Remarks by Christi Fraga
2,372 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 35 of 95
“So this basically creates more transparency, more guardrails, makes it a little stricter to make sure that we're not just going with any vendor, but we're providing three quotes to make sure that it's market rate.”
“Okay. And then the reason for moving from $1,000 to $10,000 for the bid protest, you explained it to me. I just want it for the sake of the public to understand why we are increasing that rate.”
“Right. So right now it's $1,000 for any size contract, to my understanding. Now it'll be based on a percentage, which is the 1%. Or less.”
“All right. Any other questions? I have a quick question. Yes.”
“Okay. Any other questions? Motion. Okay. Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.”
“All right. I'm going to go ahead and open up public comments for this item, item 19G-2, I'm sorry, or item 25-6369.”
“Anyone who would like to speak, please approach the podium. Being none. Public comments now closed. This is the second reading for the use of the seal and the logo that we enhanced to make sure that it was being followed and that nobody was misleading the public in a disparaging manner as to their personal or political opinion versus their position as an official representative of the city. Also for the use of the seal or the logo by any member of the public. There's no additional questions. I don't believe there was any material changes from first to second reading.”
“Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second by Councilman Reynoso. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.”
“I think the seal. So most of our state representatives have a seal in their offices that have been gifted to them as a representation of the cities they represent. So I believe what the election supervisor is trying to do is no different. She's putting up a wall of all the cities that they represent.”
“OK. Yep. All right. We have exhausted this meeting. And there's nothing else. And we can adjourn the meeting.”
“Congratulations. We look forward to you having a safe delivery. And yes, a baby definitely softens your heart, makes you a different person. So God bless. Maybe she'll be healthy. And may you guys enjoy it. All right. I need a motion to adjourn.”
“Motion to adjourn by Councilman Pinero. Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. All in favor say aye. Aye. This meeting is adjourned. We'll see you all December 10th, I believe. Yes.”
“initiatives for 2026. Now I'll call Councilwoman O'Connor. Councilwoman O'Connor is not. Vice Mayor Torres. Mayor Christy Fraga. Present. Mayor, you have quorum. All right. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vice Mayor Torres.”
“OK, everyone, good afternoon. Thank you for joining us. We called this meeting to have a quick discussion about our legislative priorities in an effort to catch up with the legislative session, make sure that things get to our Miami-Dade delegation with time. There is an agenda that was circulated and a backup that was part of this agenda, which is 2026 legislative priorities that has been prepared not just by my office and staff and with input from our lobbyists in Tallahassee. But today, and I think it's going to be circulated right now, In a very timely manner, the Florida House members…”
“So just to kind of go over the bills that were filed today, there's basically three categories. There's eliminations. House Bill 201, which was proposed by Rep. Steele, eliminates non-school non-school homestead property taxes. That basically means that there would be no property taxes on homes for the exception for school boards, which is, I think, the biggest portion of the bill for homeowners right now. The problem with that, and I think we have a presentation. Yes? Do you have it? Do you want to put it up? I think it'll be easier to look at it. We created this in the last hour or so to…”
“Home improvements and property insurance?”
“Okay. Yeah, I just don't want to cast, I don't want our city to stand behind something as an official position that's more wide net. Because I do think it would be detrimental, not just to, less to us than to other cities. But I think it sends the wrong message. Because say something like that does go on the ballot, I think it would be irresponsible of us to go out and advocate openly for something that we know will affect services to a community that needs it. And what I've been telling people when I'm asked about it is I do think there needs to be reform, but a total elimination of property…”
“So if it's homesteaded properties, Fernando, you want to come up? What we ran was, and I believe none of the proposals completely eliminates property taxes, which is a good thing.”
“But it would eliminate homesteaded properties? Correct. And so when we ran the numbers on homesteaded properties, Fernando?”
“Actually, I'm going to see if we can, can you put me in my office?”
“Fire would take a devastating hit, waste. I mean, there's a lot of.”
“By the way, the other thing we haven't addressed in any of this is the bonded.”
“Yes. The other thing that hasn't been addressed by the state is the bonded. the bond, you know, the debt, bonded debt, right? You can't.”
“Yeah. I think the most important thing as this moves forward is our communication needs to be very clear because this has horrible implications if it goes to an extreme. And so while I think we advocate responsibly for the reform, we do need to understand the impacts of it, because it is detrimental. And people voted to have a municipality make a copy of this. This is everything.”
“OK, perfect. People voted to have a municipality because of the services that we offer. It's having the response time we have with police. And there's been a lot of different discussions. I've talked to a lot of legislators. And I think it's important that they understand, as much as we want to say that it's not going to impact the essential services, cuts like this would absolutely impact on cities like ours that would survive, would impact the services. Or what's going to end up happening is some municipalities will have to increase their millage rates so that the income-producing…”