Homestead council approves forestry grant application, opioid settlement participation, multiple ordinances and contracts

The City of Homestead City Council on Oct. 7 approved a slate of measures including authorization to apply for a state community forestry grant, participation agreements for opioid litigation settlements, vendor contracts and multiple ordinances on procurement, registration fees and retirement participation.

The actions were taken during a special-call council meeting that began at 5:01 p.m.; the council then convened a Committee of the Whole and approved the Miami‑Dade County Local Mitigation Strategy form. Council members voted on each item by roll call; items passed with motions and recorded affirmative responses.

Why it matters: The measures affect downtown business promotions, city capital and operating processes, employee retirement options for future hires and the city’s eligibility for grant funds and settlement proceeds. Several items also change city code language and procurement rules that guide future purchases, contracts and enforcement.

Key actions and what the council approved

- Community forestry grant: The council authorized the city manager to apply for and accept the 2024 Community Forestry Capacity Grant administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and authorized matching funds “in an amount not to exceed $50,000 on a proportion basis.” The motion to approve was moved by Councilman Cannonball and seconded by Councilman Davis; the item passed on a roll call vote.

- Opioid settlement participation: The council authorized execution of participation agreements and related documents concerning settlements of opioid litigation and ratified associated actions. The motion was moved by Councilman Roth and seconded by Councilman Cannonball; the council voted to approve the participation agreements.

- Comprehensive vulnerability assessment contract negotiation: The council approved the evaluation committee’s ranking for RFQ 2025‑23 and authorized the city manager to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Aptum Environmental and Infrastructure LLC as the top‑ranked firm, with Stanza Consulting Inc. named as the next ranked firm if negotiations with the top firm fail. The motion was moved by Councilman Cannonball and seconded by Councilman Davis; the council approved the authorization.

- Millage rollback correction: The council approved a corrective resolution to revise the rollback rate that had been reported at the second budget hearing on Sept. 24. Finance Director Carlos Perez explained that the previously published rollback rate (5.4129) was incorrect; “The actual certified rollback rate was 5.4284. And the adopted millage rate increase over that rate was 9.80%,” Perez said. The council approved the corrective action to align published figures with the certified rate.

- Downtown winter event signage: The council approved a resolution allowing businesses within the city’s historic downtown and along the Washington Avenue corridor to participate in promotion of the city’s Winter Wonderland event through temporary event signs, adopting conceptual design and standards, and authorizing a review process and enforcement. Council discussion focused on locations, allowed installations (windows and walls rather than public property) and aesthetic flexibility for businesses. Councilwoman Bailey said she supports the initiative: “I love the initiative. I love the idea of helping to promote our businesses.” The council approved the program.

- Equipment contract award: The council approved an award of contract to Condo Electric Industrial Supply Inc. in the amount of $59,965 for ITB 2025‑28 for the OP blower and vertical drive rebuild of engine number 17. The motion passed by roll call vote.

- Florida Retirement System participation (second reading): On second reading the council adopted an ordinance declaring the city’s intent to participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) for general employees, including senior management, effective on or about April 1, 2026. The ordinance makes FRS membership compulsory for general employees hired on or after the effective date; employees already participating in another city retirement plan may elect to remain in that plan or join FRS. The council approved the ordinance on second reading.

- Procurement code amendment (second reading): The council approved a second‑reading ordinance amending Article VIII (Contracts and Purchasing) of Chapter 2 of the City Code to streamline procurement processes and improve efficiency. The ordinance was approved on second reading.

- Registration fees and code enforcement (second reading): The council approved second reading of an ordinance amending sections 19‑110, 19‑113, 19‑114, 19‑115, 19‑116 and 19‑118 of the city code to revise registration fees, maintenance and security requirements, clarify the city’s immunity for inspections, and add a schedule of civil penalties. The ordinance was approved on second reading.

- Committee of the Whole — Local Mitigation Strategy: At the Committee of the Whole, the council approved placing Card No. 4782 on the council agenda to adopt the 2025 Miami‑Dade County Local Mitigation Strategy form, a multi‑jurisdictional FEMA‑guided document the county prepared for all 34 cities to use rather than each city producing a separate plan.

Votes at a glance (motions, movers/second and outcome)

- Tab 1 — Community Forestry Capacity Grant: Moved by Councilman Cannonball; seconded by Councilman Davis. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Tab 2 — Opioid settlement participation agreements: Moved by Councilman Roth; seconded by Councilman Cannonball. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Tab 3 — RFQ 2025‑23 ranking and negotiation authorization (Aptum Environmental and Infrastructure LLC): Moved by Councilman Cannonball; seconded by Councilman Davis. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Tab 4 — Correction to adopted millage/rollback rate: Moved by Councilman Ross; seconded by Councilman Cannonball. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Tab 5 — Winter Wonderland temporary event signage program (historic downtown and Washington Avenue corridor): Moved and seconded; Outcome: approved (roll call). - Tab 6 — Award to Condo Electric Industrial Supply Inc., $59,965 (ITB 2025‑28): Moved by Councilman Cannonball; seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Tab 7 — Ordinance joining Florida Retirement System (second reading): Moved by Councilman Davis; seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Outcome: approved (second reading, roll call). - Tab 8 — Procurement code amendments (second reading): Moved by Councilman Cannonball; seconded by Councilman Davis. Outcome: approved (second reading, roll call). - Tab 9 — Ordinance amending registration fees, maintenance/security and penalties (second reading): Moved by Councilman Roth; seconded by Councilman Cannonball. Outcome: approved (second reading, roll call). - Committee of the Whole Tab 1 — Adoption of the 2025 Miami‑Dade County Local Mitigation Strategy form: Moved by Councilman Roth; seconded by Councilman Cannonball. Outcome: approved (roll call).

What the council did not decide or what remains next

Most items approved authorized staff to execute agreements, to negotiate and to implement programs; the specific implementation steps — contract execution, detailed program guidelines for the downtown event signage, and any required administrative forms or notices — remain to be completed by staff. The FRS participation ordinance takes effect on or about April 1, 2026, for new hires; existing employees who have other city plan participation were given an election right by the ordinance. The forestry grant authorization permits staff to apply and accept funds and establish an expenditure budget, subject to matching funds not to exceed the $50,000 amount authorized by council.

Meeting context

The special-call council meeting was procedural in nature and mostly involved staff presentations of resolutions and ordinances followed by brief council questions and roll‑call votes. Several items had brief clarifying discussion (notably the millage rollback correction and signage program). The Committee of the Whole approved use of the county mitigation strategy rather than a city‑specific plan.

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