Support F-35 basing at Homestead Air Reserve Base

RESOLUTION NO. 22-__ A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF PINECREST, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE BASING OF THE F-35 LIGHTNING AIRCRAFT AT THE HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE AND REQUESTING THE SUPPORT OF SOUTH FLORIDA’S FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANNING AND FUNDING FOR THE SAME; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Village of Pinecrest (the “Village”) has actively engaged with Homestead Air Reserve Base (“HARB”) to better understand the many challenges our military faces and help find new ways to assist and support our veterans, local military personnel, their spouses, and family members; and WHEREAS, HARB and the men and women who make it are an invaluable part of the nation’s defense posture, an essential part of the state’s economy, and a good neighbor of our community; and WHEREAS, compared to many other basing options, HARB offers the least encroachment and environmental impacts, greatest noise compliance profiles, least infrastructure and costs required to implement the Project; and WHEREAS, recognized as a world-class regional, national, and international airfield for the United States, HARB is equipped with qualified aircrew, maintenance, logistics, weapons loaders, intelligence, life support, communications, and the base operations support staff necessary to protect our nation’s freedom; and WHEREAS, the Village whole-heartedly supports the continuous efforts of HARB, the County, and the South Florida Defense Alliance in seeking the approval and implementation of the Project to ensure this vital element of our national defense posture in South Florida is guaranteed for years to come; and WHEREAS, the Village urges the Federal Congressional Delegation to recommend the approval of this Project and to expedite the planning and funding necessary; and WHEREAS, the Village Council finds that the adoption of this Resolution is in the best interest and welfare of the residents of the Village.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PINECREST, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the Village Council hereby expresses its support for the basing of an F-35 Aircraft and requests the support of South Florida’s Federal Congressional Delegation for the Project. Section 2. That the Village Clerk is hereby directed to transmit this Resolution to Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Rick Scott, to the members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, the Secretary of the United States Department of State, County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, County Commissioner District 8 Danielle Cohen Higgins, County Commissioner District 9 Kionne McGhee, Village of Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham, Town of Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbot, City of Homestead Mayor Steven D. Losner, City of Florida City Mayor Otis T. Wallace, HARB Commander Colonel David M. Castaneda, the South Florida Defense Alliance, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the South Dade Chamber of Commerce, the ChamberSOUTH, and the South Miami-Dade Economic Development Council. Section 3. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of September, 2022. ___________________________ Joseph M. Corradino, Mayor Attest: Priscilla Torres, CMC Village Clerk Approved as to Form and Legal Sufficiency: ____________________________ Mitchell Bierman Village Attorney Motion by: Second by: Vote: