Council - Regular Meeting

I call to order the city council meeting on this November 12th, 2025. It is 5:33. Mr. Clerk, call the role, please. Councilwoman Baskin, present. Councilman Leon here. Councilwoman Pal present. Councilwoman Wilson here. Councilwoman Julian here. Vice Mayor Stevens here. Mayor Harris I'm present. You have a qu. Please stand for the invocation. [crying]

All right. God our father, we thank you for your grace and your mercy towards us. We thank you for an opportunity to gather collectively as a community to ultimately discuss business that affect your people. It is in this moment, God, we pray you continue to bless the city of Miami Gardens. You continue to bless the residents, stakeholders, and everyone that has something to do with this great city. Father, we pause for a moment of reflection and grace to be bestowed upon uh the falling police officer from the city of Miami Beach. God, we pray for state uh Representative Roy uh Hardman's family during their time of bereiement and everyone that's going through difficult times in this moment. We ask that you comfort them and you breathe peace to their hearts. Bless the city of Miami Gardens. And God, we promise we'll give you all the praise, honor, and glory that your precious name deserves. It is in your son name I do pray. Amen.

Amen. Please continue standing. We're going to have one of our youngest residents to provide us with the pledge of allegiance. And this is Emory, everyone. Everyone say hello to Emory. Hi, Emry. Go ahead, Emry. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Thank you, Emory.

Thank you, Emory. Got plenty of them. Like we got a lot going on this evening. Plenty of them to choose from.

All right, we're on approval of minutes. Yes, Mr. Mayor. Council, before the council, I have the September. Hello, Mr. Clerk. Let's get settled in everybody.

Go ahead, Mr. Clerk. All right. Before the city council for your approval, we have the September 9th 1st budget hearing meeting meeting minutes, the September 24th 2nd budget hearing meeting minutes, and the October 22nd draft regular city council meeting minutes for your approval. I need a motion on the minutes. Motion. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition? Showing none, show the minutes approved. We're on order of business. Are there any items that need to be pulled, deleted, added? Mr. Mayor? Yes. I'm going to pull my presentation to another date. Okay. 6.4.

6.4. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I have Give me two seconds. I have an agenda I mean an item that I would like to pull off consent. Um but I am having a problem with pulling up my agenda but it is the legislative priorities. All right. What is that? That's 11.1 11. Yep. All right. 111 Mr. Mayor. Yes. I have a couple items for the agenda as well too. Mr. Mayor, go ahead.

Um, I have add-on item number one. Um, this is sponsored by Councilwoman Pal. Um, supporting seat three, community initiatives. Without objection, we ask that it be added to regular resolutions. That's 12.1. And then I have item add-on item number two. This is sponsored by Councilwoman Julian. This is an amendment to the clean zone ordinance. Without objection, we ask that it be added it added to item eight. Ordinance is on for first reading as 8.1. Which one? Um, add on item number two, Linda. Linda's

and Mr. Mayor, I'd like to add a special presentation,

added on as 6.4. So, we got two or three. How many add-on items do we have? There's there's two add-on items. We have one idolon item which is sponsored by Councilwoman Pal which is supporting seat 3 community initiatives and that's 121. That'll be 12.1. 81. 81 is the ordinance on for first reading sponsored by Councilwoman Julian. Okay. Okay. And Councilwoman Julian just added on a presentation which will replace Councilman Leon's withdrawn presentation at item 6.4. Thank you, Mr. Clair.

Mr. Mayor, yes. Question. Um, item 9.1 which is on for second reading. Is this the time if I want to withdraw the item now or should I have to wait? Do I have to wait till the call? Okay, no problem. Thank you. Thank you. You going to withdraw it now or? No, it's a public hearing on that item. So, we'll do it once we get to item.

All right. I need a motion on the agenda. Motion. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition? Showing none. Show the agenda approved. We're on special presentations 6.1. Um, Mr. Clerk. 61

Item 6.1 special presentation recognizing local author authors for National Authors Day. And this is sponsored by F Vice Mayor Robert Stevens.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. uh with all of our authors that we're acknowledging tonight, would you please come forward [applause] by by your way of housekeeping, we we do spirit fingers.

All right. So, that's our proper way of acknowledging here in the chambers. You can come forward and face the audience. Uh on November 1st uh is a national author's day where the na the nation pauses to uh honor the voices that capture our imagination, challenge our minds, and broaden our perspectives. Since 1949, National Author's Day has reminded us the power of our words and stories. Today, we recognize not only the craft of storytelling, but also the incredible journey each author embarks upon to share pieces of themselves with the world. To our remarkable authors here today, you are more than just writers. You are visionaries, educators, and keepers of our collective expressions experiences. Your work enriches our world, given voices to ideas and perspectives that might otherwise remain unheard. Here's to your stories, your impact in your collective lives you touch through your words. Your words resonate deeply, challenge assumptions, and create spaces where readers can feel seen, understood, and inspired. Thank you for your dedication, your courage, and sharing your stories, and your contributions to lit to the literacy world. Your commitment to the art of writing is a gift that will continue to influence and inspire generations to come. We celebrate you today and always. Thank you to our authors. Today we're honoring from my left to Wait, this is my left. That's

your right. All right, I got to get it right. So that's Ben. Uh Mr. uh Benjamin McMin story. Uh Mr. Derek Jones, Hillside Thoughts. Miss Ashley Carter echoes little lunch. Enoch's little lunch. I'm sorry. Miss Mrs. Wood. Uh, here. Where's my Skip Pop? Did I say that correctly?

Where's Skip Pop? And last, but certainly not least, Mr. Charles Williams. Relentless Love. Can we acknowledge and thank all of our authors for their invest the invested time? I told uh them earlier today during our presentation that I've had a book to complete on my pending list for the last five years. Um so I guess it's time for me to get that book done. Uh but thank you all so very much. Please uh please uh face the front to be recognized. My colleagues and I will join you for a group picture at this moment. Thank you. Nice. We go down.

Imagine Very [crying] quickly, I have to I must say this uh because we believe in opportunity changes. here in the city of Miami. I said it earlier so I have to say it again and have right Mr. Derek Jones was the first legislative analyst for seat when I was elected into office. So now he's working for the United States Congress and he's an author tonight. So opportunity changes everything.

It's your birthday. Happy birthday. Okay, hurry up. One, two, three,

three. [singing] See you later, sweetie. Where is skipp standing there? [laughter]

That's our next council person 20 years. You want to get him a couple more pictures in

Hey, good man. We ain't scared of no mirrors now. [laughter]

All right, we're on 6.2, the second annual Colors of Cancer Basketball Tournament winner recognition. Councilwoman Wilson. Thank you. Thank you. Um, this year was the second year of the annual colors of cancer basketball tournament sponsored Hold on. Hold on. Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, please go ahead.

Organized and sponsored in part by uh the Irving Thomas Elite basketball tournament along with the junior NBA and many, many other sponsors. This year we had schools representing American High, Dr. Michael Crop, Forges Sports Academy, Miami Carol City Senior High School, Miami Jackson, Nor Miami New Orleans Senior High School, Mon Senior Pace, and North Miami Beach. The three-day tournament was a very very competitive ter tournament. We saw a tremendous amount of talent out there working and showing their their ability to play a sport, but also showing their commitment to good health habits. I have followed Dion Sanders journey as he's battled his cancer with his bladder. And the one thing that he said, he said, "Go get checked out." And we um in this community, we have been so um I would say um um zealous about really promoting breast cancer awareness because we recognize holistically how important health is just to the quality of life. But we also wanted to bring attention and shed light that there is more than one way or one thing that we can do to bring everyone into the fold of the effects that cancer can have on the lives of an individual as well as on the life of an entire community and now on the life of and in the lives of some of our greatest sports athletes and icons. So if there is nothing else that you take away from this that exercise is one way being involved in sports is another way but also playing for a purpose doing things that are meaningful that can give joy and hope and to share information is another thing. I want to also be able to

say to you that these young men played with such enthusiasm and such class and such expertise. I was just so impressed with them, how they played as as as teams, but how they came together under one banner to really share in this whole idea of shedding light on all of the kinds of things that can affect our lives. So tonight, I wanted to bring them to you because one of the things that we have to realize is that our children, like the babies that were here and the young men that were with their families and women that were with their families, the youth have to be told, they have to be given a hu some insight into what the future holds and how they can be and use their talents and their blessings and their gifts to make a difference in the world. So, if there was nothing else that I can thank you young men for, you know, you came out and and I just saw your hearts out there and your families were with you and your coaches were with you and so was our overall community. So, we're proud of you. I used to be a cheerleader at Miami Carroll City and there was one cheer that we always said when whether our team won or lost and they said, "We are proud of you." You say we are proud of you. [applause] I am proud of you. Say I am proud of you.

Okay. So I am going to ask I'm going to ask that you get out there and do the chill. [laughter] Now he want to see me break a leg. Literally break a leg. Um so um this I I would like I named all the schools and now I'm I want to name um the winners of um the tournament. The third place winner was Manior Pace. And if you are here will you please come forward? Manior Pace along with their coach Jean if I say your name wrong. Doen

Dubesen can you please come forward? $250. And Mr. Clay, would you join me, please? We are proud of you. Oh, that's good. You got to clap with it, man. Might look too good, do it. Oh, we got to get a cherry.

Hey, I don't Please also not come and take a picture with them. Thank you.

Okay. One, two, three. Our second place winner is sports academy. Are you here? Will you guys do a favor? Will you just step back together?

Oh, thank you. Thank you. So, these guys I think are out of Broward County, right? Y'all out of Broward County? Yes. Okay. And they were slammed up. They ain't know where they was. They don't know where they went.

But once again, um, you guys played very good ball and wonderful coaches.

Okay. Thank you. Stand right here. Back up. And now we will Norland um senior high school. Are you here?

Okay. Norland I know had a basketball game and the principal was going to come and accept and along with the coaches here to accept. They won the tournament this year and um although they were not able to be okay now he said two years. They won last year and they won two years in a row. And I see that over there and then Reggie's going to be up there. They are all New Orleans graduates. But we are so glad to have you guys here. And last but not least, I'm going to ask all of you to step forward and we'll take one big photo together. I know it's a lot because everybody's tall, right? and then then just say something.

Okay. Can we move closer to that way? I don't All right. Over that way. Okay.

Upside down. Okay. Perfect. One. I'm not One, two, three, smile.

Okay, so Norland has been a very competitive team. They've won two years in a row. And I'm telling you, when you have champions on the court, everybody has to play their very best. And I'm very very proud of all of you for giving up your weekend, coming out and being committed both days, but most importantly for being statesmen and champions together. So, thank you so much and I hope that you're coming back again next year. Mr. Thomas, would you like to say anything? Okay, he said he's okay. Amen. Thank you. Give him a round of applause. Thank you. Yeah, I just want I go take.

All right, cool. All right, we're on 6.3 Commission for Women Quarterly Report. Councilwoman Wilson. Not as long as the last one.

Um, what we're going to do is to play a special video as part of the report for the Commission of on W of Women. Where would Hollywood Academy? Hello, I am Katrina Wilson, councilwoman in the wonderful city of Miami Gardens. you know, we have um conducted a study because so much of what we hear and know um was not documented in a very researchbased kind of way. And the title of the study is empowering women living a legacy of powerful intergenerational women's study.

Three of the top concerns that the ladies voiced were gun violence, the lack of police engagement, and unsafe walking path. 50% of our study group felt like family relationship was vitally important and it was due to communications breakdowns and [music] uh family difficulties. Our daughters and our young mothers are saying I need a mentor. They wanted to be in the presence of women of a certain age, not women who party with them in the club. Fear is not our future. We have to keep each other safe.

We are creating gun violence. symposiums, engaging the police. City of Miami Gardens have already partnered with Florida Power and Light and they have created more lighting which has increased safety and visibility in these [music] areas. We have failed because we have not passed down when we knew better. We didn't do better with what we knew.

And because of what we have heard, we are ready to get to work. And we want you to join us at the tables, on the streets, in the symposiums, in the conferences, but more importantly, take what we give you and what you gain [music] back home to your families, to your friends, to your church community, so that we can all be on one accord as we do what is in the best interest of our community and what is in the best interest of the future of this city. We are the ordinary women who are doing extraordinary things in the great city of my family gardens. Thank you.

Mrs. Lawrence, who is the chair, is uh stuck in traffic and was unable to make it here in time for the presentation portion. But I will say this um when we gathered with almost um approximately 3 400 women at the Betty T. Ferguson Center, the conversations that they that they had about marriages, about their families, their concerns about the food, the quality of food that we eat in our city. Their concerns about their young daughters and whether or not they will be able to find husbands. the the elderly being um very very concerned about transitioning and and being able to find people who can take care of them and where their housing and what their housing would be like shed a lot of light on what our priorities need to look like. And so what we are going to be extending um out even further as a part of the commission's continued work is to start doing the work with our families and with our women to ensure that these issues are going to be addressed in a way that causes every part of our lives to be evaluated in terms of being able to address some of our concerns that we um also have had. In addition to that, the Commission for Women members traveled to Tallahassee for the state conference and they also learned even more about how to galvanize the women of this community as a long-term effort. In in addition to that, they also connected with many many other women groups from across the state of Florida. and Miami Gardens they uh the the members that attended came back and and reported that they were very very well received and many many people were impressed with the report that has been produced as a result. So what we have done is that we make the report available to you. There will be a way

for you to access it via a link. Uh you will all you have to do is call our office and we'll send that to you. There are also um an abbreviated copy of the report that's available for your your use tonight. But I want to thank all of the members. Would you please stand for your hard hard work? We have another conference hearing on December is it December 5th? December 5th. Well, we will go over in detail the reports of of this um study and we hope that you will join us because we're going to have some action plans that we're going to be working toward. Thank you ladies for the tremendous job that you have done. Thank you.

Thank you councilwoman. Great job ladies. All right. Mr. Mayor, we're now on item 6.4, special presentation by Councilwoman Julian. Councilwoman Julian. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, I'd like to take a moment to recognize Mr. James Pogue. So, Mr. Pog, if you could make your way up here. [clears throat] Doc, Dr. James Pope. What's that?

Doctor.

Doc. Dr. James Pope. Excuse me. I stand corrected. That's right. Please stand to the center. Um, I want to take this moment to recognize Dr. James A. Pogue, who has recently been appointed as the new city manager for Florida City. James has been a colleague, a collaborator, and a true public servant whose leadership and commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark here in our community. Councilman Leyon and I had the distinct honor to attend the Florida City Council meeting on Monday and witnessed Dr. Pogue uh get appointed. And so on behalf of the city of Miami Gardens, on behalf of my office, I want to extend an heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as you embark on this next chapter of service. Florida City is truly gaining not only a skilled administrator, but a man of great integrity and vision. And so, I'd like to ask my colleagues to join me up front as I present you with a little token to put on your wall. You can still say it. Councilman, is everybody here? So this token of appreciation, Dr. Pogue reads, "Thank you for your nine years of

service to our city. Your leadership and professionalism has made a lasting impact on this community, and we wish you all the best." You mind if Yes, absolutely. Charter officers, please join us. We can clap. Let's clap. because this is your last council meeting, right?

This is your This is his last council meeting, guys. So, if you get a chance, guess right, [applause] we are proud of you. We are proud of you. No, don't hurt yourself out here. Oh, yeah.

Mr. Mayor,

uh, since we still here, I was going to say my comments for the end, but if I could, uh, just take a second to uh, piggyback on Councilwoman Julian. Um, congratulations, Dr. Po. Also, you know, when I got here about seven years ago, um, Mr. Po came and sat with me and he told me that he had my back 100%. And, um, he has been a man of his word. any project or with his experience. Uh any questions I have, he was always a solid go-to person. Uh and I want to thank you for that. Uh being there for me, uh 10 toes down. So again, congratulations. I know you took some of our great ideas and and went and sold them to Florida City, but uh we're here to help you. Uh I am definitely here to help you any way that I can. And it was an honor for to take that hour and 45 minute ride to Florida City to stand with you.

Go to that other country.

Who? That's it. All right. All right, Mr. Mayor. Council, we're now on to public comments. Public comments. Could you read the back of the card, please, Mr. Clark?

Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, [clears throat] citizen participation is governed by section 2-60 of the city bing guards code. Public comments are limited matters within the scope of the jurisdiction of the city council. each person other than members of city staff who addresses the city council shall give their name, address, and whether the person is speaking on his or her own behalf, a group of persons or a third party. When in the determination of presiding officer, there are many persons wishes to speak on the same proposition. The presiding officer may direct that these persons designate a representative to address the city council rather than all members of such groups. All speakers shall be limited to two minutes unless further time is given by the presiding officer. All remarks shall be addressed to the city council as a body and not to any one member. No person other than city council members and the person having the floor shall be permitted to enter any discussion without the permissions of the presiding officer. No question shall be asked of the city council member except through the presiding officer. Order shall be maintained if any person makes personal irrelevant pertinent or slandist remarks, becomes boisterous while addressing city council or becomes too lengthy, abusive, obscene and/or disruptive or otherwise fails to comply with the orders of the presiding officer and is declared out of order. The individual may be subject to removal by the sergeant-at-arms.

Right, council, let's govern ourselves accordingly as well. Uh, first person up will be Lynette Lawrence and then Missy Ross and Francis Ragu will be after those two. Lynette Lawrence Miss Ross, you're on deck.

Hello, my name is Lynette Lawrence. Um 16310 Northwest 23rd Court, Miami Gardens, Florida. Um we were calling I'm actually up here right now due to the golf cart movement. We just wanted to find out if there any update with anything at this time. Um we would like to skip right now until we hear further what's going on because we saw was added agend um addendum on here item number two um regarding the um actual clear clean zone for the stadium events. So that's why we want to skip right now until we hear further what's going on before we put out a rebuttal. Well, there's a public comments for that item. So Okay. If you guys want to come back, mayor. Yes.

Correction. My apologies. It's a first reading. Public hearing will be on second reading. Second reading. Yes, sir. Okay. So, there won't be a public comment on that. Okay. All right. So, I need you to go ahead and give me your public comments now. Well, we won't be able to until we actually know what's moving forward with this situation and then we'll have something more. You won't be able to speak on that item because then that is correct. You won't be able. So, you guys want to come back another night and speak on it because we thought it was going to be something else at the time. Yes, that's fine. Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you. So, Miss Miss Ross, you're also gonna All right. All right. Thank you.

Good evening. Francis Rago, 889 Northwest 214th Street, Unit 102, Miami Gardens, Florida 33169. I stand here this evening in a I have to say a bit of sweet moment. Sweet in the sense that I have known Dr. Pogue for many years even before being an employee in the city of Miami Gardens. The sweet moment is personally I wish him God's speed in terms of his new position. The bitter moment is that we as a city is losing a very great public servant. I can speak on behalf as president of the Miami Gardens Neighborhood Inc. which represent 12 of the neighborhood watch and the crime prevention groups within the city of Miami Gardens that we can certainly count on Dr. Pogue and Miss Tracy either by via Zoom or in person for each meeting bringing valuable information from the city to the residents of Miami Gardens. We will miss those opportunities. I know Tracy will do a great job. I'm hoping that she's elevated to that position because she have trained her to a great one. It saddened me that he has to go but the pathway in which he is going, we can only say yes. another homegrown well bred well taught has left us again. Hopefully next time we could cage around them and retain them but we know we have to do what's best for them and we appreciate it. Dr. Pog on behalf of all of us we want to say thank you for years of service, dedication to the community and great representation for the beautiful city of Miami Gardens. And we say thank you for your service and God speed in moving forward. Thank you.

Thank you, uh, Ria Hughes and Mr. Tisd Doll. Then Gail Cunningham re Hughes, 3335 Northwest 180th Street, Miami Gardens, Florida 33056. Good evening, council. The memorandum submitted to city council from the city manager October 22nd, 2025 referenced the quarterly report from noon through August 2025. The building vision of this report under major construction projects citywide states the city currently has 71 major projects in various stages of approval or construction. I bring construction projects to your attention because prior to any development within a council's area of responsibility, which will affect residents directly or indirectly, our publicly elected officials, public servants, and stewards of our tax dollars, should have conversations with residents during their monthly meetings. For those residents inquiring about the land located at 2190 Northwest 183rd Street in Seat 3, previously Mahogany Grill, Ruby and Jean, a meeting was requested by residents with Miami Gardens officials and invited guests scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 18th, 700 p.m. at Betty T Ferguson Recreational Complex. Come ask your questions and be informed so that history doesn't repeat itself. Be mindful. Re residents are not idiots as referred to on March 26, 2025 in the

lobby of this city hall by this dees. Residents are individuals caring and work in the vineyards behind the scenes, not only for their community, but for the entire city of Miami Gardens. Because we do care. Thank you. Thank you.

Mr. Tisdall, 1731 Northwest 11th Avenue. On October the 8th, the reciding officer asked you for a police report. You yelled from the bench. You can get it now and don't talk to you that way. I respect what you say, but you say you everybody got to respect each other. You were totally like those Jamaicans say, you're out of order. The second point I call all the time about the four-way stop sign on 170 Terrace and 12th Avenue. I got videos of people just run that sign going north and going south. They don't stop. They came over there two times to make me feel good, but they haven't been back. I told you the peak hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10. 4:30 to 6. What? We going to wait for something to happen to somebody over there get hurt or a child running for a ball and then we going to act on it. If you're not going to put up speed bumps and in the red light, you you need to put a red light camera on both sides. That's a $30,000 a week corner. I countered the cars up that run that sign every day. I'm retired. Like I said, all I do is sit on the corner. I ain't got nothing to do. And I got the video to show you that they run the stop sign every day. I asked the police department to give me I called Monday. I spoke to dispatch. I sat on the corner two hours. Miss William did not dispatch nobody over there to watch the sign the street. And and a lot of time when I call over there, it goes ignored.

you the presiding officer, please give me a helping hand over there. Thank you. Thank you. After Miss Cunningham, it'll be Miss Alexander and Mr. Ziggler. And then Barry, you'll be after Ziggler.

Okay. Good evening, Dis. My name is Gail Cunningham, 1 19001 Northwest 14th Avenue Road, Miami Gardens, Florida 33169. I'm here this evening to speak regarding the legislative priorities. In years past, we have received after asking for the actual priorities before today in order for the residents to know exactly what is moving forward. I have been fortunate in some meetings of the different council members where they have discussed the legislative policies that they want to discuss with the manager and all the department chairs as to where they're going to move and send up to Tallahassee. Didn't happen this time. Uh we're looking at it now in our agenda agenda item consent agenda item 11.1. And also I'm looking at the agenda memo and it says here that the actual priorities that's going to move forward have already been approved. And I know I'm not supposed to call a name but I'm just reading now. It says whereas Mayor Harris is recommending the legislative priorities that is attached to this resolution as exhibit A based upon input from various city council members and staff. Meaning that the city council members are aware of the process, what was discussed and how you got to the priorities. But were they discussed with the people? Because they are supposed to be representative of because you deal with legislative policy. But what is it that the people need and you see needs to be done in our city and move to Tallahassee or wherever in order to get the monies or the statements or whatever that documentation we need to move it. I don't know anything about that. I haven't. No one has ever told me. I'm reading it right now. Also, it says that now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Miami Gardens, Florida as follows. The city council of the city of Miami Gardens hereby approves the 2025 legislative policies priorities for the city attached here too as exhibit A. Then on the back it has where you vote yes or no. If it's

already been approved and then you're going to vote, I'm confused. Help me out. Okay. So my main emphasis is please let us know. Don't sit with someone and say this is what seat whatever I can't call it out. Seat whatever wants because I have spoken to the people. I know I'm out of time, but we just wanted to know. We've known in the past and we shouldn't have to ask. Thank you, Miss

John Ziggler, 18501 Northwest 22nd Court, Miami Garden, Florida 33056. All right, cool. Uh, first of all, I'd like to say thank you to uh, Councilwoman Linda Julian for doing an outstanding job for recognizing veterans um, with the benches at Roland Oaks Park and uh, Andover and I think she did a tremendous job. Also like to thank um, city manager and his team. Uh, they did an outstanding job but I'm kind of disappointed that a lot of council members didn't show up for the event. uh especially uh council member that's over the military veterans uh board. I think that's kind of disrespectful. Um we had quite a few veterans show up. The event was very nice. Uh also what we would like to do is as we stated before we were like a monument behind that bench, you know, which is a wall. And my request is that I get $1,000 from each uh council member. and I think the project will cost less than $10,000. If the project is $10,000 and I get a th000 bucks from each council member, I would gladly put the rest of the money in myself. This is something that needs to be done. We need to recognize um Le David Johnson as a Gold Stop family. Uh his Gold Stop family, his sister was there and when she got ready to sit on the bench, she actually cried and told me, she said, "John, you know what? This is overwhelming. So if a bench can do that to a person and really we need to do more you know and I'm sure I'm very positive that a wall so that veterans could place their name on the wall and generate money that could go back into the program you know it would be something very uh it would be something great for the city and for veterans you know and for the ghostar family. So, I'm

asking that, hey, if you guys put in a,000 bucks, I'll put in a,000 bucks with you. And uh I'm pretty sure the project will cost less than $10,000. You know, I want to again thank Councilwoman Linda Junior for what she did. Thank you.

Thank you. My name is Barry Bergens, 3630 Northwest 197 Street, Antioch Reason Baptist Church. Um, I'm here just to to let you guys know that we're very proud of what happened on yesterday. It was a tremendous event for the veterans, but we like to improve it. So, one of the things that we want to do, we love the benches. We want to put a walled up behind the bench. And John just asked for $10,000, but I've already started my thing trying to get some funds for this program. And we're going to have the wall that has the veterans names put in it. And that money will go into funding the veterans every year the more they build the wall themselves. So that we can take some of the burden off the city. But we still want that to make sure that we continue to build a progress um for what we're trying to get done with the veterans association. I want to thank you all for all your time and for everything that you're doing for the city. Um the entire board, God bless you. We love you and we're praying for you.

Thank you, Miss Alexander. Good afternoon, King. Alexander, 1799 Northwest 155th Street, 91. I want to know what y'all going to do with that money when y'all sell that property. I would like to have someone to tell me what y'all going to do with the money when y'all sell a property on 15880 Northwest 27th Avenue. Um Sunshine Meat Market.

We'll we'll we'll have somebody tell tell you about it. You could have got that information outside. No, no. I I'm let him come up here to the mic and tell me it's it was last meeting. It was last meeting. This the second this is on for a second. But we're Well, this the second one then. But it's not on for Is it on for public hearing? You want to speak on it on the public hearing? No, but you it's specifically on that item. Yeah. You have to stay here wait for that. That what you asking for, [laughter] Mr. Mr. Mayor. Yes. Go ahead.

Yeah. I I I just want to make sure that everyone knows that I'm going to be recommending pulling this item off the agenda for a later date. So, if she wants someone to answer a question now, we can. But my recommendation is going to be pull this item until uh the second meeting in January. Okay. So, Miss Alexander, you want to speak with somebody about that then because they're going to take this item off this agenda tonight.

Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Any more public comments or any written communication, Mr. Clerk? No written communication. No written communication. No more public comment. Public comments are now closed. All right. We're now on to item eight. Ordinance is on for first reading. Item 8.1, an ordinance of the city council, city, Miami Garden of Florida, amending section 6-195, subsection C subsection 1 of chapter 6, article four of the code of ordinances to extend the time frame for the clean zone for stadium events, provided for adopt representation, repealing all ordinances of conflict, providing several clause, providing for inclusion in the code, providing for an effective date, and this is sponsored by Councilwoman Julian.

All right. And this is on for public comments on these items. No comes on the second this. Yeah, there's no public hearing on this item. All right, Councilwoman Julie. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And so, this item is essentially amending the clean zone period to begin a week prior an event and to end two days after the a um event. So, all it's doing is just amending the time frame and I'm asking my colleague support on the item. All right. I need a motion on this item. Uh I'll make a motion. I have some questions. Yeah. Second. It's been moved and seconded. I have some questions about it as well. First, uh, don't we have to the attorney, madam attorney, don't we already have a clean zone item in effect? Yes, that's what she's amending.

And what is the current, Mr. Mayor? Yes. What is what is the current um ordinance that the number of days prior to an event and after? Um well, the current ordinance says that currently 24 hours before an event and 12 hours after an event ends. The proposal is for no earlier than 7 days prior to and 24 hours after. Why? Why so long? I'm just council woman. Why why so long of uh

well clean zone? Well, because part of the um part of the ask that the host committee has for the Orange Bowl is to um put this item in place so that we can alleviate the traffic and we can alleviate the um burden of having tons of people on the road because we want to have a smooth process. And so the representatives um for the Orange Bowl Committee is here and they can answer any questions that you all may have as well. Mr. Mayor. Yes. Um through the mayor to Councilwoman Julian. Yep.

I saw that they mentioned Petty Cass, but the golf carts and the route that they created won't be affected in this ordinance. Right. That's correct, Councilman. All this ordinance is doing is just extending the time frame. Okay, Mr. Mayor. Oh, go ahead. Uh Ken, uh two I I I want to piggy back. Um I think the time frame is what I'm having trouble with as well. Um just want more clarity on why we need seven days prior to a one-day event. To me, that doesn't make sense.

Um and and and then needing so many days after the event is over as well. Um, but before you give me the answer to that, councilwoman, can someone clarify to me the clean zone area? I want to make sure the clean zone area. I I want to make sure the to what Councilman Leon just highlighted that the pettic cabs and all of the uh mobility, all of the uh transits are not affected

by this clean zone. should we decide to move it to 7 days. Um, and then I want to uh and then I have a question as it relates to our local businesses that falls in the clean zone if any falls in the clean zone. Sure. Well, she just answered the petty cavs and rents and golf carts. So that Well, I want to see the I want to see the the zone where what it highlights. I hear she said it, but I want to know where it

highlights. So, um, while I provide you the boundaries because I think that's what you're asking for, the boundaries for the clean zone. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to ask the representatives to come up so that they can answer some of the questions that you all may have. And so the boundaries uh for the clean zone are from Northwest 32nd Avenue to the west, county line on the north, northwest 12th Avenue on the east, and Northwest 183rd Street on the south. Yeah, I think can you have them clarify for newly elected council members on what exactly clean zone means? I have a question. Okay, hold hold on. Hold on. Yeah, wait. F first. I still have a series of questions. So, the backwards and forwards. Y'all got to give me a second.

Finish. So, thank you, Councilwoman, for the boundaries. [laughter] Now, what is the route that the petty cabs have? The golf carts. The golf cart from 14th Avenue and then on the on the east on the east side, they go to 14th Avenue. on the west side they go to 32nd Avenue. So in our ordinance it has the boundaries that I just recited to you. These are the boundaries. Okay.

So the boundaries are not affected. So the only thing that this is affecting is the time frame. So the the the ordinance is already in place. We're just amending the time frame. But I'll defer to the representatives so they can give you an explanation as well. First so they can answer as well. They can answer me as well. I'm gonna get to you. I'll get to you as soon as they finish. He finish his question. You finish yours? Yeah. No, go ahead.

Okay. Why Why are we amending the ordinance? And the reason why I'm saying this is that if we're just talking about we already have an ordinance. We're talking about an exception for a unique event that they are having. Why must we change the law and not just make an exception for the period that we needed? Because our ordinance, our ordinance is already, you know, approved and and adopted. But it and that when I say set, I guess maybe what we found in our ordinance is a very good way to keep our residents cool, right? And so to extend it seven days, it would mean essentially it would become law for all stadium events. And if it becomes law for all stadium events, that means that when we have a football game, it could be as long as 21 days where we are under this covenant or under this ordinance because seven days in a in the front

and by the time you have the event and then you have two days after that's 10 days and then you have a M game and you have a Dolphin game and they fall under this ordinance, we are now in a whole another cycle. So, if we want to make an exception for this Orange Bowl, which is a unique event, it's not it's not it's not going to be something that we we do every single year, then we we we make a decision to make the exception for a clean for for this. You see what I'm saying? But but when it goes back, it goes back to what it it was. You know, it goes back, you know, it would be the same if we were the Super Bowl host committee, you know, to change the law where for seven days and then now our residents and businesses are in a whole different type of predicament. I don't I don't know if that's an ordinance change. Maybe it should be an, you know, like a an exception to the ordinance for a time period certain and then after that it's it's it's done and then we don't have to go through You you that's all I'm going to say.

You you finished? Yes, sir. I am. Okay. Let me just say this real quick and maybe the attorney can help us clear this up. Maybe I have the misunderstanding. The clean zone ordinance is so that this affects the people who come and attempt to sell stuff on our streets. Correct. So, it doesn't affect our residents, but it's affect like when we had the

the soccer match and those people set up barbecue grills all throughout uh 27th Avenue. So this particularly it keeps our streets clean technically from people setting up tents, selling stuff. So it's not really affecting our residents and the residents that I was concerned about was our golf cart vendors who u this doesn't affect them either. But I just wanted to make sure I had a clear understanding of the clean zone. That's why I asked them to clarify and explain it that this really is just keeping PE pan handlers somewhat from coming here selling items on our corners uh blocking up our streets around the stadium area. I guess what I'm saying is um if we are stopping pan handler hand handlers like for this that means that there like is that the kind of ordinance we're talking about then we are

because this is specifically this is specifically aimed at the stadium events pan handlers ought to be another type of ordinance. What we what we're essentially doing is using this ordinance to remove people forever. And and and I don't know that that's the intention. That's what this sounds like. And then who's going to police that? Who's going to police that if we put it this way and it ends up being like I said 14 21 days and then you you who's going to police it the whole time when it becomes law of this nature? because you're going to you're going to impact on our on our policing. You're going that's going to impact on our our staffing. That's going to impact the the city in a lot of different ways. I I don't I don't really see a problem with trying to accommodate, you know, events in terms of our stadium and different things like that that that resides in our city. But I but I do see that part of the interruption we see with the calves and the and the and the and and the people being able to earn additional dollars and different things like that that that that begins to choke it out. It it chokes out our economy. So I'm I'm I'm only saying and again I I don't want to bring those those types of issues up but I'm saying I'm I'm all for an exception. You know, if FIFA comes, I'm all for the exception, but I don't know if that should be the rule. You know, I don't know if that should govern that everything in our in our life is governed by the stadium.

Let's hear from

No, I'm just saying I'm just I'm not I don't mean no harm. I'm not meaning any harm by that because I love the stadium and I and I I don't have any problems with them. I'm saying that can we do this in a way that allows them to achieve what they need to achieve without without necessarily interrupting the life and the commerce of our city and its residents and and being able to do the things if if that is what we're trying to do. You know, I and I think that we have to be real real clear. I would like for us to be very clear about what the intentions are when we adjust this ordinance or whether or not we ought to just grant them an inception and so they can do what it is that they need to do for the time period that they need to do it and and leave the law like it is because so many of us have already adjusted to what this rule causes us to do and I don't think it's totally bad.

Yeah. But okay, I'm sorry. So, Councilwoman, what actually changes in this amendment? The only thing that changes, Mr. Mayor, is the time frame. This does not affect the um folks with the golf cart business. This just changes the time frame. That's all it does. And it keeps us away from the back and forth with pan handlers. It doesn't affect our small businesses. It doesn't, as a matter of fact, we want folks to patronize our brickandmortar businesses. So the the only change we're having here is just a time frame, but through the mayor, if we can allow the representatives to speak a word. Yeah. Go ahead and introduce.

Good. Uh my name is Eric Palms. I'm the CEO of the Orange Bowl Committee, but I'm not here in that capacity. I'm here for the 2026 uh host committee for the national championship game, which will be played in Miami Gardens on January 19th. Uh we're leading the host committee efforts. It's communitywide and part of the RFP requirements that we committed to contractually is to have this clean zone in effect from seven days prior to the event to two days after. And uh it's basically primarily focused on two things. A on the merchandising, but b ambush marketing because you have ESPN and you have all these major sponsors coming in. It's exactly like FIFA with World Cup and Super Bowl. We did it for the 2021 game and the reason we're here today is because as we understand that there's two stages, the reading and then the approval next month. The championship game is in January. If we came back in January, it would be within the window of already the seven days. So, we came and and and we came late, but we we need to get this in place so that we host the game in the highest capacity for our community.

Mr. Mayor, so I got one question. So in 2021 we did an exception for the the game.

There was a ordinance that was was passed or as I understand it but we defer to you all in terms of the best foot forward how to accomplish this. But we need that in place for January 19th. So it' be it would be Monday morning January 12th to Wednesday January 21st. That 9-day window we need it in effect. But we'll defer to you all in terms of how to accomplish that. So, madame attorney, is it possible, as the council woman stated, for an exception for them to do it for the nine days and then it returns back to our normal way of handling that ordinance?

Okay. So, the only way you can amend an ordinance is by an ordinance and you don't have a process built into the ordinances for exceptions. So, you still have to amend the ordinance to allow for exceptions. So, it's possible. So of well of course it's possible but it has to be within so so if we were to amend the ordinance what's in front of you tonight if we were to amend the ordinance can we amend the ordinance with an expiration date.

So in other words if we look if we take a look at this here and we are basically saying this is our ordinance but we're going to make an exception to it for specifically this and and leave it there. Is that possible? Well, it could be drafted if you're going to make exceptions, but I'm saying that's not what you'd have to a draft. It would be another ordinance. Would it would it have to be an ordinance or can it be an item? Can it be an item to make an exception to the ordinance for this period of time?

So, what you could do is tonight if the council woman is willing to is just provide instead of doing this provide for some mechanism in this that the council can issue exceptions by resolution. then you will be able to come back at the next council meeting with a resolution. But this ordinance will have to be amended to allow for exceptions because this currently does not is what I'm saying. So if we if it if it is amended and that means that it will come back to us like it'll come back again as an amended ordinance or we will just amend it for for this event and that'll be it doesn't have to come back for a second reading. That's what I'm trying to find out.

No, no, no. What I'm suggesting and to councilwoman Jr. if you want to take the times out of this because this is just doing amending the times. It's not amending the whole rest of the ordinance and you want to provide tonight for a provision for an exception that the city council can um provide exceptions for the time frames. That's a simple amendment tonight. It still has to come back for second reading for that. But I'm saying at the next meeting she [snorts] could also have an item on giving the exception is what I'm saying because we have a meeting in December. Okay. I I I'm I'm sorry. You totally lost me. And I'd like for her to explain to me again because it sounded Well, I'm just I'm just need I'm just being clear. Yeah. I mean, you know, hey,

what I'm saying is we got two things here, right? We have the ordinance which we're saying an exception could be made to that. It could it could be amended to include an exception. Yes. Okay. And then the second thing you were saying she could do what? So what I'm saying is the ordinance takes two readings. So even if tonight you provided in here that we could do you all can do exceptions, it still has to come back right for a second reading. What I'm saying is then she could have a companion item on the same agenda giving them the exception that they've asked for. Okay. You have to have the law in place which would allow the exception is what I'm saying. So that's two readings. If she bought an item at the next council meeting, which would be a resolution,

it would have to be heard after the ordinance is approved. Of course, she could actually bring those dates is what I'm saying. She could bring that item for this particular game is what I'm saying. Mr. Chair, if I may. So, council, hold on, hold on. Council Councilman Leon has something he wanted to say just real quick. And this is to the through the mayor, to the city manager or city attorney, whoever can answer this. um by us accepting these and having this ordinance in place and extending or making provisions, whatever we're going to do here, we going to bear the brunt of the cost, right, to send our employees out there to enforce this uh for their event. Is there a way that we can split this cost with with these uh organizations or how can we Mr. Mayor, go ahead.

Councilman, uh you're absolutely right. We will be bearing the cost. So, if the Orange Bowl committee andor Orange Bowl folks want to um sit down and discuss that what those costs may be and assist with some of that, I'd be more than happy to do that. Yeah. I mean, that's the only way I would support this because again, they're coming into our city. They're going to be taking our resources off the street to enforce this and they're going to be uh whoever is licensed will be making all the money from it, but we're using our taxpayer dollars to fund that and police it. So, there needs to be some way that we can split that cost or basically you guys pay for it also if it's legal.

Thank you. That'll be something that'll be negotiated with them, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Yeah. Okay. And that would be the part of the resolution, [snorts] right? Councilwoman.

Sure. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, I am okay with Councilwoman Wilson's amendment. So, as long as the second reading does come in December. Um, but I would also like to offer them the opportunity to finish their uh statement. I don't know if you were done or if you wanted to speak more, but allow them the opportunity so that we can hear fully what they have to say. I I think this is in the same light as you see with Super Bowls with the World Cup. Obviously the the Orange Bowls here every year. This year will be on January one will be a Capital One Orange Bowl game. It'll be a CFP quarterfinal. I wish Iowa State was there in Illinois, but it will be played and then 18 days later will be the national championship game. Our mission is economic development and to give back to this community in a meaningful way. We'll be doing a lot here in the city of Miami Gardens with the opening of the Bunch Park West Recreation Center on Saturday, December 20th, 9:00 am. I hope you all could be out there. And then on January 15th, we will be doing the Orange Bowl Field of Wall Frasier Park. I think you know the partnership we have with the city manager, the mayor, the vice mayor, the council. Uh it's not just here for this upcoming, it's it's for years to come. So, we appreciate you guys entertaining this. As long as we get there in December, we're open to whatever approach works best for you.

All right. So, will she need to make a Well, we will we have to phrase it for her. I'm going to have to phrase the amendment. Okay. Cuz it's technical. All right. We need whenever y'all are ready. And on the financial piece, we have to work with the city man. Well, that's going to come on the reso. So, that that's something that she when she brings the item, all that will be worked out in the Yeah. and they're not going to have an issue with that because I mean they're great community partners and as the gentleman stated they're doing the Bunch Park um initiative and the Walt Fraser Park so they really don't have an issue with that. So I'd like to amend the ordinance to include the exceptions for future

stating she's going to read it. The attorney is going to read it. Yeah. So, what we're going to do is keep the current language as it exists in section 6.195C1 of the ordinance. What we're going to include language, the following language that the city council shall have the right have the right to provide for an exception to the clean zone time frames by or by resolution. Okay. Hearts and minds are clear on that. Could you explain that again? Madam attorney,

here's what here's what I'm saying that we can amend it, right? But it is by resolution that any additional costs that are that are connected with the resolution or you know that comes as a res a resolution that is brought as a result of the ordinance being adjusted that that'll be that'll be a part of the resolution or is it going to be a part of the ordinance that that stipulation is there? I think it should go in the resolution because it's going to be different for each event that you provide an exception for. There's not going to be any mention of possible cost. Well, you we're here tonight, so if y'all have to know what the cost is tonight to do that.

No, no, no. I'm saying as is stated in the in the ordinance, can the ordinance indicate in any way that there may be possible cost associated with the extension, revision, or anything else to be determined by the resolution? And and the only reason why I'm saying is is that often times when you have a when you have a turnover and those things are not explicit then people don't have a record of it. I got it.

And so it needs to be you know because we have a lot of events here and so sometimes we are eating the cost and these things are are really affecting the budget you know and so again I don't like I don't have a problem with it. I just want to make sure that that going forward if a revision is required that everybody understands that there may be additional costs that are associated and it will not necessarily be borne solely by the city. I understand. I think I can restate it so that I um handle what councilwoman Wilson is trying what I'm trying to convey.

So the amendment would be to keep to keep the current language as it stands now in the clean zone ordinance but to that this is the added language. The city council shall have the right to provide for an exception to the clean zone time frames by resolution with any additional cost to be borne by the applicant. Okay, that's what you want. Okay. And and Mr. Mayor, go ahead. And and that is should the I'm talking I'm referencing the cost that is should the resolution for the exception is passed. Yeah, I put that that's language. It says by resolution. Got you. But should Right. Okay,

Mr. Mayor. Wait, hold on. Um, [laughter] I I think and maybe I missed it. I I just didn't hear the reason on why the extension of the days are necessary. Can you please share that with me?

I sure can. When the CF the college football playoff issues their request for proposal to cities across this country, you have to respond and in there there's a requirement that a clean zone is in place in any city. Last year was in Atlanta, the year before Houston, it doesn't matter 7 days prior to two days following the event. So that's why we're in here is to meet that obligation that we as a host committee and as a community need to Got you. No, I understand that. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. You got y'all got a question?

I just got one, not for them, but one more for the attorney. This we can implement and the previous councils that come after us can implement this for any uh event that's going to go on at the stadium, right? Because we did use a lot of resources for FIFA. That was the FIFA match uh with our code enforcement and police out there trying to clean that up. So the way you're writing this, we can implement this for any clean zone opportunity or no? No, no, it's just for when y'all are given exceptions

because right now the clean zone is limited. It's only two days before and and and 12 hours after. So when y'all provide an exception that's extends that period, that's when you have the additional cost associated with enforcing it. you. But if you want me to bring an item at some at another point to address that in there, I could do that. I could definitely do that. Thank you. You just let me know. That be the will of the council. But that that has to be a different item.

Yeah. That Well, I cuz what I don't want to happen is for things to get confusing tonight. Let's focus on this one item because we want to make sure that this moves forward because we're on a time limit for this game that's taking place on January 19th. Any other amendments can come later. My goal is to get this done and for the second hearing to come in December. So, I like your amendment. This is not going to affect any business owner. It's not going to affect anyone. There is no fiscal responsibility on behalf of the city. And they've just stated about three to four times on the record that they will bear the cost. Okay. All right. Let's move forward. Any other questions? I'm wait. Thank you. All right.

I'm going to restate it, but I want to make sure you guys are ready. So cuz somebody when I restate it just needs to say motion motion to amend it. I need a motion to amend it. I'm going have to say it again. Go ahead. Restate it. Okay. We ready to move. [laughter] The emotion is to amend the item tonight to keep the current language in section 6-195C1 of chapter 6 article 4 of the code and to instead amend it to provide that the city council shall have the right to provide for an exception to the clean zone time frames by resolution with any additional cost to be borne by the applicant. Okay. Motion second. I made the motion.

It's already been made. Well, no, but I the one had to come up with it. [snorts and laughter] I know how this work, dog. So, you wanted to be You want credit? [laughter] All right, Mr. Clerk, call the role, please. On the amendment, you want to do a voice vote on the amendment? Yes. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Showing none, show it pass. All right. Now, we're on the the approval as amended. Yes. You want me to go ahead and call the question on that, Mr. Mayor? Question. All right. Councilwoman Baskin. Yes. Councilman Leon, yes. Councilwoman Pal, yes. Councilwoman Wilson, yes. Councilwoman Julian.

In the words of our mayor, I vote yes. Vice Mayor Stevens, yes. Mayor Harris, in my words, I vote yes. [laughter]

Motion to approve as amended on pass 70. All right. Now we're on to ordinances on for second reading public hearing item 9.1. An ordinance of the city council city Miami Gardens Florida authorizes sale of city owned property located at 15880 Northwest 27th Avenue Miami Gardens Florida 33056 to Sunshine Meet Market and Beverage Inc. for the sum of $1,60,000 authorizing city manager city attorney to take any and all necessary steps in order to complete the sale of property provided for adoption reputation repealing all ordinances in conflict. providing servability clause provided for inclusion of code provided for effective date and this is sponsored by the city manager. Mr. Manager,

Mr. Mayor, Vice Mayor, council members, Mr. Mayor, I would like to withdraw this item tonight and move it to the January 28 20 26 meeting. Excuse me. Defer it, excuse me. I'd like to defer this item to the January 28th, 2026 meeting, 5:30 p.m. I need a motion to defer this item, mayor. So, should we make the motion first and then I have something to to comment on carefully. Yeah, we could do that. The motion on this item. Motion. Second.

Go ahead. Um, so as we I know that this item is going to come back before the city council and I know that this is uh city land that we are selling. if it's not already included in the item because I didn't see anything. I'd like to see a covenant in placed in place in the event that the uh individuals aren't able to develop or build or whatever it is that they're seeking to do with the Sunshine Meat Market that there's some kind of provision put in place where the city can go back and I guess get the land or whatever it is. But definitely a covenant in place cuz what we don't want to happen is that in the event for whatever reason the market may shift or um we don't want the land to just sit there.

Mr. Mayor. Yes, Councilwoman Julian. That language is already in there. Okay. Well, I I didn't see it, but Okay. No problem. No problem. Good. Yes. All right. So, we voting on the deferral motion to defer. Council Leon, Councilwoman Pal, yes. Councilwoman Wilson, yes. Councilwoman Julian, yes. Vice Mayor Stevens, yes. Councilwoman Baskin, yes. Mayor Harris, I vote yes. Motion to defer approved. 70. We're now on to the consent agenda. I need a motion on the consent agenda. Motion. Second. Been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

Any opposition? Showing none. So the consent agenda passes. All right, Mr. Item 111. Yeah. Item 11.1. Um, resolution of city council city mind regards Florida approving the 2026 legislative priorities for the city provided for adoption of providing for an effective date. And this is sponsored by mayor Harris and it was pulled by vice mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A few things. Uh the first thing is I want to commend our staff, Miss our assistant city uh manager, Miss Reita Nelson, uh for working diligently to put the priorities together with our lobbying team. Um I I don't necessarily have problems with uh what has been identified as our priorities. Um, I just want to create an avenue that should we need additional lobbyists to help us hit home runs with the projects that's outlined, um, that the city manager has the resources and the approval to do so. Um, so I don't know how we go about with that language or what needs to be done. Um because as I see we have infrastructure improvements um projects here to get money for infrastructure. Um I want to ensure that we hit a home run with that. So uh however we can enhance our lobbying team whatever money we need to allocate to make sure that we aggressively go after the uh the dollars that are made available for the cities. Um I want our administration to have that ability uh to do so. So

I I think Mr. M vice mayor that the city manager al all already has that authority to do just that. Is that right Mr. Manager? No. No. But you can give it to him tonight. I mean you can amend the resol. So we need to amend the resolution for that.

Right. So So wait, let me make sure y'all understand what I'm saying before everybody start asking questions. What I'm saying? Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Cuz I still got the I still got the flow. Hold on. What I'm saying is the manager I what I would like to see is that we give the manager we the council give the manager and his team the ability to hire additional lobbyists should there are project uh to aggressively go after the priorities that we have outlined in this particular project. Currently, the manager does not have the ability to hire additional lobbyists to go after the work that we're doing. I mean, the priority should we should the team need help or should we identify areas for improvement? So, I'm asking that we give him and that's fine, but didn't we do that before? That was for the water that was for the water search charge. Correct. That was

Rice Bear did it with the motion the last time. So, let me clarify. So the manager does have authority to hire consultants for the city, but lobbyists specifically work for you like we work for you like he works for you and like directly to the council. So he wouldn't have the authority to go hire a lobbyist for you. So if you you would have to give him that authority and then he could go out and do what he needs to do on his authority or may be exceeding his authority if you give him the approval to do so. So we could amend the item to do it if you want. I go ahead.

Go ahead. Okay. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how do you determine you need additional lobbyists? What what what's the what's the determination? Do we have a track record that our current lobbyist doesn't get or the work is overwhelming and there there it's not it's not sufficient to be able to address the the number of items that might be on our agenda this year. You know, what's the justification? Can I answer that?

Yeah. No, let let But no, I'm I'm making the proposal. So, I mean the motion. So, I I like to address the as answer, Mr. Mayor. I like to address the council woman because it's my it's my item that I'm asking to make a motion to. I'm bringing the thought up. Go ahead.

It It's not necessarily a matrix to identify if our current lobbying team is doing an exceptional job or if they are overwhelmed and they need help. That's that's not my that's not what I'm here to do tonight. My job what I'm trying to do tonight is create an opportunity for the city manager. So, for an example, uh when we when Representative Robinson, our state representative and our state senator, got the water sir charge bill all the way passed on the house and on the Senate, it it essentially needed more manpower to get it crossed the governor's desk successfully. Um the current lobbying team uh did their job and from my underneath my uh but there's additional resources that you need to get more help. Um so I can't give you a report card of if it's a are they doing an exceptional job. I do believe they're doing a great job and can identify, but I believe as it outlines the priorities that have been outlined, um, we're going to need some we we I I want to see us aggressively go after the dollars that I know that is there. Um, and that is by a way of enhancing our lobbying team. We have had the our current lobbying team, they they've worked on behalf of the city for many years. Oh, but I would like to see it enhanced now. I would like to see more goals so that we can aggressively go after what's there.

So I I guess where I am is if we have our priorities set. True. And those priorities if we we already have our lobbying team, where is the assessment that our lobbying team is going to need a second stream or a backup? you know, and and and again, I I I I'm not I'm not I understand your train of thought, but what I'm saying is what's the what's the the trigger? What's the trigger to be able to say, listen, we got we got a team already here and we this is the this is the big old big old chunk that we're trying to get and what it's going to take to get to that. I'm saying what's the goal that we are trying to reach that a a a second team would be very very helpful to the first team. That's that's what I'm saying.

Yeah. I think otherwise it's just Yeah. Go ahead. I

I think more so for me it's when the city administration identify that the because the lobbyists we they work for us but they give their reports and they're working directly with the city manager and our city administration. So I believe what I'm trying to do, not what I believe, what I'm doing tonight, what I'm what I'm trying to do tonight is should the administration identify that there is help needed that we've already given them that opportunity. So it's the money is there. You have the authority to move forward. If you need to go forward, go ahead and do it. What happens is the legislative session moves so fast and there are moments where the administration and the current lobbying team or any lobbyists for that matter do not have an opportunity. They won't have the time when they get up to Tallahassee and get going to come back to us to say, "Hey, we need help. Can y'all give us some more resources?" So, what I'm doing is creating essentially a uh a buffer to be able to move forward expeditiously because once the legislative session happens, time is of the essence. We won't have much time to sit down and say, "Well, tell us why you need help so we can see if we need to give you the money." When we have a trusted administration that would be able to identify when the help needs to step in

and that that'll be gauged when the visits to Tallahassee and then conversations with the lobbyists and the legislators go uh begin. And then once they begin, once you find out that there may be some other things that's needed that somebody can't may not be able to, you know, apply, then they'll have that opportunity then to go ahead and either hire somebody or not if needed. And who judges that? It'll be judged based on the city manager. Okay. So, will we be notified?

Yeah, you guys will be notified. And the reason why I'm saying is say we I'm just going to Listen, I'm I'm I'm Listen, if we're going to spend $10, right, and we got $20 in the bank, right, for the for for it. How do we justify or know that this 20 this additional $10 is really needed? And if the council is willing to appropriate that for the city manager, then we should know when that that that that next lobbying level is increasing. It will come.

It should come before us. It will come before us. Okay? Because you can spend the money every time. You can spend it no matter what and you still end up with the same uh you know, same results. But if we put them uh if we load the gun saying we're got our bullets and we're ready to really fight for this, then yes, we should have the money. We should have the money somewhere where we can, the city manager and his team, they can say, "Hey, listen. We need additional resources." But I don't think you ought to put it all in there and every year you spending the same amount of money and still ain't getting nothing. It needs to be something that quantifies and qualifies whether or not getting another team in there is going to move the line. It's going to move us a little bit closer to what our goals are.

Now, well, it's never a guarantee that it's I got you. I I understand.

No, I understand. But if if if what we have is inadequate to put up a fight or to go forward to move the the the chain, then yes, I'm all for it. But I don't think that we ought to have the money in there and then um you spend the money and you still are getting nowhere. But it it's not really addressing the problem. And I know it sometimes in the legislative process, it is a multi-year process to be able to achieve legislative uh uh you know, goals. And I'm not I'm not I'm not, you know, there is no way that I'm negating that as a reality. But what I'm also saying is is that when we're spending our money, we need to be going after what we know we can win. And we shouldn't just be putting more in there, have a lot of lobbyists, and guess what? We have no results.

Mr. Mayor, if I will

go ahead. And so this appears to be a little premature in terms of because we don't know if we're going to need a lobbyist. I think that this should be something that's evaluated if the need arises and when the time come because this is going to fall on the back of our taxpayers and the things that we are going for. Is it going to be worth the amount of money that we're going to be paying for our lobbyists? And do we is there a cap? Is there I mean is it going to go out for a bid? Do we I guess the city manager would make an executive decision I guess by way of this council but it just appears a little premature at this stage especially with the legislature being in committee right now. Discussions have not started as of yet and we have a lobbyist team that is capable of providing information to us to let us know which way the legislature is going. Those are my thoughts on that.

All right, Mr. Mayor.

Yes. Uh so let me let me let me bring let me bring some clarity um to a few remarks that was made um and and and trust me hear me and hear me very well. Um this this is the benefits the residents of Miami Gardens. So when you talk about seaw walls caving in, when you talk about infrastructure improvements that need to take place holistically around the entire city, um that's what we are here to do. We have a obligation to ensure that the city continue to move progressively. Unfortunately, there are major issues that residents are experiencing that we do need help from not just our state government but our federal government as well. So what that does is that what lobbying does is send the lobbyists on behalf of the city to go to the decision makers and persuade them to give us the thousands if not millions of dollars that's needed to fix a a seaw wall in a neighborhood where you have a 75 year old that can't go in the backyard. So when we talk about it's an investment and it's a it's on the back of the residents, you absolutely right. It is thousands of dollars that I would rather invest in. In fact, I would even say that it's not premature because yes, they are in committee. Our lobbyists should be in committee talking to them now about the priorities that we outline

on this couns. So, I definitely believe it is a conversation. Nevertheless, all I'm saying is give the city administration the authority because they're the ones that work with our lobbying team to be able to move forward. Now, if there if we need to put a dollar amount to cap it, if we need to put anything in place to ensure that we can make sure we're being good stewards over our finances for the residents, I'm open to that. I don't have a problem with capping dollars. This is not about Robert Stevens. This is about making sure that we hit a home run for the residents of Miami Gardens. the infrastructure projects, the educational projects, everything that's outlined here. This is about making sure we hit a home run. I've been here on the DAS for six years and some of these some of these priorities has been sitting on here for six years. Some of these we we got we received a check for lastly estates. How long have we been fighting for lastly estates? So, all I'm saying is it's now time to put a little bit more aggressiveness to our fight.

But, all right. So, you want to you want to amend this? You want to amend May May I Mr. Mayor? So, I I just I just don't think that more lobbyists would lead to more results. How How can we quantify that? That's just my thoughts. more lobbyists, more money will lead to more results. So we're that how do we quantify that? Well, Mr. Mayor, I guess Wilson, go ahead.

See, for me, I don't necessarily have have a problem with money being placed in a treasury for the purpose of loading the guns to go after what we want. I think that I have a problem with it not coming to this council for the decision to be made that this is where we've been trying to get and we've got to load our guns a little bit more in order to push through. When you give it in an administrative way without accountability for those dollars, right? And I'm I'm just going to use this as an example. If we allocate $50,000 for our lobbyists, I'm just a just a number, right? and we say in our treasury for our lobby lobbyists, we're going to put an additional 50,000 in case it takes us to get through there. It ought to come before this council. It ought to come before us so that we'll know that those dollars are over and above what our targeted use would be because then it begins to explain to us what the lobbying process is, what kinds of movement they that we're making, and what it's going to take from us on the ground to be able to go. So, so, so I don't have a problem with act identing or directing our city manager to to give us a monthly report to update us along the legislative priorities. That that that's no issue if that's what you're saying.

No, that's not what you're what you're saying accountability. I'm saying that if additional funds over what we allocate in our annual budget are require is needed then it comes before us. if additional funds for, you know, additional lobbyists, it comes before us so that we know because we will spend this money and won't know. Yeah. No. So, it needs to it needs to come right back here. If if we allocate 50,000, we think that's sufficient to get through and we need another 50. We ought to have that in reserve to be able to to do to, you know, to to appropriate it accordingly based on our needs.

Yeah. No, respectfully, I dis I that's that's against what it is that I'm proposing. So, no. Well, respectfully, I think you're a motion. We need to motion on the [snorts] motion to amend something. Yeah. Right now, we we have no motion on the table right now. We're at the resolution right now. It's either Vice Stevens, you could make your motion

to amend. I Well, I don't know the best word to the way to word it. So, I would need you all to assist me with that. and but essentially I want to be able to give our city administration the ability to hire additional lobbyists uh should there it's needed during the time of our legislative the the legislative sessions in in session to go after our priorities should it's needed be before you make the motion Mr. Mayor, go ahead. I think I think both of you are kind of saying the same thing. There needs to be a trigger moment, right? So, something has to trigger that to go into effect what you want to happen,

right? So, if we're going to make the motion, there needs to be some type of trigger that we know, okay, well, this item is right here and it needs a tush push to get over and that would trigger the city manager to go ahead and uh use those extra funds. [snorts] I think that would be the best way to make the item because at some point you're going to have to identify when they need the help. So you have to determine the trigger. Mr. Manager, when did we require additional help for the other the item that just the water sewer item? When did we require additional help? This was like late in January, February sometime.

Yeah, Mr. Mayor. It was late and it was during the time where everything had been voted by the senate and by the house and it was on its way to the governor's desk. Yeah. So in between the time that it was approved by the house and senate, we then brought on additional lobby an additional lobbyist during that period of time from the time of approval to the governor's uh desk.

Okay. And so right now all we're asking is that you have the authority to if you need to hire somebody that you'll be able to do so um and then that that can also be brought back to us before you actually hire somebody that late in the game. Yes. And and and I Mr. Mayor and I think if if I got into that position um and it came up last year.

Yeah. we got into that position. There was a motion made on the day for additional funding. But if I see that we need some additional lobbying assistance, certainly I would bring it to the council. I wouldn't arbitrarily go spend additional monies just off off the cuff. That's number one. Number two, maybe since we have the experience of those lobby and firms helping us during that period of time of something being approved to the governor's approvals, whether it be signing something in law and or approving the overall budget. That might be the time frame where if I need to, I would bring that to your attention. Okay.

So, can I ask a question? Yeah. Uh so to and this is more so to my colleagues I guess Councilwoman uh Wilson and Julian if we identify a cap and put a cap in place would that be concise to what it is that you all are saving? No, I for me I'm not as concerned about the the amount of money. I'm concerned and I guess maybe the word that that Reggie has used, Councilman um Leon has used is what is the trigger for us to know that we're in a space now that it's going to take more resources than what we originally projected. Gotcha. The city manager just

Hold on. The city manager, I think, just stated that he'll be able to come back to us and let us know that, hey, I need I'm going to need the additional funds, but what he's asking for doesn't indicate anywhere in there that this it's a secondary approval that's required for the additional money. He's going to be able to make that decision and of course he would bring it back to us, but it doesn't say anywhere that that's will be the So, I'm totally fine with but he hasn't made he hadn't made a Mr. Mayor Marin. Yeah. Oh,

I believe one of the things if I um can point it out is that um I think it's important the communication come back to the council. If we are in a position as it was last year um that the council is aware of it and that we are able to make a decision as a body to take action. No doubt we support our manager But our fiduciary responsibilities is to make decisions on how finances flow. And if we're in a position where the individuals who are lobbying for us need assistance, we need to know that. So, I believe what um has been said and I am in agreement with um Councilwoman Linda Jolene as well as with um Councilwoman Wilson. There has to be something in place that we are brought back. It's brought back to table for the council to be aware that we're in that state that we need additional resources.

Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. You want to make your motion?

Yeah. You know, I don't I don't have a problem with any I don't have account a a problem with accountability. I don't have a problem with making sure that we're tracking the process, which is what we're hearing. We want to know what the trigger is. How do we identify that there is help is needed more so than just making sure that we create an avenue that our city administration can aggressively work and freely work given that the legislative session is a very tight time frame and a lot of times we don't have enough time to go after and make the adjustments to our original plan. So I was essentially creating the plan B should plan A don't go as planned. Plan A is our current lobbying team moving forward, but should they say, "Hey y'all, we need help." We have a plan B in place. That's ide currently what I decided. I mean, was originally going for, but it would need a little bit more conversation. So, I am going to redraw the motion. I didn't put a motion. You didn't put a motion in.

I didn't put a motion. So, I'mma just move forward and then at a later date, we can have a conversation. And if you need to bring something, you could bring it on. Yeah, I'll bring something that brings a little bit more clarity to provide more conversation around. I'm open to hearing everyone's idea. It's not an aggressive thing, but I just want to ensure that we actively work and allow our city administration and our lobbying team to have the support that they need uh as it relates to our priorities on the agenda. So, thank you all for your feedback and your comments. I will put together a resolution that we'll be able to address at a later date. Thank you. All right. Any more questions on that?

None. I need a motion on this item motion. Seconded. Been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposition. What are we What are we voting? We voting on the item. The original original thing on his item. Yeah. No, not his item. He never made a motion. We voting on the original item to approve our legislative thing. Okay. I'm sorry. I thought I thought they did. I'm sorry, Mr. Clerk. What's going on? You want a roll call on the legislative? Yeah. On this one.

On approval of item 11.1. Counciloman Wilson. This is approval of the resolution as published in the agenda right now without any just yeah yes said anything y'all don't got me yes yes thank you counciloman Julian yes vice mayor Stevens yes counciloman Baskin yes council Leon yes counciloman pow yes mayor Harris I vote yes motion passes listen all right we're now on to item 12. 121.

121, which is the add-on item. I'm sorry, my system just [clears throat] All right. Item 12.1, a resolution of the city council, city of Miami Gard, Florida, allocating an amount not to exceed $10,000 from Councilwoman Michelle C. Pile's community benefit account in support of ongoing community initiatives, provided for adoption, reputation, provided for an effective date, and this is sponsored by Councilwoman Pal. Councilwoman. Oh, who pulled who pulled this out? Oh, it ain't P. Oh, I'm sorry. It's at home. Councilwoman,

thank you so much, council. You know, um this has been added as we are now at the end of this year and we we're in a state where our community really needs resources as well as to have support during um the time where they're not working as well as um for the holidays. and we are will only be having um one additional meeting in December. So, it's important that we um these initiatives get out to support families through the holidays to support families through the Christmas time as well as to continue the education that I've been doing with the community and the residents of C3. Thank you. Need a motion on motion?

Yes. Motion second. Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition? Showing none. Show the item passes.

All right. We're now to quasi zone quasi judicial zoning hearing/gending disclosures. We got a birthday. Good evening, council. Good evening, mayor, city manager, city council. Welcome to the quasi judicial portion of the November 12th, 2025 city council meeting. For those persons that will or may be speaking on an item on the agenda or commenting on any item, please stand up and be sworn in by the city clerk. For the applicants, your item will be called to the order by the agenda number and by title of your request. When your item is called, please approach the microphone and when addressed, please speak directly and clearly stating your name and address for the record and explain the reason for your request. Please note that all exhibits presented to the mayor and council will become part of the public record. Mr. Mayor.

Yes. Before I go reading the items, can I pull the council for gender disclosure? Yes, you may. All right. Collectively, mayor, vice mayor, and city council, has any member had any um exparte communication on both items that are on for quasi judicial? No. No. And will your decisions tonight for both items be based on evidence presented to you tonight? Yes. Yes.

All right. Thank you. Item 13.2, ordinances on second reading, public hearing. Item 13.2.1 in order to city council city Miami Gardens Florida approving the reszoning of that certain property located at northwest corner of northwest 203rd lane and 39 court intersections in Miami Gardens Florida more described in exhibit A attached here too from architectural and utilities AU and PN and single family dwelling residential R1 and PN to plan development PD and PN repealing all ordinances in conflict providing surveillance clause providing for inclusion code provided for an effective date and is sponsored by the city manager Mr. Manager,

Mr. Mayor, Vice Mayor, council members, uh, mayor and council members, I am going to ask for a deferral of this item to the December 10th, 2025 meeting 5:30. All right, we need a motion to defer this item. Motion been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition? Showing none, show the item deferred.

All right, we're now on to item 13.2, resolutions, public hearing. Item 13.3.1, a resolution city council, city Margar, Florida, approving the application for variance submitted by MG Westside LLC for the property located at 21451 Northwest 47th Avenue. more particularly described on exhibit A attachure 2 permitting a reduction in number of parking spaces set for in the code to 659 spaces where 1,774 spaces are required for the development site provided for adoptation repealing all ordinances in conflict provided for an effective date and this is sponsored by the city manager [clears throat] Mr. Manager

Mr. Mr. Mayor, vice mayor, council members, before you is a proposed variance supported by staff. Um, this variance will reduce the number of parking spaces at the said development. Um, and staff is recommending approval for that um for this item. Need a motion on this item. Motion second. Moved and second. Public comments are now open on this item. Any written communication on this item? No written communication, ma'am. showing none and showing no public comments. Public comments are now closed. Are there any questions or concerns from the deis on this?

Yes, I have um a question. So, what impact will the reduction in parking space have on the tenants?

Yes. So, the proposal the incoming business um they're proposing at peak about 110 uh employees. Um so that will lead a surplus of about 35 parking spaces. Um you know warehouses now in 2025 it's not a assembly line type of warehouse where you need hundreds of workers. This type of business model they use automative processes to develop products and in that in this case we feel that this variance is appropriate for this type of business model. Um and they're also improving on-site circulation on their site. So that's something that we're generally happy about. It won't be an unneeded burden uh to the community. As you know, it's on County Line Road and 47th Avenue. So we don't foresee any traffic issues. This has also been reviewed by our traffic consultant, our traffic engineering consultant, and he's found that this being uh sufficient according to our ordinance.

Okay. because I am concerned. We are definitely having a lot more traffic and uh we do know that the construction work on roads are lagging and the impact on the community with um traffic. So, I'm glad to hear that you've had the study and they are in agreement with um the requested reduction. That's correct. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions or concerns from the Yes, Mr. Mayor. Go ahead. And [clears throat] so what is through the mayor uh through the manager what is the requested reduced amount?

So the requested reduced amount is of bridge point is it it's the northern building that you see here uh building A. Um they're going from 513 spaces to 145 spaces. Um they're also increasing the number of stalls for their trailers. Um, and this is essentially again to improve on-site circulation. Um, and as you know, our parking count and our ordinance is some of the highest in in the in the county and in Broward County. Um, and that's something that we're working with. But for this particular site, they're reducing only the northern building or building A to 145 parking spaces. So, we're going from 513 spaces that were originally proposed down to 145. So, we're reducing 368 parking spaces.

Correct. That's a 62% uh reduction in parking spaces. And what's going to go in place of that space? Right. And I I can let the applicant speak more on it, but they want two-way traffic on some some areas. Um, as you know, they're going to be bringing in, you know, 18 wheelers and things of that nature, cargo. Um, so it improves on-site circulation. Um, they're also increasing the number of stalls for um, some of those containers as well. So, some of that combination of on-site circulation improvements and the increase in the number of stalls will fill that that space that you're talking about.

Thank you. Can we hear from the applicant? Sure. And while the applicant come, Mr. Mayor, the manager, this will help um reduce some of the traffic that would now be going into Lake Lassern, right, with the with them adding with them reducing parking and taking more trucks onto their property because this new they're they're creating the new road, the new entrance to Lake Lassern. So, this will help alleviate some of the 18 Willer traffic and keep it on their property and take it off that new road that they're building. Okay. [clears throat] Good evening. Hi,

Benjamin Hedrickk. Uh, 98 Southeast 7th Street, Miami, Florida, 33131. On behalf of the applicant, also with me are Francis Rura, senior VP of development for the applicant and Mike Carr, our traffic engineer and civil engineer for the project. First off, just like to say we agree with everything uh in the staff report with staff finding and staff recommendation. If the council would like a more detailed explanation of the impacts in the site and the parents being requested, I'd like to call up our traffic engineer and our SVP of development to explain it. Please.

Good evening, council. Michael Carr with Lang Engineering offices at 1221 Burkel Avenue, Miami. Um, so the main reason for the the reduction of parking is to pry for better circ circulation along the site and also allow for more queuing of trucks that are coming in before they get checked in and into the more secure truck area. So essentially on the eastern side of the building, there was a row of parking there that is being transitioned into a queuing area for trucks to come in, get off the public roadway and to queue onto the property safely and not to impact the public. Okay. Okay. So, this will help mitigate some of the traffic congestion that may potentially come. Correct. Yes. Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Mayor. Yes.

I just wanted to correct myself. Not Lake Lassern, but the new residential where the towers are. This will on 47th. This will Good. Good. This will help them. Great argument though. Great argument. If the item not moved, I'll move the item. It's already been moved in second. It's already been moved and second. Yeah, we ready. You ready? You guys had any other questions for the developer? No. All right. Thank you. You can have a seat. Thank you. Call the RO. Call the RO, please. Councilwoman Baskin, yes. Council Leon, yes. Councilwoman Pal, yes. Councilwoman Wilson, yes.

Councilwoman Julian, yes. Vice Stevens, yes. Mayors, I vote. Yes. Motion passes 70. We're now on to the report to the mayor and city council members. Councilwoman Wils, I mean Councilwoman [laughter] Judy.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And quick reports to quick reports.

I got you. Uh as before before we close tonight's meeting, I just want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible things happening in and around our city and to express my gratitude for the people and the partnerships that continue to move Miami Gardens forward. Uh this past Monday, um we had the pleasure and honor of recognizing those who have given everything for our freedom during the veterans monument dedication and unveiling of the veterans benches. This is a bench that symbolizes the freedoms that we live today. Um, it was more than a ceremony. It was a moment of unity, gratitude, and pride. And to every veteran and everyone who is in the armed forces, to every family whose loved one has served, we want to say thank you. The monument now stands as a permanent reminder that your courage, your sacrifice, and service are never forgotten in the city of Miami Gardens. And as we close tonight and as we head into the holiday season, I just want to say how proud I am to serve this incredible city. It's a place where progress is powered by the people, purpose, and pride. Thank you to all of my colleagues and to our city staff and most importantly to our residents. Together, we're not just building a city, but we're building a legacy. And this ends my report.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Baskin. Um, I have no report, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councilwoman Baskin. Hey, everybody. None of y'all. Councilwoman Wilson.

Okay. Um, I would just like to thank um all of uh my residents that came to our meet Monday. We had a wonderful time and um we were preparing for the holidays, Thanksgiving and as well as for the prosperity baskets that we will be giving out in December. I would encourage all of you to get one so that you are able to share um with your families. More details for that will be forthcoming. I also would like to take a moment to shout out the Rainbow Park community and and Rainbow Park Elementary where I served as principal for a day. I want to um um also do a special shout out as always to parks and recreation along with public works with the fine work that you guys are doing and helping Rainbow Park to be shaped up and to to move in a in a much better way. Yesterday I I cleaned um I I did a cleanup of the of a veteran's home and um I I I will tell you I had an incredible time uh working with our veterans, our men and women who have served really laid their lives down on the line and as they sometimes unfortunately may fall on hard times, it takes a community of people who are willing to give of themselves and of their time and resources. to help the quality of life to either be stabilized or definitely improved. So, I was honored to be there with um with this veteran yesterday and his family and they welcomed me in and um it was a lot of hard work that we did, but it it felt so good in my heart to be able to do it and to be able to do it with such quality people. So to hats off to all of our veterans, our men and women who have who have given of their time. Upcoming events we have for March uh 28, I mean I'm sorry, December 5th is our empowering women for living and learning at it's a powerful legacy of which we

will continue the conversations about um the women's um commission study. It will be held at um Betty T. Ferguson. It will be a light reception and then we'll move right into discussing the issues. We're going to have some special guests there that will hold we will where we will hold conversations about what our next step should be. And then finally, um I want to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and I wish you and your families God's speed and blessings. Thank you. That is my report. [laughter] Thank you, Councilwoman. My pleasure. Councilwoman Pal. Thank you, Mayor.

Well, everyone, it is the November and we Yes, in addition to our Thanksgiving, we also are in the health tip. We are celebrating diabetic awareness. And with that, we held a diabetic awareness symposium on Wednesday. We had a group of 70 seniors who presented and they received free glucometers to manage their health. And we had um volunteers from St. Thomas as well as from um our um our community um Jesse Tri present there to assist and educate our our residents. In addition on we had our healthy youu podcast and we were able to host a gentleman from um Lorenzo Hall and I thank him for participating in sharing his story and making it personal that diabetes which affects over 38 million people in the United States is real and in our city where it's predominantly African descent and Hispanic population um it represents over 12% of individuals in in the country that have diabetes. Diabetes affects your vision, affects your nerves, it can affect your entire life. So this month as we do celebrate the holidays, um be aware to support individuals who have diabetes and encourage them to maintain the course of good eating habits so that they do not fall on the consequences that can arise for complications of diabetes. I would also like at this time to thank my city, the staff who has participated and doing a drive for Jamaica and the relief. I'm proud of my city because we are

going hands in all on board. We are still holding um um drives that you can deposit things over at the police department as well as Betty T. But in addition, I'm also proud of the residents of Miami Gardens and the church communities that have come out to say yes. Not only do I love Jamaica for celebrating and enjoying, but I also love it to see it thrive again. So, if you if you have anything in your closet that's duplicated, doubled, or you haven't used in a while, please make that donation to this um of to Jamaica who really has suffered through this and are going to rebuild, and they're going to rebuild strong, but they do need your help. Um we in addition I'd like to also remind everyone that um I do hold my monthly meeting and it will be on the 25th talk with the doc and this time it will be at Bunch Park. Put on your calendars for December 6th where our seniors will have their extravaganza for Christmas. Um that's Saturday and it will be a beautiful event. They're doing a great job in getting it organized. And I only have one message and that is don't let your healthy garden become overgrown with weeds. Tend to it like you want it to grow. Thank you. That's my message.

Thank you, D. Councilman.

Yes. I would like to thank uh take this time to thank the mayor, Councilwoman Linda Julian, um Tamara Wadley, Derek Baker, um Stephen, uh Councilwoman's assistant, legislative analyst. We were able to service 500 residents on last Saturday. U this was our suspended license program. We still got 12,500 residents left with suspended license that we need to u continue to service. And I want to thank the clerk's office for uh partnering with us. We had legal aid services available where we were able to provide free legal aid to a lot of those residents. Um our biggest need in this city right now is seal and expungement and estate planning. We had so many of our seniors there that were there to get those free services for estate planning. And what that does is that keeps our community looking like our community where we're able to put them in a position that they don't have to pay for to be able to go ahead and plan those estates so they don't have to lose those homes when uh their parents and loved ones transition. So, thank you. It was Mr. Cameron Vincent. It was fun watching Tamara check people in and get them situated. Also, uh I was able to partner with uh Trick Daddy and Sunday's Eery starting on Wednesday. And I want to thank um Trick Daddy Sundays Commissioner Oliver Gilbert made a donation. Councilwoman Michelle Powell, DJ Khaled. We even had one of our police, one of our police officers stop by and write a $500 check to be able to help uh feed. We fed over 2100 federal employees. Um, and just to see the face of those people that you wouldn't even

know work for the federal government that's right in our community was very touching. um people who were in the restaurant just to eat on their own was leaving money to be able to assist those people that came with their kids. So um shout out to them for partnering with us and we cannot forget breast cancer. I'm trying to move out of the month of October,

but we have such a need. Yesterday I want to thank um Pette Murphy and her team for unlocking the gates at Betty T. We had 61 women because of the turnout that we've had with this mammogram van bringing it to our community. We are at 251 women that have been tested for free. You know, partnering with the mayor and his golf tournament. We use those proceeds to test the uninsured. Yesterday on Veterans Day, we had 61 women who came out to be tested. four of those women uh fortunately uh there was some detection but because of early prevention they'll be okay and again we had to reschedu because of more people who wanted to show up. So we're here we are going into November and we're still uh testing women for breast cancer. But that just shows you the need in our community and and the lack of people that have insurance. But as a council we're there to support them. And also this Sunday, this Saturday, right across the street in Sundays, we'll be passing out 400 turkeys. Uh my sixth annual turkey giveaway. So if you know anybody in need a turkey, make sure you stop by.

What time? That's going to be from 11 to when everything is gone. So normally that stuff run out in about an hour. Yeah. In the same place. Right here across the street. It's in the plaza. It's in the plaza. Okay.

Yeah. You can come and get your nails done and you can get a turkey on your way out. Um, also this weekend I had the pleasure of joining Vice Chairman Keone McGee down at um, his Jazz in the Heights. Again, here in Miami Gardens, we are inspiring people all throughout Day County to emulate what we're doing and take it to their community and provide the same services. And it was a very good turnout. But I met um, I don't want to mess his name up, Bju Bang. and he's doing a um he's his foundation is collecting uh perishable non-p perishable items for Jamaica. We know here in Miami Gardens we have a very large Caribbean population. So I told him that I would assist him in any way that I can to help get those items to Opaaka. So the address is 14600 Northwest 42nd Avenue Hangar 42. And if you want to between 9:00 to 5:00 daily, you can drop off uh non-p perishable items so that they can load it on the plane to take to Jamaica. And that ends my report. Mr. Mayor,

thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think Councilman Leon took advantage of uh the short reports over to my left and said, "I'mma take your time on the right." No, I was watching the clock. [laughter] I was watching the clock.

But all great things. all great things that's happening in transitioning uh in in the betterment of our community. So, uh kudos to each of my colleagues for the projects that they're spearheading and leading. On November 18th at Betty T. Ferguson uh recreational complex, I'll partner with uh Kelly Education to host a substitute teacher uh hiring expo. This expo would allow residents to have the opportunity to participate in in-person interviews for same day hiring as substitute teachers and Miami Dade County as well as Broward County. On Monday, November 24th, starting at 10:00 a.m., I'll be partnering with the Progressive Firefighters Association and 99 Gems to host our annual Thanksgiving uh driveth through turkey giveaway. This will take place again at the Betty T. Ferguson Center on a first come first serve basis while supplies last. Can't wait to see each of you there.

Time

that is 10:00 a.m. Starting at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 24th. Um that is the Monday before Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, December 2nd, we would have another great edition of my office hours. uh you're welcome to come and sit with me on a one-on-one basis starting at 400 pm um out of the educational wing at our community center. And then later that evening on December 2nd at 6:30 p.m. I'll be partnering with our state senator Chevron Jones to host our uh jingle and mingle holiday reception and toy drive at the Rolling Notes Park. Um and then last but certainly not least, my colleagues approved tonight uh and we will be having our ribbon cutting for the uh the steam center which would take place on Saturday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m. Um the community is welcome to come out. This would also take pla uh there would also be a community celebration at the end of the ribbon cutting held at Bunch Park. Um so I invite everyone to come out. This is a project that uh uh our commissioner, county commissioner Oliver Gilbert and the Orange Bowl Committee work to diligently bring to the city of Miami Gardens to advance education and create opportunities for the residents of Miami Gardens. So again, thank you all for your support this evening uh to pass this item and I look forward to seeing you all at the ribbon cutting and the many events that was listed. As always, you can find these details out on our city social media, email blast, website, or you can call our fabulous clerk's office. [laughter]

That ends my report, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Vice Mayor. First, let me just take this opportunity to opportunity once again to thank Dr. Po for his service not only to the city but to the residents of this community and um to wish you well going into a city manager's job or it's going to be a tough road down in Florida City, man. But if it's anything that we can do to assist you, please let us know. And this just goes to show you guys that the talent that Miami Gardens has. Every city in Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, they're trying to steal our employees, trying to take them away from us. Um, they come here and learn a great deal from some of the best people in their positions like our city manager, our attorney, our clerk. And then they work with the greatest residents of all, you guys. So, Doc, enjoy the drive. We'll run into you sometime down there. And then I want to take this opportunity with the holidays rapidly approaching just to tell each and every one of you this is the season for joy, compassion, understanding, and I wish that you spend time with those that you care about and even take a moment to go visit a neighbor that you may not even know. But let's share in the joys of this holiday season and make sure that we live up to what all the hoopla about the holidays is about caring and spending time with each

other. So God bless you guys and have a happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you guys back in December. motion. We need a motion, too. Oh, so we ain't going to do our report. We do our reports. This is what we doing. Hey, [laughter] we we've sat up here for a long time. No report. No report, Mr. Manager. [laughter] I just want to say congratulations, Jame. Good luck to James. Good luck to you and your new endeavor. And we'll see you at Jasmine Gardens. I forgot. That's it, madam attorney. Yeah. And happy Thanksgiving to Happy Thanksgiving. Yeah, Mr. Clerk. All right, I got a report. I know. [laughter]

I just want to just want to say thankful to the city of Miami Gardens. Happy Thanksgiving to all the residents, to my fellow co-workers and staff, charter officers, mayor, council. Wish everybody happy Thanksgiving. And to Dr. Pog, I know you going to walk on there in the 357. So, Mo, have fun out there, man. So, move to B. I need a motion to adjurnn. Been moved and seconded. Show this meeting and adjourn.