Doral mayor looks for way to keep out a new incinerator

Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez, to become a county commissioner Nov. 22, says he will ask to reconsider sites for a waste-to-energy facility due to be built in Doral beside the current Covanta plant.

“It is my opinion that there is a possibility of potentially finding a resolution, whether it’s through a public-private partnership with the county or in another fashion, where we may be able to find other sites,” he told a Zoom meeting Monday.

The last-minute event was organized by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s administration just one day prior to a vote to renew the Covanta contract for the existing Resources Recovery Facility service.

The contract extension, approved by county commissioners Tuesday without discussion, would give the county enough time to build the new waste-to-energy plant without affecting solid waste services in the county. “It’s an extension until we come up with a long-term plan,” Ms. Levine Cava said.

She presented a report in July analyzing locations for an incinerator that shortlisted four locations: at the existing Doral site, in Medley, and two locations on Ingraham Highway.

Further analysis was proposed, and she requested “the opportunity to conduct community outreach with respect to the potential sites.” The commission, however, selected the Doral site as it would take the least time and money.

County rules establish that a commission action may be reconsidered only at the meeting at which the action was taken or at the following regular meeting. But they also say a motion to reconsider “may be made only by a commissioner who voted on the prevailing side of the question and must be concurred in by a majority of those present at the meeting.”

The motion selecting Doral was made by Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz. Mr. Bermudez is to take his commission seat, possibly allowing for a reconsideration.