MIAMI — Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced a shakeup at County Hall as residents of one of the county’s wealthiest enclaves sue to stop the sale of a fuel depot critical to cruise and cargo operations at the seaport.

County Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales and PortMiami Director Hydi Webb have resigned, the mayor’s office announced in a news release.

It comes one week after residents on Fisher Island sued a developer, asking a court to stop it from selling the fuel bunker without their written consent, claiming it’s in violation of a previous agreement.

They also argue that the county’s threat of eminent domain is unconstitutional. A separate federal lawsuit is also making its way through the court system.

“I think there is no way that the county should overpay for that land,” Jim Ferraro, the chairman of the Fisher Island Community Association, said in an interview with Local 10 News. “It was a confidential, exclusive mediation that the buyers are attempting now to parlay into some massive payday which is really unconscionable.”

The mayor’s office said the changes aren’t related to the lawsuit. Morales, in a retirement letter sent to Levine Cava via email and shared with Local 10 News, referenced the fuel depot issue.

“I acknowledge that you and I have a difference of opinion with respect to the purchase and sale transaction of the port fuel facility on Fisher Island,” Morales wrote. “Nine months ago, you tasked me and PortMiami staff to accomplish two things: (1) permanently securing fuel for our cruise and cargo stakeholders at PortMiami and (2) negotiating a financial transaction that PortMiami could afford, that would not require any taxpayer funding and that would preserve the creditworthiness of the Port.

“I firmly believe that the proposed agreement that we have reached with the current owners of the fuel facility accomplishes those goals.”

Full resignation letter:

Mayor Levine Cava:

Please accept this email as my notification that I am hereby retiring, effective immediately, from Miami-Dade County. Thank you for the opportunity to have served as Chief Operating Officer for the past 5 ½ years. With a portfolio over that time that has included MIA, PortMiami, Transportation and Public Works, Water & Sewer, and Housing and Community Development, I am proud of what my departments and I have accomplished during my tenure, including the roll out of the next phase of the Smart Plan, billions of dollars of improvements at MIA, and the construction of the world’s largest cruise terminal at PortMiami. I also take pride in the fact that I have served you and the people of Miami-Dade County with ethics, integrity, and transparency.

I acknowledge that you and I have a difference of opinion with respect to the purchase and sale transaction of the port fuel facility on Fisher Island. Nine months ago, you tasked me and PortMiami staff to accomplish two things: (1) permanently securing fuel for our cruise and cargo stakeholders at PortMiami and (2) negotiating a financial transaction that PortMiami could afford, that would not require any taxpayer funding and that would preserve the creditworthiness of the Port. I firmly believe that the proposed agreement that we have reached with the current owners of the fuel facility accomplishes those goals.

I want to thank all the incredible staff in the County family with whom I have had the honor and pleasure of working these past 5 ½ years. As a native son of Miami-Dade County, I will always cherish my time at the county. May God bless Miami-Dade County, and may God bless these United States of America.

Jimmy Morales

Chief Operating Officer
Office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
111 N.W. 1st Street, 29th Floor
Miami, FL 33128

Webb’s letter wasn’t immediately made available as of Thursday afternoon.

In a statement, Levine Cava said in part that she is “deeply grateful” to Morales and Webb “for their extraordinary service to Miami-Dade County and our residents.”

“Their leadership, integrity, and dedication have helped make our county stronger,” she said.

Local 10 News has reached out to the developer seeking comment.

Chief Utilities and Regulatory Services Officer Roy Coley has been promoted to the position of deputy mayor, where he will oversee a number of county departments and facilities, including the airport and seaport.

Deputy Port Director Frederick Wong will serve as PortMiami’s interim director.

Read the lawsuit:

249080291 Complaint by Chris Gothner

Miami-Dade mayor announces leadership shakeup amid Fisher Island fuel depot dispute

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Christina Vazquez