[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6511619,"mediaKeyId","5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc","parentId",5322144,"title","Panel adds municipal-permitting and biosolids coordination items; sponsors seek municipal notice and joint hauling options","audioSeconds",4897,"startMs",946000,"endMs",5843000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc&start=946&end=5843","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc/thumbnail_946000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511619/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Panel-adds-municipal-permitting-and-biosolids-coordination-items-sponsors-seek-municipal-notice-and-joint-hauling-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511619-b8165b6f614eec264f916a8e318d8677/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931943&Signature=Pe8LI2xgnrBbjHst~v8II0IfeOrynXs-be6eafUfoMz7wzXi-BjwKwL76l-wFJ7xZaTJtfdwaA83xzRJSWqUeJPtuR1WLa5WuHb4vC4tMIf2ZEiZQAlWFPPn0YtVkZa-EWRZJDYYojR13lew9iqZun4rCg5oahLeOmpcBiZStfgjptU68NI0fDwA2SwFzr~IJiy22Q1FNxk9grRgfpbmTiLpZJNjcvy~i2-Ll1ugCDG2gF2iTV1BHeY2dWrI53q~Aj8C3mxBQe5PsNzwC0xCp7CG3~e13t8yV7BkChu83fHm6lU1lXfJBCvGPQ83UDNpgIro9LYjQNQ3~ksaf2Cbcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miami-Dade County","date","2025-07-07T00:00:00Z","article","Committee members added and discussed two agenda items on July 9 related to municipal coordination of utility permits and combined handling of biosolids.

Permitting for municipal utilities (Item 2F): Commissioner Rebeca Sosa Regalado brought forward a resolution directing the county to take actions with respect to permitting municipal utilities conducting water or sewer construction outside their municipal boundaries. She said the change is aimed at improving coordination and cited a recent example in which a municipal project near a stadium began immediately before a large event and “caused traffic backup throughout the entire city. It was a cascading disaster.” Several commissioners expressed concern about giving municipalities a consent veto over county review; one commissioner asked whether notice rather than consent would be preferable and requested guardrails to avoid unreasonable delays. The committee opened the reasonable-opportunity-to-be-heard period on the added item and, after discussion, added the item to the agenda; one commissioner recorded a 'no' on adding the item citing potential municipal impacts.

Combined biosolids hauling and upgrade evaluation (Item 2G): County staff added item 2G directing the mayor to explore a memorandum of understanding between solid waste and water & sewer for combined biosolids and solid-waste hauling and to evaluate opportunities for upgrading Class B biosolids to Class A. Staff said the item was added to committee and opened public comment; commissioners asked for clarity on timing and potential regulatory constraints.

Next steps: Commissioners requested specific guardrails and timelines to ensure the items do not unduly delay municipal construction projects while improving intergovernmental coordination. Staff will refine language and return the items with clearer notice and timing requirements.

Ending: The added items will be refined by staff. Commissioners asked that any rule granting municipalities consent include explicit limits and reasonable timelines so projects are not stalled without cause.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Miami-Dade County - Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee - Jul 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee added two items addressing municipal utility permitting (2F) and an MOU to coordinate combined biosolids hauling and Class B-to-A upgrades (2G); members debated whether municipal consent or notice is appropriate and asked staff for guardrails to avoid project delays.","taxTitle","Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2864,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511624,"Commissioners probe proposal to move federally backed Miami tech hub into nonprofit; county says outside funding hinges on nonprofit status",539,6070000,6609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc&start=6070&end=6609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc/thumbnail_6070000.jpg","/articles/6511624/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Commissioners-probe-proposal-to-move-federally-backed-Miami-tech-hub-into-nonprofit-county-says-outside-funding-hinges-on-nonprofit-status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511624-6ad2680bee6747ea0b3d3d6836c1f99d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931943&Signature=TFbypJHr5ofMQc9jQ9ffq15afMzfyzXF5Mcx-A2hzfhOwhpX4N-8cen4a6wQMJTd61qMxOMIZJCSFnsYZ45zZ5TrprW1g4xshbsEBXILciDnA7IrD8h3~pDM4oA92Ex3G8wZ~xzKOoQx4M8BeA8eK6mEFahigW4XB-rhXecoBuIJ7yJaughLoyTGnDaLr0IBF8HoWSxBO0CqDhjY6E91DPzjq6z5iWG4Cwe~JL0Kc1fxkmn6bmXrn9ocMZyqlyx5IaQgqZbO~vf3gCy2dobiHo23D-8K91FqWxH6Jr2Y1ZXd~68-gQynheZRXSle5aOO4yoSZ22m-CPFKgi3MOlxMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee on July 9 examined a proposal to transition the Miami regional tech hub into an independent nonprofit entity in order to meet grant conditions and secure additional private funds.

What staff said about grant conditions and funding: James Gunn, director of economic development, said the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a regional tech-hub grant that requires the recipient to be an independent not‑for‑profit. Gunn said the award total is approximately $19,500,000 and that private funding (a Knight Foundation contribution discussed in committee of roughly $3,000,000) would help sustain the hub. Gunn also said two county staff who had supported the hub previously “have left the county” and “are not transitioning into the tech hub.”

Commissioners’ questions and concerns: Several commissioners asked whether the nonprofit would return to the county for funding requests and sought clarity about staffing and in‑kind county services. Commissioner Rebeca Sosa Regalado and others asked whether current county employees who supported the hub would be backfilled; Gunn said the EDA grant allows for two full‑time positions under the governance structure and that roughly $333,000 in in‑kind services over five years (mostly from the South Florida Regional Planning Council) is identified. Commissioner Michael Steinberg and others pressed for a written statement that no county employees will transfer to the nonprofit and for a clearer accounting of whether the nonprofit will return to the commission for additional county funding.

Timing and committee action: Staff said that the nonprofit structure is required for the federal award to be distributed to the region. Committee members requested the administration place explicit commitments about staffing, in‑kind costs and future county requests into the record. The committee moved the item forward without recommendation to allow staff to amend the legislation and return to the board with clarified language and assurances.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized they would support the project if the item is brought back with explicit detail showing the nonprofit will be financially independent (no ongoing county funding obligations) or, if county support is needed, with a defined funding plan and reporting requirements.","Committee discussed proposed transition of a Miami regional tech hub from county control to an independent nonprofit to secure federal and private funding. Commissioners asked for clearer staffing, in‑kind cost and governance details before endorsing the move; the committee moved the item without recommendation pending amendments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511629,"Directors and commissioners debate fee increase, landfill revenue outlook and methane, yard-waste options",594,1148000,1742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc&start=1148&end=1742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc/thumbnail_1148000.jpg","/articles/6511629/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Directors-and-commissioners-debate-fee-increase-landfill-revenue-outlook-and-methane-yard-waste-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511629-302c3585493ec0b2cf459a7e106d7eb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931943&Signature=EjWA17oLLJMrXyRUH0ymcDxAUGHIdeAws20Dh-Ttk3Sum1-47PSFVp-TP~ZGQoVsmdhfe25LcdE0WlTXS0K2-Ie0Xr~NohazFJ4vPrXmR-~3ohzpT7WRFc5jh1linVRNYFfI02ZMZ6TTqJUhX7XOTC7LJtlFZ~uRVlOgOaIcSTLhp8FcdF7cTcsROTOQ66cZ3npmHkviKBzNNagZAOVWgMQpRzgHqEC93iTnbQPsPBstsN0ONPc-4-HOK5hUPHQztbmYScjHRI2U1REOZhx~E9TvdsE7Ab4GYuD9HtcECf1o55IRML0fhL~IbJA-1tsRLp99bOU~kdFRreg9Ng6YhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An extended committee discussion on July 9 focused on the county solid-waste enterprise fund, near-term fee proposals and operational alternatives that could reduce costs or generate revenue.

Key facts presented by staff: Anisha Daniel, Director of the Department of Solid Waste Management, said the department identified over $8 million in savings and that the net savings after certain offsetting costs was “almost $5,000,000.” She repeatedly flagged inflationary pressures on fleet, construction and labor, noting fleet costs had risen “45% within the last year.” Daniel told commissioners that, without additional revenue or offsets, the department’s five‑year projection would show a cumulative deficit of about $56 million and an $8 million deficit in the single year 2028 if only the 1% increase is approved.

Commissoners’ concerns about service levels and labor: Commissioner Cohen Higgins pressed staff on the threshold at which the county would have to reduce service frequency, asking, “At what point in time ... do we move from 2 garbage pickups to 1 garbage pickup a week?” Director Daniel replied that a range of actions would be required and that the choices would include borrowing, raising fees or reducing service. She quantified the risk: “it will take me into a red $8,000,000 in deficit in 2028, and then ... I'm going to go $56,000,000 in the deficit by year 5.”

Potential revenue and operational offsets discussed:
- Methane / renewable natural gas (RNG): Daniel said an RNG project at the landfill is in procurement and estimated it could generate roughly “about a million dollars a year” once online; commissioners discussed timeline uncertainty (12 to 18 months) and agreed methane capture also reduces odor and community nuisance.
- Yard waste and mulching: Commissioners and staff described expanding separated yard-waste collection at transfer-recycling centers (TRCs), on-site mulching, and allowing residents to pick up mulch. Daniel said some TRCs already accept clean yard waste and that the department has adjusted bulky-pickup protocols to separate clean yard materials into dedicated trucks.
- Mini dumps and transfer stations: Several commissioners argued for expanding local mini-dump sites to reduce hauling distances and collect tipping-fee revenues without increasing county collection costs. Commissioner Regalado said municipalities and residents would use nearby mini-dumps rather than hauling to distant sites if better options exist.

Equity and budgeting questions: Commissioners repeatedly asked for a transparent accounting of baseline costs, past pauses in fee increases (a “reset”), and what portions of past disposal revenues subsidized collection. Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales confirmed the administration had asked departments to identify efficiencies but said most of the deep general-fund cuts targeted non-proprietary departments; he noted disposal-side revenues had historically subsidized collection.

Next steps and decisions: Committee members asked the director for more granular fiscal scenarios (including 1.5% options), the expected schedule for RNG revenue, and the likely fiscal effect of expanding yard-waste mulching and mini-dump programs. No final decision to reduce pickups or adopt a specific fee change was made on July 9; several solid-waste items, including proposals tied to disposal and waste-to-energy procurement, were scheduled for the full commission meeting on July 16.

Ending: Staff and commissioners agreed to continue working on a portfolio of measures — methane capture, yard-waste reuse, mini-dumps and operational efficiencies — while preserving service levels and identifying protections for low-income households if a pay-as-you-throw or other fee change moves forward.","Miami-Dade Solid Waste Director presented five-year projections showing growing deficits without fee increases; commissioners discussed methane-to-RNG projects, mulching/mini-dump options and the risk of reducing pickup frequency if revenues fall.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511634,"Residents, environmental groups urge Miami-Dade to pursue pay-as-you-throw and composting",469,183000,652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc&start=183&end=652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322144-eb050388ce178ff1312a78dcdb5a49dc/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6511634/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Residents-environmental-groups-urge-Miami-Dade-to-pursue-pay-as-you-throw-and-composting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511634-dbc87d5d761f27b49a9fef5aa58c5c76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931943&Signature=loKtGG7yU-PP89JBAUViDWiuizpGCisezrdhxSS7Wr3LQB~dOaLbNmxSTQje0DwjAowQ4L1AHskFKPMERy-4WmYc7lCO3RWlyKsxPyHopeQHZwJSUBnmM5o-dBLTU5IZxGYz8FxWk9ep-wsancBvo6HBKRq1bA5fbfHvW2-RxN5~zxYRPVcXOR9fwLnPQxeiFYZ8mS4jqzqiHu--OJ7G4xCn94ZHVXOVyMtGxxZq6AVLIWaqEjywwG8gSA5epSOusTbNgznI5gB24NdE3Hz0Q~4beHheAoDAFtJnrIqY1oL9ls9EE16cbodqZSqmagU5iykKU9PVPWkk5K2SBLJOXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents and representatives of local environmental groups urged the Solid Waste & Infrastructure Committee on July 9 to advance a pay-as-you-throw program and expand composting and residential drop‑off options.

The speakers framed the change as an incentives-based approach. Noel Cleland, a resident and member of the City of South Miami green task force, told commissioners: “If you're interested in getting people to reduce the amount of waste ... then you incentivize that by making the ... efforts to reduce their waste stream be something that's a positive influence in their wallet.” Priscilla Carolyn Schmidt, who said she works with Fertile Earthworm Farm, said a pay-as-you-throw model would “reward residents who already are doing, quote, unquote, the right thing in terms of reducing their waste.”

Why it matters: Supporters said the program would both reduce the volume sent to landfills and reward households and businesses that already compost and recycle. Maddie Kaufman, program director of Debris Free Oceans, cited the Environmental Protection Agency’s account of Gainesville’s program and said it reduced solid waste collection by 18% in the first year and increased recycling recovery by 25%.

Committee process and next steps: Commissioners did not vote on item 2B today; staff and commissioners repeatedly said the proposal will return to the commission on July 16, where fiscal and operational details are expected to be considered alongside other solid-waste items. Multiple commenters and commissioners urged pairing any pay-as-you-throw design with measures to protect low-income households and to expand local composting infrastructure.

Details from public comment and local operators: Several speakers described the current costs of composting and existing local programs. Bernice Yanes said, “I personally pay $20 a month to compost my waste,” and urged that the county recognize households that already reduce trash. Priscilla Schmidt and others described private and institutional composting arrangements (stadiums, hospitals) that currently pay for diversion services and said broader programs could expand market scale.

Commissioners’ questions and concerns: Commissioners said they supported innovation but stressed the need for careful design. Commissioner Rebeca Sosa Regalado (District 7) noted that composting programs currently require subsidies at the district level and warned that pay-as-you-throw will create winners and losers unless paired with targeted protections. Several commissioners asked staff to include equity protections and to analyze household-level impacts before any fee structure is set.

What commissioners and staff asked to see next: Commenters and commissioners asked the department to quantify distributional impacts, identify pilot neighborhoods, and outline how pay-as-you-throw would interact with existing residential drop-off and municipal programs. Commissioners also requested fiscal scenarios tying any new program to overall collection and disposal budgets.

Ending: Item 2B remains on the committee docket for the July 16 full commission meeting where staff will present fiscal and programmatic details; no final county action on pay-as-you-throw was recorded on July 9.","Public commentators and environmental groups told the committee that a pay-as-you-throw program and expanded composting would cut waste and reward low-waste households; the item (2B) will return to the full commission on July 16 for further action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel adds municipal-permitting and biosolids coordination items; sponsors seek municipal notice and joint hauling options

Commissioners probe proposal to move federally backed Miami tech hub into nonprofit; county says outside funding hinges on nonprofit status

Directors and commissioners debate fee increase, landfill revenue outlook and methane, yard-waste options

Residents, environmental groups urge Miami-Dade to pursue pay-as-you-throw and composting