MIAMI – A dramatic Miami City Commission meeting involving chicken costumes, code enforcement complaints and allegations of political retaliation unfolded Friday, with Commissioner Joe Carollo at the center of it all.
The special session was called to discuss what was officially described as the “weaponization of government.” But tempers flared early — and often.
“Can you please keep it down in the chambers,” one official pleaded during the meeting.
It came one week after the wife of Commissioner Miguel Gabela abruptly halted a prior meeting by shouting, “This is not a communist country!” Her outburst followed accusations that Carollo ordered city employees to surveil her and her husband.
Video shown during the meeting appeared to support the claim, with Gabela alleging that city resources were being misused to target him and his family.
A letter from Carollo’s office directed the city manager to investigate alleged code violations on properties tied to the Gabelas.
Gabela says it’s no coincidence. He believes it’s payback for his call to audit the Bayfront Park Trust — an entity Carollo had overseen for years.
“The commissioner accusing me of having problems when I have zero — here it is,” Gabela said.
“You had your time. I got mine now,” Carollo replied moments later.
Carollo then displayed aerial photos of Gabela’s properties, highlighting what he described as violations.
“Does he feel he can violate our city laws that don’t allow this? And probably DERM,” Carollo said, referencing the county’s environmental agency.
He didn’t stop there.
“Do you guys give a crap that what he has done is illegal and gets away with it?” Carollo asked.
The tense back-and-forth unfolded amid a sea of heated public comments. Many came from local restaurant workers and bar owners who say they’ve also been unfairly targeted by code enforcement.
“What exactly is the purpose of these so-called raids on bars and restaurants during peak business hours?” one speaker asked.
Another speaker didn’t hold back.
“I’m emotional about it because I represent the district that pays the cost for it!…and you guys need to cut the s--- out … it’s absurd!”
No final resolution came from the hours-long meeting, but the message was clear: The infighting at Miami City Hall shows no sign of cooling down.