[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6186774,"mediaKeyId","5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8","parentId",5074281,"title","Residents urge redirecting special‑event funds to parks after council approves Fourth‑of‑July spending","audioSeconds",164,"startMs",6096000,"endMs",6260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8&start=6096&end=6260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8/thumbnail_6096000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6186774/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Residents-urge-redirecting-specialevent-funds-to-parks-after-council-approves-FourthofJuly-spending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186774-e75df6b8ff02d9990598957171c56b8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163197&Signature=dmOo~IsbEHkAIpMaHg2dN8ALxrHqxCtzYPll4bxCZGjpvt6vB2y4zMUq1bihifd2BuVLUav2I7aeVGYVyoHUy2dUuTfGDJX5wXCH86lNEjcHAI~WSpCLYb1Xnvs4d6BYdl1k5gCnC3bvVeh8njkcQ1vDaP4kpCX9N2YrDpoqMJ7JvO8rSPqOzuzeGZrrfa9svxD8jZ3o0mKQWxPMKpnYFEjFtUTAmyYtZzhzP16GOfp4Mdi0yZynCy1xXWuD~SKy5gifFJ375EDCRLHOXw~JZXnONpdoRfKSFn44aBPljChtuL4Yop7yWx-QK7fx7ev0lt-S1havCpST-jIGW7U0SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hialeah, FL","date","2025-06-25T13:06:48Z","article","The Hialeah City Council approved several consent‑agenda items to fund Fourth‑of‑July entertainment and festival rentals — including a $32,640 purchase order to Live Coverage LLC for on‑site photo/video coverage, a $32,000 performance fee for the billed act at the Hialeah Food & Wine Festival, and a $55,500 purchase order for carnival rides and inflatables — drawing sharp public comment that the city was spending heavily on special events while several public pools and programs remain closed.

Longtime public commenter Jose Azzi told the council the city spends more on the July 4 celebration than any other city in South Florida and urged officials to reallocate some event funds to parks and recreation operations, pool repairs and free summer lunch programming. “We spend more money on the July 4 than any city in South Florida,” Azzi said. He alleged that seven pools exist in the city and “four are broken” and asked the council to use event funds to restore basic services.

Council members and the mayor responded that the special events department secures sponsorships and that sponsorship money reduces the net municipal expense for the holiday programs; staff said sponsors underwrite a significant portion of fireworks, production and lights. Council members also noted the technical complexity of large stage shows — including lighting and laser systems — and said outside vendors are often needed for that production work.

Despite the approvals, councilmembers agreed with public speakers that a fuller briefing from parks and recreation on pool status and program availability would be useful at a future meeting. At least one councilmember said they would request the parks director attend the next discussion so the council and public could review program schedules, pool closures and the potential to repurpose event funds for summer programming.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 6-24-25","oneSentenceSummary","After approving purchase orders totaling tens of thousands of dollars for Fourth‑of‑July entertainment and festival services, the council faced public criticism that the city is prioritizing expensive events over basic park programs and pool repairs.","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},6186779,"Council approves 99‑year ground lease for 58‑unit workforce housing project at downtown parcel",13,7258000,7271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8&start=7258&end=7271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8/thumbnail_7258000.jpg","/articles/6186779/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Council-approves-99year-ground-lease-for-58unit-workforce-housing-project-at-downtown-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186779-431350760b189f03805ea4dde445d443/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163197&Signature=M2kpJDKepzH8~AbIbLDd58D9g3PHIRNe7IUF1w71ti7d8yRc7EN-CihAwzRc9qgCfTk3LQhaf2eDVCL9lasnfmseE8SggRMBIcyTo3LD5WqOE7V0QDW7CMWN9xfmiBClI~2vcjAiwPJNJU-pWLyLS0R7LIApmEgr1e~UfT3xe7tbQ5kRyoNQwTtP6Eh6q8401c~MPZ8lOc~BD-3aoBKhinfMOwmw~eAcGJlaHG0E~cDIRN4ELkKRsIdWe-7XXtCOYv14W6KqE6zviKs1P0xzUFXGvH~WY9SZ-9CuxiAHyryG1acWZV8v5VSymngmgvvBd3qk9MPcN4v5wRqLzHjVaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hialeah City Council approved a ground lease with Marcia Flats LLC to site a 58‑unit affordable workforce housing development on city‑owned land at 300 E. First Ave. and 67 E. Third St. The council waived competitive procurement rules and authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute the lease.

Developer representative Danny Milian told the council the parties had reached agreement on lease terms and described the project as an affordable workforce development. A resident who spoke during public comment asked about the lease term; the developer confirmed the term would be 99 years.

Several public speakers, including neighborhood advocates, asked about continued community services at nearby Blanche Morin Center and urged the city to preserve space for nonprofit supports. Staff said there would be retail/ground‑floor space in the project that could be discussed with local service providers, and the city said it would meet with interested stakeholders to explore options.

The council approved the lease on second reading with a roll call vote. Councilmembers noted that the project is part of the city’s stated affordable housing efforts and that additional details about tenant eligibility, affordability levels and project schedule will be finalized in lease exhibits and subsequent project submissions to planning and building departments.

","The council voted to approve a long‑term ground lease with Marcia Flats LLC to develop 58 workforce‑housing units at 300 E. First Ave. and 67 E. Third St.; public commenters asked about community services for nearby residents.",{"_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},6186784,"Hialeah amends marijuana code language to align with Florida Supreme Court ruling; dispensaries remain banned",1255,9305000,10560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8&start=9305&end=10560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8/thumbnail_9305000.jpg","/articles/6186784/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Hialeah-amends-marijuana-code-language-to-align-with-Florida-Supreme-Court-ruling-dispensaries-remain-banned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186784-c84005097283f074bbcfeda62dd1b94e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163197&Signature=N7~ft83qIswYAYAvaN9Pukkd8vg4x73GfvOPG0pEgjnOlVjz828hmO158DGnkDSP0rv7OXI1ZEpSdntzkf5eEVxvO6J4eDcX761~eQyJzXxiUlgYIQJCfbFejqFgF0-KPu2J3Iecp64iwLRZepkAnfLNqukqIx1iSonWJQUz9uF~PDnu8qMLWorasvVgB9zpzjctyXXt7xJVkfAFfylQNHm8JuTiYUjhwYkDFFK70kZlFUHik4Y9qC21ofzMNT3a7L0t7k3bQbLxkH4Dh2Rqqm3Efn2ORIIdzDlWj6i345VNpx3QCeyED5KfyjDIwI-oxMBrnAVp2ceGaYJkQgr~Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hialeah City Council approved, on first reading, an amendment to city code that strikes a provision the city attorney said was preempted by state law governing medical marijuana cultivation and processing. The council kept language that bans medical marijuana dispensing facilities.

City attorneys explained the change as a legal housekeeping step to eliminate a clause that would conflict with guidance from the Florida Supreme Court. The court has held that local governments cannot regulate in a way that obstructs state licensing for cultivation and related activities. Council members said they did not intend to authorize dispensaries; the amendment simply removes language the city cannot legally enforce.

A city lawyer summarized the point to the council: the ordinance will continue to ban dispensaries, which cities may lawfully do, but cannot forbid activities the state expressly regulates. Husani Gourich of the business tax division and other staff clarified that any applicant seeking cultivation or manufacturing capacity would still need to secure state approvals and then navigate local zoning, building, fire and other recurring permitting steps.

Councilmembers asked whether approving the housekeeping amendment would make it easier for a future applicant to open a dispensary; staff and the city attorney said no — the change corrects only the section addressing cultivation and does not remove the ban on dispensaries. “This is just we're striking out a part of the language that we kind of implied that we can regulate the cultivating of it, and we don't have the authority to regulate that,” a city attorney said.

The motion to approve first reading carried after a second by Council President Luis Rodriguez; the item was scheduled for second reading and public hearing on Aug. 12.

","The council approved first‑reading housekeeping changes to remove a prohibition on cultivation that state law preempts, while retaining the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries; second reading set for Aug. 12.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186788,"Council seeks insurance cost estimates after debate over pollution‑liability requirement for waste haulers",2646,6310000,8956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8&start=6310&end=8956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8/thumbnail_6310000.jpg","/articles/6186788/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Council-seeks-insurance-cost-estimates-after-debate-over-pollutionliability-requirement-for-waste-haulers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186788-8934c560d55b3fb711c1f91892a1f7c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163197&Signature=QO2jq8nJkxS5G-hqXFfSd~XRB1FGq2HRjHs5E~0cjwAEjEGV6Tbr5MQ4Iukb9FtkvS9M0XZbO9yDbXZjCr0rgWNGeM2t1HDjetWDkbCe4B6sM-ydF0qCM2a9LidZ-rfZUXajom0fbUrABDlT3Gj0Xxm9fmScTfGpBIiFCetJfoTtsE5Vwh21D1RVz7pxw7Aau6tZiSrJWp2H7-aNLP2nP3KLXoG98xDlvuSNyjjL5x9iLpTaumuO44OBd1rEDjd-Z4rLK8U90-Wmgpu9BtBfEB7yiuTCGdHcsZCSZbZMrXe7ivhJ8VcYfxAEp65JIGjAXMpU8sXS2dndf7M7qe1v0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hialeah City Council on first consideration directed city risk management and the local waste‑hauler industry to provide cost estimates after a lengthy discussion over whether private haulers should be required to carry pollution‑liability insurance.

City staff and industry representatives traced the issue to an earlier ordinance amendment that unintentionally removed the pollution‑liability requirement for haulers. Risk managers said the change was a drafting error and recommended restoring a $1 million pollution‑liability requirement to protect the city from cleanup and litigation costs if a waste pickup led to an environmental release.

Tim Benjamin, the city’s internal auditor, explained that pollution‑liability insurance is intended to cover cleanup costs and protect the city’s limited self‑insured resources. “Only takes one event to have a material effect on this city,” Benjamin said, describing the city’s exposure if contamination from a haul‑truck spill required remediation.

Industry representatives urged caution, saying many small, family‑owned haulers operate on thin margins. Luciano Isla, an attorney and registered lobbyist for the Florida Waste Haulers and Recyclers Coalition, said restoring the requirement could increase costs and possibly reduce competition if small firms choose to leave the market.

Representatives from the industry and risk management agreed to work together. Council members asked haulers’ representatives to provide insurer quotes for a $1 million pollution‑liability policy so the council can evaluate the likely premium and any downstream effect on rates paid by Hialeah businesses and residents. The council formally postponed the ordinance to Aug. 12, 2025.

City staff said the policy being discussed is a specific pollution‑liability product and should not be confused with general liability. Risk staff estimated that, depending on risk profile, premiums in comparable cases were likely to be modest (one staffer described broker feedback that premiums might be “a couple $100 a month” in some cases), but the council asked for actual, industry‑sourced quotes before making a policy decision.

The council also directed risk and public works staff to meet with haulers to define the exact coverage the city should require so that quotes will be comparable. Council members framed the question as a tradeoff between protecting municipal finances and avoiding an undue cost burden on small local businesses.","The council postponed action on a proposed requirement that private waste haulers carry $1 million pollution‑liability insurance, directing haulers and risk staff to provide premium quotes and details ahead of an Aug. 12 follow‑up.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186793,"Hialeah tables pilot for smart water meters; council asks company for formal briefing",475,3093000,3568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8&start=3093&end=3568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074281-635b697a90fd569c489647c59b82f6d8/thumbnail_3093000.jpg","/articles/6186793/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Hialeah-tables-pilot-for-smart-water-meters-council-asks-company-for-formal-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186793-08912a97c095e7e58e07d044903d265d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163197&Signature=VqBSJwQdr9fHYmPB9iuYSZy8LD70QPQzwu5ZWhS1LZxkPJEOaq4EsBOYi-rxEvBhK92JUrcP~ulHD6DoHag5oG6G7QktkHElJqC~wxv8OMkTWfHnXTQXD0fB2nTLSoVN9VQNh8gryybl3eVkGP8fMrQucPujZ3vXMy~xSBmEgNaHGlefZq8lTycprRd3jWmaN-84szn~jzvYKZXVfA~P7eJpJArqj5YFsHvt8zvn4kklyel7akIJe9Qp0P61TC2BQkTBBO9w-TdsOJbDlOynorYFS3VossXbAiuqmvY3MSKmsEY9v0gkDfMk-yW4GUTCslU3TEz9WGl6ANVMjmgf8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hialeah City Council on a voice vote moved to table consideration of a proposed memorandum of understanding with Sustainability Partners LLC to run a roughly 200‑day advanced metering infrastructure pilot that would install 114 ultrasonic smart water meters at no cost to the city.

Councilmembers said they supported testing automated meter reading but wanted a more complete presentation before approving even a no‑cost pilot. Councilwoman Monica Perez moved to table the item until Aug. 12; the motion carried after a roll call.

City staff described the program as a standard utility pilot designed to test remote, automated readings instead of in‑person meter checks. Kevin Linsky, the city’s public works director, told the council the pilot would let staff “inspect the results” and compare the new meters’ readings to prior bill history to check accuracy and leak detection. Linsky said the vendor installs and operates the system at its own cost for the pilot period and that the city would have no obligation to proceed afterward.

Council members urged more detail on the company’s track record and what specific comparisons the city would use to judge success. “I would prefer if maybe we could table the item and get some kind of presentation, with, you know, what this entails,” Perez said during discussion.

Council President Luis Rodriguez and other members stressed the potential benefits, including quicker detection of leaks, but agreed that a formal, documented presentation — including examples from other municipalities and measured results — should be provided before the city permits the vendor to begin the pilot. The council recorded the motion to table with the following roll call: Miss Perez, yes; Mr. Rodriguez, yes; Mr. Junco, yes; Mr. LaVega, yes; Mr. Zagvi, no; one member absent. The item was tabled to Aug. 12.

City staff said the pilot is limited in scope (114 meters) and duration (about 200 days) and emphasized it is not a purchase agreement and carries “no obligation at all whatsoever” for the city to adopt the vendor’s technology beyond the pilot period. Staff also said one of the anticipated benefits is earlier detection of leaks, which can reduce water loss and operating costs if the system proves accurate.

The council asked that, before Aug. 12, the vendor provide a formal presentation showing (1) municipalities where the company has implemented similar pilots, (2) measured results from past installations, (3) the precise data the city will receive during the pilot and how it will be validated, and (4) any costs that might fall to residents if the pilot leads to future purchase decisions.

The council’s vote to table means the pilot will not proceed until after the additional briefing and a new vote at the Aug. 12 meeting.

","The city council voted to table a 200-day pilot of 114 ultrasonic “smart” water meters offered at no cost by Sustainability Partners LLC and asked the company and staff to present a full briefing at the Aug. 12 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge redirecting special‑event funds to parks after council approves Fourth‑of‑July spending

Council approves 99‑year ground lease for 58‑unit workforce housing project at downtown parcel

Hialeah amends marijuana code language to align with Florida Supreme Court ruling; dispensaries remain banned

Council seeks insurance cost estimates after debate over pollution‑liability requirement for waste haulers

Hialeah tables pilot for smart water meters; council asks company for formal briefing