Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council votes: fees, plats, utilities rates, trucks and strategic plan — key outcomes from Aug. 20 Homestead meeting
Summary
At its Aug. 20 meeting the Homestead City Council approved a slate of items including quasi-judicial plats, fee changes, utility rate ordinance first readings, purchase and financing of solid-waste trucks, participation in LIHEAP and adoption of a five-year strategic plan. Vote outcomes and motions are listed.
The Homestead City Council took multiple formal actions Wednesday. Below are the principal votes and short summaries of each item. (Vote tallies below are from roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes.)
Votes at a glance
- Tab 3 — Site plan approval (Lucy Street townhomes, 85 units): Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0. Motion to approve site plan and attached conditions (mover: motion recorded by council; second: Councilman Larry Roth). Conditions include recorded declaration of restrictions, uniform perimeter fence and a pattern-book requirement for terraces facing the right-of-way.
- Tab 4 — Tentative plat (Lucy Street townhomes): Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0. Moved by Councilman Larry Roth; seconded by Councilwoman Bailey.
- Tab 5 — Variance (Lucy Street front setback to 5 feet): Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0. Moved by Councilwoman Bailey; seconded by Councilman Davis.
- Tab 6 — Waiver of plat for division of property at 700 N. Homestead Blvd.: Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0. Motion carried; staff noted county-level procedures and forthcoming survey submission in September.
- Tab 7 — First reading: amendments to building permit fee schedule and related permit provisions (Chapter 6): Approved on first reading (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0.
- Tab 8 — First reading: local business tax receipts inspection fee (Chapter 16) revised to combine zoning, mechanical/plumbing/electrical inspections into single inspection fee for new-business applicants: Approved on first reading (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0. Consultant and staff explained the fee reflects cost of three outward inspections and administrative coordination; council asked for clarity on total applicant costs and consideration of a lower fee for small businesses.
- Tab 9 — First reading: zoning/public hearing fee schedule updates (Chapter 30): Approved on first reading (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0.
- Tab 10 — First reading: right-of-way permit fees (Chapter 24): Approved on first reading (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0.
- Tab 11 — First reading: adjustments to water and sewer rates and fees (Chapter 28): Approved on first reading (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0.
- Tab 12 — Resolution supporting expansion of the Palm Gate Community Development District (county petition): Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 4 / No: 2. Moved by Vice Mayor Sean Fletcher; seconded by Councilman Davis. Council members voted on the record with two no votes; concerns focused on board representation and governance for a district that crosses municipal boundaries.
- Tab 13 — Resolution supporting creation of the Palm Cove Reserve multipurpose maintenance special taxing district and authorization for interlocal agreement: Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 5 / No: 1.
- Tab 14 — Resolution authorizing city participation in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and accepting funds: Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0.
- Tab 15 — Authorization to purchase and finance up to $2,737,249 for solid-waste vehicles (front loader, side loaders, dumpster hauler) and associated financing: Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0. Council requested continued attention to recycling contamination and collection needs in multi-family communities.
- Tab 16 — Adoption of the cityfive-year strategic plan: Approved (roll-call) — Yes: 6 / No: 0. Council adopted the plan and staff presented sample signage and next steps for implementation.
What happens next
Most ordinance changes above were acted on at first reading; second readings (where applicable) and formal adoption will follow the citys ordinance process unless otherwise noted. County-level actions (CDDs and special taxing district formation) proceed at the Miami-Dade County level and require county approvals and recorded documents before they take effect. Purchase of vehicles will proceed under the stated financing authorization and procurement procedures.
Record and materials
The formal motions, staff reports, related exhibits and recorded roll-call votes are in the City Clerks meeting packet and permanent record; staff noted that some fee schedules and applicant-cost breakdowns will be published with final ordinance packets prior to second readings.
