clean up. Okay. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. We're going to be starting this meeting at this time. Silence your cell phones. Uh, Madame Clerk, we're starting the
meeting at 6:30. Please call the role. Good evening. Council member Garcia is participating online. We see you. Welcome to the meeting. Council member Fernandez, present. Council member
Cuadra Garcia, present. Council member Hzburg, present. Council member Sanchez, present. Vice Mayor Morera, present. Mayor Diegas, here. Mayor, you have quorum. Excellent. Everyone, please rise.
We are going to have uh the invocation led today by council member JC Fernandez. We thank you, Lord, for for all the things that you give to us. Um we ask that that you bless this meeting that the meeting is is um is blessed and that
that your wisdom is uh is carried out and that any discussions that we have is cordial and polite and that we get the the work done of the town residents. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. And please remain standing for an additional
moment of silence also led by the council member regarding this weekend's tragic events. So, so in light of what happened in Minnesota, I just wanted to at least I'll speak for myself and I I believe I speak for the entire council that no matter what disagreements we have
politically, uh that that violence is is we we we stand against it, uh regardless of of what what um what issues that we're discussing and that um we we wholeheartedly condemn the actions of of
uh that the person who uh who who uh did those those awful acts and that um and that we can continue to have discourse but cordial and um throughout the the the future of of this country that it's
against it's it's very unamerican. That's it. Thank you everyone. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. Council, we are now on the order of business. Are there any deferrals, additions, or deletions? I'd like to. Councilman Sanchez, I'd like to make an addition to 11 uh item 11 a special
presentation by the Miami Dade a Council of Women. Josie is here today and has uh has very graciously said yes to giving us a presentation on what they do and their efforts. So, I'd like to add that to 11A, please. Excellent. And any other changes to the agenda? Uh well, before I
go over to our charter officers, let me deal with the council. Um, Councilman Herszburg and then the vice mayor. Yeah. Uh, I know there's people in the audience to speak on this, so I would like to move my item 16 C to after appointments. After reports, uh, appointments. Oh, appointments. Sorry,
Mr. Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to pull uh item 12 C from consent and I'd like to it just as a point of order. Would it be appropriate at this
stage to move uh for waiver of uh section 6.10 of the special rules on a on a I would wait to just till we get to that that item. That's fine. Then I'll withhold. But yeah. Uh anyone else from the council? Uh Councilman Garcia who's joining us remotely. Do you have any uh
deferrals, additions, or deletions? Not at this time, mayor. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Manager. Yeah, I'd like to add under special presentations. Uh I uh failed to put it on the agenda, which is a presentation by the citizens uh CITT uh
which oversee our uh our transportation uh PTP money. Excellent. I'll go ahead and I'll add that there. Are any anything else? Anything else? And I'll just recap it one last time. So we are uh we are moving 16 C to just after item
seven. Uh that would be the item related related to the blasting lawsuit. Uh we are adding two special presentations 11A for the commission on women from the county as well as a special presentation from the CITT.
Uh and finally uh at the vice mayor's request we are pulling from consent item 12c. Did I get everybody's? Okay. With that, is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? I'll second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? I. Seeing none. Uh, all those in favor say
I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. The motion carries. We are now on public comments. Madame clerk, please read the rules. Good evening and welcome to the council meeting. Public comments are being heard now and
each speaker will be afforded three minutes. And please be reminded that all comments or questions from this attending public shall be always directed to the mayor in accordious tone. And to ensure the orderly conduct and efficiency of the meeting, public
comments shall be limited to three minutes per person. And again, we also welcome the viewers at home. I see we have several participants. I always remind you all that if you want to participate by speaking just press
number nine and it will allow you to speak. And thank you again for always attending virtually and in public. If anyone from the audience wants to participate in public comments, please as always just approach the podium.
Welcome and state your name and address for the record. Espiransa Reynolds 8465 Meneras. We are 100% in support of new business item 16c to authorize to initiate legal
action challenging the constitutionality of Florida statue by uh Councilman Hzburg. Since 2010, we have attended blasting related meetings when we learned that residents had pursued relief through the courts, including
class action litigation that resulted in a settlement. In response, rather than protecting the govern, the state of Florida legislature, stripped local control of rock mining activities, and enacted Florida statute 55236, which took away our fundamental right to have
access to jury trials. Since then, blasting damage cases ha were handled solely through the division of administrative hearing, an administrative system that offers no jury, no real discovery, and an unreasonable restrictive statute of
limitations that results in no accountability. Florida statute 55236 provides an unprecedented protection for the mining industry. It is a shield not permissible under Florida or federal law. We created a LinkedIn group called
Citizens Unite to resolve blasting damage to property with thousands of participants and connected with legislators, the media, and other property owners to help educate the public. In February 2024, we saw a ray of hope because a public legislative
workshop was held in Tallahassee and for the first time, the mining industry acknowledged that damaged occur. They called it cosmetic damage to property despite visible impacts to homes, schools, and public infrastructure. During a meeting, we spoke about the
frustration we feel and the impetence felt by the violation of our right to be free from property damage. We actually questioned the mining industry's right to obtain aggregates to build homes while damaging surrounding communities. The secretary of the blasting advisory
board, Stephen Hzburg, wrote a legal opinion that has now served as the basis for this new business item to be introduced tonight. We are so fortunate to have the honorable Councilman Herszburg guiding this effort. We, the property owners affected by mine
blasting, are 100% in support of your item, sir. We're blasting mad and we will not take it anymore. Hi, good evening, Mayor Diegas and council members. Bonnie Cron from Lewis Road in Miami Lakes. I'm not going to
make any long- winded talk. I'm just going to say I'm here to support Mr. Herzburg's initiative because I think it's a brilliant idea and it's something that finally maybe some positive results
will happen. So, I'm so happy that you're working on that and doing what you've done and I hope that the council will vote to go along and and make that a fact that he can go ahead with his initiative. Thank you.
Good evening, Mr. Mayor, council members. I see some new faces and some I'm not going to say old faces. I'm going to say not familiar faces on the day. It's It's great to be here tonight. I'm a proud resident of the town of Miami Lakes and I have offices at 8555 Northwest, 186 Street, number 106. I'm
here to speak today about agenda item 13C. Um, a little over a year ago, I asked my former staff to run a report on the demographics, in particular the ages of the persons being served in the Camilis House emergency housing program, their shelter. You see, we were seeing an
increasing number of older adults, folks over the age of 70, who were being displaced from their humble studio and one-bedroom apartments. the impact of our housing market. Most had income, retirement, disability,
but not enough to absorb absorb 300 to $400 increases to their rents. The growing new face of the homeless is no longer a single adult male. That it's important to know that people become homeless for a variety of
reasons. And it reminds me that but for the grace of God go I. Today you're doing as other municipalities are doing across Miami Day County to ensure compliance with the new state law. I do not fault the town for that. It's appropriate. It's responsible. But I do
urge the town to ensure that they are also taking advantage of the resources that have been made available by the Miami Day County Homeless Trust to ensure a truly positive outcome and a long-term solution to helping the homeless by connecting them with housing
and services and avoiding the short-term and proven to be ineffective approach of arresting homeless persons. if nothing else, but because in this community we have at any point in time during a shift seven police officers. So, not only is
arresting someone for being homeless going to add an arrest record that makes it harder to get them a job and get them housing, but that means that during that period of time that we are arresting a person in our community, we are driving them to TGK, we are processing them at
TGK and then coming back to this community. In fact, we are taking one of our police officers off duty, off service for at least 3 hours. At the end of the day, that homeless person will go to the next bond hearing, get credit for time served, and be released on their own recgnissance. Again, with a record
that now makes it harder to get them housing and to get them employed. The resources that have been available include uh sample municipal police standard operating procedures, connections to homeless outreach teams, more positive. I'm not suggesting it's always going to be successful, but to the extent that our community can lead
by example in using the resources that are being made readily available to help people that for one reason or another have ended in the untriable plight of homelessness, we should take advantage of those resources and bring them to bear to help our folks. Good evening. Thank you so much. I'm sorry. Before you
go, can you also please uh state your name for the record? That was the one. I'm so sorry. Hilda Fernandez. Thank you. I mean, I know you, but of course, you know. Next speaker. Afternoon everybody. Miguel Martinez. Um, most know me. I think everybody
knows me. Uh, 18784 Northwest 79th Place, Miami, Florida. And what I'd like to say is on on June uh in June 2017, the the town of Miami Lakes hosted a state fire marshall of Florida in these very chambers. At that time, the CFO had
contracted engineering firm Lample Herbert Consultants to review blasting records from January through December 2016. It was in response to all the complaints that were submitted. Subsequently, I contacted that the same engineering firm to possibly engage them
in creating a further study. Speaking with the owner of the firm, he advised me that his memory was uh of of the specific presentation that he was floored after presenting such negative information that he was received with a standing ovation. Something I wouldn't forget, he told me.
I responded to him, "It's because you guys told the truth, and it's what Miami Lakers, who we really are here." In 2021, the CFO created a Miami date pilot program to monitor the blast reports of the area. It has shown time and time again the inconsistencies of
the reporting of the mines. This includes exceeding legal limits under the caveat of not blasting within a specific boundary as stated in legislature, thus proving again the written laws of protecting a specific interest. Last February, Councilman Hersburg and I presented in a workshop in Tallahassee,
a workshop created by state represio through his tireless efforts and now to assist in educating a committee. The councilman and I were invited to present and but my presentation was censored and images and videos were removed from it. Be noted this would be the second time
I've been censored in committee in Tallahassee regarding this issue. Fortunately, the statistic statistic presented by Councilman Herszburg was not. The statistics presented were directly taken from the pilot program itself, proving again the intentional protection of the industry and negating the fidiciary
responsibility of that office. The fact that the state has been covering information, protecting an industry, and worse off ignoring the residents of this area has has been for for too long an action that is detrimental to our properties, our pocketbooks, and our general well-being.
This force victimization is shared by all of us. This includes the town of Miami Lakes. I strongly support item 16C and stopping this egregious action. Further, it would be an honor to assist in any way I can. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker.
Next speaker. Anyone else in chambers? Yeah. Perfect. This we have at least three more. Good evening, uh, Mr. Mayor, town council, uh, Mr. Manager, and town clerk. My name is Abel Fernandez, chapter 119. I'm also here, as you've
been hearing, in support of, uh, Councilman Herzburg item. Uh, the tireless efforts of folks like you heard from Miguel and others, and Brian was on this board and and and u um,
Angelo and Steven. Uh, it's been an uphill battle. I think the time has come to try to find a way to hire the correct constitutional attorney, go outside and and and find this individual or uh firm. And then comes the part of the cost of
what it's going to be. And I know that's a big battle with the residents. So, I offer this as I saw in the town of Bal Harbor when they were going to take up the mall owners uh on the live local act. they uh they passed a small
millillage that would be segregated only for the fighting of this item. In other words, that mill percentage would go towards a legal fund only for that. Now, the other point that I have and it's nothing against my neighbors in PSN or DAL or Medley is sharing in the cost of
this. With that said, I know that it may be hard to get them to jump on because of the power of the mining industry and how entangled they are like a web with a lot of politicians. As a matter of fact, reports have come out that White Rock
has donated $800,000 over the years to to politicians. And unfortunately, some of them get the money through packs. And I've had an opportunity to do some researching and it really floores me to see that people
that we think were working hard for us were really not because they were taking money from the pack and some are taking them straight out. As a matter of fact, our state senator for this area is the largest receiver of money from White Rock Quarries. So, we may not get help
there. With that said, I understand that the county commissioners each have a million dollar discretionary fund since our count uh board of county commissioner for this
area also represents the folks in PSN and Country Club of Miami. I urge that part of this is that you reach out to Senator Renee Garcia's office and see if he can contribute from that million-doll fund that they have to help fund the
legal expenses of this. So, I'm totally in support of that item. I've got a few more seconds to wrap up. I'm hoping that on the special taxing districts that we spoke of before that you're able to change the guard level to I believe it's
level one in order to bring down the cost before you set these rates. And finally, on the issue, uh, I won't be here for the quasi judicial, but you heard what I said, and I would like for you to keep in mind
all of the other residents there that don't want you to change the zoning for that area. Um, I won't go into the dynamics of this. That's for the judicial hearing, but I I don't see something that would benefit one and take from the others. Thank you for your
time. Thank you. Enid Rudy, I know I saw a couple of you guys uh coming up. Name and address, please. Enid, even though I know my name is Enid Lommax. I live at 15143 Montrose Road. I just wanted to say that I
wholeheartedly agree with Miss Reynolds and I want to thank Mr. Herzburg for doing such a magnificent job and to all of you for being there for all of us. Thank you kindly. Thank you very much. Next speaker, Rudy.
Good evening, council members. Before we start, uh I want to take a note from JC Fernandez. Uh think about the people and the war going on in the Middle East too and the tragic India situation. I think those have to be in our minds and always
rumors of wars are always uh unsettling. At the same time though, you know, timing is is everything. I really believe that timing is everything in life. There's no doubt about that. Even Solomon said it, probably one of the wisest man. He he even said that there's
a time for everything. Well, I got to say to the town of Miami Lakes, to all the council members and staff, the time has come for Miami Lakes. Finally, we could get some relief. Finally, we could see that uh so
much grief and so much pain, so much uh frustrations and misunderstandings have happened throughout the years. So many surprises, so many things have occurred actually since I've joined the blessing advisory board. Forgot to mention I'm the chairman of the blessing advisory
board for the town of Miami Lakes. But even then, it's unbelievable that so much has passed and nothing has actually been done till now. And um slowly but surely we have en we have endured. The blessing
advisory board has gone through everything. They've gone through thick and thin. They've gone through countless hours sacrifices. You heard a variety of the people that have been here, past chairmans, members of the blessing advisory board and know their experiences and what they've gone
through and what they've uncovered through time. You've heard of all the different stories, people that have been affected and we've survived. Bab has been there and Bab's legacy will live on and it will continue um thanks to all
the efforts of the council that and the efforts that you made today, the decisions that you made today concerning Councilman Steven Hersburg's new business item 16c. But today is a historic day for Miami Lakes. There's no doubt about it. what
council Steven has done has been masterful in his approach. But besides that, I come with gratitude. I want to thank everybody that's here. I want to thank all the past and current members of the Bassing Advisory Board. They need a blasting round of applause for all
their efforts that they've done for this community and for the surrounding towns and the municipalities that have been here. You all deserve a huge applause and a big thank you and recognition. I implore the town council to affirm and and approve Councilman's Hersburg's uh
motion to settle this matter hopefully once and for all. It's been too long. It's been too many hours, too many delays, too long, too much time has passed and we haven't gotten any action. And now for the first time, some
realistic approach and some realistic spark of hope has come into the town of Miami Lakes in order to resolve this final issue. I want to thank all those that are in attendance here today for coming, for supporting this cause, even the municipalities, even people from
different areas, different towns, different municipalities and officials. Your presence means a lot to the town of Miami Lakes. Special thanks also and recognition to all the council members that have been here before, the two GarcAs online,
Steve and of course Brian Moretta. Your dedication, your commitment to Bab is proven and now it shows. Thank you all for your support. Thank you all for what you're doing. Don't let your guards down. Let's keep the ball rolling. Let's
get going. And um I thank you for your time. Please don't forget your name and address, Rudy. uh for the record. Absolutely. Thank you, sir. Thank you. 14406 Northwest 88th Avenue, Miami Lakes, Florida. Rudy Blanco. Yes. Okay.
Next speaker, please. Hi, good evening. Irene Gutierrez, 8025 Northwest 162 Street. I am here tonight in support of Councilman Hersburgger's initiative to get legal legal action against blasting and I totally agree
with everything said before. Also, anything that has to do with what M uh Councilman Sanchez is doing in regards to the no left, I totally agree with that and anything regarding the guardouses. Thank you very much. Thank you for all you do. Good night.
Thank you very much. Next speaker. All right. Good evening, town council, mayor, town management. Carlos Andre's 14530 Date Pine Avenue, Miami Lakes, Florida 33 obviously 014. Um here to most importantly to keep it on a lighter
note, I want to thank some folks that have always uh answered emails and phone calls from parks and wreck. Uh Jeremy um and and Aaron have been great with uh handling different things that we we do when we're when I'm taking a walk down Miami Lakeway or different things in Park 17 in our neighborhood and making
sure that you know uh residents are happy. So, thank you very much for that. I'm here to uh please ask your your support for item 8b. Uh this is just um coming part of the manager's report, some reallocation of funds. Uh we had a lot of money in breakfast and guess what? Breakfast shouldn't be that expensive. uh we should be doing other
things like what we're doing right now and bringing uh awareness to the town as we've been doing this last year. U I'm also here to uh support um Councilman Herzburg's um approach um with seeking action some results uh from uh blasting.
Uh this is this is huge. I mean and I mean and and before I get into the the topic, I want to just thank Miguel Martinez. He's been, you know, um you know, fighting force for us in the town. um and and Rudy Blanco as well and all the other members of this committee that have done so much for us. Being a
committee member myself, I know how much work it takes, you know, volunteer work that you do to get out there and especially this is very frustrating because, you know, at least some of the things we do in public safety, we get traction. You know, we we we see results, but unfortunately, you know, they've been, you know, if we've all
been dealing with issues and getting no traction over years. Now, this town hall might seem, you know, somewhat half empty. Um, but I can tell you this much and you know the folks that are on this council that you know knock on doors when you're campaigning, you know, this is a major issue. You talk to people
across town, everybody's complaining. Um, you know, they want results. You know, they're talking about their their pools, windows, infrastructure, you know, and enough is enough. You know, I'm an accountant and I and I deal with estimates all day when we're getting financial statements out. And guess what? All companies got to pay you know
for any type of you know customer returns contingencies um you know any matters when it comes to their responsibilities of doing business and this should be a responsibility of them doing business that's strictly as as opposed to that you know just like Councilman Hzburg's um you know uh
memorandum that he issued uh to the town states you know this is something that is a carveout for them you know and um those of you watching from home I recommend you to read that you know it's very important that you have this data and you stand with him and you join the fight. A lot of times we like to
complain and complain but you got to join the fight. That's the only way collectively we can make a difference. Thank you. Are there any other speakers in chambers? Going once, going twice. Madame clerk, uh any speakers online? Yes, mayor. We
have several. And I'm going to start with I see two. I see Miss Susana for Titch and I see another young lady. Please just unmute yourself and please remember name and address.
Please go ahead and welcome to the meeting. I see two participants online with the hand raised. I see three actually and Angelina Diaz. So please just unmute yourself and state your name. Good evening. Hello. Yes, we hear
you. Good evening. My name is Kimberly Trellis, 16501 Northwest 84th Avenue. I am on vacation, but I made it a point to attend this meeting because this is very
important. Um, I am absolutely 100% um in support of this initiative by Councilman Stephen Hersburg. Um, I think that there needs to be
absolute transparency. We need to be able to have our voices heard. Uh, we shouldn't be silenced. We shouldn't have our property values diminished um because of the blasting. So, 100% in favor. There's nothing that hasn't been
said tonight um that I don't agree with. So, thank you so much for for introducing this initiative and for the rest of the council members that are in support of it as well. Thank you very much. Uh, next speaker,
I believe Miss uh let's begin with Miss Angelina Diaz. If you can please uh appear. Thank you. And then uh please remember name and address for the record and that you have three minutes. Miss Angelina Diaz, we see you. Okay,
there we go. Welcome to the meeting. My name is Thank you. My name is Isabella Diaz. I own two beautiful properties here in Miami Lakes, 8035 Northwest 164 Terrace and 16540 Northwest 84th Avenue.
I am also out of town, but I did make a point of making sure I would come in just for a few minutes. I am in full support from our Councilman, Stephen Hsburg. I appreciate everything you're doing. Um, being here almost 5 years.
I've felt the earthquakes in my house. It's woken us up at times. It's made me think back if I am in Colombia. Um, it's not cute. Our house has been affected. Our pool has been affected. driveway and I can go on and on. Um I'm here um to
support everything on that as well as the no left turns and our gated community here in Royal Oaks. So I'm just quick in and out. Thank you so much and just here to support our team. Thank you. And the last speaker, Miss Susie Foritch, please again name and
address and you have three minutes. Hi. Hello everyone. Mayor, Councilman, take this out. And my name is Isana Forese or Susie. I live on 8818 Northwest 189 Terrace in Lakes and Green Development.
I'd like to thank Councilman Steven Herszburg for all the effort he has done in supporting and getting something done for us, the homeowners. I'd like to thank you all that support him and the advisory board as well. Um, I can't explain to you how affected this
blasting happens. It happens once, twice, and we've had it this week. We had it three times one day. Sometimes we do have it three times. Many times it's very hard. The blasting is terrible. Sometimes not. But if you come to my humble home, which you're all invited, so you're going to see the aftermath of
it. My sidewalk is completely broken. My the hedges on my around my trees is broken. My beautiful patio outside, which I humbly did, is completely cracked everywhere, even the sidewalk leading from the front to my back. I
know some people have more damages, but this is uncalled for and we do need something to be done. And I thank Stephen Hurburg once again for taking the initiative with the advisory board and doing something. And I pray that you all support him. All the councilmen and the mayor Diegas, thank you so much for
your time. Thank you. And uh last opportunity for anyone in chambers who would like to speak in public comments. Going once, going twice. Oh, okay. Again, name and address. Franchesco Ortega, 8491
Northwest 185th Terrace. I'm a resident of the PSN community and I just wanted to come up here to thank every single one of you. I am a member of the Bab and although I don't live in Miami Lakes, I can say that you guys are a a group of standing uh elected officials which says
a lot right nowadays. Um so thank you for your support. Thank you for the communication and the open doors always and thank you. Thank you very much. Any last opportunity? Okay, with that public comments is now closed and we're moving on to item
seven, the appointments which um to this today we solely have an announcement. Uh there are no new appointments rather Councilman Sanch's appointee uh has left the blasting advisory board. Uh with that we are now on item 16 C by
Councilman Steve Hersburg who is now recognized to introduce the item. Thank you Mr. mayor and uh I'll be a I'll try to be brief here uh as best as I can. It'll be a little longer than usual. Uh and and thank you for everyone that came today. I really appreciate it.
Uh and this is something that's been an issue in this community for for quite some time. Uh but for you and for especially for this council, I want to be clear what this is and what this is not. Um first, this statute and and this
item is not about regulating the mining industry. This the statute that I believe is unconstitutional doesn't tell the mining operators how they mine. This is all about what our rights as a town as a municipal corporation and and also
rights of any other property owner are on the effects of those of their operations. So this is not a a lawsuit that stops the mining. I'm very clear. We're not trying to stop the mining. uh the reality of the situation is the product
that they create is required for us to live but they should be held at the same standard as anybody else. So then you go to how why do we have a case? First uh we as admissible corporation in my opinion uh as a
property owner we're affected by their operations just like any resident is affected by their operations that owns property just like any business that owns property is affected by their operations. And what this law does is it gets rid of fundamental rights that we
as residents or as companies, as property owners have, not under both the US and Florida constitutions, especially the Florida Constitution, which has very strong language on access to the courts and access to jury trials. and and and
that is the heart of the issue because if you want to get compensated for the damages that these operations have done, you can't just call an attorney and file a lawsuit like 99.9% of anybody else
would if someone damaged their property. You have to find an attorney that understands how to go through a Department of Administrative Proceedings process that has tight deadlines that is not familiar to 99% of attorneys in Florida and revokes your right and this
is the strongest issue and I believe the main issue the main reason why this law was put in place. It gets rid of your right to have your damages determined by jury of your peers, which is a foundational issue of our justice system, both criminal and civil, is the
right to have a jury trial, both in the Florida Constitution and the US Constitution, and this law removes that right. Additionally, uh honestly, those were the two things I was going after uh to start, but then I started digging further and we have a
separations of power issue. And what that means is especially under the Florida Constitution, which is exceptionally strong, that we have three branches of government. And the judicial branch is its own equal branch. And what this law does is it takes away something
that has gone to courts for centuries. And we're talking since the colonial era. We're talking since the law that we have in this country comes from the from England. Talking about common law for centuries. These type of cases. Someone damage my property goes to court. This
law strips our court or judicial branch from the right to hear that case to start. No other industry, no other claims like this are stripped. only mining blasting damage is stripped from this law in the state of Florida. So
that creates a separation of power issue where now the department administrative proceeding which is under the control of the executive branch runs your claims first and then you have equal protection under law where we're in a position that
we don't have the same rights as anybody else would have with any other type of damage. For example, you know, and I've had residents say this before, an analogy. If the Florida legislators decided to say, "Amazon is so important to us that if an Amazon truck causes
damage, you can't sue them in court. You have to go through an administrative proceeding." That's basically what they're trying to say in this law. And and the irony is the last bill that failed this session from Representative Fabrisio that he tried to do to get some
sort of real compensation process stated that the the industry is important and vital to the state of Florida. And even that couldn't get passed because they don't want these claims to go to court. And they want to strip property owners
the right to have these claims heard in front of a jury of their peers because we've seen what they said. Nailing hammering on your walls, kids jumping on the beds, fireworks, those are causing more damage than the TNT 80 feet in the
ground in the aquifer. That doesn't make any sense. Uh but this action we can't take it lightly but we haven't we we're not here overnight. We've had the blasting advisory board been together for over 5 years trying. We've had Representative
Fabricio trying for 5 years and there has been no movement. So we're really left with what other approach are we left with? Um we tried we've done did what people tell us to do. go to Tallahassee, meet with legislators, try to do workshops, have
other municipalities join our efforts, and we haven't succeeded. We've had momentum. We had the workshop last year in Tallahassee where the industry admitted that they caused damage, but it's okay. It's only cosmetic. That's what they said.
So, the continuous failure, and this isn't on any one specific legislature, this is a collective failure of the of the Florida legislature to pull up these opportunities to make reform. And the irony is and and the vice mayor can can
say this and Miguel and Councilman Garcia, Andrew Garcia, a lot of the people we met when we had these meetings, legislators were for some sort of reform when we explained it to them. when we explained what what our residents and our town are stuck with with this law, they they understand,
okay, you're right that that's not fair, but collectively we still haven't had any action. Um, now I know that there potentially would be some concern from this council uh with, you know, pending appropriations and things like that. First, we're not suing right away,
right? This is going to take some time. At the end of the day, this is not a this is not a partisan or political fight. and the people in there and and the governor now, they have very little to do with when this law was put into place. And I don't see that as a threat of us trying to go through our
constitutional rights as a town. I don't see any uh any threat of any issue on on a political side based off how unpolitical this issue really is. And on a broader spectrum, this really
does go a little bit beyond blasting. uh staying silent means that we're saying an industry can be carved out of fundamental rights of of people of companies of property owners and I just I don't believe that right but the issue
is how we go pay for it this is going to cost us money period assuming this is passes I will go back out to the municipalities I'll go to Dural I'll go to myar go to hyia I'll go to the county and ask them to help join went in on the
lawsuit, pay some money. Trust me, those towns have some money. Look at look at Dural's general fund balance. You know, it's it we know what Halia spent a little bit of money on recently, got some publicity. So, these towns have money. Uh but if they don't want to chip
in, they don't want to pay money, so be it. We lead. Simple as that. Uh we've been leading this fight practically alone for some time now. So, we continue to lead because it's what what's right. What's wrong is wrong. and and fighting this law is is a right thing to do for
our town. So ultimately we all took an oath to protect the constitution of the state, this country. Um I believe that this law is unconstitutional.
Our town is being harmed. This lawsuit is from the town. It is not going to lead to compensation. It is not going to provide money. all it will do if we succeed and there's no guarantee that we succeed either. It is a risk and the attorneys up here will tell you that.
But it will if we succeed, it will allow us as a town and in most likely anybody else that owns property in the entire state of Florida to have the same rights as anybody else would if they someone damaged your property.
And whether or not the mining industry changes how they conduct their business is up to them. But at least you all and us would have a fair shot when their business does harm us. And of course, it is our position that for all this time
they have been. So my motion to make it brief on the on the motion part would be to authorize the town attorney to proceed with preparing a lawsuit for declaratory injunctive relief finding that the statute is unconstitutional
and then filing it in a competent court of jurisdiction and of course we'll have to have discussions on the strategy and all those things but I think we need to move forward and hopefully get something filed within the next 60 to 90 days. Second. The motion has been moved and seconded.
Is there discussion? Yes. And point of personal privilege, uh I'd like uh the clerk to reflect the me as a co-sponsor of this uh item and just you're recognized. Thank you. The I'm going to keep this brief because you didn't keep
it brief. Uh this is uh Can you hear me now? There we go. Uh the uh this item is one that is near and dear. It's one that I campaigned on. I served on the BAB. I brought this up almost the moment that I got elected. Uh
at the time Rudy Blanco hit on it during public comment. The timing wasn't right. But I agree with him. The time is now. Um, I agree with you that we need to go find our municipal partners, our our
sister cities to participate and share the burden because they will, you know, they will share in the benefit of this. So, they should also share in the burden. Um, and I'm happy to meet with any of them to discuss that if you need my my support and my backup. Um, but
that being said, I do think that if the need be, we will take this battle on on our own. Um, I'd love to see an estimate of cost uh of attorney's fees uh presented uh hopefully by the next council meeting. Uh just so that we have
an idea as we head into budget season of what we need to be allocating. But that being said, I do agree it's it's a cost that needs to be um explored. I also I'm not sure of the legality or the
procedure for what Mr. Abel Fernandez mentioned about a a separate and like a submillage. If that's something that can be done, uh I'd like to see it explored. I I'd like to see I know our residents like to be able to see how much of their dollars are going to a very specific
purpose, especially one as important as this. Um that being said, this item carries my full support. Um, I want to emphasize that this is a last resort. We went the legislative route. We've gotten shot down. We went the executive route.
We were completely brushed out the door by the state fire marshall's office. We're left with only the judicial route. And so that's where we are today. Um, I do think that we need to do this in a financially responsible way. We've always been a financially uh fiscally
conservative town. We manage our money very tightly here. Uh so we need to make sure that we do this in a responsible manner, but it must be done and I'm completely in favor of this item. And before we go uh to the rest of my
colleagues, the attorney wanted to say uh or or provide some context for the general public's benefit and for the council's benefit. Yeah. Mr. attorney. Listen, these men and women have done everything possible, and it's been more
than 5 years. They're being modest when they say it's 5 years. It's been 10 years or more, that they have been doing everything within their power to to change the legislation, change the direction of the state legislature. You have to understand that the state
legislature comes from 67 different counties. blasting basically occurs for the vast majority in Dade County. It does not in Spanish they call it bis loss,
you know, step on anybody else's toes. This is this is a problem unique to South Florida. So what they have done is they've gone and lobbyed the rest the rest of the state senate and the rest of the legislators who have no interest and no dog in this fight.
This is the only and man, I hate to do this. I love the fact that for the last five or six months, my attorney report has been virtually nothing. That's the way I want to keep it. I I rarely if ever tell a client of mine, go ahead and
file suit. The vast majority of my clients, I'd say 99.9% come to me saying they want to file suit or they've been sued. I don't see another alternative. The status quo is certainly nothing that's
acceptable. It is not a take it or leave it or in blasting or no blasting call here. There are ways that they can blast and they can rockmine that do not
wreck our properties. They can do it at a lot less. The problem with that is that it's costlier to them. The other problem is that the vast majority of the rock mining, the what they generate goes to the Florida Department of
Transportation for their roads. That's just a reality. That's what we're up against. It is. And it I guess it's only for for a lawyer to lawyers probably grasp the concept a lot easier because
we've been trained. There is something called strict liability and tort where it's presumed you're negligent when you are doing certain very dangerous things. Propane gas
blasting used to be strict liability. That is the easiest thing to prove. It went from one of the easiest things to prove all the way to you've got to you can't even go to court. uh they haven't
limited your rights to going uh within court with affir with higher standards of proof. No, they've completely taken the court system out of it and gone all the way over here to an administrative hearing. That is stripping our rights
beyond anything that that I think carries constitutional muster. The problem is the cost and the fist fight that we're going to get in with some people. I'm willing to engage. It
is wrong. I grew up here. Uh my family lives here. My friends live here. I'm just not a hired gun for the city. This this is personal. And to be watching this, to be sitting in my office every afternoon right around 11
or 2:00 and feel the blast. My office is in the town. It was worse when I was on the second floor of one of the buildings. I literally feel the building move. Uh the cons the second concern is we're going to upset the apple cart when
it comes to funding of some of our pro projects. Some may not say it, but that's a fact and it's something that we have to be willing to consider. I am It's up to you. It's up to the council. I can tell you we will be doing it
cheaper than anybody else. One of the things I'm going to do is approach some of the cities, especially the ones that have in-house counsel to help out because it doesn't cost them any more money. Halia has in-house counsel. Some of some of the other cities have in-house counsel. The ones that don't,
that's for you guys to work on them and you guys work work the legislative route. Um but that you know is is this if we lose in the long term we could be affecting our relationship with with the
state government and with others but it's something that we have to decide on what we want to do uh as a town and as a community. Uh sometimes you you have to do it. You don't have a choice. But that's something that we're going to have you know that that they're all
going to have to decide. I'm all in. you know, we have the firm, we have the resources. Uh, I don't need any more litigation. So, I don't want anyone to think that, you know, we're doing this for the money because, frankly, I do this for the town for a lot lot cheaper than I would do for anybody else.
Frankly, for less than half the price, Councilman Sanchez. So, I've been a resident of Miami Lake since 2008 when I returned from the Navy and even blasting was being felt at that time. That's as far back as I can remember. So, yes, definitely more than 5 years, definitely more than 10 years.
I can just speak to 17 years. Um, there is a cost obviously associated with the legal fees and everything like that. And to reflect on what the town attorney just said, the long-term effect of appropriation losses and things like that, but enough is enough.
our homes, our our sidewalks, our town home, this this town hall, it all feels it. It all suffers through the effects of blasting beyond the legal limits. I am in full support of 16C. The time
has come and it stops with us. The buck stops with us and we should continue this fight. So, I'm in full support of 16C. Steve, any meetings, I'm there. Doesn't matter if it's Dorado, Mariramar, Penrook Pines, Halia, Halia Gardens,
whatever the case may be, you have my full support. It's time to push this forward. Anyone else wishing to speak? All right. So, mayor, if you don't mind, Councilman Garcia, thank you so much. Um, I'm also 100% in support of this
initiative by Councilman Herzburg. Um, you know, it's been two decades the mining industry has been destroying our homes. Um, and then our individual rights to to sue for relief were taken away as well. I think uh, Councilman
Herz example of Amazon is perfect. Amazon starting to use drones. If those drones started crashing into our homes and destroying our cars and our property and all of a sudden the state said, "Hey, you can't sue Amazon anymore." we would be we would be extremely angry.
And this is just like the boiling frog, you know, you put you you you throw a frog in hot water, he jumps out, but you slowly turn up the heat and that's what they've been doing to us over the and we don't even notice. So, I'm 100% uh about our individual rights as citizens here in the town of Miami Lates and the state
of Florida. And if uh actually Councilman Herfford does not mind uh if we could all I think all as a council the mayor and the council uh join as co-sponsors if it's not if you don't mind. I know you've worked very hard on this but I think this is such an important topic and such an important
fight that I think we all should be co-sponsors and all should give 100% to whatever you need and and when it comes to this lawsuit. So, I'm 100% for this and I want to thank uh Miguel Martinez as well, the former the former chair, Rudy Blanco, the current chair, and I
think all the residents as well who have been fighting for this. Also, Councilwoman Marilyn Rouano, who started the BAB uh about six, seven years ago. Thank you for for all she did to get this started. Um so, again, I'm 100% for this. Thank you so much.
Thank you. And with that, I'm going to go ahead and uh provide my remarks. Um, so I this November will mark about seven years that I've been a member of this DAS, right? And so I've been there for many of the lawsuits that we've gotten ourselves into that frankly haven't
really gone our way, right? And I' I've been the main one that has been pushing uh to resolve again these these suits, whether it was Mr. Pizzy's lawsuit, whether it was um the bridge litigation. You know, a lot of times the the what
has always concerned me is that there's too many people saying let's go and do this and not enough people saying but right and so I'm going to be that guy doing the perhaps politically unpopular thing but the necessary thing which is to say let's do this but right I will be
voting yes on this but as I have stated repeatedly at meeting after meeting after meeting I still have some concerns regarding uh legal deficiencies in the case that is being presented Ed, I'm not going to go into them here in the public just so that you know again obviously
those concerns don't uh get put out there in the public record where others will then be able to evaluate them and plan accordingly. Um but you know but they continue to exist. Um, so what I don't want to do, not talking about the
next couple months or even probably the next year because the litigation takes time to really develop, right? But further down the line, if there comes a point where the litigation seems to be fruitless, I also have to do my part to protect uh
the taxpayers's dollars. And you know, at that point, I'll I'll probably have to make some tough decisions regarding appeals, right? Um, but obviously, again, this is just to initiate the the proceedings. They'll you obviously we will all now from here on out be uh be
have an opportunity to enter into uh shade sessions, you know, executive sessions with the attorneys to discuss strategy and the like. Um, and perhaps at that point, you know, some of those concerns would be alleviated, right? Um, but I I just do not want to engage the
town, especially after we just got out of a sevenf figureure settlement, right, last year, get us back into another case that's going to drag on for years and years. Um, you know, because not that the issue is that important. I agree with all the sentiments raised by my colleagues. And again, it's going to be
seven years that I've been up here advocating for blasting relief legislatively. I was there with Councilman Coyaso and Councilman Rorano when uh former Representative Fitzenhagen laughed in their faces when they were trying to, you know, get her attention cuz she was the committee chair for one of the committees that had
jurisdiction over our blasting bill and she wouldn't move it, you know. So, I understand the frustration as somebody who has my office on the west side of town on the second floor, similar to Mr. Cassie did before, and whose building just had to get rid of the the outer columns because of the blasting damage.
I totally understand the importance of this issue and just how bad it is for our residents, corporate and and and actual residents, but again, I just from a legal standpoint, I just need to make sure that I put on my hat as a litigator as well. And that I'm also doing my part
to give this case the best shot and also to give the residents what they deserve, which is 100% my honesty as well as my own expertise when it comes to litigating cases. And you know, and I'll just point this out. for example, on the separation of powers issue, and we'll talk about it more when we get into uh
executive session. Recall though that both the federal and the state legislature absolutely can decide which claims are heard by the courts, right? Um although of course whether we're talking about again we we'll get further into it, but obviously you know they can set jurisdictional amounts, they can go
ahead and set even, you know, certain uh items that that that cannot be heard, right? that's, you know, so, um, but again, I don't want to go much further in that, but those concerns persist and I want to make sure they're out there so that nobody thinks that, you know, later on, you know, that they're surprised by
by where I'm coming from. But again, I'm going to vote for this and let's see where it goes because ultimately you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. So with that, Madame Clerk, please call the role. Item 16 C. Council member Hzburg. Yes.
Council member Garcia. Absolutely. Yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia. 1,00%. Council member Fernandez. A resounding yes. Council member Sanchez, an infinite
yes. Vice Mayor Moretta, infinite times infinite. Yes. Mayor Diegas. Yes. The motion passes. Thank you. With that, we are now in the manager's reports. And for those uh that
will not be joining us uh you know for the remainder of the meeting, I would ask that you please quietly u make your exit, but we are going to get on with the remainder of our agenda. Of course, I invite you all to stay if you would like to. With that, Mr. Manager, you are recognized to bring up your first
presenter, Major Gonzalez. Where's everybody going? Is this something you said? Police report. I guess things are so good, you know. I know. That's why I moved up, right? To uh to be here with the with the residents. Don't all leave at the same time. Again,
please remember to exit quietly. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening, Major Gonzalez, your town commander with the uh April Police report. Um well, we're halfway through the year now and uh things have been looking really good. First, I want to thank uh my staff. The officers have been work really working
hard at the schools um on patrol responding to calls. We have the probably the best uh response times in the county on any other state of the stations at municipalities and and responding in a timely manner to our calls. Um I also want to thank the some of the residents that are here today. Um
just to mention, touch up on a couple of things. I know it's in first reading tonight, but uh Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez, um I know we've had a couple of um homeless individuals at 182nd Avenue and they were a big part of working with us and helping them get some housing and relocating them. So, thank you very much
with helping us out and we look forward to work working on this together as a team. Um as far as the crime's concerned, um we are down 60% for the year. Um 60 60 and a half, but uh we're looking really good. Um, also the
vehicle burglaries are down 30%. I know it's not a number that's captured there, but um, I do have those numbers. Also, as far as citations, we wrote 306 written citations, 192 warnings, and 17 parking citations for the month of
April. Um, we also continue to work with the high visibility with the cruise lights. You'll see that a lot out here during all hours of the day. Um, it's basically not to be alarmed, more informative. It's just for high visibility. So you can see police cars in traffic. You can see them. Causes
traffic to to calm and slow down. And also while patrolling through the neighborhoods, um you'll it's just higher higher visibility uh for the community. Um the traffic on 154 Street, I know we slow down, take a little LOL for the summer, but I am happy to pre
present that before the summer in school, we had everything squared away. Everything's really really looking good in the morning, the afternoon, and it's it's it's running very efficient. Um, the high visibility patrols continue during the midnight hours. We continue to add officers to the uh to the details
for more officers on the streets in high visibility. We continue with the traffic enforcement details. Um, we closed out the Bob Graham school detail with a very positive note. Um, Councilman Sanchez's uh suggestion has been working very good. We have not had no negative
effects on 154th Street and very positive effects in Royal Oaks. So, thank you for that. And um I'd like to also mentioned that we started the summer initiative for the main street um curfew enforcement with the Grahams where we have uh we added another
offduty officer. So now there's a total of four for higher visibility. U make sure that the kids, you know, they're off from school and that we're assisting them with their curfew enforcement and keeping things on Main Street nice and nice and quiet. And finally, our NRU officers have been reallocated from the
school details now to daycare, summer programs, and parks for high visibility. And with that, I open it up for questions. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Vice Mayor, and then Councilman Sanchez. Um, Major, I just want to correct your math. It's not down 60 and
a half. It's down 60.64. A little higher than 60 and a half. Yes, sir. Thank you for that. Can we round it up? Round it up to 61. Now you're 61 as always. You guys are doing a phenomenal job in keeping our town and our residents and our businesses safe. So we thank you for that. And then I did just
want to ask um are you going to be around? There's several items throughout the meeting that that require your input. Just wanted to make sure otherwise I'd ask now. Yes, sir. I'll be held next. Okay. And then regarding the the summer focus on Main Street and curfew enforcement, is are those offduty
officers or are those on duty officers? No, those are offduty officers that are hired by the Grammy. That's what I Okay, that's I just want to confirm that. Thank you. All right. Well, Major, you know, it was uh it's great as always to see you and it was great to see you at uh at the sheriff's event not too long
ago in uh in Miami Gardens. Hey, just wondering with regards to the high visibility lights that are being driven around. I've noticed that some of the unmarked police cars are also doing that. Is that part of the plan? Uh not really. It's mostly curtailed to the the
marked ones, the marked units. Um, sometimes I they shouldn't I haven't seen them, but sometimes they might have been in a on a car stop and sometimes it does happen. You kind of forget to turn your lights off until somebody kind of points it out to you. Okay. When you're multitasking, but that could be an issue that happened, but it's not common
practice for Good to know. Thank you. And thank you for everything. Anyone else with questions or comments for the major uh through the chair? Mayor, Mr. Garcia, Councilman Garcia. Thank you. Uh, Major, just want to thank you once again. Every time you're
assigned a detail, the no left turn detail, the robbery detail, the speeding details, um, you come through, your your team comes through and it's it's you can see the results the summer. I mean, again, Main Street again hasn't had any
issues since you started the summer program, also with the helping with the Grams. You work with the Grams. You came up with that plan. Uh, and I want to thank you for doing that. And I just want all my colleagues to know that um you know again I think we all can say it 100% uh I can say it speak for them but
anything you need when it comes to details or overtime or anything you need to to continue this success we're here for you and again uh it's just a testament to your hard work sir. So I want to thank you again. Thank you sir. Seeing no other questions or comments
you are excused. Thank you. All right, it's your turn to present the public safety committee request. No. Yeah, it's not a report. So, it's just a manager's report and I'll I'll I'll present I actually have a question for him because remember that I wasn't clear on what they were asking us to do like what were
the shirts for? What were the uh Okay. And I the Oh, another question. Yeah. Yeah. Mayor, good evening. Yeah. Can you explain what the new what the plan is with these expenditures because it wasn't clearly detailed in the minutes that were presented to us. Okay. So,
essentially um we've had this budget item on there for some years which related to this breakfast that we no longer hold. So, essentially what we're doing is just reallocating the funds. What uh the reason why it came up was because we're actually doing magnets for non-emergency for 3054 police to give
those out at events. um and we didn't have enough in that bucket. So essentially, um since we were doing the budget for the new fiscal year, I've requested to do an allocation. Um so you asked about the shirts, that's usually if we get a new committee member or you know, we need to order new shirts. It's
just that that one small spot, but the the line share of it really goes towards um uh you know, awareness and and uh educational material. Okay. Um and Okay, so yeah, that that better clarified it. Thank you. Um, so Mr. Manager, I don't know if you wanted
to say anything. We need a motion from this council for a motion transfer. It's been moved. Is there a second? Second. What? Either one. Either or. We both did it. So, well, I guess I'll I'll allow the clerk to pick who she wants to credit for that. Uh, with that, all
those in favor say I. I. I. All oppose. No. The eyes have it. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Uh, and now we we can turn uh to our capital improvements project manager. Yes. the monthly infrastructure report.
Good evening. Lower the mic. Lower. Can you hear me now? Uh mayor, vice mayor, council members. I'm an padron, capital improvement manager. I'm currently feeling for poly director Santos. Any little can you hear? Yeah. Remember that
that we have people that are watching online and also in the audience. They want to be able to hear you. So, you know, it's very important that that the mic be close and turned on. Okay. I'm Nin Pong, capital improvement manager, currently filling for Polyworks director Santos. Uh in front of you, you have the
infrastructure report. We give you an overview of our current projects and ongoing work in Polyworks. If you have any questions, let me know. Anyone have any questions? Going once, going twice for the for the
chair, Councilman Garcia. I I just again want I know that this is your your proceeding and I want to put you on the spot because director S is not there. May the man can chime in. Can you just give us another update where we're at with 59th Avenue? I know we were waiting for some things. I I just made it a
point to make sure I ask every single time because I know this is the biggest uh project we've we've done in the town and we want I just want to make sure we're we're on the we're we're on point and we're moving along. just give us a quick update on on where we are with
that. Uh no, go ahead. Well, um they are currently on design uh approaching 30%. Uh so conceptual design have been completed. Uh this the latest information I have from the Yeah. And we we also have an ITB
that is uh out for the demolition of the warehouse. It was a big push. the warehouses that we uh that we purchased is now finally vacant and we have uh the demolition I uh ITB out and so hopefully
we'll be able to have a uh photo op with all of you in hard hats and a sludge hammer in your head hand and we'll be able to uh demolish that building and secure it because it's not only to show a little bit of progress but also the the fear that whatever squatters or what
have you can overtake that building even though we've secured it. We have monitor we monitor the building where we have people staff going by there on a daily basis but we we want to demolish the building and uh it'll move be one step closer to um to progress. Mr. Manager,
do you have a timeline on the ITB uh when it would be awarded and July? For July for July, it should be back before you for approval. Excellent. Thank you again. Appreciate your hard work. Okay. Um, thank you, Mr. Garcia.
Anyone else? Uh, Council Member Sanchez, you're recognized. With regards to the sidewalks, I know we were um searching for a second vendor to to jump start that initiative again. Has the second vendor has that has that request been closed already so that the selection process can of silence or it's going to
be approved tonight? It's it's on the consent agenda. It's going to be approved tonight. We have two vendors. We went back out for a new contract. And we're we're asking to award to two uh contractors, Stout and Metro as the backup. Okay. And that if that gets approved, that that those are going to
be the two vendors that we'll have. Okay. And then one final thing, as I look through the unfunded items, I see line number 10 for sidewalk repairs, unfunded, $700,000. Um, as far as I've been informed, all sidewalk repairs, we had a sufficient
amount of funding with emails that I've had with with with Mr. Peterman and town staff. So, say again, at the Sunshine meetings, right? Um, so the 700,000, where did that number come from? I Omar
puts this together. So I I that number may be a projection on because every single day that goes by a new sidewalk is cracking, right? Because it's most of it is as a result of roots. So it may be a projection on what we expect to have
in the next uh in the next few months or actually the the next fiscal year. So that's why until we fund it, it's not funded. Okay. Yeah. Okay. And 700,000 would cover how many square yards of sidewalk? give or take estimate. Uh for that question, I'll provide an answer
through the manager. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Okay. Thank you guys. Anyone else for public works? Seeing none. Thank you. Uh we are on to attorneys report, but I believe there is none. Right. All right.
Moving on to committee reports. We got neighborhood improvement committee. Rudy, come on down. Price is right. Good evening everyone. Microphone and All right. So, we're here. My name is Rudy Loredo. I'm the chair of the neighborhood improvement
committee. And with me, I have a few of the members. I have Helen Rodang, Felicia Salosar, and Juan Estrada that will be presenting the uh quarterly NIC report to council. Um there is before I continue uh there's a correction on one
of the letters. I'm going to go ahead and give this to Gina so she can pass around just a correction of some numbers. Um, that being said, I'm going to go ahead and bring, you know, Helen Rodan up here, which is going to talk about two
of the items where says future projects and consideration. Uh, the first two items. Ellen, thank you, Rudy. Uh, good evening, mayor, uh, town council, and town staff. Uh, one of the items that we're bringing before you this evening is a
consideration of the Aiden Perry Hero Life Ring Initiative. Um, we are requesting the reallocation of $3,544 from the neighborhood improvement committee's remaining annual budget to fund the Aiden uh, Perry Hero Life Ring
Initiative. We are also here to request an additional approximately $2,450 to to fund the remaining rings. Uh last year when this project was first brought forward to the town council, the town council chose to seek outside
sponsorships rather than fund the project directly. Many of you were not seated yet when that vote occurred and as a committee we did want to express that we were disappointed by the outcome. Uh but we're hopeful that this council will reconsider and fully support the initiative. For some
background, the Aiden Perry Hero Lif initiative honors the heroic actions and memory of Aiden Spencer Perry. He was a high school student who tragically lost his life when he was attempting to save a man from drowning on April 19, 2022 in
Sunrise, Florida. He was walking his dog with his mom. He witnessed a vehicle that crashed into a pond. He heard the driver call out for help. He handed his phone to his mom, dove in, and unfortunately um in that courageous attempt, he did lose his life. His mom
uh last time we came before the council was here um requesting this initiative, uh to be funded. Uh like I mentioned, it it was not and so that's why we're back tonight. Uh it's worth mentioning that other municipalities including but not limited to the city of Fort Lauderdale,
the city of Dural, and uh Coral Springs have successfully implemented similar initiatives without hesitation, recognizing the importance of prioritizing community safety and honoring individuals like Aiden. Recognizing that we have so many uh waterways in the town of Miami Lakes, we
feel like it it's prudent for us to to have these rings out. Uh we've actually gone around the town uh surveying different sites and so we've identified 15 different locations which are listed in the letter that Rudy handed uh out to
each of you. Each life ring costs a modest $395. Uh like I said, we are allocating or we're requesting to allocate the remainder of our funds to go towards this. Uh we are requesting an additional $2,450 by the by the town council to
fund the the vote remaining. Um lastly, um you know, one more comment. It's a small investment that can help save lives um and honor Aiden's memory in a way that's meaningful. Uh thank you on behalf of the neighborhood improvement
committee. Um, and like Rudy mentioned, these are the the two projects that we have uh at the top of the future project considerations list. And Rudy, I'll hand it back to him to go over the remaining. Thank you. Before uh Rudy comes back and uh you jump off, does anyone have any
questions about these specific projects? I do through the council member uh Fernandez, you're recognized. Thank you. Thank you to all the members of the neighborhood improvement committee. Thank you for your time and your service. Um, so please remind me what the amount is per ring. $395
approximately. $95. So you're looking for 15 about 15 rings if the math right. Okay. Mhm. Okay. I saw driving to drop off my my son in Southwest Ranches. They've actually have two or three of them around the lake on right on Griffin
heading towards Flamingo. Um, okay. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, anyone else? Seeing none. Oh, one more. Go ahead. Yeah, council member. Oh, you could you could council member Garcia. I was Go ahead. I was at the neighborhood improvement committee where this uh
letter was brought up and I brought up a concern specifically for the rings that are closed to schools, Miami Lakes K through8 center. When the kids, you know, they get out and they see a ring because this is a freestanding ring that anyone obviously,
you know, to to save a life needs to be freestanding. So you can throw it in the water and be able to use it. But sometimes some some of these these students, they think it's a toy and they'll throw it in the lake and mess around with it and and it can also lead for to its disappearance and maybe somebody takes it home and puts it in
their pool. Just I would like to see an idea of maybe just something small that that that can snap kind of like a like a child safety device where individuals use at home to be able to protect the ring where not just anyone uh like can can just come a small child can come and
take it off and use it as a toy but any adult, anybody that can that can open it and use it will be able to open it and use it. So that's something that I I'd like to see for this specific item. Thank you, Council Member Sanchez. Council member Guadia, you're
recognized. Yeah. Um, thank you for uh for your for the work that you guys do. Um I um I was able to do a little uh uh reading on it and what a great um what a great tool, but as one of the uh um my
colleague said, what happens if we have, you know, somebody that thinks it's uh and they literally decide to throw it in the lake and um we need to see if there's there's some type of device that will protect it not only from the sun,
that from somebody not being able or able to take it and use it in the wrong way. In other words, is it just going to be exposed? Um, I'm a little concerned about that.
And my other question would be um have you guys tried go going out to seeing if there's uh any uh institution that is willing to uh donate some of them. I would say if you'd like you can answer
that and then I have some comments and questions. I guess we're the institution so far that's uh willing to fund it. Um like I mentioned we we are seeking the town council to to fund this initiative. Um like other cities other cities have funded it. Um it's not something that's
gone out to sponsors at least in South Florida. I don't know if Rudy wants to add a little bit to that. Um, regarding the safety component and and uh the you know what council member Sanchez Cuadra Garcia mentioned um the rings are tethered so they are attached to a pole.
Um it's not something that's easily removed. Um so that is something that um that's already by design it's already included. Um but I think if there you know if if you would want to see designs that's something that we can figure out you know if there if there's an
additional component that should be added. Any others? Uh, so I'll just wrap up by asking, um, in your original March 19th letter, it was 10 locations. In the current letter that was just passed out, it's now increased to 15. I'm just
curious, uh, what are the additional five locations and why wasn't it included before? More out of a concern of this then later it's 20. Later it's 25. And not that that's a bad thing because honestly I think I I support
this item and the safety of our residents isn't important. We did have uh six to eight months ago uh the individual who ran their car into uh I always forget the proper name of that
canal up there. um and a gentleman jumped in to rescue her cuz she was in shock and you know thankfully he made it out alive but obviously something like that is helpful in that scenario. So I think that this is a great item. Um it's just more so that I know are we really
covering all our bases with 15 or can I expect another hit later on? Yeah. So I think initially this is this is we we uh surveyed locations when we we've met about this a few different times over the last year. Um, we've added more
after surveying sites and realizing the bigger need. Um, there were a few additional sites and they are listed in this letter. I can read them out. Um, that are not beach locations. So, initially we were thinking beach areas that are easily accessible. So, some like Lake Hilda, uh, Lake Sarah, uh,
Lake Martha have beach locations. Um, but like you mentioned, canal access areas, those are the ones that we hadn't considered before. So, we added those to the list. Um, for instance, the canal at the entrance of 67th A and the Gratne the corner of Miami Lakes Way Drive and
67th A. Uh, those are locations that we identified. So, that's why you'll see that there's additional locations. Any other questions through the chair? Oh, uh, Council Member Garcia, thank you. Um, so I was at a council meeting
when the initial um ask was made and honestly it had me in tears. um the the loss of of of the child. I mean, I can't imagine I think nobody can imagine doing that. Um honestly, I think for the cost um and I've seen these around the city
of Myiramar has some on Honey Hill as well next to some lakes and yes, they're tethered. They're nylon. Uh it's it's pretty difficult to to to steal them. If you want to steal them, then you you have to go through some effort. I think focusing on areas that are beach areas
or areas where kids are actually there is should be the focus. Uh I would be 100% in favor of funding the initial 10. Focusing on those areas, the beach areas where there is uh especially when kids get out of school. I know there's a concern about, you know, if they're
going to abuse them, but uh again, even if we save one life, it definitely worth the cost of $3,000. And then continue the the focus on trying to get sponsors. uh maybe the Red Cross, maybe uh our you know our local commissioner Renee Garcia, I know he has discretionary
funds. I think if every individual here on the council reaches out to four or five people, we can perhaps get 10 sponsors. So I would be in favor of this uh initial 10 using the initial budget that they have monies that they already have in their in their budget and then
uh you know maybe in the future if we can get sponsors we can add the other 15. Do we need a motion for this? Uh uh Mr. Mr. Vice Mayor, I don't know if we need a motion. I I was about to actually inquire with the manager. Uh I think that the proper uh procedure would be for a motion to be made. For sure. You
need a motion to transfer the money to this initiative from their within their budget. I would make a motion to transfer uh for for the initi the amount that they stated, which was 3,544. Okay. Well, the motion is made by
council member Garcia. Is there a second? Seconded by council member Fernandez. Any discussion? Seeing none, those in favor say I. I. Those against say nay. I am a yes. All right. Uh is there any other motion on this?
So the the the other money that they're looking for is $2,450. So it would require a budget amendment. So if you maybe direct us to see if we could uh identify it in the budget, then we can come back to you next month and
ask for uh a reallocation uh in the July meeting once we identify where it's going to come from. Stand by 35. By the way, the 395 that doesn't include cost of installation, right? Because we added a little buffer. So there you go.
Yeah, that's all right. So, uh, from my calculations, $3,54 gets you 8.8, so eight of of these. Um, what I would tell you is let's go ahead. You you got your budget reallocation,
uh, for eight of them, and then we can come back in in July and, you know, let's hit first these primary locations, have this come back. Uh I I'll uh for the sake of proper posture, I'll make the motion uh that staff come back to us
at the July meeting with a budget amendment for uh $2,450 to be allocated uh to the where did it go? Aiden Pero Hero Life Ring Initiative uh being uh championed by the NIC. Uh
seconded by council member uh Garcia. Any discussion? Seeing none, those in favor say I. I. I. Those against say nay. I am a yes. Thank you. And good job, Helen. Thank you. Um, I'll go ahead and uh bring up Felicia Salard
right now at this point. And she'll be talking on item number three and number five on that list, which is request for a draft and implementation of fertilization or lake awareness and how to protect our waterways. Good evening, U vice mayor, council
members, um attorneys and staff. Um, as as Rudy mentioned, um, we came out with this proposal to request permission of the town council on behalf of our neighborhood improvement committee to draft uh, with assistant of the town
attorney. um and thus be presented to the council for approval to be included in the in the zoning code is to have um like he mentioned the fertiliz fertilizer ordinance. This ordinance uh
has been implemented in in other communities and we have samples that we can work with attorney so he can get an idea of what they have used and also in um tied into this uh which is protecting our lakes. Uh the other initiative is um
the the lake awareness and basically what we do is um educate the community about the importance of protecting our lakes and um using best practices and um provide
you know this effort for the community. And years ago we had a um a brochure. I I think it's time to update it. And also we we had the August was Miami Lakes Lake Awareness Month. So I think it's
something that we can continue. And I mean our name is Miami Lakes. So I think it's important that um with this ordinance we we prevent um toxic uh fertilizers to go into our waterways. Not just the lakes, but any waterways
within the boundaries of Miami Lakes. Do you have any questions? Thank you, Felicia. Any questions, comments? Uh, for the chair. Go ahead, Council Member Garcia. Felicia, I want to thank you. Uh, honestly, we're a lake community and um, we should be doing
everything possible to maintain the health of our lakes. As you can see, it's all about pH balance. You know, more than anybody, you get you get a little off in the pH, you get too much nitrogen in that in that less oxygen, you're going to have those algae blooms. Um, and it really destroys the character
of Miami Lakes. So, uh, I would be for supporting any any initiative, uh, when it comes to this, uh, voting on that. Does she need a, um, a motion or is that something that we're voting on later? I think as far as the lakeway, what what
we're we're doing the request for fertilizer ordinance to be added to our zoning code. Okay. And I would make a motion to direct the staff to look into an ordinance that protects our lakes and uh provides a mechanism uh and also
education mechanism where we can go and educate the public on you know what is good and bad for for their lakes and what they can do when it comes to their also um if we can add to that. Um um you know we we hire a lot of companies to come out and and do landscaping and they
also do that. So, is there any way we can add a component to have the landscapers follow a certain guidelines when it comes to fertilizing? All righty. That's part of it. So, Madame Clerk, did you get all that as a
motion? Council member Garcia, if you can repeat it, that would be beneficial for everyone. I did get your goal to educate our community and to add landscapers um all these requirements, but if you
can restate it just to clarify. No, I absolutely I'd like to just support Felicia's uh the neighborhood improvement item to be able to uh educate the public, create an ordinance on our end to make sure that we are uh
that the ordinance puts uh steps on how to prevent um nitrogen from going into our lakes through fertilizers, how we can prevent that, how we can educate the public and also educate the landscapers uh that are doing a lot of are a lot of
the fertilizing. I mean, individuals do it, but a lot of the fertilizing comes from from landscapers and also the town. What are we doing as far as reducing nitrogen and phosphorus from entering our lakes and creating algae blooms and and uh and uh the the health of our
lakes? So hopefully hopefully that makes sense. If that's what Felicia was asking for, Felicia, I want to make sure that like if you read the memo, it's very simple. you can, you know, follow that and and like I said, when we meet with uh the town attorney, we have samples
from other communities. Um, one has to do with uh Florida friendly fertilizer using urban landscapes and the other one is um again is um regulating um the use of fertilizers that may
contain nitrogen and uh phosphorus. Uh, Council Member Garcia, is it okay if I just reframe your motion as direct let's move to direct our town staff to draft an ordinance for us that complies with
uh the memorandum on page 22 of today's agenda. Excellent. Perfect. Thank you. Made simple. I'll second it. Thank you. Any any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. Excellent. Chair. All
right, we'll carry on. Um, we'll go to item which says uh ways to beautify on the Palmetto Expressway at Northwest 154th Street. Mr. Juan Estrada. Good evening, Mayor, Council, Town Staff. Huang Estrada on behalf of the
Neighborhood Improvement Committee. The neighborhood improvement committee decided to take on an initiative to beautify the underpass at the Palmetto Expressway at Northwest 154 Street using LED lights to illuminate the underpass at night. Also known as a community aesthetic feature. Uh the red road
underpass at the Gratney was the inspiration for this project. Uh we took the liberty of contacting the contractors for the red road project and we were estimated at $38,35 uh to obtain the physical LED bars and
installation. A virtual meeting was held with Florida Department of Educa of Transportation District 6 to find out what the next steps would be. Uh the roadway engineer informed us that the town of Miami Lakes Council would have to approve a resolution to approve
constructing and maintaining the community aesthetic feature. So as of March of 2024, this NIC initiative has been postponed pending the construction and renovations of the median separating the east and westbound
travel lanes at Miami Lakes Drive. Um Jeremy, can you please come up here a second? And while he does that, Mr. manager. Um, what was the estimate? Because obviously this is not the first time we've discussed this. We the prior council discussed this as well. What were the numbers that you received again
from the city of Halia as far as what their cost was? The the information we got on the lights that Halia together with FD funded by Halia, but uh was like two or 300,000. So I don't know where they got the So one of the biggest um
cost involved is bringing electricity to the site. Correct. Right. So it's more than just putting in the lights. That's so we'd have to do a little more research and then we can work with the committee uh mayor and then we can bring back uh some more information for action by the Well, that that dovtales with the
part that I want Jeremy to come up for if you don't mind please giving him the mic a second. Of course. You got to run away. Where are we now with the with my item regarding updating our beautifification master plan? I think the last update I got was that we are finalizing it. But uh but when are we
going to be ready to go ahead and start uh working on it? Realistically, I look to bring it back towards the end of summer. Maybe July, August. July might be a little more uh so next month. Well, or next month would be more ambitious and probably safe. Yeah. So safely on in
August. Yes. Okay. I look I I I was one of the people that brought up discussing this last uh time last year actually and again it's a great idea but it's obviously going to you know be a lot of money. So and what's more than that is what I don't want to have either is a disjointed approach to beautifification.
So that is why I've been trying to get uh a revision to our beautifification master plan done which will help us coordinate all the various aspects of beautifification. So with that, what I will go ahead and and move to do is to as part of I mean again, have you guys you guys haven't put this out for a bid
or anything like that yet, right? With regards to the beautifification master plan. No, it's on it's already under contract. Okay. So it's under contract finalizing the last sets of review. Okay. So would it uh would it be too late then to go ahead and ask them to consider uh this proposal as part of
that? I can work it in with this last set of revisions. There may be a cost. Um, but I can come back to you if there is anything that comes outside of the contract. So, I'll go ahead and move uh for uh for the town to go ahead and and try to include this in the beautifification master plan is something for consideration. Of course,
you know, coming back to us with any cost involved with making that change. Second. I'll second. Any discussion? I I just through through the chair, the mayor, Councilman Fernandez, anything I think it's a great idea. I love it. Anything to to beautify our town is
certainly I'm I'm a champion for. So, all right. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The motion carries. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anything further, Mr. Chair? Oh, yeah. I hope you know that we that
we got we got to we got to keep moving. Oh, yeah. This man, there's very little times I get to see all of you sitting at the same time. So, I got to take advantage of this. All right. So, the next item we're going to move up and it will be item number four. It says request to amend resolution number
15-1296 under section 4 duties D. So you have that as part of your package. Let me uh read that section really quick. So section D says she'll facilitate at least quarterly meetings of homeowners
association and similar groups. Uh as some of you that are sitting up there three at a minimum three four and one in in Zoom have participated in the neighborhood improvement committee. So, we're we're very proud to have at least
four of you up there and you have I'm sure you remember our HOA quarterly meetings. At one point, I can say before the pandemic, we were very successful. Um I think the last one which we had the gentleman that came out here, what's his
name? Helen Ron McIll. There we go. Um I think that was one of our last successful and uh turnouts that we had. says, "After the pandemic, we've been having a challenge to even come up with topics of interest for the community.
Um, to start off with, the town does not have a 100% update as the last time that we were informed, a 100% updated roster list of all the associations in the town of Miami Leagues. We trying to take in
that endeavor and we'll hit a big brick wall uh to be able to keep with it. At this point, we feel as a committee that we don't want to continue on using resources, time, and effort in something that we're just at this point in time,
we're we're not being successful. Um and utilize those times and efforts in something that we could make more impact in this community. Uh so we're basically just to amend that resolution and just remove that section uh because we have to have those meetings. But
unfortunately again one two maybe three people are coming out and we've put up some really good topics but at the end of the day unfortunately it's not the time. If you guys have any questions is the for the mayor Mr. Vice Mayor, it the
purpose of these meetings is primarily to hear these associations out, figure out how the town can be of service, right? Wouldn't it just be simpler for the NIC to appoint one of its members as an officer who is the association
liaison and then not waste our resources on these meetings. we eliminate this section as you're requesting, but then we create this that way there's still somewhere where the HOAs know that they can go uh for for help and and resources from the town. I think that that that's like a way in which we you know don't
don't we we cure the cough without killing the body, right? Uh so so I think that that's a little reasonable alternative and it also uh um serves all these associations at the same time while it allows you guys to focus your attention and your resources on other projects that are being a little bit
more successful. I I definitely agree with that and and just for the record every time there is any kind of concern with HOAs that come to the town they have actually forwarded to our committee. So that's actually taking place already. Uh you know they let us know such and such is going to show up.
So that already communication between town staff is already taking place. But yes, I like that idea. Well, I just want to remind everybody that the quarterly meetings are not just for them to hear the concerns of the HOAs and community and condo associations. It's also to provide for to be a conduit for
information for them in terms of town regulations. Right? So when I was chair of NIC and you'll remember this because you were there with me and so was JC, you know, we would have everything from best practices to maintaining a roof to also uh changes that were being made to the town code and soliciting their input. In fact, on the beautifification
master plan as well, it was at the NIC that was tasked with providing feedback and one of the one of the quarterly meetings was used to also get the feedback from the condos uh or associations rather. I mean, I would probably prefer just to cut down the
number of meetings to from four to two, you know, just have them be bannual and just, you know, before we completely phase them out. Um, this this way it's less work for you and and also in terms of having to come up with an interesting topic all the time. You know, I think
it's easier to find more interesting topics twice. And one can even be, for example, a review of changes, for example, in state law. Obviously, as you know, because this is your industry, the the legislature just recently amended the statute with respect to reserve requirements and everything else. So, that I think would be a topic that would
be of interest to many associations. Um, I mean, so at least that that would be my preference is to amend it that part of the resolution to cut down the number of of of those meetings instead of being quarterly by annual. Um and then if this
persists right if the issue persists where there's a very low attendance um you know where it's just three people then at that point then you know I I would probably be closer to going ahead and and eliminating it alto together but I want to give this a shot you know you
know with less programming but more important programming right instead of you having to try to figure out something for each quarter just at least you know two important topics and again one of them could be a legislative wrap-up for things affecting association You know, I think that would be important because again, those meetings
are not just to receive complaints and input, but also to provide information from the town and otherwise to those associations. Remember also we had done um a a a special presentation with Miss Marisol Basuto um in which those directors were able to go ahead and and
uh and get their certification as well if they attended it. So, you know, that that could be a a way of trying to boost attendance, right? You know, providing like that kind of a service. Um, and because it's only going to be twice a year now, you know, it'll be easier to get more people out there because you're not having to figure out, well, how do I
make it interesting to them? Would you be okay with that? Um, that's a great idea. However, I'm going to counter uh uh hear back to you and um we actually did discuss it. Stop. And by the way, this is not something that we woke up one day and said, "Let's remove it
completely." If you look back to our agendas, we've had it on there for more than six months. you know, back to back to back and and try to come down. I think two still pushing it. Um I I will counter uh your your request and do one,
you know, and and we'll make it big and hopefully at that time um yes, they will they will show up. I think two given the history right for the past four to five years um is still um you know too much.
So I I would say one it's similar to the bike right um when we were doing five six it got to a point where it like everything it started dying out then we started moving them down to five now we're down to three and
we're picking up back the participants so I just don't want to see again the resources not only from the committee members but funding to show up to those meetings and you know they're just not successful that's all but but I like the idea but I will counter to once per
year. I I my my hesitation with one is that you could set it up where one is at the beginning of the year, one at the end and then by that point that will usually be I think a better way to getting more attention just because you know that leaves a lot of time in between for things to happen that might
motivate them to come forward at these meetings. But um perhaps then maybe the goal should be I mean well let me turn turn over to my colleagues and hear what they think about the the two ideas proposed by the vice mayor and myself.
Hey anyone want to opine Councilman Hzburg. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh and thank you for you know bringing your thoughts. Um I I actually had NBI that talked about trying to move these things and that's when I was told your committee does these. I believe two makes sense. I I I was very clear when
with my conversations with staff and up here, four is too much. Uh I I do believe four is too much. Uh going to one though, I I think we should give it a shot. When's the last time you guys tried the meeting, the the HOA meeting?
Um I would probably say two or three years ago, right? So I mean I think we got to give it a shot. And and that's on us, too. And I remember standing there on blasting and things telling prior councils, hey guys, you guys got to get involved too and try to push for our committee. So that's on us too to try to push for these HOAs to come over come
out and when when you set the meetings up that we got to reach out to them, hey, this is a good committee. This is a good meeting. This is a good opportunity for you guys to go go and try to have, you know, have people from up here also tell these tell the associations to go. I think the association and contact association is pretty important. Um
they're the most local form of government, right? Um, I like the mayor's idea of going to two, see how it goes. If you still think and or we'll see the results and if it doesn't happen, come back to us. Like you, you know, I I'm happy to change it. I don't want to get rid of it all together. Uh,
if two is too many, then we can try one. I know Dural has like an HOA um I don't want to call it festival, but sort of like the what some of the other committees do and you can bring vendors, you know, law firms that do HOA HOA fair. Maybe maybe we should start that. then as the first one, see if it goes
great and come back and say, "You know what? Let's just do an HOA fair once a year." Sounds like a fun group. Um, but the Dorado one, I heard a lot had good attendance. Obviously, Deral is a much larger community, but I let's let's get creative. I don't want to get rid of it. Uh, I want to work with you. I agree for too many. I don't want to put that on
you on you guys. I agree that that that will dilute attendance, but um I like the mayor's idea of two. A Councilman Fernandez, standing previously as chair of a co of a committee, I I'd like to and give you
the the right to run the committee as you think it's best for for the community and for the the committee members. But I do think that I I just disagree with you. I think two I I think it give it a shot. Give it a shot at two or you're cutting it in half. I know
that there's a and I remember they they weren't great turnouts even even when I was chair but but I think that because it hasn't happened in a long time and I think it is important I was sad to see it like you know you were going to request to cut it completely so I think if we cut it to two give it a shot and
see see how it works Mr. Uh well before I go to you um Councilman Guadra Garcia, Councilman Garcia or Councilman Sanchez, do any of you want to opine on this? Yes, I do. Councilman Sanchez. So I think two is the right number. Um with regards to communication and and HOA meetings that
are occurring and how to reach out to them. I know some of us up here on the day have been attending HOA meetings and the schedules that were provided to us aren't always very accurate. So when I do go to those meetings, sometimes at Mary Collins are having three HOA meetings in in the same night and I'm able to update it and and you know and
send it to the staff, but we can also help you reach out to those HOAs and get updated names for for their their board and everything like that so that you you know we can reach out. Don't think that at any moment any committee including NIC is alone in communicating efforts and and and constituent services. You're
not. We're here to help. And I believe two was the right number. Four is too many. Maybe one ideally right before hurricane season to get, you know, HOAs, maybe not even just HOAs, but even our residents ready for hurricane season along with another one, you know, at another point of the year, maybe the beginning of the year or something to to
get them ready for what's to come and changes in the code and everything like that. But two, I do believe is the right number and we do have, you know, different things that we can do to help communicate with HOAs. So So I have a question if we might. Um uh do we know if the stat question to the matter do do we know if we have an
updated list for the age context uh because this week we we we asked the clerk's office to handle that and they are now putting the final touches on an updated list. So but obviously it's a dynamic list right because today tomorrow somebody can resign from a and
then we're back to you know we're going to have something that's going to be missing or wrong. But uh she has done it with input from a lot of different sources from uh committees and from the elected officials and and the HOAs themselves and staff. So we have as good
of a list as we can. So we should be able to release that to all the interested parties soon or tomorrow. Okay. So my follow-up question to that is do you have also management contact information register uh agents to those
HOAs and to add up um do we get those updated listes from Sunb Biz or how do we obtain because that was the biggest challenge just so you know and yes some of the councilman's at the time would help us but still we were hitting a brick wall and getting that attendance.
So some of the some of some of them we have, some of them we do not have. Okay. So there's two or three of these management companies that are very prevalent throughout uh Mami Lakes. So we should have the majority of them and we have very good accurate information
for for those. There may be a straggler that is an oddball, an outlier that we haven't we don't have. So we'll have to work together to uh update that. Right. And that being said, I'm I'm okay with the proposed two uh just in keeping in mind that it is a collaboration, right?
It's not just the NIC, but you guys as well have to do your part in promoting and when you do go, you know, get this topics and and and you know, figure it out. I have no problem and and giving that a shot. But please keep that in mind because again, I don't want to see it go and just because it's not under the resolution, that doesn't mean we can
still not have these meetings, right? Just, you know, making them mandatory. It just kind of puts that restriction in us and allocates the resources elsewhere where we're needed the most. It uh Mr. Vice Mayor and then I'll go ahead and make a motion. I believe it.
Didn't uh Claude Garcia have uh I don't I didn't did Did you raise No. Okay. I'm sorry. Then I thought he had um Well, first of all, Rudy, I tried I I tried getting rid of them for you. Uh but um I just wanted to point out and I think it
was just uh uh misspeaking by you. Um if it's going to be two meetings a year, having a meeting at the beginning and at the end of the year puts them together. Correct. So one at the beginning and one in the middle. Yeah. No, no, no. Well, I'm not going to uh tell them I'm not
going to mandate the resolution when it happens. But my point was just, you know, to do Okay. Yes. You know, correct. I misspoke. But it was intended in terms of just uh separate it with a certain amount of time, you know, and that way you can go ahead and and uh get
the feedback at different points. And a perfect time is right after legislation, right? Once all these legislations is done, that will probably be the perfect time to do one specifically, right, that addresses legislative update, you know, you know, you can use excuse me, I'm sorry through
the through the chair. I I apologize. Squirt them out, please. I don't do that usually, but I just wanted the NAC to chime I wanted to chime in that that you can use uh GRS management as a resource because she she's very in tune with what and you are
too and and I'm sure that you guys together can actually explain to the HOAs what all the the anything new that that is comes from Tallahassee. Oh, that's not the issue. The issue is getting the people coming right showing up for the explanation. But but we're okay with those two and and I like Thank
you, Mr. Moretta, Council Mora, Vice Mayor Moretta, uh, of giving us the opportunity to work with our schedules and and figure out when will be the best time to have these meetings. Excellent. So, with that, I'm going to move to go ahead and and amend the NIC resolution
uh to pro to provide for two uh uh meetings of the of the associations as opposed to the current quarterly meetings. Um, is okay. It was seconded. Any further discussion? Just a a point of clarification. Do we need a written resolution? It'll come back to us. Yeah.
Yeah. The attorneys will will There's one in your packet, but I recommend that we bring you back. Yes, for it's going to come back to us. Um and yeah, we just got to keep moving because we got a lot uh to cover through tonight and we have still two uh special presentations as well. So, with that, all those in favor
say I. I. No. The eyes have it. The motion carries. Anything else? Yes, of course. Okay. Well, let's go. Let's go quickly. I'm moving. I'm moving. Mayor, before we leave the resolution, because they had struck through in the recommended resolution to strike through town residency. So, I'd like for them to
speak to that if that's was their intent. No, the the the striking for membership for sitting for committ. Well, either way, my motion was specific to the the quarterly meetings with the association. No, I know, but they have in in the packet, but if it wasn't in the motion,
then it doesn't matter. Okay. And just point of clarification, that is just resolution 15- That's how it was. Yeah. The only thing you'll be amending where it says quarterly, you'll be doing twice a year. Yeah, you're you're reading the wrong section, Mr. Manager. It's it's actually right above the crossout
section uh that they're seeking to that they were seeking to repeal. Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Chair. Okay. Um the next item will be the third from the bottom up. Uh improve to green space. improvements to green
space near Northwest 87th Avenue and 14 40 41st Street. Uh this is initiative Mr. Mario Peda um took and if you uh switch all the way
towards the end I'm going to go ahead and read uh the memorandum. It says the neighborhood improvement committee NIC requests permission and a permission of and motion for the town of Miami Lakes Council to seek FDOT
guidance on how to move forward with a community led project to enhance the grill. We already talked about that part of the other, right? Uh to enhance the green space which is under the F DOT ownership C attach uh plot pan plot
plan. Our proposal includes adding G greenery, landscaping and other features within support and contributions from the residents who are eager to improve the space. We believe this efforts will help deter inappropriate use of the lot
and make it more attractive area for the community. Point of clarification. You're recognized. Uh just Mr. Chair, I don't think it was a community LED project. I think it was a community-led project. Correct. And this is a completely separate thing from the LED thing that we discussed earlier. Right.
Okay. Just wanted to confirm that. And then I know that you guys provided us like the this I don't the survey. Um, I just don't know what property we're talking about because it shows a Northwest 87th Court and then it shows me a street, but I don't know what street that is. So, I don't know where
we're talking about. Is this the the overpass of I75 at 87th Avenue? Yes. At the What? Okay. Thank you. Now, now I know where we're at. Okay. Sorry, you can continue. No, no. So, what is the community communityled
project that you guys are asking us for, Felicia? Basically, that's an area that is um owned by FDOT is an open green area. And if you look, let me I wasn't going to supposed to talk about this, but
basically is an area that was people were parking cars there to sell and so um it was brought to our attention to to beautify that area. the actually one of the neighbors said I'll donate the trees because it's looking horrible. So
basically that was our you know our intent but it's owned by a DOT but we needed guidance. If you read the memo is basically all there. Well what I would recommend is to come back to us at the next report for the NIC with more specifics on the on the details. Um, you
know, I'm not expecting you guys to do a rendering, right? But, uh, just to have more specific proposals of what you would like us to include as part of this project. And the other part is what does the committee envision as far as commi communityled? Is it that there would be
sort of like a poll taken? Uh, not really. The the idea and this was Mario Panera, but he since he resigned to run for office, I took it up on myself. But then he when he came back he was talking to Jeremy from parks and he was going to
get guidance from him regarding I guess that has nothing to do with the bridge. It's just an open area that that the neighbors specifically one neighbor um said let's beautify this because you know it it will be nice if we could keep
it and you know just have maybe landscaping and so forth. Yeah. We need to come out with a plan. Yeah. But we we need guidance from Jeremy to see, you know. Well, I mean, being that Mario's back on the committee now, let's give him an opportunity then to get with
Jeremy and then once, you know, they speak, I'm sure Mario will present something to the committee that you guys will then adopt. But I wouldn't, you know, I would just ask that there be more detail about what kind of project is being envisioned there. Um, so that that's what I would say, right? The way
I I envision it, and this is my own personal, it will be like a like the top lots that we have on on the original Miami Lakes, which is, you know, greenery, benches, maybe something that, you know, will make it nice. Okay. But I guess we'll wait for Mario then since
he's back on the committee and, you know, wait for him to speak to Jeremy and then, you know, we'll proceed from there. Yes, he has. He has. Yeah. So, Jeremy, so do you know what you guys have talked about? What what is what is the what well actually wait hold on so you two have spoken but what I what I
still what I still don't don't have is exactly what the committee is proposing for this space in in detail so or did Mario tell you what he'd like no right now at this point all that we discussed was the who has the ownership of the property what would it entail for
us to request to take over um as far as the details of whatever development we're looking at hasn't been discussed I do I have heard of all the issues and concerns. We have seen cars for some of the abuing property owners that use it as party parking. So, there is some concerns there that that we can we also see on the parks department, but we
haven't discussed anything. So, then why don't you guys get together with Jeremy to work on more a more specific proposal of what can be done there and maybe Jeremy can even get estimates so that we get as much detail as possible, right? Um I think that would be the best way to go uh on that. Thank you, Jeremy.
Anything else, Mr. Chair? Just a point of clarification, Mr. Vice Mayor, cuz to be clear, yes, there's some vagueness as to what exactly they're proposing, but they are requesting guidance from FDOT on how to go about making these requests. And I'm guessing that based on
FDOT's feedback is that's going to determine what they're requesting because if it's extremely hard to get FDOT approval for they can go through Jeremy on that. Correct. But okay. So, I guess they're asking for our permission though. Correct. through to use our town resources. Which
was that something that Glatty said or somebody told you to do or it was told tomorrow. That's one of the reasons why we're coming here to make sure that we're just not spinning our wheels here and all of a sudden the council says, "No, no, we we never approved this. We never, you know, this is not something where we want to go." Well, I mean, I wouldn't want you to be spinning your wheels either, but again, I want before
I I I support anything, I want to make sure that we have a more clear direction. But if the issue is just uh, you know, permission to work with Jeremy, then sure, I'll go ahead and move that. Thank you. Is there a second? I'll second. Excellent. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes
have it. The motion carries. Okay. Next. All right. And the last um uh item that I'm going to be talking about is just a quick the budget. Uh the budget is there. Nothing really has changed. Um but we did uh on the proposed budget for the next uh year. Uh we are we did add
it on something on there with regards to uh golf uh ride, golf cart ride. Uh so the same thing that we do with the bike rides we wanted to incorporate since the golf community continues to grow at a tremendous speed in our community. I
think it's right align with the neighborhood improvement committee to at least have you know or for the town uh to sponsor once a year. So I just want to let you know that you will see that um you know in the budget for next year. We're not typically the committee to be asking for money. As a matter of fact,
we always try the same and we're cut. But this year, we're going a little outside of our comfort zone and we just ask for your support when the time comes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much all of you for your time and your commitment to the neighborhood improvement committee. Again, very close to me since, you know, I was one of the
original chairs. But thank you all. Okay. Oh, wait. There's more. No, I was just gonna say thank you. Okay. I was going to say like Rudy, come on, bro. All right, Matt, you're up. Mr. Matthew Casmayor, the chair of the economic development committee. Have two
minutes. I know. We really do got to get moving. Yeah, I'll be brief. Don't worry about it. For your sake and for mine. I'm a little under the weather, so I'll be uh I'll be a little quick. Um uh well, good evening, guys. How's everyone doing? Um just real quick, I guess I'll go through
the report pretty brief. It's just going to be some quick stuff and then at the end there's a small little request, I guess, and then we'll see how that plays out. But um when it comes to the general workings of the EDC, things have been going pretty well. Um as you guys saw the past few months, we were working with Felicia. Oh, she's gone. And the cultural affairs committee doing the Oh,
she Okay, she's hitting over there. Doing the Main Street Lives and they've been pretty well. Um got a great turnout. Um it was honestly a great boon to the town and I I was a big fan of it. It was awesome seeing all the kids exactly like I was back in the day enjoying it. So that was that was great to see. Um the business networking socials with the chamber have been going
great. I know you guys participate and join in a lot. Um we've been doing them more often now. once a month with the new chamber president, uh, Ray Palasios. It's been going, it's been going really, really well. Um, even when we're not directly participating, they're nice enough to include us on the sponsorship, so the town really feels like it's involved in participating. So, we've got
another one coming up now in next week. Actually, it's on the 25th at Dr. Lemon. So, if you guys are available, feel free. Um, our small business boot camp is coming up in a few months. Um, it's going to be our third year doing it. Um we're um happy to say it's kind of
become a mainstay and we're looking forward to it. We get a lot of good feedback, positive feedback from it. The only thing that we really want to see is more attendance. We usually get around 50 to 60 people. So we want to see that increase. We think a new location will help. We did it the first year here in the chambers, second year was anime
Mendes. Um that was last year and then now we're trying to find another one. Maybe we might come back here. So I might be requesting from you guys again. Um the only I guess negative of this year has been slight issues with quorum. Um but we make up for it pretty quickly. So like for example this month we didn't
have quorum but we met last night so I could have everything prepped for today and have the budget and everything set up. So we make do we make work uh we make it work. Um all right cool. Now for the interesting part. So earlier on in the year um we voted to
cancel this or not voted yet but we discussed that we were going to vote now because this is when the contract ends to cancel this service called local intel. It's a software right now that the town um pays for through the EDC that's on the website and I'll read real quick what it's for just so everybody's um understands. So this is straight
straight from their website. Um, Local Intel's insights and interactive data visual visualization tools throughout your website will communicate your location's advantages more effectively, keep people engaged on your website longer, and share critical data business needs, right? And this is coming out of
our marketing line item in our budget. It's about 12 to 10,000 I think it's $12,000 a year, 10,000 bucks a year. And it's it basically eats up our entire marketing budget. Um, so since I've been chair, this is now my third year. Um, in the first couple years, this had just
been implemented. We were trying to see how it played out. The first year I was there, we didn't really make use of it. We decided to, you know, go into it skeptical. The second year, the second year, we used it even less, especially for what it's meant for, which is marketing and bringing in outside business to the town. We just never really used it. It just kind of lives
there on the town's website. We never pushed it. We tried pushing it, but it never really got the traction that we wanted. And most people that do come into the town when we do all the ribbon cutings that we go to, you know, they never heard of it. They had heard of and done business in the town for many plethor a plethora of other reasons to come here already basically familiar
with the town. So choosing to do business here it's because they're familiar with the area and everything. Exactly. Exactly. So you know the common story oh I wanted to move up now. That's always what we would hear. I'll go ahead and I'll move to uh to grant the committee's request. Is there a second? I'll second. It's been seconded. Is
there any discussion on this issue? All right. Seeing none. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose. No. The eyes have it. Motion carries. All right. Well, thanks guys. The only thing I will say that for the next report, please remember to include the attendance
roster because that is part of the new rules. Um, see the attendance roster. Yeah, I was listening to that last night as well. But gotcha. Yeah. We were just a little, like I said, flustered from yesterday having to do everything kind of quick, but I got you guys on the next one. Thank you. All right. Cool. That's it. All right. Well, thank you, Mr. Chair. Have a good night. Math, before
you leave, mayor, ju just as a point of information, the the that agreement with local intel, it's supposed to renew now in July, right? So, we're timely. We think there's supposed to also be a 60-day cancellation, but since the new one hasn't uh gone into effect, we
should be able to just not renew the new contract, but there's a little quirk in there, and I just want to use your best efforts. Yes, we'll we'll we'll try and see what we could do to be able to get out of that. Gotcha. Gotcha. Okay. All right. Yeah. You let me know if you need anything. Well, thank you very much. So now we are now finally arriving at
special presentations. We're going to begin with the Miami Day Commission on Women. Welcome, Madam Chair. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Diegas. What was Vice Mayor Mora, fellow Councilman? Uh my name is Josephine Novo and I am
the proud legislative chair and District 13 appointee to the Miami Date County Commission for Women. It is a pleasure to be here with you all tonight. Thank you so much, Mayor Diegas, for the invitation and Councilman Sanchez for putting us on the agenda. Um, this report is something that we typically only present before the board of county commissioners, and so it's a unique and
very special treat to be here before a municipal council to share our findings with all of you. With that being said, let's get into it. So, the SED report is the convention on the elimination of discrimination against women. I'm sorry, Josie. One second. Madame Clerk, do they have the PowerPoint ready to go?
Do they have the PowerPoint ready to go for her? Okay, excellent. There you go. Perfect. Just Just wanted to make sure it was ready. No, the PowerPoint ready to go is for the next presentation for the next speakers.
A well again they she had sent it to us before. Uh so it should be there. I don't know if it was received. It didn't go to JV. It went to uh to you and to myself. Let me see. If anything, I could do it without the PowerPoint. Okay, that's fine. Yeah, go
ahead. Um, in September of 2015, the Board of County Commissioners enacted an ordinance adopting the convention and its principles as well as the International Women's Rights Treaty, first adopted by the United Nations in 1979 and now by 189 of the 194 member
nations. As a result, Miami Dade County has made a steadfast commitment to being proactive about the status of women in our communities. Part of this commitment is our partnership with Florida International University in creating the annual status of women report. This report takes a look at four key areas:
women's economic opportunity, safety, health, and education. Based on these findings, as well as input from key community stakeholders, we outlined three policy areas with recommendations for the board of comm county commissioners. And now that we share with all of you, which brings me to our first topic this evening, violence
against women. In the last year, we've seen several concerning figures surrounding violence against women. We've seen an 84.7% increase in rape from one year to the next, over 300 more domestic violence cases, and 286 forcible sex offenses. This is why the
Commission for Women recommended that the county open two new coordinated victims assistance centers or SEVAC centers to assist in underserved areas to be identified by the administration. Second, that we launch a multimedia marketing campaign to advertise these two new locations as well as raise
awareness for SEAC centers as a whole. Nobody can benefit from these resources if nobody knows they exist. Lastly, we support the proposed changes to the domestic leave policy as proposed by the domestic violence oversight board. These proposed changes would give assistance
to those seeking help, provide paid leave and awareness training for employees and supervisors. Now, right about now, you might be asking yourself, "Well, Josie, this is all fine and dandy, but these are county recommendations. What does this apply to us over here at the town of Miami Lakes?" Well, I'll tell you. And I'll tell you that several of these
recommendations actually can be applied right here in your town. First off, the SEAC centers provide a myriad of different health resources, not just victim's assistance. So, the implementation of a similar facility here in Miami Lakes would serve to directly target your population and give
back to your community. Second, when the county does launch this multimedia marketing campaign, you all can assist in spreading the word. You have a direct line to the residents of this area and so you can better facilitate the communication of this new resource. Lastly, the domestic leave violence
policies can be adjusted to your own leave policies for your residents and for your employees here at the town of Miami Lakes. Moving on to our next area, black maternal mortality. We identified that only 57% of black women receive adequate prenatal care. They are three times as more likely to go through
maternal mortality and they have the highest infant mortality rate of any group. So once again, how does this apply to Miami Lakes? After all, you don't really have much of a significant black population. Well, across the board, we're seeing that maternal mortality is a problem. These numbers
are concerning not just for a first world country, but for a metropolitan county such as ours. And so this is why our recommendation to the board of county commissioners of maternal health fair which would bring together local partners and resources for prenatal and postnatal delivery assistance would also
do very well in the Miami Lakes area. Lastly, the seed has identified women's economic opportunity and the wage gap as an area of need for the women of our communities. There is currently an 18% wage gap amongst full-time working women as opposed to their male counterparts.
This is a 5% increase from 2011. On average, a full-time working woman makes a salary of $41,454, whereas a man makes $50,577 a year. That's $9,123 less per year. We've also found that
this disparity persists even amongst county employees with a 16.7% wage gap. The average median pay for a female county employee is $64,522 compared to a man's median pay of $77,446.
That's $13,000 less per year. This is why we recommended that the county conduct a comprehensive analysis of its workforce and payments, not just to find where disparities exist, but why they persist. The goal is to identify why this issue
keeps occurring and to create a comprehensive roadmap for internal correction across departments and leadership levels. So once again, for the last time, say with me, how does this have anything to do with Miami Lakes? Well, you guys can implement the exact same policy report over here in
the town of Miami Lakes looking at your workforce. And if a disparity does exist, you can create internal correction road mapaps so that you can help close the wage gap. Helping some of the women of our community is a great step to helping all of the women of our community. And as we close the wage gap
here in Miami Lakes and we close it in other areas, Westchester, Halia, what have you, we close the overall wage gap in Miami Dade County and in our country. So I would like to thank once again Mayor Diegas for the opportunity, Councilman Sanchez and all of you for
your time, your attention. We look forward to collaborating with the town of Miami Lakes in the future. And I'm here for any questions if you have any. With that, we've concluded this year's Cedar Report. Thank you. That was an excellent presentation. Very well done. You know, from memory, I noticed most of it. So, you know, you must be becoming a
pro at this. Uh, but with that, I'm going to turn it over to my colleagues to see if they have any questions. Councilman Sanchez, with regards to the SEAC uh centers, where are they located? So, we have vicinity in the Miami Lakes. Yes. So, we see them mainly in the south districts. Um, you have one in Commissioner McGee's district and the
other one is located in Bastian's. And so right now we're advocating for two more locations because there's only two of them in the entire county. So that's not quite equitable. It's not accessible. And so it's very needed. And like I said, they provide a myriad of different health resources such as checkups, papsmears, um things even for
men, right? Just a basic health checkup. So these are important resources and it's great if we can open similar facilities or more seac centers in Miami Lakes and across Miami date. Good to know. Thank you, Councilman Harrisburg. Thank you and great report and it's impressive. Uh and
your statistics on uh maternal health issues is something I think it needs to be discussed more. It's an issue in this country and shocking for you know a city like us with so much medical access and great doctors and in the country. So I appreciate you bringing that forward and and just great report. So I appreciate
you go in front of other municipalities as well. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Um, it's this report is the labor of love of myself and our board and I'd like to very much quickly thank them as well as our executive director Rose Martin that facilitate this every year. Without them, none of this would be
possible. Anyone else? Councilman Garcia. Council just quickly uh thank you through the chair. Uh, amazing report. Um, I just want to say that uh, you know, the difference in salaries between men and women kind of shocked me and I
know the town is is currently going through making sure that our our uh, employees are being paid at market rate and I would just, you know, just add to that if the the manager can make sure that, you know, males and females in our town are being, you know, the being paid
equally. And I know we we we strive to do that, but just just to make sure we're we're at that level that we, you know, equal pay for for equal work. So, thank you for bringing that up. Uh, and it was a wonderful presentation. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Guad Garcia, do you want to add anything? I can't add any more than what they said. You've
you've impressed me with that with that memory of yours. Thank you. I try I always try and memorize my speeches. Keep up that good work. Thank you. Thank you. All righty. Well, thank you so much and uh I know that I will be in touch with you soon to uh actually make some of these partnerships happen. So, thank you for taking the time to come all the
way up here. Thank you. You have my number. I'll be texting you. Well, thank you all. Uh, with that, we're going to turn turn it over to Mr. Bettinor from CITT uh to go ahead for his presentation. Thank you. Prepare to be much less impressed.
That's a hard act to follow and I will not be doing it from memory. I apologize. Um, good evening. I think at this point, um, Mr. Mayor, uh, council members, Mr. manager and team. Again, Javier Bettton Court, executive director of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust. With me today, we
have one of our board members in uh the District 13 appointment uh to our board, uh David Marin. How did that happen? I'm just kidding. A schizophrenic town resident, representative of the commissioner, and also board member of
CITT. He wears three very important hats. Also with me today is Mariana Price. He's our municipal program manager and is the person that really works the most closely with your amazing team here at the city on your use of the half penny fund. So that includes and I forgot to put my glasses on. Uh let's
see. So quick shout out to Susanna Alonso, Olivia Shock, Justin Teeria Teeria and K Grant all of whom work very closely with our office and do magnificent work by the way. So thank you for having me on your agenda. Um I am really happy to be here because I am
a Laker for life. I uh was born and raised in this community, lived off of Lake George Court and Loch Ness um Drive and uh went to Miami Lakes Elementary Middle and HML class of 95 30-year reunion. Go Trojans. Um so really this is a special treat for me. So thank you.
Um so let's see. I do have a PowerPoint and it's up. So, a little over 20 years ago, um many of you weren't of age to vote, but if if uh your parents voted, they saw this on their ballot, and it was a question posed to the voters on whether they would increase their half
penny sales tax. I'm sorry, increase their sales tax by a half penny um from 6 and a half to 7% with that half penny being dedicated to a series of transportation projects, programs, and services under the banner of people's transportation plan, PTP. So, uh, that,
um, item passed. What you probably can't read because it's in small print is at the end of that referendum language, it also created the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust to be a watchdog over the funds and to make sure that the promises that were made to the people were implemented. It's important to note
uh, that we are not Miami Day Transit or Public Works. We are not FDOT. We're not even the TPO. We're strictly focused on being a watchdog over the funds and making sure that the the citizens get what they paid for. Um so our mission to
be a little more precise is to oversee, investigate, review, audit the use of Certex proceeds and the implementation of the people's transportation plan. Um we are governed by a 15 member board of volunteers. You just met one. Um, but we also have appointees from the other 12
county commissioners, the mayor and the league of cities. Uh, they are supported by me and my team. Um, and by the way, we do have several vacancies on the trust. Not in this district in particular, but if anyone is ever interested in applying to be a member, we will accept applications and keep
them on file for when a vacancy does occur. You can't be an elected official. You can't be running for office. You can't have a financial conflict of interest with the county. And if you are a commission appointee, you have to live in that district. So, please apply. Uh
you can find us at miday.govcit. As I said, me and my team support the volunteer work of the board. We won't go into this. Um one of our primary functions is to audit the county and the cities on their use of funds to ensure that you are spending your money um
appropriately and on eligible uses. So, we're, by the way, I don't think we've ever had a problem with the town of Miami Lakes. Um, you use your your money well. Um, but you know, we try to audit the cities on a irregular basis every 3 to 5 years. Not sure where we are with
Miami Lakes, but Mariana will talk about that in a second. So, enough about us. Let's talk about the money. A half penny may not seem like a lot, but it adds up uh to the tune of now over five billion since its inception. And we're collecting roughly $400 million a year
in this little half penny sales tax. Twothirds of that does go to Miami date transit. Um a little less than 10% goes to the public works side of their shop for roadway type of projects. 20% from the very beginning has been distributed to the municipalities. 33 of our 34
municipalities participate. Uh Indian Creek Village doesn't feel like they need our money. That's fine. More for the rest of you. Um but that gets distributed to the cities on a PR rata basis. So by population, big cities like Miami get the bulk of the funds. Smaller cities get less. You have to then use
20% I should say a minimum of 20% of what you get as a city on transit. you can use upwards of 80% on other transportation improvements, roadway, bike ped. Um over time, many cities are now using a larger and larger percentage towards transit because that's what the
people seem to be demanding. Before you continue for the PTP80 then uh that 80% a it's for roadway projects are are drain is redoing the drainage on some of those roadways would that be a permissible use of the funds or no? It
it it depends. Um, if if there's a larger roadway project and drainage is a part of it, it can be. If it's strictly a drainage project, it may not be. No, no, of course. Yeah, that's how I meant it. In terms of it was part of a larger drainage project, pardon me, a larger roadway project. Uh, I believe it is. Um, there are a lot of gray areas in
this. We always seek our county attorney's opinions before we answer matterof factly. But it would and and again, I just want to clarify that it would be incidental to the road project, not that it would be the focus of the project, but Okay. Yeah. Just wanted to I believe it is in that case. All right. Thank you. But take that with a grain of
salt, please. Um, so over time, again, this is what's been collected. The only two dips in that sales tax, incidentally, have been during the Great Recession. No surprise there. And more recently, during the Great Pandemic. Um, every other year, by and large, the sales tax has gone up. We certainly hope
that continues. That benefits all of us. Uh, we'll skip this. Okay. Okay, so if you're really into the numbers, if you kind of want to geek out on this stuff, we have a 40-year performer that shows every penny going in, every penny going out over 40 years. It's on our website. I won't get into it in detail. Okay, so
enough about the money. Now, let's talk about what people really care about is where's the money gone? So, a lot of promises were made 20 plus years ago. Um, as it turns out, too many promises for what that half penny could deliver. But what people tend to remember is that we were going to expand Metro Rail to practically every corner of the county,
right? But there were many other promises uh above and beyond that. Bus service improvements, smaller neighborhood improvements like you know simple um intersection enhancements, uh fair free metro mover in downtown, fair free golden passport. So that's for all
seniors regardless of income. They get fair free transit uh as I said earlier 20% to the municipalities from the outset. And the part that people seem to forget is over 40 uh specific major highway and roadway improvements. Right? So, those were the promises and how's
the county and the municipalities for that matter, how have they done? Well, the municipal program has been fantastic. I think the cities um have really done a great job with their share of the funds. As I said, every city at this point uh provides some kind of transit service. They all started off
with those what we call trolleys or shuttles or circulators that are fixed route. As technology has evolved, many cities including the town of Miami Lakes um has introduced on demand service. many through a vendor called Freeb like you do here. And now we're even tracking
micromobility things like electric scooters and and and ebikes. Um so just to talk about what the town itself is doing with their share of funds is Mariana Price who will cover this next slide. Thank you Javier. Good evening. Mariana Price, municipal program
manager. It's a pleasure to be here with you all. So um about the town of Miami Lakes are uh my leaison here Olivia and Susana and now um Justin and Kay they've always been very good um liaison and
supporters of sub submitting compliance documents on time early ton of Miami lakes has never caused me any heartburn. I'm always uh very confident and um I've actually turned to them many times to give presentations because they're both really good presenters uh Olivia and
Susanna. So, um, let's talk a little bit about the writership. Ton of Miami Lake switched from a fixed route circulator to an ondemand circulator a few years back, as you know. Um, I'm I kind of missed the the mover that you guys used to have. It was kind of cute,
but um, but yes, so now you're you've moved on to the freebie and writership. Uh, last year was 33,300 basically. Um, as of quarters one and two this fiscal year, it's 15,000 almost 16,000. Um, and in terms of sir tax
funds received, you received 1.9 million last year but you spent 2.9. So you guys go above and beyond. You have a lot of credits in terms of you know uh sir tax funds that you've spent and you spend them well. So thank you. Thank you and of course keep up the
great work. Um I'm going to plug along here. So most of the roadway projects that were promised were delivered by the county and as they those finish we're really trying to focus on transit moving forward at the county uh which is the the county's greatest need and where we're furthest behind. But I do want to
point out one roadway related project that is countywide and probably does impact you here in Miami Lakes and that is the an investment in advanced traffic management system technology. That's it's a very fancy term for smart signals. Right. So, we have antiquated traffic signals throughout the county. They're on an oldfashioned timer.
They're not adapting to real-time uh traffic conditions. This investment in this hardware and the software and a traffic control center will allow for, you know, more real time um uh adaptation of those traffic signals to adjust for, you know, on the ground
conditions. Uh so that is being phased in. The county did have some trouble with their last vendor, so they've had to switch vendors. So that is a little behind. Uh but the focus really has been on transit services. Um we have replaced all the fleets. The cities of course are you know implementing trolleys and on
demand service. They did expand the metro rail to uh the airport. That is the one expansion of metro rail that's taken place and the only one. Um and then we've also invested in tri rail and bright line stations. And in the Bright Line stations it was with the hope um that hopefully will soon come to
fruition of a commuter rail line along those same tracks. something we'll talk about in a second. Enhanced bus fleet. The reality is um sorry um the we never really uh expanded the bus system significantly. However, the county has gone back and improved it, streamlined
it through something called the better bus network. That has impacted practically every municipality. Not everyone loved the changes that were made. So, if if you have had his issues with the bus routes in your community, I know DTPW is open to feedback and
amending some of the changes they made um that maybe didn't work out as well as they had hoped, right? So, hopefully you're in constant contact with them about those issues. Uh Metro Rail Station, again, this service has been in place for some time, not as well utilized as I think people hope, but
that is in part because it's not well promoted. Um, you know, the county is severely underfunded and so the first thing they do is cut marketing and cut promotion, focus on core services. As a result, I don't think we get as much usage of that as as we should. However, many of the other quarters that were
promised never came to fruition. But the county and ourselves have not given up. So, enter something called the smart plan now. Strategic Miami area rapid transit plan. So, this is now the plan to finally deliver on those rapid transit expansions throughout the county. And I'll go through them. Uh
very quickly, you have the south corridor, beach corridor, east west corridor, Kendall corridor, northeast corridor, and north corridor. We'll start with the south because this one actually um is very exciting because it's about to open late summer, early fall. This is going to be gold standard
bus rapid transit or BRT along South Dixie Highway from Dayland South to Florida City. So, um, this is going to be the first rapid transit expansion since the Metro Rail expansion to the airport. And we're all very excited about this. It is a bus, but it's a bus that's going to act very much like a
train. Level boarding, beautiful stations that are actually airond conditioned, if you could believe that. Uh, prepaid fairs, and they won't have to stop at intersections. They're going to have traffic preeemption, and of course, they're in a dedicated lane, so they won't be stuck in traffic. The beach corridor, you may have heard in
the past as Bayink. This is a proposed metro mover extension from downtown to Miami Beach and then another extension uh from the mainland up to the design district. This is still in planning, design, and engineering. Uh the east west corridor, as we know, many people live west and travel east to go to work.
Anyone who's ever been on the Dolphin Expressway can testify to the traffic congestion there. We desperately need transit connecting west to east. Um this was proposed to be BRT on the A36 itself. The county has since taken a step back and is examining other
alternatives, whether that's using the current CSX rail lines or perhaps running Metro Mover on Flaggler Street. The Kendall corridor, uh, another community that desperately needs some kind of traffic relief. Um, this was also slated to be bus rapid transit.
This has been kind of set to the side and that is because they can't take a lane of traffic. It's bad enough as it is and there really aren't a lot of great solutions if you can't do that. So while FOT studies some other things, they've kind of set this aside for now. Uh northeast corridor. So this is the
next one that is most likely to happen after the south corridor. The tracks are already there. The idea is to take the Bright Line tracks and the existing stations, add an additional three to five stations in between Aventura and downtown Miami, and then run a complimentary commuter rail line,
something more like Tri Rail than Bright Line, which is affordable and which stops at those many stations. So the good news is all the fi funding has kind of been aligned. The state, the federal government, and and locally at the CIT have all agreed to help fund this.
They're just negotiating with all the different parties. The north quarter, this has been a long promised extension of Metro Rail uh from the MLK station up 27th Avenue to the Broward County line. This is probably the one that comes closest to your community. Unfortunately, it's probably
the one that's going to be the most difficult to achieve because they have selected Metro Rail. Metro Rail is really expensive uh and takes a long time to build and and frankly the funding isn't there today to make that happen. This is going to require a very large share of federal funding and they
simply haven't committed to that and I don't know that they will anytime soon. So stay tuned on the north corridor. We've also invested in several parking ride facilities throughout the county. Won't go into that. This I put up just to make you hungry because I know it's late at night and no one's eating. Um, but really at the end of the day, the
the old uh methodology of funding transit doesn't work anymore. It's not enough to have federal and state government uh grants. We need to look at multiple layers of funding to make these things a reality. Um whether it's public private partnerships or tax increment
finance districts or special assessments or tolls, the county is look exploring all these different opportunities. Finally, additional areas of focus for ours. Uh, first last mile is really important. It doesn't matter what you build in terms of rapid transit. If people can't get to the station or from
the station to where they're going easily, they're not going to use it. Improving the customer experience, equally important. People aren't going to use it if it's not safe, if it's not reliable, if it doesn't perform well, if it's not clean. Uh, enhancing county municipal connectivity. We don't have one transit system in Miami. We have 37.
We have Miami Day Transit, we have Tri Rail, we have Bright Line, and we have 34 cities all doing your own individual things. That doesn't work for the end user. We have to connect those things better. And finally, community engagement. The reason I'm here today and I've now presented to most of the cities in the county is I believe that
people deserve to know what's happening with their tax dollars, right? There's a lot of misinformation out there. So, we're constantly doing this. Um, I launched a podcast uh a couple years ago um where we talk about mobility and transportation. and I have a couple of amazing guests in the mayor and the manager who are slated to be on the
program on July 24th. So, make sure you stay tuned for that. That podcast is on every other Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30. Um, and again, it's just about getting information uh out to the public. And finally, the CITT Ambassador Program. We actually enlist writers of the systems,
but the county systems and the municipal systems to volunteer to be our ambassador and be our eyes and ears. They get access to an app. Every time they submit feedback or an observation, they get points for doing that and they can exchange those points for mobility rewards. Free Uber, free Lift, free
transit passes. So, really popular program. We're up to 200 ambassadors. We'd like to get to 300. We would love people who use the city system to become ambassadors. So, please help us spread the word. Um, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. I know you have uh a lot more to go and are probably
getting hungry for lasagna. though with thank you for for uh the presentation. Any comments, questions? Council member recognized with regards to the automated uh traffic signals. Yeah, Miami Lakes, we we have one main artery that goes from east to west, Miami D. And there
are times where this calibration of the lights on Miami Dicks Drive are get out of sync and that can cause headaches for for you know our residents. What can we do for when occurrences like that happen to expedite the process to get them
synced back up to the way that they need to be to facilitate traffic for our residents? First of all, these investments are going to help, right? The new hardware, the software, the traffic control center. There are people who will be manning, you know, cameras or this room looking at cameras where these issues take place and being able
to adjust, you know, immediately and and address that problem immediately. in the interim while we wait for those uh new systems to be put in place. I would just say there are people at DTPW that manage uh these uh traffic signals and just having a direct line of communication with them so that you can communicate
with them the second somebody, you know, sees that or experiences that and they can resolve it immediately cuz they can't always tell until they hear from someone, right? It's and I don't know if your team already has that uh connection to to those folks. If not, we can
certainly help to uh make an introduction to KPTW. Yes, we established it because they kept coming into our town and making changes without even notifying us or consulting us. And we had a a big Zoom meeting with uh uh
Chief Jimmy Morales with the director of TPW. Yeah. Even the mayor was was involved. So, and we finally got that straightened out that they committed to not making unilateral changes to our synchronization of traffic signals
without consulting us because like the council member says, we only have one route, east to west. So, we're completely landlocked by expressways and uh that thing messes up because sometimes they start feeding and allowing cars off the palmetto to have
preference and then our cars are bumper to bumper on uh the ground street. So, I understand. We experienced it coming here today. So, we know. And then with regards to that program, is there a a projected date as to when the implementation is going to start taking place? And is there a how is the
priority of which streets are going to be the ones first implemented with those with those? I'm not that knowledgeable about it. So, I will we'll ask uh the department and and get you that information. Okay. So, timeline and prioritization. Yes. We we'll get that to and hopefully Miami Lakes is number
one on their priority list. out of my control. May maybe uh commissioner's office can help with that. All right. Uh Councilman Garcia and then Councilman Fernandez. Thank you. Thank you, dire. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, director, for making the presentation very informative. Um yeah, absolutely.
What what Councilman Sanchez was saying, 154th has been our biggest headaches for years. So, anything you can do to help us out in that, get us on that priority list. Maybe a pilot program, use us as a pilot program, right, to get that going. there there was a pilot program that showed a lot of success um early on that
was I guess phase one um that's now they've gone to a different vendor and are focused on the remaining phases I I will tell you this one argument you can make as the town of Miami Lakes is if you noticed on that rapid transit map you're not on it um many parts of the
county are getting rapid transit and and you're not and so maybe as that could be something you could use said listen if we're not getting rapid transit put us higher on the list for these traffic signal improvements Just a thought. That's great. That's wonderful. Also, uh just to dubtail what you're saying about
freebie, uh a lot of our neighborhood municipalities use freebie as well. Um is there any way to coordinate with them to make the freebie you know make sure that we have our level of service m main high but also increase the area where a
freebie can go from Haley to Miami to Halia Halia gardens things like that without uh uh you know lowering our our you know the service levels. Excellent question. Uh number one of the roles we provide is in getting the municipalities together to talk to each other. We have quarterly meetings with all the cities.
your your team participates and we encourage precisely that collaboration uh crossjurisdictional service. So I can tell you for instance Haley and Hay Lea Gardens run a service together. So does Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens. We'd like to see more municipalities do that because at the end of the day your
residents are just trying to get from one place to another. They don't care who's running what service and it's hard for them to do it if you're not crossing each other's boundaries. So we certainly encourage you to reach out to your adjacent municipalities and find ways to partner. Um the current county
ordinances allows those on demand services to go for 5 miles. It doesn't say it has to be within your boundaries. You know, it really doesn't matter. So, in many cases, many cities are running their services, whether it be the trolley or their on demand, outside of their boundaries to connect to their neighbors. Uh and again, we encourage
it. We do have a study right now that we are u we commissioned that's looking at transportation management associations. These are nonprofits that can be formed in specific geographic areas that pull in not only their public sector providers but also private sector and nonprofit players. Everybody, you know,
puts a little skin in the game and you actually, you know, are able to coordinate and maybe even fund services collectively. So, we may be running a pilot uh down in South Miami and Coral Gables around that concept. And if you're interested, we would certainly love to talk to you about how you might
also, you know, form a TMA here um that we could also invest in. So, thank you so much. Stay tuned for that. The study hasn't been finalized, but it will be soon. Councilman Fernandez, I'll be real brief. Thank you. Um, great presentation. I think you sold yourself
short. It was actually a great presentation. Thank you. Um, so I learned recently that the funds that actually um we we run our freebie service is from the CIT. I I didn't know that and I I was able to sit down with
our transportation group uh Susana and Justin and the only thing that I think we're going to go out re hopefully soon for an RFP because I think that there's now some competition in that market where before it was just freebie uh really and now you know there's other other players that are in the game. Um,
I do think that our and she Susanna was was gracious enough to do the math and I think that it was the per cost the cost per ride was a little bit higher than what I would like to see and I think she also shared that sentiment. So I hope
that we can save the town money and the county money if we can get it lower and just be able to save us money. So the other study that we commissioned that is being finalized as we speak is we did a municipal contracting study and we looked at every single municipal
contract for all of our cities for both on uh fixed route and on demand service and that's information that we provide to the city so you could see what your fellow municipalities are doing, what they're being charged, you know, is there a better deal out there. So it's all a matter of sharing with you the
best practices so that you could potentially bring your cost down or your service up. So, we'll be releasing that uh shortly. I think we even included this time um a boilerplate contract uh language that kind of pulls together all the best practices. So, you know, that
that would be a great resource for your town. Anyone else? Okay. Well, Director Bettton Court, thank you very much for visiting us. Welcome back home and thank you for being here. Um, and I'm sure we'll be in touch with some more uh items. Actually, a again with the again
maybe this is a better question for the TPO, but uh it is my understanding and and David maybe you can also speak uh to this that uh there was a study recently approved by the TPO with respect to connectivity to I75 on the west side. Do you know anything about that? I do not.
I apologize. That's okay. Well, I just wanted to ask, right? You never know until you ask. But thank you so much. All right. My pleasure. Michael, thank you so much for being here. All right. Go Trojans. Yes. All right. Council, we're now on the consent calendar. Uh uh well, actually, wait, before we take up the consent
calendar, uh 12C, which was pulled by the vice mayor. Therefore, Mr. Vice Mayor, you are recognized. Yes. So, uh the during my agenda briefing, the manager did inform me that this is an item that was already raised to us last month. Uh it was already approved.
However, in the reason it's in front of us again is because the number was off. Uh last month it showed it as 210,000. This month it shows it as 225. I only wanted before we approved it for it to
be very crystal clear that we are not approving 210 and uh 225 but rather that this resolution is a replacement for the one that was adopted last month. Other than that, I move the item. I'll second it. All those in favor say I. I. All
oppose? No. The eyes have it. Is there a motion on the consent calendar? I move the consent calendar. It is moved. Is there a second? Second. Second. Excellent. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion on the consent calendar? No. Seeing none. Uh all those uh uh all those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No.
The eyes have it and the consent calendar is passed. So now that brings us to uh ordinances on first reading 13A parking requirements. Mr. Attorney, please read the ordinance into the record. An ordinance of the town council of town Miami Lakes, Florida, relating to parking regulations, amending chapter
13, land development code at article 8, parking requirements, providing for findings of fact, intent and purpose, providing for regulations, providing for repeal of laws and conflict, providing for severability, providing for inclusion into the code, and providing for an effective date.
Thank you very much. Uh, with that, I'm going to turn it over to staff to go ahead and introduce the item. Again, this is 13A, parking requirements. Um, good evening. Um, I want to remind you all this is coming from a new business item that happened a few
two months ago, three months ago, where we uh decided to start looking into EV vehicle requirements that were now looser than our requirements were now looser than the county requirements. And also we wanted to look into whether our in a separate business item uh that
wanted to discuss whether our um uh requirements for uh people with strollers and ch small children were also looser than the county requirements. The requirements for children in strollers was about the same as the counties, but I did amend it.
We're proposing to amend the language to make it exactly consistent with the county. The EV requirement was slightly below. So I'm uh the language that you have in front of you is exactly matching the counties. If you would like to make it more strict, so to require additional
EV vehicles, this is a time to let me know. Uh for now, what is presented in front of you right now is exactly to match the counties. Turning it over to the council. Uh anyone want to take the the stab at making a motion as to this item? I'll make a motion. I I'll move the item.
Okay. It's been moved by the vice mayor. Is there a second? I'll second. Seconded by Councilman Sanchez. Uh let's begin discussion with the vice mayor if he has any. Sure. Ju just to understand then. So this adopts uh new requirements for EVs
which are reflected already in the county's uh code and it just applies it to to the town. However, is this only for new development, new construction? Like would an existing business need to now suddenly
separate additional parking spots for EVs. No, not if they're not coming in to Not if they're not coming in to redo their parking area. Got it. If they're coming in for a brand new parking area, if they're putting in a new business, new building, um any in any other way, getting a permit of 50% or more, which
requires new compliance with the code at that at that time, we would consider that's what I wanted to just Thank you, Councilman Sanchez. And to go off what uh Vice Mayor Moretta just said, the Grams are developing the new shopping center back here on 60th and Miami Drive. Obviously, they already have
their permits and all that, but their parking is still not set. Would they have to follow this or are they already they have already been approved for um their site plan approval is already gone through. They're working on permits. So, at this time, we would have to honor their site plan approval as it was. And
again, realize that he's talking about the the one back here where Anacopa used to be, right? Yes, that's the one I'm talking about by the police station. Yeah, they they're already working on on building so they wouldn't be affected by this. So, and remember that these the thresholds that you have in front of you are actually uh there's thresholds. So,
from zero to and I forget do you have it in front of you? But the they I think they don't meet the lowest threshold for that one anyway. Okay. Okay. And again, this is the part where we were discussing that if you want to make it more more additional requirements, then
you know. Okay. All right. I'm good. All right. Uh, any other council members wishing to speak on this item? Through the chair. Councilman Garcia. Thank you, S. Susanna. Thank you for bringing this up. I know I brought this up uh a couple months ago uh to to look at this as far
as for EV parking. What are your thoughts as far as you said we can go more or less? I mean, the county, what do you feel about the county's uh what the county has in their ordinance and what you feel about that compared to um
you know, if it's too strict, not strict enough. What would you like to see as far as a town when it comes to this ordinance and EV parking? This is one of those things that is right now emerging. Uh do we really know how much in the next 5 to 10 years there's going to be
adoption of this kind of technology more widely spread? We don't really know. This is one of those things that we can touch up as we see more general more general adoption of the of the technology. Uh for now, you know, I would be satisfied that we have a little
bit, right? That we're at least providing a little bit. Uh we're not at zero. We do have some charging stations. I would like to see some more uh rapid charging in the town, but you know that you can't really require anyway because
those are very expensive. So um but for for now it seems to me like this is at least a good beginning. Do we, you know, if if we want to have more because we see large adoption in the town and that these this units that we're having are
getting, you know, backed up and they're not having accessibility because they're not they're being overused, then definitely we would want to revisit and obviously we could just do that. Okay. Thank you so much. Any other members of the council wishing
to speak on this item? Just a point of clarification. All right, Mr. Vice Mayor, the proposed ordinance under ex um exhibit A mentions that each parking space shall be a minimum of 8 and a half
by 18 ft uh with certain exceptions, but is how is that in relation to the county? Is the county the same exact number? Is the county smaller? It is the same. The only difference between the county and the town and and again that
is not being changed at this point. That is exactly what it is today. The only difference between the county and the town is that we always require um double striping on all areas that are for um 90. No, not for just handicap for
anywhere right. Yes. At 90 degrees and and we always require double striping which means that you can sort of narrow into your spot and leave better room for uh door openings and stuff in all areas that are for uh customers andor employees. So the only places that we
don't require them is in extreme in strictly park private parking areas and then you can have uh the county allows just single strip being in in uh customer areas and the space size is the exact same
thing. It just feels a little different because that double stripe kind of makes you you know tighten up a little. So would would the 8 and 1/2 ft of width be measured from the inside lines of each stall or from the middle? Center from the center of the double lines. So the
width of the space is identical. So if we're allowed to be more restrictive, right, than than the than the county, we're allowed to say 9 and a half by 18. We could. Yes. Right. We could. Okay, that's good to know. Yes, I can't remember it's first reading but
Councilman Sanchez just if you know off the top of your mind and if not it's okay the shopping center where Windixie Outback those those merchants are you know where I'm coming any idea how wide they
uh those are many of them very very small I am waiting with baited breath for them to come in for a restriping because that's yeah But any idea how wide those are right now? I haven't measured them, but just how just seeing,
you know, you're just eyeballing how vehicles fit in those spaces. It's they're all and and there was times where the eight 8 ft were allowed and there was times where seven and a half were allowed for parking spaces. And then we had this whole fashion for a
minute of compact spaces which were then neatly marked. And then all of a sudden all those markings went away and now they're just very narrow spaces where you get dinged and that's you know things that happen through time, right? And and we end up with So yes, I'm
waiting for that parking lot to come through. When you say restriping when they lay new asphalt or new paint and then they have to draw the lines again. Is that what restriping means? Yes. And that that restriping would have to be done with double stripes and with the 8 1/2 by 18 or the dimensions shown in the
drawings. Correct. Okay. Okay. Okay. With that, Madame Clerk, please call the role. Item 13A. Council member Hzburg. Yes. Council member Sanchez. Yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia. Yes. Council
member Fernandez. Yes. Council member Garcia. Yes. Vice Mayor Mora. Yes. Mayor Diegas. Yes. Item 13A passes. Ordinance in first reading. Excellent. Mr. Attorney, please read the next ordinance.
Man, the manager and I were engaging in very important conversation. Snitches get stitches. Remember? Exactly. Budget amendment. An ordinance of the town council of the town of Miami Lakes, Florida, amending the adopted budget for uh fiscal year 202425, providing for the re recognition and
appropriation of grant funds awarded to the town for capital improvement and one-time operating expenditures, providing for incorporation of recitals, providing for severability, providing for an effective date. I move the item. Is there a second? Second. Second. Any discussion on this
item? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role. Ordinance in first reading item 13B. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council member Hsburg, yes. Council member Garcia, yes. Council member Sanchez,
yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Vice Mayor Mora, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. Ordinance and first reading, item 13B passes. Excellent. Uh, take up the the last uh uh ordinance on first reading, Mr. Attorney. An ordinance of the town of Miami Lakes, Florida, pertaining to public camping or sleeping in the town
of Miami Lakes, Florida, amending chapter 17, offenses and miscellaneous provisions, creating se section 17-4 of chapter 17 titled public camping and sleeping. Providing for inclusion into the code, providing the scope and applicability, providing a definition of
public camping or sleeping, providing public camping or sleeping. providing for notices of violations, providing for enforcement and penalties, providing for ordinances and conflict severability, codification, and providing for an effective date. I'll move the item. It's been moved. Is
there a second? Sec. No, I'll second. Sorry. I'll second. I have a I I I I love the the efficiency. Uh you have a brief uh point of uh Okay. Uh with that, then I will recognize the vice mayor for his remarks and and I just don't know if
it's proper proper form. Uh the there's no ordinance. It goes straight to the attachment. Is that okay for first? Well, I believe there is. At least not in my opinion. It's exhibit A. Yeah, but exhibit A is just already going directly into the proposed
language. There's no uh Mr. Vice Mayor, if you continue I I it was I don't know why they pageantated it that way, but if you continue on page order. Okay, never mind. Thank you. That's why I clarify. Got it. And again, remember that this is an ordinance in first reading, so it's coming back to us. So, are any other
comments uh or rather any other discussion on this item? Councilman Hersburg, I'll just say I'm going to vote yes, but I'll meet with the town attorney. I have a lot of questions about this, but I'll vote yes to move it. Sounds good. Councilman Sanchez, how does this differ from what the Fernandez family spoke about earlier about not
arresting them and, you know, and having them go to TGK and all So the way that the Florida statute last year uh was amended and it basically said that if a municipality allows for overnight camping, in other words, overnight
camping is someone who doesn't have a home and sleeping on town property, uh we are then being considered a sanctuary or fall into being a sanctuary type city. Uh and that would open us up for a third party to be able to follow suit against us. So something we have to be
very careful about. Okay. And they don't even have to be a third party that's in the town. Correct. So, you know, Yeah. So, this is, you know, protecting the town's interest, uh, you know, both in terms of quality of life, but also from, you know, frivolous, uh, and needless lawsuits. And the Major Gonzalez's
troops, they already do a lot of the things that she was talking about. They already go above and beyond and try and provide them uh, other services and try and get them help. Who they do all of that. They've been doing that for a very long time. Any other discussion on this item? Again, ordinance on first reading.
All right, madame clerk, please call the role. Item 13 C, ordinance in first reading. Council member Sanchez, yes. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council member Garcia, yes. Council member
Hzburg, yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Vice Mayor Moretta, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. The ordinance in first reading item 13B passes. Excellent. We are now in 14A uh uh modifying land development code to
include RM30 district. Um and with that, this is a quasi judicial public hearing. Mr. Attorney, you are recognized to go ahead and and read into the record your required statement. Please be advised that the following items on the board's agenda are quasi judicial in nature. An opportunity for persons to speak on each
item will be made available after the applicant and staff have made their presentations on each item. All testimony, including public testimony and evidence, will be made under oath or affirmation. Additionally, each person who gives testimony may be subject to cross-examination. If you do not wish to
be either cross-examined or sworn, your testimony will be given its due weight. The general public will not be permitted to cross-examine witnesses, but the public may request the board to ask questions of staff or witnesses on their behalf. Persons representing organizations must present evidence of
their authority to speak for the organization. Any person uh presenting documents to the board should provide the town clerk with a minimum of 10 copies. Further details of the quasi judicial nature may be or obtained from the clerk. Now, uh, the item is an
ordinance of the town of Miami Lakes, Florida, amending article 4, creating new division 6, RM30, medium lowdensity residential district, renumbering existing divisions 6 through 26 to divisions 7 through 27, providing for
incorporation of versatile, providing for findings, providing for direction to the administrative official, providing for repeal of laws and conflict, providing for severability, providing for inclusion of some portions in code, providing for inclusion of some portions from code, code and providing for an
effective date. Mayor, we're now prepared for staff to present the item. Yeah, there there isn't much of a presentation other it's just this designation is not being applied to any properties at this time. I want everybody to be clear. All it is
is incorporating into the our code another option which will be uh somewhere between RM23 and RM36 uh limits it to five stories and other uh setback requirements and so forth,
but it's to put it in the middle somewhere in the middle of our designation so it could be available for uh any reasonzonings in the future. Will you accept that as a staff presentation or is there more that you want to add? Beautiful. Okay. Okay. Uh with that, uh are there any questions
of staff on um what was proposed? Mayor, I do want to state for the record that the elected officials have provided me earlier tonight their um exarty communications forms. So, just wanted to bring that and state. Excellent. So, uh
we've seen no questions of staff. Um I'm opening it up now to the public. Are there any members of the public wishing to provide testimony as to this item? Madame clerk, are there any is there anyone on in remote public comments? No one. No participant online. Okay. With
that, public comments is now closed. Move the item. The item has been moved. Is there a second? Second. Okay. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Yes. Councilman Cuadra Garcia. Um, my question is, does this have anything to do with what we spoke last time about
that neighborhood that's close to here? No. Uh, no. that that that is coming up at a future uh uh meeting. It is not related to the area behind Lakes Radiology. Done deal. Thank you. Okay. Uh again, as the manager explained, this is simply creating a new district. It is
not being applied in any particular area at this time. All right. With that, uh all uh Madam Clerk, please call the role. Yes. Ordinance in second reading, item 14A. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council member Garcia, yes. Council
member Sanchez, yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Council member Hzburg, yes. Vice Mayor Mora, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. The ordinance in second reading item 14A passes. Excellent. Um, Mr. Attorney, please take
up uh 14B, which is not uh well uh not adveral uh special assessments rates for security guard and lake maintenance special taxing districts. Please read uh the rest of the ordinance. Your microphone is off, sir. An ordinance to the town council of the town of Miami Lakes, Florida, approving,
adopting a non-advelorum assessment role for special taxing districts, approving, adopting, and ratifying special assessment district rates for special taxing districts, including but not limited to security guard and multi-purpose maintenance, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date.
Okay. Uh with that, uh is there a motion on this just to get us into discussion? a motion. All right. It's been moved by Councilman Sanchez, seconded by the vice mayor. Uh let's begin with Councilman Sanchez. Um in discussion, and then to the vice mayor. I remember when we
brought this up um at the last meeting for the um Guardgate districts that are going to be having increases. Just to clarify, the this is approving a increase until a proposal is put out to
receive new quotes that could possibly be lower than this renewal. Is that correct? These are the setting the maximum assessment for the individual districts for next fiscal year. Similar to the exercise you're going to take next month
of setting the cap on the millillage. This is setting the cap on the assessments for these districts for next fiscal year. Okay? Because one of the comments that I had made at the last meeting is that instead of increasing, we would look out we would seek other companies that can provide the same
service at the cost of what it currently is. Yeah. There's going to be when the near the when they these SFM contracts are getting close to expiration, right, Jeremy? We're g Yes. So the agreement that is currently in place that we just
took over now will cease in 2027. Well, we have renewals. We have two renewals. Yeah, right. But the renewals are at a higher cost. The renewals are at their current rate. They do have within the agreement an option to come back with a CPI max index increase request. Okay. So they can request it.
In the past the NSD advisory boards sometimes agreed, sometimes came a little lower than their request and sometimes denied the request. Okay. So for those, for example, Royal Oak section one, they're having a $97 increase from $756 to $850 per home.
Mhm. That is part of the CPI. That is part of the increase because their contract ended and they had to get onto a new contract. Right. But that's why I had brought up at the last meeting if we could seek other companies that will come in at the same rate. That way we don't increase the fees on our residents. We can go out and solicit there's going to be a gap there. Um and
odds are these are also pricings from 2022 which should yield a lower price than anything that even if we got uh pricing at today's date for. But we could look at it. That could be an option to explore while we have the op while we have the operation currently going on with the current contract. When
does the current contract end? Uh the exact date I don't have on me, but I know it's 2027 is it's a 2022 contract. So with this full 5year uh lapse of the entire contract term would take us to 27. Okay. But it doesn't does it end before the end of this fiscal year? It
the the contract is three years and then we can do two one year two one-year renewals. So, anywhere in there, we can elect to go back out to bid. So, at the end of the three-year mark, at the end of the four-year mark, and obviously at the end of the 5-year mark, but what I want to know is at the three-year
initial term, does it end before the end of the fiscal year? I'd have to take a look at the actual contract. I'm 99% sure it is not lined up with the fiscal year. So, it'll be mid year because I remember the last time that uh we had it and we had uh adjustments to make
because the contract uh came up in the middle of the fiscal year. Okay. Yeah. Okay. That was what I wanted to know. Thank you. Hi, Melissa. Just want to confirm just based on uh some whispers that I heard uh from some
residents the the amount for section one and and some of these where we went down from level two to level one security guards. I do see that there's a reduction of $35 give or take. Um I just
want to know that $35 that's the amount that it reduced from going from level two to level one. Did any amounts go up within the budget? So, none of the budgets went up. Um, I don't recall right off the top of my head right now which ones went down. I want to say it was one of the Royal Oaks ones, but the
savings of that what it was put it was into contingency. So in first reading the contingency on some of them may have been 5%. Um but now all of them are at 10% with the exception of Llman because Llman remained the same and Llman's was
at 8% contingency on first reading. So so whatever whatever savings there was after the 10% was met for contingency then the assessment weight the assessment rate was reduced. Got it. So So I wanted I'm sorry. So on
something like like section Miami Lake section one, it went down. Uh the total assessment went down by 35. It could have gone down more, but some was added to the contingency. So that one was at a 10% contingency on first reading. On
first reading, so it still remained at 10% on second reading. Whatever the reduction was from going from a level two to a level one, that savings was their assessment rate reduction. Got it. That's what I want to know. And then I believe it was the same for Royal Oaks section one.
Yeah, it was Royal Oak section one because then the reduction for Royal Oaks East I was able to then keep it flat where before it had an increase as well, I believe. Okay. And just so that I don't have to parse over this whole
thing, no line items other than potentially a contingency reserve line item here and there have gone up. No, no other adjustments were made. just the reduction of the assessment rate to those two districts and then the contingency reserve going to 10 with the exception of Llman being at 8. Thank
you. You're welcome. Any additional questions of staff? Yes. Councilman Herszburg, then Councilman Cuadra Garcia. Just so we're we're clear, we we discussed this. Right now, we're just sitting the maximum rate. We can come back and and adjust the budget because I I want to work with that contingency in the future, but right now it's just the
maximum rate and then we'll we can come and try to save some more money potentially. So as of now my understanding is that there is no um like minimum for the contingency. It can't exceed 10%. So I keep it at 10 and I don't go below five.
Okay. But that's something we can change next month to your your discretion. Got it. So I'll move this forward. Yeah. But that was the uh the coaso amendment to cap the total amount that could be kept in contingency just to prevent it from year-over-year rolling in there. Um Councilman Cuadra Garcia. Thank you, Mr.
Mayor. Uh just a recommendation. Um the levels of service, we've talked about it before. Um let's make sure that we have two years to actually go out and shop that we shop
for um for a new security uh service because uh a little confused there when it comes to this level one and level two. So, my recommendation is to uh let's start shopping for a a a serious
uh security uh guard service. Okay. Um thank you. Anything further? That's it. Thanks. Anything else from uh any more debate from Councilman Garcia, Councilman Fernandez, or Councilman Sanchez? No.
Okay. None from up here on the deis. Councilman Garcia, do you have anything? No, sir. Okay. Okay, with that, Madam Clerk, please call the role. Item 14B, ordinance in second reading. Council member Sanchez, yes. Council member
Garcia, yes. Council member Hzburg, yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Council member Fernandez, yes. Vice Mayor Mora, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. Ordinance in second reading. Item 14B
passes. Excellent. 14C, lobbyist ordinance, Mr. Attorney. An ordinance of the town of Miami Lakes, Florida, relating to lobbying activities, providing for registration and disclosure requirements for lobbyists, providing for penalties, providing for severability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date. I'll go ahead and move this for
myself. So, this was an initiative from uh at least two years back. So, um, again, just, uh, amending our our lobbyist code, you know, to be a bit more flexible on some things, but but still maintaining the same rigorous, uh, uh, ethics standards that we always hold
ourselves to. But with that, Mr. Attorney, um, why don't you give us a quick overview again just for the public, uh, of the big points in this, uh, ordinance, and then I'll go ahead and make the formal motion. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Lorenzo Kovia, deputy town attorney. uh mayor council uh the
item that you have before you is uh basically it it's a uh brush up on our lobbyist ordinance. Our lobbyist ordinance is uh dictated in large part by the Miami date county code of ethics uh of which uh all municipalities have to abide by. Uh that being said uh there
are some things that we do have control over. For instance, the fees working with the town clerk, uh we did take a look at the fees and what we are charging right now as far as registration and additional fees for each additional lobbyist and we cleaned that up a little bit and brought that up
um to today's standards. And also the other part is with regards to what are the conversations that can be had. Uh so for instance, if uh one of you is approached by someone, it's an initial conversation. Uh that is considered just an initial meeting, it's a meet, it's it's to find out information. Once that
person is bringing an item that they want to uh push forth uh before this council or they want to have an item that they want to uh try to convince some of our staff to to be able to purchase or to look into whether it's a product or service then that becomes a lobbyist and the person needs to register uh with the clerk. Uh but it
gives a little bit more clarity and flexibility both for staff and for the council. Thank you. With that I move the item second. It's been moved and seconded. Any debate? Any debate? Wait, I have one. Uh, Councilman Sanchez. Yes. So, if a vendor approaches one of us and says,
"I want to introduce this service to your municipality to to Miami Lakes." That is the initial meeting that they would be allowed to do. But the second that we turn around and say, "Mr. Peterman, can we get a meeting on the books?" They would have to be registered as the lobster. So, so that's an excellent question. If someone comes to
you and approaches you and says, "Hey, uh, Councilman Sanchez, I'd like to to introduce myself, introduce what I do." We take the meeting, listen to them, right? Meet and greet. Now, the person gets on the phone and tells you, "Hey, uh, Councilman Sanchez, I want to meet to you about a product that I want to, uh, present to the town council for its
consideration." At that point in time, they're already telling you what they're coming for. They're coming forward to lobby you. Uh, you need to direct them at that point to see the town clerk and have them register. Uh, but if they're coming just to introduce themselves, that's fine. If in that introduction and that conversation comes, hey, by the
way, I've got this product I think would be great for the town. That's where you tell them, listen, that's wonderful and I think that that would maybe be of great service. Let me put you in contact with the town clerk. Register first as a lobbyist and then we continue your conversation. Okay, good to know. All right, any other debate? Seeing none,
madame clerk, please call the role. Ordinance and second reading, item 14 C. Council member Hburg, yes. Council member Garcia, yes. Council member
Fernandez, yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Council member Sanchez, yes. Vice Mayor Mora, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. The ordinance in second reading, it 1014 C passes. All right. There are no
resolutions, so we are now going into new business. 16A, tree maintenance program by Councilman Sanchez. You are recognized to introduce your item. Thank you very much. So this program um late last year I was walking knocking on doors meeting constituents um over
several periods and some of the constituents approached me about trees and if I'm not mistaken a lot of the requests that we get through the town app are tree related. Um, some of our trees, they're they're they're big, they're beautiful, they, you know, they
they create our town environment, but they do have the the sometimes endangerment of property to to certain residents. So, right now, we have and we the town of Miami Lakes has a black olive tree replacement program where a
resident can request to have a black olive tree removed and replaced with an oak tree. that can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,100 and it has to be approved by the parks and recreation department. So, what I'm recommending is a similar program where a resident would
reach out to town and say, I would like for this tree where the branch is over the property line and could possibly be not with not close to to the roof of a house where a trimming would be needed at that time, but it could be hanging over a car where if that branch were to
fall, it could damage vehicles, increase insurance rates, and things of that nature. So the way that it's written right now, our residents cannot trim trees in the SUO because they belong to the town. This would give an a resident an opportunity to invite the town out, say, I am willing to pay to have this
removed as long as it's not detrimental to the life of the tree. What do I mean by that? If they take off a branch that is wide enough, heavy enough to unbalance a tree where it can be detrimental and not keep that tree in long-term standing, it wouldn't be done.
But if it is, if it's not detrimental, then the resident would pay to have that that limb cut off. So, this would give our residents an opportunity to to to have, you know, their their wishes of of tree trimming to their liking um available. That's it.
All right. Is there a second? I'll second it. All right. Move and seconded. Mr. Vice Mayor, you are recognized. So, I have one concern and one comment uh regarding the enforcement of this or or or the implementation, I think is the
better word. Um, as it as it currently stands, our town has one arborist. Go ahead. The town currently employs one arbor coordinator and then we have access to three different vendors all with licensed arborists. Got it. Um but again
if we were to dip into those three contractors it would be a higher expenditure for the town. Right. For inspections there's a standalone inspection fee plus whatever then the trimming fee would be that they charge. So we would have to incorporate that into our fee. the if the tree would
require report and review that it's not going to be detrimental, then yes, it would require both of those. My the the reason I bring that up is just my main concern would be as it stands right now, it takes a while for uh uh the the armor coordinator to get out and inspect these
things. This would, I feel, potentially overburden the the department. Is there any sort of concern on your side on that? it it can add to the inspection list just to confirm validity, make sure that it's something that meets whatever the program requirements can be. That that
that just because I mean the number of black olive trees being replaced is is one thing. The number of the sheer number of tree trimming requests that we get is is a huge number in comparison, right? Uh so so that is my main concern
of this just suddenly obviously it's going to have to come with that fee. So, that's going to drive some people, you know, back. But, but that would just be my concern and I just want to put that on the record. Uh, but I I think that the program is a great idea. Let me be very clear about that. I'm just expressing these concerns to air it out
and see if we can um figure out the best solution. Then the other thing is um in terms of the cutting off of limbs that are a certain size or whatever, I I recently uh learned about a part of our code called uh hat hatrackcking.
uh had no idea that that was a word. Absolutely not. No, no, no. But I learned about it uh through through assisting through through enga No, no, no. I learned about it through uh you know actually engaging in constituent services and and helping out a resident.
But um essentially it is defined as uh automatically uh cutting any limb of 3 in or larger. Yeah. So it can be by limb size, it can be by canopy, the total canopy um percentage that's removed. And also there are aesthetic ways that
people prune that are also not uh follow suit with best management practices. So lion tailing is one where you kind of thin it out until just one little peak up top. Um and then some of the other stuff is hatrackcking where you're just cutting the main leaders in half at in uh non-internoval. Uh, is this something
that could potentially be a fully online application that they don't even have to come in that they could submit a picture of their tree? Here's, you know, how far over I because again, I'm trying to make this as efficient as possible. And I
know uh, director Angel has done a phenomenal job of modernizing our our department. this is not really I think within his department but it's I feel like uh some of the knowledge that we've gained from what he's done over there can be applied over here to make it as efficient and smooth of a process as
possible and userfriendly to our residents. Other than that uh I I think it's a great item. Any further debate? Councilman Fernandez just my only concern is that of course anything that is done we it has the permission and the
and the the oversight of of the town. Yeah. So that that's it. As long as we adhere to that, I'm fine. Yeah. I I believe council member Sanchez's item is for our guys to do the inspection and the assessment of the tree. And it would also be under our tree trimmers would
actually do the work. It wouldn't be just go ahead and do the work. It's not a green light. It's ours to do the their trimming. Exactly. Yeah. Okay. The only only town staff would say yes, it's viable and they would go out and do the work through the chair. Um before we go
to you, Councilman Garcia, Councilman Quad Garcia did tell me earlier that he wanted to speak. So just to keep it in order. Uh but as soon as he finishes, we'll go to you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh actually uh Mr. Manager, you answered my question. So it was uh it was digested and answered. So
basically, that's that's a good one that our staff uh make sure that they uh they check it. that and I like um I like the um I like the the uh the item. Yeah. Thank you,
Councilman Garcia. Yeah. Just a quick question to Councilman Sanchez. Is this just for the Black olives or for all all towns? No, the only reference to the black olive is um I'm using it as a reference for the program that we currently have where residents can pay to have a black olive tree removed and
replaced with an with an with an oak tree or any other type of tree that we plant around town. But it's just as a point of reference. Doesn't matter if it's a black olive or an oak or any type of other tree that we have in Miami. That's great. Um I I like the program. I like your idea. The only concern that I
have would be and I guess since we we have our arborists making sure is uh making sure the balance of the tree. A lot of residents have complained to me if even one branch is past the sidewalk and trees need to be uh they need to be
balanced. Yeah. you know, so as long as our staff is making sure that the tree is balanced, the canopy is balanced, I I I will support the item. Thank you. Yeah, that's exactly why I listed that on there. Uh just that annotation that it cannot be detrimental to the life of the tree. All right, mayor. All right.
So, uh well, I I'll just close with um a I agree with the vice mayor. I I think this is a good um not a bad idea, but I agree with the vice mayor that, you know, we don't want to overwhelm not just the arborist, but also uh kind of like what happened on Queen Palm Terrace where too many trees got removed at the same time. Maybe we should include when
the when this comes back to us some kind of uh cap on how many applications can be received in a given year. um just again so that we don't you know uh completely get rid of the can or like cause damage to the canopy and then it takes years before it comes back in even
though it's a replacement you know but with that uh Mr. Manager. Yeah, I I think that did be valuable for Jeremy to kind of walk us Readers Digest version of exactly what we do today because we already kind of do some semblance of
this when we get requests in. So it'd be interesting for him to so everybody read Raiders Digest. Okay. So the the town has the cycle trimming that is pre-planned and gone for. Now as we get constituent requests, as we get resident uh concerns, we go ahead and inspect. We
then create these inspections are done. If there is validity, if there is a need where in which we have parameters, the tree is growing too much within the private property or affecting any private structure, we will go then and issue a out of cycle trimming. So if there is a resident that has a concern, the branch can't be low and being
hitting the vehicle. That area got done two years ago. It's not due for another year, but it meets the requirements, it will get added that same fiscal year for an out-ofcycle work order. Um, I believe this program aims to allow the resident to be able to do that no matter year 1, year two, year three. Request that
trimming and if it is not just for the requirements of 10 feet off a a roof or five feet off of the roof of a a vehicle, the tree can be considered for an out of cycle trim. That's my understanding. Okay. Yeah. All right. uh before I call the vote just uh I would
also suggest um or you know for purposes of the budget and I've already mentioned this to the manager before that we try either in this budget cycle or the next one to try to move to a two-year cycle instead of the current three just more more frequent uh trimming which might not actually take care of a lot of these uh
requests. I know it's a money issue but I think uh if we're seeing anything in the in the budget amendments these days it's that you know we if you know there is some money for that. Um, okay. With that, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. And, uh,
the motion is agreed to. And with that, we move on to 16B, future stormwater projects by Councilman Fernandez. You're recognized to introduce your your item. Thank you, mayor. I I'll try to be brief. Um, in Do or do not, there is no try. I I will I will be brief. Uh, last
storm water study we had was in 2019. Uh it was identified that $38 million worth of projects, drainage projects was needed. Um that said, we have actually already earmarked all that money and we
are we have $16 million unfunded. And please uh manager, if if I I'll ask if if if I say something that's not correct, please uh interrupt me and jump in. Um so ARPA money has been exhausted.
We are $16 million short for the projects that are identified that have been identified. $16 million is actually of 2021 money. So before precoid, which we all
know $16 million what could have we could have bought worth of projects then is not what we could buy now. And there is certainly maybe a need for more projects in the future. My request is that staff that we direct staff to come
up with a few different ideas, a few different um methods that we can raise funds because we are going to be short and the residents are absolutely they expect us to fund these drainage projects. That's in a nutshell what I'm
asking. Is there a second? Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. I. All oppose. No. The eyes have it. The motion carries. We're now on 16D. Um, yes. 16D by C Vice Mayor
Mora. Large bingo flashboard for single senior bingo lunchons. Yes. So, this item is very simple. Um, our seniors have a monthly bingo lunchon. Uh, this is a great time to bring this item up because they're currently on a little bit of a summer hiatus for for a couple of months. I think they come back
August. Um, one of the biggest complaints that I hear, and I go every month, I'm not going to lie. It is my favorite event of the month as an elected official. Way better than these council meetings. Uh, it is by far my favorite event. Um, the the the biggest
complaint I hear while I'm there is we have no idea what number just got called. Uh, or I missed a couple of calls and they have no way of verifying their numbers. Uh, I want to get a large bingo flashboard for them. Look, we we promised them a senior center. We
haven't gotten them a senior center. Um, you know, I we we'll we'll figure out the way of funding, but for now, my motion is simple. I'd like to ask our staff to come back to us with uh several options. You know, a you know, Honda
plan, a Lexus plan, and a Ferrari plan. Uh that is basically a just a simple TV with maybe like a software, uh maybe something a little bit bigger like a screen and a projector. uh or the actual flashboard which is the connected device
where when they put the the bingo number onto the the board in front of them it lights up a large board. Is there a second? Thank you. Is there any discussion? Oh boy. Councilman Quazro Garcia. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh let's look into
getting a sponsor. Let's get let's look let's look into getting uh I'm very serious. Okay. The Bible The Bible says what? Ask and you shall receive. Thank you. I think Never mind. Hey, uh, Councilman Garcia, I
think I saw you also about to speak. Okay. No, no, I'm good. I'm good. Got it. Uh, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The motion carries. And we are on 16e fence setback for homes on corner lots by Councilman
Sanchez. Yes. So, in um my neighborhood at least and in other parts of Miami Lakes, we have a setback right now for the for fences um for on corner homes of 15 ft if I'm not mistaken. Is that correct, Susana?
15 ft. So, that prevents homes on corner lots where the windows are facing out to the street to have privacy. So, I would like to work with town staff in order to amend that in order to allow them to have at least 5 feet of fence between
their home and 5T away to induce more privacy as someone that's walking by on the sidewalk won't have the opportunity to look into a home. That's it. I'll second it just for discussion. Moved and seconded. Uh, Council Member Fred Andrews for discussion. my my my only concern and I'm going to
I'm going to vote yes, but I just want to have a caveat because I am a little bit being uh on that planning and zoning board every time whatever the ordinance is, whatever the rule is, we always seem to have folks that will come up and push
the limit. So, we're going to go shorter and we can expect them to come up and ask and request and apply for for even less feet. So just we have to be mindful of that. I I'm okay with with starting the motion and having you know having
staff look Yeah. This would be an ordinance. So we'll have to bring it back and you'll have another bite at the apple when we bring it back. That's it. Excuse me. Yeah. Yeah. It's just to allow an a space of 5t from their home to the fence line. I get it. In order to have some privacy for them. I understand. Nothing beyond that. And if
they want beyond that then a zoning request. Um, so I I kind of shared the uh Councilman Fernandez's concerns, but I I also agree that because it's going to get heard twice and we're going to get a chance to appine more, uh, I'm fine with clearing it and pushing it
forward tonight. Any other discussion? Just to briefly uh, let Council Member Sanchez know, obviously, I wasn't able to tell him due to sunshine. I've already actually had this discussion with both Susanna and uh, Danny Angel. They're already working on something along these lines. Uh so feel free to talk to them outside of uh the council
meeting uh because they're already working on it. My question as to what you want to do now because I may have misunderstood. Do you want to So right now the the requirement is 15 ft which is the same setback as the home. Are you asking for a 10-ft setback? So 5t from
the home, 10t to the sideline or 10 feet from the home, five foot to the sidewalks. I just want a gap between the home and the fence of five feet. Five feet. Right. So, five feet to the to the So, 10 feet 10 feet from the sidewalk to the fence. Gotcha. Thank you.
All right. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. The motion carries and we are on 16F. Authorization to add or update security cameras at special taxing district guard
houses by Councilman Steve Herszburg. Thank you. Uh, so my motion is item. It's simple. We can SFN supposedly has offered to update the cameras, give us cameras that actually record footage on the outside. So, at no cost. So, let's go ahead and move forward at no cost. That's my motion. Second.
Um, it's been moved and seconded. However, I did have a question to the vice mayor actually though because yes, SFM did indicate that they could install cameras outside at no additional cost to grab all the the license plates. Uh,
didn't wasn't this something that we shot down last time because we wanted to keep it about what the original ordinance was talking about? No, I believe at that time there were two separate concerns. Uh, one I remember
there being a concern about there not being recording on the LPRs cuz remember at that time uh the former council was causing a lot of confusion about the LPRs being owned by the town versus being owned by the uh special taxing districts. And then separately I think
that at that time one of the objections what was without foundation because it's addressed here was cost. Uh I think cost is a major consideration here given that it's at no cost. Um that's why it has my support. Ah that's what but there's nothing that prevents us in the current
uh iteration of the ordinance from implementing this. Yeah that that that's right now it's coming back to me. Yeah the issue was that they were trying to confuse the fact that that it was something provided by the vendor versus the the STD paying for it. So okay with that okay Councilman Sanchez with regards to a public records request if
someone requests to see a certain portion of a video how would that process go considering that SF license plates are already public record anyway. Not the license plates, the video cameras from SFM. Yeah. But what I'm saying though is that those like the only thing that they're recording is the
license plate. So, okay. Okay. Yeah. There's certain things that are exempt from uh chapter 119 as public record. Uh many times uh with regards to LPRs, definitely because that's part of the uh the the town's infrastructure, security infrastructure. So, the places know
those cameras are definitely exempt. uh with regards to uh cameras are also placed that are part of RSD would probably also fall within the same scope because they are part of the security infrastructure of the town. Okay. Thank you. All right. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it.
The motion carries. We're on now 16G relocation of improvement uh of some sandbag storage location by the vice mayor which requires a waiver. I move to wave uh section 6.10 of the special rules. Second. It's been moved and seconded on the waiver. Any discussion
as to removing the waiver? Seeing none, all those in favor of the waiver say I. I. All oppose, no. The rule is wa waved. And you are recognized to present your item. Thank you. Yeah. So, I pretty much spelled it out in the in the uh in the NBI's memo. Uh during a visit uh recent
visit to Royal Oaks Park for the Miami Lakes United uh closing ceremonies, I noticed that at least three, possibly more of entire pallets of pre-filled sandbags had been uh totally destroyed by prolonged sun exposure. The sandbags
are a vital part part of our pre-torm services that we make available to our residents prior to a major storm. Uh, I'd like to have a discussion with you guys about relocating the sandbag storage to an alternate uh covered location or alternatively uh building some sort of cover at the location or
just otherwise getting proposals from our staff for what the best option is to prevent this from happening because there's no point in wasting money on u sandbags only to have for pre-filled sandbags only to then have to fill sandbags again. Not to mention the
volunteer hours lost. I would be supportive of a canopy. My colleagues, anybody just jump in, you know, as to what I like the canopy idea. I would have to be supportive, but of a more permanent structure. What do you mean by permanent structure? Something that is made out of stone, something that like
or or um cinder steel. Well, I I I think what you're talking about is building an actual structure. But I think it the again I think we at least for now in the short term I think a canopy would be sufficient like some kind of you know uh similar to what we do with the playgrounds you know just to protect it
from the elements you know and you know until we can maybe convert that into an actual structure but I I I I think it would be more costly to move everything from where it's at now. I agree. I just wanted to present it as an option. No, no, absolutely. But I did have a discussion with I think it was uh Jeremy
the the you know, you also want to consider the aesthetics of a park like Roy Oaks Park. Uh the there's a walkway that goes in between two soccer fields where there's like some bleachers and seating and then there's like an actual covering there so the people aren't in the sun. He he did mention that the you
could try to develop something that looks sort of like that. That way it matches the overall aesthetic and then that one has a canvas covering. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I like that idea. Uh any of my other colleagues have just to be clear then my my motion is let's have the staff come back to us
with some numbers on stuff like that. Uh give me give us you know option ABC cheap medium. Is there a second? It's been seconded by council member Fernandez. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose no. You guys have it. And we
are on 16H, permanent no left turn on southbound northwest 79th Avenue by Councilman Sanchez. You are recognized. Good sir. So in the April meeting, I brought up the idea of doing a no- left turn into
Bob Graham when you're going south on 79th Avenue. We implemented a trial basis with cones and an officer there in order to uh to assist with the flow of traffic and see what the ripple effect would be on Miami Lakes Drive and the surrounding areas. Um from what I've
been informed, it's been a very successful endeavor. Leaving out of Royal Oaks now on 79th Avenue is much easier and Miami Lakes Drive, the traffic has not increased an iota. with images from CA from cameras on Miami Drive and 79th and 82nd. You can see the
the success that the project has been. So I move to implement that no left turn into Bob Graham Educational Center as a permanent structure. Second. Excellent. Uh yeah, I've gotten great feedback on it as well from um uh several clients. There was only one resident that reached
out to me that that she found it annoying uh because she lives in there, but but ultimately in terms of the flow of traffic, it's been uh on balance a positive thing. Uh I see the major approaching the the well here. I don't know if he there's something he wants to add on this item. Yes. The recommendation is to put a an actual no
left turn sign. Yeah. I would just make one recommendation for consideration. Yeah. Um just specify some certain school hours, right? um on the sign that way if like a resident from the needs to go visit the school and off the you know they can still make a left as a
convenience for the Royal Oaks residents. You want to adopt that into your your motion? Absolutely. I'll amend it to include on the signage to follow the hours of the school zone. Yes. Second. Perfect. Okay. It's been moved and seconded uh you know to include the
uh the the hours of operation if you will. Um, with that said, any discussion the school uh, that's sorry, school hours. Mayor, if I may briefly, Councilman Hsburg and then I I see Councilman Cuadra Garcia as well with the with his hand up. The item was great. It definitely works. My concern is adding a sign I think requires county
approval maybe. Uh, I also wanted to see and and bring and have staff come up with options of and and a sign sometimes is useless. Like I see the sign in 82nd a on by the gate garden where Oaks unless there's a cop there, no one listens to it. Uh, I would prefer to see if we can have something like some removable poles that you can just put in
and out. The the officer comes, put the holes up, school zones over, put the poles out. Something that really prevents people instead of having because that sign will be is great and I like the idea, but unless we have an officer there, everyone's going to ignore it anyway. Well, we have we have at that school, we've downscaled, right? Ever since we started with the new
program and the educational part was over, we always have two officers at that school. However, because we have the three points, which is the north loop, the south loop, and now we we man the entrance to the north loop of the no left turn, the school board has come on board and teamed up with us. And now
they're using their schoolboard officer to man the south gate, which relieves our officer to move up to the north gate to now instead of adding another officer, he's augmenting us where now that officer could prevent the left turn. And again, we're still going to plan on having the two officers. We're
just rem making some movements of the chest pieces and with the help of the schoolboard officer, it frees up our officers to now be there to Yeah. You need an officer there. If you don't have an officer there, but it works with the manpower we're going to have now. And then that's going to relieve the officers that are in the Royal Oaks area that we're kicking out the cars. So, we
won't have that issue. But my but the idea, I don't know if it's possible. I don't know if it's legal. Just something to think about when you come back with options is if we can put something that the officer can just put the cones in. No one's going to go over the cones. Hopefully. Yeah, we're doing that now. Well, not but not not just coones, but something a little bit more permanent
like excuse me, like the delineator sticks like they have on the 995 and the real thick ones that are on the palmetal, but those would be a more permanent solution, right? Oh, but temporarily permanent. In other I think I understand where I I assume I'm making
assumptions that there is delineators that you can have an officer have them in their car. You put them in there's you have little things on the ground and the school take them out. I want the noturn barrier that we can put in right before dismissal or right before the
gates open and then we can remove it and then during normal and we may not have to go to the county or get a sign or anything because if there's a physical barrier then that that helps that it alleviates an officer having to be there. So we'll explore that and then come we'll come back with some ideas. We we're putting cones down now. Yeah. So
if that doesn't work out, we still have the cones as a barrier, right? when the officer the officer deploys the cones and and put and retracts them after after they're done. I mean, making it permanent 100%. I think I think we're clear that we want to make it permanent. Um, and putting a sign up is fine. Just how long is it going to take for the
county to tell us we can put a sign up? That's my only concern. I I just have a question. Does that mean that you're you're putting forward an amendment to the sign? I mean, I'm fine with having a sign. I guess I can put an amendment saying for the town staff to come back to us with other solutions other than
just a sign and other than just a police officer sit sitting there as well. I guess that would be a friendly amendment because I do believe that the sign would be informative even when there isn't school to let individuals know, hey, when you're driving by here from this end to this time, don't count on making. No, the sign I think the sign is a good idea. Like let's move forward with the
sign, but in addition to the sign to try to not have a police officer have to stand there and enforce the sign if we can if there's something else that we can put in and out that makes sense. That's all. Okay. So, do so was it an amendment? I'm sorry. Adding a permanent structure. I mean I think it's just staff instruction just so we can have
some other ideas. Okay. So any further discussion council guazo when it comes to delineators there's numerous types of delineators. I will bring one and uh bring it to the office of the mayor of the manager uh
sometime this week. I'll bring him several several types of them. There's uh one that you could remove with an Allen wrench. There's ones that you could epoxy in. There's some that you could screw. I'll bring him different
items and different choices. I'll bring him vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and he can look at all of them and we'll decide which would be the best. Yep. Okay. All right. Okay. Thanks. Bye-bye. All right. Uh Mr. Vice Mayor, you had
some uh commentary. I did, but it was already answered in uh discussion. Excellent. Okay. So with that uh and all those in favor say I. I. All oppose no. The eyes have it. Okay. And we are now on enforcement of town ordinances by
Councilman Sanchez. Second. I I know it seems like a lot of He has to present the motion at least first. I know it's but we're so close. Come on. Let's go. Let's go. We're so close. Right now. The only ordinance and it's hot in here. So we got to get this AC checked out. The
only ordinances that we really can enforce are the building ordinances. Oh, the only ordinances that we can really enforce are the building ordinances. This is just directing our town attorney to work with the clerk of courts and the sheriff's office so that our officers can enforce the other ordinances that are not enforced by the building
department. I second, third, and fourth this. And I have but I do have a slight little amendment for you. Go ahead. Uh I'd like to actually nominate you as a point person to deal with the county on this together with our staff.
Again, I just want to stay for everybody just to remind everybody that intergovernmental relations runs through the mayor's office. So unless they delegate delegate, it doesn't matter whether the council votes on it. That's just impermissible by the charter. Sure. But but I'm not I will go ahead and I will, you know, discuss with him at a
through a sunshine meeting what to do. But I just wanted to make that very clear, you know, so that nobody gets, you know, in trouble later. of course, but and and I understand that, but I'm not trying to have him deal with intergovernmental relations. I'm having him collect information and come back to
us. Uh the same way we did it in the past with uh blasting. It's no different. No, what happened there was I delegated to him the ability to represent the town, you know. Yes, it was done that way. You are right. Okay. Well, the same thing is what I'd like to see done here. Okay. Well, I will have a
discussion with him about that, you know, through, you know, with an appropriate sunshine meeting and and we will work on that. Um, you know, but again, just want to make sure we're all we're all on the same page here about, you know, what the charter says. So, with that said, uh, all those in favor
of the of the item, uh, say I. I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The item passes. And on Mr. Councilman Sanchez's final item, the 4th of July, you are recognized to present it. So, final item, Fourth of July celebration, big celebration, just to extend an
invitation uh to the tax collector, the department of elections, the Miami date Republican Party, and I'd like to amend it to also include the clerk of courts and the Miami date chair's office to come participate in our Fourth of July event. Second for discussion, Mr. Vice Mayor, I just don't agree with involving
uh political parties. So, do you have an amendment or I I am we can invite whoever wants to be invited. Just the same motion striking the uh the political parties. Second. So, there's a motion and a second on the amendment. Any discussion on the
amendment just uh that complete agreement of the vice mayor. I don't think we've ever done that. And you know, town event, we keep uh party politics out of it. Okay. Although uh I guess you know just to because there may be some opposition. Madam clerk, please
call the role on the amendment. Pardon me. Before you do that, Councilman Guad Garcia, you're recognized for debate. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If it ain't broken, let's not fix it. So, with that, Madam Clerk, please call the role. Yes. On the amendment from Mor
from Council, Vice Mayor Moretta, which was seconded by council member Hzburg. Council member Hzburg, yes. Council member Garcia, no. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council
member Sanchez, no. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Vice Mayor Mora, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. The amendment passes. Okay, we're back on the main motion as amended, which uh all it did was simply to strike out the
political parties uh reference, but everybody else is still in there. With that, any further discussion on the item as amended? Seeing none. Um, madame clerk. Well, actually, uh, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The item passes. Mayor, as a
point of clarification, just how will the invitation be extended? I can extend it out. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, with that, uh, I'll allow it. With that said, uh, Mayor Council Member reports, I just want to make it, uh, even though it's not on here, I'm going to take a moment of personal privilege just to state what
you may have already seen on my Instagram account. The town is in line to receive approximately $1.6 million from the state of Florida for two different projects. Um, of course, it is pending the governor's approval by not vetoing it. He has about two weeks uh to
go ahead and act on it. You know, the the fiscal year for the state begins July 1st, but we are uh cautiously optimistic that it will pass. Um, and that of course would be great money. I also want to inform you that um the Congressman Diaz Balard's office has
informed us that we also were awarded $900,000 uh toward a the Big Cypress drainage improvement project as well uh through their community funding project uh program. Of course, being that there's duplicate uh money there, um if for
whatever reason the Big Cypress project is vetoed, we we will go ahead and obviously proceed with the 100,000 uh that we got from Congressman Diaz Balard's efforts. If uh for whatever if it does go through at the full million uh from the state, then we will work
with Congressman Diaz Bollard's office to try to uh swap out that funding for a different project. It may be too late, but you know, just wanted to make you aware of that. So, we're doing pretty good and you know, just fingers crossed, say your prayers, you know, that we'll go ahead and get the 1.6. That will go a long way, of course, toward helping out
uh our town, especially on the issue of drainage as council member Fernandez was mentioning. But with that, we are there being no further. Okay. Uh okay. I the vice mayor wants to make an announcement about the hockey game. Absolutely. I do. I want to say that for those who are not watching, the score is three to zero in
favor of our Panthers. Go Panthers. And should they win, and I'm going to say if, just cuz I don't want to jinx them, I am going to request that the mayor's office send a formal invitation to the Florida Panthers to bring Lord Stanley to the town hall in exchange for a proclamation. I have no I will I will go
ahead and accept that. With that, the meeting is now journed at 10:19 p.m.