North Miami council approves appointments, renewals and sponsorship agreement; tables tree-trimming increase

The North Miami City Council on a single night handled multiple administrative and contractual matters: it removed one committee member, appointed four replacements, approved a sponsorship agreement with Florida International University, renewed a workers' compensation third-party administrator contract, approved a tentative plat to subdivide a property, and tabled a request to add $50,000 to an existing tree-trimming contract.

In a roll of actions, the council adopted a resolution removing Ovidio De Leon from the Floodplain Management Planning Committee and then appointed Gerda Theodore and Marie France to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (SHIP program) with terms ending Nov. 7, 2028; appointed Sabine Dulcio to the Centennial Committee (term ending Dec. 31, 2026); and appointed Michael McDermott to the Floodplain Management Planning Committee (term ending Nov. 2026) to represent the Ironman Center Central Homeowners Association. The removal and the appointments were approved by voice vote; Councilwoman Mary Estime Irvin moved the appointment motion and the mayor seconded.

Councilmembers also authorized the interim city manager and city attorney to negotiate and execute a "North Miami Group Best Partnership Agreement" for sponsorship and naming rights between the city and the Florida International University Board of Trustees. The council discussed venue compliance at Nomi Village and a proposed amendment that would have allowed the event to relocate to the North Miami Athletic Stadium if the original venue were not in compliance by July 1. The sponsor amendment was proposed during the debate but was not adopted; staff and the city attorney agreed to include administrative language if needed. The sponsorship resolution passed 5-0.

The council approved the second option to renew a professional services agreement with Davis Claim North America Inc. for workers' compensation third-party administrative services at a cost not to exceed $58,350. Alberto Estrada, purchasing director, said the vendor has performed satisfactorily. The item passed on a 4-0 recorded vote.

An amendment to increase the Greenwise Group LLC tree-trimming contract by up to $50,000 annually (Invitation for Bids No. 47-23-24) drew objections from Councilman Pierre Frans Charles, who said he had questions about whether prior work had been completed and invoiced before additional funds were authorized. Charles moved to table the item to the council’s next meeting to allow staff to provide documentation and on-site verification; the motion to table carried 4-0.

In quasi-judicial business, the council approved a tentative plat application from Waterstone Capital Holding LLC to subdivide 12599 Northeast Second Avenue into two lots for single-family homes. Development Services Director Debbie Love told council members the plat meets minimum lot size and frontage requirements and the Planning Commission had approved the plat 6-0 at a special-call meeting; the council approved the tentative plat by a 4-0 vote.

Public comment on the tree-trimming contract included Veronica Guzman, who told council that a contractor removed a dead tree from her property and trimmed other trees on her street; she said she has submitted a request for a replacement tree. Councilmembers asked staff to follow up on tree-replacement requests and to provide documentation on completed trimming work before releasing further payments.

Votes at a glance: - Removal: Ovidio De Leon from Floodplain Management Planning Committee — motion carried by voice vote (aye); outcome: removal approved. - Appointments: Gerda Theodore; Marie France to close Jean Farrins; Sabine Dulcio; Michael McDermott — motion carried by voice vote; outcome: appointments approved. - Tab D (FIU construction trades interlocal) — approved 5-0 (see separate coverage). - Tab E (FIU sponsorship/naming rights agreement) — approved 5-0. - Tab F (Davis Claim North America Inc. renewal for workers' comp TPA) — approved 4-0; cost not to exceed $58,350. - Tab G (Greenwise Group LLC additional $50,000 for tree trimming) — tabled to next meeting on council motion (4-0). - Tab H (Tentative plat, 12599 NE Second Ave.) — approved 4-0.

The council also adopted the consent agenda (Tabs A–C) by unanimous voice vote earlier in the meeting. Several councilmembers asked staff to prepare additional paperwork and site inspections on the tree work before the tabling date.