0:28In a notable presentation, former Mayor Thomas Regal, serving as Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser, addressed the council to discuss the underutilization of property tax exemptions among residents. Regal emphasized the importance of collaboration between the property appraisal office and local municipalities to improve awareness and accessibility of tax benefits. He revealed that several the 483,000 homes with homestead exemptions in Miami-Dade County were not taking full advantage of additional exemptions, which could provide substantial savings. To tackle this issue, Regal outlined plans for outreach efforts, including a mobile team to assist residents who face difficulties visiting the office. He also expressed interest in partnering with the city for community events to offer on-site support and information regarding property taxes.

Council members showed appreciation for Regal’s insights and acknowledged the complexities surrounding property tax exemptions, particularly for seniors who might lose benefits due to misunderstandings in estate planning. Regal assured the council that the property appraisal office could provide educational resources to help residents navigate these issues, with information available in multiple languages to cater to the diverse community.

1:53:51The council also focused on transportation, with discussions centered around the Freebie and trolley services, both crucial for residents with mobility challenges. Concerns were raised about potential changes to these services, prompting community members to advocate for their continuation. A commissioner reassured attendees that the Freebie service would remain, although there might be discussions about consolidating services for efficiency. The dialogue highlighted the need for reliable transportation options, particularly for students and residents with limited mobility.

44:28Economic development was another key theme, with input from Dr. Howard Frank and Dr. Ned Murray from FIU’s Metropolitan Center. They presented a strategic plan aimed at addressing infrastructure issues, improving decision-making processes, and developing performance metrics to measure progress. Dr. Frank stressed the need for a capital improvements plan to refurbish infrastructure and suggested integrating planning, zoning, and economic development under a unified department. The plan also called for modernizing public management practices and engaging with Miami-Dade Public Schools to explore potential educational improvements.

3:42:54The council also discussed preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with county commissioners and local organizations to explore opportunities related to the event. The discussion included leveraging existing transportation services, such as the trolley, to enhance accessibility during the World Cup. The potential for organizing fan events, viewing parties, and tourism initiatives to promote local businesses was also considered. The council acknowledged the need for a plan to prepare for the influx of visitors, with suggestions for coordinating transportation and public safety measures.

3:27:21Further discussions during the meeting touched on the introduction of a mobile health clinic by the UMC free clinic, which aims to provide free healthcare services to uninsured residents. The clinic, equipped with two exam rooms and the ability to dispense prescription drugs at no cost, will begin operations in April. Concerns about parking locations for the mobile unit and the potential impact on existing healthcare facilities were addressed, with an emphasis on collaboration among different health service providers to avoid duplication of efforts.