Miami Gardens council adopts billboard code changes, approves red-light report and orders two millage options

The Miami Gardens City Council on Jan. 8 approved three measures: an amendment to the city sign code to add two billboard sites, the city's annual red-light camera report for submission to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and a resolution directing the city manager to present two distinct proposed millage rates during the June budget cycle.

The measures matter because they affect local land-use regulation, traffic-enforcement reporting required by state law, and property-tax transparency during the annual budget process.

The council voted to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 34, Article 18 of the city code to allow two additional billboard locations and to update sign rules required by recent legal and statutory developments. City Attorney staff said there were no changes from first reading; the ordinance moves to final adoption with a roll-call vote recorded as yes by Councilwoman Baskin, Councilman Leon, Councilwoman Powell, Councilwoman Wilson, Councilwoman Julian and Vice President Stevens. The clerk recorded the motion as passing (voice: roll call recorded). The attorney described some changes as required by litigation settlement and by changes to state law.

Councilman Reggie Leon sponsored a resolution (item 12.3) directing the city manager to present two separate proposed millage rates to the council in June, ahead of the not-to-exceed millage resolution. Leon said the proposal stems from rising property values in Miami Gardens and concern that taxes rise even when the millage rate remains unchanged. "What I'm asking for is to give us another option so that we can see ... if we lowered the millage rate, where would we be and what would that look like?" Leon said. Councilwoman Wilson and other members said they supported the transparency this step would provide while raising questions about potential service reductions if revenue fell; no specific cuts were proposed. The resolution passed on a voice vote; the clerk reported the item as adopted.

The council also adopted a resolution approving the city's annual red-light camera report for submission to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to comply with Florida Statute section 316.0083(4)(a). City staff recommended approval; Councilwoman Wilson praised the report's clarity and its value for public education. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Councilwoman Julian, Vice President Stevens, Councilwoman Baskin, Councilman Leon, Councilwoman Powell and Mayor Rodney Harris; the clerk recorded the resolution as passed.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance (10.1): Amendments to Chapter 34, Article 18 (billboard/sign regulations). Sponsor: City Attorney. Purpose: allow two additional billboard sites; update code per litigation and statutory changes. Vote: roll call — recorded yes by Baskin, Leon, Powell, Wilson, Julian, Stevens; motion passed. - Resolution (12.3): Direct city manager to present two distinct proposed millage rates during June budget process. Sponsor: Councilman Leon. Purpose: provide council and public alternate millage scenarios given rising property values; discussion raised potential service impacts if revenues fall. Vote: adopted by voice vote; clerk recorded the item as passed. - Resolution (13.1): Approve red-light camera annual report for submission under Fla. Stat. §316.0083(4)(a). Sponsor: City Manager. Purpose: state-required annual report. Vote: roll call — recorded yes by Julian, Stevens, Baskin, Leon, Powell, Mayor Harris; motion passed.

Council members stressed the need to explain implications to residents. Several councilmembers said they want any millage-rate comparisons presented with clear information on what service levels would change under lower revenue scenarios. The council did not adopt any changes to millage rates at the meeting; the resolution requires staff to return with proposed options in June.