Miami-Dade and City Officials Tackle Waste Crisis and Urban Growth in Today’s Sessions

Critical Sustainability and Planning Meetings Convene Across Miami

Today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marks a pivotal day for local governance in South Florida as both the Miami-Dade County Commission and various City of Miami boards convene to address long-term infrastructure challenges and urban development. From the future of waste management to the aesthetic evolution of the city skyline, several key agenda items are set for deliberation and public input.

Miami-Dade County Targets Waste Management Crisis

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to meet this morning at 9:30 AM. A primary focus of today’s session is a resolution sponsored by Commissioner René Garcia aimed at establishing a new Solid Waste Advisory Board. This board would be tasked with coordinating a long-term waste management strategy for the county, a move necessitated by the ongoing impact of the 2023 Covanta incinerator fire in Doral.

According to legislative documents, the county’s current short-term strategy—which involves hauling tons of trash to other parts of the state via truck and rail—is considered unsustainable. Today’s hearing will explore more permanent solutions as officials wait for joint proposals regarding a new waste-to-energy facility. Key points of discussion include:

• The rising costs associated with waste transport.
• The selection of a site for the next waste-to-energy plant.
• The rapidly declining capacity of existing county landfills.

City of Miami Boards Review Urban Development

At the municipal level, the City of Miami is hosting two major board meetings today at City Hall. The Urban Design Review Board (UDRB) is scheduled to meet at 2:00 PM to evaluate several high-profile architectural proposals. These sessions are critical for ensuring that new construction projects align with the city’s aesthetic and functional standards.

Later this evening, the Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board will hold a session at 6:30 PM. This meeting is expected to address various variance requests and zoning changes that could impact residential and commercial density in the city’s core neighborhoods.

Regional Infrastructure and Public Outreach

In addition to these sessions, a virtual public meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM regarding the Collins Canal Water Main Improvements. This project aims to upgrade subaqueous water mains to enhance local water reliability and resilience. Residents are encouraged to participate in these sessions to provide feedback on the city's evolving infrastructure landscape.