Hello friends. I know you haven't seen me since last year, so in case you forgot, my name is Vanessa Joseph and I'm your elected city clerk in the oh so chili city of North Miami. Speaking of chili, a huge shout out to the Nomi Neighbors Neighborhood Association for
the delicious chili cookoff they hosted Saturday, January 24th. While my role does require me to be neutral and impartial, our neighbor Rosa Chung made the winning bowl of chili. I had some of it and I can tell you that she did
deserve to win. Miss Rose, if you're watching, I could definitely use a bowl right now in this weather. But with council recess officially behind us, we're back to regularly scheduled city business and kicking off the new year with fresh energy. I'm
excited to share highlights from our January 27, 2026 CRA and regular council meetings in this edition of Long Meeting Short. Here's what you need to know as we start a new year of moving North Miami forward. The CRA board approved the extension of Executive Director
Annabo Emanuel's employment agreement. Congratulations to Miss Emanuel. It's always such a pleasure to collaborate with you. Florida's Strategic Partners LLC will continue providing economic development services to the CRA under a
second amended agreement for fiscal year 2025 2026 at a cost not to exceed $250,000 per year. The renewal supports ongoing financial analysis, project evaluation, and strategic planning efforts that help
advance redevelopment goals within the CRA. A business attraction grant request of $250,000 was approved for Olaina Properties LLC located at 609 Northeast 127th Street. Because the program typically awards up to $200,000,
approval requires a waiver of the grant guidelines. The project supports maternal health equity and expands access to community-based care, building on services already provided through a mobile clinic serving families across Miami date county. The CRA board approved the firsttime home buyer
program guidelines. The program provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance for eligible firsttime home buyers purchasing affordable homes within the CRA boundaries. The initiative is funded with $100,000 approved in the 2025 2026
budget and is designed to help residents achieve home ownership by allowing assistance to be combined with other funding sources. Now, on to council meeting. We had an item added to the agenda and the mayor and city council passed a resolution
denouncing the termination of temporary protected status or TPS for Haiti and urging the president and Congress to reinstate TPS protections for Haitian nationals. TPS is a humanitarian program designed to protect individuals who cannot safely return to their home
countries due to conflict, natural disasters or extraordinary circumstances. This resolution expresses North Miami support for the Haitian community and calls for continued federal protection. The municipal election has been set for November 3rd,
2026 to elect the mayor and council members for districts 2 and three with a runoff on December 1st, 2026 if needed. This ensures compliance with the city charter and establishes key dates and procedures so that we have a smooth and
accessible election. If you're interested in running for office this year or sometime in the future, or you want to be ready to vote in this year's elections, reach out to us at northmiami.gov/votes or elections at northmiami.gov.
The mayor and city council approved updates to the membership requirements for the Centennial Committee, which was established in 2023 to help plan activities for North Miami's 100th anniversary on February 5th, 2026. Building on prior actions that expanded
the committee to 15 voting members, the changes further broaden community representation by allowing business owners to serve as voting members in support of Centennial planning efforts. Updated guidelines were approved for the residential hazardous tree trimming and
removal program, which helps homeowners address dangerous trees or limbs that pose a safety risk due to visible damage or decay. The program provides grants of up to $1,000 per eligible property with all work completed by city provided,
licensed, and insured contractors to help protect residents and neighboring homes. North Miami residents who need additional information or assistance should contact the city of North Miami's public works department by calling 305895980. Funding was reallocated to better
support local businesses with $75,000 and community development grant funds shifted to the small business grant program. Updated program guidelines were also approved, helping expand access to financial assistance that supports small business operations, growth, and
long-term stability across the city. Approval was granted by Maran City Council for a partnership between the North Miami Police Department and Panellis County Sheriff's Office to participate in Florida's facial
recognition network or FRNET. The agreement allows authorized access to secure image data to assist with investigations. The city has retained Becker and Paliaov PA to provide federal lobbying services. Ronald L. Book PA to
provide state legislative lobbying and coordination services. And lastly, the Southern Group of Florida, Inc. to provide governmental affairs and lobbying services. Together, these one-year agreements allow the city to advance its priorities before federal
and Florida legislative and executive agencies with each contract carrying a monthly cost not to exceed $6,670. supporting citywide advocacy efforts. Emergency procurement actions were ratified for pipeline replacement work
along Northeast 135th Street in the Arch Creek East neighborhood. The project authorized Murphy Pipeline Contractors LLC to replace approximately 2,670 linear feet of aging asbestous cement
pipe with a new 12 in HDP pipeline using trenchless construction methods. Who knows? The work is located in district 1 and it it addresses critical infrastructure needs and improves system reliability with costs not to exceed
$1,461,320. The city voted on a new ordinance creating a formal policy for issuing keys to the city proclamations and certificates. The change adds a new section to the city code, establishing clear guidelines and procedures for city awards and recognitions, helping ensure
consistency, transparency, and proper administration of these honors. Since this is an ordinance, it will come back before the council for a second reading before it is officially adopted. Mayor and city council voted to adopt an ordinance amending chapter 2 of the
city's code to repeal a specific article and division which would result in the abolishment of the community relations board. This action removes the board from the city's administrative structure and updates the code accordingly. So if
it's passed on second reading, the CRB will officially cease to exist. Council gave approval for the vacation, abandonment, and sale of a portion of city-owned alleyway located east of 12255 Northeast 16th Avenue and north of
Northeast 122nd Street in District 2. The request involves about 145 ft of alley adjacent to the applicant's properties. The independent appraisals were between $245 and $250,000 and the city manager is authorized to negotiate
the sale and complete the transaction. This action allows the adjacent property owner to combine the land for future use while ensuring that the city receives fair market value for the public property. Based on the vote that was taken by council, the purchase price
will be set at $245,000. Site plan approval was granted for an 11story 18-unit residential building located at 1998 Northeast 135th Street in District 1. The project will be developed on two parcels of land
totaling approximately 0.34 acres. The approval supports additional housing opportunities and responsible development within the city. As we welcome the new year, we are reminded that every fresh start brings new opportunities for us to grow, to
connect, and and to care for one another. As we move forward together, may this year be guided by unity, purpose, and a shared commitment to lifting one another up. Now more than ever, let's show a little more love, a little more grace, a little more
compassion in hopes that we can bring about a better world for all of us and for the generations to come. If you ever need to know more about what took place during any city meeting or what discussions took place on the day is, feel free to visit our website to watch
the entire meeting for yourself. www.northmiami.gov/cityclerk. If there's anything that me or the office of the city clerk can do to better serve you, just let me know. We can be reached at 3058959817 or email us at city clerk@ northmiami.gov.
And while you're on social media, go ahead and give us a follow at North Miami Clerk on Instagram and Facebook. until the next meeting. >> North Miami Council meetings take place at 7 PM on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month in the North Miami City
Council chambers located on the second floor of city hall. If you're unable to attend a meeting in person, you can watch it live on channel 77, the city of North Miami's YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Vimeo liveream. If you're interested in obtaining a copy of the
agenda, please contact the office of the city clerk at 305-8959817 or city clerk@northmiami.gov. The agenda can also be found on the city's website at www.northmiami.gov. C.