Miami‑Dade sets mediation, readies eminent‑domain trigger as port fuel fight intensifies

The Miami‑Dade County Commission directed the county mayor and attorneys to pursue confidential mediation with HRP — the new owner of the Fisher Island fuel facility — and to prepare an eminent‑domain resolution that would be triggered if the mediator declares an impasse or if negotiations fail to produce an agreement within 60 days of Oct. 20.

The action followed weeks of warnings from cruise‑line executives, stevedores and unions that the fuel farm is critical to PortMiami’s operations. Peter James Campbell of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce told commissioners the facility underpins a maritime economy that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity. “Any uncertainty about fuel reliability strengthens competitors’ case,” Campbell said during public comment.

Mayor Levine Cava said her team has been negotiating and confirmed HRP has submitted a proposal and agreed to mediation on Oct. 20. “We continue to actively pursue a path for acquisition as directed by the board while in parallel vigorously analyzing an on‑port solution,” the mayor said, adding staff will deliver a targeted feasibility review of potential on‑port sites to the board within days. Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales told commissioners the mediation is intended to allow confidential sharing of appraisal and environmental documents that would otherwise become public records.

Commissioners debated whether to authorize eminent domain now or let mediation proceed. Commissioner Oliver Gilbert argued the board should give the county’s negotiators the maximum leverage, including a standing authorization to start eminent‑domain proceedings if mediation fails. “We need a natural trigger,” Gilbert said, arguing that earlier board actions to prepare appraisals and consultants were intended to let the county act quickly if necessary.

Others urged patience. Commissioner Raquel Regalado said an immediate threat of eminent domain could undermine good‑faith talks and urged the board to insist the administration propose specific on‑port alternatives in mediation. “We should not walk into the mediation with a knife over their head,” Regalado said.

The board voted to require the county mayor’s office to present at least three on‑port locations for an alternative fuel facility during mediation, including an assessment of utilities, access and operational feasibility. It also directed the county attorney to prepare a resolution that would be placed on a subsequent agenda if the mediator finds an impasse or if talks fail within the 60‑day window. The chairman or the chairman’s designee will participate in negotiations and report back to the full commission.

The mediation aims to preserve options: HRP has proposed building a new on‑port facility at its own cost in one version of its offer and told the board it is willing to negotiate. HRP’s attorney, speaking at the meeting, said the company has provided answers to port questions and is prepared to work in good faith. “It is not the intention of my client in any way, shape or form to disrupt the flow of fuel to PortMiami,” the HRP representative said.

Next steps: commissioners asked the administration for a written timeline and the feasibility work on potential on‑port sites; they expect a report at or before the board’s Oct. 21 meeting. The resolution prepared by county attorneys would permit the mayor’s designee to file eminent‑domain proceedings only after the mediation deadline or an explicit impasse, not as the board’s first step. If the board later approves eminent domain, it would still be subject to the legal conditions and additional board action required by Florida law.