Miami Gardens council approves update to public-participation decorum rules amid calls for clearer enforcement
February 12, 2026 | Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade County, Florida
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The Miami Gardens City Council approved an ordinance (item 8.1) to amend the city’s public-participation and decorum provisions, saying the changes bring local code into alignment with recent court decisions.
City Attorney (presenting) told the council the measure is intended as a “cleanup” to reflect evolving case law and to clarify definitions used in the code. During discussion, members pressed whether the amendment would limit public speakers to addressing only items on the meeting agenda; the City Attorney responded, “It doesn’t do that,” and added the amendment “just clarifies the definitions” and is driven by case law rather than state statute.
Council members voiced a mix of support for updating the code and concern about how it will be enforced. Councilwoman Wilson said decorum must be applied evenly and that council members should be held to the same standards as members of the public. Councilwoman Julian and Councilwoman Powell urged that policies evolve with the law and requested additional review; several members suggested a sunshine workshop to discuss enforcement protocols and accountability on both sides of the dais.
The council called the item to a vote after discussion. The clerk recorded a roll call in which Councilwoman Michelle Powell, Councilwoman Katrina Wilson, Councilwoman Linda Julian, Councilwoman Katrina Baskin, Councilman Reggie Leon and Vice Mayor Stevens each voted yes. The motion passed 6-0.
The ordinance sponsor and city staff said additional amendments may be necessary in the future as case law develops. Council members directed the clerk to schedule a workshop to analyze enforcement practices and potential council-level accountability measures following the City Attorney’s legal review.
What happens next: The ordinance was approved as presented at the meeting and will follow the city’s normal adoption process for first-reading actions; council members asked staff to return with any proposed implementation or enforcement language developed during the planned workshop.
City Attorney (presenting) told the council the measure is intended as a “cleanup” to reflect evolving case law and to clarify definitions used in the code. During discussion, members pressed whether the amendment would limit public speakers to addressing only items on the meeting agenda; the City Attorney responded, “It doesn’t do that,” and added the amendment “just clarifies the definitions” and is driven by case law rather than state statute.
Council members voiced a mix of support for updating the code and concern about how it will be enforced. Councilwoman Wilson said decorum must be applied evenly and that council members should be held to the same standards as members of the public. Councilwoman Julian and Councilwoman Powell urged that policies evolve with the law and requested additional review; several members suggested a sunshine workshop to discuss enforcement protocols and accountability on both sides of the dais.
The council called the item to a vote after discussion. The clerk recorded a roll call in which Councilwoman Michelle Powell, Councilwoman Katrina Wilson, Councilwoman Linda Julian, Councilwoman Katrina Baskin, Councilman Reggie Leon and Vice Mayor Stevens each voted yes. The motion passed 6-0.
The ordinance sponsor and city staff said additional amendments may be necessary in the future as case law develops. Council members directed the clerk to schedule a workshop to analyze enforcement practices and potential council-level accountability measures following the City Attorney’s legal review.
What happens next: The ordinance was approved as presented at the meeting and will follow the city’s normal adoption process for first-reading actions; council members asked staff to return with any proposed implementation or enforcement language developed during the planned workshop.
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