Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Wet dreams - You can't go back on them, Miami Dade County Commissioners. By Geniusofdespair

 It was moved by Commissioner Seijas that all applicants requesting to develop outside the UDB line be instructed to meet with the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department prior to CDMP meeting scheduled for April 2006 to develop a specific, alternative water supply plan for their projects and that the proposal be included in the applicant’s final application. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Heyman; and upon being put to a vote, the motion passed by a unanimous vote of 13-0.

(Special Item Number 2 was adopted on November 30, 2005.)

 Both of us were at the County Commission during the 2005 CDMP cyle hearings. They said they would allow the Urban Development Boundary to be moved for Application No. 5, ONLY if they could find a water source for the application. It was agreed in a settlement agreement that the Hialeah and the County would build a desalination plant for the application so they would have their own water source for the plan.

Today, according to water and sewer, we are flush with water because of conservation. At the County Commission meeting today the question was what would be the water source for the American (wet) Dream Mall Miami.  Think about it, snow for the slope, water park etc. They will be using a lot of water. Stupid idiot Lester Sola, now the department head, said the County could give them water. Well, stupid idiot Lester Sola, once you give them water you can't go back. It is a one way street and we already had a bargain that they would not get aquifer water. Why would you get up there and make such a promise? Because you are a stupid idiot. We the public had our promise this wouldn't happen. The commission goes back on promises to us all the time - remember the 20 year deed restriction in Kendall they lifted in less than 5 years? We don't sue like this little guy will sue you. He was the most obnoxious of developers. He warned, don't give me a hard time. All the Commissioners giggled and passed the land deal with no caveats 11 to 2. Marlins all over again. Eskandar Ghermezian wasn't being funny, he was serious. Seriously scary. If you go back on a promise to this guy the County will be in lawsuits forever. He made no concessions at all.



Triple 5 Group - Ghermezian family
Watch on YouTube
What if we have a drought? A lot more development? What if we have more saltwater intrusion? Why would we offer our precious water as if were endless? I was playing good citizen conserving water for this? Most of the Commissioners did such a good job groveling. Commissioner Moss, this isn't going to help your theme park. Commissioner Sally Heyman was the only one who wanted to add water source to the agreement. You can't go back on your promises....Source was important as Sally said.

Here is a timeline for the 2005 cycle:
City of Hialeah applied to amend the County’s Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP), in the April 2005 Cycle, to:
• Move the 2015 Urban Development Boundary (UDB)
• Change designation from “open lands” to “industrial and office”
• Application included 1,140 gross acres (between NW 97th Ave and the Turnpike and between NW 154 St and NW 186 St (the Annexation Area)
• April 19, 2006, the BCC approved application and transmitted to the State of Florida.
• June 22, 2006, the State issued Notice of Intent to find the amendment “not in compliance”. The main objection to the application was “non-availability of potable water supply”.
• July 6, 2006, the BCC approved resolution (R-847-06), authorizing execution of a Settlement Agreement, which required the adoption of a “Remedial Plan Amendment” within 75 days.
• August 24, 2006, the BCC adopted Ordinance (Ord-06-116) providing disposition of Remedial Amendment, which included “a funded commitment for a new reverse osmosis water facility, the Floridan Aquifer Water Treatment Plant, in the Capital Improvements Element”.
• July 24, 2007, the BCC approved resolution (R-918-07) entering into a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA), between the City and the County, to provide for a reverse osmosis water treatment plant to meet future water supply needs in northern Miami-Dade County.

Here are the minutes 8/24/2006 (they always do important things in the summer);

Chairman Martinez called the meeting to order at 11:40 a.m. He noted the purpose of today’s meeting was to take final action on the remedial amendment application to amend the Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP). The remedial amendment application, he noted, was filed by the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) on behalf of the County Manager as directed by this Board in Resolution Number R-847-06; and approved the settlement agreement with the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which resolved a pending dispute relating to Application Number 5, (AKA the “Hialeah Application”) of the April 2005 CDMP amendment cycle. Chairman Martinez noted the remedial amendment application was consistent with the remedial plan amendment described in Exhibit B of the executed settlement agreement, and was the subject of today’s public hearing as it pertained to Application Number 5 only. The Board was scheduled to take final action today on Substitute Special Item No. 1, by either adopting, adopting with change, or not adopting the amendment application. Chairman Martinez noted the procedure for the hearing would be as follows: Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) staff would summarize the content of the remedial amendment application; speakers, if any, would be called in order of signing in; written statements would be accepted, summarized and submitted for the record. Assistant County Attorney Joni Armstrong-Coffey read the foregoing proposed ordinance, Substitute Special Item No. 1 into the record. Chairman Martinez relinquished the chair to Vice Chairman Moss. DPZ Director Diane O’Quinn Williams introduced herself and noted that Mr. Mark Woerner had distributed a summary of the remedial amendment. Mr. Mark Woerner, Metropolitan Planning - Long Range Planning Section Chief, Department of Planning and Zoning, advised that the Board would be taking action on the Substitute Special Item No. 1, Legislative File No. 062315. He noted the DPZ Director’s remedial amendments application; the stipulated settlement agreement executed between the County and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA); the Resolution Number R-847-06 enacted by the Board on July 6, 2006, and pertaining to the proposed settlement agreement; and the June 21, 2006 Interlocal agreement between the City of Hialeah and the County regarding the operation and maintenance responsibilities of the proposed plant, have been provided for today’s hearing. Mr. Woerner indicated the reason the remedial amendments were before the Board was because the DCA found the amendments to be in non-compliance during their final review process of the Board’s final actions on the comprehensive plan amendments. He noted the primary issue was that the County did not demonstrate it was able to provide adequate water supply to serve the demand created by those Land Use Plan (LUP) map amendments, therefore, today’s remedial amendment only addressed Application No. 5. Mr. Woerner proceeded to provide an overview of the settlement agreement and the requested changes outlined in the “2006 Remedial Amendments Application Requesting Amendments to the Comprehensive Development Master Plan.”



Responding to Commissioner Sosa’s comments regarding the Interlocal Agreement and the Remedial Amendments Application, Mr. Woerner noted a copy of the Settlement agreement included the Remedial Amendments Application. Vice Chairman Moss opened the public hearing and the following persons appeared before the Board in connection with the foregoing ordinance: City of Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina noted the City and County staff had worked diligently on the Interlocal agreement. He expressed appreciation to County staff for their efforts and cooperation on this matter. Mr. Robaina noted all concerns were addressed including those of the neighboring cities and residents, and urged the Board to approve the foregoing proposed ordinance. Mr. Mitchell Bierman, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, attorney representing the Town of Miami Lakes (“Town”), along with colleagues Ms. Nina Boniske, Mr. James White, Kimley-Horn Engineering Consultants Mr. Russell Barnes and Ms. Susan Danielson, and Ms. Maria Crowley, Town of Miami Lakes Planning Director. He noted the Town of Miami Lakes was a party to the administrative litigation that was still in effect between the DCA and the County regarding the subject of the Settlement agreement (Too many words in this sentence—not clear). Mr. Bierman stated the settlement the County was attempting to implement today was between two of the parties, but not all of the parties, and the Town would still be a party in opposition to this application following today’s actions.. He expressed appreciation to everyone, including Commissioner Seijas, for tabling the issue of the Interstate 75 exit. Mr. Bierman noted the rate in which the Settlement agreement was progressing did not allow the Town to meet as a council to discuss the agreement and determine whether the settlement was acceptable. He pointed out that the Town has voted consistently to oppose any changes to the urban development boundary. Mr. Barnes noted the traffic and transportation analyses merit further review between the Town and the City of Hialeah to negotiate an alternative solution. Responding to Commissioner Seijas’ comments regarding the Town Planning Director being a former County employee, Assistant County Attorney Armstrong-Coffey advised the Board that former County employees may not represent another party. She asked to briefly speak with Ms. Crowley regarding this circumstance before she appears before the Board. Discussion ensued between Board members and staff regarding the traffic circulation in the subject area pertaining to application no. 5. In response to Commissioner Seijas’ comments, Assistant County Attorney Armstrong-Coffey noted attempts were being made to contact the Commission on Ethics and Public Trust Executive Director for official verification. She advised the Board of the prohibition on former County employees representing parties; however, there was a provision in the Miami-Dade County Code that states prohibition shall not apply when former employees employed by other governmental agencies and appear before the County in their official capacity for such entities. She noted Ms. Crowley has informed her that she was before this Board exclusively in her official capacity as a Town employee. Ms. Marie Crowley, Planning Director, Town of Miami Lakes, appeared before the Board, and noted the Town’s concerns with the traffic circulation. She asked that consideration be given to address the concerns and the impacts of traffic to the local level of services in the areas of the City of Hialeah and the Town. Mayor Robaina stated the City of Hialeah had issues with transportation and the water. He respectfully asked the Board to approve the foregoing proposed ordinance. After hearing no other persons wishing to be heard by the Board, Vice Chairman Moss closed the public hearing. Responding to Commissioner Sorenson’s concerns with the Interlocal agreement terms, Assistant County Attorney Armstrong-Coffey advised that the Interlocal agreement was legally sufficient. Responding to Commissioner Sorenson’s comments regarding whether the City of Hialeah was contributing to the Floridian Aquifer Water Treatment Plant, Mr. John Renfrow, Director, Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer (MDWASA), stated the County would need to enter into an agreement with the City of Hialeah on plans for the design and construction of the facility. He pointed out this facility would be part of the MDWASA system. Hearing no further discussion, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed ordinance as presented.

25 comments:

Geniusofdespair said...

I didn't mention that Daniella Levine Cava and Xavier Suarez were thr no votes. By the way this guy is known for getting subsidies for his Canadian business. The herald expects he will get them from the State. Miami Dade gives the State the bulk of its money. We will be paying. They did this too fast. The mayor knew about it for a year. I didn't hear much about New Jersey where there were lawsuits. Oh well. Another stupid idea is in the works. By the way all those jobs -- they only have to create 7,500 full or part time in 15 years. I expect the bulk will be part time. Oh well another boondoggle with free reign on our water supply.

Anonymous said...

ANOTHER MARLIN'S SCAM!!!!!!!!! I'm sure we'll see an HBO Documentary soon about our County Commissioners, their PAC's, their friends and family plans, their subsidized travel, etc. I'll help fund it because it's cheaper than suing the County! Unbelievable but so predictable. They just cannot help giving our land and resources away. Jail is too good for the majority of them.

Anonymous said...

Another...yet on such a massive scale that once started it will be "too big to fail." It'll be a new vortex. It'll grab lots of attention and lots of business from the existing tri-county malls.

I read that it will be big enough to put the Aventura Mall inside and still have plenty of room to insert the Saw Grass Mall.

Anonymous said...

How did the Mayor get away with springing this upon the Commisisoners without them resenting it and speaking up?

Anonymous said...

Good video clip. Most locals who yell at a Commissioner get a verbal whipping. Being before apparent wealth made the Commissioner giggle.

Anonymous said...

Add to this future overbuilt site a new Soccer Stadium. It meets Beckham's requirement to "be next to the water" by being riverfront (okay river of grass-front.)

Anonymous said...

This is unacceptable. Lester Sola, as Director of WASD is a disgrace! What can "we the people" do?

Anonymous said...

Start waxing your snowboard. Think of the money you will save on air fare and you are reducing your carbon footprint by snowboarding in Miami instead of Vermont or Colorado.

Anonymous said...

This is a very serious topic, not one to joke about. Obviously, we need to vote this county mayor out of office, but what else can we do to stop this mega mall?

Anonymous said...

There was a meeting between the Mayor and the owner of the Youth Fair earlier this week. I can envision his attack plan. This megamall will have it's own carnival, circus, snow...it'll put you out of business. Roll over and give FIU what they want.

Anonymous said...

The paper with the water supply data Sally had, they should not have removed it. The Iranian guy wasnt insisting on it. What exactly transpired? The Mayor was bending over like Barreiro to the Marlins. I dont get this deal. In your video the guy kept saying 25,000 jobs but only 7,500 are promised in 15 years of operation? Who is lying.

Pepe said...

The Hialeah plant isn't working that is the problem.

Anonymous said...

He is into mining maybe he'll rock mine the site. More money less aggravation.

Anonymous said...

Submarines in a rock mined lake? A lot to see there. I guess the lake will be themed with fish and lighting.

Anonymous said...

I guess it's okay to do business with people who want to blow up Israel yet get mad about Castro? This dog and pony show would make an entire semester of what not to do as public servant.

Anonymous said...

The Miami Herald endorsed this project. They are a subsidiary of the Chamber of Commerce.

Geniusofdespair said...

This family is very religious Jewish. I doubt they would want to 'blow up' anything. Castro has nothing to do with this post.

Anonymous said...

good article Genius

Anonymous said...

There are a slew of questions that have yet to be answered: How did this land come to be in the hands of the state? Was it purchased for environmental reasons? What is the elevation of this land? What is the susceptibility to sea level rise and could continued public ownership help mitigate the impacts of sea level rise for surrounding areas? As short hydroperiod wetlands, how could this land help in Everglades restoration? Could development of this land impede Everglades restoration?

Anonymous said...

So many unanswered questions. Smells like the Marlins Scam. Elected officials like Barrerio, Moss, Manny and Pepe Diaz and Sarnoff gave us that dog.

Anonymous said...

PT Barnum couldn't have invented a more favorable climate for scam artists than Miami-Dade under Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

Anonymous said...

This is NOT funny. No local could have spoke in the tone and manner that this guy spoke without being stopped. Does he think this is Iran? He needs to become a lot more respectful and humble in my opinion. The parents in the room on this one is Xavier and Daniella. Your fun loving children need to follow you. Thank You for the NO vote.

Anonymous said...

Jeffrey Loria and David Samson were the scam artists of 4-6 years ago. So many scams so many weak elected officials.

Anonymous said...

I believe there are many special interests in Miami, but no interest is more special than the interest of the construction lobby. Every time someone offers to build something automatically commissioners believe it's a great idea, without any real consideration. Sometimes they get a dose of reality and walk themselves back from the edge, but most of the time they just say BUILD IT PLEASE. No more building! I would rather live in a dead city than live whatever "magic" city the are trying to push on us.

Anonymous said...

The Miami Dade County Aviation Department is about to finalize a $7.5 million deal in Tuesday's committee meeting by the commissioners approving the deal. The system awarded was never tested at the requirements from the airport. The FAA will do its due diligence since it is funding the majority of the project. Once they find that the system has not been tested and the FOD detection system has shown that it can not perform to the standards required FAA will then pull the funding and MDAD will come to the county to bail them out.