Remarks by Danielle Cohen Higgins
389 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 12 of 16
- Play at 1:05:53
“Correct. Okay. Um, And I bring that up because the spirit of that resolution was to allow, because there was an issue and there was a time where our selection committees were not reviewing proposals, particularly lengthy ones that were dense and that had high contract values. And we wanted to mandate oral presentation so that additional information can be gathered so that better decisions can be made. And that was the spirit of that item. And then to the attorneys, I am trying to understand the determination that was made that seems to be kind of carrying the day that only the top three…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:07:40
“I think it's February 9th, 2026. Okay. So the attorneys are there. All of the proposers reconvene and accounting attorneys there. They see that five proposers are there. Why wasn't there an opinion stated then? Whoa, wait a minute. We can't move forward. There's only supposed to be three of you.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:08:23
“Right. So are you saying that you weren't aware of the issue on February 9th, 2026 regarding the RFP being written such that it's your opinion today? I'm not suggesting that I agree with that opinion, but are you saying that you weren't aware at the February 9th, 2026 meeting that only three should have advanced or that you were not aware of the language in the RFP?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:10:05
“Okay. And the officer, I don't know the individual's names, but the officer that was part of the procurement that opined differently, that was aware of the language within the RFP, that knew that it said three will advance to orals, but specifically said, because of this situation of the points being so close and two proposers scoring tied, it's my professional opinion that five should advance to What is his title? I'm sorry, what is his title?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:11:39
“Okay. What was the title of that staff member that you just mentioned?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:11:51
“Okay, I'm asking for the title because it was my understanding that he was some sort of chief procurement officer. I could be wrong. Maybe that's not his title.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:11:59
“But I ask for his title because it's my understanding that he asked for additional companies to move to Orals because that's common practice. Is that not common practice within your procurement department when two scores are very, very close to each other? that they advance in order to allow the selection committee greater information and access to greater information via the oral presentations.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:12:47
“Yeah, so I, and what I'm trying to, I think what I'm trying to lay out here is the. The language of the 3 topped ranked moving on to orals is not pursuant to this board's. Policy, because it's not applicable to contracts. In excess of 25M dollars annually, you all just threw it in there for good of the order. And then we have a. Procurement officer that has been doing this for years that made a judgment call is what it sounds like and in the right spirit in all defense of him to say, listen, these are really close. This is a very important contract. Let's hear from as many as we possibly can…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:15:56
“So there's not a deadline on the FDA funding. It's built in and we're safe when it comes to that. We don't risk. We are not at risk. We are not at risk at losing. Okay. So, so what I'm hearing and again, I appreciate the chief saying that we're not entirely sure of where it is that we are going, but. It is very clear to me that you all intend to negotiate only with the top three original ranked bidders on this RFP. And you may not be ready to commit to that or not. But that is what I am gathering because I've heard it now from the director of the department. I've heard it from the attorney.…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:17:14
“Okay, and thank you for that. And, you know, to our business community that is paying close attention to these committee hearings and every vote that we take and every decision that we make, you know, what do we need to do as a board? What do we need to do as the – we're not the administrators. We are the legislators. I can only – assume the frustration from our business community. Let me just say that safely. I can only assume the frustration. What can we do as a board to allow for this sort of fact pattern to not play out? And that's a conversation for another date and another time. But we…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:20:06
“Okay. So understanding, so it's the, then your response shouldn't be conditional. It's not, we would like that if it's withdrawn, it will be on our next agenda, assuming the PR the prerogative of our, of our chairman. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:21:11
“So, I'll make the motion I 2nd, the motion of Madam chair, if I maybe recognize point of order on our rules, right as a committee. We cannot issue directives to the administration. Is that correct? We can as a body vote on items that would then have to advance to the board for final hearing in order for them to be. Directives and this is what I've learned recently, Madam chair. Otherwise it is a request for information, but the message is the same, right? We don't convene in August. So if we don't get it in July, we're talking about September. And I think that that would just be a situation…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:22:20
“You mean what we did at the last committee hearing? Right. Right.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:28:31
“Thank you. Madam chair. Have we done an analysis? I understand that it won't be applied retroactively. It certainly would apply to pending applications that are before the board that we're all very familiar with. Not, not that it would apply. It would have applied if it were in effect at that time, but have we done an analysis on, should this pass, um, How many applications it may affect or would it affect no applications that have already been submitted prior to the passage of this? Assuming it passes.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:29:12
“Yeah, because if I'm planning on doing something like this and I see this on an agenda, you may get 15 text amendments just to sideswipe this being enacted. So I'm trying to understand the universe of text amendment applications that are either sitting in your office or that you anticipate coming in your office, because I think the timing of this Or if you say it's not an issue, then it's not an issue.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 1:30:03
“Yes, it would not have effect on those already filed. And I'll learn from you directly on what those numbers and what that universe may be between now and final hearing. Thank you, Madam Chair.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jun 10, 2026
- Play at 0:15
“Good morning, everyone. It's 10.30 a.m. Please close the doors and please take your seat. Our airport and seaport. Please take your seats. Please close the doors. It's 10.30 a.m. and our meeting is about to commence. Thank you all for joining us. Can we please stand for a moment of prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Gonzalez.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 1:06
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, Will the clerk please take the roll?”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 1:54
“Once again, thank you all for being here and welcome to our Miami International Airport and Seaport Committee hearing. We're doing things a little bit differently this morning and bringing the committee hearing to the airport with the intention specifically of having greater participation of our airport community. So I am grateful for those of you that are in attendance. We are here to listen to you, to address your concerns, and we're grateful for your attendance and your participation this morning at our hearing. We will start with the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. This…”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 7:18
“Thank you so much. I gave you an extra minute because of the translation. Okay. But thank you so much. Okay. Gracias. Gracias, senora. Thank you.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 11:24
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 19:37
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 25:39
“Thank you. Thank you for being here. Quick question on your presentation, and thank you for sharing. I'm sure administration will do their work to push this messaging out, and congratulations to all involved in the results of this survey. But how do you get the data?”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 26:14
“Thank you so much. To my colleagues, anybody have any questions or comments on J.D. Power presentation? Thank you very much for being here this morning. You're very welcome. To our Beacon Council, are you present? Good morning and welcome. It's always a pleasure to see you. Please, within five minutes, share with us your economic update.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026
- Play at 31:42
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jun 8, 2026