because I was listening to the financial report. We have increase in the city. We have a surplus of more than $5 million. Is this $500 million? Is this going to be some of it helping the resident in the city of North Miami? Because most of the homes in the city of North Miami are old properties. We may have leak on the ground. We may have leak in the pipes. Some of them may have pools that are being elect and nobody knows anything about it is the city is putting a program in place to help the resident identify some of those problem to help bringing down the order be of the down.

Thank you so much, thank you very much next. Okay, public in his open scene on come on, yes, we have to Mike's please if you are speaking we have to Mike's. George Morgan.

1470 Northeast 123rd Street. I speak as a resident.

Can you bring the mic up, Mr. Morgan?

Is it working?

No, no, just move it up a little bit. Yeah, there you go. A little bit. I think it's not on.

Okay. It's on now?

Yes.

Thank you. 112 days ago, we had listened to this presentation. The presentation in terms of numbers has not changed. What we are not certain of is what's going to change in this coming year. We have some state resolutions that are going to make a change in what we receive and what we have to allocate. What we commit to if the council's prepared tonight to pass a vote is what's not going to change, the bank interest, the amount of money and cost in the overall term of 17 years or more. I think it's wisdom that we do not let our amnesia intercede with what we believed 112 days ago that residents were not going to have to pay not a dollar not a dime that presentations of this nature for this amount of money should be done in district for district there should be clarity and answer to questions and that is what i've heard from geo darter that hasn't been done So are we prepared to go ahead with it? I love technology. I think this is great. But are we prepared as a businessman, not as an engineer, to make this kind of decision, even though it appears so good, so great, and we needed it years ago? The question is to council, are you prepared or can we wait on this at least more time and give this more time to settle in our community and let the voices be heard and questioned? Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Yes, sir.

Wow, that's a hard act to follow. I'm just gonna go sit down. Brian James, 860 Northeast 122nd Street. I just say set back, do a little more investigation, put it out to bid. A couple of numbers stood out to me there. We're going from 47 million to 66. The interest we're going to be paying on this is over $20 million, basically about $800,000 a year on this. Public outreach, very little, if at all. I received nothing in the mail. I just found out about this coming to the meeting here. This will affect every water customer. When we hear about savings, where am I going to be saving money on my water bill? If I use 100 gallons a month, I want to pay 100 gallons a month. The $153,000 a year we're going to be saving, I think that's just going to be cutting back on North Miami jobs probably for meter readers, etc. Do we want to do that? And the main one that people really have a question on, why wasn't this put out for bid with various companies? I know the statue was, they were gonna do the analysis, they could possibly come in and do it, but something this high should go out to bid. Am I in favor of it? I am. Let's step back, let's really look at it. What can we do better? Thank you.

Okay, public hearing is open, seeing one coming.

good evening good evening everyone how's it going my name is steve joseph i live on 485 north miami 126. uh i just came from school thanks to vice mayor uh we're doing no miami's offering free class for trading for school plumbing everything construction-wise uh i understand the the very of what's going on today as of utility water xyz but i feel that Yes, as a community of North Miami, we deserve better, but everything is old, but that's why the new generation, because the old generation love to not fix nothing. So basically like, but basically like now the new generation, I think you should give time within six months to a year to let us new youth people that's going to school and trading, instead of going to outsiders, getting new infrastructure to overcharge people in XYZ, working within the community to actually build to exposure for more other communities like North Miami Beach. That's the next city in Miami Shore, so we can all work together and we can build something from that, not just Oh, we go here. Here's the number. No, we all community. We live here. This is our home, what we call home, you know? So I appreciate if we even can get another, this is first level. We do level two, level three, level four, and continue forth. And the new generations that is coming up can help remodel the city too. And we don't have to go out of pocket because everyone's getting older that is still living here and we lose it. And then the city buys it back and not going by age or nothing. It's just... it's more of it's still like a whole old historic like old historic town you know but at the end of the day like we would like it to be modernized well like clean water no leakage old pipes like you said you got to keep calling plumber plumber plumber but it's cool but like tap water the sink water is like less less every time we can fix that if we go to the proper channel investing back into us not just the city of the wherever else the funding goes to which we don't know you know thank you and councilman burns that was for you

Thank you. Anyone else coming up? Public hearing on the item? Public hearing is closed. Now we move up here. I have some question. Yes, yes. Mr. Sorry, the question.

Thank you for coming up. I think they had classes today, right? At the library? Yeah. So the construction classes began. So thank you for making your voice heard.

Give you a shout out.

Yes, sir. Hi, my name is Eric Corey. I'm a senior smart utility specialist for Korn, Maine. I live in Miami, Florida. I'm not a resident of North Miami, but I have been working with the city for right around 15 years.

Okay, the question. I know we had questions about manholes.

Oh, the manhole. Okay. I thought you were going to ask another one. No, so the original scope did have a number of manhole rehabs. But after working with city staff and having conversations with consultants, the technology we're deploying is a smart wastewater network. And I'm 41. So one of the things that we've done or my division's done over the last six years is basically research and development to identify what's the most cost-effective way to remediate issues in a city. So one of the things by just carte blanche replacing a bunch of manholes, we're not actually sure if those are the manholes that need to be repaired. The smart wastewater network that we're deploying will be a conjunction of sensors for flow meters and level that will give us somewhat of a condition assessment of the system and allow the city and staff to make better decisions and target it so we're not wasting any money.

Okay. I don't understand it, Ms. Brown. I see you. Yes, sir. Was there another question? I think that was it. Okay. Thank you, council members.

okay i can start um the first question is madam manager did we put this out for bid because i know that kept coming up this was something that was not bidded or um folks didn't have an opportunity to apply so did this item go out for bid i was not here at the time but my understanding that there was a bid but because this is one of the guaranteed savings performance

the way that the procurement is actually by Florida statute. And so you procure the group at the beginning because they have to do a very extensive review and audit. So you all did choose this in the process of a procurement. You chose performance management. Now they're coming back to you after having done the assessment that they bid for to be the group that could do that. coming back and doing the assessment. So at this point, because you did- I see Alberto up there. So because you guys did choose them, then that's why they're here. And Alberto, when did that go out? Do you have the date?

That was last year. And by the way, I echo everything that the manager said, as usual. She's always right. This was back on April of 2025. The actual selection by council was in July of last year, 2025. And again, so this is, it follows a statute, Chapter 489 of Florida Statutes, and the way the statute lays out the selection for this type of firm is done on a qualification basis. Correct, so it's like a specialized service. That was issued, and after that is done, then comes the next steps, which is the preparation of their audit and their report,

and negotiations with the city and bringing it before council okay what's the timeline i'm sorry no i just wanted to get that because it was april 2025 because they said it didn't go out to be yeah no it did and i just wanted to clarify like a very like important point is that the reason why they changed you know the statute is put in place for this type of um procurement this way is because after you procure there's a significant investment in the engineering to figure out what the savings or operational cost savings can be here So for instance, if we were not to go forward with the group that they have, they've already invested over a quarter million dollars in engineering work that they have done already. And so this type of contract is followed by law, but it also has the guarantee because of that as well.

Because that's the guarantee part.

I know, but Madam Manager, you're saying that if we don't move forward with their stuff, they already spent a quarter of a million.

No, what she's saying is that, I believe what she's saying is that this part cannot be put out to bid. So to answer the question of why wasn't it put out to bid, the way that the law has been written is so that whoever does the study and the analysis is technically the person that's also doing the work.

I'm not gonna say much tonight about this item, but anything Tallahassee right, I don't even trust it. So let's just leave it there on the next question.

Yes, any other members? I'm sorry, I just had another one. Commercial increases, you all are projecting $15 million in commercial, why is that?

At the 60% collection rate. Right now you're collecting at about 40% collection rate. Once you get up to 60%, the numbers that we ran get you to $15 million additional revenue.

And that's strictly commercial. So does that mean that commercial is not being collected accurately?

It's a part of accurately as well, yes, because the meters are underperforming. So yes, accurately and as well as your collection efforts. I don't think you guys are, you're at 40% collection rate right now.

And what is the impact on the residential side?

I'm right now there's no impact on the residential side we have none of our numbers include any residential increases or thing what will happen with welcome staff that will build start going out after residential meters are installed it will start showing what the new consumption rate is residentially so you're saying the year of looking at that so on the residential side you're saying well.

So will it be impacted on what I'm saying is I was so are the residential meters accurate. No. So residential and commercial matter managers that correct and I'm hearing it from a consultant, but if I can kind of hear from you on as well. I can you repeat because she was he was stating that the commercial numbers are accurate what we're collecting in terms of like I guess what the meters are being on the commercial side and then also on the residential side.

That is correct, yeah. We believe it's both.

So pretty much right now people aren't getting accurate water bills.

Well, I mean they're underperforming in the sense that like some of them are really old, some of them are, you know, you go in there, there are a number of bills that we're actually estimating. estimating people's bills? There are some estimations. That's what they've been doing. If you can't get an accurate reading, then we have to estimate the bills. But they know that because it is actually put on the bill. There are some that have a reading and we tell you if it's on the bill and we also tell you if it's coming from an estimate. And that that that would only change with an overhaul of our metering system.

I'm sorry I'm a mayor if I get that because to me that it's kind of baffling because we're talking about people's water bills we're talking about people who can't pay their water bills and then there's some folks right now who are not getting accurate water bills who may be getting the savings may not be getting charged correctly and to me that's a huge concern because for those who are paying their water bills on time, and you might have a neighbor who's not, I know I would be pissed if I found that my neighbor's bill was discounted and I'm over here paying mine. So I think that that's something that I'm surprised is coming out right now.

No, no, that's always been

No, I'm just saying, well, I didn't know this, but people, I would be baffled to know that people are not getting accurate water bills. And to talk about the Helping Hands program, if we could talk about that a little bit more, what does that entail? Is that for residents? I know she came up asking a question, whether it's for residential and commercial, who would qualify for this assistance? And is it through our current utility assistance fund program?

We would get the opportunity to determine that. The utility program that they were proffering was towards using some of the additional revenues that are above our obligations to assist with residential when that comes online. because we will have a reading of residential by 2028. However, we wouldn't be increasing those bills until the residents understood how to use it, were able to be connected with the system so that they could try to control their own usage. And so then for those who are unable at that point to like catch up when we have those bills, there would be that. But we would decide that that would be decided as a policy matter and probably added on as an enhancement to the utility fund.

I'm sorry the last question that I had I know for the last when we when this item came before us back in was this March, I believe it came back in March we had discussed the technology feature where you all would handle maybe the app feature where people can pay on the app they could pay monthly they could pay weekly is that still a feature in this presentation that you see it.

Yes, it's still a feature. so that and do you know how soon that you guys will be be able to residential as we stated the residential goals starts in 2027. The installation of the residential meter starts in 2027. During that time, we'll start doing as the meters are going and we'll start doing community outreach will host me just to show people how to download the app to do into how do you like the technology that will be is that something that could be done sooner now that the city is going into monthly or do you guys need the meter to be and what the leaders have to be in the ground for the technology to work.

That's it for me right now me.

Thank you guys man. I do think that we The presentation was, you know, well presented, but I would say this, though. I mean, we could vote on the item. I think it was hurried or whatever, but I do not want people to assume or I do not want to hear that residents will not be impacted. It may not be impacted now, but y'all gonna have to pay whatever that cost may be. Just be good with that one, and we good with that. I mean, we all have to vote our conscience. It is what it is, but we are not gonna turn this around on any other way. It is what it is, and it's something that we need, but as I stated before, and I'm not gonna go any further into this, but I do not want people to try to turn this like this is, otherwise what it is, whatever that they see on the piece of paper. If you're good, we could call for the vote. I have a question. Go ahead, Councilman.

Councilman Burns, you can go first because I have a lengthy list of the questions. Speaking of young, for the gentleman who came earlier, just like you, we love new things. I love technology. And that's why I entertain this new meter system. But at the same time, as leaders of the city, we have to question everything that is around us so that we can make informed decision on behalf of the great city of North Miami. My work, my interest is in seeing the city is moving forward. And every day, i go to bed and god grant me another day that's what i've been doing i've been pushing we have to make sure that our city is being taken care of we have a lot that is coming our way with property taxes on the line we don't know what tomorrow will bring and again we have to be mindful of all those changes because when we're putting money out there we need to know where we are going to find money to pay for this kind of infrastructure. And of course, everybody knows that we need a water plant for the city of North Miami. In 2023, when I just came to this council, at the budget hearing in here, the then public work director was on the stand right there, and I asked him that question. As far as our water plant, how would you say the water plant is working now? His answer was, on one leg. On one leg. That was 2023. And now we're in 2026. We have not done anything. So again, we have to plan, we have to work in a smart way. That's why smart technology is good, but we have to be smart and move on in a way that will not bite us in the near future. And then you are the ones gonna carry the burden because by that time I'll be long gone. You understand? So when we do work in here, we work in your favor. when we are making informed decision, it is for the younger generation to come and work in a way not to carry burden of the kind of decision that we made in here on informed decision. So I'm with you on that. I love technology. I love all new things, especially new cars. I love them, you know, drive around and looking good and everything. But this is really about the city tonight. On page 11, of the presentation that I have in front of me. The first thing that struck me is commercial billing will increase in addition to the increase that we have in place. Would you please explain that line to me?

When we mentioned commercial billing increasing, the accuracy of the meters, the meters will be in, the accuracy of the meters will be reading completely accurate, as well as us working with the staff to get that number up from 40% to 60% collection rates. Okay, now,

One of the features that you had in this whole AMI that I like, because I've been fighting for that since I came in, is for us to gradually change our pipes. It wasn't there and has been removed because I spent like the past few nights going to the presentation, the one that you gave me early on and everything that is now. That feature has been gone, but the price has not changed. Is there a reason for that?

The feature's still there. We just shrunk the presentation a little bit because we've done it and gone over it. The feature's still there, as the manager spoke about earlier. The technology's there. When we mentioned district metering, that district metering technology is in place where certain areas have sensors in both areas and we'll be able to detect when leaks are going through which pipes need to be fixed proactive proactive repairs throughout the process your staff right now is stated by the manager right now kind of makes changes based on infrastructure age Once you have this new technology in place, you go away from infrastructure age, so you know where pressure's high in certain pipes and there's about to be a burst. So hey, we need to get over here now and fix this pipe. So that's what that means. And yes, it's still there. Like you said, the price didn't change. It just wasn't detailed in the presentation as it was before.

I vividly recall part of our conversation back in March. I made the point. If it is going to be a dime increase on our resident, I will never ever support something like that. And then when we come back in here in March, when we have that presentation, and clearly we discovered that there will be some type of increase on top of the unfair increase that our resident are feeling now, the 8.5% weighted average that they are carrying on each and every bill. I know there will be a way for you guys to do it for 27, for 28, but numbers don't lie. They will catch up with us. There will be some increase on our residential side. So is that still your same assumption for the 17 years, there will never be a dime increase on our residents?

Our assumptions with the numbers that were given today, does not have any residential increases.

For 17 years?

For 17 years. None of our assumptions have residential increases. I think it'll be highly unlikely that you don't increase for 17 years, but we didn't put anything in our assumptions for residential increases, no.

I don't see how is that possible, but moving on. My question to you, on the numbers, the amount of money that we are going to get, what exactly is guaranteed? And what is a projection?

Guaranteed is the $4.1 million annually. The complete guarantee is on your debt service that you're going to be acquiring by moving through with this process. Your annual payments approximately $4.132 million, I believe. That's the guaranteed number. We guarantee it every, there won't be a year that comes that you won't have revenues come in to make that payment. The projection numbers are we're projecting, you know, even at reduced numbers that you bring in that extra $15.8 million just commercially alone.

I say thank you. Given that this item would be approved tonight and the city realized that they only collected half of the projected revenue increase. What is PSI financial obligation at that point?

If you turn around and for the year, you say, hey, it looks like we're projected only bring in $2 million. The year closes with $2 million. PSI is responsible to give you $2.1 million to make the $4.1 million payment.

Okay. If that guarantee backed by a bond, insurance product, corporate guarantee or simply a contractual promise that you are making in here because I just want to make sure that we have everything in line, everything straight to the point.

It's completely guaranteed by the Florida statute that's in the contract, completely guaranteed by the Florida statute that we have to make up the difference of whatever we guarantee. Your contract specifically lists out the $4.1 million, the agreement that will be signed and contractually and statute-wise, we're responsible for any shortfall.

Now for this, for PSI, is that their first rodeo with this kind of project?

No, not the first rodeo. And we're also partnered with Corner Main, who is here as well. And right now they do have the AMI project down at the county as well as far and also some other cities as well up north.

Have they ever had to reimburse a client under these guarantees? If so, how many times and for how much? Never. Never, good. Now, we're talking about 21,800 meters. Yes. How many were physically tested, or how many were sampled, and what percentage were found inaccurate?

I believe we tested about 300 meters residentially from different districts all over and probably the same number for the commercial. They did come back reading inaccurate.

I'm not positive of the

I just have a quick question to follow up on what the councilman was saying and I wasn't going to say nothing tonight but he brought a very very good point. So your calculation is based on the the 60% 60% collection from the 20 from the 40% where we had a commercial only it's my understanding.

No the 40% is your collection where that's what I'm saying right now has nothing to do with the meters tested nothing to do with it.

No, no, no. I'm not asking about the testing. I didn't want to forget my question. I'm saying based on your presentation, what right now is based on 60% collection from the commercial. Yes. The same line of question, and thank you, Councilman, for bringing this up. What if year one... and it's very clear that it's not touching residential. What if year one we are under the 60% threshold which is stated in the proposal where it wouldn't go? So now this question is not for you, it's for the manager. So if we come under for year one, because I want to be very clear with this one, because just to piggyback on what the councilman question is saying, Let's just say we did 55% collection of the commercials. So we down 5%. Where would that come from? Is it their responsibility or is it in our general fund?

well the general fund is not part of the conversation the fund that's part of it is the water and sewer fund because that's what we would pay out of so that's the proprietary fund but to answer that question is kind of twofold the amount of revenues that that they have stated that we're getting even if we got to 55 based on their calculations would be more than the 4.1 But what they are guaranteeing by law is that they would pay the 4.1. I'm using an approximation of 4.1 because I think it's close, but that's not the exact number. But if they come in under, it wouldn't be based on the percentage, but if they come in under so that we can't pay, then we would have a claim against them for the rest up to paying what's owed on the loan?

So the loan that we're getting, we're thinking that for the $67 million loan, there should be enough revenue coming from the commercial side only to fund the ability for us to pay it back, basically. If not, they're gonna, because that's the core of this argument is we gotta guarantee we're not gonna lose police and we're not doing what we need to do in terms of the real numbers. So if it's over the 4.1 million, let's just say it's six million, so we have about 1.8 million so is it my understanding and and i like if that's the case that you will pay us the 1.6 million or the 1.5 that we are deficit or is it only up to the 4.1 million

No, no, no. They would guarantee up to the 4.1 million. So I guarantee is capped. Um, but they, but they are what they're calculating is that their payment to us will be higher than that.

That's what I'm saying.

And so if in fact the payment to us is higher than that, then what the 4.1 or that minimum then over the years you would be adding into your water and sewer fund the number that catches up, which allows us to kind of keep our rates at base. So when you look at the Black and Veatch, we've done the Black and Veatch water rate study. and that water rate study says we have this amount of things to fix and repair and we have this amount of money that you actually have in your fund so you actually need to be collecting and getting this amount of money and so that would actually allow you to make those repairs that's basically the rate study that we get yes so if it went over based on what they've said for their numbers why I'm I believe what what the gentleman was trying to say is that basically you would have enough to cover the fund to the point that you don't have to do the increases the back of each 8.5 that we do every year right because after a certain amount of years if you make over that amount now your fund is at level where it needs to be a pretty much the reason why we have the rate increases because we're not collecting and because we know One, because you're not, well, not just collecting, but also we weren't charging what needed to make. There was a lot of times where we subsidized. And so we continued to subsidize and that created the increases. The claim is that they we won't be able to we won't have to subsidize as much but what but what I think there's a distinction is they're only guaranteeing that we will be able to pay the loan now why that is important is because the loan would take away from what we can use for a future water plan because it's part of our money in our revenues so it's important that if we're paying that out in a loan. that we have that ability to recover it so it doesn't reduce our capacity for getting other loans for the water plant. That's separate. But for their purpose, if it does in fact go that way, it's not to say that residential bills would not be it's not that they can't be they can't go up because you're going to get an accurate reading the question is going to be um would you be able to curb the increases and you could be able to curb the increases if the commercial revenues come online as they are saying currently now whether they come online that is for us to see but that is what the statements are

okay thank you i'm sorry councilman oh yeah yeah thank you uh very much mayor um i just want to say thank you for indulging me because i have a quite a few more questions um just on that line uh looking at the numbers as any third-party engineering firm or utility consultant or financial advisor independently validated your revenue projections

Yes, we do have our engineers and partners that we work with, and the bank has even valued it as well. That's why the city has the ability to get the money to do it. We turn in exactly what we see, they evaluate it and say, okay, yes, this is what the amount can be.

I'm not talking to that one. I'm not talking about your company because every number would make sense to them because exactly that's what we do. with numbers what I'm talking about like independent verification but because in cases like that we're talking about some big numbers and also you just heard it this can also affect our ability to secure a loan for our water treatment plant which is a priority number one that's the number one priority for for our city as we we are so lucky we still have this thing um working because this is the first thing that we need as a city, water is the first thing that we need as a city. And I love the technology, I love everything else that come with it, but we need that water plant. Because my point is that any financial advisor looking at your numbers, so that they will make sense, because getting us in a $67 million loan, it is not something simple. So that people will know exactly what they're getting themselves into. We can save that for later. My other question probably goes to you or the city. My question would be why should the city borrow about $47 million based on revenue assumption that have not yet occurred? Because we are assuming this money is coming, we are assuming we'll be able to do it, but why should we get ourselves into something like that?

Well, again, right now, when you look at the numbers and the percentage of water loss and everything that you do have right now, even the collections, I think when you talk about not being able to read meters and everything, you move yourself into another direction when you go with the AMI system. You're working on and now you're putting yourself in a position to make more informed decisions. You give the manager the ability and the tools to make the decisions on repairs, what infrastructure needs to be repaired. You're not doing any guesswork. Right now you're guessworking. Right now our world is functioning on data. we're putting sensors in your whole utility system that will read off of data. Now you're making your decisions on data like you do everything else. Everything that we do on our cell phones is data, and now your system will be complete data once we install the sensors throughout your system. You're moving your utility, like we say, into a smart utility program, which will do everything by data, give your residents the true transparency that they're asking for, where they can monitor on an hourly basis of what their water usage is. And again, it just gives everybody the numbers. And with our projected numbers, this is going to help you towards your water plant. We're going to help you. We're going to be, matter of fact, you know, our numbers will pay towards your water plan a significant amount.

Thank you very much. My follow-up question was that with everything that is happening in Tallahassee now, not to say in the country, you know, grant that we usually get, we don't see them anymore. And then we have poverty taxes on the line and nobody knows what's going to happen. And we know some way, shape or form, our city will be affected. Now, what happens if projected revenues are delayed by two years? What happened to the city? What happened to us as a city?

Any projected revenue delayed, then we're the ones on the hook to pay the bill. So we're on the hook to pay the $4.1 million. The 4.1, it can't negatively affect you because we're guaranteeing it again. So you'll never be at the thing, well, hey, we don't have it. No, this is gonna be additional revenue that pays your $4.1 million.

But a follow-up to that, what would happen if we never reach that projection? So what would happen? And we're responsible for paying it. Who's going to pay it? PSI. So if we never, ever reach that projection?

If you never reach the 4.1, PSI is responsible for paying the 4.1. Yes, sir.

All right. Now, on the risk side, because I got a few more questions, so please bear with me, because this is a... no this is this this is a very very important matter and um we need to make sure that we make informed decision in here because that's that's the beauty of those meetings and we're here for our residents we're here for the city we have to make sure that everything is clear like water so that we can move on and do what we're supposed to do and you know just go go home and put my head on the pillow and go to sleep knowing that i did the right thing now What is the single greatest risk of achieving your projected revenue numbers?

One more time, sir.

Give me just one risk that might, something that might occur down the line, and then we never, ever achieve that projected numbers.

I don't see the risk. There's no risk because again, all by the Florida statute, we're responsible for paying no matter what. If I guess Hiroshima drops and you can't pay your thing, we're responsible for it. It's just the Florida statute. We're responsible for the 4.1 no matter what.

Let me ask you that question in a different form. Any concern, anything that concern you on your assumption, PSI, you as a company who's getting into this business of doing all these with putting the city into a $67 million loan and everything, any concern, anything that the city should be concerned about?

i think no i believe you're going to make the city will bring in more money than even our projection our projections are super conservative super super conservative um so no you'll be bringing more money than like i said the money that you're going to bring in with this new utility system that'll be coming in um with the operational savings and everything you'll have money to pay toward your water plant i'm just going to ask you a question if we were to switch position

You are sitting in my seat and then I'm here at the podium. What would make you hesitate to approve this project?

I would, I think it's a no-win. It's cost neutral. It's a cost neutral project. I wouldn't have any hesitation in it.

Okay. Now, so we get back to the impact because that is, you know, from the beginning that is important for me. What is the average? anticipated increase in bills for small businesses, apartment complex, and large commercial users, because we know they have an increase. We start with that increase on page 11.

I think it varies. When we did our numbers and we did our audit, we looked at maybe about 22% possibly, but that's an average. Some people might pay less because the other meter's reading accurate. Some people might pay a little bit more, but it averaged out about 22%.

How about 22%?

Inaccuracy, yes.

Let me ask you this question in a different form. How many customers you anticipate will experience an increase greater than 10%, 25%, 50%? Because we're talking about 17 years.

Yeah, I don't think we can answer that one.

You cannot answer that? Okay, you can save it for later. And then since you cannot answer that one, the follow-up questions that I have, I can save it too. So the only reason why I'm asking all these questions is for us to be able to look at our resident in the eyes and say that, look, we did this. but we know exactly what is coming. But for me to sit in here to tell you that I can easily digest the 67 million not knowing the impact that it is going to have not only on my residents, because like I said earlier, the residents of North Miami, They've been subject to some unfair increase because when you're talking about 8.5 weighted average every year, it is not easy on them. I love the technology. I love it. It's gonna be nice. But as I said in March, and I am going to repeat it, is this the right time? When we do this, what about water treatment plant? What about the pipes? So what are we doing? So sitting in here, I don't think I'll be able to sit down and look at my resident in the great city of North Miami and tell them I did my best to make sure that they're in a better position 2 years from now 4 years from now 17 years from now so to that I'll play my time and I'll sit down and watch the process.

Thank you the mayor passed the gavel to me time being that councilwoman any comments. I have some and also I want to since it wasn't asked earlier I did meet with the consultants on once or twice so I'm publicly disclosing that to to get information and a briefing on what's going on so I have a couple questions We'll talk about the loan first. The loan, the interest rate is at 4.77. Is that fixed or is it adjustable over a certain number of years? And is it the city's credit that's getting the loan?

City's credit.

Okay, can you put it on the record?

It's the city's credit that's getting the loan.

Okay, and is there any penalty for paying the loan off early?

Generally no, but the terms and conditions haven't been determined yet until you pick which finance company. The manager will do that and pick the finance company later. Okay.

Mayor is back. Okay. From your presentation, most of the savings are coming from the increase in collections, going from 40% to 50% to 60%. So that's how we're going to pay for this system based upon us doing better collection and the meters having a more accurate reading of the water. But the majority of the money or savings, I don't tell how it's a savings, the majority of the money is coming because we're gonna do a better job at collecting And in theory, correct?

In theory, yes. This gives you the tools and also it just helps you in saving money on your, with the sensors in, you'll know when you have inflow and infiltration, when you're paying more money to the county for sewer treatment, you'll know where you have leaks at. You can fix those leaks in time. So it's a whole process. a whole system, a whole smart utility that will decrease at every different level. Right now, yes, we just gave you those numbers, but those are numbers just on the collection, 40 to 60%, what we're guaranteeing. But however, like I said, now, you know before pipes break, you know which ones are efficient to repair, which ones aren't efficient to repair. You have all of the data information there with you. So on paper, on the onset, it looks like, yeah, that's it. However, like I said, inflow and infiltration costs, you fix immediately because you're gonna know where big leaks are happening at. and you go and you know you do you know fill and fix the leaks so now you stop paying all the money you're paying to the county you reduce any potential new breaks that you have that you'll see in the system as well so yeah right now you just showed that but when the system's in place when it all starts working together then you start seeing a little more savings okay next question is is that if the city does not do the proper job at collection

what does your guarantee if we stay at collecting 40 45 and we don't get it up to the 50 to 60 because of internal issues that the city has are you still liable for making that guaranteed payment um if we have a shortfall and that's our fault

We're guaranteed at the 4.1 regardless. The one thing is that PSI is here with the city for the next 20 years. So we'll be pushing, we're monitoring this stuff also because at the same time, we're gonna be watching to make sure everything's running as efficient as it can to produce those savers to make sure that we don't have to pay. So we'll be here locked in with the city for the next 20 years, making sure that the system is running optimal.

Okay. And regardless of the property tax issue that happens, our water system runs on its independent fund regardless of what happens in the property tax or a homestead exemption passes. And so that's an independent fund, correct?

Completely, completely enterprise fund.

Okay. Where will be the brains of this technology at? Is it going to be within the city, inside City Hall, inside the water department? Where is it at?

That will be determined by your manager. I'm sure our brain will be somewhere at the water plant.

let me turn it over hi sorry just to just answer the question um all of the data the water meter data the sewer data the smart water the pipe assessment all of that data will land in one single source software platform depending on how the city manager and utility operations wants to set up their command and control center we would work with them to essentially set that up wherever they wanted to but the good the thing is that it's a single source cloud-based platform so it could be monitored from everywhere including your phone

Will there be, because of this technology, will there be like an office room that's going to have a bunch of computers that somebody's going to sit in to monitor all this? But you're saying something on the phone. Are we going to have to build something in addition to this as an operations center to take advantage of all this stuff?

I mean, it would be cool, but not necessary. Yeah, what I would say is that we have utilities that go full bore that they put up multiple screens. They create like a skater room essentially for their smart utility. Then we have other cities that just have operational dashboards that pop up on every division heads computer in the morning. It really just depends how you want to set it up. But no, there is no required expense to set up our system on the back end.

Okay. And regardless of the meters, whether we keep the old meters or get the new smart meters, we're still paying the 8.5% increase a year, correct manager?

Yeah.

That's just the built-in because of the rate study, correct?

That rate setting actually is going to get redone. And so we will have to look at that to see what that number is.

So I'm so I'm just saying that the cost of the water regardless of we have the meters that don't have the meters they'll be at some type of top cost in there whether it's a percent or 6% when we to keep our rates in line with what we need to be at so we're not running a deficiency anymore.

We are at the point where we have to now go get a new water rate study so I couldn't say if it would be 8.5 6.5 or what not what I can say is it looks like the numbers might be a bit under obviously because we don't have the collection so it's not dollars in the account and so that could be the possibility I don't know what that is going forward, but that's where we are currently.

Are we. on the loan, as this might be for the manager, we are going to take out a loan for, I'll say, $45 million, and do we start paying the interest right away, or is it as we draw down and use it, that is when the interest starts getting paid? How is that financing mechanism going to work?

Well, there are offers of different financing, so I can't say exactly which one would be the method. What we had been looking for based on what the, based on not having a payment before January 2029, the way that is is that there's an actual set amount over the years of the way that we pay the loan. So that would all, we would, all of that would get added to it, the interest, and it's split up by the years by the number inside the loan. So that's where the interest is.

Okay, because my question is it's like a line of credit.

It's not a draw. It's not a drawdown. It's not a drawdown like you as you're discussing. So if it was like a drawdown, like kind of if we did it like a bond in some extent, it's what you draw down from the bond and then you pay on that. But here we have a set interest rate and a set number. So we know that part of that is so that they could actually guarantee what our payments going to be and what they're going to actually have to guarantee us.

So the minute we sign on the dotted line for $45 million, the interest clock starts ticking, even if we haven't pulled the money out to start paying for the construction and the meters installation, correct?

I don't have the financing document, so I can't tell you exactly for sure, but what I've looked at in terms of the financing is that it's a set number of the interest. And so it's different. I guess the savings you're looking for is if we were to do it now and we only drew down, but it kind of goes against the opportunity to get the guarantee from the company.

Okay, because my question is, if they're only going to use $10, $15, $20 million this first year to do what they have to do, and then we don't have to pay them or pay the loan because we're not using the money.

Well, we're using it before they even... We're going to be using it... We're gonna be using the money before we pay the loan because they have to put in all of the metering. That is the cost of it. The interest that we're paying is because it's a set calculation of interest. So if we didn't do it that way, then we would have to front the money up front and float it. And so that's the difference. But I wanna be clear that we've gotten offers for different financing mechanisms. There has not one been chosen. Specifically, we are pushing towards the one where there is not a payment. And part of that is because we don't want to draw down on our funds. If I were to draw down on the funds originally and pay them up front out of what our water and sewer fund is there, then you're reducing the amount that's actually available cash. And so that is actually one of the things, your available cash is what's looked at as we're doing the water and rate study. So that's not something that we would want to do upfront.

Okay. And what are the, the first presentation I understand there was a community of benefits that were proposed. Can you re-announce those, what they're going to be or what you all have proffered?

So the community benefits are number one, $1.5 million is going to the city for the replacement of the bleachers at the North Miami Stadium. We will be doing, job fair. We're gonna have, I think we have four full three or four full time jobs that will be offered to residents of the city along with other part time jobs. But it will be three or four full time jobs that are available. Um, we do have, we agreed to do monthly to sponsor the monthly meetings at the library and put our the monthly computer program at the library and we will be doing our teaching everybody how to use the software download the app and everything will sponsor that for the year and then that we would do a community outreach campaign throughout the community to inform everybody on it those are the community benefits so you only doing the bleachers from my understanding from your community benefits yes I thought you had stuff

to help out.

I thought there was more stuff, so it's my understanding. though maybe I'm I'm I'm getting confused that you say something about the water arm that the residents water water a program.

Yeah, we're going to work with the city but that for those funds there are yeah, but that's our program.

Yes, but what I'm going to work on the same really had to the program community so. Community programs, what you just mentioned is the bleachers, the 1.5, I just wanted to get that on record.

And I'm almost done here. What should happen in say 15 years from now, we sell our water system to Miami-Dade County, lock stock and barrel the water plant the maintenance of the pipes and the ability for them to uh bill us what happens in theory if that should ever happen is there an exceed clause for the city because this has happened and and the reason i'm asking it is it's an another city they've made all this improvement realized they couldn't afford their new water plant and they sold it to the the county in north florida

Yeah, no, I mean, that would have to be a special circumstance that you'd have to work with the county. There'd be some sort of transfer, whatever it might be. The county would be happy because it's the same water meters that they're putting in. So it would be the exact same system that the county is using. So they'd be happy on that front. But it's difficult to answer that question predominantly just because I don't know the entire legal aspect of what a transfer of a performance contract between two entities look like. I've actually never seen that.

Okay.

But for the for the purpose of whether the county would be open to it, they'd be happy because it would be the same system and they could integrate it with their existing system.

Okay. And two more comments I have. One is that I look at the water plant, you have the water plant, you have the distribution lines and you have the water meter and if you have a brand new water plant but your pipes are leaking you're in trouble and if you're not reading the the meters correctly you're in trouble so we're doing a component of of the water meter which i'm fine with and then hopefully we start on the water plant and then our water plant we get the distribution lines all done at the same time so that we can have a functioning uh water delivery system so i'm okay with the the timing of the of the water meters But at the end of the day, somebody's paying. Somebody is generating all this money, businesses, and somebody's paying it because nothing is for free. And I understand that. And it's just the cost of doing business in the city. The one other issue is... You said that you're going to pay the city the money to build the bleachers. I thought the understanding was that you all would take on the responsibility to do that and right up front almost immediately before you maybe even put the first meter in because you all would be able to fast pace it a heck of a lot faster and you all would be on the hook to make sure there was no cost overrides and so forth. So whatever the way that can be worked out the most efficient way where you all take the responsibility of doing that and not and not putting it on us so that you guys can do the procurement, get it done faster because I think it will go much quicker and safer as far as the city goes. We're at we're working with staff on that okay, you know that's all I have thank you Mister mayor.

Anyone else because I think we we exhausted this conversation people will do what they do. I'd like to say please go ahead, yeah.

Madam manager last time you had a presentation. And Mr. Sori, last time you were here, I said, please make sure that you're speaking to the manager to make sure that it is beneficial or it could be beneficial to us. Again, I echo a lot of the sentiments that Mike Colleagues are saying the technology is great in all that but a concern that I have and it was stated here tonight I just want to ask a couple of questions First of all, what what is the cost of our estimated cost and I know there's a lot we have to do for a water plant You actually stuff I'm yeah, I'm asking the manager I Would estimate the cost to be around 300 million I I'll say without the having a 350 without having a full and that's and what and what do we have now how much do we have now.

Is it 50.

I can't answer that question right now I can't remember what it is so I but it would be less than 10%. When you say we're going to manage this that I know we have 50 that we we we took from the state and this was years ago so no no that so that we have a put towards that and actually you have to you have to go to SRF and re and put that towards that so I guess I understood the question is like how much money we have in like our account for it or and I know that we're getting the with the alone with the with the alone so much yet so the with the alone which we've been using for the piping We have to submit it for the water plant we've submitted it for the surrounding infrastructure, but we do expect to put towards towards that.

So we don't even have 10% of the that we'd be using if this is approved tonight wrote that money is coming from where.

We would pay something we would pay any expense of water and sewer out of the water and sewer fund. And and the work for the meters is through the water and sewer fund.

Is it my understanding that if we use these funds that we're depleting from dollars that we're already looking for to for the water plant.

Is that my? If their guarantee is not, I mean, if they guarantee it, then you're just refilling what you have, right? So if I spend four million and the concern is like, do you spend four million, you don't have it. But if I spend four million and they actually reimburse and we get the four million back, then we haven't taken the money out. It becomes an even toss. That's kind of the reason. So one of the reasons of the financing and waiting for the financing in 2029 to start making payments is to be able to realize some of those resources before we even pay out money. So the first year if we put 4 million, they're still guaranteeing us for the well, they still would be guaranteeing us 2028. So let's say we get into 2029. We should already have 4 million of what they have guaranteed us before we even pay out of 4 million. So then it would be a no, then it should be a no. if that goes how it's supposed to be then it would be that but if the question is is this money from the same fund yes it's from the same fund it's the fund that we would use for the water plant oh lord i didn't know that part but but the idea is that you would not have any difference from it so if 2028 so they'll put in meters in 2026 we expect to have revenues from 2027 we would not have spent any money In twenty twenty eight we would have revenues now again that we have not expended any monies so if in twenty twenty seven we get the four million twenty twenty eight we get the four million we make our first payment in twenty twenty nine you're talking eight million dollars in the account before you make a payment for the four million so then if I'm putting a loan out. then if i'm you know applying for a loan in at least i did not lose any money that was already in the account at that point this does not impact or we don't foresee that this would impact any um efforts towards building a a water plant she just told you this is a two-part question in the sense of it is the same fund so i want to be very upfront i want to be very forthright If I'm gonna pay something out of any fund to do anything with the water plant, it would be out of the same fund. However, what we've seen tonight is that the expectation is that we will be receiving revenue, so adding to our fund before we take anything out. If I had 10 million to pay for water plant loan, what they're saying is you're not going to have 6 million in one year anymore because they're going to be adding that in there. If their guarantee is good, if we get those revenues, then I would not foresee that issue. That answer is with an if, but they are the same money source for everything water.

Have you done have you read their numbers and have done your own calculation and his administration and do you agree with what is being presented.

I'm not a math person we have we have relied on and then we have the financial person yeah we have a fight we have one going for that we relied on there and we well let me I have to. i can't go in remember there's engineering source on whether or not what the outcome and the reason why the florida statute asked them to do a guarantee is because i can't go i would not have gone out to do the engineering to have what that number is so i could not say to you that their numbers are exact because i did not go out there to do that that was a lot of engineering work that was 200 000 that's the reason why the florida statue has put that in place they put in place for them to pay the minimum guarantee based on what their engineering work is. And the idea is that we would only get the loan because the loan might go back and underwrite what they're saying for their numbers. So based on the numbers that they've given to me, yes, our agreement says they're saying 4.1. Now I don't have, now what has happened is there's been a calculation that they have made that has revenues over the four million that to me is simply psi's representation but as far as the four million dollars based on the guarantee they're responsible for that four million dollars and and as an administrator are you comfortable with those those assumptions you you understand what i'm saying i'm i'm asking that

based on your experience and analysis, and I know this is kind of new, are you comfortable with those numbers?

I'm comfortable with the 4.1 guarantee. I'm comfortable with the 4.1 guarantee. I'm comfortable with us being able to pay the loan or at least have remedies to have the loan paid.

And what were their numbers that they say that that you said that they exceeded the 4.1 what was that number they're saying matter manager.

They said would be in the report yeah at 6 60% that the collection from the commercial side they're saying what was that annually 15.5 million.

So using 15.1 so you're saying 211 million over the actual guarantee yes every year. And that goes back to the city.

Well 2027, 9.8, and 2028, 15.4, and thereafter, they believe 15 million thereafter.

And that's only at 60%.

And that's at 60% collection from the commercial side.

From commercial only.

So you're saying the loan, the debt is 4 million, but you're saying 15 million is what possibly could come in every year.

We're projecting you, minimum, you'll have a $10 million debt. net profit every year.

And how much of that are we saying is going, if that's the case matter manager, how much is that going into the utility assistance emergency fund? Did we...

well that calculation would be based on what we actually needed to have the base up for our account so if for our account so that you don't have those increases so that i'll know better the numbers of what is expected to be in the account when we have the additional um waters rate study the new water rate study and when does that come up We are getting ready to engage them for a new water rate study. They have not been engaged for a water rate study, for a new water rate study.

So it's going to have to come before us for approval and all that other stuff? Or are you doing that administratively?

Yeah, we've already had the proposal with Lagarde Beach to move forward on the water rate study. But in order for us to have realized a lot of extra, we do want to get that fund back healthy. Now, are there any other ways that we would probably get the fund back healthy other than the AMI? Probably not. If their revenues are correct, then you would get to the healthy fund quicker with that rather than trying to go back and get all the collections and go through what we're doing there. So that's the other side of the coin.

already um we do not want to be here all night any other questions okay um madam clerk so moved

I'll second it any further discussion for what there's no further discussion you seconded OK I'm will call please can I get a can I get back and I make a suggestion yes ma'am please here's what I'd like to suggest as you can see we have all of these questions I literally have residents in here in my district that are concerned and I still have questions I would again, suggest that we table this. And I would again suggest that we, well, not again, but that we have a town hall so that people can ask questions and we can have a more educated process on this. I don't mind the meters. My issue is, are the dollars, my issues are... you know, how is this affecting our water plant? I still have questions about the water plant, like when are you anticipating on doing that? So there's a lot going on here. So I would like if we can table this, have a town hall with, you know, a town hall with our residents so that they can understand and give us some feedback.

Okay, Councilwoman, this is my suggestion. They've been at this twice. They've been here. We all know what's gonna happen. We could pretend, have town hall, it's not gonna change. And I don't think it's fair to them. and I'm not even supporting the item, that they keep coming back. So we either vote for it or we vote against it. I do not, all this, it is what it is. I mean, we all want the meters. And I said that from the first time. I don't have any problem with it. And whatever the vote may be, we'll work with administration to make sure that it's implemented. We do what we gotta do. et cetera, et cetera, but this going back, having the meeting, we had like a couple of months before, so people should have, I've been getting calls from residents and it's just my suggestion. I'm not opposed to it, but I'm just saying on their part, I don't know if a couple of months would change the numbers or, obviously people don't know this room is not full of people, but we have a lot of, well, it's full, but meaning Ms. Brown downstairs and out in the lobby type of folks. So if we're gonna do this, you guys, I would suggest that we vote it up or down and then we'll move on. But if we all do want the town hall meeting, and I'm always good in letting the residents know, but it's not that 20 million that'll come off, or 30 million that'll come off, or 10 million. But I do respect that, Councilwoman, so if you do, if that's where we'll go, either way, but I'm just putting that out there. I don't know, Vice Mayor, do you wanna defer it, or you wanna vote?

No, I think I motioned it.

Okay, you motioned it, okay. Councilman, you wanna vote, or you wanna defer it? Okay, let's get it going.

Madam Clerk, I think, Councilwoman, I was on your side. I have a motion made by Vice Mayor Timothy to approve the item at tab K. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burns. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Nay. So wait, wait, wait, no, no, no. Let's do a roll call because we don't know who said what, who said, please do that for me, please, Madam Clerk. Sure.

Just give me one second. Councilwoman Estimate Irvin, how do you vote? No. Councilman Charles, how do you vote?

No.

Vice Mayor Timothy, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mayor Desilmay, how do you vote? No. Councilman Burns, how do you vote? no the item fails with a 4-1 vote thank you next item please look at jessica running Tab L, a proposed resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida, authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate and execute an agreement with Tetra Tech Inc. to provide disaster debris removal monitoring and other related services on an as-needed basis during declared emergency events at an estimated cost not to exceed $650,000 per disaster event utilizing Miami-Dade County contract number EVN0016781 pursuant to section 7-167 of the city code providing for an effective date and all other purposes, tab L. Thank you, sir.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, council members. Once again, for the record, Alberto Estrada, procurement director, The item that you have before you is a request from staff for your approval to propose agreement with the consulting from Ted tech Inc. And this is to provide monitoring services for the city in the event of a disaster. They would monitor the disaster debris collection and disposal which would be done by our debris collection contractors, as well as to assist staff in the submittal of applications for reimbursement of disaster recovery costs incurred by the city from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, otherwise known as FEMA, and any other applicable agencies. The council report spells out for you all of the services that Tetra Tech would be providing And this contract is being done utilizing the contract that was recently issued by Miami Dade County to Tetra Tech for the same exact services on a five-year basis. Here with me in support of the item is our interim public works director, Mr. Tom Positano in the back, as well as a representative from Tetra Tech, Mr. John Diamond, if you have any questions.

Yes, Republican is open on the item. Seen on coming public and his close it is this the same company we had a couple of years ago, you want your service where I thought it was we had like a term for 3 years was it every year when you will the term just about expired just recently and June.

Okay, though is we're now moving forward with and this is just it. If we have a hurricane. In the event of a disaster event, this is one they would assist. They provide monitoring services. They don't do the actual collection and disposal.

Got it. So move if there's any questions. Okay.

I have a motion made by mayor doesn't mean to approve the item a tab out the motion was seconded by Councilman Charles all in favor or any opposed. The item passes with a 5, 0, thank you. tab m a proposed resolution of the mayor and city council of the city of north miami florida authorizing the city manager to issue purchase orders to the christmas palace llc in an amount not to exceed 250 000 for the provision of holiday lighting and decor services for the city's 2026 holiday lighting program utilizing city of pompano beach contract number 2032 pursuant to section 7-167 of the city code providing for an effective date and all other purposes tab m

Thank you so much. Public hearing is open on the item. Seeing none coming, I move a quick question with that Madam Manager. Last year, we didn't, what are we doing different? Because last year, I think the only, besides the Enchanted Forest thing, I know District 4 had some nice thing with the tree. So what are they doing this year for 250?

I mean this last year we did the same that was what we did it was a lot last year and it was in part they did the bullet. You're talking about the previous year, everyone was complaining okay and whoever you all right last night it was good.

Thank you so move second question. I have a question matter manager or to the procurement last year. Did we piggyback off of a another city's contract as we are this year or did we go out and get our own last year?

No, last year we actually put out as a bid and the Christmas Palace was the firm that was selected last year.

Okay and then you chose not to put out a bid again this year just to piggyback?

This year we're moving forward right utilizing a contract that they currently have And it's based primarily on the fact that they did good work for the city. It was recommended based on the work that they did last year. So we're moving forward with them again. Okay.

The only suggestion I would have on that is to make sure that they do a little better job just supervising. Once the items are all up, just keep an eye out on the items while they're up on display. Thank you.

Thank you so much. And even we got to move on councilman burns point last year. They shot me off one area. So just put that on the record.

So just a councilman Charles, I believe the final locations will be finalized with your respective offices and so through the manager's office.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

It's been moved and second.

I have a motion made by Mayor Dezembe to approve tab M, seconded by Councilman Charles. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Item passes with a 5-0 vote. Thank you.

I'm sorry.

Tab N, a proposed resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the city of north miami florida authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute an agreement between the city of north miami and aj center inc to provide professional tutoring services at sunkiss grove community center at a cost not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars providing for an effective date and all other purposes tab n

I'm sorry public public that is what I said public hearing is open on the item I see the park director is coming up it's a great program so I think this is the second year right is it third year third year third year I don't they help my knees past geometry yes so all right public hearing is closed thank you so move second second They were about to know that we guys do a great job. Thank you.

I have a motion made by mayor doesn't need to approve the item a tap and the motion was seconded by vice mayor Timothy all in favor or any opposed the item passes with a 5, 0, vote.

The kids in the seniors are moving to the library to.

Yeah, we know that the time I have a lot of Muhammad here how you doing live in the first.

Tab O, a proposed resolution of the mayor and city council of the city of North Miami, Florida, authorizing the city manager and city attorney to negotiate and execute the North Miami Brewfest Partnership Agreement for sponsorship and naming rights between the city of North Miami and the Florida International University Board of Trustees. Further authorizing the city manager to do all things necessary to implement the agreement on behalf of the city, providing for an effective date and all other purposes. Tab O.

thank you um public hearing is open on tab oh this is for our annual brew fest um this how many years this will move second how many years muhammad this would be the 10th Are you serious or you just oh my God. I have a minute you got a yes to get an amendment right here from councilman gets it.

I'll throw it out there just I what like I like that program we reduced your funding this year. By $25,000, I would put a friendly amendment to restore it back to the 125, as opposed to what's proposed now at the 100,000. And I'm not a big fan of a lot of events, but what your organization, FIU, does and what they do and bring the traffic to 7th Avenue, I think it's a worthwhile thing.

Can I make a friendly amendment? You can take that from your discretionary fund. We don't have the money. You know, we love the partnership, we love what we do, but we simply, next year we might not even have it.

Or maybe just take it out of the bill we sent them for 4th of July.

There you go, yes. So next year when we get billed for 4th of July, they're going to increase it by $25,000.

That would make some sense. So I think it's been moving. Second, do you want to say a few words, Mr. Muhammad, are you good? Okay, thank you god bless you madam clerk.

So just to be clear because council members made a friendly amendment I'm sorry that they'll get it well I just wanted to ask if I have some in Charles and it approved it or not so you know your friends are mom does not. i have a motion made by councilman charles to approve the item at tab o the motion was seconded by mayor desame all in favor all right any opposed item passes with a five zero vote thank you tab p four zero sorry it's four zero she okay four zero thank you

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

TAP-P, a proposed resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida, approving the updated Building and Zoning Department permit fee schedule attached as Exhibit 1, pursuant to City of North Miami Code Section 5-34, Building Permit Fees in Section 553.80 of the Florida Statutes, providing for an effective date and all other purposes. TAP-P.

Thank you. Thank you so much. I don't want to pronounce your name incorrectly. I've seen you around so nice. How do I pronounce it? Masha Ismail. Masha Ismail. Thank you, Ms. Ismail. Give us one second. I don't know if we're going to need a presentation. I do have some questions on this one.

Yes. You want to open it up first only because these are these are changes to permit fees and these are like changes for those who are making additions to their residential family duplex and even developers because so I know it's in I guess in response to a law that passed but it almost looks like the development fees are going down but the residential fees are going up but if maybe you can explain it to me yeah.

No actually it's the difference the residential fees going down okay yeah. We only are taking the permitting fee like 2.5%, which is just below the inflation. Okay. Just a little bit, not that much.

So the residential fees are not going up at all? You're saying they're going down?

They're going down, yes. We like that.

And this rate study was in response to the state of Tallahassee, state of Florida. Yes, because of the mandate by the state.

Yes, that's correct.

But the new fees are in red, right? For instance, it says... Yes, I saw them in red. For residential, it's going from... Oh, it's going from a percentage down to what? 1.60 square foot? A minimum of 250? I'm looking at the one that says for residential, single-family, duplex, triplex.

Yes. Okay.

So that's actually a decrease, you're saying? It's a decrease.

Yes, ma'am. Okay. Okay. Move forward.

Second. Second.

The public hearing is open as well as the vice mayor but the kid is close.

I have a motion made by Councilman Charles to approve the item and happy the motion was seconded by mayor doesn't mail in favor or any opposed item passes with a 5, 0, 4, Councilman estimate Irvin how do you vote on table.

Yes.

Tab Q. The vote on tab O will be recorded as 5-0. Thank you. Tab Q, a proposed second reading ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida amending chapter seven of the North Miami Code of Ordinances entitled Finance by amending relevant sections of article three entitled Procurement Code.

to modify the procedure for selection of evaluation committees and further updating the title of the purchasing department to procurement department providing for repeal conflict severability codification and for an effective date tab q thank you publican is open on the item i do like um the the the changing of the finance i don't like the selection of the finance committee um going through the manager but it is what it is We do what we do arm it probably can is close on the item of the program second.

I have a motion made by vice mayor Timothy to approve the item attack you second by Councilman Charles may it doesn't may have evil. Yes Councilman estimate Irvin how you vote yes Councilman Charles how do you vote yes vice mayor Timothy how do you vote yes Councilman burns had evil.

Yes.

Motion carries with a 5-0 vote.

Finally. Thank you. We are in quasi. Mr. Attorney, can we take both, since they are, can we read both of them together?

Yes, Mayor. Okay. I would recommend you take them both together, but take the vote separately.

Oh, perfect. So we could shorten the... This thing, we have some special guests here. Go ahead.

Please be advised that the following items on the agenda are quasi-judicial in nature. Items R and S. If you wish to speak in favor of Object 2 or comment on an item, please complete a public speaker's card indicating the agenda item number on which you would like to comment. You must be sworn before addressing the City Council and you may be subject to cross-examination. If you refuse to submit to cross-examination, the City Council will not consider your comments in its final deliberation. Please also disclose any ex parte communications you may have had with any members of the City Council. City Council members must do the same. So if you wish to speak on the items at tabs R or S, the public speaker cards are at the entrance of chambers in the back of the room. Once you've completed them, you can bring them up here. Tab R. Tab R, a proposed quasi-judicial second reading ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida, adopting amendments to Volume 1, Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the City of North Miami 2045 Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the requirements of Section 163.3184 . Florida Statutes 2025. And Chapter 29, Article 3, Division 11, Section 3-1102, parentheses, capital A, and Sections 3-1105 through 3-1110 of the City of North Miami Code of Ordinances, specifically by amending the future land use element to increase the allowable height to 210 feet for certain properties within the Biscayne Boulevard Plan Corridor Development Overlay District. Providing foreign adoption hearing and subsequent transmittal of the proposed amendments and supporting data and analyses to the state land planning agency for a determination of completeness. Providing for repeal conflict severability and an effective date. Tab R. Tab S, a proposed quasi-judicial second reading ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami, Florida, amending Chapter 29 of the City of North Miami Code of Ordinances, entitled Land Development Regulations. At Article 4, Division 3, entitled Special Purpose and Overlay Districts, specifically at section 4-306 entitled planned corridor or overlay district to increase the allowable height from 110 feet to 210 feet for certain properties within the Biscayne Boulevard planned corridor development district in accordance with article 3 division 10 in section 3-302 of the city of North Miami code of ordinances providing for repeal conflict severability codification and for an effective date tab s

Council before we start to pass just wanted to introduce miss Judith Frankel she's part of inspire as we are for the C P and D so she'll be presenting on behalf of C P and D for this item. Judith Frankel from inspire miss Smith is covering for miss Smith tonight.

Thank you very man.

Good evening. Good evening. As the manager said, my name is Judith Frankel. I work with Nikisha Smith, who you may be more familiar with. I'm here tonight to present the second readings for a comp plan text amendment and the accompanying land development regulation amendment to allow for an increase in allowable height from 110 feet to 210 feet in the Biscayne Boulevard Plan Corridor Development District.

Madam Manager, since it's second reading and nothing has changed, can we skip the presentation?

Or is it required by law? Oh, go ahead. I was going to ask Jeff. Okay, go ahead. By the time Jeff come back, we'll be done. Go ahead. Okay. Just quick. No, just go ahead, ma'am. Okay. Sorry about that.

Happy to do it.

We tried. We tried to move.

First, as you heard, is the comp plan amendment, which was approved by this council back in April. It was then transmitted to the state, Florida Commerce. and then was approved with no objections from the state. Now it's come back to you tonight for a second reading. If approved tonight, it gets transmitted back to the Florida Commerce Department and then becomes effective 31 days after we receive notification that the package is complete, which is what we would, the process to expect. The second portion is the land development regulations. This is to make sure that the comp plan and your land development regulations are in step and matching. It is an amendment to Article 4, Division 3, Section 4-306. Again, to allow that maximum height to be 210 instead of the current 110 feet. It's important to note that this amendment does not modify any conditions in the existing conditional use permit that would eventually have to come back to you by the applicants to make any amendments to that existing permit. Both the comp plan and the land development regulations are in alignment with the city's comprehensive plan and goals and I'm here for any questions, it sounds like you don't have any. The applicant is also here with their representatives, if you have any questions for them as well.

Okay, thank you so much. Before we get to that, just so we don't forget, any Part A disclosure?

Not since the previous meeting.

Yeah, I'm so I had a question with the building department and the applicant to see if the thing came back from the got it.

Councilman yeah, how the meeting before the yeah, first one of the same thing that I'm not nothing has changed since the previous meeting.

Yes, same thing with me. I haven't talked to them since the last one about this. Thank you so very much. If you have a card, do they need to stand up? Jim, I saw you passing out cards. What do you think this is?

You got a card? If you plan to speak on the items, please stand up and raise your right hand so I could administer the oath. Yeah, you can stand right there, Jim. The items have R and S. It's the each come on. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony that you are about to give in today's proceedings is the whole is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth if so say aloud I do thank you.

Each no no go ahead so thank you, thank you, Mister mayor.

I'm in favor of this amendment.

Because this lady over here, her property, she's been before us since 2013. About the apartment. You gotta talk in the mic, ma'am. Okay, Jim Garrett, 247 Brittany. Forgive me, I know your name. Laura, Laura Tabler. Bill Simpson spoke highly of you. That probably should have been developed from 2013. She's been so patient. And we need growth in this city. This is one of the places where we need growth. It's not a residential neighborhood. She's a good person. They have developed good properties in this city. She's been there for North Miami. And I'm in favor because we need growth with businesses. I believe it's a misused store, right? We need growth with apartments, affordable apartments. We need growth because right now that lot has been sitting there empty since 2013. Time is money. And she has lost a lot of money, I know that. But she's been patient with our city because she believes in our city. Thank you.

Jim, it says that you're the lobbyist for the project. I'm joking. Chief, please. Yes, sir.

I'm trying to dress like you.

Oh, no, Chief don't play. Chief always.

Mr. Mayor, Council, Kenneth Each, 13045 Emerald Drive. Thank you. This is an important project. I've been in the city since about 1970. One of the things I always found embarrassing is when we come into the entrance on 123rd Street, we go westbound, it looks like hell. And we're starting to change that. That's our image. That's who we are. 200 feet in this project is absolutely necessary. I can remember when there was a car dealership over there, Monroe Zeder. And next to it was a bumpy, I think a four-story apartment, which got knocked down. Then across the street was another car dealer. Now we're glamorizing the place. That's our signature. That's who we are. You know, when I look at Bay Harbor Island or Bell Harbor, I say, I want to be like them. Why? Oh, please, no. Hear me out there. We're a quality city with quality people. And there's no reason why we can't look as good as anybody else. When I look at you and I see you dressing so sharp, I say, you should be on Gentleman's Quarterly. but you're my mayor and I'm proud of you. Go on and be proud of the entrance to this city. Okay? And we need, first of all, if you notice, you're driving out of town, you see the rents are going down, and you see for rent signs all over the place. Okay? This is gonna help our population. It's gonna increase the availability of rentals out there, but also bring people into this city that are gonna have disposable income, they're gonna keep our merchants going and that's what we need especially in lieu if this other thing passes uh in in november we're going to need a project like this and i believe me i'm saying this as a resident who's been here since 1970. i know i don't show my age yes i know good boots you look good but honestly i i think and and she is and her they're just quality builders and when i came back from chicago and i seen that la fitness building over there it's glamorous again thank you very much for your time i hope you got extra minute for that comment thank you so much If you recall if you recall when you became mayor, I said you were the best dressed mayor, you did Miami-Dade County. You did say that that's right.

Thank you so thank you so much. Miss Tavern your team if you have 2 minutes if you don't we good. We good. Thank you so much. Madam clerk move forward second.

I have a motion made by Councilman Charles to approve the item a tab our motion was second by mayor doesn't make Councilman estimate Irvin how do you vote. Vice mayor Timothy how do you vote, yes Councilman Charles, how do you vote, yes Councilman Burns, how do you vote, yes, mayor doesn't have evil, yes motion carries with a 5, 0, vote. Move what's happening.

More formal. I thought it was the same thing she was using second.

I have a motion made by Councilman Charles to approve tab as seconded by mayor doesn't make Councilman burns, how do you vote, yes Councilman estimate Irvin how do you know, vice mayor Timothy, how do you vote, yes, vice mayor, mayor doesn't may how do you vote. Yes, Councilman Charles, how do you vote, yes, motion carries of the 5, 0, vote, thank you, good night, this on time.

Hey, how you doing. All right we we a point of privilege. I wanted to do citizen farm. Now we do have a couple of folks that that's been waiting the residents, I know it's getting late so citizen farm is open. We have to Mike so please come up and introduce who you are in say what you have to say and Mister Garrett is number one quite so I can get a 2, 4, 7, but the after a big photo 3, 3, 4, 4, 6.

Number one. North Miami, I got a new logo for us. Mr. Mayor, I got a new logo for us. North Miami, the city by the bay, dot, dot, dot, and by the beach. That should be a logo because we do have beaches in Uleda River State Park. And Uleda State Park belongs to us, not NMB. So the city logo should be the city of North Miami. North Miami is the city by the bay, not by the beach. That's my first recommendation. Second, I give you credit, we had a adult debate up here. We didn't have the three-wing, five-wing circuits on water meters. I'm just going to inform you, I made it patiently for them bleachers out there. I was promised by a couple of city managers that the bleachers, not the current one, will be up at a certain football season. I'm going to go and submit the paperwork in Tallahassee to do a non-profit organization, Supporter Stadium, Inc., Mona Pavlik is talking to me right now, and she said, Jim, raise the money. If the city gets the money, fine. If you don't, get the money. Go to Dawn Bleachers. Make sure the press box is ADA compliant. and make sure that the lighting is compliant. Because guess what? Those kids don't need to wait another year to go all the way down to whatever stadium. I went down to South Dade High. I went to Harris Field in my senior year and played a football game. We won, barely. NORTH MIAMI HIGH AND THE JIM ROGERS AND IT WAS HOSTILE AND THE BUS TRIP WAS 53 MILES AND UNAIR CONDITIONED DAY COUNTY SCHOOL BUSES THAT WAS ALL KIDS AT ATM AT ALONZO AND TRACY MORNING IN NORTH MIAMI HIGH ARE DOING THEY'RE TAKING BUS TRIPS THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU OKAY

yeah give us i'm i am so sorry you guys could stay there but we have one little item we have to do we will lose um chrome but we are going to continue which is the millage rate that we are but it's just a discussion so i don't think do we need a vote do we need a vote we do we do vote real quick um the the millage rate um we um i i

I just got the the memory these are the dates correct yeah those are the dates September 4th and September 15th um okay so those are so thank you so move second and and the and the vote on keep on the maximum yes yes yes it could go down right it can go down okay yes yes

We miss Brown we should put it up to 9%. Oh, no, I can somebody actually state the motion I don't have a memo I have a motion is that we don't have anything the motion right here the motion is we are setting up the budget hearing day for 2026 27 fiscal year and also we are proposing. The one of the budget hearing rate, yes, the title of the of the memo I don't have the memos I don't like him I am I think that September to go with this one thing.

We sorry guys here, but I don't have that. All right. So made by Mayor does amazing. Is there a second second?

No, just we're saying it out here, but we just need to vote on the yes on the military.

Yes. What is the motion the motion the motion is to the meeting setting the meeting date setting the meeting date in the military in the middle of the rate at seven point four.

I have a motion made by mayor doesn't me so to set the budget hearing dates. And to keep the maximum millage rate at 7.4 mills the county.

Seconded by a couple minutes to be urban all in favor I any opposed motion carries of the 5, 0, we don't need a vote on the the the the changing front to one meeting because I think this might be a discussion is only that thank you so much thank you public hearing is back open.

Good evening, my name is Sam Van Leer, President and Founder of Urban Paradise Guild. Good evening to you all, Mr. Mayor, City Council, City Staff. I'm here to speak about ACE Preserve, Arch Creek East Environmental Preserve. And first of all, I founded Urban Paradise in 2008 in North Miami to protect the community from climate change. In 2013, UPG adopted Ace Preserve at the invitation of the city. During this time, we have invested at least 800 volunteer project days there. I estimate that UPG has invested roughly 20,000 hours with a total value of well over $500,000 under current federal rates. This is more than projects, it includes everything else, admin, fundraising, grant writing, community education, the things necessary to keep the projects going. For most of that time, UPG has received no support from the city, and I had my head down getting work done, and I'm not a smooth operator, and nobody was speaking out for us. Of course, this was before your time on the council. I was overjoyed that for the first year ever you funded Ace Preserve in the budget for $40,000 last year. You listened and started a whole new era of caring about the preserve and about the Acena neighborhood. I was so grateful to each of you. As you will remember, prior to your vote, we provided you with part of UPG's master plan for ACE Preserve. The plan is supported by the community who expect it to continue to make rapid progress. It is my hope that, in keeping with your intent, that any remaining funding from this year be preserved for ACE in the next fiscal year so we can follow through on our commitments. The transit path is over 40 feet wide in places. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. May I please continue?

How long do you, because we have a long line.

One more minute.

No, no, no. We cannot do one more minute unless you want to give you her two minutes. Is she with you?

Okay. I can give her a minute. I've got different things to say. Okay. Go ahead. Go ahead, Tim.

Okay, so everybody knows that FIU is still trying to steal ACE Preserve from the people and city of North Miami. They've been at it for many years. UPG has been defending the preserve at least four major attempts in the last 18 years. In their latest, they asserted that the preserve is neglected. Everybody who sees us working there knows that's a lie. We've been working there for 13 years, and the politicians in Tallahassee don't know it. We have all witnessed FIU's demands for expansion put the community in great danger. Six people died in Sweetwater from their terrible bridge event. Today, Acina neighborhood is a quiet dead end street with two lanes and zero through traffic. The passive medium park is becoming a treasured shade space for families. Now, 1,000 residences on Northeast 135th Street are rightfully fearing FIU's expansion. What would a four-lane road do to their street? Thank you. OK. Thank you. And you got one minute, ma'am.

You got it. All right. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, and council members. I'm Jackie. I'm the executive director of UPG. For more than 13 years, UPG- Let's address the desk, please. Yes. 12828 Southwest 17 Terrace, Miami, Florida 33175. I will skip the intro since a lot of you know who we are. Last weekend, the heat index reached nearly 110 degrees, yet our volunteers still showed up. They spent their Saturday morning removing invasive species, caring for native habitat, and protecting this incredible community resource. Whether it's 80 degrees or 110 degrees, our volunteers continue showing up because they believe Ace Preserve is worth protecting. The same commitment is why I'm here tonight. On September 25th, the Commission unanimously approved $40,000 allocation to enhance the preserve. We're grateful for that investment because it recognized the value of the preserve and protecting it. I'm gonna skip through that just so we can finish here. Over the past 13 years, we've completely eradicated Brazilian pepper and air potato and other species, restoring space for native plants and wildlife to thrive. These accomplishments don't happen overnight. They're results of years of hard work, countless hours, and a shared commitment to protecting one of North Miami's most valuable natural resources. The community and our neighbors and your constituents have remained committed to the preserve. We simply ask that the city's commitment be carried through as well.

Thank you so very much. Good evening. Good evening. Yes.

Mayor and council, thank you so much for your service and hello to the residents of North Miami. My name is Destiny Alvarez. I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I'm currently on the ballot for judge and I feel that it's really important. No one ever knows who's on the ballot. So I wanted to put myself here and tell everyone a little bit about who I am. I went to the University of Florida for undergrad in law school. I served as a Florida gubernatorial fellow and I started my career at a large law firm, and now I run our firm's Miami office. So again, my name is Destiny Alvarez. I am so excited to be here in front of you tonight, North Miami, and thank you all so much again for your service, and good evening.

Thank you so much. Yes, ma'am?

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Ms. Virginia Gilmore, 1635 Northwest 120th Street. The city had a motor home on the RVs, which ended about the end of February. I would like to know where's the process? How far have you guys reached with coming up with a resolution? They are not safe. They're catching fires in different neighborhoods. They're bringing in the trailers in just about one every week. So we also have 18 wheel trailers, another issue over there. We have boats now is an issue over there. So what are you guys doing to help to resolve some of this issue?

It's on the thing, we're gonna discuss that next.

Okay, because we have about what, maybe close to maybe about 180? That much? Yes. That many? Yes, yes we do. Okay. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Ms. Gilmore.

Good afternoon, good evening. Good evening. First of all, thank you for having me here. I'm just so excited, Mayor and to the Councilman, for all your service and all that you do for your community. Thank you very much. My name is Renee Gordon, and I'm running for Circuit Court Judge on the back, Group 35. Destiny and I are not in the same group. I want to tell you just... Just a little bit about myself. Born and raised right here in this community. I've served our courts for more than 30 years. I've practiced in both civil and criminal. Moreover, not only have I practiced, I've supervised and trained. Many of the judges on the bench today are judges that I trained. I'm currently a professor, adjunct professor at FIU College of Law. So I've supervised, trained, litigated, practiced, and educated. But that is just my traditional qualities that I want you to know about, because most people don't know about judges. My qualities that I really want you to know about is my ability, and I work hard. I grew up working on a farm in the summers with my grandparents. Farming is hard work. And I did it from sunup to sundown. But I bring to the bench a strong work ethic. I bring to the bench an ability and a develop to love and care about people. Because my grandmother belonged to a ministry called the Sick and Shut In. When we served people, you know, we didn't have Uber Eats. We were the Uber Eats. to bringing service to people. And not only that, finally, it is my ability and what I believe good judges do is to give respect and dignity to everyone that comes before them. And see, that's what my grandmother taught me when we served other people. I'm asking you to please go to reneegordon.com to learn more about who I am. And I just thank you so much for this opportunity for you to get to know a little bit about who I am.

Thank you. Gordon. Good afternoon. Judy Brown, 1100 Northwest 128 Terrace. I come before you like my former residents. about the RVs that's in our neighborhood. We have been complaining about this. I know you had a moratorium on this, but it seems as though we have become the campground of the city of North Miami. At one time, it was 155 nights over plus. We are not getting any relief for these travelers in our community. My question is, we just had the, I don't like to call them angel, but the officer, talk about hurricane preparation. What is the city now? When you start to talk about that, I have a couple of questions. I want to get them in. I have to go fast because I know the time is coming. If there's a hurricane that's approaching a Cat 5, Cat 4, what What plans do the city have in place for these RVs? We know these things will become projectiles because they are not anchored to anything. They're just sitting on top of the ground. That's one of my questions I would like to be answered when you have your discussion. The other thing is how are you handling complaints about the RV and what are the procedures that the residents should do? How can we report this to the city? Because if we report them, you all take our names and they'll come after us and we need to have some type of guidelines on how to report this. who also are there any existing ordinance or bylaws to limit the rvs in our city because other cities have they have uh implement ordinance and laws to try to prohibit these rvs in their neighborhood we've seen them on the news all the time you know it's not just a problem here's a problem all over okay and here the last one i would like for you to answer in your discussion what are criteria the city will use to decide whether or not rv's campers are allowed or prohibited within the city we need to get a handle on this the laws that we have on the books if they're antiquated we need to rewrite them amen okay thank you so much miss brown you could call me and i won't say you call me i'll say go ahead ma'am yes that's right good evening well you know

Resident call. Yes, ma'am. Go ahead, ma'am.

Good evening. Randy Grice, 40 Northwest, 124th Street, President of St. Kitts Grove Neighborhood Association. Kudos to the Councilman, Councilman Charles. I'm proud to see that we're having a discussion item talking about the trailers this evening. Across the city, not just District 4, but across the city, we're having issues with trailers in the city, people living in the city in the trailers, and obviously they're not supposed to be there. But no more... that you can see this greater than in District 4. So this is something that I believe we need to address. City of Hialeah, they've addressed it. You can't have the trailers in residential areas. Miami-Dade County, same deal. You can't have the trailers in residential areas. Hopefully we can implement something like that in the city of North Miami to kind of tackle this issue. Thank you.

Thank you so very much. Yes, ma'am.

Yes, hello. My name is Grace English. I've been a resident since I was born on 128th Terrace in North Miami. 1010 northwest 128th terrace i'd like to know what the current city zoning ordinances are for these rvs for parking them and living in them because as you've heard they are expanding very quickly because housing is very expensive and they make very good rentals and they're being rented out. My concerns are for safety like Ms. Brown commented on not being anchored in the times of hurricanes and even bad wind storms like we had one very recently. And also the overload on the electricity, on the houses that they're put next to. I have one next to my house. The RV is actually as big and long as the whole entire house. Oh no. So it's like another house outside the house. and you know that some electricity is coming from somewhere and probably overloading the system and then there's the sanitation concerns i mean this is not a campground the city of north miami is a city and i just like to know um what can be done about this, especially in District 4. I understand it's really getting out of hand. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. English. And God bless all of you. God bless you, Ms. Grace. Thank you. Hi, Maggie.

Hi. Hi, Mr. Mayor. As you all know me, as someone who's highly involved now in her community, I am new to the city of North Miami. I'm a new resident now in the city. And I have a few concerns. And as you already know, people approach me asking me questions. Maggie, what are we going to do? What can be done? I don't know. Tell them to call City Hall. I just got here. However, I overheard Councilman Charles mention that he cannot sleep at night thinking that the city needs a plant since 2012. We need clean water in the city of North Miami. We are getting a loan for $67 million. I am thinking, is there any programs for leak credit programs for the city infrastructure to upgrade all pipes in the city? I would like to know if we can keep the quarterly billings to continue until we install the new meters, so we can at least start anew with everything and then we can go to monthly payment. I have not paid a bill in the city yet because it's an old inheritance, as I mentioned before, it needs to be repaid and everything else. I don't know if I would know where to go for my question to be answered. or do I need to make an appointment with someone? Because I am highly involved in this community and I'm coming to ask question and expect results. Thank you.

Ms. Maggie, your answers were already stated. So we're not having the water meter. So that passed here. And the other question that you asked also, which would affect if we did, that also answered in this meeting. So if you have anything, just call City Hall, 893-6511. I got access to the city, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you so much. Thank you very much.

Yes, sir. Hi. Hi. Neil McCauley. I'm at 2640 Northeast 135th Street. Good evening to the council. I'd like to add my comment regards Ace Preserve, which I live next to. I'd like to ask the funds that were set to be given to support the work of Urban Paradise Guild at the Preserve be dispersed. Ace is a very important recreational space for North Miami residents. Time is of the essence in planting native species of trees in the preserve and keeping up the removal of the invasive species. I believe the amount allocated is in the region of $40,000, which will go a long way in supporting the work at the preserve, and it represents an exceptional return on investment for the city. Thank you all.

Thank you thank you so much Mike anything very good. Okay, public Karen is closed. Thank you so much. And we kind of did it backwards. We do have to go back to communications. So discussion. The next one is holding the The city council meeting once a month versus the twice a month. And the reason for that for the past couple of months, we haven't had any items. Sometime we come here for 30 minutes. We've done it's one or two items. And so we've seen the impact of it, especially with now, you know, emailing and texting. Keep in mind, we have an old charter that I think it's at least Mr. Attorney, at least 50 years. Since the, we've made some amendment to it, but when's the first, it's 100 years since the first?

No, there was an amendment. No, I know, but I'm saying when was it first? Not 50 years.

Before, so the charter was, so we did a whole.

There was an amendment, I believe under, when Regine Monestine was here, there was an amendment. Of the whole charter? Yes. So it's not the original city charter.

Okay. And then this was when Regine 20, this is before you. Now I know what year I'm saying. Okay. Okay, so that is why we just asked for that, nothing in terms, and most cities in Miami-Dade County, including our neighboring cities, doing the same. NMD, I believe, and Miami Gardens have done it, and others. It's just, we were just wasting folks' time coming here for 30 minutes, and then we'll be out and do this and do that. Other than that, any question on that one? Yes, ma'am.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this, your proposal. After careful consideration, I cannot support reducing our regular city meetings for twice a month to once a month. As elected official, our primary responsibility is to serve our resident, holding meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, provide consistent opportunity for the public to engage with their government, to voice their concern, and to receive timely response in issues affecting their neighborhoods. Reducing those opportunities could unintentionally limit public participation and accessibility. North Miami is a dynamic city with ongoing development, infrastructure, projects, budget matters, public safety issues, and quality of life concerning that requires regular oversight. Meeting twice a month allows us to address matters more efficiently and prevents important agenda items from accumulating, which can delay decisions that directly impact our residents, businesses, and city operations. additionally regular meetings strengthens transparency and accountability they provide more frequent opportunities for council to ask questions to receive updates from staff to monitor implementations of policies and to ensure that city business continues to move forward without unnecessary delay i also believe that residents deserve predictability and consistent access to their elected officials many community concerns are time sensitive and waiting an entire month for the next council meeting could delay resolution create frustration and reduce public confidence in local government While I understand the desire to streamline operation or to reduce costs, I believe that these goals can be achieved through better agenda management, improving meeting efficiencies, and the strategy use of workshops or special meetings when necessary, not reducing the number of regular meetings. Our commitment should be responsive government. Meeting twice each month demonstrate that we are accessible, engaged, prepared to address the involving needs of our community in a timely manner. For those reasons, I respectfully oppose the proposal and support maintaining our current schedule of regular council meeting on the second and fourth Tuesdays of this month.

Now, Councilwoman, this was just a discussion, so we don't need all that. And secondly, you'll be one of the first few that be ready to go. So I propose this because we're always ready to go in terms of there's not much to discuss, but it's not that serious. It's really not. It's just a discussion. No, no, no. I get it. It was just a discussion. We didn't need the AI, the whole reading stuff and all that. I mean, let's move on. So let's go.

Mr. Mayor, I do concur with the Councilwoman that I want to keep it as the two times a month because I believe we're here to serve the residents. And whether it's 45 minutes or an hour, I would like a little bit better maybe agenda management where possibly the first of the month is you take care of housekeeping purchases, that kind of stuff. And then the second meeting of the month might be more of the zoning matters and some of the development type of stuff so that people who have an interest in the development come out on that particular meeting the people are uh and who want to talk about the purchasing and the housekeeping stuff that we do come out on another meeting but it's worked for the city for the last 100 years let's keep it the way it is and and we'll go from there thank you okay awesome thank you thank you so very much we don't have the vice mayor here

But again, it's not that serious. Let's get to your discussion, the RV.

Apparently it was serious enough that you had it as a discussion, Mr. Mayor, with all due respect. I'm sorry? I said it was obviously serious enough that you had it as a discussion.

Because that is something that you have to put on the agenda if we wanted to change in terms of... No, what I'm saying... But there isn't enough for you. Listen, Councilwoman, with all the reading, it's a discussion. And we do it every twice a month. It doesn't really matter for me. If I'm not here, I'm not here. If I'm here, I'm here. But... the public know we do our work we come here and do what we do um and and we'll take it from um from there as we move on we could have a different discussion um in the fall so councilman yes thank you

on the Sunkist Community Center, so I'll just defer that one. We have a long night. But the RVs, I just want to talk about it, and I'm so glad that residents came out and voiced their concern about the RVs. It is way, way, way, way too much. We cannot let that happen. We need to put a full stop. We need to follow suit cities like Mi'kmaq, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, even Opelika. It's not that easy. we need to do better um just want to say thank you to administration and um the code department they did a very good job um going out there and giving some documents on the total number of rvs that they put on the paper but i know we have way more than that um all together when i counted they have about one 189 Out of that 189 in the city of Miami, and I know it's a lot more because there are like some addresses that I don't see because there is one address very, very close to Pepper Park that we have two RVs sitting just right in there. just right next to Purple Park. And other addresses because some of them are hiding in the back of the house. And those were like being claimed and put in there. And I understand that the definition of RVs is like they should be able to move them around. Those are used for campers. They move around and go to California, somewhere else, and then dump them there and come back. So we need to act. we need to act because we cannot wait for something to happen and then we are going to react like all the cities um do so as a smart city city of miami we need to put something in place and i'm going to tell you out of the 189 96 of them are in district 4. and i know we have a lot more We have a lot more, and I'll just say thank you, because at least we have numbers that we can talk about. So again, in District 4, with that numbers, we have 51, about 51% of the total of RVs in the city are sitting in District 1, and we have people living in them. I've seen some of them with extension cord plug in. It's not for a moment because it should be like you plug in the extension cord to clean them and then you go out with them, never move. Some of them are not even on wheel. There was one by Ben Franklin. Early in the morning, 6.30, I was jogging in the park and then that thing was crane in. And it is just right there, just right across from the school. So it is something that we as a council need to do something and then stop it altogether because if we don't stop it, it is basically we're just going to have to answer to a call. There's a fire in one of them. And again, looking at the numbers between 2023 to 2025, it's like the numbers just double. And you know exactly what happened. Got more people coming and then they're just using them as dwelling units. So we know that. And they're renting them. They're making a lot of money out of them. And again... the issues are safety and quality of life. So that's the reason why I just wanted to bring this and you got the resident coming in and talk about it. So we need to have a way to not only to stop it. And I have to say that thanks to this council in here, in 2026, we only have one application. So because we put the stop, right Mayor? We put the stop. So we need to put the stop for real. and then phase them away. Those who don't have a permit, because out of these, a lot of them don't even have a permit. Those who don't have a permit, we need to get them out real quick. Those with a permit and on will, so we probably have a way to phase them out. But the ones without a permit, the ones that are just sitting there, because if they are not on will, we're not talking about hobbies anymore. You're talking about the dwelling unit. So that's a discussion I know Councilman Burns, you want to jump into it?

May I, Mayor? Yes, sir. Mr. City Attorney, can we repeal the... Ordinance or whatever we have that even allows them to apply for a permit I would say zero none Not a you can't park a trailer in your backyard whether you're living in it or not Just nothing you can just not allow and that's gonna nip it in the butt We don't have to worry about who's who's living in it not living in it. Just not allow it at all and the people who are have a so-called permit, give them three to six months, saying we're revoking it, safety issues, we don't wanna have them, because it wasn't a lifelong license to have the trailer back there. So whatever we could do just to nip it, and like the councilman said, anybody that was there without a, Permit don't allow them to apply for a permit and and and force removing it because it's the only way you're gonna get it just zero tolerance whatever we can do to to repeal it and Follow your lead and see what other cities have done. We don't have to reinvent the wheel But if other cities are doing it we can do it

Mayor, so all I will say is we will bring an item back, but I just want it to be clear because I think everyone's been saying it tonight and I want everyone to know in the city of North Miami, it is already illegal for you to live in an RV. You're not allowed to live in an RV. The administrative variances that we provide is so that people can park an RV in your backyard and that goes to the Board of Adjustment and they go through a whole process for that. It's already illegal. What we have to deal with now is the people who are putting them in. I go through the city and I see them also. I mean, if you're in the backyard and there's a fence and there's no way for your RV to come out, and his picnic tables and and and and on things it's kind of clear, especially on the ones where they open and someone's living in it so that really more of a code enforcement, we have the mechanisms to deal with it, but we will bring something back when we come back from.

Can I ask a question from the code enforcement perspective how many and if you don't have this answer you could definitely email it or let me know by the end of week how many permit permits that we have for RVs prior to last year.

Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council, Sam Walther, our code enforcement, based on our inspections following the moratorium, we found 155 RVs that we went out and inspected based on the list that we received from CP&D. of that of that number only six of that number did not have a variance so we received the variance letters from the department along with any other additional information so that's based on that however as we see uh these uh recreational vehicles we also cite those as well and i would have to get you additional number beyond the inspections that we did as a part of the moratorium

okay the the only concern not really a concern prior to maybe miss gilmore three or four years ago we didn't maybe this was an issue but it wasn't never brought up it's more or more of the affordability we've seen it more and more in the in our hate to um at least give them time if we do have a legislation which i'll support in terms of making it tighter or totally eliminating it. At least those who had it before, who's not doing it for the wrong reason, who just had it parked there. I only know of one. That's why I know Ms. Gilmore have called me over the couple of months, but I thought that it had stopped because I haven't talked to her or any of the other homeowners about it, but obviously it's been a problem. So if we can, whatever that other cities, I think they say the county, the county is restricting it. There's some other cities. I don't think we need it based on what we're getting. So, Mr. Attorney, whatever legislation you're drafting, make sure that it does, you know, we'll give a good face for the education aspect, but we need to bend it, it seems like, from what we're hearing.

Mr. Attorney, also, sometimes in the daytime when code enforcement out there you can't really see in the backyard maybe there is only being lit up at night with the lights and somebody's actually living in it are we allowed to use the drones over the alleyways to see from 6 to 9 o'clock to see if the things are being lived in instead of just picking up over the fence.

I'd have to check I don't I mean That probably be the cities that have the cities that have rules against drones are the cities themselves that that that put them in effect. And since we don't have anything on the books, I don't know that that's anything that prevents us from doing it. I'd have to look to see if there's any state or federal law. I doubt it. I know in Miami Beach and some of the cities on the beaches, they banned drones because they don't want people looking into high rises. I don't think we've ever put anything like that on our books. So

More and more police departments are using it, especially over events and crowds. I was just at some events where the police were actually monitoring the parade route and so forth. And they had a whole station and drones up in the air. And then somebody had mentioned, I said, oh, what else use it for? And they said, oh, code enforcement. And I'm like, oh.

I don't think there's anything that prevents it. During my time, we've never drafted anything that would prevent it with the municipality. And it would be us that would have prevented it. So unless there's something from state or federal levels, I don't know if there's anything

And of course, on a limited basis for a particular reason.

May I? Yes, sir. Thank you. To your point, Councilman Burns, I think if we have the legislation, we ban it, and then phase out those who are legal. We phase them out. We don't even need to use the technology to have them drawn up there and then get them because once we have that in place, so we know we're moving if we want to give them X amount of time to remove those RVs and then we move full force.

Councilman, in the legislation, are we going to work with those we already giving the 155 permission or what are we doing with, are we saying we banned it from?

or more may remember the anyone got permission got permission to park the RV okay, no one in the city has a permission to live in the RV know we know that the administrative so what what what we saying whatever that you bring would probably prevent not even the parking I'm assuming because that

That's part of that.

That's my understanding. Yes. Based on the discussion tonight, we will not have RVs. Period.

And here's another question. An RV is supposed to go in and out. In and out. In and out. But if you're craning it over your fence into your backyard and you're not moving it in and out. Why do you have it in your backyard unless you're going to be living in it as an additional unit? And I would like us to make sure that we get this on the books sooner than later because we don't know what Tallahassee's preempts them because they're going to come back next year and tell us ADUs are carte blanche. And it almost happened this year. But they're coming back, and I could see them saying, oh, by the way, you can't outzone Tallahassee. RVs, unless you already have it on the book. And we know how that's been written. Live local, yes, yes. Live to local, whatever it's called.

Madam Manager?

I think that one of the major concerns is that we're not able to really go in to inspect the property, so we're kind of looking for mechanisms that we can go in there.

Don't do it.

Well, if Jeff says we could do that, that's different. But one of the things we haven't been able to do is we can't just go on to people's property with the permission. So we are looking at ways of like, even if someone has something there that's gotten the variance that we would look to see if there's like a licensing portion. So that way we can go in and have the right to go in to check for you to be licensed for your BOA.

i think that's too much work for us i think i think that a variance would say um by accepting this variant you are uh authorizing or allowing the city to to do a periodic uh inspection as as need be for the grandfather yeah and that but i would just wipe it all out together i've seen it in all um

Yeah, I've seen it because I did some extensive research into RVs with all the cities that I cited earlier. You need to not only inspect them, but also be required to have a license plate. they required to have a license plate because it is something that you're going to move around it's not something that is designed to sit in here and uh forever so yeah we can uh we'll get the information for you okay thank you thank you so very much um move to adjourn.

No, no, no, no, no, not yet we got we got a couple I'm leaving and a couple more.

Just real quickly have a good break, but just as we're going on Council break that just means you guys are relieved from having got to Council meetings, but I know my office and all the other Council members will be continuing to to work and get ready for the budget season. I do want to thank the public works department they've been doing some great things. when i have a issue or a complaint they answer the residents quite well same thing with the code enforcement like to give kudos when it's due that they've been very responsive to the residents and they're starting to get feedback to me that they're they're seeing improvements out there so that's a that that's a good thing so that's all i have to say and be well

Thank you, we have council report, not council report, is it council report? The city attorney and the city manager.

No report, Mayor.

I just wanted to report that there's been a lack of quorum for the Centennial Committee for June and July, and we're going into the summer recess, so if you could remind your appointees to attend the meetings, that would be helpful for the voting purposes and to move forward with the additional planning. I don't have the date for the next one, but I can send that. I have a new appointee for the August meeting.

anything else i guess um motion to adjourn second thank you i have a motion to adjourn made by mayor deslame seconded by councilman charles all in favor any opposed motion carries with a 4-0 vote the time is now 10 59 pm