Council approves multiple measures: land‑use amendment, plats, settlements, contracts and festival support

The City of Homestead council approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and administrative items on Jan. 22. Most of the items were routine or carried from the Local Planning Agency; several had short staff reports and unanimous roll‑call votes.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance (first reading) — FVPP LLC land‑use amendment (Tab 2). Motion carried on first reading to amend the comprehensive plan future land use map for an approximately 0.75‑acre parcel at 1351 North Chrome/From Avenue from medium residential to light commercial to match an existing adult living facility. Motion moved by Councilwoman Bailey and seconded by Councilman Cannonball; roll call vote recorded as yes by council members and motion carried on Jan. 22.

- Final plat approval — Aspen Estates (Doctor Horton, Inc.) (Tab 11). Council approved a final plat for Aspen Estates, a proposed 74‑lot single‑family subdivision on about 37 acres. Applicant representative Marita Haro told council the final plat matches the approved tentative plat. Motion moved by Councilman Cannonball and seconded by Vice Mayor Fletcher; unanimous roll call carry.

- Budget amendment / workers' compensation fund (Tab 3). Council approved an amendment to the workers' compensation fund budget to increase revenues and expenditures by $1,250,000 to cover a large workers' compensation settlement; the manager explained the city's insurer agreed to contribute up to $1.25 million toward the settlement. Motion moved by Vice Mayor Fletcher and seconded by Councilman Cannonball; unanimous approval.

- Settlement authorization (Tab 8). Council approved settlement of claims by Sean Sinclair as companion to the workers' compensation item. Motion moved by Vice Mayor Fletcher and seconded by Councilman Cannonball; unanimous roll call.

- Collective bargaining agreements (Tabs 4 and 5). Council ratified collective‑bargaining agreements with the South Florida Police Benevolent Association units representing lieutenants and the unit representing officers/detectives/sergeants/corrections. Motions moved and seconded on the floor; the council thanked negotiators and the bargaining units. Unanimous roll call.

- Revised council meeting and agenda procedures (Tab 7). Council enacted revised procedures extending the deadline for agenda submissions to provide an earlier docket distribution to members; motion carried unanimously.

- Rotary Club Homestead Crab & Seafood Festival support (Tab 9). The council approved in‑kind city support and accepted the Rotary Club’s offers including a $1,000 rental fee and a $3,000 donation (as described by administration). Motion moved by Councilman O'Navalis (as reported) and seconded by Councilman Cannonball; unanimous approval.

- Resolution urging federal funding support (Tab 12). Council adopted a resolution urging Congressman Carlos Gimenez to pursue funding for construction of a Veterans Affairs hospital in Homestead; motion moved by Councilman Davis and seconded by Councilwoman Avila; unanimous vote.

Procedural notes: most of the listed items were presented with abbreviated staff reports; public comment was closed where no speakers registered. The roll‑call tallies in the transcript showed unanimous votes on these items. Where budget or settlement amounts were discussed, staff noted the city insurer would cover up to $1.25 million of an approximately $1.35 million workers' compensation settlement; the adopted budget amendment appropriated $1,250,000 to the workers' compensation fund.

What was not decided: the Old City Hall redevelopment negotiations with Related Urban were separately discussed and the council took specific termination and re‑advertisement actions (see separate article).