Council - Regular Meeting

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

Councilwoman Baskin. Present. Councilman Leon. Here. Councilwoman Powell. Present. Councilwoman Julian.

Here.

Vice President Stevens. Here. Mayor Harris.

I'm present.

You have a quorum.

Please stand for the invocation and pleasure of allegiance.

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.

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 here? No. Our former senator, Oscar Brandon III. Second, third, fourth, third. Okay, okay.

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

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

Yeah, before the council, we got the May 27th and the June 24th regular city council draft meeting minutes for your approval.

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.

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 Are there any items that need to be added, deleted, or withdrawn?

Mr. Mayor? Yes. I have a few things. First one, withdraw. On behalf of Councilwoman Julian, she's going to withdraw item presentation 6.4. And then we also have two add-on items to the agenda. We have add-on item number one, which is the acceptance of a donation from FIFA World Cup 2026, sponsored by the city manager. Without objection, we ask that it be added to the agenda as item 12.3. And the second add-on item, add-on item number two, sponsored by Mayor Harris, naming the Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center, proposed Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center to the Oliver G. Gilbert Performing Arts Center. Without objection, we'll add that to the agenda as item 12.4.

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

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to pull item 11.3 for discussion.

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

Co-sponsor 11.3? Yes.

What's 11.3?

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.

Special presentation. Item 6.1, special presentation accommodation to pass the Percy Ransom, sponsored by Mayor 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?

He's been a police chaplain with the police department for over 19 years, and I think that deserves a round of applause. There's a lot of trials and tribulations we go through as staff within the police department, whether it be personal, professional, and it's always good to have a listening ear. And he's always been there for us as a whole, so we're gonna miss him. But he's not gonna go very far. He's gonna be our emeritus. police chaplain and I just want to introduce a couple of the if they would stand up we have some more chaplains that have joined our our staff and we're happy that they have joined our staff and it's because of him And also, Captain Nellie Joseph, who's over the program, is why we have such a robust police chaplaincy. So thank you so much, sir, for your service over the 19 years. He has survived through the first chief all the way to the current chief. So thank you, sir.

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.

Also, Bishop Gaspar, who's our senior police chaplain who couldn't be here because he's out of town, he wanted to present you with this also. So he says congratulations also. OK.

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

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Special presentation. No, this is on Vice President Stevens. Special presentation honoring longtime resident Mr. Edward L. Bethel.

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, rather. Mr. Bethel's legacy extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. He is regarded as an educational pioneer whose influence touched generations of students, educators, and families throughout Miami-Dade County, and his career spans from more than five decades and including service as a classroom teacher, media specialist, assistant principal, school administrator, and school nurse. At every stage, his mission remained the same, to uplift and empower his community through education and service, and education and service. And that's why tonight I believe it is very important that we pause and we give someone their flowers while they can smell them and celebrate what I believe is a true pioneer and a positive contributor to our society here in Miami Gardens. I run into Uncle Eddie on a regular, whether it's at Walmart, at the parks, and he's always, or even at Lorna's eating oxtails. And he is always pleasant and always looking to advance and educate the community through his knowledge. So this proclamation that I'm presenting him with actually comes from the entire council. You'll see where it says Mayor Rodney Harris, along with the entire city council, myself, Vice Mayor Stephens, Councilwoman Katrina Baskin, Councilman Reggie Leon, Councilwoman Michelle Powell, and Councilwoman Linda Julian do hereby proclaim in the City of Miami Gardens the 22nd day of July as Edward L. Bethel Day here in the City of Miami Gardens. Uncle Eddie, why don't you come down and receive this proclamation. That ends my presentation. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Mr. Clerk, what's next?

All right, Mr. Mayor and Council, we're now on to item 6.3, presentation, recognizing the members of the North Dade Municipal Advisory Committee and the original North Dade Charter Commission, sponsored by Councilman Reggie Leon.

Councilman.

Good evening, everyone. Today we take this opportunity to recognize some pioneers in this community. One thing I like to do, I've been on a tour for the last four years and making sure that we continue to celebrate our history right here in Miami Gardens, which is a rich history. We celebrated 23 years as a city today. But before that, 26 years ago, there was two groups, two organizations that helped pioneer us to be the city that we are today. One of those organizations are Miami Dade Municipal Advisory Committee, and then there was North Dade Charter Commission Committee. So before there was a City of Miami Gardens, these two committees came together and did the work in order for us to get chartered as a city. So had it not been for them 26 years ago today, we wouldn't be sitting in this chamber. So we're gonna recognize the families. Some people have gone and passed on. but their family members are here and we just wanna take this time to celebrate them as we put them in the history books of the City of Miami Gardens. So Mr. Mayor, if it's okay with you, can we give these individuals a round of applause?

Yeah, you gonna call them?

Yeah.

To the Honorable Councilwoman Lily Q. Odom. To the Honorable State Representative Barbara Watson, whose commendation will be accepted by former Councilwoman Lisa Davis. To the Honorable Charter Commissioner Patricia Brennan, a pioneer. And last but not least, Honorable Councilman Aaron Campbell.

And former Councilmember Shannon Campbell will be stepping on his behalf. Come on.

Thank you. All right, we went missing.

I said we weren't missing. All right.

Mr. Mayor, we're now on to Item 6.5, Special Presentation, Accommodation to Legal Services of Greater Miami, sponsored by Mayor 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 stronger and thriving Miami Gardens. So if you guys could come up and accept this award or accept this commendation from the City of Miami Gardens, and thank you for assisting us with the Leslie Estates community.

Mayor, can I do this?

Oh. With the help of you all, we are now on our way to improving quality

All right, Mr. Mayor, council, next presentation, item 6.6, special presentation by the city manager.

Mr. Manager.