All right. Good evening, Miami Lakes. We're going to get started with the proclamations for today's council meeting before the main meeting. I'm pleased to begin with a good friend of mine uh who is finishing up his tour of duty as the lead of the Latin uh Latin
Builders Association, excuse me. I'm going to welcome Mr. Tony Gomez to the front here and his friends George and Councilman Carl Zagby to come up here. Welcome to the town of Miami Leagues.
And uh where' Tony go? Okay, there he is. Excellent. So, it's my pleasure to award this to Tony. Tony obviously as the president of the Latin builders association represents countless family businesses that are in the construction and related industries you know real estate etc. And so uh at the request of
a good friend of ours I went ahead and prepared this I want to read it. It proclaims July 26, 2025 as Anthony Gomez day here in Miami Lakes. Whereas since 1992, Anthony Tony Gomez has been the co-founder and president of Unitech
Builders Corporation, an award-winning South Florida construction company recognized for their hard work across the hospitality industry, including restaurants, boutique hotels, and luxury condominiums and office buildouts. Whereas Tony Gomez has worked with the
Miami Day County School Board since 1997, helping to populate and maintain over 300 schools across multiple municipalities. Whereas outside of work, Tony Gomez is a family man and proud father of three gifted daughters with
two having graduated with a doctorate in medicine. And whereas Anthony Tony Argomez, they they love to uh to re-emphasize, huh? uh is a longtime member and of and the 25th president of the LA Latin Builders Association, the
largest Hispanic construction association in the United States that brings together professionals and firms in the construction and real estate industry from across all South Florida, including Miami Lakes, to promote growth in the sector. Now, therefore, I, Joshua
Diegas, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor of the town of Miami Lakes, and on behalf of the town council and 33,000 Miami Lakers, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2025 as Anthony
Gomez's day. Congratulations. You sure you don't want to say anything? All right. All right. Well, sure. I just want to say thank you to to the mayor, the councilman, the board, uh the city workers. You guys do a phenomenal job. Miami Lakes has always been top-notch.
Where when you drive by, you say, "This has to be the most beautiful city in South Florida." Thank you very much for this. Thank you. Thank you for that, Tony. Wait, wait, wait. Let's get that photo. Let's get that photo. All right. Next up, we have a
proclamation for our very own parks department. Right. I'm going to ask them to come on up. And, you know, I just want to say as they do that the Tanami Lakes obviously takes pride in its parks, our pocket parks, our main parks.
You guys are integral to that and you guys perform so much more as well. Making sure that we maintain the beautiful tree canopy that we love and enjoy throughout the town and this is the team that makes it happen. So this being Parks and Recreation Month, it only seemed appropriate that we would go ahead and also proclaim the entire month
of July 2025 Parks and Recreation Month in the town of Miami Lakes. So with that, I'm going to begin reading the proclamation. And Jeremy, if you want, uh, come up here to my right, you know, to receive it on on behalf of your department. Whereas parks and recreation
are an integral part of communities throughout this country, including the town of Miami Lakes. Whereas parks and recreation motivates physical activities by offering space for popular sports, trails, and many other activities designed to let active lifestyles
thrive. Whereas parks and recreation programming and educational activities such as out of out of uh school time programming, youth sports and active play are crucial towards childhood development. Whereas parks and recreation elevates a community's
economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, heightened tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses and crime reduction. And whereas the town of Miami Lakes highlights the benefits derived from parks and
recreation resources. Now therefore, I, Joshua Diegas, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor of the town of Miami Lakes, and on behalf of the town council and 33,000 Miami Lakers, do hereby proclaim July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month.
Congratulations, Director Bachelor. Why don't you say something uh to your team and to the Miami Lakers watching? No, definitely. Thank you, mayor and council. And as we highlight this month and and the impact of of parks and recreation on the community, right? It's not just around the nation the impact,
but it's the impact that this team here has on our community. So, with that, I want to quickly just introduce and thank my team that's here with us. I have Aaron, who is our arbor coordinator. I have JP, who is our special projects manager. I have Juan Escobar who is our do everything guy. Doesn't matter what
it is, he'll get it done. I have Jose Dr. Jose Orana who is our green space superintendent. So if it's green and it grows, this man makes sure it stays looking beautiful. Andres Pinedo, who is our sports uh and athletics uh manager. I have Ernie Sto who is our senior
program specialist. Um make sure I miss anyone else out. But on top of that, I just want to and our town manager. I have to make sure I also call out the town manager and our deputy town manager uh Dr. Tony Lopez who was one of the integral people in in our parks and recreation here in Miami Lakes and
making sure that we started off right. Um and our job is really just to keep it growing beautifully. So with that, I want to say thanks to the team. Thank you again to the mayor and council for all the support. Our parks are important to us. It separates us from a lot of other communities and our backing here is strong. So once again, thank you.
Thank you. We'll get a quick photo. And for those in the um those watching at home that want to wait for the main meeting, we got about 15 minutes and we will start on time. Hello. Hello. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm calling the meeting to order at 6:31 uh p.m. Madame
Clerk, please call the role. Council member Garcia, present. Council member Fernandez, present. Council member Hzburg, present. Council member Cuadra Garcia, Council Member Sanchez,
present. Vice Mayor Mora, present. Mayor Diegas, here. Mayor, you have quorum. Excellent. Now, you may all rise for the invocation led by Councilman Alex Sanchez. In your name we pray. God, please help
us tonight to make the proper decisions for the residents of the Tanami. And please hold everyone in your prayer that is affected by the severe natural disaster that is occurring in Texas. May
those families have peace. May they have a a a solution. A it's a difficult thing to think about when it comes to terms of children being affected in such a negative way because of a natural disaster. But please keep them in in
your thoughts and your prayers and persevere with the best possible way for them to come out of this horrible solution. In your name we pray. Amen. Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Everyone please turn toward the flag. 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? Yes. Uh, Councilman Garcia, you're recognized to for a motion. Thank you, mayor. I want to make a motion to move the special presentations up especially the um presentations for to the walk to end Alzheimer's and also
the presentation from the chief operating officer of the greater manic expressway agency to after public comments. So you want to move both of them to after public comments and can't keep the same order or okay reverse it be B can go first and A after. Okay A is a longer presentation.
Excellent. Okay. So, the motion council, just to restate it, is to have 11B and 11A right after public comments, item six. Um, again, taking up 11B first. Are there any other further changes to the agenda?
Okay. Is there a second? I'll second. I'll move the agenda. Okay. It has been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. All All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The motion carries and the agenda is amended as stated earlier. With that,
madame clerk, we are now in public comments. Please read the rules into the record. Good evening and welcome to the regular council meeting. The public comments will be heard at the beginning of the meeting and once all are heard, the public comment section of
the agenda will be closed and each speaker will be afforded three minutes. Please always um comments and questions should be addressed to directed to the mayor in accord stone and to ensure the orderly conduct and efficiency of the meeting. Public comments shall be
limited to three minutes and please proper decorum is expected. I welcome everyone that is here in council chambers and as well the attending public at home. And again, I just want to say because I say this all the time,
if you wish to speak and participate remotely, just please raise your hand by clicking on the reactions icon on your screen and select raise hand and it will allow you to speak. Be patient. Um I'm going to see how many do we have
participants today. We only have three. And if you're here to participate again, please let us know. So, please, if you're here for public comments, just approach the podium, state your name and address for the record and welcome.
My name is Antonio Moreno and I live in Belie. I need to call one. It's okay. 675 Miami Way South Miami, Florida 3314.
The reason that I come into here is because I uh I I give a letter to every member to the mayor and every council member about what happened to me in the
time of the the KOI. I have a old wood uh fence beside one of my homes my house and this is called uh collapse after a storm. It was on sign side and I have
replacement immediately to maintain the the aesthetic of the neighbor and the reason because some uh uh I have four or five time I break in
my home and they still remember I live there for more than 36 year and the thief here the member of the police department know about that that is in record in the police department what happened in my home you know for 36
years and that is the reason immediately I put there I have my my girls my daughter and my granddaughter there sometime and you know how is the the pe the bad people here and I don't want it
to happen no okay the This fence is a metal get for the stronger that the wood and it was placed exactly where neighbor color to create a uniform look with the neighbor. The men
who installed it never mention permit and being same position and look the same position look and put in the same hole and the same plate and the same and nothing
structural change. I didn't think of it. I suggest that all the member the mayor and all the member of the council go and visit my no. You don't need to go inside
because it's outside of my my home. It's near here. It's around a block to here. The the other here is it's easy to go there. I like to have a friend and I did it
immediately because years ago we wrote that once I'm going for I am 80 years old 80 years and a half old I consent for myself and my wife and my children
that's three minutes mayor point of personal privilege you recognize Mr. Vice Mayor um Mr. Moreno. Uh I just went and spoke with our director of our building and uh compliance. Um he did inform me he's already waved
um your double permit fee as well as the requirement for a boundary survey. Uh so if you'd like go and speak with uh you know Mr. Angel um and and see if there's anything else that needs to get worked out. But definitely the town is willing to work with you.
Hey with the big beard. Hi. How are you? But yeah, we we the town will definitely work with you. Uh I talked to him he said uh I charge half not to 250 250
I believe it's too much because I retire you know no but don't worry he's going to work with you work with you he work okay we go to some Yep. You see how quick that was nice to meet you good luck thank you for coming thank you Mr. Thank you for bringing to our attention.
Okay. Any other uh in chambers public comments? Anyone in chambers wishing to speak to the come on up young lady. Please remember name and address. Okay. Hello. Good evening. Thank you for letting me talk to you. My name is Alexa Bla. Uh I'm a resident here in Miami
Lakes. I live on 7280 Western Circle in Lachlmond. Uh I'm currently a a sophomore in high school. I'm a student at School of Advanced Studies on a North Campus. And I'm here because I have a deep care for civic engagement and I want to learn about my local government.
I've had the opportunity recently to attend meetings with the Youth Advocate Task Force and participate in a lot of their events and I soon I wish to soon be a part of that force. My experience there has played a large part of my in
to my recent infatuation with learning about events and policy that are intended towards my demographic. I came today to observe how the policy that affects me at the most direct level is discussed and created. So that's all. Thank you so much for listening. Perfect. Short and sweet. Thank you.
Next speaker, Mr. Carlos Andreas, chair of public safety. Carlos Andres, uh 14530 Datepine Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33014. Mayor, council, management. Uh thank you for the opportunity. I'm here to give some
compliments uh to the folks uh that serve this community. Uh Deputy Beckford um handled a a call the other day with some suspicious folks in our neighborhood. Handled it very well. Uh communications department has been nothing but very um supportive of our committee and different events that
we're putting out in our community. uh you know, parks department. I mean, Jeremy, I think, gets an email from me every week about different issues and he's been super supportive. Appreciate that. Um and here to uh show my support for um item 16A, letter of support from Councilman Sanchez. I think that's a
very important for the future of our town. Also, uh item 16 C with uh Councilman Fernandez, JC Fernandez. That's also very good um for our safety. Um now, I did want to comment on one thing just to keep on the radar. Not really sure the logistics uh legally. I'll leave that to the town attorney,
but the um drainage projects that Big Cypress um the grant that we're getting from the state, if uh folks are familiar with that area, the way they're set up, they have uh essentially each culde-sac is is um you know, private property and
there's folks that want to do improvements to those culde-sacs, but for whatever reason just can't get the funds um to fix huge holes in those uh you know, different culde-sacs. So hopefully, you know, those funds from the state can can help those residents.
Um, you know, there's um Big Cypress uh Twin Sable, Miami Lakeway South. Uh those are, you know, cul-de-sacs. If you drive through them, you'll see they're affected. You know, I lived there in 2013 and some of them haven't been repaired since then. So that's that's something that uh you wanted to mention
to you all. And then I appreciate the support for some of you to social media for our next event in public safety. It's a coffee event at station 64. I think that is a great event. I can't remember the last time residents have the opportunity to see that beautiful station in our town. So, um, but look
forward to seeing all of you there and thank you. Thank you very much. Uh, any other speakers in chambers? Going once, going twice. Madame clerk, are there any public comments remotely? No, there are none. No participants as
of right now. May there being no further public comments? Public comments is now closed and we are now on item 11B which would be the special presentation by the Alzheimer's Association. I'd like at this time to welcome Mr. Joey Kennan uh the volunteer advocate as well as Melia Espino from
the Alzheimer's Association to come and present to the council and those watching live at home. The floor is yours. Thank you so much for having us. And I just want to say again, my name is Joey Kennan. I'm actually a resident of Miami Lakes for the last 25 years. So, I appreciate the opportunity to be here
with all of you. Meen Espino. I'm with the Alzheimer's Association. Thank you for having us. Awesome. And I had the opportunity to to go to Tallahassee as as an advocate and a volunteer and I got to meet with Stephen and and Brian. So, thank you all for for listening. So, we have a slide
that we wanted to share with you um and some facts and figures that I want to share. Yep. Wait, is that it? No, no, no. That that that's wrong. Wrong slide, guys. Don and Diego, it's the other slide,
the one from I'll get I'll get started and then yes, those you have that information also as well. Thank you. That's the correct. So, just want to give you some facts and figures to kind of bring this to life. So, 7.2 million people living with Alzheimer's in the United States. Uh 580,000 in Florida. Miami Dade County is
the number one uh city for prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. in Miami Lakes. The last time I checked the numbers, we had about 30,000 residents. Maybe that number's increased over time. 85% of us are Hispanics. Okay. So, why is that important? The prevalence of Alzheimer's
in the Hispanic population is one and a half times greater than the typical non-Hispanic white. So when I think about that and the fact that twothirds of the uh people uh twothirds of them are women um you think about our
workforce, you think about the way that it's impacting not only patients but the caregivers. You you're talking about um loved ones who are are dealing with, you know, situations where they have to care for their, you know, whether it be their their parents uh or or their loved ones,
stress, depression, days, loss of work. why this is important to me. Why am I in in front of you all? Why am I an advocate, a volunteer? I have been, you know, a caregiver for both my dad who passed away and also my grandmother who passed away. I have seen what what the
Alzheimer's Association is is doing and the resources that they have. And I always go back and I think what if I would have known about this uh organization? What if I would have had the resource? If I would have known about these resources, what would I have been doing? Uh what would I have done differently? And I will tell you, I'm
looking I'm looking at this group and and I hope that you're not a caregiver yet. Um, but I will tell you at some point we will be a caregiver or maybe we will be burdened with the disease ourselves. Um, and what I love about this and working with them is that I feel like there's a sense of hope and I'll give you a little bit of of of an
insight into that. They are the biggest the Alzheimer's Association is the biggest funer of research and education right now. And and I was uh I'm in the pharmaceutical industry. I'm I'm not in Alzheimer's in the Alzheimer's arena, but I'm in the pharmaceutical industry. And you know, I can tell you that
there's two medications that have been brought to the market that are treating Alzheimer's, not just the symptoms, but actually treating Alzheimer's. We didn't have that, you know, 20 years ago, and I think that they're a big part of it. I would say we're a big part of it because I feel like I'm part of the association. Um there's also blood testing now that
that's that's out there for for u for patients to get tested for Alzheimer's. So, um, and again, there's a myriad of resources. We had them in Tallahassee in a truck available 24/7 access to caregivers and patients. So, a lot of things that that are that are available
to us. What do what am I here for? What do we need? So, the action that that we're asking you obviously it's it's to support first and more and foremost to support our walk. And what I mean by that is we want you to get involved. We want you to create teams and help us not
only raise money for for uh research but also raise awareness, right? We want the town of Miami Lakes similar to other cities to get involved and and that's one of our ask. But we also want to bring these presentations and awareness to your teams, to your departments. So,
we've got virtual, we've got live uh presentations that we can educate your staff, educate um the folks that that are that are working in the town of Miami Lakes. Um and again, the the event, the walk that we're asking you to get involved is uh November 15th. It's
going to be at at Marllins Park. I think it's called Lone Depot Park if I if I'm not mistaken. Um the a nice ask would be and I don't know if Brian and Stephen were able to see this in uh in Tallahassee, but we were able to paint the town purple. We would love uh a
proclamation, you know, from the town of Miami Lakes. We would love the week of uh September 21 and 27 um to help us bring awareness uh by painting the town purple. Um and that's that's it. Our our our next steps would be that, you know, we'd love to meet with you. We'd love to
meet with your your snee to review some of these details and we'd love to partner with with the town of Miami Lakes. You know, being a resident, I'm very passionate about about what you all do and what you're you're representing and I want to make sure that that we don't we don't fall behind some of the other cities. So, with that, I really
appreciate your time and and thank you. And just to clarify, that's uh uh September 21st through the 27th that you like the proclamation for. Yes. Okay. Perfect. And the walk is the 15th of November. at Marlins Park. At Morland Park. Yeah. Okay. Through the mayor if I have a personal point of person.
Absolutely. How can we get in touch with you to find out more? Yes. I'll leave my card. My information also is on this in these folders that we're going to hand over. Uh there's a folder for each one of you. And then I'll leave with the community on this day.
Thank you. If you You're at the I'm at the podium. Okay. No, no worries. if you can please leave it with the with the clerk and she'll distribute it to every The only thing I I would add to that amazing job by the way. He did great. You would think he was working for us for years. Um is that we have other
municipalities on board already the counties on board. Kiscane several the the goal is to have all the municipalities on board to create that awareness and provide those resources to to impact the quality of life of those living with Alzheimer's and the
caregivers that are also suffering. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Now, Mr. Vice Mayor, you're recognized. I just wanted to ask you guys um for the for the benefit of those listening at home either live or maybe later because these meetings are recorded and people listen to them
later. Um I I always find that a quick and easy way of getting in touch or getting more resources especially if someone's in that unfortunate position of having to become a caregiver. Um what are your social medias or you know easy ways uh as Alex said uh not for us but
for the residents to find you guys? Thank you. So two things we have the website. Um, yeah, you've been just speaking to the mic. We have the website alc.org. Um, but also we have a helpline that I can't remember the number by heart right
now, but I am going to leave it um momentarily. the helpline. Um, I can't Mon'nique can tell me the help 27239 00
and that's a 1-800 number. They have translators and they have a 247 clinician. And it's anything you are experiencing whether as a caregiver who's depressed or can't figure out how to cope and your loved one's getting
agitated to you just need someone to talk to about the situation. Lots of people going through the same thing. That is the hotline you call. That's your one of our top resources. Good question. Thank you. Are there any more questions of the
presenters? Any more comments? Well, thank you both for the excellent work you guys do. And again, you handled it like a pro. So, thank you for your time. Next up, uh we have item 11A, still in special presentations, Mr. Claudia Deeria. I hope I said that correctly.
You did. Okay, good. Uh the chief operating officer from the Greater Miami Expressway Agency. Welcome, GMX. Thank you very much. It's a it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. I'm really excited to be here on behalf of the Greater Miami Expressway Agency. Um, like mentioned,
my name is Claudia Fetty. I'm the chief operating officer. So, I oversee all the operations and engineering uh for the Greater Miami Expressway Agency, which includes State Road uh 924, the Gratney in the the town of Makes. So, why am I here? A little bit of
background. uh the GMX uh board and developed a strategic master plan um that identified core principles to improve transportation including technology improvements, new approaches to mobility and uh investing in key projects and one which I'll be presenting today which is what we call
the 92408 project which is a partial interchange at 67th Avenue. So it's bordered by uh the Tanami Lakes and and Excuse me, did you want the the slide to change? I did. Uh Hey JB, do you have the clicker with you, buddy?
Okay, there it is. Sorry about that. All right, so I'll start again. So, um, one of the projects that was identified was a new partial interchange at 924 and uh, northwest 67th Avenue and it's bordered by uh, the town of Miami Lakes and GMX explored the possibility of advancing this project. Um, so this is
project that's not new, but in 2019 some initial steps were taken, kind of took a pause and now it it's back. Um, so where are we right now? It's the project development and I'm I'm going to get to it now. So, we're looking forward to partnership with the town of Miami Lakes, which is why I'm here,
actually. All right. So, where are we right now? We're doing the PDN study. So, it's the project uh so the PDN study is a comprehensive study that evaluates social, economical, and environmental potential impacts associated with the proposed transportation improvements and incorporates the the public input so GMX
can make an informed decision and uh on the projects moving forward. So we already finished the planning uh stage and now we're in the PDN stage. Um so what's involved in that? Obviously there's engineering that goes into that where we're looking at different alternatives, the environmental impacts and the public involvement and so
economical impacts as well. So this is a good representation of where the partial interchange is. So uh north of the interchange the proposed or the interchange that we're studying right now is the town of Miami Lakes. north of it, south of it would be the city of Halia.
So what's the purpose and need of this project? Obviously there's I don't need to tell you all but there's a quite of a lack of adequate connection to the expressway system which results in congestion to the local streets. So this project is more so not not so much about uh alleviating traffic on the highway.
It's more so of alleviating the network down below. Um we believe that this is this would be very beneficial to the local community both for Halia and the town of Miami Lakes. So this area experienced steady growth in population economic activity and there's obviously increasing demand. So this this project
is not only studying the current demand but also future demand of of the entire area. So the purpose obviously is to improve the the system link and enhance the accessibility to and from the expressway network and provide congestion relief to the town of Miami Lakes.
So the existing conditions right now the Gratney the N state road 924 is a sixlane toll urban facility. Um it's an SIS facility. So it's it's um on the uh state system as well. It's 12T travel lanes with 22 ft median. The level of service is actually pretty good on the
924. It's level service C for us. Um so comparatively to the Palmetto or 836 or any other major highway, it's actually one of the better operating uh expressway systems. So that's something great going for it. Um the design speed is 65 and it's a posted limit of 55. And
down below you have Northwest 67th Avenue which is a four-lane urban minor arterial roadway with existing uh 11 foot widths um raised median in some sections, sidewalks on both sides and the design imposes speed limits same at 40 miles an hour.
So the AAD what we refer to is is the existing average annual daily traffic. If you look at the Gratney, it's it's roughly about 64,500 uh average annual daily traffic. And north of 67th is not that far behind with 28,500. From 76 to Miami Lakes, I'm sorry, Miami
Lakeway south. And then from Miami Lakeway south to Miami Lakes Drive, it's about 39,000. So it's very congested down below. Um and it's primarily, as you know, one of your primary accesses to the town of Miami Lakes. So when we're doing a PD& we have to do
we always compare it to a no build situation right so that will will be evaluated and can be a potential um but so there's always the no build alternative which is to do really nothing but the build alternatives that we are looking at is a westbound uh
entrance ramp um from 67th Avenue an eastbound entrance ramp and a westbound exit ramp so it's all the full legs of an interchange with the exception of an off-ramp going eastbound and there's there's some challenges that go with that. Obviously, there's a there's a big
water tower there for city of Halia that's quite a challenge and also the roadway is just adjacent to the highway. So, it would involve a lot of uh impacts to the to the local homes in that area. So, it would modify both of the existing well actually it would modify the
existing signalized intersection on the south of State Road uh 924 and it would introduce a new signalized intersection on the north side which you can see on the con where the canal relocation is. The blue segment would be a potential canal relocation because it it's required in order for us to provide the
new movements on the east side. It would uh it would allow for the we would have to build a bridge which is in pink there in in in the diagram and we would have to span over the the canal and on the westbound on-ramp uh the the canal would be modified and we would be pushed to
the north while the ramp would stay to the south. On the south side of the interchange partial interchange you're going to have a direct connect and there we have space. So there would not require much modification to the existing uh um geometry of the of of the
network there. So these are the primary movements that would be proposed and we're are being evaluated. So obviously going north and south on northwest 67th Avenue, you'd be able to access uh eastbound Gratney Parkway, you would be able to access um
westbound Gratney Parkway. And then vice versa, if you're coming south, you would be able to go west. Um, and you would be able to get off to go north and south from uh westbound 924. So, the benefits of the project obviously would be to provide additional
links to the expressway system, which will alleviate the network down below. Um, currently, as I mentioned before, it's very limited the way um folks from the town of Miami Lakes can access 924. um and addresses residents and businesses um with existing and future transportation needs in the entire area.
It improves mobility and access to the whole area and it provides con congestion relief which I assume everybody's very interested in. So where are we right now? The study began earlier like I said it was paused but we are currently doing the development and and analyzing all the
alternatives and we're preparing preparing the environmental studies. Um and we'll we'll come back for an alternative public workshop where the public will have a chance to speak and then we're going to have a um a public hearing and we would ultimately come back once the PDN is concluded for
potential resolution from your board um in support hopefully of the project based on the results of the PDE. Should the PDNE yield positive results and that we are recommending moving forward with with a partial interchange, we would be moving forward quite quickly after that
to put out a design build contract to actually go out into construction in roughly uh the end of 2026. So, this is not a study that's going to drag on. We're trying to really move this along because we understand how critical it is specifically to both Haley and the town of Miami Lakes. And
with that, I try to keep it short and simple, and I'm open to questions. I have a question uh for you. As part of the the partial interchange, uh will there be some kind of sound wall uh uh built along there to help mitigate noise? So, that's all part of the PDN study
that's get gets analyzed. So, it's going to get considered is what you're saying, I believe. So, actually, I'm not sure. Yeah. So, yeah. Go ahead. Hi, I'm I'm Robert Carbalo. consultant uh to GMX and as part of any PD study,
we do study uh noise impacts. Matter of fact, we had our our noise consultant was out there recently just collecting samples. Um you know, we measure background noise and then we measure as the um new traffic comes in in the future, what that noise will be. Uh and
then we determine um basically the uh the benefit of putting noise walls in. And then even if and even and when we identify the need for noise walls, we'll actually actually go to the community and get input from them because sometimes some communities say they don't want the noise walls. So there's a
process we follow. It's a federal process and the state kind of follows, you know, to make sure that the right decisions were made. Um so and that's done with with all the different studies that we do. Uh we're we're following state law. Uh we're following, you know, federal law when applicable. Um, and
we're making sure that any money that's committed to a project, we've done all the analysis properly to make sure we inform the process. Perfect. So, in essence though, that we have to wait until the PD PD&E is done and then also have that public input process before we know for sure whether
or not that that'll be raised as as as part of the process when we go to uh public hearing. um we'll actually have our program noise studies done and so we'll be able to to identify you know what is potential. Thank you. Well, I want uh before I turn
over to my colleagues, I want to go ahead and thank both of you uh your organization for the work you guys do and I want to thank the board. Of course, we have one of our one of our own on that board over there, Mr. Peterman. Um this is a very important project to the town. I certainly when the time comes and depending on what the
PDN says will be supportive of a resolution in support of this project. it's been stalled already since at least 2015. Um, you know, so I'm glad to see that it's moving forward again and that we're, you know, once again moving forward. So with that, Mr. Vice Mayor, and then I saw Councilman Sanchez also
with uh with the hand raised. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Do we have a date yet for the public hearing in the It's going to be in the um It's It's kind of winter, the end of the
winter of 26. Winter 26. Yeah. I mean, just uh let let's it'd be great if you guys could leazison with uh our staff and get that put on our calendars um as leaders in our community. I think that our input at a hearing of that nature
would uh carry some weight and uh be very beneficial. Um aside from that, I was actually going to bring up the noise wall as well. If you happen to need a backyard to put some uh equipment, I volunteer minus tribute. Uh because I'm not directly abuing it and I can hear
not even loud cars, normal cars like if they were right there. Um, so definitely uh, you know, would love the consideration of the of the noise barrier. And other than that, you know, like the mayor said, thank you very much for this. This is a a project that I've
mentioned many times is critical to the future of the town's infrastructure along with a few other projects which include u the adding of ramps on 170th at the at the turnpike and I75 uh as well as a few others around town.
So uh this is just a step in the right direction and like you said primarily not even to de dellog the expressway but rather delog the lower streets, our streets. Uh so this would be a huge uh win for our residents. Uh so thank you very much. Like he said I'll also be
supporting this. Councilman uh Sanchez. And really quick though before you begin, anybody else? Councilman Garcia. Hersburg anything other Garcia. No. Well, not yet. Not not yet, but I just wanted to get a a queue going here. Councilman Fernandez. Okay.
Then Sanchez and then Councilman Garcia. Okay. If we could go back to the slide for a moment where you have a zoomed in on the that one. So, do you foresee in the shopping center that's on the southwest corner or northeast corner of this picture, that's Lake Patricia. Do
you foresee eminent domain having to be used to use up some of the land in that shopping center for the ramp? No. No. Okay. No. The the primary impacts there would be the canal more than anything. Okay. So there's no chance zero chance
that imminent domain will have to be used. Not likely. GMX has a pretty wide rightway out there. The canal is within the GMX rightway. Obviously uh the county you know, we we have they have interest in it and some
one of the things we have to work with them is how we relocate that canal. Okay. We've had preliminary meetings with them, but that's one of the detailed analysis that we're going to go through. Um because we we need to make sure it's done in a sensitive way so that it does um not diminish that resource,
right? Um because again, at the end of the day, we need drainage as well. We do. We do. Yeah. I know we're Miami Lakes, but we enjoy our lakes, not uh not where they are, not on the streets, right? We in the evaluation it's it's to minimize the amount of rightway impacts. One of the things that we looked at is
it would be moving also the the toll point right now further to the east to minimize also the the takes and the rightway impacts. Cool. That's all I needed to Thank you. and and and one thing that I just kind of want to mention is um we will have a a alternatives workshop ahead of the
public meeting. Uh the whole point of doing a PD study is to make sure that uh the stakeholders are engaged and the public's engaged throughout the whole process because we need that input to help us with our decision process. Okay? We'll do the analysis. We'll do the
technical things. We will show you, you know, what how things are affected and we'll have that discussion to make sure people understand why we're doing things because that a lot of times when you get um you know resistance on projects is people just don't understand the
projects. So, we go out of our way to make sure people understand why we have to do the things we have to do to be able to protect the environment, to be able to make sure that things work properly. uh this project um like we're mentioning is it's helped to redistribute traffic a little bit so
that overall the network works better. Thank you, gentlemen. Mr. Mayor, if I can very quickly just ask if you could uh send the presentation to the town clerk so that she could email it to us because some of the stuff was just a little too small to read from here. Uh it' be great to be able to review that. Thank you.
Okay, please send it to us. Thank you, Councilman Ray Garcia. Thank you, Mr. Mayor uh Cladio Robert, thank you so much and appreciate all the work you do. Absolutely. We got to distribute this traffic. Uh I think if we give more choices, you're going to see our roads be a lot happier and people be able to get to to the actual
expressways quicker. Couple questions that I have. Um this is the entrance of our town and the basically entrance of our town. So, uh we'd love to be involved in the process along with the neighbors. There's about 40 or 50 homes in that in that in that you know area
where right now there is no wall but there is there you know they're what maybe 100 yards from from the current graty uh maybe a little bit more so their their input has to be from the beginning and not an afterthought right we got to do everything we can to
coordinate with your with your communications department and ours to make sure that even if we have to go to their neighborhoods and have a hearing there or a meeting there that they all all involved. Uh as far as the the noise walls, absolutely. But if we can do something perhaps that will maybe
aesthetically we can work with the town because it is an entrance to our town, a major entrance to our town. So we can work with with that and and uh as far as landscaping. Couple other questions I have as far as environment mature trees. How many mature trees do you feel are going to be uh have to be removed from
the Miami Lakes side of the uh I think that's premature right now because until the alternative gets selected and we know the impacts um it would be hard to actually say like to see you know what the environmental impact is that and if they're mature trees maybe we can you
know uh relocate them. Yes. after a certain size you can't but they're in and the sweet spot you can also species into species if they're if they're what we're looking for and they're you know the trees that we're looking for. Uh and as far as canal u again you're going to
try to m mitigate everything you can from um just the look of the of that for the other for the neighbors as well. I mean, just I'm trying to trying I don't want to make it look like right now there's a lot of uh greenery on the sides, especially behind the homes, right? A lot of fus trees and and uh
just how's it going to look and things like that uh is important. Um but again, I I this is going to be a great uh addition to the town and it's going to help a lot of our our residents with the traffic. So, thank you so much. All right, I believe that was it with that. Thank you gentlemen for your time
and again uh thank you for for everything you guys do. So thanks for your presentation. There's there are no matters under consideration on item seven, appointments. So we're skipping on to 8A, the monthly police report. Major Gonzalez.
I guess uh they're going to go fetch him. Well, temporarily we'll we'll pass him up. 8B, public works monthly infrastructure report by Mr. Omar Santos. and the vice mayor is very uh adamant that you address the AC here in chambers.
I'll I'll start with that. Good evening. I get I'm just happy I get to be before police. So the the AC is working. Um what we've allegedly as I like to say all the time
what what what we've been identify is that there there seems to be some issues with the the balancing of this one unit and we've already we're already in communications with vendors to to get that taken care of. It's just we need a little bit more time. It's it's not so
easy in this big big units is just uh switching a a switch. So with that, I'll begin the highlighting the regular uh report. Yes. So one of the projects I want to
highlight is our northwest 59th Avenue project uh extension roadway. Um so we're finalizing access for a geotechnical consultant. Once we have that, we'll have the new numbers for our designer to to continue with the design process. Even without that, we have
completed conceptual design. So we have a general idea of the of the layout of this project and how it's going to work with with the surrounding area um which has been provided to to several of the agencies. We're also on the
ground side. Uh we are working on getting our second reimbursement request from from HUD. Uh we've already received one earlier this year and we're working on getting the second one. And today you will be awarding the demolition contract
for the the building that we purchased last year. Um, and then some other things I would like to highlight. I want to give uh props to our grants department. As you many of you know, we were recently awarded uh a grant for the
170 trail uh safety improvements of 1.5 million. We're very excited about that. And on the maintenance side, we're getting ready to get the new contractor on board and working towards the end of this month. So, we'll have a second
contractor on our on our maintenance activities. With that, any questions, Mr. Vice Mayor, and then I see Mr. Cuadra Garcia, and then Mr. Ray Garcia. So, let's go in that order. The vice mayor first, uh, Councilman Cuadra Garcia, and then Councilman Garcia.
Thank you, Mayor. Uh on the 154th and Palmetto Expressway turn lanes, when do we anticipate it to finish? Uh and please tell me it's before the school year. We hope so. Next week is the anticipated official groundbreaking that crews
should be on site. Um the contractor does not expect to impact traffic at the moment. He's going to be working behind the guardrail and traffic will be impacted towards the end that we have to actually do the paving work. Uh it's it should be minimal and we're hoping for
it to be completed before school starts. Push for that. Yeah. Yeah. Uh and then what uh under the Park West pedestrian and bicycle improvement item. I I'm sorry. I just didn't know what the LAP
acronym. Wait, which one? The Park West pedestrian and bicycle improvements. There's a an acronym. Oh, local agency program. Sorry. local agency program. It's an FOP program. Got it. Thank you, Councilman Cuadra Garcia.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor, through the chair. Um actually, uh I'm going to be talking on this uh briefly on this um building that we're talking about 59 51 demolition. Um after talking to the um to the manager on my briefing, um he
advised me that I knew nothing about this. So, he advised me that we're going to be uh investing or spending um $89,000 plus another extra $30,000 of whatever could be found if they need
extra money. Um I think that we should send this out for bid one more time. Um, I have done a little bit of research and I think that we can do much better than $5.94
a square foot to demolish this property. Um, I think that we can do uh under $5 a square foot right now. We are at $5.94. That is my recommendation. Thank you, Councilman. Uh, a Councilman
Ray Garcia because remember this is a report at the moment through the mayor. Thank you so much. Um so I know we we spoke about the the demolition and and that um can you talk a little bit more about the cons contingency you put in these buildings were built in the 70s late 70s so there
is risk of asbestous and also uh oil contamination from the mechanics that were there in the past uh could you talk a little bit about how you plan for that right and how you put that 30% contingency in there just for that yes forification so
we do anticipate through the permitting process the contractor will have to uh test and find out I if any of that comes up during the permitting process, he'll have to abide by any environmental requirements um through Durham or be it the county.
Um and then the contingency is in there to address some of those issues. Uh we base it just on a standard estimate just for for the permitting costs and and treatment. uh if it goes over there or
for some reason we have to that's something that will be brought brought back to to the council for consideration and discussion. And how long did the RFP process uh from start? It was uh it was a invitation to bid. It was 30 days. Okay. It was 30 days.
Yeah. Okay. And considering the what the market is is is charging, what are your what are your uh I mean you're recommending have did you do any outside uh see what the market is charging for square feet and things like that
as far as demolition? Besides well we put it out to bid this was the lowest and from all of them I think a few were about 30 to 40,000 over a few much more. So, if you if you look at the spread, I don't know if you have
in front of you the memo. Mhm. Um I think and we had a good number of biders. I think over four or five. Yeah, there there was uh council member, there were five biders. The one that we're recommending was 89,000.
Then the next one up was 125,000. After that was 179. After that was 235. I'm sorry, 238. And the highest one was 245. So the one that we're recommending is 89. Okay. Um Loato Salo sometimes, right? So
question, what was it uh what experience does the low bidder have compared to the other biders when it comes to demolition? And have they had any issues in the past with not following DRM and not following health requirements or any dings on their record? So that's part of the procurement's due
diligence. They they're required to submit um references which they were all checked and they they they checked out uh they have experience in the the size of building. Mhm. Um and just overall uh based on the
submitts and and the checks that procurement did that it's a company that can perform this type of work. Okay. Yeah. Council member, they've done work for the city of Tamarak of of demolition. They've done work for Wawwa gas station, a senior uh living facility, Aldi storefront. So they they
have they have uh experience doing significantly, you know, significant size um demolitions. All right. Absolutely. Thank you. And 12 years. They've been in business for 12 years. So they're not a fly by night. They just perfect. Not a guy with a bucket. I'd love to hear that. You did your due diligence and you like you always do. Listen, I I think we need to knock this
building down as quickly as possible. So, uh I'm all for it. I know you're all any other questions of Mr. Santos? Seeing none, I'll close with just saying I'm glad that we're finally moving this forward. I think between um what we just
heard from GMX with respect to the uh the partial uh ramp there uh for uh the Gratney and also with this project, I think that will go a long way to finally delivering some of the long-standing promises that this council has been making to the public with respect to traffic relief. So, thank you uh
Director Santos. With that, we're going to go back to 8A, the monthly police report by Major Gonzalez. Major, you have the floor. Good evening. I apologize for being late. I was dealing with something outside the work. Um, duty calls. Uh,
Major Gonzalez, town commander with your monthly police report. Um, we continue with the summer initiative. Um, we continue with the, uh, low crime stats on every category. We just finished up with the uh July 4th um celebration. It was uh thank God it wasn't a rain out and it went very well. We had no
incidents. Um great turnout. Um we're going to be having National Night Out um August 5th at the Veterans Park from 6:00 to 8. Um we plan on doing it a little different this year. Um, from
6:00 to 7:00 we're going to be at the park and then from 7:00 we're going to planning on doing uh maybe a bike ride with some of the residents around the uh section one area across the street from the park for like maybe a half an hour uh and then come finish back at the at our staging location at the park which
is one of the pavilions that we normally use every year. Um, so we're going to we haven't finalized the plans, but we plan on trying to throw in a little bit of a different more interactive community partial bike ride. Whoever turns out we'll So we're going to advertise that and work on on advertising that with the
town. Sorry, the fifth. The fifth the fifth. Tuesday, August 5th at the Veterans Park. Um, we're prepping now for obviously the uh the new school year coming up. So, we're
we're already working on uh deployment of that of the officers and the dealing with the new traffic patterns at the K through8. And um when traffic our traffic initiative continues, we had 436 contracts, 244 written citations, 192
verbal warnings, and 17 parking citations. And with that, um, I'll leave it for questions. Any questions or comments for Major Gonzalez? Council member Hersburg, followed by Council Member Garcia. Any of you guys?
No, just uh continue. Thank you. Thank you for your work. I think we've seen improvements. Um, and every time I ask your officer something or or want something personally help on something, they've always been great. So, just uh keep doing what you're doing. The numbers are not lying here.
Awesome. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Garcia. Thank you. Yeah, the Fourth of July event without a hitch. Amazing. The way you get traffic in and out and the officers are just they're they're so helpful and and all the community goes up to them. Thanks them and I I thought
you your officers did an amazing job. Um as far as crime rate, of course, keep continue to go down. I see that you're pushing the lock it or lose it campaign on social media. I know we've we've shared that as well. Correct. And we also revamp revamped up
the uh revisited or reposted the uh golf cart initi um TSA. Okay. To put that one back out that we did last year. Absolutely. Um and um yeah, we're doing good. Also the vehicle burglaries are down like 25%. They don't reflect on that report, but
they we we get that I get that daily on on the statistics separate report. And I always ask OT OT dollars, you're good there. You need more. What's going on? No, we're going good. we're going to be meeting for the for the next year's budget, but I think everything status quo is really good. I think what we have now is really been the extra funding for
the traffic initiatives and the minimum staffing and um the uh burglary enforcement has paid off. So, yeah, it's paid off. Absolutely. Whatever you need. Thank you, sir. Council member Sanchez, so before our next meeting, it'll
officially be the first day of school. Yes. Are there any special plans in place for traffic mitigation for those first couple of days that are different than the rest of the school year? Oh, yeah. The first uh year, traditionally every year we especially um with uh Bob Graham. Yeah. Because that's a school that in the
morning, even in the morning. So, what happens, you know, in every every school year, you're always going to have a group of parents that are new to that school, right? The first year, we call it the first year parents. They're not familiar with the traffic pattern, timing. So they're the ones that we have, you know, the the first year of a kid going to school, you
got to negotiate to get them out of the car. That's the that's the hold up in the morning till the kid gets comfortable about getting out of the car with having to have a little negotiation in the car that holds up traffic. So we have officers out on 154th Street and 79 Avenue. We uh mitigate some of the traffic in the the shopping center
um that in the the west side from coming out and kind of cutting off the traffic on 154 Street. And then obviously we have the officers up uh up by the school at all all the schools. So and also we get some traffic in the morning on the Bob Graham I mean Bubber Goldman also. But that's alo just normal for the first
week if you get any phone calls just uh let you know let everybody know that be patient. The first week of school is new parents learning the new traffic patterns and timing and then everything smooths out after that. Is there anything that different you're doing this year as opposed to last year or is it the same as last year for the first
few days of the morning for um we do the same the same every year that it's been working. Yeah. Cool. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Sanchez. A couple quick uh points for me. The August 5th event, what was the name of it? I missed it. National Night Out. Law enforcement.
National Night. Law Enforcement Out. And then um with regard to the upcoming start of the school year, uh I would just ask that you check in with Omar on that project, that construction project that we're talking about to make sure it doesn't affect you and what you guys
need to do. Yeah, that's going to be for dismissal time and we already have a plan in place to address the 77 77 core at the east side with curved now. And then lastly, uh, piggybacking off of Council Member Garcia and some of my other colleagues comments, Fourth of July, it's the
biggest event of the year for our town. Um, you guys, and I'm I'm looking at you guys back in the back of the room, you guys truly are the face of the town. You are the main way in which residents and non-residents interact with our government. Uh, and I'm very proud to
say that you guys put a very positive face to our town. So, thank you for that. We truly did feel safe and well represented. So, thank you very much. Yeah, you guys do a great job every day. So, we appreciate them. Thank you, Major. Thank you.
All right, we're on to 8C, which was the time capsule. Good evening. in this case now, vice mayor and counsel Jeremy Bagdown, director of parks and recreation. Um the item before you is just a report that we're closing out. Uh we've had this
item on our to-do list since August of 24th. And you're welcome. Um essentially the item was uh targeted at us looking at the closing of the 23rd or the opening of the 2030 time capsule that we have at Royal Oaks and starting to plan for that already in the future.
Um, we were tasked, vice mayor, I believe you also had some comments on this item, uh, relating to it being youth focused on our next time capsule and what we want to put in 2030. Uh, we've already been working with the youth activities task force. They actually have a great plan and what they're looking at uh, doing down the
road. However, um, as we took a look at the minutes, we wanted to make sure and confirm, but this item will not take place and action won't happen until 2030. It is meant to be tied with the opening of the uh, Royal Oaks time capsule. So, I just wanted to make sure that we bring that up to speed, let you
guys know that while the item was sitting on our to-do list, essentially it will be actionable in fiscal year 2930. Um, with that, uh, like I mentioned, the youth activities task force has found a nice modular option in which sponsorships and donations can happen, so individuals can be part of this time
capsule. Um, and if there's any other items, I just wanted to make sure that I updated you all on the the item and kind of close it out for now as it's been on our recurring to-do list. comments, questions, concerns. Councilman Guava Garcia. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. Um, Jeremy,
uh, good afternoon, sir. Can you tell tell me a little about about this capsule? And, uh, what what is this? Is this a how deep is it? And what's is it are we preview privy to knowing what's in it? Wait, before before you say, are you going to dig it up?
I'm sorry. I had to. So essentially the purpose of the time capsule is a way that we can store things from this day and age that we were not going to look at for 10 20 30 years. Okay. Essentially what we did and what we have done is we've already placed a few of
these in the town's history. Uh our latest one will be opened in 2030. Okay. Uh the point is to put it can be newspaper clippings. It can be family pictures from their first time at a park. It can be different uh items that we place in there to kind of remember the history of the actual uh of the time
that we placed all these items. Okay. So, in this case, what happened was we were tasked with looking at when we opened the one in 2030, how are we already going to be planning and what are we going to do for planting a new time capsule? Fine. I I got that. But how deep is it? And when you expect to open it in 2030,
do you expect it to be wet, dry? I mean, tell me a little bit about it. I mean, yeah. So that's actually one of the things that the youth activities task force looked at and they're actually uh working with a company. What we want to do is work with a company that it's a a almost marine grade case that can be placed in the ground. It'll last the duration of time. It is placed well down
low. Depends on the size of that we want to place of the actual capsule. It can be as small as sometimes small tube uh that can be placed two to four feet down. If it's a larger, now we're talking modular. That's something that's going to be a little more cumbersome. We're going to have to dig that a little further and open up a bigger hole.
Okay. Thank you. Any other comments? Uh, Council Member Garcia, would you be open to allowing me to put all my kids cell phones in there so we can have dinner with with them actually having a conversation? Can I do that? We can make sure that it it allows no reception. So, there they cannot even
Don't tell them. They'll dig it up. Thanks. Any other comments? Um, I I'll just get my comments. Um, and again, this is my my comments are just that. Um, at the end of the day, it's not that big of a deal. Um, I do think it would be nice.
Um, I understand that the original time capsule is due in 2030. Uh, so we're looking at creating the new one in 2030. I just do think it would be a nice thing to do it in 2025 with our 25th anniversary as part of, you know, those
celebrations and then that then reschedules us to be at 25, 50, 75 and so on. If it doesn't happen, it's truly not a big deal. But I just wanted to put that out there. It's something to consider.
Other than that, um, any other comments, questions? Uh, Council Member Hersburg, I I agree with you, Vice Mayor, but I guess my question is if the plan is 2030, nothing's going to be planned for some time then, right? We're not going to talk about this for five years. Correct.
I just want to make sure that's the plan. If it's 2030, we'll we'll talk about in 2029. Correct. Okay, perfect. Sounds good. All righty. Uh, seeing no further comments, thank you. Um, moving on to the attorney's report.
Okay, it's short. Um, the foreclosures on Yeah. Hello. Yeah. The foreclosure reports, um, we literally, and this is in real time, literally, I've gotten, uh, a print out from the fund. I think they're going to
work it so that we don't have to put up, you know, $175 times however many of these foreclosures we're going to have to do. Um, they're going to let us pay as we go along, as we get paid or something like that. They'll they'll work with us on that.
So, it's not a huge upfront uh payment. Uh if we do for most of the cases, I'm hoping it will work out that as we resolve them, we'll get our costs back. Um the ones that you know that that uh that
I go filing initially, I may ask the town for an, you know, for advance of the foreclosure filing fee, it's going to be, don't quote me, it's either 400 or 900. I I don't remember. I think it's 900. And then after 250,000, which is not
ours, I think the filing fee is $2,000 as opposed to a regular PI case or a regular commercial case. It's $400. Foreclosures are are more. Um, you'll see some feedback from from me through the town manager uh to you guys.
Uh, the other thing is, and I'm talking to some of you guys uh offline on the blasting, we're moving. We're doing things behind the scenes, but I'd really prefer not to discuss it up here. And that's about all I have.
Any comments or questions? Uh, Council Member Hersburg, you're recognized. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Um, the foreclosures, have have any demand letters gone out? Because remember, I do want to I again, I said it up there. I trust your guys work, but I want to see before we file anything that was
discussed. Not to micromanage everyone going forward, but this first time if we actually do move forward since we've never done that before, see which ones would be filed first. Has have demand letters gone out yet or not yet? No, not that I know. Not not not from us. I Well, wasn't isn't the plan for
demands with with a proposed complaint to show that it's being We have sent I don't know if you want to call them demand letters. We have sent letters to them saying that we were taking this step from but it was at the administrative level not at the not you
know quote unquote a legal letter it was from our our our staff saying this is coming this is what we're doing you know you have this opportunity so they have been uh warned and I guess Danny's not in the room but uh we have sent at least one if not maybe two
and and when you're sending that you're you're making sure of course the address and everything else property appraiser all that stuff. Okay. All right. I just just wanted when we this is if if we have to file any be the first time we ever do it. So like I like we agreed
last time that it comes before us before that first you know case or cases gets filed. Yeah. I mean definitely. Any other uh Councilman Quad Garcia? Um Mr. Vice Mayor, thank you. Um, I just like to see if um I could be uh it could
be considered to pulling uh item 12 uh Charlie from consent. Okay. Um that's going to require a motion. Let's just finish this report and then I'll entertain that motion. Okay. Uh any comments or questions for the town attorney? Uh seeing none, I I'll
just add mine. Um Mr. Attorney, uh at the last meeting, and I'm just referencing last meeting's minutes here. Um I had asked uh for if you guys could please come back uh you know this meeting or in the near future with an estimate uh we had discussed an estimate
of fees on the blasting case. So I don't want to get into the blasting case but you know do please we you know we obviously want justice for ourselves and for our residents but we need to do so in a fiscally responsibly responsible manner. Uh so you know please come back to us with an estimate.
Yeah kind what I my understanding that it's a ballpark. Right. Right. Exactly. My thinking and I'll get it to offline, but it's until I have a pathway until I know my pathway. We we could discuss it more uh offline.
And then um if it sounds like I'm being evasive, I am. Yeah, I can tell. Um been there. Um lastly, uh during the last meeting also, it was discussed um Mr. uh one of our residents, Mr. Abel Fernandez, he had uh
mentioned something in public comment that piqued my interest of uh maybe creating some sort of submillage uh within our existing millillage uh so that residents can more accurately see how much of their taxes is going to
this. I just don't know if that's legal or not. And so it was just a question posed to you guys. um if you wanted to get back to us if if the question is a breakdown or are we going to I'm not
sure I'm not sure the question so that I want to understand it so that we can answer it. So the form of a millillage is how you uh pass, you know, a tax onto property and collect. Taxing is controlled by Florida statute. Pretty
much, for lack of a better word, you can't mess with it. All right. What you can do is is create a budget. So if you want to create a separate line item in your budget with regards to this and and create some way that you can uh see how it's it's being spent, that that can be
done. But but you can't create a a separate tax uh to to fund this. So So just to clarify then internally we can create documents or something like that to kind of show our residents how much of the millillage goes to that but
externally as far as the property appraiser site the trim notice that we cannot. No. Okay. That that answers my question. Thank you through the chair. Councilman Garcia. So as far as like CRAAS create tiffs. Can we create a tiff? something in that
is for the for these expenses because it's it's basically the entire town that's going to benefit. Yeah. Is there is that even a possibility? So So maybe future I guess yeah future tax revenue you know. So so is is a tax increment
uh funding source. All right. Uh it is done for areas that are depressed. So if you have an area in in the town that is uh of you know suffering from blight. Yeah. CRAAS. Yeah, absolutely. No, I get it. I get then you can create a a TIFF and then
you would be getting paid back or you it's basically a loan the Florida statute. I know it was in the late60s and amend it again, but is is that statue burbage open to damage caused by or anything because damages infrastructure
damages caused maybe that by u natural disaster or or or the blasting that could open us up. that language doesn't open up. It has to be a right to be selected area like a downtown area. Okay. Issues of taxing are are something that is
issues of taxing are something that are um statutoily created. Basically, they're not within our home rule power to be able to uh create additional taxes. You can create additional certain types of fees. You can create special assessments uh for certain things, but
something of this nature, you wouldn't be able to. Okay. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Any other questions on this particular item? Anything further, Mr. Attorney? All right. We're done with the attorney's report. Councilman Guad
Garcia, I'm told that you had a motion. Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'm requesting that we pull from consent uh uh item uh 12 uh Charlie for discussion. Please remember that to do that you have to reopen the
order of business first. Making a motion to reorder, please. I'll second. Okay. The uh there's a motion to reopen the agenda. It's been moved. It's been seconded. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. Motion carries. We are now on the order of
business. Councilman Guada Garcia, you wanted to pull 12 C from consent. Is that is that uh is that accurate? Is that that is accurate, sir? All right. So, I heard you correctly. Any other uh changes to the agenda? I'll move the amended agenda. Okay. It it's been moved and seconded.
All those in favor say I. I. No. The eyes have it and the uh item 12 C has been pulled from consent, but but we're not there yet. So, we are now on item 10A, committee report of the special needs advisory board.
Hello. Okay. Good evening, mayor, uh, town council members. Uh my name is Vivian. I'm the chair of the special needs advisory board. This is Kimberly. She's our secretary. Um first I wanted to um thank my fellow
members of the board uh for all their support. Um I also want to go on the record and say and say thank you to Isabella, our liaison. She's amazing. She's been very supportive all year. Um, and also officer Amadore uh with all his
help with with the special needs safety program. Um, I believe you all have our report uh with the agenda. So, I'm not going to like read the whole thing, but I do uh want to highlight a couple of
the last events that we had, including the animation class. Um, we had our third semester this year. It was a full class. Um, I want to thank uh, Councilman Sanchez and Mayor Diegas for
coming to visit the class. Um, the students are so inspiring. Um, uh, Councilman Hzburg came to the graduation as well. So, I wanted to thank him for that. Um, they showed
their animation shorts. Uh, it was held right right here. um they all received a diploma. They were so proud of themselves. They did amazing work. Something else that I'm very proud of with this program is that we're funding the assistance
um for the class. So, these are students who are preparing to become teachers. So, our funds go to pay for them. They get a salary. So, we're job creators.
So, I'm very proud of that as well. Um, it was a very successful semester. Uh, we're going to be having another semester in the fall. Uh, once we have more information, we will let you know. Um, uh, Kimberly
wants to tell you a little bit about our Fourth of July, uh, sensory room. Yeah. So, so this year um we had a sensory room at the Mary Collins uh community center uh for our fantastic
Fourth of July celebration which I have to say was phenomenal. It was very well executed, very well organized. Um I was um when I wasn't walking around, I was in the sensei room and I have to say it was so nice to see so many families come
through those doors. Um, so many families that, you know, didn't know that we had a safety program, you know, that we were able to hopefully sign some new families up. Um, families that came with little ones um that needed headphones for the fireworks. So, even
like right before this fireworks, like people decided, oh, let me stop by um enjoy some AC. Um, so I wanted to thank you all once again. And um piggybacking on um what Vivian, you know, said, "Thank you so much for all your support even at the
Fourth of July celebration. You guys were all busy. You guys didn't have to, but you know, you stopped by uh Mayor Diegas, Councilman Garcia, Councilman Morera. Thank you so much. And for bringing the kiddos like some glow sticks, they had a ton of fun. They were dancing with them. So, um yeah, that was
a great event. And we will have a sensory room also for the 25th anniversary um event at Veterans Park. So we'll also have a sensory room there for any families that need that assistance, especially with the fireworks.
Okay. Excellent. Uh Madam uh Madam Chair, do you have anything else? Uh no. I think the only like new uh event we're going to be sponsoring uh this year um that would need your
approval is a pickle ball tournament benefiting GG's Playhouse. So that's I'll move the item. Well, actually, when is it? August 30th. August 30th. Okay. So I'll And uh and you want to do it again at the pickle
ball courts that we uh have? No, they're doing it at the yards. Okay. at the yards, right? Okay. No, no, no. That's in uh the yards at Amelia. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So, I'll go ahead and and move to approve that. I'll second.
It's moved and seconded. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. The motion carries. Congratulations. Approved. Hey, I'm going to turn over to my colleagues beginning with the vice mayor and then let me get an order going here. Councilman. No. No, you do. Okay.
So, Councilman Fernandez, Councilman Hersburg. Uh, I'm down to play, too. I played pretty well. All right. Right now, we're just getting the players lined up as far as who's going to uh ask questions. So, again, we've got the vice mayor, the Councilman
Fernandez, Councilman Herszburg, Council Garcia, did you have anything you wanted to say? Uh, okay. All right. So, you three. So, begin with the vice mayor. One more uh announcement before you guys go. I wanted to uh announce that the mayor's gala is going to be November 14th. Woo.
Very excited about that. Do we have a theme yet? Find my outfit. It's There's not really a The theme is like 25th anniversary, a silver jubilee, but it will be black tie and keep their cows. So, darn it.
Okay. So, Michael Scott would say stay classy. Thank you. Thank you. Classy. Classy with the K. All right, Mr. Vice Mayor. Uh, just one more time. What was that date? November 14th. It's a Friday. All right. Um, first of all, Vivian, as
my appointee, I'm incredibly pr proud of you, the leadership that you've shown on uh the special needs advisory board. Um, there were a lot of people who when John left, they weren't sure that this committee, you know, could continue because he was such a good contributor
to our to this committee. you've shown just as much dedication, if not more. Uh not trying to compare, but I just think that you have truly shined and shown what the best of our town services can
be. So, thank you so much for that. Um I also want to say on behalf of uh myself, Council Member Garcia, Council Member Cuadra Garcia, Mayor Diez, and myself who did go to the Fourth of July event and went into the um the the the area
that you guys had set up. Uh I was very moved by it. Uh there were plenty of, like you said, uh kids, families there, uh some with special needs, some who just needed a a break from the elements. Um because it was just becoming too much. Um and I just had a blast there. I
was there playing with Gabriel and and Grayson. Um and you know, I I I can't say enough positive things about what you guys are doing. Keep doing what you're doing. And also I do have to say uh we get a lot of these reports you know every month from different
committees. You guys have really good attendance which just again goes to show each of your members are truly dedicated to the mission of the special needs advisory board. So thank you again and you know props to you guys. Give yourselves a pat on the back. We're a team. It's not just me. It's all of us.
Um anyone else? U Councilman Fernandez. Oh I I'll definitely Hello the chip. There it is. Um, I just want to piggyback on what vice mayor is saying that thank you guys. Thank you for what you do. I, you know, the more that I
didn't know how much the impact that so many families um have or or how many families are impacted by by children and family members with special needs. So, I'm glad that you guys are doing what you're doing and and I thank you for it.
Councilman Herszburg. Thank you, Mayor. Uh and and same thing you Vivian doing such a great job chairing the committee uh showing leadership and making sure it stays strong. And this committee is something that I think separates our town from others uh and and the real impact it
makes not just just with the town but in in the county in general uh and and how you can literally change lives. Uh I was out of town this 4th of July but every other Fourth of July I have I have stopped by there especially with the AC and my kids, you know, they go in there and they they have fun and it's it's a
great room. I'm glad to see that it's set up for the 25th anniversary event. Um I I want to make sure I want to make sure that you were part of that committee as well. So just keep up the great work you guys do and I'm looking forward to the gall. Thank you.
There being uh anyone else wishing to ask questions or or offer their compliments to the committee? Seeing none, thank you Madam Chair and Kim for your support and your report. With that, we are now on the item pulled from
consent 12C involving ITV 2025-15 demolition services contract for 5951 Northwest 151st Street building. With that, Councilman Cuadra Garcia, this was your pool, so you're
recognized to present the motion. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. basically just uh uh just a recommendation that we all cities and counties do it. They open up sometimes and they go to rebid. So
basically at this time um I was not aware of this. Uh I just found out on my briefing uh yesterday about this item and after doing a little bit of research I found out that there could be possible if we reopen it again and give it another 30 or 60 days. I think we should
be able we could be able to save money. So, but but I need a motion though. So, I I guess uh it I guess your if I had to restate what what you're what you're offering up and you tell me if it's correct or not, your motion would be to
deny item 12 C and re and and put it back up to bid. Would that be accurate? That is accurate. I'll second for discussion. So, there's a motion. There's a second. Councilman Garcia, you're recognized for discussion. Thank you. Um, I understand what you're saying. Absolutely, Councilman Garcia. Um, and that's why I asked the questions
that I did to Omar and and to the manager. If there would have been one or two uh bidding parties, I would have said, "Hey, that's that's not enough to to make a proper decision." But there were five, right? And also, we have to remember we're going to deal with
mitigation, asbestous, uh, toxins, lead, all the things that that remember this was built in 7877. this building. It was in the in the late 70s. Yeah. Exactly. So that was before the asbestous rules of 89 that removed all asbestous, you know, out of out of
buildings. So and that's why I asked questions about their history and have they done things similarly like gas stations which gas stations, especially the old gas stations, removing the tanks, remediating the soil is is you have to know what you're doing, right? Even the you just the the workers have
to wear proper attire and things like that. So the the cost here compared to what we're getting compared to the other bits uh to me sounds as reasonable as it could be. Sure. Could it could it be a little cheaper? Of course it can. But remember inflation is creeping up. The
longer we wait, the more it's going to be. So and this is the first step not only in the process, but I think it's a giant step psychologically for the town and the residents to show we're knocking down this building. And once we knock it down, we're building that bridge. So, we
got to knock this building down. So, although I understand what you're saying and I can't support your motion at this time, given all the the what I spoke about prior, all the facts that are that are involved in this decision, but I mean, saving money is is what we're up here to do.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Remember, you need to wait to be called on. You had your opportunity to introduce a motion. I would take notes as far as what you want to respond to. Um, Councilman Garcia as a secondary of the motion was allowed to speak first and then and now the vice mayor is asking to speak, but just make notes of the points
you want to rebut and then of course you will have an opportunity to rebut uh our colleagues at the right moment. Mr. Vice Mayor, thank you, Mayor. Uh, so I I just want to point out this is a project. This is the the real beginning of a project that
is long been on the books for our town. Um, having just moved to the east side, I more and more see the importance of this project. Um, it is very annoying to have to go out of our town only to come back
into it. Uh, and then same on the way back. Um, so for me, the sooner this thing gets done, the the the better, obviously, not at the expense of being financially irresponsible. That to that end, um, and also not sacrificing
quality, which council member Garcia very eloquently uh, already addressed those points earlier with Omar. Um, as far as the financial side, you know, I just did quick math, which I've never claimed to be good at, but um, the
average bid, the the the average of all five bids is $175,617.36. The the winning bid is $89,000, nearly $100,000 less. Um I I don't Most of the next closest bid to the winning bid was
a was 125,000. Most of them were in that, you know, 125 to 245 range. Um I don't necessarily see that going out to bid again would necessarily yield us
positive results. Um especially given you know what what uh council member Garcia said there is inflation, there is the price of of materials, there is the price of labor uh which is it seems like every day increasing. Uh so for that
reason I cannot support this motion. Anyone else before I go to Councilman Cuadra Garcia? Councilman Harrisburg. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um and and Councilman, I I appreciate the item. I understand your your concerns. Honestly, when I first saw the item, my concern
was, are we picking the wrong company because they're the lowest bidder. Uh, but the manager has saw those concerns of me saying that these work that the contractors work with other municipalities, other large companies. Um, that was the most shocking thing to
me. I I'm I'm not a construction expert. I don't know how much demolition, commercial demolition at this type of building should honestly cost. Uh, and this was open up to bid. I think if if you if we have people coming up saying well I can do it cheaper then either one or two things they they don't know how
to bid in the project or they don't qualify to bid in the project uh based off a company providing such a low bid compared to others and meeting satisfactory you know reference checks from our town staff. I think we have to go ahead and and trust our staff on that
and and move forward. Uh you know it's and also I agree this project's got to go. It's been waiting way too long. It's costing us more money than we originally thought. So, let's get it moving and and not delay it any further. Okay. Councilman Quad Garcia for a
rebuttal. Okay. I'll finish it up. Um like I said, uh I was uh introduced to this item just yesterday. I knew nothing about it. And after doing a little bit of research and study, the average going to demol to to to demolish uh and remove a a such a
simple building like this goes between $4.90 to around $5 a square foot. We are right now at $5.94 a square foot. So again, um it's a, you know, you guys are making the call. I'm just bringing you the and again who gave
me these numbers was a company by the name of Demolition Masters with 50 years of experience. Thank you very much. All those in favor say I. All I Right. Uh I do not agree on it.
No. No. It's your motion to reject this and to put it back out to bid. Okay. Yes. All those uh opposed? No. No. All right. All right. In the opinion of the chair, the nose have it. The motion does not carry. Is there um at this point I will go ahead and move item 12 C
to approve it. Is there a second? I'll second. Any disc further discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. No. The the eyes have it. The motion carries. Item 12 C passes.
I'll move the consent. Uh Vice Mayor Moretta moves the consent calendar. Is there a second? I'll second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The consent calendar is passed. We are now on item 13A.
Uh, ordinances on first reading. Uh, um, Mr. Attorney, go ahead and please read into the record. An ordinance of the town council of town Miami Lakes, Florida, relating to attached canopies for single family and two family buildings amending chapter 13 land development code at article 5 allowable
encroachments into the required yards and exceptions to the maximum permitted heights at section 13-506 canopies providing for repeal of laws and conflict providing for severability providing for inclusion into the code and providing for an effective date to
the mayor. Mr. Vice Mayor, I'll move the item. It's been moved. Is there a second? Second. Okay. Is there any discussion? Yeah, I have a question. Thank you, Mayor. Um, this item, my only
concern is that it doesn't make buildings closer to other homes, right? Like any accessory items closer to the homes. I mean it can make it closer but that five the current setback is still the five remains the five is going nowhere right
um also it is it's one of these balancing acts that we're trying to pull off where we try to contain the same amount of rear yard that is already allowed to be covered by a roof we're just sort of allowing it in different
configurations if that makes sense but that 20% of your rear yard that you're allowed to cover with a roof remains the same. And just um sort of keeping in mind that 20% of the required rear yard is only allowed to be covered with a roof. So wherever you see more
than that, so my my only concern of item is that we're not actually changing coverage or the the maximum setbacks from the other homes. We're all we're making it more flexible so the residents can build something different. Right.
Correct. with the with the existing 20% and never allowing anything closer than five feet to any property line. Yes. Okay. That those are my two concerns. We're not allowing more and we're not allowing something to that already would be allowed to go closer to property.
Correct. So, so it's and it's basically allowing uh them to be closer to the main residence, which is what you know when you have a a shorter yard and you're required to have your canopy 10 feet away from your home then and you only have 25. So those that math begins
to not make any sense, right? So allowing them to be a little closer to the main home and then allowing the configuration of that roof to be a little different. So in your opinion, there's no negative effects to neighbors. No. Okay. That's Uh, not with this. No. Got it. Perfect. Thank you.
Through the chair, Councilman Garcia. As far as um the rain coming out of the d uh the the uh the gutters. Sure. That do we have any I mean the gutter just I'm just what I'm trying to avoid
is and I think he already said it's not going to change anything for the neighbors. We're not getting closer. We're not adding the gutters with drainage right at the fence line that's going to flood the other person's yard. None of that. If everything is done according to the code, including including the underneath
paving area, those five feet are respected all around. And you have basically a five- foot band, okay, of dirt with roots in it. No water from this roof is going to be
going into anybody else's property because it will be absorbed by thy dirt and absorbed up by those roots. But we're but we're subtracting green space, right? Because they're coming toward the property if it's open area. No, because this five foot is already existing. This is an existing barrier
that you have. Again, we're just rearranging how these roofs can how these canopies are alopies u um gas um just closer to the house or a little either closer to the home and or when they're attached to the home
that they can be reconfigured a little different. Okay. So that they're allowed to go a little but never further than the five feet from the property line in any case and and and never more than the 20% that you're allowed to cover of your re
your yard or 350 square feet whichever is once less. So if you have a small yard, you're going to have a small pet canopy. If you have a larger yard, maximum 350. Okay. Yeah. All right. Thank you. Anyone else with that? Madame Clerk, please call the role.
Ordinance in first reading, item 13A. Council member Hzburg, yes. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Council member Sanchez, yes. Council member Garcia,
yes. Vice Mayor Mora, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. Ordinance and first reading, item 13A passes. Excellent. Ordinances on second reading. These are items of public hearings. Mr. Attorney, please go ahead and read into the record. We're on 14A, right?
14A. Yes. An ordinance of the town council of the town of Miami Lakes, Florida, amending the adopted bud budget for fiscal year 2024 2025. providing for the recognition and appropriation of grant funds awarded to the town for capital improvement and
one-time operating expenditures, providing for incorporation of recital, providing for severability, providing for an effective date. Mayor, okay, so you're going to present the uh Yeah, but I'm sorry for Mr. Manager, you're recognized, too. Go ahead.
I don't know if you want to have a motion and a second first. Go ahead and present the item first. It's similar to what you saw last month. There's a couple different uh changes. It allocates the funding that the Veterans Affairs Committee has uh has rearranged for uh the total design cost.
This is not awarding the design contract contract. It's just allocating the funds to make sure that it's in the right place. It's also a budget transfer um to um allocate the money from a contingency line to an expense line uh to eventually come back to you with an uh uh contract
to award for boundary survey in the area of Northwest 77th Avenue. Excellent. Uh with that, uh point of order to the uh to the attorney. Uh, remind me the the public hearing is before the council goes ahead and opens up its
deliberations or once it's open. You want people to talk and and present and it's inclusive of either of the two sec items in the second reading or each one as we get to each one. Well, we can we can I typic what I typically do is if we're going to do
both at the same time. Oh, you'll read both. Well, okay. Well, we only read the first one by title, so we'll just stick to that one for now. Okay. So, okay. Without are there any members of the public public wishing to speak on item 14A in chambers? Public comments is now open.
Seeing none in chambers, madam clerk, anyone uh online that wishes to opine on 14. Let the record reflect. There are no participants online. There being no no public comments on item 14A. Public comments on that item is now closed. With that council, is there a motion on
14A? I'll move it. It's been moved by Councilman Garcia. Is there a second? I'll second. Seconded by Councilman Fernandez. Any debate? Uh, Councilman Herszburg. Just briefly, and I spoke to the town manager. I want to have that disc discussion up here regarding the design
build for the Veterans Memorial. Um, 36,000 just for design, right? Uh, in in in our briefing, we discussed that design is usually 10% of cost. So, I think we just have to open up our minds here. I'm fine with moving forward the item, putting the money out there. It's
not making us sign a contract, but I don't know where $360,000 is coming from to to build this. I want to build it. I think we have to have a very open discussion with the committee, figure out how we can raise some more money, but the way we budget in this town, I just don't see where the money is coming
from unless we really work hard on raising money. Any further debate, Councilman Sanchez? Well, we also need to remember that most of the 36,000 came through fundraising efforts of the Veterans Committee. Um, and I'm going to relate back to an
agenda item much earlier this year that the vice mayor brought up in a challenge for the 5K to try to see who can fund raise the most between all of us. So maybe through that 5K a line share, you know, over the next two, three years can be appropriated to that veterans
memorial. Any other discussion on this item? Yeah. All right. Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role. Item 14A, ordinance in second reading. Council member Garcia. Yes.
Council member Fernandez. Yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia. Um through the chair, can you uh brief me on this a little bit because I'm lost on this item. The Well, the the manager again, we're in the middle of the voting. I would
have preferred if you would have asked us when we were in debate, but the manager did go ahead and provide a recap of what this is. In essence, this is providing some additional budget authority. Um, again, not binding us to anything, but just simply providing
budget authority to expend certain funds if we go into contract on uh elements related to the design of the uh Veterans Memorial. Correct, Mr. Manager? Yes, sir. And what was the other item? the um seven the money for the to conduct the
boundary survey of the area of northwest to distinguish between what is private property and the public rightway. Yes. So this is not about this is not to carry forward. This is providing authority to expend those funds in the future if and when we get there. So are you a yes or a no?
Okay. Council member Hzburg. Yes. Council member Sanchez. Yes. Vice Mayor Moretta is absent. Okay. Thank you. A Mayor Diegas. Yes. Ordinance in second reading. Item 14A
passes. Mr. Attorney, please read item 14B by title. 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
section 17-4 of chapter 17 titled public camping and sleeping providing for inclusion into the code providing the scope and applicability providing a def definition of public camping or sleeping. prohibiting 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. Deputy Attorney, you are recognized to go ahead and introduce the item before we go to public hearing. Thank you, uh, Mayor, uh, Vice Mayor,
uh, Council. Uh, Mr. Manager, um, this item, uh, came before you, uh, during last month's, uh, council meeting. This is the second reading. There's been really no changes between first and second. What this item does is u make sure that the town is abiding by Florida statute. Florida statute was amended
last year uh to make it a responsibility for all uh municipalities to ensure that there is u no public camping. Public camping is people sleeping on our uh property in such a way that we could be considered uh to be a sanctuary type city which would there would be
penalties. Uh the statute does provide that members of the public uh are that uh find that uh persons are sleeping are in violation of of the statute uh can go ahead and uh file independent action against the municipality. For those
reasons, this ordinance provides that uh the town of Miami Lakes does not allow for any type of overnight camping uh and therefore we would not fall a foul of the of the statute. Uh, of course the through the manager's office, I know that he's reached out uh to the homeless
trust and uh we the town will continue uh using best efforts in order to make sure that if there is any homeless in our any of our properties. Uh we're working with those public entities uh to ensure that they're receiving the care that they need. Thank you. With that, we are now I'm now opening up the public
hearing on item 14B. Any members of the public in chambers wishing to speak? Going once, going twice? Seeing none, madame clerk, any online? No participants online. Okay, with that, the public hearing on 14B is now closed. Uh, with that, I go ahead and move uh
adoption of item 14B. Been seconded by Councilman uh Garcia. Any discussion? Any debate? Councilman Harrisburg. Thank you. Uh, who enforces the ordinance? Is it the sheriff's office? Yes, sir. And nothing's really going to change. In other words, there's not going to be a green light for them to
just start arresting people off the street. They do a great job. They go, they provide uh offerings of services, you know, all the different services that the the county has for assisting people that may be without a home. So, that all of that will continue and they do a great job of doing
I and I I agree with that. And when we've had these issues before, that that's what happened. I guess the question is the sheriff's office have the power to enforce this town ordinance. this town ordinance is in line with state law. Not not just that, but the state law requires that we adopt.
No, I know that. No, I I get that and understand. And so I think Are you talking about whether this is an unfunded sort of My question is um my concern is if someone says, "Oh, look, the we have the county ordinance. We're doing our job." I mean, this the town ordinance, we're
doing our job. But then the I thought we have an issue with the sheriff's office not enforcing or ordinances. We don't anymore. Just recently they gave us the green light that the sheriff's office is going to enforce. The logistics of how that's going to be carried out is still a a work in progress. This one happens to align with
state law and they can do it under the opices of a state statute and and that's the the enforcement mechanism. So long as it's a county code or a state law, the the logistics of the enforcement part are worked out. The logistics of them enforcing they've agreed to do it, but the logistics of
how they're going to do it is something that we're still working on. So this one is not going to be a problem. Trust me, the jurisdictional gymnastics has been interesting to follow issue by issue. I get it. Um, got it. Do you have any other questions? No, that that was my only concern. And this just follows state law, right? So, if if something happens, we can blame
the state. Anyone else have any comments on this? Any debate? Okay, seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the role. Item 14B, ordinance in second reading. Council member Garcia, yes. Council member Sanchez,
yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council member Hzburg, yes. Vice Mayor Moretta, that's it. Mayor Diegas, yes. The ordinance in second reading, item 14B passes.
Excellent. There being there there are no resolutions for consideration. So, we now move to Councilman Sanchez for item 16A, uh, letter of support. Councilman Sanchez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, so as we know, traffic is a massive issue in the town of Miami Lakes. A Miami D drive is just
the the main th throughway um with only access to I to the Palmetto and eventually I75. So there is an ongoing project to develop a on-ramps onto I75 over the bridge on 170th um with studies
going on. And I just like to offer a letter of support on behalf of Miami Lakes to Senator Renee Garcia to advocate for the creation of those on-ramps to help alleviate some of the traffic not just for the residents of Miami Lakes but for our neighbors to the west in in Hyia. That way they don't have to cross into Miami Lakes to access
I75. the turn practic and the palmetto. So I am very much I'll go ahead and second that. Uh um however I do have a slight amendment. Uh you all have in front of you a proposed uh resolution uh that accomplishes exactly what the council member wants to
uh uh do. Um it what it does though is it does direct it as and being that it's a resolution, it's a more formal action on behalf of the entire body of the council. So I think it better accomplishes his goals and it is directed at Congressman Diaz Balart who
has obtained through the CFP uh uh as in the um the the community funding project program that the US Congress has. He has uh been able to obtain $6 million for this study, right? Um so it is it now directs it from Senator Garcia's office
to Congressman Diaz Balard's office since he will be the one advocating for these funds. um and appro and then once it we get to the study phase, he will know where to direct it. So I I I thought it was a more appropriate uh place to put it there. So that would just be my amendment. Is there a second? I'll second it. Seconded by the councilman. Any
discussion of the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. Oh, sorry. Did I skip over someone? Oh, sorry. Councilman Garcia, Council Fernandez. Oh, on the amendment. Are you good? On the amendment or on the main item? No, on on the uh the resolution. The resolution. Okay. So, the amendment. Yeah.
Yeah. Absolutely. So, let's pause. Yeah. Just quickly, mayor, this is great leadership, and I think that getting all the parties involved, of course, Renee, uh, but but of course, our congressman who's always brought uh worked hard for the for this area, um, gives it that
gravitas that it needs. um you know when that bridge opened uh we we we we pushed for for you know Halia and all the other entities that is it's a it's a it's a uh regional problem and a main part is
extending that 97th to to Miami Gardens Drive on the Halia side and also the 170th and 170th and this also would be another entrance and egress to the town that I think is going to spread that traffic out and honestly the in the next 5 to 10 years when all these come to
fruition. It's going to be a different town when it comes to traffic. So, I want to thank the council and yourself for the for your leadership on this. And of course, Councilman Fernandez for bringing this up and and speaking with Sanch I'm sorry, Sanchez. I was looking at his face and I was Sanchez. Thank you very much,
Mayor. Just a moment of personal privilege. The office of the clerk did not receive a resolution. So, is can can I have a copy? I had no idea of this resolution. Blame the deputy town attorney. It's always the lawyers, right? Okay. So, now we have it. Thank you.
Okay. With that, all those in favor on the amendment say I. I. All oppose. No. The eyes have it. The amendment carries. Is there on the main item, uh, Councilman Sanchez, I don't know if there's any parting thoughts or if anybody else has anything else to add. All right. Well, well done, Councilman A. All those in favor say I.
I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. Item 16A carries. Congratulations. Thank you. We're now on item 16B, which is my item concerning committee meetings. Again, in speaking with staff, it it dawned on me that there are apparently some
committees that are meeting regularly uh beginning at 8:30 p.m. And that is very late, right? Even for young staffers, if we were to get these uh you know, young members of staff to go ahead and and man these committees as their liaison, that
just means that if the meeting even takes an hour, you're looking at finishing at 9:30. And then for those uh that uh liaison that may not live in the town getting home, of course they're going to get home really late and then have to be back home early. So I just wanted to set up uh you know some
parameters there um with respect to the last uh hour when committees can meet. And secondly, I wanted to amend the committee rules. And I know that it's it seems to be a popular thing these days, but I swear this is this will be the last one that at least I tend to push for right now. um is just simply you
know to encourage your committees to meet instead of sherking their responsibilities and just encouraging that if at least the vice chair of the committee is available to chair the meeting they must meet if it's been at least two months without a meeting right I think missing three meetings or three
months worth of meetings is unacceptable so again it's a two-part u motion uh requiring that that no committee meetings commence later than 7 p.m. And secondly, that if the committee is coming up on a third missed meeting, if at least the vice chair is able to chair
the meeting, then they must convene. Uh that is my motion. I'll second it for discussion. It's seconded by the vice mayor and for discussion, you are recognized to speak. Thank you, mayor. Uh number one, uh yeah, in general, I support this item because having been on a committee that met at that time, it was very
inconvenient. Um and I know that some of the committees that currently meet at that time are actually having forum issues and attendance issues. So 100% support the item with some uh carveouts and and um little tweaks. Um I think
that the rule should be um you know to amend the committee rules so that no meetings other than special calls and subcommittee meetings because you know those are very special purpose that if the committee itself wants to decide hey it's a one-off meeting we want to meet at that time they can do so. Um,
additionally, rather than the 7 PM time that you proposed, I would recommend the se a 7:30 time just because some of our committee members are driving from downtown, maybe they need to grab a bite to eat and, you know, get to um get get to the committee meeting on time. Um,
that's as to the first part of your motion. As to the second part, I would actually go a little bit further than than what you did. Uh, uh, I I definitely agree with the spirit of it, but I would go a little further. um such that uh on the third month the the
committee shall meet so long as a quorum can be met regardless of whether the vice chair is available and then I think that as a um supporting measure of that. Currently our rules do not define a a hierarchy of who chairs the meeting
other than chair and vice chair. So we can give them that guidance of saying it goes you know I think the traditional thing in the corporate world is uh chair vice chair treasurer secretary uh in that order uh so as long as someone's available um or and by the way if none
of those are available any member can choose to chair it um but as long as they can meet a quorum even without those officers present uh then they should meet in order to advance business. Yeah. So actually I would if you want to put that as an amendment I would not be
opposed to you know 7:30 is reasonable. I just wanted to get the discussion going at something earlier because again 8:30 I think is extremely late and again it's sensitive towards staff and then and w with with uh your points about the exceptions there for for for special
working groups and special meetings. A I want to be careful with that. I mean, I'll support it, but just be, you know, but maybe also include in in your amendment that, you know, that, you know, that staff would not be required to be there. You know, again, if it's a working group, right, then they should
be able to work through it. I mean, they they or at least that they should meet earlier. I mean, I guess if you want just to get us in the proper posture, go ahead and make the uh the amendment, but especially with the second part that you mentioned, it's fine. It's just we got to get these committees to meet and they can't just, you know, avoid meeting. But
uh go ahead. Uh you're recognized for your amendment. I'll move to amend the main motion as follows. Uh that an exception be created to the general rule uh such that special call meetings and subcommittee meetings can take place after the 7 or 7:30 uh
timeline that we establish. Um subject to staff not necessarily being required to be there. It's optional. Um and uh moving that cuto off time uh from 7 p.m.
as stated in the main motion to 7:30 p.m. And then as to the second motion that you made or the second part or the second part of your of the main motion um to amend it such that you don't even need the vice chair to be
present but rather uh if the chair and the vice chair are not available the treasurer can chair the meeting. If the chair vice chair and treasurer are not present present the secretary can chair the meeting. And if none of those are
available, any member of the committee uh can be selected selected amongst themselves to chair that meeting and that on that third month they will meet so long as a quorum can be met. That's my amendment. I'll second that. And Councilman Harrisburg, I saw you with with
commentary. Thank you. Um and I I agree with most what most of most what the vice mayor is saying. Uh and I definitely agree with you. 8:30 is too late to start primarily for staff. Personally, I I would have preferred an 8:30 start to someone who drives in from downtown area, but I
agree with staff. It's just it's too late. Um my concern is one, I don't believe we can have any meetings without staff. The manager can answer that question. Say that again. So, we just discussed if staff could be optional for subcommittee hearing meetings or anything. I don't know if that's that's possible
because I think our our liaison attend every even the sub the the Yeah, I I'll find that out. But she might be in the I I wouldn't change whatever we do today. I think that we should continue doing. Right. So I mean I my from my experience a talent leaison's always on at every
meeting including subcommittee. Yeah. Because I think that we we still uh we still record them and everything. Yeah. Yeah. The the the logistics of what the liaison is handling maintain how do we have volunteers coming out of the building security whatever. Uh I think 7:30 is reasonable for everything.
The one thing I would like to discuss and I don't know if you want friendly amendment, however you want to do it, is uh right now it sort of seems like the chairs just almost picked a time. I think as part of the election there should be a time where everyone agrees on the time of your regularly scheduled
meeting. So then everyone if it's a different group of people then they can go ahead and change it. Like for example, the blasting advisory board has always been 7:30 on Mondays, but now you know the group might be more people from work from home. So now they can do 5:00, but there's been no push. So maybe that's something we can add to the rules
is every year yearly election, the committee should then also decide as a group, not just the chair, when these meetings, these committees should meet. So that's that's also I don't know if we want to just add it to yours if you agree or uh or make a friendly amendment to your amendment. I don't want to get
too amend too many amendments in there. Yeah. Uh, I'll I'll accept the friendly amendment and just Yeah, I'll and incorporate into mine. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Anything else on the amendment proposed by the vice mayor uh the deputy town attorney just the number
eight? No, I I just want to bring something to to this board's attention which is important. One of the main reasons we also have the the liaison is to ensure that the law is being followed uh both public records law and also sunshine uh
and making sure that we have uh quorum uh you know the the boards are eager and so many times they want to move forward with their agenda and and maybe they don't have quorum or they need to be reminded of certain you know procedures which are important uh so I just want you to all keep that in mind
through the chair. A uh Councilman Garcia, mayor, do you offh hand or maybe I can ask uh the town manager, how many uh committees are now meeting at 8:30? How many what how many uh committees are meeting at 8:30 right now? I believe only one. Only one? Yes.
And do you know which one that is? I think it's neighborhood improvement. So they're the only ones that that I'm aware of, but I I admit that I'm not intimately familiar with the logistics. My staff handles the committees. So I I I I can't say that. I wouldn't put my
head on the guillotine over it, but I believe that that's only one. There there might be an underlying reason for that. Maybe the Yeah, I I know there are some some issues with traffic and downtown driving. I I understand that, but I think we need to Well, sorry. Go ahead. No, no, no. I I get I get your your And
I think it's the town staff cannot be there till 9:30, 10:00 and then come in at 8 in the morning. That's that's ridiculous. So, um, yeah. No, I I I just wanted to find out how many uh it's one one committee and I think, you know, they can they can try to make an
adjustment uh uh for the good of of of the staff and and the other members that are that are joining. But I like the what uh Council Hsburg said, a vote on the times when the elections are happening so everybody's on the same page will only encourage more attendance
and we won't have to have that issue. We're driving, giving them the flexibility as well. But yeah, 8:30 is is way too late because they usually get out what at 9:30 10. That's that's way too much for for our staff to be. Any thoughts of back there staff? Any any What's the latest of one
of these meetings have have lasted? She's not here. I believe Clarice and and have stated that it has ended sometimes at 10. No, that's unacceptable. That's unacceptable for the staff. I think that's so I agree with you.
That's where the spirit of this comes from and again this is going to come back to us uh you know and we can we can further workshop it at that point in time. Um uh at least for me I I I well you already incorporated councelor Hzburg's uh you know notes but on the amendment
is there anything further on the amendment itself? All right. Uh with that, madam, uh rather all those in favor of the amendment, I I I All those opposed, the eyes have it. We're now on the main uh uh uh item. Uh Councilman Sanchez,
I just I want to propose an amendment, introduce an amendment to also include into the committee rules all ad hoc committees. Right now, we the committees the rules are set for committees and subcommittees, but not ad hocs. Okay. So, anyone have any disagreement with that or rather uh any debate on the
amendment? Sorry. First, a second. I'll second. I'll second. Okay. Uh discussion more of a I I'm don't know if I heard correctly. Are you saying to include ad hocs in the carveout, allowing them to be later or making sure that they're included in the
in the included in all committee in all rules? Thank you. Through the chair real quick, Councilman Garcia, I mean, I know that the blasting advisory board, especially before they they, you know, had to go to Tallahassee last minute, had to meet sometimes. You have to meet you have to meet quickly
and and sometimes you can't really pick can we make exceptions for pending emergencies or something that's pending legislation perhaps in Tallahassee special calls that are that are that are important to to the timing especially maybe workshops for budgets things like that or anything for budgets or anything
that have to do with anything we need to get in in a timely manner at the committees for example blasting does that all the time I agree with what the vice mayor said that I think that uh it's covered by what Councilman Hersburg and and he added um you know, especially when they do their elections and they start to choose when they meet, they'll have their
regular start time and then if they have to meet at a special call meeting, then that was an exception that was carved out in the vice mayor's item. Um and again, you know, this is coming back to us as just a new business item. Um but on the amendment profer to include ad hoc committees, uh you know,
made by uh Councilman Sanchez, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The amendment is agreed to. Now on the item, the main item as amended twice. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no.
The eyes have it. The item carries. 16 C std section 1 security protocol driver's license by Councilman JC Fernandez. Can somebody apparently I was just told that I don't know why my mic's not working so well, but I was just told that town town hall is closed and
somebody want to speak. I don't know if it's I don't know if and um mayor. But anyway, if I can have a just another moment of personal privilege. I usually do this during the public comments. I just wanted the record to reflect that I did
receive a written public comment from Miss Hope Reynolds earlier today, which I shared with all of you via email in regards to this item to um the bis the new business item from council member Fernandez. So, I just wanted to state that for the record.
Thank you so much. Okay, with that, Councilman JC Fernandez, you may go ahead and introduce your item 16C. Thank you, Mayor. So, in uh so I've received a few phone calls. I received um at least three or four emails. The
the folks the residents in section one wanted to be included in the protocol for requesting driver's licenses. We we did speak uh the major shared with us uh uh anecdotal proof that um that it it
works. It it seems that it's it's a deterrent. Uh I don't see anything negative about it. I ask that my colleague I mean my motion is to implement the protocol for section one special taxing district. That's the motion. I'll like to hear from my colleague. It's been moved and seconded. Any
discussion? Just very briefly. This would obviously come back next uh meeting as a resolution. Yeah. Okay. Then then it'll have my SP. Okay. Any other comments through the chair is would this um increase just just to just for just to
remember uh asking for the driver's license. Is that going to in increase do we have to move the guard levels up or anything like that? Not a sentent. Okay. I know this has been tried in in Royal Oaks and it wasn't Some people say it's successful, some people don't. Um,
is it just asking for from 12:00 to 6 or and if they don't want to provide it, go ahead. How how's the My motion would be from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. And we and we can discuss a after if for some reason that guard gate because they do have quite a bit of residents. If if it's causing any issue
with traffic, then I would be okay to move it to 11 p.m. or we could start at 11. If we if we feel that it because there are a lot of residents back there and I wouldn't want to remember that that guard gate has a residentonly gate, right? So that's it, right? So the only ones
coming through the main gate that would be being asked for their ID would be visitors, right? Non-residents. Okay. Now, I know that we we're lucky enough to have uh a um very vocal residents from that from that area and they always bring up the their their
concerns and and I know you spoke to some of the residents there. Uh but I know we kind of made an agreement or just let them know that yeah, we're going to go ahead and and and take consideration on the majority of the residents, what they what they think. Um, honestly, I haven't heard anything
from from that side of the town when it comes to this. I haven't received any feedback on it. Um, I like the idea. I think it's common sense. I just think we need a little more input from from the residents of that area before we establish a time um or if it's something
that, you know, they're for or anything like that. But I think it and and it makes common sense to me. The only the only push back I would have is having the residents say, "Yeah, this is something we want because I haven't honestly I haven't heard from from the residents from that area either way."
So, that's the only concern I have. Councilman Sanchez. Um, Councilman Garcia, just a reminder, on Thursday, we're having our special testing district workshop where I'm assuming many residents from that area will attend and we'll be able to hear their voices at that time and it's two
days away, 48 hours away. Thank you for reminding me. I mean, this is the first reading, so I would I would be open to to Well, this is the first vote. Yeah, first impression. First impression. So, I would be willing to uh say yes to this and then hear their feedback and then take it from
there. So, thank you. All right. Any further discussion on this item? Yeah, Mr. Harrisburg. Uh thank you. And you know, we've been doing this on the ROI side now for a month. Spoke with the town manager. We're in briefing. We haven't had any complaints. Um, from my discussions with
people in the community on the HOA chat or whatever, again, no complaints. Uh, maybe one, two people. Uh, when we started doing this and and when I made it very clear that it was going to be for the Royal Oaks, I actually started getting emails from people that live in section one saying, well, add us, add
us. So, I have had some feedback and in reality, the the section that this would be the easiest for is section one because they have those resident gates. And what's going on now oaks is we're seeing and I've seen the comments in the chats. People are now getting the gate clickers and that's better for our
guards. It's better for maintenance. It's better for everything. It it makes traffic clear. So in reality, it's it's a simple thing that's working on one section for a month now. I'm happy to hear input and and we'll see if what we get. The input I've gotten from section
one, uh, you know, it has been to do it. Uh, I've seen a few people say not to do it, but more than saying to do it and it seems just, like you said, common sense. So, I'm for it and let's, you know, let's get the input, but it makes sense to move forward on it.
Well, um, Councilman Garcia, and then, uh, there's a special request. Oh, okay. Well, I just want to point out I was confused, Councilman Fernandez, when you said that that the doors were locked, and I remembered why. You see, the the person who was uh locked out was
deliberately locked out. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. I want to welcome our former vice mayor, Mr. Tony Fernandez, who wanted to speak on this issue. Sir, please take as much time as you as you would like have. Obviously, you live in this area.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, Antonio Fernandez, 8548 Glen Karen Lane, uh, resident of the town of Miami Lakes and Miami Lakes Section 1. Uh, just wanted to put on the record, I think this kind of public policy is what dreams are made of,
right? It's very, very low downside, huge upside, right? It's it's the kind of public policy we should be looking at all the time. I don't necessarily think it's going to have the far-reaching impact of the next item. I'm I'm excited
to hear uh debate on on that one. Um but just also wanted to come up and thank you guys uh for everything that you do. Obviously, I've been on on that side of it and I can appreciate everything that goes into it. So, um but thank you. Thank you from one Councilman Fernandez
to to another. Very good job, sir. Thank you. Hold on. But he hasn't been vice mayor yet, so you know. And and I also want to point out I used to have the key to get into the door, but you know, Gina took it away from me. Oh, thank God. No, I'm just kidding. May maybe there's another key coming soon.
Mr. Vice Mayor, you basically came just for my item. For the Oh, boy. For the welcome back, uh, Mr. Vice Mayor and, uh, and and obviously we can still all have jokes here. I obviously did not try to lock
him out. So, just want to state that for the record before somebody gets carried away with that story. Okay, with that, um, all those in f we already vote on this, correct? I don't know. Can I add Okay, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The motion carries.
That's right. Because we wanted to hear from the vice mayor first. Okay. Something to that to that item. You were? Yeah. You told me that stand by. No, you had told me you Huh? Am I crazy? Didn't didn't you guys do it? No.
Okay. Well, w with the consent of my colleagues, I'll go ahead and um we'll we'll we'll treat the vote as not having been taken yet. Um you know, by unanimous consent and Councilman Quad Garcia, go ahead. Thank you. Because remember before I went to the the former vice mayor, I I went to
you and then uh I was basically it's simple. I know that we're going to have a meeting on the 17th, 48 hours away. I got a call from a resident telling me that giving me an idea. Um, what's that little sticker that we used to have on the cars? The decals.
The residents would uh It's like a little leaf. Yeah, decal, right? It's a little decal. The decal. Thank you very much. So I I I was told by a resident that it would be a good idea that if we would have those
decals offered back to the residents so they could put it on the very center of their window right where the rearview mirror is because in some cases the security guard is in some places they can't. So, if it would be right in the center, that would leave
uh some guards from having to even ask you for anything. If they see it, you know, uh once they take uh the picture, they don't even have to ask you for a driver's license. So, you know that they're they're they're a resident.
I don't know if that's something that you want to entertain through the chair. You're you're recognized. Yeah. Thank you. So, uh, I think the the clicker would resolve that issue and I and I'm not opposed to it, but I think that's something that we can discuss at a at a different time. I think for for
my item um it would just stick strictly be whether or not we want to implement the protocol for Miami Lake section one and then we'll discuss the other things that and and I actually like the idea for for any special taxing district but
I think that the clicker does would would resolve the issue with the what the residents would be able to come in and out with their clicker without having the their their sticker. But if they wanted to have a sticker and not a clicker, I think that would help. That clicker would be great. But think
of the sticker. The sticker is always there. The clicker can go can fail on you with batteries, etc., etc. The sticker would always be there without having no problems. Just consider it. Thank you. Okay. There being no further discussion,
once again, all those in favor say I. I. Oppose. No. The eyes have it. The motion carries. And we are now on 16D which first requires a waiver of section 7.2 of the special rules of order. Is there a motion to wave the rule? I'll move. It's been moved by Councilman Hzburg,
seconded by the vice mayor. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The I the eyes have it. The rule is waved. And with that, Councilman Cuadra Garcia, you are recognized to introduce item 16D, adoption of Kirkland branded
bottled water for official town hall functions. I'm already starting to see uh several individuals uh with a smile on their face. So whether it's a smile, whether it's a gig, what whatever it is, uh thank you uh Mr. Vice Mayor for coming
in to hear just specially. Um I've been out of school for 45 plus years and I I could have remembered if I remember correctly with physics uh we are anywhere between uh 50% and 78% uh
water our body um depending on your body weight etc etc I am just making a recommendation I think that we should have staff reach out to Kooligan which is probably one of the most uh Cooligan Cooligan water.
Okay. They will come in and do a free test of our water. Okay. From there, you will figure out what we're drinking and our tabs, etc., etc. I am not pushing water. I'm not pushing cool again. I
have nothing to do. As as you could see, I actually cut the uh the ribbon on it so it doesn't say the name of the product. Why? Why am I talking about water? A lot of people when we have a bottle of water, individuals
uh tend to open up a bottle of water and drink half of it or less and do what to it? Discard it. If you go to that smaller bottle, you will have a tendency of drinking it all and not throwing away any. But the whole thing of it is there's numerous products that we have
of water here. One of them is burida. One of them is Sephur Hills. And if we do a little study, Kirkland is better quality water stated by
uh Kooligan than this one that we're actually consuming. Again, uh that's just something. So, just consider uh directing staff to see if they want to uh look into uh doing a water study.
That's all. So, there's a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Seconded by the vice mayor. Recognized for discussion. And then Councilman uh Garcia. Uh I just don't see this as being all that necessary. Um on the one
hand, I I see this as um whether we have uh what is it? Puravida, Zephr Hills, Aquafina. I think it's good for people options. Um, that's on the one hand, that's just opinion. Uh, as a matter of
fact, I don't like the idea of us as a government agency selecting and not not directly but indirectly uh promoting one particular brand. Um, if you had told me that it
was ex, you know, strictly out of the fact that Kirkland signature is always the cheapest, maybe I could get behind it. Least expensive. Absolutely. One second. Um, but you're going more into quality and at the end of the day, you could actually factor several
factors into that equation because we do have to pay Costco membership as part of uh obtaining uh Kirkland water. um you have to factor that into the cost and there are just simply times where water goes on sale and an entire case is available for extremely cheap whether it
be Nestle water, burida, great value, you know, you name it. I don't think we need to pigeon hole ourselves and I have not seen any form of science that tells me that Zephr Hills is bad compared to Kirkland. I do I think Kirkland water is
great? Yeah, I I drink it myself. I buy it at Costco. Do I think Zephr Hill's waters is uh good? Yes. The only wrong answer is Dani. That's that's all I got to say. The wrong answer is what, sir? Councilman Garcia, thank you. I also thought
Thank you very much. I just thought I'd bring uh that up. Uh no, we appreciate that, Councilman Garcia. Um I I like where you're going with, you know, I you know, water is life. Absolutely. Um we have a lot of events and we also have emergencies that come onto the town. So, when it comes to
purchasing water in bulk, I mean, I I think it's the town's best interest to purchase items that are as cheap as possible as long as they meet minimum standards and be available for fast distribution. Now, as far as here in the town, I mean, everybody has a water
bottle. Um, honestly, I'd love to see less plastic than more plastic, right? Uh, you know, a water fountain that's filtered for everybody and everybody with Stanley's. I would love to see that because this goes this, you know, this really doesn't get recycled. It goes in it goes into the oceans, right? So less
than 30% of recycling actually gets recycled. It gets sent to landfill. So I'd like to see the town if you know implement something where we're using less for us, you know, and more Stanley's. But as far as emergency management, we, you know, whatever whatever we have in bulk and whatever
gives us the best price, right? Um, so that that's why I can't support your amendment. I mean your your item at this time, but I'd like to see less plastic uh with the town if possible, less use of it. Okay. So, here's the order that we're going to go in now. Councilman Sanchez,
Fernandez, and Herszburg. So, if I may to the town attorney, isn't there a state statue about this specific item or in the general realm of it? So, anytime that you're looking at uh purchasing a particular item, we need to be very careful and not selecting a
certain brand that we want. Uh but rather make sure that we're very transparent in our procurement process. Uh and do things such as if we don't want plastic, make sure it's all aluminum. Some cities have gone to just aluminum and no plastic. Or if we want to go ahead and make sure it's the lowest bidder to get several quotes and
figure out which is the lowest water out there, that sort of thing. But promoting a particular brand, yes, we shouldn't be doing that. Thank you, Mr. Answer. It does. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Attorney. Don't don't go too far because we had a discussion and it's
funny that that Councilman Garcia brought this up, but we had a discussion early on, I think possibly before I even became council member that that I had thought of bringing item uh regarding not allowing starting with our town, not allowing plastic bottles
in our town. And you know, after talking to my wife, she she that I dropped it because she she wouldn't allow for it. But I I don't think that's a bad idea to consider not starting with us and then possibly I know that there are some cities that don't allow for plastic bag
for for single use plastic grocery bags and that sort of thing. I'm probably not going to go there yet, but I I wouldn't mind hearing something maybe me bringing it up regarding plastic bottles and at least starting it with a town with a town town hall.
See how that goes. Councilman Harrisburg. Thank you, Mayor. And and while you know, first of all, I don't know what water this was, but I I do prefer the Zephr Hills. I did the taste test. But regardless, in in a serious matter, what you brought out is actually real. The difference, and I'm being serious, guys,
and I I propose an amendment to your item. I think we should give committees and town staff for events guidance to use these bottles. The smaller bottles create less waste. I agree 100%. They're usually dranken fully. And I also agree that whenever we have these I'm sure
towns who maintenance will agree. You'll see these half- filled all the time in the garbage. I think that actually you make a fantastic point that we should focus on using these and I would make an amendment that we should give staff um guidance that we should focus not for
emergencies, not for you know what we staff here but for events we should focus on these smaller bottles. So you you have a strike all amendment then to uh provide guidance that the committees and well staff provide for the committee events the smaller I don't know what
what fluid ounce that would be the smaller water bottles. Yeah. Yeah. I mean it's not going to be mandatory but that they should they should try to do that. It create less less waste and and it's just it just seems like a better better use. So there's a there's an amendment. Is there a second? I'll
second the amendment. Any any discussion on the amendment? No. No. If if I can make one statement is I just like a little bit of latitude because sometimes if it's the smaller bottles may be more expensive and we really actually what
this item that council member Guada Garcia brought to light. We did it. We started doing a little due diligence to make sure that what we have been getting is the best price, right? Not necessarily on the brand, but we're looking for price. And we we looked and we said there is probably better opportunities than what we have been uh
using out there. One of which was uh from Walmart, the Walmart brand water, super inexpensive. Uh but I don't know if the small bottle will meet will will match that, right? Even a bigger bottle from Walmart may be less expensive than
a smaller bottle from from uh from whatever brand. I don't know if Walmart does that. So, just give us a little latitude to do the due diligence and come up with the best with understanding that the intent is for for these events to go with a smaller bottle, but so long as it makes financial sense.
If I may, Mr. Mayor, I I think the cost difference regardless would be very little. And my my idea is to limit waste. Um, but I I listen, this is not an all this is not like you mandatory use. It's just an idea to maybe maybe just bring up to the committees, hey,
these bottles make more sense for your events. That's all I'm saying. Yeah. And we do the purchasing for them. So, we we can control that. That's the intent. We'll look at that so long as obviously that it makes financial sense. Again, this is guidance. So, with that on the amendment, uh, the strike call amendment. All those in favor say I.
I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. Now on the item as amended. Uh any further discussion? Point of order. Uh doesn't a strike all amendment just completely take out the main motion? Well, yeah, but it's technically Okay. Yeah. So, um you know, because it
deletes everything that came before anyway. Yeah. So, we're so Yeah. I see what you're saying, but we still have to revote on it, right? So, okay. With that again, any discussion though on the on on the Okay, go ahead. C. No. Okay.
Anybody else? All right. All those in favor say I. I. I. All oppose. No. You eyes have it. Congratulations, Councilman Pad Garcia and Councilman Herszburg. And with that, we are now on 17A. Councilman Herszburg. Updates on discussions with other
municipalities concerning the blasting lawsuit. Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to take the opportunity to update you, especially mayor. Um, so I'll be reaching out to affect municipalities Broward Dade. I just encourage you all to reach out to your own contacts in
those municipalities, especially Halia Dural in Myiar. I'm also working uh I've been speaking with Annabelle and setting up a meeting with Mayor Cava. I plan to hopefully bring a town attorney as well. They seem at least open to the meeting to discuss our our past uh resolution to
proceed and investigate and move forward with a legal action. So, I just wanted to let you all you guys know that's what's going on. That's all. Thank you. There being no further business, we are at 85. Oh, sorry. That's right. There was one announcement by Council Member Fernandez. Please go ahead.
I'll be brief. I promise. I just wanted to encourage in light of the floods in Texas. I want to encourage our residents, I hope that those who are listening and possibly those who will hear this this meeting in at a later time to register through our town
website under um the communications u icon or button. Um there's a a a way to register for Everbridge. It'll it'll help with any kind of warnings, um flood warnings, heat warnings. Um and there
are specific hyper local warnings that the town of Miami Lakes will provide to that system. So I encourage all residents to register with that. Again, that's Everbridge. And thank thank you for the reminder, Councilman Fernandez. With that, there being no further business, this council meeting
is adjourned at 8:52 p.m.