September 30th, the time is now 5.14 pm. This is our special council meeting. Please call the roll, Madam Clerk. Council Member Imporra. Council Member Raffa El Pinedo. Council Member Dina Cabral. Vice Mayor Oscar Puig Corby. Vice Mayor Cristi Fraga. Present. Mayor Caporn. Thank you. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance led by Vice Mayor Puig Corby. The Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands one nation, under God, in the difficult, literally changes us strong. Okay, is there any changes, additions, or deletions to the agenda order of business Okay being then we'll move into public comments all right good afternoon everyone We're gonna go into the public comments portion for our first meeting if you're here to speak on the items regarding the resource recovery facility or the city manager evaluation and salary evaluation. It would be prudent to do it during this public comment portion. I'm going to go ahead and start with the common cards I have. Please remember to speak in a respectful manner. You have three minutes to address this council. We're going to start with Richard Glutstad. Please remember your name and address for the record and make sure everyone's phones are on silent. Thank you. Okay, Richard Glutstad via Dura Alconaimums. This is how I see the situation with the resource recovery. It's really not our biggest environmental threat. What our biggest environmental threat is, is the landfill. I was on the Environmental Advisory Board due to the fact that I had a lot of upper respiratory issues. I basically couldn't breathe. That's how bad it was. And everybody said it was from the incinerators, but it really wasn't. It was from the landfill. And I really got involved in it. All I know is that it's much more dangerous than the incinerator. Did you know that in Ireland, landfills are against the law. That's what they think about landfills, but they allow recycling plants because they consider it to be much safer. Now as far as what we should do with resource recovery, I think we should move it to the airport west like our mayor wants to do. I think it would be better for us, but then it wouldn't be very good for all the little Animalitos and the Everglades. What a... I wouldn't sue the county yet. I think it's, you know, much too soon to do that. We really need to see what they're going to do that. We really need to see what they're gonna do first. Just sit quietly and see what they're gonna do. You know keep your eye on the ball but don't get so excited that you know do things prematurely and then later you'll say oh God why do we do that? We should await it. All right. But if they must put it here, I don't think it would be that bad because the new technology is really terrific. And there's very little environmental harm involved with the new technology. The problem is the old one was basically running on fumes, and it had an older technology that was appropriate for the time that it was constructed. When there weren't so many people, and then again, of course, the county approved all the zoning to put houses right there. It's unbelievable. All those guys in the county, they'll do anything. So don't believe anything, they tell you. Nothing has changed. No matter what they tell you. Nothing has changed. No matter what they tell you, it should go in this year and out the other. They're very disingenuous people, generally speaking. All right, just if I were you guys, I'd just call their bluff. If they, you know, say they're gonna do something, call their bluff. You know, everything at the end of the day is like a big poker game anyway. Keep your poker faces on and see what they come up with in this. Call their bluff. That's the way life works anyway. Everything works like that. Just call their bluff. Keep the pressure up downtown. We have to keep going downtown to the meetings with the T-shirts and speaking. If we disappear, they'll do whatever they want. Thank you. That's my spin on the Covenant thing, and let's keep our eye on the ball. Thank you, Mr. Clotsat. You're welcome. Fernanda Gomez. Hi. My name is Fernanda Gomez. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. your position. Each of you must fight for us and represent our community regardless of whether you know you might be living soon. I have noticed that some of you are present at all the events in the city, participating in all activities such as the 5K race or the silver club events, that's perfect. I love it. Always, always a big smile and ready to take pictures. in all activities such as the 5K race or the silver club events, that's perfect. I love it. Always, always a big smile and ready to take pictures. However, what we really need is to see that same dedication and commitment at crucial moments. Because I don't see all of you defending our city fighting for the incinerator not to return. During the long hours meetings held in the Miami-Dade government center. So my question is, the decisions here are done by five, but the responsibility is how there are just four two. As the saying goes, all the glitter is not gold. Many times used to say that people, many times the same, is used to say that people, many times, the same, is used to say that people stay with the superficial part of the scenes, leaving aside the true meaning. It is also used to recommend that we should not trust appearances. I believe the residents are quite capable and thoughtful. I believe we can see photos on social media and also we can see actions. In the bad times, we see the true faces of our leaders. It is in these difficult moments that we residents need your support and leadership the most. I ask you to continue working for the wellbeing of our community, remembering that every action counts and that we are all watching. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Katrina Valdez Bishop. Good evening Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of the City council. For the last three and a half months, my father, Ravel, has doodly served our community as city manager. It was not a role he sought, but he came out of retirement again because he felt compelled to serve again a community that our family has lived in and loved for the last 25 years. And I think that's why we're going to have to I'm not sure if it's a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a servant. Through and through will not abide by their banana republic playbook. Tonight's discussion about the city manager isn't about supporting his role. This is about ensuring Daryl's elected officials know that their constituents, the people that have elected them, and most importantly, the people that you work for, I'm sorry the people that they work for, are paying attention. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. Is there any other public comments at this time regarding these two items? Please approach the podium. I'll do Juan Carlos Esquivel first, and then we'll take Carlos Bermoles. Yes. Emeritus. Good evening. My fellow residents, I stand before you today as a concern. For over 21 years we have watched the raw growth flourish into the vibrant community we share is We as business business people this is damage. Okay, we as business people Have planned the routes our city has become a place proud to call home for many of us. Over the last two decades, our city has gone through more than 10 city managers and assistant managers. More than 10 changes in leadership just in 21 years, each of them of these changes, through perhaps drive political differences have disrupted the ability to continue our city needs that truly deserves. Constantly, refurbishing a leadership, it hydrants the progress. It places a burden on the city's employees, on our businesses and most importantly, on the residents who rely on strong, consistent leadership to go forward. Doral is not just a stepping stone for political ambitious. It is a home. As a resident, we deserve stability, leadership, that transcends political differences and focuses more than truly matters. Okay, I'm here to say in office enough, gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, the residents want a government who works for us, not against himself. We want leaders that can set aside differences, find common grounds, and work together for the benefit of the realm. We need a balance and stability, not just in words, but in actions. We need leaders who are willing to prioritize the future of this city over political disagreements. I urge you, our council, to listen to the voices of these people, we deserve a leadership that is steady, focused, and above commitment, a long-term success right here in the realm. Thank you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I'm going to be quick. There is not much time to say the things. This year we have seen in three different times, the different ways that Council manage to change and move important employees from important positions. City managers, we have seen this year three different city managers. First, the council with three votes decided to get rid of Barbara. Later, the same council with three votes decided to name a temporary city manager that didn't comply with these three votes requirements. And later, this same three votes named Mr. Valdez, who has been doing a good job so far. That's what I know. And these same three votes, wants to review and revise his work. And as I see here, they want to evaluate his salary and it's gonna be a discussion about his employment agreement, which I see it as a way to get rid of him as well. So I do not understand why there is no continuity if the people you are putting in those important places you are trying to remove that amount when they might not do what you might want. I urge you all to take care of the community, no to political interest on the community, because we have a chance, a beautiful chance, to change that in November 5th. So I urge you to keep the continuity to respect what you are doing and to respect us. Thank you for the time. All right. Any other public comments? Please approach the podiums. Stage your name and address for the record. Please, let's remember not to clap, but to shake our hands. Hold on. Ma'am. Ma'am. Ma'am. We're going to have Salma. And then you can wait right there. Yes. You can speak next. Thank you. So I'm going to see a 636 Norway 100-bit place. Essentially what I want to do is just to remind you as our representatives that the city of Dorald is facing an incredible opportunity to get rid of the incinerator in here. The county has paid for studies that demonstrate that Dorald is going to be really, really affected if the new incinerator is built in the previous side where the other one burned to ashes. 3% of our population is going to be facing risks of non-cancerous diseases according to the study. If we consider that the wind blows from the east, most of the time, we are talking about the communities that are in the northwest and southwest of our city. That is one, two thirds of the population. That is, if we have 85,000 people living here, that is more than 60,000 people affected by the emissions of the new incinerator. And 3% of that is almost 1,800. Put a name to those 1,800. Put the value of those life and go to the city, to the county essentially to negotiate the value of those lives. It cannot be based on values. It cannot be based on cost and the county cannot continue playing games with us. We need to be there as a one solid block of representative of a city that has been facing the problems that arises from the emissions of a facility like that. You need to convince the county and the Florida Estitute according to what we saw last week is given us a chance. Please give us the citizens that chance. Thank you. Thank you, Salma. Salma. Salma. And you just say the clerk. Okay? No, please. Please a person for you. Thank you. Name an address for the record? Good afternoon. My name is Lisa Mochaleano and my address is 7439 northwest, 103 third court door off Florida, 33178. Good afternoon, council members, Mayor. Thank you for letting me have a second to talk. As a resident in Dorral, I've lived here over 20 years, and I love Dorral. But it really saddens me with what's going on with the incinerator. And we have already suffered so long here with the landfill the incinerator. And many people when they purchased their home right next incinerator thought that the contract was over and they proceeded to buy. And there were other people that didn't even know about the senator, which is Hispanic people that come from other countries, you know, Venezuela, Colombia, because we are a Latino city. And also I find that very injustice that they are like trying to put the incinerator again in Dorao, which is a Hispanic city. And I know also they do that with the also the brown cities and things like that. But my point is I heard in the commissioners downtown they were saying that they want Dorao to pay. I don't know, I can't remember if it was 46 billion dollars or something like that, which I find absurd because I would like to ask them how much are they gonna pay each citizen of Dorao breathing this air? They should pay us, honestly, instead of us paying them, I find it absurd. I really do. And also the landfill and everything else we're dealing with, I think it's out of the question, Doral, Medley, and I think there is another solution. I think we could go zero waste if they really tried. 1.2 billion dollars. That's a lot of money for a building that trucks go through. I mean, I really, I find that very high and I think there there would be If they would want to when there's the will there's a one there's a will there's a way And I think there would be a way zero waste and even if I mean each resident can help with that But there does have to be I I think, a way to do that instead of doing that generator. Thank you. Thank you, Lisa. Anyone else would like to speak? Good afternoon. My name is Ranja Curredo. Then four sixty-fine or six sixty-night terrors in the Rapporte. My English knows a well, I'm trying to explain in Spanish for me. Takatéziti. I want to participate in this opportunity, sirloin español. We need a doctor if you want to play. Okay. Thank you. I want to tell everyone that we can see together is the only way we can look solid before. We have been present in the of the things that we want is that you are also calling that the whole community is one. We have been present and one of the things we want is that have the whole, the whole community to be together. And that's why you have to be together so you can request us to be there. To participate in the events, are you talking about the meeting? Okay, so in the events you guys want us to participate. That is why you right now has to use all the medias. For the community to know, many of them doesn't know the problem we have now. And that it's the true. Many people doesn't know that we're going to have an incinerator if we do not participate. So if we do many social events, where we invite many people that can bring some other... Why don't we speak with the truth? We have a problem. Why don't we speak with the truth? Speak that we have a problem. Speak that we have to say and do something. Because that's the truth. We didn't be there and make presents as other cities did. We were not there. We were not there. We were not there. We were not there. We were not there. We were not there. We were not there. We didn't be there and make presents as other cities did. And that was only because we were not together and we were not called. And that was only because we were not together and we were not called. Y que nos miren a nosotros, verdad, los ciudadanos, no como nos miran los... Y que nos miran a nosotros, verdad, los ciudadanos, no como nos miran los... Y que nos miran los comoisionados en Miami-Dade, que no nos presten atención. De way that commissioners look at us in Miami-Dade. They do not pay attention to us. They simply stop and walk, and they don't care about the health of our residents. They simply stand, walk, and they do not care about the health of our residents. That's the truth. they do not care about the health of our residents. And that's the truth, and that's why they use those insignificant numbers. And that's why they didn't take care, even care about the... Informates, informates, informates. Reports, report days, right. And that's why they defer and defer this problem. And that's why they defer and defer this problem. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no But we are a city full of kids and families who deserve a better environment. That is why you have to communicate together and as previous people say before, you have to work together and live on the side, all political interest. That way you will show us what will be the good decision, the correct decision, the day of the elections. Tomen the decision, correct, thank you. Take the appropriate decision. Thank you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry for a long time. I've been living in the city for a long time. I've been living in the city for a long time. I've been living in the city for a long time. I've been living in the city for a long time. I've been living in the city for a long time. I've been living in the city for a long time. I've been living in the city for a long time. So I don't think that the county can just put on the city all the costs of removing or transferring or whatever they want to call it. All that whole process has to be shared countywide. Is the countywide facility owned by the county and services the whole county and And I think that the City Council should make that very clear to the county that this is a countywide facility, regardless of what they want to burden us with, we're just part of the county. And that facility is supposed to serve the entire county, so we cannot foot the whole bill. I think that the most important thing that I hear serve the entire county so we cannot foot the whole bill. I think that the most important thing that I hear from my neighbors and that I agree with as well, the message that I get when I talk to almost anybody in this on this issue is we want the incinerator away from the round not in the round. We don't want anything rebuilt in that location. and we're not going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going to be going on the far northwest. And the extra cost of moving the facility out there has got to be shared by the entire county cannot be put on the city. And whatever facility is built has to give guarantees to all the population of both date and brownward that it's gonna have new technology, that it's not gonna have odor and that it's not going to have odor, and that it's going to be safe for the environment and for public health. And it's going to take the truck traffic away from the route and populated areas. The other issue that we're discussing that you wanted to hear about today is in terms of city managers. I'm a political science major and I also teach at Miami-Dade College. I don't think it's fair to change the rules after the fact. I think that once you make a deal with someone, you stay to that deal, or you get together and come to a joint mutual agreement, but it should not be that the new rules suddenly apply to something that already happened. Thank you very much. Thank you, Maureen. Please see the city clerk. Any other public comments? Please approach the podium. Thank you. You'll be next. Hi, my name is Ralph Rivera, 10355, North West 48 Street. Like my colleagues, I am a political science professor from Amidt Decollege. I've been living here since 1999. I've seen Dorao develop both through its best times, and we're a good community. I mean, we live in a great city. We don't ask for a lot, but what we like from our government is effectiveness and efficiency. We've burned through three city managers in the last year. We don't like drama. This is bringing up that drama from Luis Giboria and Joe Corolo. We're laughing stocking Miami. When you're students, my students, start bringing that up in class, that's a problem. We don't ask for a lot, but again, why not a continuity? There's a lot, but again, why not the continuity? There's a lot of political interest and a lot of you are just playing politics and the city deserves a better. And again, like my colleague said, you already made a deal, stick with it. We've had great, he has done a great job. I'm not one as hypocritical as myself. I'm not one to show up to City Council meetings, as I should. But if I show up, that means that something's bothering me. The good thing is, and as bad as it sounds, if you don't see a lot of people showing up to City Council meetings, that means you're going to do a good job. But again, the community is asking you to get your stuff together. Thank you. Please see the church. Good evening. Hi. Good evening. I'm Sunsette Ries. I reside at 6812 Northwest 113th Court and welcome back, Vice Mayor. Congratulations on the graduation of your son. We know that your absence was well-documented and welcome back. I'm going to take a moment. First of all, and I'm sorry, my neighbor, my hopefully friend. And I know that your family is here also. You're your lovely mother who I've known and I totally that your family is here also, your lovely mother who I've known, and I totally respect her. But when we talk about continuity and we talk about respect, some of you have come up here and you're asking an entire city council to speak with one voice, to respect. But when the leadership at a past meeting basically turns to the manager and says, he's not my manager, I didn't vote for him, he's not my city manager, that doesn't send a united voice. That's not a united message. That weakens Mr. Valdez. That weakens him before the county. If you guys are speaking with one voice, and you are encouraging your administration through the attorneys and through the city managers to go out and negotiate on our behalf on what I really wanted to speak up, which is the incinerator issues, you have to empower them. You have to empower the leadership, you have to empower your lobbyists, and you have to empower your staff to be able to go and speak with one voice. I commend Mirmar for having shown up at a public meeting, completely organized, which is what one of you or two of you have mentioned. It was, it was disgraceful, quite frankly, for the city of Dural, after having placed their trust in the chair of this committee to go and speak on behalf of the city, and we didn't accomplish anything. What we accomplished was a 60-day deferral on an item that's been lingering for many, many years. So I think this pause of the 60 days may give the administration and the elected body, along with the community, the young lady who spoke Selma in the back, who I know has taken a great leadership role. Yvette Petrovich, the attorney who sued the county to address this issue, who I don't see her here tonight, but she doesn't have to be here to actually, for her community to know that she's working on our behalf. So I encourage all of you, as you take your vote on what the next step with the county is going to be, don't antagonize the county simply because you weren't prepared. Don't antagonize the county because when the county commissioners asked what's the dollar amount, what are you willing to come to the county with? You guys didn't have a number. So I would take a step back. I would instead of a antagonizing our county commissioner, the founding member and mayor of the city of Derelle. Thank you Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Comments please see the clerk to fill out a comment card Anyone else would like to speak on public comments Yes, Patricia Girale, 63-01 Northwest, 109 Avenue. I'm a resident of Doral since 1990. For me communication is very important. My major is advertising and I notice Instagram. You have 54,000 followers. I think this is a good place where you can post the things are going on. Like here, I don't see the meeting of today. You should post something. Please, we need you. I don't know. I mean, this is good. I think you have a delay, you know, like the webpage and the Instagram. You should use this, for example, for the November 6, you should be posting. Hey, we need you. Like in Myanmar, they were 300 people with their green chair. We need our 600 people with our blue chair. Even if it doesn't have, it can be just blue chair. So right now we should start to have my side, the Camino El Doral. You know, and I'm posting. Hey, please be active. So I just forget about the system. You need to put a priority in communication. Because even that November 6, the city should work that they should plan to go to the meeting, the schools. This should be a major thing of the city. So I just want to say please improve communication. You see Instagram and use the web page to communicate this. If you need help, I can help you because that's something that I can do. Thank you, Patricia. Please see the clerk. Any other public comments at this time? Any other public comments? Are we filling out a public comment card over there? Good afternoon, Council. Good afternoon, Mayor, Councilman, City Manager, City Attorney's. My name is Bradley Caban my address is 1 for 0560 North West 78th Street apartment 309 to all 433178 So I'm coming here real quick to speak About everything that's going on in the city Cinerator and just currently what I've been seeing going on lately about the city management situation. Number one, the senator, I'm gonna tell you, thank you Mayor and Councilman for always being present at the County Commission. I think they have really fought for our interests. Really, I'm gonna just be honest, the county has been holding again against our heads, residents hence. So I just really wanna thank Mayor Chrissy Fraga for her leadership into this and just keep on fighting and Let's just spread the word. I tell all the residents to just spread the word and just keep on fighting I'm gonna be very honest. It was just a pointing the last meeting and even the town hall I just think more people should be up here It's our community. It's our health and let's just make the best out of it. And again, I just want to thank the leadership of Councilmember Refinel and Chris C for being very active and just keep on fighting for us. Also I want to talk to another point about the city manager. I just find it very unjust that they want to do this. Just three same votes that put them in. Now I want to revise his contract and just revise his salary and possibly just take him out. I just feel like that's unfair and that's just a stab in the back. And unfortunately, this is, I feel like this is just a political move because somehow he's not doing what they want them to do, what they want him to do. So I just wanna pass that point to make everyone realize what's going on. It was up for stake this election. And it's unfair. It's unfair what's going on. We have been through six city managers and this year and three different attorneys this year. And that's just very unstable. Just as we don't want this to happen, it's been very continuous over other way around. I'm going to turn this year and that's just very unstable. Just as we don't want this to happen, it's been very continuous over other administrations. I don't want to talk about that, but this can't keep on happening. And I just hope council can make a better decision and hopefully this November something changes. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? Any other public comments? I have a Ms. Gina Romero. OK. Gina Romero. I'm sorry for being late. But I'm fighting with this condition, the incinerator first, with the landfill. Gina, name and address for the record please. Gina Romero, 1093. Northwest, 430. Lane, daughter Florida, 331. 7a. Thank you. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be in the center of the city. I'm going to be constant that anybody deserve to have some incinerator in subbarged yard. Okay? I invite all commissioners to be together because it's the same issue for our residents. Okay? I invite to listen different organizations, different people that are in boiling this, I want to help you. If you are listening to people that have expertise in this, please meeting with them. I have a group, but it's not just Florida RICY, different group that we can work with, go with them. No, not only the scientific, this is allowing people that are want to be against. I don't know if you know, Air Justice that Air Justice have a different, different, and resolves in this issue. And then at the moment, I think that anybody, deserve having a scenario. I don't know why. This city is free plastic, why not, still waste? We have to start thinking in this. This is the best solution. We don't need more sooner or later, around our presidents. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Any other comments? Yes, sir. please approach the podium. Marcos Vazquez 4640 Northwest 84th Avenue apartment 17 so The I had a few comments and and one of the one of them is I need clarity Because we do hear values of between, I've heard 40 million and I've heard 400 million. And I mean, 400 million, I don't even want to imagine what that would do to property taxes. And I mean, it would be a mass exodus out of the rail because there's just, it's just not sustainable. The other thing that I'd like to understand is the timeframe. So how long are we talking about, what is the timeframe that we have in terms of negotiation with the county, and then also the timeframe of actually getting something working, right? I also wanna make sure that I know that there were some talks about transfer station. I personally would be in favor of a transfer station if that were like part of the bargain. But one of the things that I do want to mention is that the transfer station, I mean traffic in Deral is very bad already as it is. Okay. Transfer station with trucks going back and forth. It would be a nightmare. So I think we would have to consider that as well. As far as what the county is doing with us, I think one of the things that we should definitely look at is not just, I mentioned this there in the last town hall, not just looking at it from a local standpoint, terms of the local laws and local avenues that we can take to combat the county, but look at it from a state or a federal level. Because I'm sure there are federal regulations and state regulations that are on air quality and in terms of proximity to people that are living in the area. Okay? And then the other thing that I want to mention is I do agree that we should do more in terms of social media and getting the word out. But I also think that it's everybody's responsibility to also speak to your neighbors and get people to come out. I personally was able to get one of my neighbors out here who had no idea that this was happening. But once I mentioned it, then obviously it's a very important cause. So thank you. Thank you, sir. Please see the clerk's federal card. Any other public comments at this time? Okay. Being no more public comments, the public comments portion of this meeting is now closed. And we will now move on to the discussion items. Discussion item 5A update on resource recovery facility. Okay. I'm going to hand it over to the City Attorney in just a second. I called this meeting at the request or at the recommendation of the city attorney after the September 17 PCC meeting that was held in regards to a location for the potential rebuild of the incinerator. I did hold a town hall last week. I know some of you went where I explained a lot of the questions that were asked so that people could be informed as to what happened. I know that it's hard to get out to the BCC meetings. They're far. They're really early in the morning. And that particular day we were there for about eight hours waiting to hear our topic be discussed. So this is something that we have obviously been advocating for and have been dealing with for over a year. Now actually a year to the date almost, the date that the County Commission took a vote to negotiate with around a potential payment for relocation was September 19, 2023. And if anyone has questions about what this city council, particularly myself, has done regarding this issue, there's an entire timeline that's available to the public and I've emailed lasted a couple times too, along with the information as to what steps we've taken to advocate for a city to have a position. How many times we've gone to the county. I myself have tried to communicate as best as possible with the community to get together, to go out, to support. Because it is important for all of our voices to be heard and for us to be seen. I do want to clarify, yes, Miramar has done a lot and they've been organized in their own way as well. But they also bust their city employees to the county on that day. So there was lots of green shirts. There are many of them more city employees that they had bust there. So yes, it's important for us to show our force and for our community to be together, understanding that there's limitations and responsibilities and obligations, and it's difficult. So I think it's our responsibility to try and get as much information to you all in an easy way and an efficient way. And so just briefly before I turn it over to the city attorney who's gonna give us a little bit of a recommendation and also what steps we should really be taking, I do wanna address some of the questions that were asked about the amounts. So there has been a couple different renditions of this potential contribution that the city would give. Originally on September 19, 2023, the County Commission adopted resolution that said that the city would be required to pay a 3.5% on top of incremental property values for one mile radius around the plants for 40 years. When we did those numbers based on the 7.8% growth we've had year over year consistently, it was to the tune about $46 million. Plus some other small conditions, it did require us to still have a transfer station in our city which at first we were reluctant to because if we are going to pay to remove this from our city, well then we should get all new senses out of our city for it. And as someone rightfully said earlier and I've said several times who's going to pay us for the 30 years that we've been dealing with this in our backyards. And if you're saying that our property values are going to go up well then we should have been accounting for those property values for 20 years now. So how do we make up that lost time? But I digress, we had these discussions. There has been several negotiations back and forth with the county. They're all documented, several meetings with the different administrations. I have been a part of some of them as well. Some were just administration to administration, somewhere with myself and the mayor and the chairman and others involved. But the resolution required for the county to first make a decision on the location that they were gonna choose. And then the city of Dorao would negotiate final terms and we would have 60 days to come back with a final deal. Unfortunately, at the last, that was September 19, 2023. Unfortunately, at the meeting that took place on September 17, 2024, they changed the rules of the game, mid-game. We did everything they asked us as a matter of fact, this council met on September 3, 2024, right before they were going to meet to go a step further and adopt the resolution saying we agree within some limitations and some final negotiations to your terms. And even succumb to the fact that there would have to be a transfer station. We conceded to those terms. Halfway, at this meeting, so halfway, they decide to change the rules of the game. And now, are asking the city of Dorault to pay the delta of what it would cost to relocate this plant to the tune of about $400 million. And we would still need a transfer station if they were to choose airport west. If they were to choose Medley, we really don't know. So basically, they are now asking us to come back within 45 days in November 6th with a blank check because we don't know what the delta is. And on top of that, they want us to pay for the construction of the transfer station and the ongoing operations and maintenance to the $2.50 million for construction and $12 million a year for operations. It is appalling and uncalled for. For those of us that were at that meeting that day, we felt ransomed. It was disheartening, it was hurtful, it was unfair, it was unjust. We walked in there thinking that, and the assumptions, assertions, I should say, that were made to us, was that there was the desire to make a decision that day and move and go forward with moving the plant to Air Force, which was the recommendation of the mayor and it's consistently been the recommendation of the county mayor for several reasons. For those of you who have read the report, which is long, but I will shorten it to very, three very basic points. One, it's the largest location to build the campus that they need, because the county is not dropping in population, it is growing in population. And as much as we want to get to zero waste, any master plan for solid waste in the county is going to include some type of incineration. There is no modernized civilization in the world right now that doesn't use incineration. And therefore, being a county that has double the national average of waste, there has to be some type of incineration. So being realistic and having an opportunity to sit with the county commissioners multiple times and talk to them about this, I understood that we needed to come up with a realistic solution. We couldn't just say, go towards a zero waste plan, although we want to support that. And we do want to try and get there at some point. But they need to build a campus that will withhold the needs of this county, that will meet the needs of this county as we grow. So airport west has been recommended by the county mayor because it is the largest site and really meets the needs of the county for future years, for future generations, for future growth. Whereas Doral's location is, I think less than half the size. It's 160 acres. So, and if you look at the air quality reports, Doral was compromised. Doral and Mendeley are compromised. Now, Airport West has its challenges too, and we can all discuss those challenges, and we've been at the County Commission meetings and heard them, and we understand them. The City of Durral also took an initial step on September 3rd, all of us together. We made sure that the administration hired a professional environmental engineer to defend our position at the county commission meeting. They were present and spoke on the record as well as a complete legal team who specializes in environmental injustice. Environmental justice. One of them used to work for the DEP and is on our team. We have retained him to fight for us, to defend our position. So we were very prepared for that meeting. We did the best that we could. Two of us were there. We spoke. We wish everyone could have been there, but we were there. And there was many of us that went and spoke, as well as our entire legal team, our city manager was there, our deputy city manager, our assistant city manager, our assistant city manager, and the entire legal team from Gassessi Mastery, and I forgot the last. Lopez. Lopez, thank you. They wanted to leave anybody out. So I appreciate, first of all, every single one of you that did take the time to come out, I appreciate every single one of you that went to the town hall meeting that was called the night before by the county mayor, and I appreciate every single one of you who came to my town hall meeting in an effort to help you all get informed. And I wanna also appreciate and think our city manager and our city attorney for coming to the town hall meeting that I called because at the end of the day wasn't about me, it was about all of you being prepared and formed and ready to act and be a voice for our community. So I just wanted to put that on the record because I think there's a lot of misinformation going on unfortunately it's a campaign year and that's gonna happen. But I'm gonna make sure you're all equipped with the rights, the honest, and the true information. Because that is how we are going to get out of this. That's how we are gonna come together as a community and fight this till the end and make sure that that incinerator is not rebuilt in this community. So with that, I'll turn it over to our city attorney who will discuss, which we all discussed during, we also discussed during the town hall potential options of where we are today and what we can potentially do moving forward because it will require action from this council. Thank you Mr. you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. and we'll stay that way. This is a huge problem that is being imposed upon the residents of Dural that's actually a county-wide problem. Like the mayor said, we have assembled the team, a national law firm, consultants, we are ready to go. There was a time when I believed that the county had essentially gone silent on us. When we saw that, we immediately acted and put together a team and showed how serious we were and how this was basically the city's top priority as far as the environment and the quality of life in the city. Since that time, I believe the city has gotten the message. We are ready, literally, have prepared all of the documents necessary to initiate the intergovernmental dispute resolution procedures. There is a Florida statute. You can't just run into court and sue another government. You have to go through certain procedures to do that. It takes the procedures take north of six months before you can file litigation. It is our understanding that the process from our consultants to build something like this just to get the permits could take five years. We don't have a gun to our head, but we need to be serious and focused and this has to remain our top priority. Since then, I believe the county got the message through the different communications that we've all had with the county, not only elected to elected, but administrators and attorney to attorney. They got the message. They know we're ready. Nobody wants to litigate if we don't have to. It's an unnecessary tax on everybody. On Friday, we had a meeting, a very high level meeting. County manager, County attorneys, on our side, manager, assistant managers, attorneys. The people who would really hammer out an agreement were all on that call, and it was serious. We've agreed to meet anywhere between every seven and ten days. Our next meeting is next Monday. We agreed that after every meeting we would set up another meeting with a date in hand. This will not fall through the cracks. This will stay a top priority. And if it doesn't, and the other thing I'm going to recommend is that we address the council on this every 15 days. Hey, here's where we are. Here's what's going on. Believe me, if I ever feel again that the county is dragging their feet or that there's no hope of a settlement, you won't have to wait the 15 days. We will be. You will each hear from us. Hey, we are at a standstill. There's nowhere else to go. Let's initiate the dispute resolution procedures. The problem I've had in the past, when you initiate these dispute resolution procedures, all negotiations tend to stop. They don't want to talk anymore. It can only be through attorney to attorney. Everybody's scared to discuss anything. Everybody's scared to discuss things off the record, on the record, have an open discussion. It just stops. That's been my concern in the past with the dispute resolution procedures. If we don't have a choice, I will be the first one to tell you, let's go. We're ready. I mean, we literally just have to sign the letters and send them out. And that starts the process right then and there. So my recommendation is, give us a chance and give them a chance. I tend to believe them when they told me that they were serious. I don't know that we will ever like the number that they give us. That's going to be the problem. At that point, make a decision and go forward. The number of $400 million is absurd, is ridiculous. We'll never happen. You'll never hear us even trying to respond to a number like that. That's ridiculous. I don't think they're gonna come back with that number, but if they come back with anything remotely close to that, you'll be hearing me say, let's go. Let's start because I can't in good conscience even consider negotiating with a number of that source. This is a county-wide problem. This is not Doral's problem. These this garbage facility is going to handle the entire county. There's no reason why we should have to share the entire burden of building it somewhere else all by ourselves or even in proportion. That's ridiculous and no one on that call or any call has in any way acknowledged or even put forth the notion that this is something that we are in agreement with. This is not the Rouse problem. The county has changed, things changed, the population changes. When that facility was built, and I'm sorry if I'm off-mike, when that facility was built, this was a completely different community. They now have a chance to put it in the right place. The mayor believes that it should be put out there. The county staff recommends that it should be out there. So it's not like Doral's whining and crying and has come up with this out of thin air. All of the people in the know believe that this is where it should be. And we'll fight. And we're gonna fight hard. We will, unfortunately, if we have to, this wound up in court. And it may well be that way, based on some of the comments we heard, was it posturing, was it political pandering, we'll soon find out. If you've got any questions, please let me know. Thank you, Mr. Cassessi. Is there any, I have some questions, but is there any questions from the council? Through the Mayor. Yes. Okay, well first of all, thank you to our attorneys for bringing this forward, explaining exactly what it would do. And, you know, I've had conversations with Mr. Covira about this and about how we really should approach it. I also want to thank the residents that are here today because I really thank your message of unity really resonates with all of us. And I really think that it's important to clarify for the record and address some of your comments because I feel that if there's any issue here on the council where we have all been united, it's actually this, this issue. And so for me, it's extremely disappointing, disheartening to have heard several false and misleading statements made during the Mayor's the city council has actually given the mayor the administration the lawyers full support on this issue. All special meetings request for funding, lobbyist services, and the city council has actually given the mayor the administration the lawyers full support on this issue. All special meetings request for funding, lobbyist services, lobbyist services, lobbyist services, lobbyist funding, lobbyist services, resolutions, everything that has been requested by the mayor, the administration and the attorneys have been unanimously approved, all of them. So I'm not sure where the message that we're not united behind this comes from, but it's extremely misleading. Not only that, but we've allowed ample and wide latitude for the mayor to lead on this. She had told us that this issue was under control. She was meeting with several County commissioners. We remember that I met with county commissioners. She brought some of them to tour the incinerator. And if I'm not mistaken, even gave our state representative and our senator a tour of the incinerator. She's done a lot. She's been constantly telling us that she has close relationships with the commissioners. She's made, who actually made very dismissive comments about her city and her residence during the last commission meeting. And the mayor has had meetings with our city staff, lobbyists, county commissioners, and attorneys to discuss issues and strategies as she mentioned. That the rest of the council is not privy to, nor have been consulted for including apparently a recent one last week on September 24th, which by the way I was completely fine with that. If the mayor wanted to lead in this, I'm completely fine so as you can see the council has not only provided the full support that it needs, that this issue truly needs, but we have given the mayor wide latitude to lead on this issue. So I'm very confused and I'm very concerned. So while I am very used to hearing, the mayor make false and divisive statements and comments, blaming us, I really was surprised to hear that somehow this is the rest of my colleagues' fault. One of the statements that was made during the town hall is that we wouldn't show up to today's meeting. So I wanna ask my colleagues, did you make that statement? Councilman Cabral, did you say you were not showing up to this meeting today? No, I did not. Vice Mayor, did you make that statement? Nope. So unless the mayor wants to answer how she heard that statement. Hi, absolutely, what? Please. Madam Clerk, can you please recall the conversation you and I had on Thursday before I left here when the meeting was called for today at 5 o'clock for the city manager evaluation? Had we received confirmation of people of a quorum? You told me specifically that quorum had not been reached. Correct. For the meeting you called for 5 o'clock. Quorum had not been reached. Correct. And we actually had called for five o'clock. COREM had not been reached. Correct. And we actually had a discussion about whether I would be able to hold the meeting. Absolutely. And I said, I don't need COREM. I can call special meeting anytime I want. They have the opportunity and the freedom to show up. I have asked this. However, no one had confirmed that they would be here. Thank you. Clerk, when was the quorum confirmed? The quorum was confirmed at the point that you called the special meeting to discuss item 5B on the agenda. What day was that? That was, give me one second. That was Wednesday, 925. Okay. And your town hall was after that mayor. So you had forum during your town hall and you still made those statements. So again, I, you don't, I understand that you don't want to know. No, no mayor. I'm not done speaking. You had a second. I will. thank you. It was just confirmed by the clerk that she told me to go again. So I want to this is this is my point. You guys here today have been told that we have not been participating that we have not been supportive. This has been an issue that we have all agreed on and we continue to agree on. And so for me, I am going to support whatever, again, whatever is in the best interest of the city and of the residents. So at this time, I would like to make the following recommendations. And again, this is based on the discussions that I've had. I've been able to have with our attorney as well as the proposed letter and the proposed resolution. It's my understanding that the negotiations or the discussion that happened last Friday between the county and our city seemed positive and that our attorney and you can correct me if I'm wrong. Feels comfortable that we can move forward with this negotiation as per Raoul's recommendation as well to continue the negotiations, have periodic status checks and then really resort to using this section of the law that we're required to use or that we can use. That's correct. Does that conclude your comments, Councilwoman? Through the Mayor. Does that conclude your comments, Councilwoman? Yes. Okay. Before we go to the Vice Mayor, Madam Clerk, I'd like for you to pull up any record of the Council after I sent the meeting asking for the special meeting for this discussion, their confirmation of assisting. Was there any confirmation received? I will pull it up again. So your recollection and from the conversation we had on Wednesday afternoon before my town hall meeting. Correct. You had confirmed that no quarantine. That's correct. The only one that answered was a meeting. As a matter of fact, another meeting was called at the same time, and I was told I didn't have quorum for my meeting. That's correct. OK, so I want to confirm. I don't make up statements unlike some others. I don't make them up. That is what I was told that I did not have quorum for the meeting. And I specifically told no happening, no clapping at this. I specifically told you all did not respond to the email request that we were having a special meeting. Clearly no one knows that you're going to be here and you've done it before where I've called the special meeting and you don't show up. So we're not making assumptions other than on base of past practices and and involvement. And no one here has made assumptions or statements that you all haven't been involved. They've seen it quite frankly. So I have not made any statements and most people were there during the town hall and saw it and it was public, I published it. And yes, you all supported every initiative we've brought forward because we've been united on it But when I asked the administration if I could do a video like the city of Miramar's Mary did and send text messages I was told no that we couldn't do it like that I had to use my mayor's message to do a to do the video and that's not the fault of the administration I understand the direction that they were getting. So I took my time and I paid for several text blasts myself to get the word out and I got buses and I bought t-shirts and I have no problem doing that. I would do it a hundred times over for this community. But to say that there's been support, I'm sorry, and yes, I've led in these things because the people elected me to be the mayor. And so I've led in these initiatives and I have had all these meetings and we've done all these things and unfortunately the county has deferred the item over and over again because of things that have come up which is based is what I want to talk about next but I'm going to allow the vice mayor to speak but I did want to clear up the accusations. Just to have a question for the attorney. If right now as we all know we have the support of the mayor of the county living counter to move it to the airport side right. That's my understanding yes. If we were to decide to move forward with the government dispute resolution process. Would you feel that we will still have her support? I don't know, but if you commence with litigation, people tend to get upset. Right, that's all. Thank you. Any other comments? Thank you so much. Oh, sorry. Any other comments? Yes. Council and P. Nadel. Thank you, Mayor. First of all, one of the things that we're administration and legal team for making these happen as well. Listen, this has been going on for since February of 2023. So to be here and start pointing figures and blaming each other, we know it's not going to resolve the problem. It's like me saying here, blame it to Mayor Levine Cava or our County Commissioner, JC Bermures, which at the end, if you think about it, that's why they represent us. We have County Commissioner, we have a mayor, and to be fair, Mayor Livingcabas since August of 2023, a year ago, she has been recommending the same. The same. The Upper West. So this is no new. This has been going on for over a year. Unfortunately, yes, we have to call things the way that they are. County commissioners fail to make a decision last meeting. That's it. I mean, we don't control the county. We don't control the county commissioners. That's why we have a county commissioner. That's why we have a county mayor. So, butterline is that we're doing what we have to do as a city since day one. I want to commend the previous administration, the current administration, because since these happen, we have been on top of these matters, especially the administration. I agree with that. So, it will be on fair for people to come here and criticize them, especially the leadership, which at the end is the administration as well. Because since day one, they have been on top of this. Not only the legal team, the expertise as well, the environmental expertise, the community, especially because I personally have been in over six town hall meetings organized by residents are sitting here. So, and they're in that particular road over there in the back. So, and they know who they are. So, to be here and start going back and or hear comments about lack of leadership, lack of the mayor's leadership. At the end, I know we only have one mayor. I recognize that. And I recognize that's why we have a administration, we have a city manager. So I do wanna commend the administration, especially the legal team as well, you guys, for moving forward with the conflict resolution under chapters 164, because that shows our commitment to keep fighting for our residents since day one. And yes, of course, I'm gonna be in favor, but I think that as you mentioned, we have to give the county a chance because we have to work together on this. This is a regional issue, it's not a derailleur issue, it's a regional issue. And again, to be fair, I believe the county mayor and our county commissioner are doing their part as well and they're doing a good job. So sometimes you don't hear me commanding our county commissioner, but I'm doing it today because he's doing what he can and he's using his power as a county commissioner to make sure that the plan is out of the city of the route. So, I just want to say that yes, I'll be in favor of if we have to initiate the conflict of resolution procedures. However, I'm going to ask you and I'm going to ask the administration that if you guys are meeting next Monday, where you have a follow-up call next Monday, to us to receive the update. And if we need to call for a spatial meeting to address that call, to please know that I'll be available. OK. I wanted to put something on the record as well. And something that Mr. Rastasi touched upon, which is of concern to all of us. You know, and it's what alarmed us the most. And the reason why we're here today is that we've been negotiating a certain number of that $20 to $40 million range, and now we're hearing that $400 million range. That's ridiculous. Which is ridiculous. But the administration did tell us that they were be talking with numbers and figures at our next meeting So definitely if we need to have this meeting next week We're having we'll be back here. We're having the conversation we need to have which is What's the number? We're not you know, there's a whole set of other issues But let's be honest that is the prime Concern right now as far as that's concerned is the number and they're supposed to come back to us with a number on Monday Let's see through the mayor. Yes, perhaps one of the biggest challenges we're facing is that the cost are based on the location Not knowing the location is We cannot come up with a number if there are three different locations each different location is going to have a set cost and We don't know the the location so we really can't move until we know the location and until the county has decided on that That's that's exactly what I was going to say to my point I think there's a sense of urgency here. I understand trying to play nice and continue to negotiate We've been doing that for a year and a half. OK. And so I'm at the point where there's nothing to negotiate with them. They said it there. It's on transcript. They said there's seven votes today to put it back into route. So I think that the next steps, and you set it yourself, you can't just walk into the court and file a lawsuit, you know, government to government. So for me, like this is the next step, we cannot sign a blank check. I will not sign a blank check for our city. And the commissioners made it very clear. We were all there. They made it very clear that if Dorao, and the administration is great and the mayor has tried to advocate for the position of, for many reasons of airport West being the site and understanding that there's a negotiation with Dorao. But the county commissioners are the ones that are gonna make this, you know, this decision. And my conversation with most of them has been, if there's no delta, there's no deal. And so that delta, we just don't know what it is. But we know it's over 200 million in either site that they choose. And if it goes in mainly, we definitely aren't going to pay for that. We're not going to pay that. So really the only site where we would have a negotiation would be an airport west. And if site four is back on the table, which seems to be like a May, however, it's very small and I don't think it's gonna end up being the right location. So I just don't think that there's a basis for us to, for you all to even go and negotiate with. There is none. It's a bad faith negotiation on their part. They have to make the decision first, so then we can come. I think the county just wants to run to make the decision for them. Because it's easier for them to walk in and say, I'll do all of it and pay. So let's just put it back into our out. And so it puts us in a really bad position. And while I think you're saying they haven't put a gun to their head, they have. Because on November 6, they will take a vote. And if we come back saying, well, we're not going to pay you the delta because we don't know what the delta is. They can turn around and say, well, we're going to put it back in drought, which is why I think the best course of action now, because it puts us on a restricted, on a, on a, it puts us on a timeframe per the statute that gives us an ability and a tool to negotiate on. And then we've kind of already taken that first step so that if they do decide to do it anyway, that gives us an ability and a tool to negotiate on. And then we've kind of already taken that first step so that if they do decide to do it anyway, we now can go in and file an injunction if they decide to take that vote. That's just those are the things I wanted to put on the record because we have been, I'm open to you guys having another discussion with the county. I just don't think you're going to come to an agreement because there is no number to negotiate on It's a fictitious number because of there's no sight. I am not gonna tell you Hey hold off We're this close to making a deal. No, where this word You know we're we're in central where, you know, we're in Central Europe, you know, they're in Alaska. I mean, it's, you know, that's where we are right now. We are not close to making a deal yet. There are so many things to negotiate. But I believe the number is the, is the most difficult thing to negotiate. If they ham and hall or give us a ridiculous number on Monday, you'll know. And I hear what you're saying. We'll bring it right back up in front of you. There are certain procedures that we have to meet when it gets in front of you. I believe it's three-fourths of you have to vote to initiate the dispute resolution procedures. I don't know what three-fourths of five is, but I got the feeling it's four out of five. Because we can't cut one of you in half or something. So, you know, it will eventually come to you to initiate that procedure. We could be here next week or late next week. I'm not asking for months. Can you just elaborate real quick, what benefit there would be to filing the dispute in a negotiation? Well, what the statute does for us in which protected protection wise? Yeah, what happens with the dispute resolution procedure and I'm going off the top of my head. I may get this a little bit wrong, but essentially the concept is we send a letter to the county mayor and manager and things like that saying we invoke the procedures. Then we have X amount of time for our staff at the staff level to meet. If that doesn't result in a resolution, then there's a more formal meeting. Eventually there is a statute's call for a meeting of the two bodies to try and resolve it itself. It, in Miami Lakes, we did it, but we had to jump. There are exceptions to jumping straight to litigation. You have to jump through all of these hoops first before you resort to litigation. It's about six months. In Miami Lakes, we initiated, we had to initiate the lawsuit because it became imminent. They started digging, they started opening a roadway and the traffic was going to start flowing the next day. They were trespassing on county property, et cetera, et cetera. Here I doubt that will happen because it will take them so long to get permits and everything else. So I think we would end up having to go through the whole process then file soon. That's my anticipation. I think just in summing it up, it's formality. It creates a more formal process versus the county saying, go meet, the administration's go meet. It's a more formal so much more formal process. Yes, and it's governed by the statute. And you have to, we have to meet at a certain level than at another level, then at the council commission level. To the mayor. Yes. It is a more formal process, but it will stop the negotiations. That's if I had to predict and I believe that we will stop your recommendation from what I heard was that you want time to try and it will not be you know until the day before the meeting at the county will be you will keep us posted. This will make decisions quick. This will not approach. I believe that we should go with your recommendation and the your meetings just started last week, was it? And you have another meeting. So you started here June 5th. Right. So my believe, we started here June 5th. Right. So, so my, my believe it's your believe it's let's continue to negotiate but be on top of it. Keep us up, you know, keep us informed. Like Councilman Pinero said,ato said, if you see something that, you know, it smells that we have to move on and forward with the statute, the resolution process, then we should meet and make that decision as quickly as possible. If I make it, that's my recommendation. I think that's what I hear that you are recommending and I want to go with your recommendation. Through the mayor, if I may ask, say something. Yes. Several of you, when I've spoken with you, have asked kind of what do you want to see from today from today's meeting and something I've discussed also with Mr. Gastese is we want to see the council take the action initiative. It's not necessarily if you don't want to start the 164 by all means, Mr. Roe brings up some very, very good points. It would stall the conversations in the week to week meetings we have and it would take more of a formal posture which may not be the best thing, maybe right now, when we're trying to get numbers and we're trying to act again, again, in good faith. What happened at the commission meeting was not nice, was to put it mildly, mildly. But I think if you don't wanna take the step, it should be moving the ball forward. So, set already some type of perspective of meeting again here very soon to discuss what's going on in those meetings and those conversations so that all of you can have that opportunity to have a discussion as a body and have that united front. That's just my two sides. Through the mayor. Yes, Councilman Pinero and then Councilman Cabarral. And then we'll go back to you. Thank you Mayor. I just want to add something else. Yes, by me saying that if you meet next week and for us to get an update, of course, I'm anticipating that we're going to have to come back and approve this resolution. I'm going to tell you why. What for those of us that were the last county commissioners. To hear from county commissioners after a year, they still need time to review, to get more information and asking the mayor and the administration to get more details after a year. That tells me that they're not going to change their mind in a week. So for me, they're pretty much laughing on us. They're being irresponsible because they're now making a decision. And they keep going back to requesting the county administration to provide more information about it. So, I know that we're going to have to come back and approve this resolution in order to protect the city and the residents. So, what I'm trying to say is that I'm okay with moving forward with the resolution today because I think the Rah has paid the price for over 38 years Having the facility here and we have to show the county That we're ready to fight and we're ready to fight for our racing However, I understand at the same time that your your position, but just for the raker I know that we will have to come back in a week and approve the resolution. Come to me, Governor. Sorry. If I were sending what you said, I would bet against me being able to resolve this. How's that for honesty and frankness? But I think you have to give it a shot. But I would bet against me. As far as not being able to resolve it, when I hear a $400 million number, when they jump from 30 or 40 to $400 million, it's not like they said, hey, look, my bad, we told you 40, but actually we're thinking 45. We can have a conversation. But when they negotiate in that fashion, in other words, going backwards or going higher, that's ridiculous. It's not acceptable. But when I'm meeting with the county manager and the highest levels of the county attorney's office and the highest levels of the county attorney's office and the highest levels of their administration and they're telling us hey we're going to come back to you in a week to talk about this and they're telling us we're going to meet every week or every seven to ten days every time and you had to be there. I don't think anyone who was there can say in that meeting that they weren't talking to me in good faith. In that meeting, I understand the complete frustration about the only this for a year and what's gonna change because Roe Auguste, that's all a sudden, had a meeting with them in 10 days and now the county's gonna completely come to a different position. That's not what I'm telling you at you're going to come to the city of California. I'm not sure if you're going to come to the city of California. I'm not sure if you're going to come to the city of California. I'm not sure if you're going to come to the city of California. I'm not sure if you're going to come to the city of California. I'm not sure if you're going to come to the city of I actually had a conversation with our city attorney and at that time was President, our city manager and Deputy as well. And that's one of the questions because I confirmed with him my and I confirmed with the city clerk at the time that I was able to understand Florida's such 164. I was actually having that conversation with him and I explained to him that before I meet I like to understand what is it that we're going to be talking about so I have a little bit of knowledge and I can bring my questions to him. So in no form or sense was that I was not refusing to me to have this meeting but I needed to have understanding and I did not have a time frame that I have to give an answer. So I'm here today, you know? To the town hall meeting, I was not there because it was not published. So it's a Flora statue violation, sunshine violation. So that's why I was not there because I was not going to be part of a violation, a sunshine one. So just to have that clear. So I wasn't there now because I didn't want to, but it was not published. And that by law, it is a violation. I've been fighting for this since 2008. And the one so far in this that it's in this body seating that live all north side. So I've been affected since I've won my pro two properties here in Dara. So I've been fighting since then. So I've been dealing with waste management and also covanta both of them. So I just want to put that on the record. So Mr. Horella, I would like you to talk a little bit of our meeting. I met with you and the staff on Friday before the meeting that you had with the county, with the city manager, county manager, and also the attorney, isn't it? And when we talk about, we talk about this, where I actually ask you, if it was something that we should really brought now that we are within negotiations, I understand that the county have changed their mind, the commissioners have changed their mind on how they want to handle what they're present into us. But at the meantime, we are in the middle of a negotiation. I understand that from the 13 people that are there, the one really effective because lives here is our city commissioner Juan Carlos Remutus. So he is the one that has the most and best interest that this will be resolved. But the rest, by us going publicly insulting them and talking the way that is being talked outside, I don't think that does a very not smart, but just common sense to when you're in the middle of a negotiation. I understand and I am frustrated too, but that will not give me the opportunity for me to go out and start bashing the people that are at the end of the day. We are other mercy. I mean, they are the one that have the vote. We are here to be a voice. And yes, affect all of us. I mean, I hear property here. I live here. My kids grew up here. It doesn't mean that when I finish my term, I'm going to leave, but at the same time we have to be smart and common sense of how we're going to handle the situation. So in my sense is that, and I remember, you remember that I told you to, that I remember your fight with my, when you were representing my amy legs on the bridges. I even told you where was one of them because I remember exactly everything that was going on at that time, even though I don't live there. So I just want you to confirm that we did have that conversation that did talk to you, that I put my thoughts on this situation, that on this Florida statue too, and how I think that things should be handled. You certainly did. Mr. Manager, did I also also express how and I sit down with all of you and explain what I was thinking about how things should be handled. You did. Okay so I think that what I have expressed here was exactly what transpired that day that we had the meeting. That was never I never had a question. I never had an argument with that. I'm not saying that you're having that was never I never had an argument with that. I'm not saying that you're having that I just want to be in the record that that was the words and what I actually transpired at the time that I met with all of you actually. So by that being said, I, where I stand is that I think that we should still have the conversation with the county. And sure, we have to put dates that the meetings should be perceived. And based on that, then definitely we should then to push them to go and have the resolution flourish that should 164. Okay. What's the current motion on the table, Madam Clerk? Do you have it? I think there was a recommendation. I don't think a motion has been made. Oh, I thought there was a recommendation made. I would recommend moving forward with continuing the negotiations for 30 days, having a status check within 15 days after your first initial meeting. And then during that status check, you can give us more or less what your prognostic is of the situation. And then we can take up the issue of whether we want to move forward with that statute. With all due respect, I think that we have to be able to do that you can give us more or less what your prognostic is of the situation and then we can take up the issue of whether we want to move forward with that statute. With all due respect, I think that 30 days is too long because by charter we can't have meetings if there's a runoff in our city. So I think 30 days is a lot. What I would recommend is we have an October 17th, I think council meeting. Okay. No, we can't. Oh, sorry, the 23rd. Okay, so I would say by that meeting, you should have already had two meetings with the county. Okay. Right, so by that date, we should have a response to be able to move forward, but you should have the numbers from them at the neck. I already saw the numbers. Yeah. There's two offers and I re-solve them. It's 200,400. So those are the numbers you're going to get and with a transfer station, by the way. So I think that by the next meeting, you're going to have that and then you give them our position on it and we come forward and we decide at that point. Okay. I have no do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. We have to do it before. everything would be, I think it's fair enough to say October, if everybody's okay with that. Have the makers willing to? I think that's fine. I think we should still have a status meeting before then. Okay. And then if, since the meeting's October 7, the 14th? Sure. Or whatever. I think they can individually update us and if they feel that a special meeting needs to be called, then we can do that. But for sure put in the motion by the last meeting on October that we have set. One day's the seventh, I can assure you at the conclusion of the meeting, you will all be informed on a one-on-one basis. Yes, I would also offer one thing that maybe is a viable option, assuming we get some type of appraisal. One of the recommendations that came out is a viable option, assuming we get some type of appraisal. One of the recommendations that came out of my town hall from the resident was maybe they're willing to sell us the land. So maybe there's an opportunity if they want a more amount that within appraisal we can buy that land from them. The facility here. Where currently is. Just if buy that land from them. The facility here. Where currently is. Just if everyone's okay with them. Is it a real estate negotiator? That's sure. At least see if the option is available. If it's something they're open to. It doesn't hurt to ask. Yeah, it doesn't hurt to ask. Wheels are going as to different possibilities. All right, I think there's a motion wheels are going as to different possibilities. All right. I think there's a motion. I need a second second by vice mayor of Puig Corvay. Madam Clerk, please call the bill. I have a motion to direct staff to proceed the negotiations with my immediate county and bring back the item to council for the October 23rd, 2024 council meeting made by councilman porra seconded by vice mayor of Puig Corvay. Councilman porras. May I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may I please may We'll let Councilman vice mayor, we're going to wait for you. Go to the rest room. Motion to recess five minutes. Yes, but let's try and stay in our seats. T. Okay. Madam Clerk, please read the item back into the record. Item 5B, discussion establishing and annual procedure to evaluate city manager salary and salary evaluation discussion. All right. Councilwoman Poras, this is your item. Thank you, Mayor. I was just informed that we received a letter of resignation from our city manager. So therefore, this item is moot, so I'm going to move to withdraw it Yes, Mr. City manager that is correct. I have resigned effective five minutes ago There are some words I do want to enter into the record As we all know the reason this special meeting was called Was to conduct an evaluation of the City Manager and specifically evaluate his salary. I want to go on the record to state that this proposed reduction in pay had nothing to do with my job performance. But rather, this was in retaliation for refusing to be a puppet of certain council members who are present here tonight. The financial impact of this reduction would have resulted in some members of my senior staff earning more than myself. And frankly, this would have been unjust and unacceptable. I was directed to terminate several employees not due to their job performance but rather because they were appointed by the former city manager. This is a direct violation of the city charter since elected officials are not to be involved in any aspect of the administration, including the hiring and termination of employees. Behavior such as this by elected officials is something that shocks the conscience and goes against the morals of any decent human being. Holding public office is a privilege that should not be abused by those in power to serve their own agenda. Shame on you. In the past eight months the city of Dorao has had four city managers who are either terminated or forced to resign. Clearly it is not the one it is not the city managers, the ones who are the problem. Let me repeat that. Four city managers and eight months, the city managers are not the problems. Do you understand that? Doral residents, I urge you to take a look at those on the day is remember the names come November 5th when you go vote and not just this year but in 26 and in 28. I am humbled by the support Doral employees residents my family my daughter will flew overnight from DC to be here and my friends. As I said, I submitted my resignation a few minutes ago. All I need is clarity from the council. As stipulated in my employment agreement, I had to give 90 days notice, making my last day the 31st of December. I ask for clarity from the council. Do you want me to remain as manager for 90 days or would you like me to vacate the position immediately? That's your call. Thank you Mr. Manager. I'm shocked to hear the resignation. I even know. I made it very clear that you've had my 100% support to maintain your salary. And I'm sorry for what you have gone through. And I personally have had conversations with you. And I apologize to your family as well. I did not support you coming in for many reasons, which you, I think, now have lived and experienced yourself. But you turned out to be a very man of integrity and values and hard work. And for that, I thank you. And you and I have had several conversations about that. We had a conversation the first day you walked in. And at the budget hearing, when I said you weren't my manager, I went immediately after and apologized to I said out of frustration because unfortunately the budget was being weaponized. And at the end of the day by the certain people that brought you here. And so I just want to put on the record that I would like you to stay until the 90 days. That would be, you have my full support to stay all the way through at your current salary. At your current salary. Okay. I don't know if anybody else has any comments. Is there a procedureally? Is this something that's decided upon by the council or I need some clarity there? We will have to take a vote on the date of your resignation. Very well. But yes, Councilman Pignato. I actually placed the motion but before it plays the motion I would like to say that I'm also in shock because I we had had different conversations as well. I was no one have been support of any modifications to the agreement or the salary because as you stated it has been an unbelievable year for the route when it comes to city managers and administration. Same reason why part of this council terminated Barbio Hernandez. Seeming the reasons why Ms. Brooks decided not to apply for that position, the city managers position. So it's unbelievable to hear from our city manager that part of this council is asking city managers to terminate people. I had the privilege to serve as part of the staff when Mayor Bermuda was here, Mayor Boria was here, and I have never, never heard anything like this. It certainly sent the wrong message to the community, to the residents, because at the end of the day, we're here because of the one sitting over here, the residents. So to hear that maybe because someone doesn't like another staff or director, and that goes to the city manager's office to request the termination of that person for just because it's free enough or know the mayor or knows me or knows anybody else, it's very sad. So as I said to you before this meeting and I was actually had requested to play the video when you were selected. I'm aware of that, thank you. And I appreciate it. I appreciate the support. Because when you hear those comments less than three months ago and now to hear exactly what happened and the reasons why we're having this meeting, I'm honestly no surprise. So I placed the motion, certainly for you to stay the 90 days without any changes because at the end of the day, I don't think that you, you whoever comes doesn't deserve to go through this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. May I speak for a minute? Ray, I, I, um, I'm shocked of your resignation, of course, but, um, I think we should go with the contract that you have in place the 90 days. I respect you fully. I do respect you as a person and I know you since I came to, since I got elected, I do think that the tone for, you know, I know that you're emotional at the moment, I guess, and not emotional, so are forceful. Not emotional. The tone was unnecessary, but you can still deliver the message without going through that. But I'm going to second the motion to keep you until your contract is over. Okay. We have a motion in the second. 90 days. We have a motion in a second. Any other comments? Through the Mayor. Yes. Yes. Mr. City Manager, you know, this was a discussion to evaluate your salary. You were not going to, at least I was not going to propose lowering your salary less than your other colleagues. That's not something that was planned. I had never heard anyone wanting to terminate you. In fact, the first and only time I've heard someone mention terminating you. In fact, the first and only time I've heard someone mention terminating you came from you, where you've said, I know I'm going to be terminated November 5th, regardless of who wins. So that was your own, those were your own words. Two. I also gave you the opportunity to, and offered you, the opportunity to keep your salary with the option of making sure we made some you've made some improvements and observations that I noted and you declined Well, I found it through the mayor. I find it interesting Well, just four months ago You raised me to the Miami Harrel saying I was capable of doing my job. I'm still speaking. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I have finished and I'll give you an opportunity. Absolutely. So I want to point that out and I want to put that into the record. I really do think that, and I did think that you had the experience necessary to be the city manager. I think that the other, the deputy manager and the assistant city manager that we have have been extremely helpful. And I do think that I wanted to see some improvements in that sense too. So again, I've never mentioned anything about termination that was from you. And I've offered you to stay and keep your salary with some improvements, but maybe you don't think that you need any sort of improvement. That's okay. And so, I respect your decision, and I also respect the fact that you want to seek your taking care of your grievances, and that's completely your option. I'm fine with supporting keeping you for the next 90 days to fulfill one of the parts of your contract but without the severance. So I'm not going to be approving or supporting you keeping or getting a severance after the 90 days. So I'm fine with supporting that. Through Mayor, the 90 day is a stipulation of my contract in order for me to be able to get a pay off on my PTO or my personal time off, my vacation time. With regards to you suggesting that I go on our performance improvement plan, I may ask it, may I ask you a question and that is that on an article that came out on June 4th in the Miami Herald, you were quoted as saying that you were, you knew that I was capable of doing my job, but that you felt I needed to accept guidance and perhaps listen to things. My question, would that guidance be terminating the people you wanted me to terminate, or as you put it on May 28th, cleaning house? I would have never used the words cleaning. Oh no, well, I don't use those words. Okay, oh no, it must be a figment of my imagination then. Again, you can see whatever you'd like. But to answer your question, no I would like to answer your question. This was gonna be the meeting where we would discuss your performance. So, you know, it was going to be done in the open and public. And I think the direction needed to come from the council. And so that's why I put it up here so that we could discuss it as a council. And then the direction would come from the five, the three, the four, whatever it is, because that's really the proper way to do it. Since I don't want to direct you alone, this is why I was brought here today. So. Mayor. Yes. I find it interesting that in a conversation I had with councilwoman Dignac Abral, where she insisted that I fire the chief financial officer. And when I negated that and I said that I was not, because he had become a valuable ally, especially in the area of public finance. And that's how this meeting came to be. That was the catalyst for this meeting. When you looked at me and you told me, well, if you don't fire the chief financial officer, I am going to move to have your salary reduced. And let me warn you, I don't want you to be surprised that it's going to be a severe reduction. May I please please no. The conversation that I have with you is that I told you that there were several different departments that need to be looked at. And one of that it was the administration one because no one except the past manager had two assistants. So we need to really look into our budget to be reasonable and for us to look into the different areas that we need to cut costs and expenses. In your case, you have two assistants. So we have to make adjustments. So that was what I expressed to you, not just with this apartment, but with different departments that need to be looked at. That is my right to be and give suggestion not to fire, but look into where the cost is going and how we have to reduce costs, especially now that we have to negotiate with the county. And we have to pay them a lump sum where we not even know to this point how much it's going to be. So we have to be responsible before the new administration came on board, the budget was $66 million. We're going to be ending this year with $120 or roughly $111 million. So almost double of what we expect. So when I talked to you, I didn't refer directly. I said we need to make changes on the different departments and we have to look them thoroughly and see how we can cut costs. Okay, well I'm now, I guess all I can say is don't drink the water because it's causing memory lapses. No, sir. And that's really insulting and I don't think that that's okay. Right to be doing that right now because we are in your Out of order First of all, you're out of order and this this Recoming right now because of what the accusation that you're giving and while you're writing here in your resignation I do accept your resignation, but I don't accept that we give you 90 days I think that the way that you're behaving we are we are here just in a very unprofessional way. We were here like the councilwoman, Poros said just to go over an evaluation and see how we can improve and how we can make things better for the entire budget in the city. So we were not here. I don't know what is it that you were thinking. My understanding that we were having the meeting of what is based on the memo. And that's what I was waiting for the councilwoman to speak and say why she called for this and then based on what she was she brought this information, then we will have a professional conversation and discussion. So that is what I am pointing. I know that there's a motion on the table, on the floor, but I am asking for reconsideration and I'm pretty sure that this might be looking to it on the way that this has been presented. All right, okay, there's a motion and a second, we're gonna call the role on that and then we'll see how that goes. Nevertheless, I will have to now, since he resigned, I will have the opportunity to appoint a city manager therefore I would like to go through a process. And I will have to sit with a char and go through that process. In the meantime, I would like Mr. Valdoz to be to stay on board because it will be a process that I have to now open up again, the city manager position and go through this as per the charter states. So we need that transition process and I think this is the best way to move forward with it. So there's a motion on the table, there's a second, let's go ahead and call the roll on that and then I think that it's time to bring down the temperature a little bit. I have a motion to accept there is a nation letter of city manager, Ravel. Yes, and have them remain a city manager for 90 days by Councilman Pinedo. Seconded by Vice Mayor Puig Corvay. Councilman Pinedo. Yes. Vice Mayor Puig Corvay. Councilman Porras. Yes. Councilman Cabrán. No, Mayor Fraga. So, Mr. City Manager, you will remain with us at your current salary for your 90-day period. In the meantime, I will get with HR and starter process for a search and going through that, the motions as per procedure in our charter. This would conclude this meeting. Thank you all for being here. I need a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Vice Mayor Puigcorp, second by Councilman Benito. On favor say aye. Meeting is adjourned. We're going to start our budget hearing in five minutes. Thank you.