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1
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MINUTES PREPARED BY:
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REPORT:
Flora Garcia, Commission Reporter
305-375-4906
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1A
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INVOCATION AS PROVIDED IN RULE 5.05(H)
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1B
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ROLL CALL
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REPORT:
Chairman Diaz convened the Board of County Commissioners meetings at 2:05 p.m. and led a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Upon roll call, the following Board members were present: Commissioners Cohen Higgins, Hardemon, Higgins, McGhee, Monestime, Regalado, Sosa, Vice Chairman Gilbert III, and Chairman Diaz (Commissioners Garcia, Heyman, Martinez, and Souto were late).
In addition to the Honorable Miami-Dade Mayor and Board members, the following staff members were also present:
- Mr. Morris Copeland, Chief Community Services Officer, Office of the Mayor;
- County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan, First Assistant County Attorney Gerald Sanchez, and Assistant County Attorney Monica Rizo; and
- Director Melissa Adames and Deputy Clerks Flora Garcia and Kely Delille, Clerk of the Board.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was also in attendance.
MOTION TO SET THE AGENDA
County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan advised that, in accordance with the Board of County Commissioners� Rules of Procedure regarding special meetings no other business shall be transacted other than the matters provided for in the notice.
Hearing no other comments or requests, County Attorney Bonzon-Keenan noted a motion to set the agenda was in order.
It was moved by Vice Chairman Gilbert III, that the Board of County Commissioners adopt today�s (06/08) agenda as presented. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Sosa; and upon being put to a vote, the motion passed by a vote of 13-0.
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1C
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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SPECIAL ITEM(S)
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Special Item No. 1
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211421
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Resolution
 Clerk's Official Copy
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Joe A. Martinez
Sally A. Heyman
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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO APPLY FOR ANY AND ALL AVAILABLE FEDERAL FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES (COPS) PROGRAMS
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Adopted
Resolution R-576-21
Mover: Joe A. Martinez
Seconder: Sally A. Heyman
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan read the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record .
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava advised the County�s upcoming proposed budget Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 included funding to hire forty-two (42) additional law enforcement officers through federal grant funds provided by the 2020 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program, U.S. Department of Justice. She also advised twenty-five (25) law enforcement officers had already been recruited utilizing the 2017 COPS Hiring Program. She noted Commissioner Martinez had pointed out to the County Administration the availability of the COPS federal grants, and the County Administration intended to access that funding resource and take advantage of those trained officers.
Hearing no other comments or objections, the members of the Board proceeded to take a vote on the foregoing proposed resolution as presented.
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Special Item No. 2
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211427
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Resolution
Clerk's Official Copy
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Keon Hardemon
Oliver G. Gilbert, III
Sally A. Heyman
Danielle Cohen Higgins
Eileen Higgins
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RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2020-21 AND 2021-22 (�PLAN�); AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO (I) RECEIVE A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.00 FROM THE CHARITABLE ARM OF WEST REALM SHIRES SERVICES, INC. D/B/A FTX.US (�FTX�) AND EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT FOR SAME, (II) ALLOCATE SUCH FTX GRANT FUNDING, ALONG WITH $7,218,476.00 FROM FTX ARENA NAMING RIGHTS REVENUES, $100,000.00 FROM JUVENILE SERVICES TRUST FUND, AND $300,000.00 FROM ANTICIPATED, FUTURE GRANT FUNDS TO THE PLAN, AND (III) EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE RECEIPT OF SUCH FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA AND THE FOUNDATION FOR NEW EDUCATION INITIATIVES, INC. (�AMENDMENT�), FOR THE SUMMER YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 BY $800,000.00; DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO SELECT GRANT RECIPIENTS AND NEGOTIATE GRANT AGREEMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLAN FOR THE �SAFE IN THE 305� GRANTS PROGRAM UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT AND GRANT AGREEMENTS AND OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, AS WELL AS AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND RENEWALS THEREOF AND TO EXERCISE TERMINATION, WAIVER, AND OTHER PROVISIONS SET FORTH THEREIN; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR, RECEIVE, EXPEND AND EXECUTE GRANT AGREEMENTS FOR THE RECEIPT OF ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDS FOR THE PLAN UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES(Juvenile Services Department)
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Adopted
Resolution R-577-21
Mover: Keon Hardemon
Seconder: Rebeca Sosa
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan read into the record the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record.
Commissioners Cohen Higgins and Heyman requested to be added as co-sponsors.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava thanked Commissioner Hardemon for spearheading the foregoing legislation relating to the Peace and Prosperity Plan (the Plan) for Fiscal Years (FY) 2020-21 and 2021-22. She also thanked the Board members and those Health, Emergency Management, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee (HEMIC) members who had supported it. She emphasized the urgency to have this program implemented to address the gun violence crisis and help end the senseless loss of lives.
Mayor Levine Cava advised the Plan had three parallel phases, and she summarized the crime prevention initiatives already initiated as part of the first phase to help stop the cycle of gun violence as follows:
1. The mobilization of all possible resources;
2. The leveraging of new technology;
3. The expansion of police enforcement and public safety protection measures; and
4. The implementation of increased short-term enforcement measures.
Mayor Levine Cava advised the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) had already demonstrated tremendous courage and commitment to implement the gun violence prevention initiatives, and the Operation Summer Heat Plan would move forward. Consequently, the proposed budget included a funding allocation of $2.5 million for the first phase to fund their activities and overtime work hours. She stated MDPD had already made the following accomplishments through the strategic crime prevention measures already implemented:
1. The completion of one hundred fifty (150) felony arrests;
2. The recovery of sixty-three (63) firearms during the Memorial Holiday weekend; and
3. The arrests of three (3) shooters involved in the Turnpike incident linked to the Kendall Hookah Lounge shooting.
Mayor Levine Cava advised one hundred ninety (190) fixed license plate readers (LPRs) were already purchased and being installed, and the following additional crime prevention initiatives were underway:
1. the purchase of fifty (50) LPRs including ten (10) solar-powered devices;
2. the purchase of ShotSpotter devices; and
3. the purchase of forensic investigative equipment that would link the cases to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
Mayor Levine Cava advised the County Administration was reviewing how best to leverage the American Rescue Plan funds based on community-based solutions and violence prevention, and a report would be presented before the Board of County Commissioners within the next few weeks outlining the findings.
Mayor Levine Cava stated MDPD Police Director Alfredo �Freddy� Ramirez was directed to begin deploying the following additional crime prevention measures:
1. Evening checks of unlawful parties attracting large crowds in conjunction with Code Enforcement officers and Fire Marshall;
2. Hot spot checkpoints;
3. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement checkpoints;
4. Probation sweeps;
5. Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) operations; and
6. Other crime prevention enforcement measures.
Mayor Levine Cava advised the operation of El Mula Lounge had already been closed due to code violations.
Mayor Levine Cava stated the Plan�s second parallel phase would address the gun violence crisis and complement police work to combat gun violence at its root through prevention, intervention, re-entry, enforcement efforts, and neighborhood revitalization. She noted the County was unified throughout its departments, including the Juvenile Services and other community key partners, to ensure full implementation of the Plan.
Mayor Levine Cava noted all Board members had reviewed the proposed Plan and their feedback was incorporated. She also noted that, as part of the Plan, the County would maintain a close working relationship with participating community organizations and members of the business community employing the affected youth.
Mayor Levine Cava advised the Plan would focus on the hardest-impacted communities across the County, pursuant to the direction of the resolution sponsored by Commissioner Hardemon; and it would create pathways for high-risk youth already interfaced with the criminal and juvenile systems. She emphasized the effective date was this week if supported by the Board members since the advanced work had already been done. She advised it provided MDPD with the additional resources for police activities, social media focus, implementing additional security measures such as cameras in high crime areas in conjunction with businesses in those areas as part of Project Green Light, and the State Attorney would be embedded in communities experiencing high crime rates.
Mayor Levine Cava advised that the third parallel phase required the County to continue working with the community-based organizations (CBOs), the Coalition, and other agencies serving the community; and the County Administration would continue to review the availability of funds through the American Rescue Plan funding as well as other available funding resources.
Upon conclusion of the Mayor�s presentation, it was moved by Commissioner Hardemon that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the foregoing resolution as presented. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Sosa, and the floor was opened for discussion.
Commissioners Cohen Higgins and Heyman requested to be listed as co-sponsors.
In response to Commissioner Regalado�s questions regarding the availability of more current data, Mayor Levine Cava affirmed the need to collect more recent data for review; and she emphasized the need to have legislation in place that would require the municipalities to allow the County to access all necessary data in order to be able to prepare effective informational reports. She noted that this issue was under review by Commissioner Hardemon.
Following a brief discussion regarding the timeframe needed to prepare a report detailing recent data, Mayor Levine Cava advised she would like to be able to prepare a report for the Board�s review two months after the first year was closed.
Mayor Levine Cava advised the Plan required an evaluation Discussion ensued regarding how the evaluation and historical data would be prepared and presented.
Commissioner Heyman stated, for the record, that the Plan would address people of all ages countywide; and it was not exclusive to kids or young adults.
Commissioner Sosa recommended the Plan�s evaluation be done in-house rather than by contracting a consultant in order to have the funds of the evaluation cost allocated to MDPD, and she asked that the Plan include the following objectives:
1. that MDPD work with all of the municipal police departments, including the School Board�s police department;
2. that MDPD be given all necessary resources;
3. that additional traffic light cameras be installed to assist in this purpose; and
4. that boot camps be used.
Police Director Alfredo �Freddy� Ramirez, MDPD, advised the Operation Summer Heat Plan was the enforcement component of the Peace and Prosperity Plan; and it had been prepared from law enforcement�s input. He presented an overview of how the Plan was prepared, noting MDPD would enforce and plan in the manner police officers were trained to operate.
Commissioner Souto suggested a trust fund account be created to accept private contributions from individuals and corporations in the community to fund the Plan. He suggested additional traffic cameras be installed throughout the County.
In response to Commissioner Martinez�s question, Police Director Ramirez advised police officers hired through the COPS Hiring Program would be earmarked for neighborhoods in need of additional policing services.
Commissioner Martinez suggested additional ShotSpotters should be installed. He also recommended the effectiveness of the Fit2Lead Fellowship Program be evaluated based on its
overall success instead of using zip codes. He asked that the Football Mentorship Program be included in the Plan to mentor youth.
Mayor Levine Cava advised the research focused on crime within the area studied, but she intended to design an evaluation specific to the people served by the program.
Commissioner Martinez suggested the root problems of gun violence be reviewed.
Discussion ensued among Mayor Levine Cava, all Board members, Police Director Ramirez, and Chief Community Services Officer Morris Copeland regarding the root and causes of the gun violence problem and how the Plan could combat the causes of the problem.
In response to Commissioner Martinez�s question, Ms. Amanda Gorski, Public Policy and Community Engagement Manager, The Children�s Trust (the Trust), assured the Trust�s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), President, and Board Members would be happy to discuss this issue with Miami-Dade County�s Mayor and her staff.
Commissioner Regalado objected to some of the allegations and generalizations made during this issue�s discussion disparaging single mothers and the implications stated that they were the root of the problems. She noted today�s society had changed; and the focus of the discussion should be about the resources needed, how to provide a safety net, consequences, and opportunities.
Commissioner Garcia commended Mayor Levine Cava and Commissioner Hardemon for their work in this matter. He commented one of the biggest nationwide problems was the loss of value for life. He stated that some of the components of importance to him were prevention, intervention, and crime-fighting; and the proposed Plan represented an opportunity to do something worthwhile for the community and move forward. He noted it would help police officers fight crime in this community. He asked what resources were needed by MDPD to ensure the public safety of this community.
Police Director Ramirez stated the proposed Plan was created by taking law enforcement�s input, and Board members should ensure future budgetary cycles fully supported the needs and activities of law enforcement. He stated the Peace and Prosperity Plan provided MDPD with the tools needed at this time, including the resources to work extended shifts to fill work shift gaps and improve technological capabilities to increase the community�s trust.
Commissioner Monestime questioned whether the Plan addressed quality of life issues in communities where crime prevailed.
Mayor Levine Cava advised neighborhood revitalization was one of the components included in the Plan. She stated it would create the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) to review the County�s overlay of parcels, illegal dumping, crime, and the problems of disinvested neighborhoods because the neighborhood transformation was part of the bigger plan.
Commissioner Higgins expressed her support for the foregoing proposed resolution and the Board should ensure the MDPD was fully funded every year.
Commissioner McGhee thanked everyone for their support of the proposed legislation.
Vice Chairman Gilbert III commented the Plan and Project Green Light were good programs. He suggested a review of the issue of hiring police officers from the targeted area. He also suggested Mayor Levine Cava review the feasibility of incentivizing Project Green Light partners to video stream their cameras to RTCC like London�s program in other to increase the number of participants and as well as the integration of ShotSpotters.
Vice Chairman Gilbert III advised that he wished to be apprised on how The Children�s Trust could assist in this area and asked Mayor Levine Cava to be part of those conversations. He advised he liked this Plan since it tried to control the environment while changing people�s minds, and it treated the problem as a community problem.
Chairman Diaz expressed his full support for MDPD, noting the community had also stepped up to support the efforts and cooperate. He noted many of the programs included in this Plan already existed, and the County would just adjust and improve the subject programs. He stated that he had organized this Special meeting to allow all Board members to provide feedback since this was a nationwide problem. He reviewed some of the national statistics on gun violence and noted the problem needed to be addressed. He stated the County would continue to work hard to improve gun violence.
Commissioner Sosa thanked Chairman Diaz for holding the meeting, Commissioner Hardemon for spearheading the legislation, Commissioner McGhee for working so hard on this issue in his committee, and Mayor Levine Cava for bringing together the Plan and an idea that can improve the problems. She commented the County lacked jurisdiction of the Trust. She noted the public supported the Trust through allocated property taxes; and the public needed protection and assistance at this time.
Commissioner Sosa expressed her support for Commissioner Souto�s suggestion to have the County create a trust account to accept private donations for this endeavor in the event the County�s budget was unaffected. She also expressed her support for the MDPD and identifying the necessary funding resources to support their activities.
Commissioner Sosa noted it was necessary to work with the families as a whole and not only on how the lives of youth and children could be changed because parents needed assistance in the upbringing of their children.
Commissioner Regalado stated she agreed with the remark made by Vice Chairman Gilbert III on the issue of consequences and believed this Plan would provide that help since it would create opportunities and address the issues of police presence and consequences.
Commissioner Sosa stated security, protection, and consequences were the government�s very foundation of their social contract theory. She noted that she hoped everyone understood the implementation of this Plan would result in increased arrests and cases as a consequence of controlling violence. She asked MDPD to ensure LPRs were also used to identify vehicles associated with a crime and stolen vehicles and not just to identify drivers with suspended licenses.
In connection with Commissioner Regalado�s inquiry, Police Director Ramirez advised LPRs were used as a tracking information device of coming and outgoing vehicles; and it provided informational data for detectives to use.
Commissioner Regalado asked Mayor Levine Cava to provide the Board members with more information on the LPRs and the feasibility of incorporating video capabilities to the LPRs.
Commissioner Regalado recommended the County should duplicate and use the City of Miami�s campaign �One Bullet Kills the Party,� and she stated that she would like to discuss the following issues:
1. the ShotSpotters� locations and the officers� proximity to the devices;
2. the use of social media influencers as role models; and
3. the use of athletes as role models.
Commissioner Regalado expressed her concerns for the bars� and nightclubs� inability to use the patrolling services of off-duty police officers. She questioned SROs and the neighborhood policing.
Police Director Ramirez explained MDPD had to follow labor union bargaining contracts in the assignments of off-duty police officers; and off-duty police officers had the prerogative to decide for which events to apply, which represented a challenge for the department. He noted that clubs were presently a concern for the department, and he would like to discuss this issue with the Board members in the future.
Commissioner Regalado stated she would like to discuss Code-related issues that involved MDPD to address problematic issues in this regard.
Commissioner Regalado thanked Commissioners Hardemon and McGhee for their efforts in this regard because she understood it was a complicated process and recent events had not aided in its execution.
Commissioner Cohen Higgins thanked Mayor Levine Cava for participating in the preparation of the Plan and thanked Commissioners Hardemon for participating in the legislative process.
Commissioner Cohen Higgins questioned whether the County had an available resource that would allow a parent to report a shot before the event took place without the need to turn in their sons to law enforcement.
Mayor Levine Cava advised the Plan included a public safety tool kit that would be developed and made available countywide to communities and individuals that addressed the delivery of social services with a no wrong door policy.
Discussion ensued among Chairman Diaz, Mayor Levine Cava, and Ms. Cathy Burgos, Director of the Miami-Dade Juvenile Services Department (JSD), about funding to provide social services counseling directly in community centers for at-risk families and implementing prevention programs to address the needs of children countywide.
Chairman Diaz suggested a review of the family unit with services provided to the entire family.
In connection with Chairman Diaz�s request to have the service providers previously discussed included, Mayor Levine Cava stated she would provide him with a directory of all the information he was seeking.
Upon conclusion of this discussion, the Board members proceeded to take a roll call vote on this resolution as presented.
Commissioner Martinez announced he was preparing legislation to implement a pilot program relating to Carbide 911 and asked the Board members for their support.
Chairman Diaz announced he was preparing legislation to implement a real-time crime center.
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ADJOURNMENT
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REPORT:
There being no further business to come before the Board of County Commissioners Special meeting, by motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 3:46 p.m.
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3A
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CONSENT AGENDA
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| 11/21/2024 |
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Agenda Key: 4614 |