Remarks by Roberto J. Gonzalez
253 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 11
- Play at 33:29
“Yes, so I agree with the deferral. And if I could get the director to come back up.”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 33:46
“Thank you, Madam Chair. And so, first of all, I want to thank you for bringing this up early. Because I do appreciate the fact that now, I think this has been very positive, right? Because we're able to see that two years from now, This could possibly be necessary, but the Director of Solid Waste did bring up that you folks are trying to bring this in-house. And so I understand what you're saying regarding that although this expires in 28, it's very possible that we may only need two more years in order to bring this in house. But that's also an assumption because a lot of things can happen…”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 41:43
“Okay. And then the rest of the random chair on reason. So. I just want to make sure, because I believe the commissioner Lopez also added that we should procure the item.”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 42:09
“Yeah, I think she said she was going to procure. I just want to make sure that that's what we're doing because I think that Commissioner Lopez's line of questioning was on point. If we are bringing it in-house, we want to make sure that we're saving money. And if we're going to get that analysis and we procure it, it's almost the perfect time to do a comparison. And I think this is what you were saying, Commissioner Lopez. It's the perfect time to do the comparison as to whether we should bring it in-house or not because it's not only the equipment that we've already purchased. If I'm not…”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 47:09
“Yeah, of course. And just to piggyback off of what Commissioner Cohen-Higgins is saying, so I'm a litigator by trade, and when you go in front of a judge, And you're arguing a motion, you always bring copies of the motion for opposing counsel, and then you also bring a copy of the motion for the judge. So just for future reference, we're not trying to call you out. It was the same thing with other directors, but for the directors that are going to present after, if you can have those copies given to us before you come up to present, that would be outstanding.”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 53:38
“Yes, so I have to agree, and I do appreciate the Chief's explanation, because I do agree with the Deputy Mayor's explanation, because I do agree. I mean, it's not fair to you, and I hope that you're not taking this personally. It's not personal to you. I agree with commissioner Cohen Higgins that perhaps going through a presentation talking about how great. The technology department is and I have no doubt that it's great. We've met 1 on 1 before. We have no doubt that it's great and that. You're doing a great job as a director, but. For purposes of going through your budget and analyzing what…”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 56:19
“Yeah, and Madam Chair, if I could just add, and just to piggyback off what both of my colleagues have been saying, for those budget For those presentations, I don't think any of us are expecting anybody to just read off a screen. For those presentations, previously we had Josiel come up and he was very prepared um i think that that that's the level of expectation that i think everybody's going to have where you know don't just come up and read know your numbers because you are a highly capable director which is the equivalent of a ceo of a multi-million dollar organization so when you do come…”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 0:59
“Thank you, Madam Chair. If you can all bow your heads. Lord, thank you for this wonderful day that you've given us, Lord. We pray that you please bless everybody in attendance, that you bless every commissioner up here in this committee and in all committees, all the directors of Miami-Dade County. Lord, let your will be done and let every decision we make and everything that we do be for your glory and for the betterment of the people of Miami-Dade County. In your holy name we pray. Amen.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 33:04
“Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess we'll start with you. You did mention that there's a 3% reduction, is that correct?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 33:19
“Can you explain what the 3% reduction is attributed to?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 34:15
“So it's 7%. So it would be 4%. So what is that 4% that you're not counting on? What specifically are... what specifically is the department cutting to avoid that excessive four percent growth”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 35:01
“OK. And so just to be clear, as the chief stated, you are growing by 3% instead of 7%. Okay, thank you. And Namida, if you can come up, because you also mentioned that you folks were able to eliminate 50 positions. And then so what is the, I guess the 4% savings that you folks, what is that attributed to?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 36:03
“OKAY. SO YOUR GROWTH IS ONLY GOING TO BE BY 3% AS WELL?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 55:51
“Thank you, Madam Chair. And if I could get the directors to come up for one second as well, because I think the Chair makes a great point. And so that's kind of the reason why I started off by asking the difference between that 3% to 7%. I thought it was 6%, that's why I asked for the 3% reduction, because in reality, We're not really reducing we're still growing by 3%. So I'm going to. To echo the sentiments of of the chair. Comparing it to the state is one of the reasons why I've always been a fan. Vicky Lopez right. The governor. For the entire time that he's been governor right. And…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 1:02:16
“Thank you chief and you know I I appreciate that explanation and I also want to I also want to point out that you know I did meet with you and Mister Baker and the mayor and I know you guys have been working very hard I do and I recognize that you've been working very hard. I guess I think the hesitation that we're seeing from the board members up here in this committee in particular and I think other board members as well is the projection has always been for growth. And thank you for explaining it so eloquently. I understand where you're coming from, but the projection is always growth,…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 1:17:04
“Yes, Commissioner Gonzales, you're recognized. And just to piggyback off of what Commissioner Millian-Orbis said, right? Because even if in November the homestead exemption expansion doesn't happen, most of the candidates for governor, especially the front runner, are already contemplating regardless a reduction in homestead exemptions, but even if a hopes that exemption reduction didn't happen. We have a chance to make history and actually reduce government in Miami-Dade County because if we just keep Projecting growth. It's almost like you're budgeting for next year, expecting that you're…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 1:03
“Dear Lord, thank you for this wonderful day you've given us. Please bless each and every one of us here today. All the people that have come to give public testimony, all of the commissioners and committee persons. Please guide our decisions today. Let your will be done for the betterment of Miami-Dade County. Let your will always be done and let all glory be yours. In your holy name we pray. Amen.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 0:26
“Awesome. So let's go ahead and get started. If we can have a prayer led by the wonderful Commissioner Bastien. That was beautiful, thank you. If everybody could just face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.”
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 1:48
“So let's begin with a reasonable opportunity to be heard. We can go through the agenda, and then I do know that there's some presentations that we can leave for the end. So can we open a reasonable opportunity to be heard?”
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 2:03
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 3:13
“Yeah. Can we move the balance of the agenda first? It's been seconded all in favor signify by saying aye. And let's move forward with the pull list. So to the attorneys, can we start with two a please?”
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 4:50
“Thank you very much. And Commissioner Bastian, would you like to be recognized?”
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 4:57
“It's been moved. It's been seconded. Now, before we move forward with voting, I do want to add something. First and foremost, I want to not only congratulate but commend Commissioner Bastian for bringing this forward. Illegal dumping is not only an issue in District 2, but it is countywide as well. So I want to commend her for putting this forward. I did have some comments. I had the opportunity to speak with Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, specifically with the illegal dumping unit. and the environment crimes unit which explain the legal dumping in our districts has increased dramatically on…”
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 12:02
“Thank you so much, and I don't know if my colleagues have any, Commissioner Bastien, you are recognized.”
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 13:34
“Thank you so much commissioner bastion and um, I, I do want to commend commissioner bastion and I'd like to ask if you have me, I'd like to co sponsor the item with you. Uh, it's an incredible, incredible task that you've taken. Um, illegal dumping is a problem in all of Miami dade county. And I do want to recognize the great folks at the lingual dumping unit. Um, you guys are incredible. Um. i've seen what you've done not only in district 11 but district 12 district 10 district 9 you guys are amazing and i know that there was one particular um incident where it wasn't only dumping it was…”
Safety and Health Committee · Jul 13, 2026