10-6-2026 Council Meeting

The City of Homestead held a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting and regular City Council meeting on October 6, 2026. The CRA unanimously approved a six-month sidewalk café activation pilot, with an initial furnishing deployment estimated at under $6,000. The CRA will loan tables, chairs, and possibly umbrellas to eligible downtown restaurants; the approved amendment allows participants to return the furnishings early without penalty. Council also unanimously approved a $174,783.50 holiday-decoration proposal from Roy’s Outdoor LLC, doing business as Christmas Designers Florida/Holiday Outdoor Decor. The purchase uses the third year of the vendor’s agreement under Invitation to Bid 2023-17, with competitive bidding waived for additional items or pricing not established in that bid. Planned work includes lighting City Hall, Washington Avenue medians, the downtown Chrome Avenue corridor, and Lozner Park.

Council reviewed the 2026 Winter Wonderland plan, noting a previously approved $250,000 budget—$160,000 for programming and $90,000 for staffing—and a sponsorship goal of $165,000. The full projected cost of Winter Wonderland and related activities was not stated; a resident raised that question during public comment. Council set ice-rink prices, including $12 for Homestead residents and city employees, $10 for youth, and $22 general admission, and supported pursuing paid social-media promotion. Council also unanimously approved a one-year bridge extension of the municipal trolley-services agreement with Limousines of South Florida Inc., waiving competitive bidding; the rate rises from $62 to $80 while a successor agreement is being procured. Separately, a $82,500 settlement of motor-vehicle-accident claims was approved. No other contract awards were identified.