Council - Regular Meeting

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

The Miami Gardens City Council held a meeting on July 22, 2026, where they approved past meeting minutes and adopted an amended agenda. The council recognized several individuals for their service and contributions to the community, including retiring police chaplain Pastor Percy Ransom and longtime resident Edward L. Bethel.

About this meeting

Government Body
Council
Meeting Type
Council
Location
Miami Gardens, FL
Meeting Date
July 22, 2026

Published excerpts

Only published remarks appear here. The full transcript is not published.

15 sections (from 16 segments)

4:28 – 4:40•Rodney Harris

I call to order the City Council meeting on this July 22nd, 2026. It's approximately 5.40. Mr. Clerk, call the roll.

4:50•Rodney Harris

Please stand for the invocation and pleasure of allegiance.

5:04 – 5:37•Robert L. Stephens III

Father God, we pray for your continuing blessings. We pray that you continue to grant your knowledge, your wisdom, and your understanding upon my colleagues and I as we prepare to deliberate on business that ultimately affect your people. Father, we pray that you continue to be our guider, lead us, and get us through this entire process. Bless the residents, bless the community at large, and God, we promise we'll give you all the praise, honor, and glory that your precious name deserves. It is in your son Jesus Christ's name I do pray. Amen. Amen.

6:03 – 7:22•Rodney Harris

All right, we got a lot going on today. We got a lot of people here. First, let me start by recognizing all the former council members. Could you guys please stand up? And I will recognize you individually. Man, we got a quorum. Y'all can come and start a meeting. Let's start over here to my left. First, we got the queen, former councilwoman Lily Q. Odom. Yeah, you guys could clap for all of them today. And then we have former Councilwoman Shannon Campbell. Our former Vice Mayor, Lisa Davis. Our former Vice Mayor and current State Representative, Felicia Robinson. And Oscar, what title you her

7:22•Robert L. Stephens III

The inaugural council member for seat six. That's important.

7:28 – 7:44•Rodney Harris

Really? Welcome, everybody. All right. Where am I? All right, now we're on approval of minutes, Mr. Clerk.

7:50 – 8:07•Rodney Harris

All right, now I need a motion to adopt those minutes. Motion. They've been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposition? Showing none, show the minutes approved. We're on order of business. Are there any items that need to be added, deleted, or withdrawn?

8:55 – 9:06•Rodney Harris

All right, any other item need to be pulled or added, deleted?

9:10 – 9:22•Linda Julien

Okay. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to also co-sponsor 11.3, please.

9:38 – 10:04•Rodney Harris

Anything else? I need a motion on the agenda. Motion. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposition? Showing none. Show the agenda adopted. We're on public comments. No, special presentation.

10:16 – 11:21•Rodney Harris

Madam Chief. Pastor Ransom, where are you, sir? Are you here tonight? Ladies and gentlemen, Pastor Ransom has been with us for a long time here in the city of Miami Gardens. He's retiring from being our chaplain, and we wanted to honor him tonight with this accommodation and just to let him know that we love him and we're going to miss him We appreciate your service to the city of Miami Gardens and to its residents, and we thank you for everything that you've done. Chief, would you like to make a comment?

12:31 – 12:48•Rodney Harris

I believe Pastor Ransom was probably our first chaplain, correct? So thank you so much again. And on behalf of the 113,000 residents of the city, we present you with this commendation, sir.

14:18•Rodney Harris

I believe the next one is mine as well, correct?

14:29 – 18:57•Robert L. Stephens III

All right. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Mayor, thank you. I believe solely that acknowledging individuals that have contributed to our society in a very productive way is so necessary. When having a conversation with Mr. Bethel, I thought it was necessary that we pause and honor his life and legacy. I like to say this as an unofficial statement, but everyone that I come in contact with when it comes down to Mr. Bethel, they call him Uncle Eddie. So I like to say he is the community's uncle. because everyone, rather, they are a resident, I mean, a relative of his, acknowledge him by Uncle Eddie, r

24:19 – 25:35•Rodney Harris

All right. The City of Miami Garden proudly recognizes Legal Services of Greater Miami Incorporated for its invaluable partnership, professional excellence, and lasting contributions to the Leslie Estates community. The city extends its sincere gratitude to Winona Wendy Wilson, Esquire, Monica Vegas-Pittman, I hope I pronounced this right, Groby Noel, Maria Ojeda, Sue Zabudil. Stacy Bazil. and Erica Claire for their dedication, collaboration, and contributions to this important work. Their commitment to supporting individuals and families exemplifies the power of partnership in building a stro

These excerpts are remarks by officials whose identity a person confirmed, from a transcript generated automatically from the official public meeting video and presented unedited. Accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.