That is when six members of the commission’s Government Operations Committee meet to review a new council structure already adopted by an 8-5 vote during first reading of the full commission following a public hearing on Sept. 3.

As originally proposed by commission vice chair Jose “Pepe” Diaz, the existing 10 area councils will be replaced by no more than four to conduct public hearings on zoning changes throughout Miami-Dade County. All members would be appointed, rather than elected as most council positions are now.

Final passage without change will end Community Council 12 representation for East Kendall and Council 11 in West Kendall. The two councils largely cover unincorporated Kendall from Bird Road (SW 40th Street) to SW 156th Street, between S. Dixie Highway (US 1) and Krome Avenue (SW 177th Avenue) — an area of 250,000-plus residents. Three other southwest councils that would be eliminated include those in Westchester, Redland and South Bay.

The change has been opposed unanimously by nearly all members of the two Kendall councils in recent non-zoning meetings, including a special session called in August by Council 12, solely to pass a resolution against the proposal. “We expect our council to attend the committee meeting Nov. 9 to protest the change,” East Kendall Council chair Elliott N. Zack confirmed last week, noting five of seven members attended to object at the first reading. “I expect all will be there in person to protest the change once again.”

West Kendall Council chair Patricia (Shannen) Davis during the last non-zoning meeting of Council 11 urged council members to forward individual objections, including her own, to commissioners in place of any formal action.

Continental Park Homeowner Association president Holly White has forwarded a communication to East Kendall members, asking that they protest the move, emphasizing that “residents of Miami-Dade will lose control over the future of our communities if our community councils are changed.” Two commissioners who serve on the special committee and represent large Kendall constituencies were asked if they approve the change.

Commissioner Joe A. Martinez, whose district includes much of West Kendall, replied, “Community councils’ primary function is to conduct zoning meetings. If the budget would allow for them to continue to have non-zoning meetings, I would not have an issue with community council continuing to do so. However, for now, as long as zoning hearings continue to function, I am fine.

“Commissioner Diaz indicated at the September board meeting that he would be working closely with the community councils,” Martinez continued. “As such, the item presented to the board [at first reading] might have to be changed. We will not be aware of these changes, if any, until the Government Operations Committee meets.” Commissioner Gimenez stated, in a response through an aide on Oct. 22, “Sorry for the delay, but we are waiting for some figures from the administration and, with the union impasse, seems to have slowed them down.”

Commissioners have continued budgeting discussions in October to meet a $444 million fiscal 2009-10 deficit, largely through employee pay cuts and staff cutting. Commissioner Katy Sorenson, replying to an earlier Gazette inquiry, supported the council structure as it exists and reiterated that stand during her most recent appearance at the Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations.

Neither commission chair Dennis Moss nor Commissioner Javier Souto, also representing large Kendall areas, responded to the same question in August but joined Sorenson to record “nay” votes on the proposal after its first public hearing in September.

The primary objection to the change is the elimination of continuing liaison with downtown government by a community forum to discuss non-zoning issues at quarterly meetings, now a part of each council’s co-responsibility with public hearings for zoning and CDMP (Comprehensive Development Master Plan) amendments.

Approximately $440,000 of cuts in staff and operational expense in Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s budget proposal for the county’s fiscal year included eliminating needed personnel from the Planning and Zoning Department for non-zoning meetings and follow-up reports.