2026-03-12 - City Commission
Summary
Built from the official City Commission minutes; no video or transcript on file.
- Called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Chair Pardo, designated temporary presiding officer by Mayor Higgins under Charter Section 4(g)(1); King participated by Zoom and Gabela arrived at 9:11. Recessed 11:37, reconvened 11:49, adjourned 11:55 a.m. Approval of the January 8 and January 22 minutes was also on the agenda.
- Consent agenda CA.1 to CA.12 (R-26-0103 to 0114): seven FIND Waterways Assistance Program applications, eight right-of-way deeds, a $40,000 settlement, a possession action, attorney fees of $35,867.50 and selection of the Bay 2 enhanced connector for the I-395 Baywalk bridge.
- Public hearings PH.1 to PH.3 (R-26-0115 to 0117) allocated HOME and CDBG program income and a District 5 commercial facade program; PH.4 ratified a sole-source purchase.
- RE.7 directed a civil action to recover attorney fees paid in defending former Commissioner Joe Carollo; adopted with modification 5-0.
- The Bayfront Park Management Trust repeal passed on first reading 4-1 (Pardo no); the Ferre Park transfer was withdrawn 4-1.
- RE.19 approved up to $150,000,000 of Omni Redevelopment District CRA tax increment revenue bonds, Series 2026.
- Discussion items DI.1 to DI.5 (annual board reports, FLORA floor area transfer, traffic light synchronization, Cuba contingency planning and homelessness) produced no votes.
Attorney Fee Recovery Civil Action
RE.7 adopted with modification 5-0 (R-26-0125; Gabela moved, Escalona seconded).
Bayfront Park Management Trust Abolition Repeal
FR.2 repeals Ordinances 14382 and 14422, which abolished the Trust effective July 15, 2026. It was deferred to May 28, reconsidered, deferred to May 14, reconsidered again and then passed on first reading 4-1 (Gabela moved, Escalona seconded; Pardo no). FR.6 on the Trust's governing body was indefinitely deferred.
Maurice A. Ferre Park Management Transfer
RE.16 indefinitely deferred, reconsidered 4-1 and withdrawn 4-1 (Pardo no).
Omni CRA Tax Increment Revenue Bonds
RE.19 adopted with modification (R-26-0134) after the Commission recessed to sit as the CRA.
FIND Waterways Assistance Grants
CA.1 to CA.7 and RE.2 to RE.5 and RE.17 adopted (R-26-0103 to 0109, 0120 to 0123, 0132).
Public Benefits Trust Allocations
RE.12 ($18,000) and RE.13 ($5,300,000) to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (R-26-0128, R-26-0129).
Ultra Music Festival Bayfront Park License
RE.10 deferred to April 23.
Bicycle Master Plan
RE.8 deferred.
Street Co-Designations
RE.9, Rev. Theodore and Thelma Gibson Way, adopted (R-26-0126).
Single-Use Plastics Procurement Policy
RE.15 adopted (R-26-0131).
City Departments Reorganization Ordinance
FR.4 passed on first reading.
Advisory Board Creation Ordinances
SR.3 (Education Advisory Board, 14449) and SR.4 (Interfaith Advisory Council, 14450) adopted 5-0.
Park and Facility Naming Ordinances
SR.2 (Verneka Sturrup Silva aquatic facility at Elizabeth Virrick Park, 14448) adopted 5-0.
Cuba Transition Contingency Planning
DI.4 discussed; no action.
Mental Health and Recovery Center Support
DI.5 discussed; no action.
Other items
RE.1 historic tax exemption for a Spring Garden Historic District property (R-26-0119). RE.6 sole source (R-26-0124); RE.11 purchase of property from JSR Beacom Miami LLC (R-26-0127); RE.14 special events waiver for Bloom Presents (R-26-0130); RE.18 noise waiver (R-26-0133); RE.20 reallocated $800,000 to the Police South roof (R-26-0135). Second readings SR.1 (zoning hearing times, 14447) and SR.5 (order of business and commissioner item deadline, 14451, with modification) adopted 5-0. First readings: FR.1 flood damage prevention drainage recertification, FR.5 cooperative purchasing definitions (with modification) passed; FR.3 withdrawn. Board appointments adopted for the Arts and Entertainment Council, Bayfront Park Management Trust, Climate Resilience Committee, Code Enforcement Board, Downtown Development Authority, Finance Committee, LGBTQ Advisory Board and Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board (R-26-0136 to 0143); no action on six other boards. PZ.1 Wynwood Norte NRD-2 amendments (14452) adopted; PZ.2 EV-ready zoning indefinitely deferred. DI.1 annual board reports and DI.3 traffic light synchronization discussed; DI.2 FLORA floor area transfer indefinitely deferred.
Agenda
Consent agenda CA.1 to CA.12, public hearings PH.1 to PH.4, resolutions RE.1 to RE.20, second readings SR.1 to SR.5, first readings FR.1 to FR.6, board appointments BC.1 to BC.14, PZ.1 to PZ.2 and discussion items DI.1 to DI.5.