[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6286481,"mediaKeyId","2559222-ae724733a54be739e74fcf05de8ad10e","parentId",2559222,"title","Council approves deferred compensation plan for elected officials; city officials clarify cost and vesting","audioSeconds",431,"startMs",2260000,"endMs",2691000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559222-ae724733a54be739e74fcf05de8ad10e&start=2260&end=2691","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2559222-ae724733a54be739e74fcf05de8ad10e/thumbnail_2260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286481/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Council-approves-deferred-compensation-plan-for-elected-officials-city-officials-clarify-cost-and-vesting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286481-151b58e9f095ee0b51f6f226ab4398a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174669&Signature=csu8cboXH5NKU5wUj5eQDuju5juVPHsQ--acBPKuGObnKgxOKhkfYjPTYhb4ZYr-D7arYvPcg7DAGnVYXZbspwrBr9av5QY4galUjJpA~eiriBVf2ank8tdHyJgo438zpwJDf3QO6PrbkHAmCfArLda95I3Kj82ElsCtG9B3BQUM8pS5phZaRtjjMivw0AesymdzCT79W-lnejyJHbMSblm7FE9GwNY7mqswBJQGbkMzkiadOEiF2CeYOVdeOIc-QsSwVlXQKJBWCfscbr4qIJpJ3hUDqKRwRzCTqgqKikRNR2QNtSoNIRgcDfDn6VtrkyXDXm0Iprnm45pltlh7SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hialeah, FL","date","2025-03-11T21:33:40Z","article","The Hialeah City Council approved on second reading an ordinance to establish a deferred compensation plan for elected officials that mirrors options available to other city employees.

Staff and council discussed the plan’s parameters in detail. The finance director (Ruth Ruby, Finance Management) said the plan is modest compared with retirement benefits in other jurisdictions. City and legal staff emphasized the plan is not a defined‑benefit pension and contains no retroactive payments. Council members asked for clarification about vesting, matching contributions and cost to the city. Staff said council members would be eligible to contribute up to 7% of salary; the city would match up to 7%, but employer contributions would vest only after five years of continuous service. If a member leaves before five years, they keep their own contributions but not the city match for the unvested period.

City officials estimated the total annual city contribution for all seven council members at roughly $21,000 per year (combined), which staff characterized during the meeting as a modest expenditure and not a “golden parachute.” The ordinance was approved by voice/roll call vote.

Key points clarified at the meeting:
- The plan is a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 457), not a defined‑benefit pension; contributions accumulate and are portable only for amounts the member contributed or that are vested.
- Vesting occurs after five continuous years in office; contributions are prospective only (no retroactive pay for prior service).
- The plan would be administered by the city’s existing deferred compensation administrator.

The ordinance was approved on second reading; staff will proceed with plan setup and provide participating elected officials with enrollment information and administrative timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 3/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved an ordinance creating a deferred compensation plan for Hialeah elected officials. The plan allows council members to contribute up to 7% with a city match up to 7%; vesting requires five years of continuous service and there is no retroactive payment for past service.","taxTitle","Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2891,"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},6286486,"Council upholds revocation of 8 Ball Cafeteria’s business tax receipt after multi‑agency raid",3474,3201000,6675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559222-ae724733a54be739e74fcf05de8ad10e&start=3201&end=6675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2559222-ae724733a54be739e74fcf05de8ad10e/thumbnail_3201000.jpg","/articles/6286486/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Council-upholds-revocation-of-8-Ball-Cafeterias-business-tax-receipt-after-multiagency-raid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286486-4cc8039d5cb0b85fd1aeaa450e57f17d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174669&Signature=U9n7~BG8Cwqdo7ea8RkwYtP6re5GsEY14VpdVf3-Is9W-pWhXKlsVgfwhH8y1BZPN40a-ESmN8S5CrqFAxH2ihlgMWRrWR7d1yDFaLaOiXtVT1n0zegI~3TsLMkwB8hPuh0mYN4vOKSIQ9nKGHHTN~eJwdco1JuRo6ZAdXF7Y8-CHycMCfQEASunTbiQ4kKBAys1kWsZ5mukcQ4qQCtzpKPiIl8SNxW-GS-1UnzDP~Q-sEGrd7LR9Dzuwml-D9NlXyGvUBEofZUzYgdAiG8CPhdpU5Toib0nVBiVYv4mUwhlPCCTaQaYGGc-XGa~YzIeoBT3Op-8Sieu3AWjiI5p3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hialeah City Council affirmed city staff’s emergency revocation of the business tax receipt (BTR) for 8 Ball Cafeteria LLC, a venue at 201 W. 20th Street, after a multi‑agency operation documented what city officials described as nightclub‑style operations, illegal gambling machines and solicitation activity.

City staff presented testimony and evidence at a formal licensing revocation hearing. Yesenia Gruich, Director of Occupational Licensing / Business Tax, told the council staff had impounded gaming machines and a ledger and cited violations including serving alcohol without food (cited in city code), illegal gambling and employing “B‑girls” (a term the Florida statute uses to describe solicitation of patrons to purchase drinks). Lieutenant Marlon Espinosa and Sergeant Christopher Perez of the Hialeah police described a February 28 undercover operation coordinated with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), the Human Trafficking Task Force, Florida Highway Patrol and other agencies. They described low lighting, DJ and nightclub lighting, buckets of beer on tables, lack of food service in the kitchen, and two security guards who tried to warn patrons when police arrived. The task force interviewed several female workers and referred human‑trafficking concerns to the specialized investigators.

Code enforcement officer Caleb Rodriguez testified that the property had unpermitted electrical and mechanical work and an unlicensed outdoor seating area. City staff submitted photographs, ledgers and social‑media posts showing promotional “lingerie night” events and references to gaming machines.

The respondent was represented by attorney Michael Wolf, who argued the city’s emergency remedy was disproportionate. Wolf said the owner of the BTR — identified in licensing records as Yasser — was not present and the property was being operated by others, and he urged that an informal process and sanctions short of closure should be used. He disputed that the facts supported an “imminent danger” finding required for an emergency revocation.

City witnesses and some council members disagreed. The city’s closing argument noted the venue had been the subject of earlier police contacts in 2022 and maintained that the multi‑agency operation and evidence supported an emergency revocation because of public‑safety and public‑health risks, illegal gambling, and the presence of solicitation that could enable exploitation. One councilmember described the premises as a fire hazard because of unpermitted electrical work and blacked‑out walls and said the city should not wait until a disaster occurred.

A motion to affirm the revocation carried on roll call vote. The council’s order upholds the business tax receipt revocation issued on March 3, 2025; the order and revocation are subject to the procedures and appeal rights noted by the city attorney.

Actions recorded: Motion to affirm revocation—mover: Councilmember Zogby; second recorded. Vote: carried (roll call). City staff stated seized property (gaming machines and ledgers) were entered into evidence and referred human‑trafficking matters to the task force.","After a multi‑agency inspection and testimony from police and code enforcement, the Hialeah City Council affirmed the emergency revocation of the business tax receipt for 8 Ball Cafeteria LLC, finding the venue operated as an unpermitted nightclub with gambling machines and alleged B‑girl activity.",{"_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},6286491,"Hialeah council approves memorandum of agreement with ICE after heated public comment",685,1514000,2199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559222-ae724733a54be739e74fcf05de8ad10e&start=1514&end=2199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2559222-ae724733a54be739e74fcf05de8ad10e/thumbnail_1514000.jpg","/articles/6286491/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Hialeah-council-approves-memorandum-of-agreement-with-ICE-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286491-207b85776d53a361b5a7f3c37a920ecf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174669&Signature=Nn5USWhp5avHYwpp90T3CGoUbHaRUle1fEVvCPXgNf3UJKLNC3OcSHako0-v5GRGaUCoetyhXuyM4mYeTrzLDwVq7H-1l4WaLAsfVDdJwHBYOMSqZ1pvHwwKgDTWRq8Gyd0zpVrdtc-WLEKsFV1ulLOox5ay9ou596ouZJMZnVkpTyB4dIPotY7Vrspv~UgQraSC76~0unpgKHC3MKZlC8a4f6QkpMkTeqVOYgK4Sn~ogkjW3BD5mCbt-ol8LCRBFsJgNBOA~n5LW558qeNvmv2rEJdeJC0ryy8wdwoCc14V-IWldpm6Sp9Z4Pb7QtqBzE-~M1AVxXe3Wl760t-ITw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hialeah City Council voted to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allows the mayor, chief of police and city clerk to enter into the agreement on behalf of the city.

Supporters and opponents made competing arguments at the March meeting. Several residents told the council the MOA would harm immigrant communities and divert local police resources; during public comment Julio Rodriguez said the MOA would “make our local police officers immigration officials” and urged placing the matter on the ballot. Tony Masa Olivera cited studies of costs and civil‑rights problems in other jurisdictions and called the agreement “expensive, unnecessary and harmful.”

City officials, including Chief George Fuentes of the Hialeah Police Department, said the MOA does not change day‑to‑day policing or require officers to ask residents about immigration status. “This agreement does not weaponize our Hialeah Police Officers against our City Of Hialeah residents,” Fuentes said, describing the MOA as an administrative agreement that permits select officers to receive training and to assist federal agencies when asked. A council member seeking clarity said she supported the department but wanted the community to understand the scope of the item.

Council debate emphasized that the agreement aligns Hialeah with other agencies that already have similar arrangements; Fuentes noted Miami‑Dade County and other local agencies maintain such relationships with federal partners. The council rejected characterization that the city would conduct raids or routinely question immigration status during traffic stops; multiple officials repeated that ordinary policing will continue and the agreement is limited to cooperating with federal requests and allowing selected officers to be trained on immigration protocols.

Councilmember Zogby moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call with all members present voting in favor of the resolution.

What the MOA authorizes: the resolution and attached agreement authorize selected Hialeah Police officers to be designated for training and operational assistance to ICE when requested and to participate as a “participating United States government agency” for specific operations. City officials said participation is voluntary for individual officers and intended to preserve eligibility for certain federal grants.

What opponents raised: speakers during public comment warned the MOA could discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes, create racial profiling risks and impose costs on the city. One speaker referenced Department of Justice findings in other counties to argue the agreements have led to constitutional violations elsewhere. Opponents also questioned who would bear personnel and administrative costs if the program required additional local resources.

Next steps: the resolution takes effect as provided in the agreement. The chief, mayor and city clerk were authorized to execute the MOA and city staff said they will provide details to the public on implementation and the selection process for officers to receive training.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve MOA with ICE—mover: Councilmember Zogby; second: (recorded). Vote: unanimous among members voting (recorded as Yes by La Vega, Garcia Rovis, Perez, Zogby, Junco, Tundidol).","The City Council approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing selected Hialeah Police officers to provide operational assistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Residents urged rejection during public comment; city officials said the agreement formalizes existing cooperation and provides optional training.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves deferred compensation plan for elected officials; city officials clarify cost and vesting

Council upholds revocation of 8 Ball Cafeteria’s business tax receipt after multi‑agency raid

Hialeah council approves memorandum of agreement with ICE after heated public comment