[{"_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",6263447,"mediaKeyId","3105770-8807b537bbba268801edc5c844879833","parentId",3105770,"title","Votes at a glance: Hialeah council approves appointments, zoning and a fluoride resolution; several items set for May 13","audioSeconds",70,"startMs",640000,"endMs",710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105770-8807b537bbba268801edc5c844879833&start=640&end=710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105770-8807b537bbba268801edc5c844879833/thumbnail_640000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263447/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Hialeah-council-approves-appointments-zoning-and-a-fluoride-resolution-several-items-set-for-May-13","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263447-388167a5a8c858485e5853eeb4a93f69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176116&Signature=WFk3s4M1M9HzfQ9LBOjEx7zjpdzUe54Y1uTxLS1wVjJoxMgO~oN8eUPBuo2fLfP5jz47-T3jWU9SOnosq8JtFf8ewX3vmUY-AHsyODC1qejtanyM-RzP23~ChaG3RoGEosoQNCK-PhHmHPtjyhMzpJ1G~4WgS4zc5zY0EuH~BQWrtXNfmQDhavzuAOuPxcPX47Oi2AhYDQ0-f2cgqOmlIn7NiNhUGiBONVhZuT09FNszAFwA-BoTtcNAagTU5EsUSjj49HkWzac0yVEQ367Ohn-01APdWaGyPvfKllAnECPPZ8prWSicI4hVBSgaFvoSlQprvg5ch93p9OBYOWLvQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hialeah, FL","date","2025-04-23T12:32:41Z","article","The Hialeah City Council took a series of formal actions at the meeting, approving an appointment, voting on a county fluoride resolution, adopting multiple zoning motions and scheduling several second‑reading public hearings. The meeting also postponed a special‑use request for a pharmaceutical research center.

Key outcomes

- Alejandra Cortina — Beautification Committee appointment: Motion by Tundidor; second by Zogby. Roll call: Tunidor (yes), Zogby (yes), Junco (yes), Garcia Robez (yes), de la Vega (yes), Perez (yes), Rodriguez (yes). Outcome: approved.

- City resolution supporting Miami‑Dade County resolution R‑370‑25 (remove fluoride from county water): Motion by Commissioner Roberto J. González was acknowledged; Council motion to affirm support by Antonio, second by Rodriguez. Roll call recorded unanimous yes votes and the item was approved; council instructed the mayor or designee to advocate for removal of fluoride as described in the resolution. (Text in agenda: direct Miami‑Dade Water and Sewer Department to discontinue adding fluoride, not later than 30 days.)

- Consent agenda: Passed as presented except item K (fluoride resolution) was pulled for separate consideration and later approved.

- Historic Preservation Board ordinance (first reading): Council approved first reading to amend code language affecting historic preservation board appointment rules; second reading and public hearing scheduled for May 13, 2025.

- Neighborhood Business District mixed affordable housing (11b): Approved on first reading (see separate article for details); second reading scheduled for May 13, 2025.

- Conditional use and zoning approvals (selected items that passed on second reading or were approved for first reading):
• Conditional use to allow an elementary school within a 950‑sq‑ft bay and day‑care expansion at 6815–6895 W. 4th Ave: approved on second reading (roll call recorded yes votes by Perez, Rodriguez, Tunidor, Zogby, Junco, Garcia Robez, de la Vega). Outcome: approved.
• Rezoning and conditional use at 106 W. 9th St. to allow a K–3 elementary school and day care, plus variances for parking and pervious area: approved on second reading. Outcome: approved.
• Expansion of an existing K–12 school at 3751 W. 100th St. (first reading): approved; second reading scheduled for May 13, 2025.
• Reapproval of a previously revoked project at 65 W. 7th St. (first reading, same project previously approved in 2023 and revoked for missing building plans): approved on first reading; second reading scheduled May 13, 2025.
• Mixed‑use conversion (partial retrofit) at Lago Plaza, 2750 W. 68th St.: first reading approved to convert the vacant second floor to up to 33 live‑work lofts in conjunction with the existing shopping center; second reading scheduled for May 13, 2025.

- Pharmaceutical research center at 3412 W. 84th St., Suite 102: Council voted to table the item to the May 13, 2025 meeting to allow applicant representation to appear and answer questions.

Why it matters: the actions advance several land‑use projects and a local policy stance on county water fluoridation. Multiple items will return at a May 13 public hearing before becoming final ordinances.

Speakers and attribution: Motions and roll calls were recorded on the public record; votes quoted in this roundup reflect roll‑call statements captured in the meeting transcript. Specific mover/second names are listed where recorded.

Ending: Second readings and public hearings for multiple items are scheduled for the May 13, 2025 council meeting; the pharmaceutical research application remains open pending applicant testimony.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 4-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved multiple motions in a single meeting: a board appointment, a county‑fluoride support resolution, multiple zoning items and first readings. One pharmaceutical research permit was tabled. Second readings and public hearings were scheduled for May 13, 2025 where required.","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},6263452,"Hialeah council approves first reading of neighborhood business zoning for mixed affordable housing",3952,700000,4652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105770-8807b537bbba268801edc5c844879833&start=700&end=4652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105770-8807b537bbba268801edc5c844879833/thumbnail_700000.jpg","/articles/6263452/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Hialeah-council-approves-first-reading-of-neighborhood-business-zoning-for-mixed-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263452-f2a81a666dad5504f26091c5e6cfa27e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176116&Signature=c2LAMxG-SisI0xXvi-4h2CdaU056o~CKI6e8VizBr0w~5z4iqMMFnTKcZG2SAAi3HpZxuPSynpwBw2-eiFdH0lzjM9QXOQFi7oLZdIHOe4eWJ5U-7DY47307Lg4cHQsRbeQynj63LLa9vXr1~CF6wBbAxZ30-xbfGSub8KuNIXBoqQWfbOAC1kgeBHfMz0hdLx9ZmwFXOaCBIzfrCqgjiQ29XK5s8sQtZctCLrY17uxa~nF3Mgva-o-H71ASbgv5fnfuCl9cf-yJLIXed1lZjNUswX4oBBIpDCQQrFdWMVTPT1uYUJC0wrScSuqUtsFXICh3jDjgqrLUuF6WWDhgiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hialeah City Council approved on first reading an ordinance creating a Neighborhood Business District (NBD) mixed‑affordable housing option intended to encourage higher‑density development with a local affordability requirement.

The ordinance raises the NBD density cap from 70 units per acre to 100 units per acre when developers provide at least 15% of units at affordable rents, defined in the ordinance as rents targeted to households at 60% of area median income (AMI). The measure also establishes an affordable housing trust fund and a payment‑in‑lieu option: developers who choose not to include the required affordable units may pay a one‑time fee into the fund instead. The draft sets that payment at $30,000 per applicable affordability commitment and puts a five‑year sunset on the program for later evaluation.

Claudia Hasman, interim planning official, said the $30,000 figure evolved from task‑force discussions, advisers and comparisons with other programs and was intended to be high enough to seed a meaningful local rental assistance program but not so high as to deter participation. The trust fund will be administered by the city’s Housing and Community Services department and is intended primarily to provide rental assistance for residents judged rent burdened (spending more than 30% of household income).

The ordinance also limits the affordability set‑aside’s required rent restriction term to 20 years (the state Live Local Act requires 30 years in some cases) and links eligibility for rental‑assistance disbursements to household income and a short‑term cap: assistance from the local program will be available for up to three years per household and requires annual renewal.

Why it matters: the change is designed to align the state’s Live Local Act incentives with Hialeah’s local housing market, where 120% AMI often equals market rents. The council’s version narrows the affordability target to 60% AMI, adds a payment‑in‑lieu mechanism to seed a locally administered rental assistance fund, and uses a five‑year pilot window to reassess the program.

Speakers: Claudia Hasman, Interim Planning Official; Daniella (Housing and Community Services), referenced as the trust fund administrator; unnamed council member(s) introduced the ordinance and participated in debate.

Next steps: the ordinance passed first reading; a second reading and public hearing are scheduled for May 13, 2025.

Ending: Council members who spoke in favor described the balance between incentives and local needs; staff said the program will be evaluated before expiration of the five‑year pilot.","City council approved on first reading a zoning change that creates a Neighborhood Business District mixed‑affordable housing option allowing higher density in exchange for a percentage of units rented at 60% AMI or payment into a local housing trust fund.",{"_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},6263458,"Citizens Independent Transportation Trust briefs Hialeah on half‑cent transit funds, SmartPlan priorities",2975,380000,3355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105770-8807b537bbba268801edc5c844879833&start=380&end=3355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105770-8807b537bbba268801edc5c844879833/thumbnail_380000.jpg","/articles/6263458/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Citizens-Independent-Transportation-Trust-briefs-Hialeah-on-halfcent-transit-funds-SmartPlan-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263458-575ec1ebd90cdda7e2ddf00a91de16a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176116&Signature=MeAvU0Bhg833KFOvTyP0WseWb6pDkBs4jtImMqM068xwtP-xSetAOD1L74eLMXazd9Cwkv0iC6qNwizkBE9iQr-Y91eGhY4YH~nll5azDNK8EOzoZlqQySRCP2tq81h5hLpRNuB9IF1AUzD~upFZRNabmB2XOlRbngVOVzS1SkSwcQQ3GoN3UEN9N6aG4Im3dKBHu-pnTSdVu-LY0CEhY6VgHnRn3O1ishrxogDfdSUQfUkCdHamWQ9HiLLBeNYGToRos6nakN52WLa9dpicXQrvQY6FAah8QKrRVTSmjdF16R1taybKGlYajpjUS2PhJUABxHONSdOMZq9lycMdiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Javier Bettencourt, executive director of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, told the Hialeah City Council that the county’s half‑cent sales surtax has generated nearly $5 billion since it began and currently brings in about $400 million a year, and that about 20% of the surtax proceeds are distributed to municipalities for local transportation projects.

“That little half penny does add up,” Bettencourt said, summarizing the referendum history and CITT’s role as an oversight board that audits spending and monitors implementation of the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP).

The presentation explained how the CITT and county split the surtax revenue (roughly two‑thirds to Miami‑Dade Transit and roughly one‑fifth to cities), and how cities must spend at least 20% of their share on transit uses such as fixed‑route circulators or on‑demand services. Mariana Price, municipal program manager for the CITT, said Hialeah received about $14.4 million last year and “spent more than it received,” and that the city exceeded the 20% transit minimum by investing in fixed routes and on‑demand services. She also said first‑quarter ridership is up and that Hialeah’s quarter‑to‑date ridership was already tracking to exceed last year’s totals.

Bettencourt reviewed the SmartPlan, the county’s multi‑corridor proposal to expand rapid transit across Miami‑Dade. He described six corridors (South, Beach, East‑West, Kendall, Northeast and North) and said the South Corridor bus rapid transit line is under construction and expected to open in summer. He said other corridors remain in planning and design stages, and that funding for heavy infrastructure — especially Metrorail extensions — remains incomplete.

The trust director emphasized funding complexity and the need for “layers” of finance — federal, state, local and creative tools such as tax‑increment strategies — to advance projects. Bettencourt and Price described smaller initiatives the CITT is pursuing, including smart traffic signals, micromobility recording, an ambassador program that solicits rider feedback and a CITT podcast for public outreach.

Why it matters: the CITT presentation clarified how municipal surtax dollars can be used locally (including for Hialeah’s Flamingo and Marlin routes and on‑demand services), and signaled the county’s priorities for future transit investments and funding strategies.

Speakers: Javier Bettencourt, Executive Director, Citizens Independent Transportation Trust; Mariana Price, Municipal Program Manager, CITT.

Ending: Bettencourt said the CITT aims to steer remaining funds toward transit projects where the county is most behind and invited local stakeholders to apply for ambassador roles and to consult the trust’s public accounting documents online.","The Citizens Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) updated Hialeah officials on how the county’s half‑cent sales surtax has been spent, the SmartPlan corridors, and how Hialeah has used its municipal share for local transit services and micromobility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Hialeah council approves appointments, zoning and a fluoride resolution; several items set for May 13

Hialeah council approves first reading of neighborhood business zoning for mixed affordable housing

Citizens Independent Transportation Trust briefs Hialeah on half‑cent transit funds, SmartPlan priorities