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Council approves first reading to restrict petty cabs and golf carts in stadium "clean zone"
Summary
The Miami Gardens City Council approved on first reading an ordinance to create a restricted stadium "clean zone" that prohibits petty cabs, golf carts and low-speed vehicles during stadium events. The measure passed 6-0 and will return for second reading after further review of penalty language.
The Miami Gardens City Council on March 26 approved on first reading an ordinance to restrict petty cabs, golf carts and low-speed vehicles in a new stadium "clean zone," citing public-safety concerns at major events.
The measure, sponsored by Councilman Reggie Leon, passed the first-reading vote 6-0 and will return for a second reading where council members may consider technical amendments.
Councilman Reggie Leon, who introduced the item, said the city lacked specific rules to manage golf-cart vendors near the stadium and called the ordinance "the first step in order to clean this up." He said the change is intended to give the city tools to manage safety and commercial activity around large events.
Councilwoman Katrina Powell urged the council to amend the punishment language before final passage. "A criminal penalty of 60 days imprisonment is disproportionate for violations that are largely civil or administrative in nature," Powell said, and proposed replacing incarceration language with civil enforcement such as a permanent ban and a civil fine not to exceed $500.
The assistant city attorney responded that the language Powell read into the record is statutory boilerplate that appears in municipal code language across Florida and noted the city has not used incarceration for code enforcement violations in her 21 years: "That penalty provision ... that's Florida statute. That's statutory language for any violation of the code in any city in the state of Florida. ... We have never done that in my 21 years, and we will not we do not intend to do it." The attorney added the administration would not jail people for simply operating a low-speed vehicle without a permit.
Council members clarified the ordinance is intended as a public-safety and regulatory tool; second reading will allow the council to consider Powell's proposed enforcement language and other edits before the ordinance becomes final.
Votes at first reading: 6 yes, 0 no. The ordinance will return to council for a second reading and final adoption.
Ending — The council's action establishes the restricted stadium clean zone in the city code's Chapter 6; staff and the sponsor said they will coordinate with county partners and the Miami Dolphins before the ordinance returns for final action.
