A Miami Beach resident urged the Miami-Dade County Port and Resiliency Committee on Wednesday to expand mangrove buffers around the Venetian Islands and supported a Coral Gables mangrove-restoration measure, and commissioners approved the day's agenda after agreeing to advance several items to a Jan. 22 hearing.

Jorge Tense De Castro, a Miami Beach resident who said he serves on the Venetian Way Neighborhood Alliance and Miami Beach United, told the committee he supports “Resolution 3C sponsored by Raquel Regalado to enhance the coastal band mangrove habitat at the Kokopum mangrove preserve in Coral Gables.” He urged the county to consider more mangroves around the Venetian Islands, saying, “The creation of the mangrove buffer zone would serve to enhance water quality, control erosion, regulate temperature, mitigate against floods, and solidify coastlines.”

The appeals came during the committee's public-comment period. Committee members did not vote on Resolution 3C during the meeting; De Castro framed his remarks as public support for the resolution and for broader mangrove planting in the Venetian Islands.

Chairwoman Mickey Steinberg responded to the comment, saying she agreed with the benefits De Castro described and that the county is coordinating across departments on the issue. “And yes, I agree on all the benefits of mangroves and we are working with different various departments on improving mangrove health in our district,” Steinberg said.

Earlier in the meeting a representative of the county administration asked the committee to advance item 3B to the committee's Jan. 22 hearing. Chairwoman Steinberg said she had received a similar request and that she was supportive of advancing items 3B, 3C and 3D to that date.

Following that exchange, a commissioner moved to adopt the agenda as presented and another commissioner seconded. The committee approved the agenda by acclamation; the clerk recorded the action as unanimous. The committee also closed the reasonable opportunity to be heard after the single public speaker finished.

No formal votes or final actions on Resolution 3C or on specific mangrove-planting proposals were taken at the meeting; those items remain on the agenda for future consideration. The committee is scheduled to take up advanced items, including 3B, 3C and 3D, at its Jan. 22 hearing.