P&z Board - Regular Meeting

All right, ladies and gentlemen, while we wait for the movable mic uh to be made available to us, it's about 6:00 this evening and we have a council meeting 6:04 actually and we have a council meeting starting promptly at 6:30. So, we're going to get through this as quickly as possible, but at the same time, taking the time to honor uh people who have contributed greatly. Thank you very much uh to our community. There we go. I'm going to switch over uh now. There we go. Uh so, first up, we're going to begin with the recognition for a longtime community volunteer, someone who for uh how many years was it uh chaired that committee?

I want to say at least

it's been Yeah, I want to about six years. uh leading the youth activities tax task force, continuing on the great success uh that those that came before him uh you know built uh you know Lynn Mas was the chair of that committee for so many years and was a a very strong advocate for our children making sure children of all ages had programming uh to be able to enjoy their time here in the community and Brian took it to the next level and so at uh it was a sponsored request by Councilman Sanchez but uh of course coming not just through myself but through all all my colleagues We want to go ahead and take some time and honor the work that you did over the last six years leading youth activities task force with the Montro nightmare mantros event that you guys do every year, the spring fling and so many other events that you guys put on dealing with many sometimes thousands of of parents and children. And so with that, Brian Rodriguez, please come up to be recognized, sir. So, I got the answer here. Uh, you know, looking at it again. So, he total years of service on the YATF, as we call it, has been 12 years.

14. Okay. Oh, well, we're going to have to give you a new one then.

With that said, Brian, uh, we're going to present you with the certificate of recognition for all the reasons I I stated earlier. And the certificate reads, "Brian Rodriguez, in acknowledgement of your 12 years of dedicated volunteer service to the Mammy Lakes Youth Activities Task Force and your exemplary civic leadership within our community, the town of Mami Lakes is grateful for your continued commitment and the lasting positive impact you have made in enriching the lives of our youth. So congratulations and we will get get it corrected to 14 years, six as chair." So there you go. Congratulations. Want to say a few words? Yeah. Um, I want to thank the town of Miami Lakes, all the council members here, as well as the council members from before being on this committee. For 14 years, you see a lot of things, a lot of council members. Um, I want to thank my dad, Nelson Rodriguez, former vice mayor of the town. Uh, he's really what got me into this and got me into volunteering and giving back to my community. Um, as well as Haley, the new chair for the Titan League's Youth Activities Task Force. Congratulations. After After six years of being the chair, I think it was time to pass the torch to someone new, someone young, new ideas. Um, and that was the whole point. I've said it every year as chair. If someone wants it, they can have it. And someone wanted it this year, and they have it. Um, I'm still on the committee, not going anywhere just yet. I plan on doing a lot more with the committee, more with the town. And I appreciate every one of you. My girlfriend's here. Thank you for supporting me. I've missed a lot of family events, birthday parties, trips um for this committee to give back to the community. Thank you to my committee. Thank you to Lynn Matoss in the back. Um she was the one that we butttheads a lot, but she taught me a lot on how to run the committee and how to do things. Um and thank you to the rest of the town of Miami Lakes for everything.

Of course. Wait, so you're not young anymore? Is that what it is? Oh, wait. Um, the incoming chair has a special gift. Hi everyone. So, the committee came together and we got you this and we hope you like it. Of course. Thank you so much for all your service. You're an amazing leader and we're very excited to still have you with us.

Okay, stay up here, Haley, for a group photo. U Mr. Vice Mayor, come on up. Come on up. All right. And where's our camera lady? There she is. Okay. Jeremy, so this is going to be your your segment and uh I want to invite all the school crossing guards uh to come on up that are going to be honored next. Round of applause for them, please. Perfect.

And so before I begin, I'm going to turn turn it over to Jeremy Bagghden Bagdown, sorry. Uh to go ahead and and uh uh introduce the next proclamation, why we're doing it, etc. And then from there, I'll read it off and present it to them formally or present it to you as as their leader.

Perfect. Thank you, Mayor. Um, thank you mayor and council for taking this time to honor. Um, today we're actually recognizing our school crossing guard appreciation day which took place earlier in the month. It's always the first Friday of the month. Uh, we're going ahead and taking this time during our council meeting earlier today to go ahead and recognize our crossing guards. We do have three. Pedro, don't don't get too far from over here. Um, essentially these are crossing guards that are every day throughout the school year throughout nine months of the year taking care of our kids, taking care of our community. They are the faces in the morning. They see kids going to school. the kids already start to build a rapport with them. They are essentially part of our community and the whole goal behind our program was always to bring back people and individuals that kind of supported the town culture, right? We have these individuals, Hereno who's worked with us now for nine years, Pedro 5 years, and we have Mario who just started soon. Um it's a family and the whole goal is that same family feeling amongst us is what they're supposed to share with um with our residents. So today is one day out of 365 total out of the nine months of the school year that we get to honor them. And the biggest thing here is to let them know that we're thankful as director. I am extremely thankful I got to oversee the program early on in my years and I understand the impact they have on students. I understand the impact they have on parents feeling safe about their kids. So it's thanks to these gentlemen, thanks to our other crossing guards who could not be here tonight um that we're here honoring them. And with that, I'll go ahead and pass it on over to the mayor to read the proclamation.

Thank you, director. And yes, we do love our crossing guards here and so this is appropriate. And with that, I'm going to read off the proclamation which begins proclaiming Uhhuh. up. Proclaiming February 27th, 2026 as school crossing guard appreciation day in the town of Miami Lakes. Whereas the town of Miami Lakes is home to thousands of students who are enrolled in and attend local schools and institutions. Whereas each school day, regardless of weather conditions, the town's school crossing guards faithfully maintain their posts to ensure that our children and families arrive at and depart from school premises safely. Whereas while administered by the town of Miami Lakes, the school crossing guard program continues to adhere to all Florida Department of Transportation training standards and safety guidelines, ensuring consistency with statewide best practices while allowing the town to cultivate a culture of professionalism, community pride, and personal connection within the program. Whereas school crossing guards provide essential public safety services to our community and deserve continued recognition for their day-to-day efforts throughout the nine-month school year. Whereas the first Friday in February in the state of Florida provides Flidians with an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the admirable service of school crossing guards. And whereas in similar fashion, the town of Miami Lakes remains steadfast in its commitment to community recognition by designating the last Friday in February as a day of appreciation for our local school crossing guards. 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 February 27th, 2026 as school crossing guard

appreciation day. Congratulations, guys. Congratulations, director 2. All right. Okay, we're going to continue on now. Uh next up, we have another important proclamation and this one I hold near and dear to my heart. It is for one of my uh schools, for St. Thomas University and we have some representatives from the school that are going to come up and receive a special proclamation from us. They were instrumental in us hitting our targets in this past year's mayor's gala. Uh they stepped up to the plate as our title sponsor uh donating up to $10,000 or donating $10,000 to the gala uh to benefit the efforts of the special needs advisory board uh who by the way they're seated right here in the front. So, don't go far after we're done recognizing you guys because I want you to be there for the check presentation. Uh, but with that, I'm going to go ahead and read to them the way the pro the proclamation reads and it proclaims February 2026 as St. Thomas University month in the town of Miami Lakes. Whereas, St. Thomas University was originally founded in 1961 as Biscane

College by the order of the Augustinian Friars and attained university status in 1984 following the addition of 10 master's degree programs and the establishment of its school of law. Whereas the university traces its roots to the to the univers de Santo Tomas de Vanovoa founded in 1946 in Havana, Cuba by American Augustinians with the assistance of European Augustinians. Several of whom later came to Miami and established Biscane College after being forcibly expelled by the Castro regime. Whereas St. Thomas University located in Miami Gardens just minutes from the town of Miami Lakes serves a diverse student body of more than 5,000 students and offers over 60 undergraduate, graduate, and law programs in both online and onampus formats. Whereas last fall, St. Thomas University graciously served as the title sponsor of the 2025 mayor's gala, contributing $10,000 in support of the town special needs advisory board and significantly helping to achieve record-breaking gala revenue. And whereas the town of Miami Lakes recognizes St. Thomas University as an esteemed community partner whose rich history of long-standing commitment to academic excellence, civic engagement, and philanthropic support continues to augment the quality of life for residents and strengthen the bonds between the university and the town. 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 February 2026 2026 as St. Thomas University month. Thank you very much for your support. Congratulations.

I'm going to turn it over to you for some words. Sure. Sure. Sure. Sure.

Okay. Thank you everyone. This was this was quite an honor. An entire month. I I heard the I heard the clamor in the room. Uh

but it's it's okay. We'll take it. Um so, President Armstrong, David Armstrong, who the mayor knows well. Um he would be here if he could. Could not be here, but we were happy to come. Um not not knowing exactly what to expect. It was our honor to support the event that was so well put together. Our uh our team had a great time at the event. We plan to attend future events um and uh it goes for a great cause which we really appreciate. Um we also appreciate seeing St. Thomas University alums doing so well um whether whether through uh as undergrads or through the law school. So thank you for that. Um and uh again we'll we'll be happy to continue to be supporters of our neighbors. Uh President Armstrong speaks about this frequently you know right next door Miami Lakes. Uh, so we'll continue to be strong partners with you. So, thank you again for this great honor.

Of course, appate. Here, let's get a group photo. Okay.

And again, thank you guys. So, next uh we have a fun part, checks, right? Everybody loves receiving money and I know that this group of volunteers I'm going to call up uh especially appreciate the support provided by uh sponsors of the gala such as St. Thomas and everybody else as well. So many uh to recount and I'm not going to do that right now. Uh but you know, I want to just thank those uh partners that stepped up to the plate and helped us to uh to sell the most in in Gala history actually. And uh JV um while I get everybody up here, can you do me a favor and remind me uh ask Melissa what the total number was? Yeah, the total the total raise. But guys, come on up, the members of the special needs advisory board because uh again, we're going to start with a couple presentations. But again, we sold uh and and raised money for this gala and it was the most in town history in since the gala started. Um and again, that was thanks to the general uh generous sponsorship and support of this community. And the total amount raised at last year's gala was $71,19. So, Now, yes, now there were there were expenses. A lot of vendors that in the past were able to do stuff for free. Unfortunately, they either sold the company or they just no longer were available to help. So, we did have an increase, but despite that, we pretty much matched in terms of net proceeds

last year's money, and we came in at $43,25.77. get the check. So, so that you guys know again that I speak on behalf of my colleagues, we appreciate all the work that you guys on special needs uh the special needs advisory board perform our town and its residents, right? And often overlooked population, although fortunately getting more and more credit and more recognition as it deserves. And with that, we're going to officially present to you the check for the 43,000. So, right over there. Um, but before we take the photo, I just for those watching online, uh, whether they're watching it live or they're going to watch it after this meeting, I encourage you to attend next year's gala. We're already planning it out. It was a great time, as you heard, and it was it was a great success, right? And next year it's going to be bigger and even better. And we're going to get a bigger number for the special needs advisory board next year. And we're we're coming up with a better cost cutting plan as well so that we can keep more of the money we raise and give it back to a deserving uh board. Um so thank you guys very much. And before we take the group photo, actually I do want to turn it over because there's a second check that you guys are going to be getting of one of your own members as well as uh a special resident of our community. Um uh you know has her business here as well. Uh Kimberly Trellis is here to present another check to the board.

Okay, I'm gonna get my little cows to come up and help me. So

here, why don't we show them the check? So, this truck is much smaller, but um as a small business here in the community, as a small business here in the community, um you know, it's I have always felt that it's important to give back and I've been uh I've had the privilege of serving on the special needs advisory board for a little over a year. Um but even before I started serving you know Vivian um Jenya Meline and the board has o they've always had our back. Um so it's because of SNAB and all the programs that I so believe in giving back. So I wanted to thank you for inspiring me. Um and to your point um Mayor Diegas I hope next year I have an even bigger check. Thank you very much for your donation. Here we go. From the Trellis Cottage. Okay. Available uh online at a online store near you, I should say. Yeah, there we go. All right, guys. Hey, Dallas. How do you want us?

Okay. Note to our guest and to the uh the council and those watching it is 6:24. We will start at 6:30 promptly. My apologies everybody. My apologies. We actually did have I apologize uh but I just wanted to draw your attention for one more special recognition. Um I was not aware that they had arrived already yet but I wanted to present a special certificate of recognition to uh one of our great sponsors as well. Uh Univita Medical Centers and this is we have George here representing them. Um and it reads uh to

Univvita Medical Centers in acknowledgement of your generous support as a gold sponsor of the mayor's gala 2025 and your instrumental role in the record-breaking success of this signature community event. The town of Miami Lakes is sincerely grateful for your meaningful com commitment to the special needs advisory board and for the lasting impact of your generosity has made in our community. So thank you very much George on behalf of Univvita. Uh there you go. And if the board members can come back up so we can get a photo with him. Again, I apologize for the confusion. We are officially done now. And so 3 minutes. 3 minutes. 6:30 we will begin sharp.

Good evening. I'm calling the meeting of the town Miami Lakes Town Council to order at 6:30 p.m. Madame Clerk, please call the role. Council member Fernandez, Council Member Fernandez, let the record reflect he's present. Council member Cuadra Garcia, present. Council member Garcia, present. Council member Hsburg, present. Council member Sanchez present. Vice Mayor Mora here. Mayor Diegas here. Mayor, you have quorum.

Excellent. And everyone, please rise for the pledge led by Councilman Fernandez. Councilman Hersburg, please lead us in the invocation. Dear God, we thank you for this opportunity to meet with the community. We wish for wisdom to make the decisions we're here to make and we hope for your guidance. Amen. Thank you, Councilman. You may all be seated. Council, we are now in the order of business. Are there any uh additions, deferrals, or deletions?

Yes, Mayor. A um who who was that first or uh Mr. Oh, a Mr. manager and then Councilman Sanchez.

Yes. With items 13A and 13B, there was some uh uncertainty as to whether proper notice was provided. Uh so, in the abundance of caution, I'd like to defer those two items and ask that the council consider uh scheduling a special call meeting uh to hear them in first reading. Well, when we get to those items, we'll we'll go Well, well, you know what? Let's go ahead and move, like you said, 13A and 13B. Let's move them to just after public comments. Um, or actually, let's do it just before public comments so we can have a date for the public to know when that's where we are. Okay. We're just before public comments.

What I'm saying is to uh was your I didn't hear the request of for you was your request to move 13A and B to just before or just after public comments? No, to defer them and to schedule a special call meeting to hear them. Yeah. But but that but to do that we have to have a discussion on when we're going to reschedule. Or is it that you want uh the clerk to circulate uh some times I think that the clerk may have uh done unofficial polling for your availability of the council. So there may be at least a couple dates that are out there. Um one was March 31 and the other date was March 5. A and April 1 as well. Okay. March 31 and April 1. I'll move it.

I'll second. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Because let's let's get all first of all, okay, I'm what what I'm going to interpret what you were asking for is for us to take it up before public comments to discuss what we're going to do with it, right? You're requesting a deferral, right? Yes. But then the obviously, of course, the council has to vote on that with, um, and so, uh, we'll take that up right before public comments now. Okay. A, um, but Councilman Sanchez, what other items did you want to move? Yeah, I I'd like to move uh 10B, the reports by the Veterans Committee and the reports by the Special Needs Advisory Board, 10B and 10A up to right after public comments. 10A and 10B uh to after public comments 13A and 13B to just before. Oh, no, no, I'm just regurgitating everything that we discussed so far. Okay, what else? That's it.

Okay. Any anybody else may wait. I saw Council Hsburg, then S uh um Garcia, and then the vice mayor. Um we might as well move 10 C as well. Just move all the committee reports to move all the reports to just after public comments. 10 A, 10B, 10 C after public comments, 13A and 13B before public comments. Councilman Garcia like to pull 12B from consent.

12B is pulled from consent. Oh, here it is. Okay. The feasibility study. Okay. Uh Mr. Vice Mayor, did you have a change? Well, it was going to be to pull 12B, but I'll also add to that um the item 16K to be discussed together with uh I want to say the infrastructure report.

Okay. So, taking up 16K with the monthly infrastructure report. 16K. Uh Councilman Quad Garcia, do you have anything? Councilman Fernandez. Okay. I'm going to read the order of business as amended. 13A and 13B before public comments. So that'll be the next item we take up. Um after public comments 10 A B and C the committee reports in its entirety and uh taking 16K together with 8B the monthly infrastructure report and lastly pulling 12B from the consent calendar. Now is there a motion? I'll move second moved. It's been seconded. All those in favor say I.

All oppose no. The eyes have it and the agenda is adopted as amended. And with that, we are now in 13A and 13B. Uh tell Mr. Manager, go ahead and and get us uh uh in the right posture here. Yes. I'd just like to ask that those two be deferred uh to the date of a special call meeting either March the 31st or April the 1st. Okay. Is there uh is there a motion and a second on that for discussion? Okay. So, and okay, who who moved it first so that so that the clerk can have a clear? I move it to have it conducted on the 1st of April. All right. There's a motion to consider on the 1 of April. Councilman Hsburg, are you still seconding? Yes.

All right. So, it's been moved and seconded. Uh, Councilman Hzburg start. Well, uh, Councilman Sanchez, you start with discussion and then we'll go to Councilman Hzburg. Well, the as far as the the deferral and and the meeting date, the 1st of April just makes the the most sense to give enough time for that the the residents of the town to be aware and it's also a day that I am available on my schedule. Okay, Councilman Hsburg. Although some people are going to laugh about the the date choice, but you know about the what about the April Fool's uh you know, date choice, but you know. Okay, Councilman Hersburg.

I we need to move it to provide proper notice in 30 days. So, I defer to the town attorney, but whatever that's the date we need to focus on whenever we can realistically get a new 30-day notice. And it has to be 30 days of the PNZ as well. So, everything's got to correlate correctly. This has to be done, right? I was doing some of the math earlier uh just before walking down here. And it's my sense that that absolutely they can get it done by the end of this week. I mean, uh right, uh Mr. Manager, have you been able to confirm?

Yes, I believe that we can get it out and I started counting dates. If we get it out by next week, middle of the week, we have enough time and the planning and zoning can be uh the April planning and zoning and that'll be before the April council meeting where this would be read u with its final reading. So for clarity for the applicant and for the public, April 1st first reading the P&Z meeting for April will be there whatever the I think it's the second Tuesday of the month. So the 14th that but that would be second reading our council meeting. Then the se the the 21st which is the regular April council meeting that's when the um the second reading would be held.

Okay but so just yeah just one yeah 1st zoning. Uhhuh. April 21 would be second reading regular council meeting. Okay. There we go. Now Mr. Vice Mayor through the mayor because I think I just want to address Mr. Councilman. Okay. recognize you you you can have uh the planning and zoning after first reading. That was my question. I think you saw my my thought process there. Thank you. Yeah, perfect. Okay. Um Vice Mayor Mora,

my my only uh concern here is why a special call? Why not just do this in two consecutive monthly uh regular council meetings? We we talked about this in the past. We don't want to have regular or special call meetings for no reason. Um, I don't see the the urge and the necessity to advance this on our calendar any any more than it needs to be.

The applicant uh has an interest in of course, you know, having their application heard in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, the town messed up. Additionally, having a special call would not be unlike other special calls that sometimes been called, this is a very substantive one and would allow us to give it the due weight that it that it should uh have. Um, I think, uh, stacking it as part of a regular council meeting some more, you know, especially with the midyear budget amendment coming up and everything else is just going to is just asking for for us to really, you know, wreck our schedules. Um,

I understand. I just think that it sends the wrong message to our residents that we're giving a very large land owner uh special treatment by giving them uh their own meeting for for their project. And and I know that that's not the case. I'm just talking about the the the visual message that it gives out. Uh so that's my my main concern.

Okay. Well, uh I want to assuage the residents that we're doing this precisely because we're listening to them. We're hearing them out. We're acknowledging an error on our part, you know, and we're making it right. But at the end of the day, the applicant has property rights, right? And so we need to, you know, make sure their due process rights are also upheld by not uh, you know, unnecessarily delaying uh, the votes on on these issues. And at the end of the day, the public is now well aware of this project. Again, we just right before uh, when we went to your public comments and and Lorenzo's public comments, we were very clear that first reading would be April 1st. That gives them more than 30 days to be able to uh, plan to attend there on top of the the notice they've already had. Then we have the planning zoning meeting in between the first reading and then the second reading which will be at the April RCM. And again I think that you know we're that's usually when we start considering the midyear budget amendment. So I just don't want us to get bogged down in too many you know big items that we're going to be here well past what you know what we should be. Uh Councilman Herszburg

uh it's well it's not gerine to this but I want to bring up the point and just to let you know I might have another motion after this regarding the notice. I was informed that typically the applicant pays for the notices but the the reason we have to renotice was an error on on on the town. So we also should discuss about the town paying for that notice because it it was the town's fault. Uh I just we should discuss that after we confirm this. Oh go ahead mayor if I may. Our ordinance already provides that if it's the deferrals on the town we have to pay for the uh notices. So so we don't have to do any motion then? No. Okay then. Great.

Okay. Uh any further discussion on the deferment? And again, uh madam clerk, just to just be clear, this is a deferment to of the first reading to a special call meeting on April 1st, 2026. Um with that, all those in favor say I. I. I. All oppose, no. No. Um okay, let's do a poll just to be clear. Yeah, I had one no, but I just want to make sure. Please call the role. Council member Garcia, yes. Council member Guad Council Member Guadra Garcia, yes. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council member Hzburg, yes. Council member Sanchez, yes. Vice Mayor Moretta, no. Mayor Diegas, yes.

The motion passes. By your vote, show 13A and 13B deferred for their first reading to April 1st, 2026. All right. We are now on public comments. Madame clerk, please read the the rules into the record.

Yes. Good evening and welcome. Public comments will be heard at the beginning of each meeting and once all are heard, public comments will be closed. Each speaker will be given three minutes. All comments or questions from the public will be directed to the mayor in a courtous tone and to ensure the orderly conduct and efficiency of the public meeting. Three minutes maximum per person. We welcome as well the public attending via remote online. And if you wish to speak, as I always state, please raise your hand by clicking on the reactions icon and selecting raise hand. It will allow each participant to speak at a time. And if you called just to listen or to also participate but via phone, the only thing you need to do is raise your hand by pressing asterisk number nine and it as well will allow you to speak. Welcome. If you want to provide your public comments live here in council chambers, just approach the podium and state your name and address for the record. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Clerk. First speaker of the night, I see is Bonnie Centron. Step on up to the mic. Oh, yeah. It's still still I turned it off before we came back up here. Got it. There you go.

Bonnie Cron, 14770 Lewis Road. Um, new information had just come to me about an hour before the meeting. So, I haven't gotten my head around it and I could not hear what you were saying among yourselves up there. So, just bear with me. I'm not sure I'll be here when you have the meeting to discuss what you just pulled to uh put to April 1st. So, I'm going to go with what I had for tonight and that was first. Good evening, Mayor Diegas, council members, Mr. Peterman, and staff. Here we go again. Look out the window and you will see a sevenstory building that needed a variance to get built. And now another one is going up right at the most one of the most congested intersections in our town. And still the Graham companies are not satisfied and they're asking for zoning changes or future land use map changes so that they can build four more apartment buildings. This cannot be allowed to happen. We are told that developers have the right to develop land that they own. But I also know that someone's rights stop at the point where they infringe upon or do harm to someone else. I doubt you could find anyone other than the developers and realtors who actually want more residents in this town. Evidently, the zoning or future land use map can be changed or modified according to how the council decides to vote. I've just had additional information that state laws come into the play here. We'll have to address that when I learn more about that. But please do not try

to convince us that returning the space to the original commercial zoning would generate more traffic than four more apartment buildings would. No matter how many businesses the law would require that had to be accommodated in that space, it doesn't mean that that many businesses would actually decide to locate there. And also, if the applicants who were granted permission to locate there were kept to a relatively small type of enterprises, there would not be a lot of traffic from employees or customers. Yesterday, I went to the park at Lake Patricia by the beach and took a photo of a plaque that's posted there to describe to visitors what our town is supposed to look like. Lake Patricia was the first part of the town that was developed and the lake is named after the founders's wife. William Graham Senior's vision was to provide a refuge for families to escape the hustle and bustle of urban sprawl. Miami Lakes was designed to emulate small town USA. Just because the population in all of South Florida is exploding does not mean that we are obligated to open this town to more development, more congestion, more residents, and a lesser quality of life. I implore you to do what you were elected to do, and that is protect the people you govern. The Grahams always seem to win, but this time we hope you will hear the voice of your constituents. It is you, our town council members, who can save what is left of our town. So, we're watching how you vote. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Uh, next speaker to the podium, Mr. Martinez. Evening everyone. Miguel Martinez, 176 North 17670 Northwest 78th Avenue. Um, this is regarding new business item 16H. Be advised, the intent of the blasting advisory board was not to file a lawsuit to control the effects of blasting. The committee was, and I quote, established to discuss and provide the count council with recommendations and possible solutions to ease the effects of rock mine blasting end quote. The reality is the issue is multifaceted as is a solution. A great deal of this is based on science, law and unfortunately individual interpretation of both. The first two are objective. The the challenge is dealing with the latter. My time on the blasting advisory board has been marked with frustration at a job that is imperative to be done and completed. That is at no time was the blasting advisory board considered to be a permanent committee. However, without a finite path of completion, it'd be impossible to offer a realistic timeline. I can assure you we are well underway of finding an equitable solution to coexist with our neighbors. Recently, a change intact has occurred. It was not planned, but as stated, the path is dynamic. And the fact that several members of the BABB are named as plaintiffs in this lawsuit that this council unanimously voted in favor of pursuing as stating as such, it would be expected the council would be in full support of this action as the legal team has proven itself to be taking the endeavor pro bono. That being said, the BAB will continue to center itself as a source of information to the council, the residents, and the public at large. As stated in the January council

meeting, the BAB will continue to advocate the executive and legisl legislative front fronts along with educating the public in knowledge and support. I will also add as a personal privilege, even though majority of this council has been prior members of this committee, Councilman Fernandez offered me an opportunity to to for my first presentation on the matter at his office. Councilman Herszburg and Attorney Rochester Justi along with their firms have further earned my respect in their actions for doing the right thing. I respectfully request a vote against this motion. The work initiated needs to be completed. Thank you. Thank you very much. Next speaker Colonel William Perez 7280 Miami Lakeway South. Good evening gentlemen lady. Um I'm looking at item dealing with the physibility to study for attractive traffic alternatives. And I know you're going to know what I'm going to say if you have a memory. Uh, and I know you're going to know what I'm I'm going to say, uh, Councilman Garcia, cuz I ran on it. And that was dealing with the Grahams Company and requiring a traffic study before they're putting up that huge complex next to the golf course and that was voted down. Um, so now we shifted the cost quite clearly to the taxpayer. You know, we have an opportunity again to make it right. Um, this time the Graham Company's going to ask for a shift to zoning over near what's called Governor's uh Square area and we have the opportunity to require besides the mobility fee that they pay for a traffic feasibility study.

Um, I'm all in favor of their development plans by the way. Anytime you can increase the tax base, that's a good thing. Anytime you increase the population and services and opportunities here for people who live in Miami Lakes, that's a good thing. But it's not a good thing to shift a traffic study to the taxpayers. So I'll request when you finally consider this that once again you shift that cost to them besides mobility fee that that truck traffic study be done by them paid by them and it has to be independent third party and it has to be approved by the town manage manager and public works person that's all I have thank you

thank you colonel any other speakers in chambers welcome hero Mrs. Mrs.

I have a new mantra be a little bit like MRA. So few things items deferred by town attorneys on emails that I have sent. One regarding procedures failure for PNZ meeting procedure failure for proper written notice and public posting. Uh, Mayor Diegas, I'll remind you, you publicly said you were going to do a full investigation, not only for this in incident for everything that's been handled by that department. I expect proposal to clarify and to publish those. The lack of trust that that that this action has taken, you guys are going to have to work very hard for it. But anyway, um, town attorney, uh, ordinance on whether there has been an amendment or ordinance that supersedes 17207 language certific clarification for PNC code ordinance time timeliness prescribing table 13309. Couldn't find it. Um, I had a PTSD moment at the PNC meeting when um, one of the board members um, said, you know, builders have rights. I'm tired of hearing builders have rights. The number one rights should be the rights of the residents. I had I overheard one of the Graham families say, "Well, people are never going to be happy with what we bring, but this is our business." Well, I'm here to tell you this is our home. This is our home and anybody who supports what it's bringing to the table should be ashamed because you owe it to your residents. The final decision is not yours. We will mobilize everybody in this county like we did for the park and we will block this and we will stop it. The more you deviate from the original zoning, the more you invite chaos. This is Bill Buro, a resident of Miami Lakes who's an architect. Just keep that in mind. The more you deviate from the

original zoning, the more chaos you invite. And I think it's a travesty that the Grahams brought a very emotional item to get that ordinance passed to promise that promised the senior citizens they were going to have to be they will have a aging place and then they back out because there's no punitive punitive damage to them. That's not happening. um and some if the Grahams now threaten to do the lift local act, I will 200% not only support it, but I will promote it. Thank you for your time.

Next speaker, please.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, council members, Mr. manager Hilda Fernandez. Address uh withheld according to Florida Statute 119. Um good evening. I am a little bit late to the to the to the ball apparently on the issue that has been deferred today relating to the reasonzoning that has been proposed by the Grahams. Did not come to the public zoning to the PNZ hearing. Happy to hear the item has been deferred primarily because it would give an opportunity to properly notice the planning and zoning meeting. And I understand that through the rules of procedure, you can proceed with a first ordinance reading uh without having gone to PNZ. This is not the final decision. However, in light of the sensitivity of the issue, I am so happy you deferred it because even though you could through your rules of procedure in fact have a first hearing of an ordinance without having it gone to PNZ, if there is nothing else that you all should endeavor to do is to provide full and complete transparency. That is all the residents of this community asked for and that's definitely all we expect from our elected leaders. Um, in my opinion, should it even not even have been added to the agenda for you all to have had to take an action to defer something like that that had been so controversial when it went to the PNZ in light of the noticing um issue. So, with that, I want to thank you. I know you do not work uh full-time in this job. This is, you know, something you do. You put yourself out there to be elected to represent your constituents and you do that uh with good intentions and sometimes these things happen. But as Susanna, Miss Herrera said, it is crucial for you, crucial, crucial for you to maintain trust in the process and trust in you and your ability to represent us. The gentleman mentioned he agrees with anything that includes our tax base. It is great to say that and I am the first person that's not a nimi because I worked for an organization that had to deal with a lot of nimi. But at the end of the day, it's easy to say that when

that is not happening next to your neighborhood or a thousand people and their traffic or whatever is going to directly impact you. I don't live in the neighborhood impacted by that directly. But like every other resident in West Miami Lakes, anything that funnels to 154th is going to affect all of us over there. So, thank you again for deferring the item today. look forward to the opportunity to come back when this item is presented fully noticed in front of the PNZ and certainly when it comes to first and second reading. Thank you if it gets to that. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh next speaker, any other speakers in chambers? Going once, going twice. Seeing that madam clerk, is there anyone online?

I don't Yes, Miss Lette Paris, welcome to the meeting. Hi, good evening everyone. Good evening. Um I'm I'm speaking uh well I'm my address is uh 8365 Mentia Terrace. Um I'm speaking regarding the new development by the Graham Companies. Um again we're dealing with significant congestion. I'm I'm sorry Miss Perez. Hold on because we we can't hear a a thing. Can you please move closer to to the mic and can it uh

it can you please erase the volume? We cannot hear and please start her time over. and please start her time over and then um Miss Perez, please uh start from the top if you may. Can you hear me better now or it it keep uh keep speaking into it so we can check? Can you hear me better now? No, we need it to turn it up. Can you turn the volume up on the speakers? Try it again, Miss Press. Miss Press, go ahead. Uh, testing one 123 or something.

Hello. It's getting worse. It seems It seems like it's getting worse. Um, uh, so Miss Perez, please hold. We'll come back to you uh just to see if they can, you know, resolve that issue. Uh, is the other person with the hand raised able to speak and with a better volume? Is there another participant? I see a number. Good evening. The telephone number ending in 893. If you wish to speak, please do so now. Do you hear me? We hear you. But uh same issue. Same issue.

Okay. Dr. David Bennett, 15830 Northwest 83rd Place. Are we clear? Yes. Are we good? Good.

Okay, great. Okay. Yes. Um I am happy that you did defer this item. I you know didn't receive notification either. It re it kind of hearkens back to the um development that was slated for 154 Street in the Palmetto Expressway, the sevenstory building. I heard at the last minute to attend. So, thank you for deferring this so we can actually look at this project. Um, I I I guess a month from now would be fine. I think we can see that. Um, I do want to invite everybody in chambers to come join our uh charter commission meeting uh this Thursday the 26th. It's very important that you participate at this point. It allows you to have the checks and powers necessary in order for you to put put forward your wants and desires on our chart on our uh council. So, please attend Thursday's meeting and uh there will be a there'll be I believe an item on the agenda uh referencing recall parameters and so on and so forth. So, I want you to be aware that it is available to you. Thank you.

All right. Uh, let's go back to Miss Perez and give her an opportunity to wrap up her public comments. Miss Perez, please unmute yourself. Can you hear me? Yes, we do. Welcome.

All right. Welcome. Thank you. So, um I'm speaking regarding the the new development u by the Graham Companies. Um I live in the west side of Miami Lakes. Uh we've been putting up with so many new developments, the new apartments that they've put up, increased congestion from uh traffic congestion from 170th as well. Um but this one development is just one too many. Um again, we are dealing with a lot of significant congestion with only one road, Miami Lakes Drive, serving as the main exit on the west side. all the traffic funnels into one small road creating daily bottlenecks and frustration. Uh unlike Pemrook Pines uh which prioritize uh building adequate roads before adding new homes, Miami Lakes has expanded its infrastructure to keep up with the has not expanded its infra infrastructure to keep up with the pace of the developments. To make matters worse, uh there's another project that's coming up uh in the east side that will also add even more traffic to already uh overburdened streets. Before this project proceeds, have we done a comprehensive travel an uh traffic analysis or survey that shows the projected increase in traffic? Um, we want to know what specific measures the Graham Companies plan to implement to aliate potential traffic jams as well. Um, you know, as a resident of this city, I want to emphasize the importance of your decisions for our community's future. The choices that you make today will impact not just current residents but generations to come. Additionally, uh, one main, uh, additional, uh, fact is that the unique road layout, including the sharp curves near the development site, raises questions about the safety and traffic management. Are there any plans perhaps

of the Graham companies to add additional exits or infrastructure to support the increased traffic? It is the responsibility of the town and zoning officials to ensure that new developments meet community needs without creating new infrastructure problems. Um, you know, we demand that the councilmen uh do their job and protect the quality of life for Miami Lakes residents. The development in question was initially approved as a 55 and over community, but now plans are changing to benefit developers financially, leaving Miami Lakes residents to bear the burden. This will only add congestion and overcrowded business district, increasing the risk of car accidents in the area. We insist on seeing a comprehensive traffic impact report. What justifications can the zoning committee possibly have for approving further development in such a congested area? Uh it is outrage outrageous to witness how the west side of our city is being transformed without regard for community needs and well-being. That's all I have.

Thank you, Miss Perez. Uh I don't see any other speakers, but do you uh madam clerk? No, not in remote public comments. I do have written public comments that I I need to share. Sure. Go ahead.

Yes. So, my office received several emails that as I always do, I state for the record. There were emails considered written public comments. The first one is from Mr. Albert Aguiad. I received it. I share with the elected officials and you also have copies on the deis and he is in opposition to any changes to the zoning and vote against the proposed flume amendment which has been deferred. Second email is from Miss Rosio Garcia as well against the item against the Grahams project. A email written public comments from Miss Susana Era objecting to the proposed flume amendment and objecting to the approval of any zoning change. Written public comment from Mr. Peter Thomas exactly the same objecting to the proposed flume amendment and objecting to the approval of any zoning change. Mr. Eduardo Bettton Court in opposition to any proposed Flum Flume amendment and objecting to the approval of any zoning change. Public com written public comment from Miss Esther Colon objecting to the proposed Floam amendment objecting to the approval of any zoning change and an additional written public comment from Miss Esther Colon in support of item 16I the one of the preliminary strategic planning workshop and that is all we received.

Thank you madam clerk. Public coms is now closed. Um, council, I need a motion to reopen the order of business, please. I'll move it. Is there a second? Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I.

All oppose, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. Um, I I see that our Miami date tax collector is here with us in the room. Uh, Dario Fernandez, please everyone give him a a warm welcome. uh he is here on items that myself and Councilman Garcia uh wanted to raise uh before the board. Uh uh now that he's here though uh my request would be to go ahead and move 16B and F to before 10 A, 10B, and 10 C uh to go ahead and debate and discuss uh those items and take them up uh while he's here. So moved. So it's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I.

I oppose no. The eyes have it and the agenda is amended as stated. With that, um, I'll begin with my item, item 16B. Let me actually pull it up directly. 16B, the new business items. We're taking that up now. U so just like many of you have seen in the news uh our tax collector and many other uh local government representatives have been involved in doing their part uh doing whatever we can locally to try to put the squeeze on the Cuban administration the Cuban regime that and the people who knowingly or unwittingly support their operations. And so, um, and I'll be quick that with my particular item, it was addressing Commissioner Milan Orvis' request and also request that I got separately from, uh, the tax collector, uh, Dario Fernandez to go ahead and adopt a resolution that would support, uh, compliance with federal sanctions and programs related to Cuba. So, uh, you know, following in essence the efforts that they have and and providing a resolution that supports what they are doing is, uh, so I'll move it with that.

I'll second. It's been moved and seconded. All the any discussion see none. All the all those in favor. Oh can Councilman Fernandez go ahead. I just want to add can I add myself as a co-sponsor? Absolutely. Madam clerk, please uh note Councilman Fernandez Fernandez as a co-sponsor on 16B. All right. Any discussion? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. 16B passes. And now uh Councilman Garcia will go to you to introduce 16F. Thank you, Mayor. Great minds think alike, I believe. Um, Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry. Point of um you you need to wave the the section.

Oh, yeah. So, okay. On 16F, we need to wave uh 7.4, right? 7.4. 7.2 uh the 7.2 requirement. So, it's been moved by the vice mayor, seconded by second by council member Fernandez. All those in favor on the waiver say I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The the 7.2 is waved. Now, Councilman Garcia, sorry. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Parl Parliamentarian.

Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate it. I want to thank our tax collector, Daryl Fernandez, for being here and for being an advocate for Cuba and what um a lot of us here have families who've suffered. My my personal family has suffered. Um, it is unconscionable to allow the Cuban regime to benefit in any way from from any business done here in in any business that's that's not following the rules established by the by the federal government or the state to do business with um to that with that island and that uh illegal regime. To that note, my item um and I would also love my entire the entire uh council to co-sponsor this item if you would like uh is to uh prepare a resolution that instructs the and it's already prepared but it instructs the manager to make sure that any business uh that has a business tax uh a license here is not is following all the rules and regulations stated by by uh by the government and by the state of Florida not to do business with that regime. And if they are doing business that would regime, then we need to make sure that they, you know, they uh they lose their business, their their tax, their business license to do business here in this in this in Miami Lakes. Um so I guess that would also include any ordinances that have to be passed to make sure that that that comes into effect.

I'll second the motion. All right, it's been moved and seconded. Discussion sponsorship. Well, without objection, uh, I'll I'll tell the clerk clerk to go ahead and add all the council as a co-sponsor on this item. Um, could we allow Mr. Fernand to say a couple words on the item? Yeah. Um, you know, so actually, yeah, Mr. Tax Collector, why don't you come on up as our special guest and the microphone should be on. Thank you for coming all this way. By the way, I know traffic is all over Miami County. That is something that we need to fix in Miami Day County. the traffic. Exactly. I think you hang out with a lot of them. So, yeah.

So, first I wanted to say thank you God for the opportunity to be here tonight with all of you. I think the issue with Cuba is not just about polity. It's about the national security of the United States of America. So, good evening. Thank you, Mayor Diegas, Vice Mayor, and member of the council. My name is Dio Fernandez, Miami Day County Tax Collector. I'm here today to support the town in creating coordination with my office to ensure that businesses tax receive are issuing renew in full compliance with the laws. For more than 60 years, the Cuban communist and socialist regime has suppressed the people of Cuba and relay on support from other countries to stay in power. Families in our community know this firsthand. That is why full compliance with federal laws and authorization role is critical. The town of Miami Lake is doing the right things by making sure the rule are follow communication is clear and any business affected by federal restriction is carefully review under the laws. This resolution promotes consistent enforcement, clear coordination and transparency in the licensing process. My office stand ready to work with the town manager, mayor and council to support compliance and protect the integrity of this process. Thank you for your consideration. God bless the town of Miami Lake and God bless the United States of America.

Amen. Thank you very much. Thank you. If you want uh just let us vote on this and we'll go ahead and join you down there for a quick photo in support of your efforts. Um with that, any discussion on 16F. All right. Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No.

The eyes have it. Congratulations. By your vote, 16F passes. So between 16B and F, we now have a resolution that will be uh drafted uh expressing our support for the efforts of the tax collector and the Miami day county commission as well as directing our manager to conduct a review to ensure that businesses in the town are not running a foul of international law and supporting a a brutal regime. With that uh we we're going to stand in a fivem minute recess. So we'll come back at 717. 7:17 I'm jealous. And I said, "Hey,

Wait, of

All right, ladies and gentlemen, it is 7:17. We are going to resume the meeting now beginning at 10A. Once again, 10A. That would be which committee? Here? Special needs advisory board. Welcome guys. And again, congratulations on a successful mayor's gala. Um, I'm so glad that we were able to get this done for you guys. With that, Madam Chair, please go ahead and take it away.

Hello. Good evening. Glass is here. All right. So, since we were here last, uh I want to introduce you to uh one of our new members, Tammy. Welcome to the team. Um also, uh um an update from the last meeting. Um, Ethan is our new secretary

and we thank Kimberly for her service as secretary for the past year. Thank you so much. Okay, so we continue uh having our dance program where the students performed at the town's 25th anniversary celebration. They did a great job. Um, we also continue with the contactless martial arts program and the animation program. Um, we also sponsored hope for autism events like the fashion show, the holiday party and the gala. Um, we also provided the sensory friendly space at the Mary Collins Community Center during the 25th anniversary of the town. Uh couple weeks ago we had our annual painting with a twist event which was a great success. It like sold out in 10 minutes. Um we also sponsored the cooking class and pickle pickle ball tournament for GG's Playhouse. We continue to promote our special needs safety program. and we we're currently working together with parks and wreck to install the communication boards at the park. Um I know last time um the item um was not approved because the installation costs were um a little bit too high and uh so if Jeremy could come up here, he has an update and hopefully maybe we can get this approved today. Thank you, Jeremy. Thank you, Vivian. Um, as the chair brought up, um, the last meeting, uh, they went ahead and presented, we did look at, uh, one of the providers and their cost for installation. We went ahead and looked at two other vendors installation at the same uh, for the same scope was roughly the same price. Um, so a cost benefit, a cost effective

solution is going ahead and moving it off the rubber play surface. Installing it directly in the grass adjacent to the playground. So, it's still going to be part of the playground. Um, is going to be a much more cost-effective solution in which they've already been able to move the funds at the $2,300 for two sites at this time. Um, doing so, we would forego the large sum that was tied up with the installation. will handle it in house and we'll be able to install two of these beautiful um communications boards which are um bilingual. So, one side will be in English, the other side in Spanish. So, with that um I think that was the biggest hesitation was the cost of the installation and we'll find we already found a way to go ahead and install it in house.

Thank you very much, Madam Clerk. Back to Madam Clerk. Madam Chair, back to you. Okay. So, um we also helped town staff uh with planning of and execution of the mayor's gala which again it was an great success and uh shout out to JV and Clarisel. They did an amazing job. Okay. So, some of the future projects we have in mind um is a game night and I'm gonna hand it over to uh Kim and Ethan so they can explain the event.

Hello. So, Kimberly, hello. This is Ethan Rivero, secretary's my special needs advisory board. Yeah. So, um I wanted to actually thank Ethan for bringing um the game night um idea uh to hopeful fruition. Now, um what um we did is we started a subcommittee to go over all the details for game night. And essentially what it would be is a very um sensory friendly game night at the Roberto Alonso Community Center. Um, we're going to be bringing in um retro arcade machines. Um, we're going to have um a sensory laser tag.

Yes, laser tag. We're going to have food and refreshments all by local businesses. You know, I had to include that.

Um, we also have a great lineup of local vendors, uh, vendor participation. So, we're going to have Vita Custom Design doing live 3D printing. They're going to be printing like little fidget toys and people can come and sign up to get their fidget toys made and actually watch them being made which will be really cool. Um we've also are partnering with the Learning Hive um here local to Miami Lakes and they're going to be providing a sensory friendly arts and craft um station and as well as a calm down corner. And we're very happy to say that we've partnered with South Florida ABA Therapy Centers and they're going to be providing RBTs that night. So,

you don't have to worry. As a parent of a child with special needs, I avoid going to certain events because if it's just going to bring a lot of anxiety and I know one kid's going to go this way, one kid's going to be running out the door, one kid is jumping off of something, I won't go. So this alone having RBTs um there as floor support um will be fantastic. Um we're looking to have other vendors like Arts for Autism there. Uh Quest Martial Arts Quest Arts um Do Hados Ice Cream Truck for for the sweets. Yeah.

Yeah. So this will be this is really exciting. It'll be the first time that we do a sensory friendly game night. Um so we are looking forward to it. We have two possible um dates that we're looking on, but um but yeah, we're really excited and we hope that it gets passed. Yes. Excellent. Before we continue, Councilman Sanchez had a question about the game night. I we have a tentative date of May 15th. Yes. What's the second date? Um well, May 15th was the first uh the the the I want to say the most popular. Uh May 15th, uh we're leaning towards May 15th. The second date was May 2nd, but there's too many things happening that weekend when we looked at the calendar.

Um, so May 15th is looking like the stronger alternative. And in order to have a successful event, what is your expected turnout? Um, as many people as the Roberto Lanso room will allow. Okay. Which we did discuss. And Isabella, can you remind me how many um was it 250 the capacity? She was just here a second ago. 250. Yeah, I believe it's 250, but Yes. Yes. Okay. Well, anything we can do to or at least speak on for me, anything I can do to help promote and and get people to attend, I'm more than happy to. Thank you guys.

And we were also looking at a Century Truck experience as a potential opportunity that we would look at ourselves. And we also have some other vendors that that that may be that are also in the surrounding areas like in Halia like one that I'm looking at specifically is nowhere comics. They just need more information and also No Limits coffee shop in Kendall to help promote a special needs le business and as individual an individual with with ASD myself I think this is a great opportunity to promote fellow to promote our community. Thank you. Thank you very much all of you. Any questions through the chair? Well uh well I saw Stephen just before so Okay. So, Councilman Garcia, then Councilman Hsburg.

So, nowhere has Warhammer and they have Dn D. You guys going to do a little D and D and Warhammer kind of stuff. Uh, well, we have 80s theme video games. I would like to add that there will not be any violent games. I did forget to mention that there won't be any violence and and the games will be courtesy from Flynn's Arcade. Oh, wonderful. Oh. Oh, nice. Yes. Okay. Uh, but in regards to Dn D and Warhammer, as much as I like to, I think that I think I think they may be a little too long. I would say as a player myself. Okay. Yeah. Well, fair. That's fair. That's fair. Councilman Herszburg,

this actually goes back to the last item. I don't know if the director wants to come up. How much was the total for both? Did you say 2,300 for both? And still like everything. It was 2,300 per location. So, right now they're looking at veterans and Royal Oaks to start the initiative. And the last quote was something like 10,000. I forgot. Uh, it was it was closer to 15.

Okay, perfect. Yeah, that that's a number that sounds a lot better. I I get if um one thing that I just a general comment because we discussed I discussed with the manager. Uh I want to make sure that we get what you need that's new approved because we're supposed to approve your new items, right? So we can either peacemail it or we can just approve the report. Sometimes we forget to do that. Uh so I just want to make sure we do that. So we can make sure to tell us what's new. For example, the game night's new, right? So I love the idea. I want to approve it. So, let's just make sure when you're done presenting that we approve that. All right. So, we have another uh new item with Jesse is going to be presenting.

Hello, council and everyone else. Um, what we want to bring up is the family cafe. Um, maybe the mayor remembers I spoke about it at one of our previous meetings and I I'll read something that I have here just so you can have an idea of what the family cafe is and what it is that we would love to do. The Family Cafe is a statewide nonprofit that holds hosts a conference described as the largest statewide cross disability event in the nation. You heard that right, in the nation. It brings together self- advocates, families, educators, service providers, and policy makers to share resources, learn best practices, explore assisted technologies, and strengthen partnerships that promote inclusive communities. Attending this conference directly aligns with our mission to create a model town for inclusion. Right? That is our model. Participation will allow us to gain valuable insight into the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities, discover innovative programs and strategies, and build connections with organizations that are successfully advancing inclusive practices. I do want to mention this is from birth to retirement. So, it is a wealth of knowledge and resources. We propose sending six advisory board members to attend on Saturday, June 13th, with an estimated budget of between 2750 to $3,000 to cover transportation and one day of boarding. This investment in professional learning and collaboration will provide actionable ideas that can accelerate our efforts toward building a truly inclusive community for all. We just heard how much we received at our

mayor's gala, which I am wow. I mean, words are not enough to express my gratitude to everyone that supported, that attended, that had even the smallest part in it. And we want to make sure that we put that money to good use, that we actually do the best and the most that we can to serve our community and the individuals with disabilities. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh before before we go on, is there a motion request? It's been moved by Councilman Garcia. Is there a second? I'll second. It's been seconded by Councilman Sanchez. Discussion starting with Councilman Sanchez. Any discussion?

No, I think it's it's you know the research the ROI on the 2750 to 3000 I think is going to be exponential. So, I am more than happy to support this educational endeavor to expand on the on the database that we have for our special needs advisory special needs community. Councilman Garcia, you want to say anything? Any anyone else? No, I'm good. Okay. Yeah, I'm going to support it for the same reason. I think that the the benefit you guys will get will be great for our community, right? Um and help you guys be better at uh at your uh your services and what you provide. Um so, I think this is a no-brainer and again, we're going to raise even more money. So, we'll easily be able to make this back. So, with that, uh, it's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I.

All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The item is approved. Thank you. Next person. Um, so, do we need to do a motion for the game night?

What was the So, I mean, I I'll, you know, I go I go bring this up and fix the report system. We can just make one motion at the end of the report. All I want to know is because we I had seen the issue in some other reports what we approved we didn't. We just need to approve your report and if there's something we don't want to add because it says future projects pending matters consideration reality we should create a line that says new items because we continuously allow you to continue the events for any committee. This is about any committee. We always continuously allow you to to continue with the events you already do. But when you add new ones, we need to approve those. That's all I'm saying. We can just make this motion at the end of the report in my opinion unless there's something we don't

No, no, but I think they Was there something else you wanted to bring up as an update or or is it as really a new item? That's the most important thing for us to do is new items that we need to improve. Yeah. No, but I just want to see if if uh they had finished giving their oral uh report. Nothing further?

Uh no. Um just one more thing. On April 10th, uh we're going to be having the arts the art without limits gallery opening night, uh which you already approved. Um so I want to invite you all. It's going to be a great event. I'm super excited. We already had um artists fill out the registration forms. So um please put it on your calendars. Put it on your calendars. April 10th from 6:00 to 8. Um, and that's all. All right. Is there a motion to adopt the report? So, it's been moved. Is there second? Second. It's been seconded. All those in favor say I.

I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. Item 10A is complete. We accept your report. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, members of the committee. We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you all for your service. With that, we are now on 10B, the Veterans Committee. Not being biased or anything, but the best committee. I think you're a little biased, sir. A little bit. All right. All right. All right.

Good evening, gentlemen. Well, good evening, madam clerk. All right. Here's the veterans committee report. Um, I'm going to just brief changes or new items. I do listen. Um, the new item basically is we're going to uh change the veteran scholarship. It's kind of run its course. we're getting the same family over and over again for three times and uh it just seems that you know we are one less than 1% of the population and there's not a lot of folks who qualify for that. So we wanted to do is help the veterans who are permanent residents at the VA facility here at the VA hospital and we're going to do a bingo night with them. Um there's about 40 residents there. Many of them been there since Vietnam, amputes, quadriplegics, parapillegics. And uh we already been doing this, but we've been paying, you know, paying out of pocket uh the American Legion and the nice Columbus. And so we decided, you know, to make it nicer because what we do is we give them little gift cards that they use for the little exchange that they have inside the veterans hospital where they buy things for themselves, you know. Um, so we just wanted to make it a little bit nicer for them, a little bit better. It's about $1,000, and that's probably all it was going to cost for the whole year for four events. So, that's one thing I need a motion on. Uh, the other thing is we are going to start doing a poppy flower sale. Um, a lot of folks don't know what that is. Um, but it came from World War I. And you may remember when you were really young, you know, those little red flowers that were being passed out by veterans. Um, and it deals with a battle that happened in World War I in Flanders Field, which uh caught, you know, over 40,000 uh young men lost their lives in that one field alone. And a poem was written

um by John McCrae, who was a lieutenant colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, who was a a doctor who was working at Flandersfield while the war was going on. And I'm going to read the poem in the record. In Flanders field the poppies grow between the crosses row and row that mark our place in the sky. The larks still bravely sing and fly. Scarcely heard are the guns below. We are dead. Short days ago we lived. We felt the dawn. We saw the sunset glow. We loved and were loved. And now we lie in Flanders field. Take up our quarrel with our foe. To you from our failing hands we throw. The torch be yours to hold high. If you break the faith with us who died, we shall not sleep though the poppies grow in Flanders field. So, it's a very moving poem um about, you know, and in fact, some of my hippie friends in here may know the uh the song uh where have all the flowers gone? Um and that's from the 1960s and it was actually inspired by this poem. Now, I know you're going to all YouTube it boy is very old. It's from my era. Thank you very much. Um I am not going to let that go. But anyway, uh some happier news. We raised over $62,000 in the 5K. Um thank you all for being there and passing out the medals as our little as I'm starting to call it, our little Olympics. So, I really appreciate that. Um and of course, we're going to be using some of that money for uh the monument. And the campaign has started

uh with the monument, a GoFundMe page. I put it up today and we already made 1,600 bucks in one day. Yeah. So, uh some news uh by the way and but if you could do us all a favor if you can share with all of us so we can also post it and and and expand your reach in essence. I Yes, Mr. Mayor. I will do that. That way expand reach. And I haven't even hit all the rich people yet in this town. There's many. I'm looking at one. You mean like looking right at one? Oh, you're talking about the attorney, of course. I'm looking at the other one. I just see I see two people in my sights. Oh. Oh. Oh.

I know. They want their names on on a plaque on that monument. I know it. Anyway, so uh let's see. Uh yeah, that's it. Um any questions? I just need that one motion to uh Yeah. So before we get into motions on his request, do we have uh general questions or comments? First, Councilman Sanchez and then Councilman Fernandez. Well, I don't know what to do with the veterans committee anymore. I mean, they're selfunding. They're well a welloiled machine. A marine is running it for crying out loud. I mean, I'm just happy. We're leaning. We're green. Huh.

But I will say that there's there's other events also that are that are coming up. I saw them on your report. Um, next Friday specifically is a casino night.

That's right. And as someone that frequents the VA often, um it's it's one thing to hear about it and it's one thing to see about it about the veterans that that come back that are from the Vietnam era and the the Korean War and things and even um Iraq and Afghanistan. And I apologize if I get a little emotional because it hits close to home to see how how their their moral the morale is. And and those gift cards that that the colonel was mentioning before, they go such a long way. I know exactly what exchange he's talking about. as a small little maybe 1500 square foot store on the right next to the lobby of the of the VA down the the hallway of the lobby. So, I'm fully going to support everything that was introduced tonight. And I invite you all to join me on the 28th of February at Pace for the Casino Night, which is being sponsor, which is being hosted by the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Post 144, which is right here in the town of Miami Lakes. Um, which we're very, you know, grateful that he is also a vice commander on there with Gary Cardinal as being the commander of it. So the 28th of February, pace I will send you all the link to purchase your invitations and uh and your tickets and you know have fun play gamble a little bit and hear some pretty awesome war stories that are from all the veterans that are going to be there because you know once you hear them face to face it's very different than reading it in a book or seeing it on a TV screen.

Yeah, that casino night at casino night uh we've had great sponsors. We're going to get a dinner. Cavana has donated the dinner. It's a healthy dinner too because I made sure that it was healthy. Um, you get a free cigar and you're going to have one whether you like it or not. And we have Dominoes and we have the casino and the casino company we picked was the one who did the Mayor's Gala Casino. So, it's uh going to be a really well done event. Yeah. Councilman Fernandez,

I want to first thank you, Colonel. Thank you. Seriously, thank you for your service to our country and to the town. We really appreciate it. I can't thank you enough. Um, I want to also add that for the record, I I ran the fastest in the in the run. I was fourth I was fourth in my age group overall, but I did I did outrun my my fellow colleagues. Congratulations. And I will support whatever if if you ask me, I'll support sponsor whatever you ask. Appreciate it. You're welcome. Sorry we don't have a medal below bronze to give the fourth place one. Well, see, it sounds like we have someone who's projecting over here. We have maybe we'll make a tin medal. Meditin lead.

All right, with that I Councilman Hzburg and then let's uh let's get some motion going. Just quickly the the the poppy flower sale. That's actually really interesting. I remember I went to Canada once and and they at some time a year I think November and everyone had it, right? So it's something I I not well known. That's a really cool idea. I know you liked historical stuff. So I I appreciate you bringing that back out. That's awesome. Thank you. Okay, with that said, uh is there a motion? I move to approve everything. What was I spelled out in detail? Are you both uh items or on both items? I am moving to approve both items. Second, do you have you already wrote them down what they are? Okay, perfect. All those in favor say I. I.

All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The motion carries. Congratulations, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Just making sure I see his bill and see if I I've gotten anything. I don't think so. reallocation. Oh, someone I've been told the reallocation is for the renderings that changing the renderings. Oh, by the way, I got to thank Jeremy. Jeremy for taking all the time. Sorry.

Uh I thought I was done. You know, hey, the educational uh special needs can do it, I can do it, too. But uh so um thanks Jeremy for helping me with the uh dealing with uh the whole renderings and stuff for the monument. Um, we need a reallocation of $400 to pay for the re-renderings that were done at the new location. I don't I don't know if I have to do Huh? Where are you pulling it from? From uh the 5K run. Oh, they're from the 5K. Okay, got it. Uh, I'll move it. I'll second. Been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. I. All post, no. You guys have it. Thank you very much. Thank you, Colonel. All right. 10 C.

Yep. That would be you guys. Education advisory board.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, council members, town manager, and madame clerk. Thank you for hearing us out tonight. It has been an honor to be the education advisory board chair for the past two years, and thank you for coming to some of our initiatives, the annual spelling bee, the town awards of excellence, and for helping also with the book drive that we have in the town. Um, that's really the only three things that we do as of right now. Hopefully, we can add more things in the future. Uh, we'd like to thank you for your continued support of education in our community. And I'm here to respectfully request additional funding so we can sustain sustain and expand some of the programs that directly benefit our residents. Our committee currently operates on a budget of just $1,000. While 15,000 was gener generously donated to the town, these funds go directly to support the imagination library not available for our committee initiatives. With our current budget, we run the three primary programs I spoke about, the annual spelling bee, um, which is a lot of fun. Thank you for coming to that. The awards of excellence and our community book drive. This is the second year of the spelling bee and it again it recognizes some of the top spellers in our community. Uh community partners like Vicky Bakery generously donate food. But we must cover the annual trophy update, the school plaque, the basic event needs such as decorations and supplies, many of which have been paid out of pocket by our committee members because no funds exist in our budget right now. The annual awards of excellence cost approximately $3,500 to host. We're fortunate to receive significant support from sponsors such as Headquarter Toyota, but the event still requires additional resources to sustain its quality and impact. Additionally, we currently have no funds to purchase new books for our residents. While our book drives collect community donations, many of the books received are not new, uh, limiting what we can provide to the families in our community. To help offset these costs, we propose a new item, which would be a small adjustment to the graduation banner program. By increasing the price by just $10 above the cost, we estimate raising approximately $7 to $800 annually. These

funds would directly support the spelling bee, allow us to provide new books and allow us to provide new books to residents at town events. Uh this request represents a practical investment on in literacy, recognition of student achievement and community engagement. I respectfully we respectfully ask your support so that we can continue serving our residents at the at the level that they deserve. Thank you for your time and consideration. So that would be the new initiative that we would like for you to vote on. Thank you, Madam Chair. Any comments, questions before we vote? Uh, Councilman Herzburg. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Why only $10? That's what I was gonna ask. Oh, we thought that that would be We didn't want to increase it too much and shock the people.

In my opinion, you guys should increase it to what you believe you need. Uh, $10, $20. Is someone not going to make the decision based off $10? You You can just double your budget right there going to 20. So, in my opinion, I think 20 is a reasonable number. Okay, I'll go with that. I It's up to you. But yeah, we we were we were debating that and we thought 20 maybe some people might be too much, but if you guys think we could do it, I mean, that's that's the decision you guys have to make. Yeah, we would just like your your approval to be able to increase. We just approve them to allow them to increase and you guys can decide what that is. That would be great. We could always do an approval up to 20. Up to 20. Okay. If that's what you want to go lower, they can. Uh, Councilman uh Sanchez,

I just exactly what he was going to say. Why only $10? I mean, $700. What is the the pool that of of children you'll be able to help with $700? I I concur with Councilman Herszburg that it should be up to 20. 20. Yeah. So, I'll put a motion on the floor uh to increase the the banner price from 100 to up to 120. Before we take the motion, are there any other discussion points or questions on anything in the uh in the report? Because I'd rather just take the whole report at once. Yeah, I just have one comment as far as um the budget, right?

Um are you guys looking into or considering any events that you can hold that might be might generate a little revenue for you? We haven't looked into that, but that we definitely could. Yes, that seems to be the trend.

Yeah, that most of the committees are doing. Yeah. Not that you're going to do something like that, but maybe education Olympics or something that the registration fees against all the schools battle against each other. Something you come up with with a registration fee that can go all the money proceeds go to your budget. Something like that that Thank you for that experience. And I'm sure you guys can can use resources you already know putting that together. Just an idea. So, we're encouraging all the all the committees to try to think out of the box and bring in some, you know, to help them because we're going to have going forward. Yeah. As you know, a lot of issues with with budgeting and trying to find money and stuff like that. So, thank you so much. But I I think that's what you're doing is great. Thank you. All

righty. Uh, Councilman Sanchez, I'll accept your motion as a motion to adopt the report with the caveat of the price being up to $20 at their discretion. Uh so moved by Councilman uh Sanchez. Any second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Herszburg. Uh those in favor say I. I. Say nay. Seeing none, the motion passes unanimously. Thank you guys. Thank you, gentlemen. Have a good evening. Thank you.

All righty. We are now on back to item number seven, appointments. Uh I do have one committee appointment by Councilman Steven Herszburg and that is of Miss Tammy L. Hassan to the special needs advisory board. Uh she's here with us today. So if she could please stand and be recognized, Miss, thank you so much for for t taking the initiative and and being a part of our community. Uh we we we don't always get uh newly appointed uh committee members to come. So so I'm going to take full advantage of the fact that you're here to say, you know, we really truly respect you guys uh for for volunteering your time at one point or another. All of us have served on committees. Uh so we know the struggle. We know what you guys go through and we truly appreciate you uh freely giving your time and devotion to making our town a better place and in this case making our town a better place for those with special needs. So thank you so much. Uh let's give her another round of applause.

And with that we will move on to our manager reports. Oh, go ahead. Before we proceed with manager's report, I just wanted to um let you know that two items need to be added to the agenda. You all have them. It's item what would be item 16M, which is a new business item that was um submitted late by Mayor Diegas and item 17B, which is a council report or a mayor report. Mayor Diegas submitted an uh a report from his um trip to day. So I would like for you I'll move to reopen the agenda. Yes, I'll second.

There's a motion to reopen the agenda. Seconded by but the motion by Councilman Garcia, seconded by Councilman uh Fernandez. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, those in favor say I. I. Again, say nay. Seeing none, the agenda is reopened uh for the addition of uh and then the the change that we are looking at is the addition of items 16, what were they? 16M for new business item and item 17B, which is a council report. Okay. Is there a motion? I'll move to add those two and also to wave the 7.4 special rules of order on both on both. Yes.

So moved uh by Councilman Garcia. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Fernandez. Uh any discussion, Vice Mayor? Another item for you to consider with the order of business. Is that what you're doing? Yes. Do you had pulled already item um 12B, the feasibility study? U or Council Member Garcia. Okay. I I wasn't sure who had pulled it. I knew we were both going to pull it. It came from over there. Yeah. Um the consultant who who's here that we uh proposed to do it is here. So if you want to couple it and put it together with the infrastructure report, I may I think it may be Germaine. Move it up here.

You want anyone want to make the motion? Yeah, I'll make a motion. Move it up since they're here. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Uh seconded by Councilman Herszburg. Uh any discussion on on that? And I'm going to treat that as an amendment to the main motion. Uh any any uh comments or questions on the amendment? Seeing none on the amendment of uh moving the the item uh up to the infrastructure report. Correct. Um those in favor say I. I. Again say nay. Seeing none, the motion passes uh unanimously. Now back to the main motion on uh adopting the change to the to the agenda. Those in favor say I.

I. I. say nay. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Madam Clerk. And now we are back on to the manager's reports. Major elected.

Uh good evening everybody. Um Lieutenant Ed Yua. Uh in reference to our January stats, uh we're showing a 33% decrease in our uh targeted crimes. Uh most noticeably, we had an 80% reduction in our uh burglary to vehicles. Uh additionally, uh during the month of uh January, we also made two arrests related to autothefts uh within the town. Um uh additionally in reference to uh statistical analysis uh we've uh issued 123 hazardous moving violations uh 43 non-hazardous moving violations. We uh issued 29 parking violations and uh issued 44 verbal warnings and 27 written warnings as well for traffic enforcement. Um, moving forward, uh, on February 22nd, uh, we're going to be doing the Brianna Burgaro 5K. Um, I know a lot of you guys participate in that, so we'll see you guys there. And then, uh, the culinary bike tour, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th, uh, will be there as well. Uh, additionally, just a quick reminder just for everybody like uh not only for for like uh staff but also for the residents on uh you know the update to the new uh non-emergency number uh for 305 sheriff uh anytime that we have you know any uh instances where where police is needed you know I would I would really urge our uh constituents uh to you know to employ the service of uh of calling that number uh just uh to piggy back off of that is 305 sheriff or 3057437433. Um I have nothing further at this time. Any questions?

Any comments, questions for Yeah. Go ahead. C quick question. I' I'd like to actually ask to see if the staff can help you get that out on on our social media and every you know websites and all that stuff. Are Yeah. So, I'd like to move that maybe the manager can work with with our sheriff's department to make sure that all that information since this is a brand new number, make sure we use all all of our social media and websites and everything we can to help you get that information out there. It helps with the 911. I mean, if you're calling non-emergency calls, getting those calls off 911 is a big help for everybody. It couple seconds could save lives. So,

yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think we've we've done it before. I think we can do another reissue and we'll we'll pass it along. Yeah, I I think this something like that should be since it's brand new should be a constant until people get used to it maybe. Um, you know, maybe for the next year, you know, we continue to, you know, hit that, you know. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. So people get used to it. Okay. Any other comments or questions? Uh, I just wanted to clarify something. Despite Yes. the change to 305 sheriff, uh, does 305 for police continue to work? Uh, yes. We still own the domain from my understanding. So it still does work. Uh but obviously the the main number to call is

three or five sheriff. Nonetheless, um we're situated in such a way where even if they don't remember that number, they can call 911 and we they transfer over. But obviously we want to eliminate the 911 from being used. Um so that way it just goes directly to the non-emergency number. Okay. Thank you. Uh seeing no further comments.

Just one last comment. And I was speaking to some officers uh in Hyia who happened to be my parents neighbor. Good kid. I noticed he was a little kid became and he was telling me that he's they're running into a lot of teenagers. Um they they arrested at least three or four teenagers in the west side of Halia with with book bags and they had you know um they had tire irons, they had a bunch ready to go to comes to to robberies and stuff like that. He says that he's seeing more of that. So, you know, just just something that's happening in the neighboring town and it usually happens highly. It may happen in Miami Lakes. I'm sure you guys are up aware of what's happening all around our neighbors, but just to keep an eye on that. He says he's seeing more active teenagers with tools for robbery.

Well, ironically enough, we uh arrested in January where I sent that gentleman that was uh peering through cars and trying to open up cars in uh in Main Street. So, yeah, with the same same MO book bag with tire, iron, etc. So it seems to be uh and they had to charge him with loitering because they didn't see, you know, they they didn't he didn't have prior or any bench warrants or anything like that, but they had to. So I mean it's it's it's a trend that's happened. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We're aware. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Um I'll um go ahead and call the the motion for vote, seeing no further comment. Uh those in favor say I. I. I. Those against say nay.

Uh hearing none. Uh, the motion passes unanimously. I'll now accept a motion to adopt the report itself. Uh, anyone? Yeah, I'll move it. So moved by Councilman Garcia. Any second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Fernandez. Any discussion? Hearing none. Uh, those in favor say I. I. Again, say nay. Motion passes unanimous. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, guys. Thank you, Mr. Santos.

Good evening, council. Omar Santos, Polar Works Director, Council Member Garcia. Um, if you want to lead with your the discussion on 12B just to to start it off. Oh, okay. Um, or Vice Mayor, maybe 16K and then I'll finish with my report. Yeah, sure. I I'll I'll go ahead and do that if Give me one second to get there.

Sorry, I put you guys on the spot. You want to go start? You're you're just lucky that uh I I don't have my my iPad. I have my computer. So So I'm running a little slower than normal. Um it it was 16K 221. Okay. So So the reason I actually had this one moved to the reports was based on the manager's um explanation to me that this issue is not being uh that maybe I misidentified projects. Yes. Um the project I identified was the one that's currently going out for appropriations. Uh but you're saying that it's covered under one that's already funded. Correct.

So So I guess what I want to know is hard dates on when can I expect that section of the road to be uh redone and for that approach specifically to be redone because we're looking at and and The fact that you know myself and other members on this dis are going to be running for reelection is one thing but the fact that that is a polling location for the midterm elections uh as as it was two years ago for the presidential elections and frankly it was embarrassing as a town to host that as an early voting location and yet cars were just bottoming out constantly on on that approach. I keep hearing different reasons for it not getting done. I just wanted to get done.

Yes. So, as you mentioned, it's been a discussion for for a while. What we decided to do, since we had that area already slated for drainage improvements, going ahead and doing the improvement before the drainage improvements might have actually caused us to destroy and spend the money twice. So, we asked the designer for the Montrose drainage improvements, which is number eight on the new table with the projects, um, to add it to that design. So currently that project was awarded in January. It's uh slated for start of construction the first week of March. We got we first want to do the drainage and then we'll finish with the restoration items which that entrance is part of it. Some of the things that I I I mentioned in the in the response is that we have to coordinate because there may be a need for for access adjustments to Mary Collins. Um we prefer to do it in one pour. it just makes it more complete and the area is so tight that sometimes if we split it, you know, it may it may get uh may get damaged. So, those are those are some logistics that we're dealing with on our end. As far as the road itself, that project will not do a full resurface of the road. We have a project coming right after it which is the Park West uh pedestrian improvement project which will mill and resurface all of Montrose Road all and then Balo and all the way down to Ardo Place. So with that project you will have a full final road but the entrance is part of the drainage project.

Okay. Yes. Um and just to be clear I think you said March we would be starting starting the drainage the drainage. Yes. But when would we finish the drainage and then move on to the ancillaries? What I was talking I was trying to remember the timeline. I can't remember for for exa exactly but there is an email. I'll I'll forward it to you with the date. Yeah. And I mean ideally not not even before November for the election but also before Fourth of July which is one of the biggest events of the year where that parking lot does get very full. I I would love to see that completed. I do remember it is before the elections. Okay. before the 4th of July. I have to verify that. Okay. Yeah. Uh any through the chair?

Well, yeah. You want to handle your point or is it a question on your your item specifically? Is yours on your point or Okay. Then then go ahead, Councilman Hersburg. Before the elections, August or November or November? November. Okay. So, we still have um August elections as well, but Okay. Understood. That's fine. But let me I I have to review the the timeline and I'll provide it through the manager because if it is before July, I'll let you know.

And we'll whether it be for the Independence Day or the August primaries or November, we'll work with the contractor to see how they can mitigate it. Even if it's on a temporary basis for a day or, you know, for the uh early voting, we'll we'll work with them and see if the project's still ongoing and they haven't done the final restoration and the final uh elevation there. We'll we'll work with them to see how they can mitigate it for a day like the uh Independence Day celebration. That's all for me. Thank you, Councilman Garcia. Just quick question about 59th Avenue if you don't mind. Yeah, go ahead.

Yeah. No, I know it says 30% complete. I know we we we talked to the engineers. We had a discussion. They were nice enough to come on board to to meet with you guys and on designs and and they committed to me and to you that they were going to do as much as possible to expedite the issue. Now, um now the demolition is 95% complete which is great as of today is is done. We're just doing some Yeah, I love it. Remember we do these like about a week before. I love it. Yeah, there's no building there. Okay, so I know we were waiting on an entity to give us their feedback, right? I was told 30 days. It's been 30 days.

So, they did respond. The comment was not favorable. So, we responded back with another um counter. However, there's only one comment left. The designer, as we mentioned during our meeting, they have gone ahead and continued working on things that are will not be affected by that with the goal of once we close that out, the time between having 30s and 60s is going to be shorter. So, so that is still ongoing. Let me ask you something. And I know we were waiting on on the them to respond on on that. Um was there anything we could have done anticipating that? No, this is something that when the original design went through

that's just a change of the angle because No, this is related to the width of the path and the width of the path. Okay. So this was not brought into question with the path design which is pretty much what we have right now. We're just adjusting and now we have a reviewer that is asking about that. So we talked about them justifying their position like if one of them approved it without any issues is there is there a mechanism to that we can I guess uh not talk to their their they make the final decision but to appeal that and say hey the first one was approved nothing's changed except you know and get this done do we have to wait another 30 days when I'm asking

so I've been I've been following up on them uh on a weekly basis not to have to wait another 30 days because it's just It it should be something that that we could resolve quickly. The next step would be to request a meeting. We don't want to wait those 30 days. Yeah. Yeah. So, going forward, anything we can do to let them know, hey, this was already approved. Um this that aspect of the plans are not changing. Can can we make sure we mitigate the you know denying for no reason? They I mean just to deny did they give a a reason that was accept? Yeah, they they cited a section of the specifications, but the first time it was approved, they didn't because

uh yeah, and again, you you have to consider that this was 2020 and 2026, so there could have been adjustments to the the specifications. They the department does that throughout the years and we're aware and our engineers are aware of those changes and are implementing it into any plans that are being submitted going forward. So then that won't happen again. But in this in this specific situation, we're the engineers are proposing a slight adjustment that doesn't completely adjusted based on the comment. Okay. And still allows us to maintain the the original intent of the design. Yeah, because these 30 days, 15 days, are killing me.

Yeah, we're working on this one to to not have to wait these days. It's just one comment. So, I know, but I appreciate that. Thank you for everything. So, let me go. Oh, wait. the the item that was pulled. Yeah, but I requested Yeah, council member Garcia, I think you wanted to pull the item with the feasibility study 12B and in the order of business that was added to it to here. Yeah, it's after the report. We while you were out, mayor, we put it together with the infrastructure report. Wow. Okay. Okay. So, let's let me talk a little bit about that. Yeah, it went well. As far as uh traffic studies, is that what we're talking about?

Traffic's always been an issue with this town. It's going to be an issue with this town going forward. Um I think we need to reestablish or rethink the way we handle we handle traffic studies. Now this traffic study is is very costly, right? And it's I know I I know the intent is to get a big picture big picture um of what's happening on 154th and on the surrounding areas. Two things that that I agree with uh Colonel Perez that was up here was you know that that cost to to the taxpayer is really high. I I do believe that that any any uh anybody that's that any company that wants to build in this town should take those costs on. But I also talked to the manager about a suggestion. Can't we use the existing LPR system that has data points from from the traffic that's going through 154th and get a license when it comes to I I was doing research on on these AIS for traffic studies and it's about from $1,500 to $3,500 a year for the license. Can we use the data that we're already collecting as a town, incorporate that with with uh that software and create our own traffic studies anytime we want to use them and we can have a baseline that we know is true and we could compare it to traffic studies that we require um builders to to do and upcoming projects. I still think they should pay for it, but also we should use existing resources that we have. It's not going to cost us anything else because we already have the cameras up. We're already collecting this data. So, I would like to see us use that data, incorporate that software, and have a create that baseline. And and I know our IT department might be interested in that, but it it will be a savings in the end. $55,000 to me is is when we can have our own studies as a baseline. We already have the cameras up. Can we incorporate that? So, I'm going to ask the manager to to look into that and then see if in the future if we get that working and it's well, um maybe it could be a money m making operation

for us. Maybe we could use our software and our traffic studies and have builders use our traffic study. You know, if it's something that's, you know, that we find works well and and the numbers uh the numbers are good and it's something that works well, maybe we can use that uh to make some revenue for the town. I'm just thinking out of the box here because this is something that's going to continue to happen and $5,500 for a study if we can do it on our own and we can we already have the cameras up. 55,000, I'm sorry. 55,000. Yeah, I'm sorry. I would take I thought it was 5,500 when I first read it. Disgusting.

55,000 guys for something that we know. We need to know what's happening real time with traffic going forward in in in the town. So, having our own system ready to go, we already have the cameras. Can we incorporate the data points that we already have into software that already exists? Get that license and have a baseline for traffic so we know if the studies that we request are are accurate or not. I mean, we can tell no that's not accurate at all because we have our own we have our own baseline. We can get uh you know we can get our traffic person to get to get certified in that and and honestly we're going to need this going forward uh for planning 20 30 40 years. We we need to know what's happening in traffic real time all the time. So, I guess my motion is to have the the um the the manager look into if we can use the existing LPRs, that data to help us complete traffic studies that we have our own baseline of traffic studies. So, we can push back if we get a traffic study and our residents have have at least two different traffic studies that can, you know, they feel comfortable with.

Is there a second? I'll second for discussion. Seconded by Councilman Hersburg, who is recognized in discussion. I I I like the idea. I'm happy with the town manager seeing it. I don't believe we can use anything from LPRs other than for criminal investigations. Uh if we can, that would be great. If not, if if there's another method we can use to I like your idea data points just right another data point method. How many license plates were written?

So I would just make a friendly amendment. It's just not focus it on the LPRs because I'm really confident we can't use that. and if we have other data points that the town has that we can use uh to see what type of studies we can we could potentially do and I agree with you with AI and everything those type of things are going to become uh I want easier less human intensive so that I would make a friendly amendment to that to expand it beyond LPRs because I'm pretty sure the the LPRs is no well first let's see if the amendment has a second is there a second I'll second that it's been seconded by uh Councilman Garcia Santos you're recog to respond to uh to

thank you. So this what what's being presented is is a portion of what the full study would would incorporate that data. That's one thing that we would have to definitely take into consideration and see if the data that's produced by those devices can actually be used for this type of study. And if if uh directed to we we would look that and team up with our our department that oversees those devices and the and the vendor to see what what value we can bring from that. But for this um item, it's phase one of a three-phaseed approach for for looking at that entire intersection. And what we're looking at is essentially four uh four proposals to improve by essentially adding infrastructure to that area to see if are these even feasible. Can we can we uh provide some form of to alleviate excuse me the traffic in that area by for example one of them is adding a slip ramp from 154 as soon as you get off of 154 uh of the pomemetto to the 77th core northbound. That's one movement. There's another movement, another uh proposal to add a a slip ramp from 77th core on the south side of 154, which you get a lot of traffic from those businesses and future developments that will go directly to the Palmetto and completely bypass 154. So, those are two of the the ones I would like to highlight. So we first want to look uh for for relatively a low cost look at that and see can can is this something that we can really consider and then with that information we would engage other entities FDOT Miami Day County uh PTO to start a discussion as far as

possibly uh financial help and and just getting this moving forward and not just be the town but more of of a community involvement. No, through the chair. Hey, Councilman Garcia. Thank you, Mayor. No, agreed 100%. We need we need data to make these decisions, but I think the data is going to be clear. Yeah, of course, we need more. We need we need to add those ramps to help with 154. My push back on this is you said it's 55,000 for one phase, correct? Of three phases. Yes. So, we're looking at what it was 80 originally, right, Omar? That the 80. What's the total cost of the three phases? Well, the phase one and two is 86. Okay, that's why you have in the in the in the attachments.

Okay, I'm just saying knowing what traffic is doing on a daily basis is very important and these studies we can go outside, but if there's a way there's software that already exists if we can find a way of coupling it with and again is that is there a law that says uh Mr. Manager or uh town attorney that the LPRs can't be used? I know you can't use personal data stuff like that, but the number of of LPRs were reading in a certain area in a in an intersection. My is is that I mean my my instinct tells me you can get that type of data. That's what my instinct tells me, but Okay. I'd have to confirm it.

Thank you. If he confirms that, then we already have a mechanism in place that we're paying for that will tell you how many cars are going through that intersection through all the intersections at the LPR. We're going to add more LPRs. So, it's only going to add to our to our to our network of cameras. Those data points could be exported into existing and I I did some research there. Three companies. I'll send you the information that the average cost uh for each study is like $3,500. Uh we have someone trained in our town to do it. And now we have a baseline that we can compare to any developer wants to come in with their study and says, "No, no, look, it doesn't affect traffic." No, no, no. We have our own study here. We have a baseline. We we know what traffic is is happening and we can use that for further projects like yourself. That money that that total cost we can do it at a fraction, save ourselves money and have let me just finish because I'm on a roll and have a a tool that we can use for future growth decades to come using existing infrastructure. We already spent $5,500 for this first phase,000.

So I keep saying I can't believe it so much. 55,000 for this first phase over 150,000 for the total when we can do it cheaper I think the everybody up here always is pushing back and say wait don't we have the resources here I think we do I think we have the brain power to make it happen well again we need to separate one is the data one is the feasibility of the infrastructure improvement the data will get you as far as to acknowledge yes we need there is a need for the improvement I I think we we're at that point already um the data will help But we are at that point just by by visual observation that the area needs improvement. What this proposal is to start looking at four proposals and see and and determine are these even feasible. Are these even worth taking to the next step of asking for design and implementation?

So are are you so ju I just want to clarify something might help us move this along. Yes. Yes. So, what is the cost of, you know, of us saying yes if you're just evaluating those four options? 55,000. 55,000. Okay. That we're going to be agreeing to now. Yes. Okay. Got it. Well, we're not not yet, but and I'm sorry to cut you guys off, but I want to reorient this on the amendment. Uh, Councilman Herzburg, can you restate the amendment just to make sure everybody knows what what we're on? It was just not limiting the data to only LPRs, whatever data sources we have, that's all. Oh, okay. Well, why don't why don't we dispose of that and then get back to the main motion. All uh it's been moved and seconded the amendment. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no.

The eyes have it. The amendment passes and we're back on the main motion as amended. All right. So, with that, I could restate it. I I would ask the manager to look at Go ahead. Yes. My motion is to ask the manager to to look at the existing LPR system or any other data points that we have to uh provide that data to any companies that we decide on and to see what savings will come before we even put it out to bid. Like to see what we can do to save ourselves some taxpayer money using existing infrastructure already have that might work well with uh any vendor that we decide so we can lower the cost of any studies that we do. So is is it your direction then that uh in essence you're you're moving to approve it subject to that condition that we first uh look at these alternatives?

No. No. I'd like to see I'd like to see us uh I like to get an answer back uh from the staff if our data points are valid and they can be used to save money before I I move forward with approving. So you want so your preference would be to defer this item? Uh defer the item with the caveat that we're the manager looks into using our data points to to help save money in the future any future studies. Okay. We're going to go first to Cuadra Garcia, then to the vice mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think that we keep forgetting that we have great universities in this state and I think we should reach out to our local FIU, local universities that have architects on board to do this as a project. So, I mean, have we thought about that? I think this is something that we should uh look into. Why don't you look into it? Well, mayor. Oh, sorry. Vice Sorry, I didn't see him get up. Whenever I get an opportunity, I'd like to chime in.

Okay. Um, so was that your only comment to to have uh us see if any colleges or universities are just looking to FIU and see what they could do for us? Okay. Uh, I mean, I see no reason to not. Um, any other comments?

Yeah, I know. I had a comment. I was going to save that for last. Uh, I guess my my question is ultimately the when I look at spending these $55,000, right? We we we spent so much time up here during the budget season nickeling and dimeming over cell phones and $5,000 here, 5,000 over there to just throw 55,000 at something that I don't see one, two, three, or four happening. I mean, maybe I could see four. I could see two. One's not going to happen. Three is not going to happen. Uh I mean I can right away with number one see an issue with the same issue that the underpass uh that was proposed a while back the the second underpass under the Palmetto Expressway

the gas line. It's going to come across the same exact problem number one. So I could already tell you that's a waste of time. So So I'm just kind of sitting here like why am I going to spend 55,000 for them to just tell me that one can't be done. Uh number three going over the uh over the canal from the in I guess area adjacent to is that the New Baptist? Yeah, the the New Baptist. I mean I don't know that a turn that sharp can be is it ever going to be allowed? Remember those was a sketch.

Exactly. But but also it's accurate. that that that sketch is pretty accurate as to how sharp the turn would need to be uh over a body of water. We just we've been experiencing how incredibly difficult it is to go over a body of water with 59th Avenue. So, I'm just sitting here saying, why am I wasting 55,000 of the taxpayers dollars on things that are are probably not going to happen in the near future? I feel like if if we had a a a project in mind, not not like, hey, here are some options. If we had a project in mind, like saying, hey, we want to extend uh the 77th Court northbound right-hand turn, option number two, right? Uh if we wanted to do that and say, "Okay, cool. get me design, get me planning the way we've always done and then get appropriations or or grant funding, then I would understand. But the these where where are the 55,000 coming from, by the way?

PTP. And if I may add, there's PTP money. That is Is this 80 or 20? 80. 80. And it's earmarked for studies. What? We earmarked it for studies. Yes. that because that's where we do traffic studies all extra waste that I would have found. All righty. Well, well, we do know that we do need to conduct some studies, but why don't we let him respond because I know you were throwing multiple questions at him. So, just, you know, to give him an opportunity to respond. Director Santos.

So, just in general, when we're looking at making changes of of this magnitude to an intersection like 154 and 826, a study is your starting point. You don't want to just go ahead. You want to make sure that whatever you're proposing is feasible. Yes, $55,000 right now sounds like a large sum, but in the overall grand scheme of things is a very small amount for what we may end up developing in that intersection. Mayor manager.

Yeah, I I want to kind of just go back a little bit. The camera systems, right? let's call them generic camera systems whether they be LPRs or part of the adaptive signalization all of the camera systems we will check to see if they are uh usable because remember what the consultants are going to do who are not with all due respect they're not students they're not uh engineers in training they are engineers that can sign and seal plans they are legitimate professionals um what the camera part of the study is going to be the counts, right? But that's just a fraction of the study. There's much more that goes into it and it's all composed there in the proposal. So, there's going to be much more. We will check to see if the camera system can assist us. First of all, if it's allowable under the LPR statutes, if it's allowable, but so if they are and the data is good and it's clean and it's usable by the engineers, we for sure will assist the engineers in getting access to that data so they can because they will be out there. They're going to put in uh uh equipment to count the count the vehicles in all the directions of this area. So I just want to kind of talk about what how this all came to be is this was all uh born from the staff. So the staff looked at this inter intersection which is the number one cho choke point in traffic in all of Miami lakes. Right? So they looked at the intersection of the Palmetto and 154 and they said how can we improve this? Obviously uh director Santos has a PE behind his name and he has much more training than some dumb old fireman, right? So he but we all we all brainstormed together and we looked at all of these different alternatives and we said okay how can we we just started from a very basic question. how can we improve this uh intersection and we

started looking at this and that and and the conditions that exist there today I want to be clear it's not caused by any development right any new development because the development on where the um that were was on the agenda today has not been built the uh development that uh is by the golf course has not been built so the conditions that exist there today are already there unrelated to at least those two developments ments. So, what we're trying to do is kind of be proactive. I commend the staff for doing that. Be proactive, get ahead of any future developments and try and see how we can improve that intersection. So, we brainstormed as director Omar Santos stated is the very first thing in this whole process is saying, "Hey, will any of these improve traffic flow in the area?" And the the I think that Omar, correct me if I'm wrong. You did go over some of these. So at a high level without doing the study, you you talked about these with the consultant and at least they're feasible to the sense of worth studying.

Yes. And again, what what we're looking at here is at the end, is this something that is ultimately constructable? So and feasible to get to that next step. If we if we don't do this, then we just stay where we're at right now.

Right. And and our hope our hope is to see if the if the the these different four elements, these improvements, which those of which are deemed to be feasible and they'll give us a opinion of probable costs on each of them to to have an idea of what it'll cost. Um then at that point is get together all the players uh elected and staff from the town, elected and staff from the county, elected and staff from uh FDOT and the elected officials from the state, get the TPO, go out there, do a field trip, show them these are the things, here's our study, and then we we can take it to the next level after that and then pursue um appropriations whether it be at the state or more likely at the federal level because this is going to be an expensive project

is so is it your position then that this is something that we can use when we go to Tallahassee and we say that we h that we can match part of the cost of the project this is something that goes toward that yeah of the expenses that we're using here we could definitely use it in the future with any appropriation and we can use it as a local match excellent Vice Mayor Moretta and then Councilman Sanchez

just a quick uh followup we've been having a lot of discussions about the other nearby interchanges uh with one being uh 67th Avenue in the Gratany and also 170th and I75 potentially getting ramps and 170th and the turnpike opening up in the in the near future. I've been of the position that once those happen, uh, it'll declutter, uh, Miami Lakes Drive and the Palmetto because now it's not everyone trying to leave and come in through the same entrance and exit. Um, this study, I feel, wouldn't really take that into account because it would be a little too early. Wouldn't it behoove us? This is a bit of a long-term project. It'll probably take in the 67th Avenue at the Gratany because those are more concrete. The study of the slip ramps and the entry ramps at the uh 75 and 170 is probably too too too early to take those into account what impacts those could have. Right.

Yeah. I I think we're we're looking more closer to the 826 and and 154, right? Not not taking into consideration a project that's further away, right? Yeah. Yeah. It's just more of that local area. Got it. Councilman Sanchez. So, with regards to the PTP80, I know you mentioned that it's allocated specifically for traffic studies. Is that something that we as a town allocated or did it come down from the from I believe it's a county that controls the PTP funds? No. In in the budget that we approved in September, there was a portion that was allocated for studies.

Okay. And if it's not being allocated for studies, is there something else that it could be allocated for? It could in a budget amendment it could always be uh moved to or actually that' be a resolution because it has to stay within PTP. So guidelines with the PTP it could be moved to another line in PTP. Okay. All right. Okay. Uh any other comments? Councilman Herszburg. Thank you. I mean first I I would imagine the consultant will say anything can be consulted because they want to make the fee, right? But um I guess my question is or is it your really more for town manager is it your position you need to do this before you go to FOT and others for in the Miami date county?

Absolutely. Because we're going to go to FOT we're going to go with nothing in our hands. We're going to go with with some some idea and and that is going to generate zero support. They're going to tell us will it will it work? Go get us a study. And that's what we're actually doing. Once we have this, it'll be the uh the ammunition to go and and speak to FDOT or and state appropriators as well as federal appropriators. And I understand the county and FDOT is very difficult to work with, I'm sure, often and hard to get meetings with sometimes, but does it make sense to go to them first and say, is it something you're interested in studying and then paying for the study or you're saying it makes sense to study it now? Is that that's your position? Yeah,

I believe and Omar correct me if I'm wrong. I believe that any improvement in a roadway, right? To the very first step is to say number one, is it feasible? Can it be constructed? And will it will it have the impact that you think it'll have? Right. And that's what this study is intended to do. Yeah. But we don't know if FOD or the county or anybody is interested whatsoever until we spend $55,000. Correct. Right. That's the the one that's mainly interested would be and I'm just speaking in general the the town wants to see an improvement in that quarter.

Right. So we're we're proposing this approach to have a document that has been reviewed by by a set of professionals dedicated to this practice to go with that to these entities and say look the town as a town we've taken the initiative to analyze this and determine that one two three or four are feasible for ABC reasons. With that you have more of a push. you have a buy in that you've already the town has already put in some effort to to to getting moving things forward.

And and last question, mayor, if I may. Thank you. Um the 55 will include this entire area 1, two, three, and four. And and maybe if they see something else that they believe is feasible, or they're only going to focus on what the town has provided. It's it's on those the those were those were put together between uh what the town was looking at and discussions uh during the proposal preparation with the consultant. But for this like this is the biggest it'll look at these the feasibility and the potential the potential cost of these four improvements. So the 86 the additional money is for some other area. No

no so so phase two would be future analysis. Right. I thought this is analysis. No. So, so right now it's looking is it feasible to get this uh developed and then after that we're looking phase two is applying that to future analysis of of traffic flow based on growth and other changing parameters. Okay. Mr. Mayor, a um the town attorney has asked to opine. So, I'm going to recognize him and then go to Councilman Sanchez.

Yeah. One of the things that uh we just looked into it briefly, but LPRs can only be used for the purpose of collecting a active criminal intelligence investigative purposes. You cannot use the data for traffic studies. It's just statutoily prescribed. I wish I had better news. We need to the chair. We need to uh wait, but I have Oh, sorry, sir. Yeah. So realistically what this is is just something in more recent memory and at a smaller scale. The same study that we did for the no left turn into Graham. We did the study first and then implemented it after. This is just on a much larger scale

because it's a larger item. And I'm going to go back really quick. Uh the vice mayor mentioned something of things we have done in the past like the turning extension under the 154 that we completed. Those are are the smaller improvements that are are not they're not really changing the geometry of the road that that uh that much. These that were we're looking at are are more significant changes that in my opinion benefit from a full study. So we don't go and start asking for for funding for something that in the end will not be constructable. And Kimberly Horn, why Kimbery Horn? Is there other competitors out there? Why were were they chosen among other? So Kimyhorn is very familiar with with the town and the overall layout of the town. They've worked for the town for many years.

Okay. And it's just a company that that we feel comfortable taking on this type of Are they under contract right now? They are under contract. Yes, we have one of our that we have under contract with negotiated rates and so forth. Okay. Yes. All right, guys. Let's start bringing this in for landing. Any more discussion? No. Okay, Councilman Quad Garcia, and then uh we'll we'll go ahead and restate the motion and then take a vote.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I'll make it brief. Uh this is back to you, Mr. Manager. Uh I know that you don't like uh much to do with students and but let me just share with you something about students. Remember, it has to be approved by a professor. E it's either yay or nay. So if you are going to go to FDOT and all these agencies and then later they say well no you have to do this and you have to do that then you're are you going to be throwing more money at the uh at the project. Isn't it better to actually have somebody at the student body do this and then if it does get approved then you might look at it in a different angle. I I mean you came back and said stu, you know, it's not a student. You were a student at one time and I'm sure you were an excellent uh an excellent uh firefighter when you were in the academy. So let's let's uh let's think nowhere near as good as

Hold on. Let let me interject here. Council Garcia, I think what he was just trying to say is that they have not they're they're because they're in that status of learning, right? They're just not going to be as qualified as the professors. I agree with you, Mr. Mayor. it it has to be approved by a professor if it gets approved. And again, he's not shooting it down. He's just making the point though that, you know, years of experience versus people who may not have have any experience or remember that not every professor has necessarily been in the field in every case. So, okay, you know, some are more theoretical than they are practical through the chair. I just have one last question. Okay, one last question. Councilman Garcia, thank you, mayor. Um, director, when was the last time a study was done in that area,

by the town that I don't remember? No, a traffic study done in general turned in uh by a developer or that whole 154th quarter. Well, the most recent one, and I can't recall the date, but I know for the the golf course project, there was a study done. Yes. The that was submitted to the county and accepted by the county. the main items like the the peak uh trip generators did not increase by much compared to what it was when it was the original. Follow question. Did the town accept that that um that study and and the results of that study

to approve the to approve uh through the plat process the Yes. At the end the county does have the traffic engineering jurisdiction over Okay. But but the town accepted those numbers. We were we were we were happy with those numbers and we said those well the numbers are based on the IT. Am I am I incorrect in saying that? Right. That's what I needed. Susanna Susanna. Yeah. So trip counts are is a is what's whatever's in the IT, right? Okay. Okay. Yeah. So it follows just you know whatever the project is. This is the number of trips that you that you assume it is generating. But it also Thank you, mayor.

Yeah. I just I just want us to get moving and then bleed into uh landing. But you also need a baseline to say this new development is going to add these many trips to the existing trip count. Right? Do we have the existing trip count of that study?

So depends on whe whether we're discussing vested rights versus uh just trips, right? Like you're just counting trips. Uh if you're discussing vested rights, those come with a comp plan. So the comp plan best vests you for a certain number of trips for land development. And this is where things get hairy. If you have had a prior development on a site, then whatever was there already also best you for that number of trips. So whatever you build new on it, you have to sort of give them credit for the for the trips that they're removing and then putting back in. Does that

can we use any information gleaned from that last study which was only what five, four or five years ago for this project? Which uh project are we talking about? the the nine project. No, he's talking Well, yeah, the study from that to use toward what the what this this is 154th and the Palmetto. Can we use any information that we gleaned from that study to help us save money on further studies since it's the exact same locations? So, the save money part, I don't know. But can I would we naturally use all information we have and usually we provide that to the engineer of record

and and if I may that my understanding is that study is focused on that one property. This analysis is looking at the the quarter or that intersection. Okay. I I guess I'm my point is not coming across.

But but if if the information in there is valuable to reduce the cost of example phase two then yes it will be used. And I guess the second question to the manager is, did you consider that before you proposed this $55,000 cost or they gave you that cost? Did you tell them, "Hey, we got info we're going to give to you. We're going to look into everything we got. Can you reduce the cost before you quote us?" Did I'm just a and and I'm not trying to be uh difficult here. I just these are things that I expect going forward any project, any study, anything. And and I think I made it clear. Is there anything we can do to save money in the beginning? Was it something you offered to them? And did did it make a difference in the quote is I guess the question I have right now.

I don't believe so. No, but as far as reducing cost, we did go through that analysis when the original proposal was submitted and that's one of the reasons you see is split into three phases. Originally, it was two phases for the whole thing to be done at once. Through discussions and review, we determine it's it makes more sense to split it, not go ahead and and do the full thing. Let's first see is this feasible. If it's not feasible, then we understandable. I I just make I'm in the wrong business, guys. I need to get my engineering degree and open up an engineering firm because I am just

flabbergasted. And I'm sorry I'm taking too much of the time up here, mayor, and I know I'm I'm I'm I'm monopolizing time, but again, this is something we've been look pushing every single project to look at. The fact that it didn't it wasn't looked at, at least a possibility to save $1,000, 2,000 using prior information. We got to change our ways. This is I mean, guys, traffic studies are going to be part of our lives for the rest of the of the history of the town. We got to find a bigger a better way to do this because we're not we don't have the money. even if even if we're getting money from somewhere else, we we just don't have the money to be doing this without saving at least 10 20,000 in the process trying to be proactive. That's all I have to say. I'm not gonna say another word on this subject.

Thank you. So, just to re reiterate the motion, councilman, and correct me if I'm wrong. Again, you want to defer this actual uh item to the next regular council meeting while they get back the answers to your questions and including Councilman Herszburg's amendment. Yes. Non-limitation. Okay. With that, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose. No. The eyes have it. The motion. It it passes and the item is deferred into the next regular council meeting. Omar. Uh, director Santis. Uh, wait. He's he's introducing a new item. So, it's not a new item. It's just to to wrap up the infrastructure report. Okay. Yeah. Go ahead and then we'll open it up.

So, two two projects I just wanted to highlight that will be you you'll be seeing movement soon. One of them is the Montrose drainage project that we discussed. Um that will be drainage along Montrose and it will include the the rehab to the entrance of Mary Collins. And then in the same area, Park West pedestrian bicycle improvements. This project will begin right after Montrose and it will go from 154 down through Montrose. It'll turn east west down Bowen all the way down to Ardo. This will be adding bicycle facilities along Bowen and Montrose and also striping some of those on on road parking on Montrose to make the area look nicer, repave everything. And that's I just wanted to highlight those two.

Thank you very much. Uh Councilman Gracia, you had a question. No, it's basically now that uh our director is on uh on his monthly report, I'd like this is going to be uh something that I've been very concerned I want to share with this uh council. Are we ready? It relates to his report. It is it is relates to uh something that it's it's in our town. It needs to relate to his report. No, it has nothing to do with his Okay. then it is not not your main then you know if it's not infrastructure related then it's not germanine to is important and it's not something that's appropriate for discussion at this time okay I'm I'm confused I I need to I need to share

your conversation needs to reflect or needs to relate to his report which is on infrastructure his report yes it does it does okay all right you may proceed then

okay thank you um basically on um on and on or around June 14th, 2025, I received a letter from Pay attention to me, gentlemen, because I want to make this as as short as possible and get the point across. Um I received a letter from about 11 people that signed it reference an issue with a light. Um this this light issue occurred at uh Lake Patricia in the area of Lake Patricia. Um these light poles were out for almost a year. Our manager can attest to that. Omar can attest. Tony can attest. And we're missing one more person can attest to this. And basically calls and calls to the town. Uh we have we have we have a lady that takes care of her 105year-old mother called me again. I have the letter here. I could show it to you all. And um I I had to get involved because they constantly contacted the town contacted our our our town manager and I said, "What is going on?" So, I requested a meeting on February the 5th with our town manager, our um our assistant town manager, our director, and one more young lady that she's not here, and our electrical uh professional to go out and show me what was going on and why wasn't this electrical issue taken care of. Um, basically we went out there, we met and I looked at the issue and I literally said, "And this is something that we've been waiting almost a year to fix." They looked at me and

said, "Yeah, um, this is an easy fix, but the easy fix is FPNL doesn't listen to us." I said, "Great. Hand over to me the name of the persons that you've been talking to at FPNL." They handed it to me. I said, 'I will take this I will take care of this in 24 hours. They all looked at me and said, 'He must be crazy. It won't happen. So I said, 'What happened, gentlemen? If I can get this done in 24 hours, they said, you'll probably become famous and you definitely should play the lotto. Oh, really? So I challenged them. I picked up the phone, called the person that they've been sending emails for the last almost a year, and I asked the person what was going on. I needed that person to take care of it yesterday. And the gentleman was on the phone and said, "As I am talking to you, I'm having lunch and I'm writing out a ticket." Next day, FPNL was out there and took care of 11 poles that were out of electricity due to uh Florida gas. So, I'd like this to not to continue happening. Same thing happened with the the entrance uh of 67th Avenue and 57. They gave, you know, they the town came up with, oh, it's going to cost $26,000. I got both of them taken care of and it didn't cost us a penny. So, I I just need and I refer to you, sir, because your manager's here. Why are these things happening? This this should how can it be possible that one person like myself picks up the phone and gets something like this done?

All right. Can you explain that to me to council member? Thank you, sir.

It's not exactly as straightforward as described. So, the the gas company did uh have breaks in the system of the of the lighting infrastructure. The gas company went ahead, they as required, they went ahead and spliced those locations. Once we sent our electrician to verify it, we we found that they were still having problems. We had the gas company come out again with their electrician to go ahead and verify it and it was confirmed. What ended up taking a uh a longer time in some of these locations is that one of the challenges we have in specifically that Lake Patricia area is it's one of the original underground infrastructures. the direct burial cables being very sensitive to any any type of uh ground movement and they will break. In this situation, the con our electrical contractor had alerted um FPNL of what he believed was the issue. FPL responded initially that this is not a standard installation of what he's referring was the problem and the end up being a photo cell at the load center. So the load center is where the town will connect. FPO claimed that's that's not the a standard procedure so it can't be that we kept on requesting and requesting. At the time the council member did get involved. We were at the tail end of getting that in in process and having crews uh on site which thankfully they did arrive. FPO sent the crew up to the pole and to their surprise it was a photo cell. They went ahead and swapped it and the lights are back on and running. And you do uh understand that I'm saying that it almost took the year. So basically, it was just pure luck that I picked up the phone and made a phone call.

What I'm saying is it was more in an elaborate process to get to that point that it wasn't just a straight identification of the cause of what was causing this. There were repairs made by the gas company as they're required by their by their permit but in the end we needed FPL to come ahead and uh work on infrastructure which we are not allowed to touch.

And let me finish and see if I'm right or wrong and I'll make it brief Mr. Mayor. So basically basically if I recall and I'm not losing my mind all of you would agree that you all asked told me if I if I'm able to do and get FPNL out there in 24 hours I should play the lotto right because it's it it's it wasn't going to happen. So, um I think I wasn't there. I wasn't there when

Oh, yes, you were. You were there. And um that was But besides that, besides the point, the bottom line is the very bottom line is we need to be more proactive. Those emails are wonderful, but you need to pick up that phone and make phone calls and talk to bodies when you need to when you need to talk to them to get things. Okay. Uh, Councilman Sanchez and Fernandez, with regards to line item 15, Florida State's drainage, the drainage improvements for 139th Street, 139 Terith, and so on and so forth. I see it's a 60% design completion. Do you have an ETA as to when we'll be breaking ground into that project?

Well, not yet. Remember in the last meeting, we got approval to for additional funding to continue design, especially on the green infrastructure portion, right? So that's something we're working on now. Once we get that completed, we'll go into permitting with the county durm and that could take between 30 and 60 days depending on their But wouldn't the bio soils go after the drainage improvements are done as to not but we need we need the full design completed before we break ground. Okay. And by when do you estimate that the full design will be done? I don't have that right now, but I can provide it. Thank you. Yeah.

Okay. Uh, I was wrong about council me council member Fernandez. With that, is there anything else on the report? Seeing none, we are now on 8C, report of alternative revenue opportunities, which I'll defer to the town manager uh on that to present it.

Yes, sir. This is feedback on an item that you presented back in uh November and our staff has been working on this and like I explained to each of you in the uh uh uh briefings is we envisioned this being a two-step process. What we did was brainstorm and we kind of put anything and everything uh on here. We tried to separate into two categories. One category were items that we believed were more viable or easier to implement. The second category were items that were less viable or harder to implement. And what we are looking for um we're more than happy to go through these one by one. We did some of that in the individual um briefings with each of you, but we are looking for uh feedback or direction back from the council on focusing. Obviously, I think there's uh 20 some odd uh items between both lists. And what we're looking for is for this list to be narrowed by the council and and give us maybe in the neighborhood of half a dozen or less items to focus on that then we'll come back next month with more detailed information, revenue estimates and u uh things that are obstacles to implementing and or the steps to implementing. It'll be a full report on the smaller number of items and we're looking for feedback back from this council.

All right, I'll let's go uh from my right to left this time. Let's go with Councilman Herszburg to start us off. Thank you, mayor. Uh I mean I know the manager needs us to give some input, so I'll say where I'm at. I think two you're the town's already working on um and then three I'm very interested to learn more about that four I'm somewhat interested but three and four my caveat would be to protect homestead property owners right so for number three for example on the solid waste fee I would want it to only apply to uh commercial properties which which would include rental properties but not apply to uh condominium M associations that have potentially homestead owners. Um, number one is off the table for me. We already went through that discussion. So, you can get rid of that at least for me.

Um, I mean, there's a lot of things, but I from the way I see it, number two and four and number two and three are really where I see the most feasibility and and the real uh budget changing figures. uh the other ones. I mean, when you look in the less viable, I don't know if we even should discuss less viable at this point, but uh for me, I really focus on two and three. And and number two, we're we're already doing it because we're about to go out to RFP for the item that this council gave us direction to do with with with regard to establishing our own impact fee ordinance. And we're coupling the two together so that the same uh consultant will be able to look at the steps and the methodology to uh develop our own impact fee ordinance as well as looking at our laundry list of fees and uh give us uh information on bringing those up to date. And also number 10, we just voted that down, so that's that's a no for me as well. But I I my focus is on two and three. The other ones I I just don't see them changing the needle much, but I'm happy to hear from everybody else.

A uh as for me, the ones again, we're we're already looking at seven. Um, you know, six, you know, is a possibility, but obviously I would hate to go that route since it might look tacky with our our classier looking uh bus shelters. I I think number five is a little creative, but again, it ultimately comes at too high a cost. I feel as far as taking away from, you know, those particular grants. You know, at least for myself, I think, you know, I'm not never going to say never. Never know what the future emergency might look like. So, I'm ne not going to say never to number one. I'm not going to say never to uh you know to number three if necessary for one particular unit type or another. But you know again ideally this is keep in mind guys that this is really more when I when I when I asked for this it was to go over what our uh uh opportunities are in the event that property tax reform does pass. Right. And I'll give you when I get to my report on day days at the end of the meeting, you know, where you know what the general sense was from up there. But again, this is not meant uh for us to start looking for revenue sources. Now, I just want us to keep that in mind. This is just as backups. I do think though that certain uh things like we already are reviewing so many of our fees, right, for the building department, for our parks. We're already, you know, exploring the possibility of advertising revenue from from uh billboards on a limited basis. Um, I can tell you that now that we are done with one of our projects uh with Congressman Diaz Balard, now I'm going to get back to working on the passport acceptance uh uh office uh here in town. Also, recently it came out that it seems the state department is closing down some for-profit or or or library based uh

yeah not for-p profofit libraries private not for-p profofit that are non-governmental. Got it. Got it. Yeah. So, so those are getting shut down. I'm hoping that that, you know, might uh give us an opportunity then to replace, you know, one or more of the those, right? Um and again, I just want us to keep our ourselves as open as possible. Although I I think let's Yeah, let's be real. Like a toll on one 154th Street is probably never going to happen. That was one of my favorite ones. Yeah, we're not doing that. Um have a son pass. Are we going to have an ogre just collecting the toll? Exactly. Yeah. I already I already never we're being reported. So,

but look guys, I I I don't want us to spend too much time on this. This is a report on what's available to us in the event uh the property tax reform happens. I guess yeah, they would like uh an idea of what is more likely to move forward. I would say for study purposes, everything from 1 to 12 is acceptable to move forward to a second round with the caveat that the uh that the bus bench advertising is probably the least likely favorite for me and that obviously we're working on a couple of the other ones. Lastly, what I would say is wasn't there talk at one point I forgot to ask this to you Mr. Manager in our in our meeting. Wasn't there talk about uh small cell infrastructure in the past? I know that that this is an item that I had a while ago about attaching micro cells to our existing uh infrastructure and then using as an alternative revenue opportunity for the town.

Yeah. So, didn't we already study that? I think we did. I'll have to look back. But I think that they have gotten so many concessions from the state legislature that they can basically put a a cell tower almost anywhere on the on the right ofways on the swelles and so forth that the opportunity to put it like on private property whether it be public private property or private private property um is minimal. I think they do have some areas that they have this really large cell tower that cannot go on the rideway. Um but I'll I'll take a look back and see what we have from before. But it's an everchanging thing because the state legislature is always addressing those uh cell towers.

Got it. Okay. And then on the local option taxes, I mean, well, municipal resort tax, yeah, that's not going to make much sense there. The pet dining permits probably not going to move the needle on anything. The sale of town merchandise, I I will say, by the way, when when you and I spoke about this, I was actually it's not going to it's not going to save our budget, obviously, right? Um the they're talking about 11 on the less viable list, right? So on page 19. So I think that sale of town merchandise while it's not going to probably give our budget a big boost. I actually think we should, you know, consider, you know, having a line of products. I think you're seeing other cities that are commercializing their brand. I don't see why we shouldn't either. I would just I know we've done a version of that in the past, right, Claro? uh where we had like a Mango Lake shop or something like that, but maybe we can have a more limited menu of items that just gets updated every year as opposed to kind of like what we did as a broad general store. Um and then with that, I'm going to move on over to Councilman Sanchez.

Okay. So, I mean this list, thank you, Mr. Manager and staff for compiling this list, but if I remember correctly, during the budget season number one, the franchise fee was tabled indefinitely. If I remember correctly, the one that I that was the that was the motion on increasing it for that year. It's not that we just put the the fee on ice or anything. Yeah. Now, something that is uh calling my attention is number three, the solid waste. I think as long as we can provide the same service that current residents have with county garbage where you know there's there's garbage, there's recycling, there's dump that they can take things to to to the dump site over in in PSN and up by county by county lines for bigger

it. But I just want to clarify something for you. That item is solely uh adding a search charge to those residents. It's not replacing the service they currently provide or the service that our residents use. We're not we're not when that's not what words it would be for the private haulers. So in other words, office HOAs building. Yeah, but that don't use the county. HOAs, townhouse, HOAs, they use the county, right? So single family, not all of them. Ah, look guys, it doesn't matter. The point is we're not discussing switching here. We're just talking about adding a search charge. It's only for apartment buildings and commercial buildings. What the point that council member Hersburg made is apartment buildings that are rental apartment buildings. Yes. Right. Okay. But apartment buildings that are condo that are privately owned by individual owners, right?

Excluding those. Okay. And legally, is that something we still for one but not the other? I don't know. Yes. That would be part of this coming back in March. We do. It literally is just a search charge that we would add now to uh to their bills. Um it would be a new tax. Can Can we do it to one to commercial but not to apartment owners that don't use county garbage?

We can because this is not it. Okay, this is not like discrimination in that sense. I mean, you do need to make sure that laws are are generally applicable, but uh but as far as you know, you know, like imposing a commercial franchise fee, you know, like commercial solid waste franchise fee, right? you know, that is specifically targeting commercial customers or non-residential or non-h homesteading customers, maybe that's way to put it, you know. So, yeah, there there's some level of different differentiation permitted um when it comes to these things, but it's as long as it's not meant to be, you know, prejuditial or or, you know, to intentionally discriminate against one group, which we're not discriminating. We're just trying to make sure the town's budget and therefore there everybody's services are safeguarded, right?

You know, um but obviously it carries some risk, right? Because it's a new feat. But so that's why I want to remind the general public and everyone up here that this is, you know, our our backup options if the nuclear option goes off in in Tallahassee, which has to do with a complete eradication of property taxes or a complete eradication of homesteaded property taxes. Something I'd like to know is what's the difference between the FPL franchise fee and the franchise fee for gas? I I'll let him answer, but the short version is that it gets taxed to you at the pump as opposed to No, it it'd be for natural gas. Natural gas. Oh, natural gas. Okay. So, it would be on part of your utility bills.

Yeah, it' be part of the utility bill similar to what we do with the like our storm water fee. It's a fee that's charged through the Miami Day Water and Sewer. So it's a UT that utility charges that for us and provides us that revenue similar to what FPNL you know the 3% that franchise fee they they charge it on the FPL bills and then forward the proceeds to us. It would be something similar Florida City Gas then would charge some type of uh franchise charge to them to uh people with natural gas and then they would forward that. Uh yes. So one's electricity, one's natural gas. My apologies on incorrectly. I was thinking about the gas tax. Um, Councilman Fernandez,

just uh real quick then the fact is at least from the way I see it, I I'd be okay with all of them except anything that would take away the look of the town and I I would include the bus benches as well as the billboards. I'm sorry. Uh the other thing is in reality I think that we would be foolish not to believe that we're we'd actually probably just raise the millage rate for those non-homestead properties. that would be our our most the logic the most logical way we would go about um supplementing the the revenue that we need for our services is not that we like to do it but we would have to right so that's the only thing I wanted to say I I I think with that one it would have to be if the state goes with an all or nothing

right if they completely eliminate homesteaded uh properties exempt them not if they modify some of the exemptions or increasing the exemptions or or that I think it would be difficult for us to have we couldn't have then two different mill rates. So if they eliminate all homesteaded properties then we can modify because then we'd only have one mill rate which would be for non-h homesteaded. Okay. Um I did want to also jump in before I forget and I think I speak for most of my colleagues that I also forgot to mention number 10 the school zone speed cameras as well as the red light cameras are for me not not not in play. Yeah. Um okay. Anyone else that wants to open? Councilman Garcia.

Thank you, Mayor. I I thank you for bringing this up where you're thinking ahead trying to get a lot of things up here. I can't, you know, franchise fees and gas fees and that's it's it's a it's a regressive tack. It hurts, you know, the little man as much as we can. I'm not for, but there are certain things here I see that I could be for, and I' I've been pushing for a long time, and I know you have as well, mayor. Um EV chargers that we can we can use. We've been talking about a boatyard rental storage, trying to come up with a boatyard. A lot of members of our town have been asking for this. When when you're knocking on doors, man, where can I put my boat? Cost me too much. They're spending hundreds of dollars storing their boat somewhere else. That could be a good revenue source for us. And um we're not hurting the little guy because if you have a boat, well, I'm not saying you're you're struggling. Boats are expensive, but at least you can afford a boat. Maybe you know, you can maybe we can save money on storage for them. and time and gas of picking up the at a boatyard as far away from us. So, definitely for that. As far as you increasing any of the franchise fees, I'm weary because it always affects the little guy when it comes to that. Um, and you know, I I know you guys don't like this. I'm not for red light cameras, but I definitely was for and I know you guys voted it down, but the bus cameras, uh, you know, it's more of a safety concern for me. Um, I like to when this, you know, maybe bring that up in the future as just keep an open mind. If all your uh issues are are are answered, your questions you have are answer when it comes to that, perhaps you can rethink the revenue source. It's a big revenue source for us and and and we're protecting our our children and and making that area safe. Um, but again, thank you so much for for the for the town staff to bring this up and and look at all the different things. It goes to say it goes to show that what happens in Tallahassee is going to really affect every single individual here. So, please call your

representatives, let them know your your opinion because it's going to affect you locally on what we do here with your budget. Thank you. Anyone else? Mayor, if so, just to put us in the proper direction for the town manager, um Mr. Manager, what do you how do you want us to knock this down? I mean, I think Should I want want me to just make a motion and Well, I think you got our our comments. Yeah, I think I'm good. I think I've gotten feedback from you. We'll we'll kind of get the one that I think has the most uh support from all of you and and I just want to reiterate though for for everybody that this is, you know, what would be the preferred if we needed to. Yeah. Just ideas. Yeah. Yeah.

At this point, Mr. Mayor, uh last comment and then we are we are voting. Uh please go ahead. Councilman Garcia. Thanks, sir. I think the boat yard uh will uh looks like a good contender. Excellent. Thank you. All right. Actually, we're not voting because Yeah, Davis, just to give them the uh direction to the manager. All right, Mr. Manager, you are now recognized on item 8D. One last thing on that item is I'm not 100% sure we can do all the due diligence by March, but definitely within the by the April meeting, we'll be back. That that's fine. Thank you. Okay, with that, Mr. Tree Nursery. That's right, man.

No, there is none. Back down.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Jeremy Bagno, director of parks and recreation. uh before you have the preliminary report that looks at uh taking a look at potential sites for a future town uh operated tree nursery. Uh the overall arching goal here is to look at ways to build in resiliency to our urban canopy by being able to maintain trees, grow them um in a town lot. And there's also some educational components that can be utilized by having our own nursery. This report looks at just the locations at which we can look at further investigating and working with in some of these cases potential other agencies in establishing a tree nursery within the town. Uh the report goes through four options. Um if there are any questions uh or concerns at this point, I will be open to any any questions or if there's any um uh preference or items you'd look like us to look further into. Yeah, I do want you to uh remember in my prior remarks on this, I did uh ask you guys to also try to explore the possibility of it occurring at the part three golf course, you know, in a hypothetical sort of situation. But I also would like prefer for you guys to come back to us with more detail on the number of trees you believe you can fit at these sites and what that would represent as a savings to us, you know, in the long run. Um, you know, get more of that detailed information as well. what kind of trees as well, you know, that you would want to plant at one or more of these sites. Uh I I think in order for us to make a final decision as to whether to proceed or not, I think that would go a long way. The idea was that it was it would be a a cost-saving measure and and perhaps even a revenue generator for us. So, um so I just want would like to see more before making any final decisions on my end. U more information on on those measures, you know, before uh before making a final decision. That would be, you know, my my sense of direction. Anyone else? Uh, Councilman Garcia.

Thank you, Mayor. And um I looking at the the next to the canal banks. I know that's the south side of the park. You wanted to make passive park. Um by adding a tree nursery to that idea, would it expand possibilities and getting grant money when it comes to that and less less cost to us and being able to do something like that? So, there are state uh state grants right now. We have one that we're finalizing an agreement with and another we're going to be going after we'll talk about shortly. But there are grants for tree plantings which would include potential funding of some of the tree nursery uh plants themselves. So, that's a possibility. When you refer to the south side of the park, which um the south side of the town, the the canal uh

by the K9 Cove by No, not K9 Cove. close to the cemetery on the 13 the 138th Linear Park and 59th or 57th. Yeah, that area that that you were considering and we kind of like said, "Hey, let's let's let's put a pin in that, right?" But that area next to the canals, any area next to canals that have tree nurseries, I mean, it'll just the foliage will look beautiful and it's area that if they let us use it, it would be perfect area. Part the par 3 is a great opportunity as well, mayor. And uh we got to keep that open. But we have so many canals around you know that that's a that's a great area to to front road.

You have two canals that we identified within this the uh 138th or 139th and 57th court were considered except in order to provide uh sight control and fence in. There's going to be a larger footprint to do so. That's why we kind of kept it to the the GMX area. One of the locations that is more hidden. um it already has a fence line that we can utilize and just extend. Okay.

Um and then the same thing with K9 Cove. Uh on K9 Cove, we would be minimal fencing adding to the eastern port to the western portion uh of the park. So that is considered. And then to to the mayor's uh point, essentially the volume of trees is going to be dictated on the location we're looking at. Um I took a look at starting with at least a minimum of 30 trees, which is going to require at least 7,500 square feet. Um but to get into further detail on price cost savings, we've taken in preliminary looks, but the size is going to be what dictates essentially what we can do.

Direct director, just quick idea to save money. Can we work with the local schools so they can start the se as seedlings perhaps a project they can start our trees as seedlings, take care of it once it gets to the size where it could be planted. We we take it we take take that on. Be a way of saving money in that aspect of it. we can look into it and some of the preliminary ideas on staff side without being able to go too far in because we're only trying to finalize what location we want to go after. There is already an option in which we would start at a 25 gallon and just have to maintain the 25 to 45 gallon which would cut down time and growth as well as costs that we're going to have to maintain these trees for the entirety of five to six years before they can be plantable.

Understood. But I I think the mayor would be amanable to allowing to imagine getting the kids involved in the process and having them come out and plant the seedlings. I know it's not going to be a major percentage of the actual trees, but get them involved in the process. Uh I think would be a great get way to educational process for the kids if if if you'd be open to

Well, first things first, right? Uh why don't we uh just let them come back? Let's let's keep our direction to them focused on what we want when they come back with the report. Again, I told them I want more detail. I don't know if you heard that part. Uh which is just simply asking them to kind of provide more information like how many trees they can plant at these sites, what trees they would plant, what they estimate the savings or or revenue generator or opportunity would be if if any and to include uh the part three, you know, as a as a study site before we start making any any decisions going that far about, you know, involvement by others, etc., etc. I think I think first we need to get that information and not put the cart before the horse. Got it. Thank you. Mr. I just have one question about the part three. Councilman Sanchez,

with regards to the part three and the arsenic in the land, can that have a negative effect on the long-term growth of the tree to be that is something we'd have to look into because of the back and forth relating to the par 3 staff. We kept it off uh the radar. I know there was direction thereafter to go ahead and take a look at solely putting it forward to tree nursery and see you're not going to make assumptions about what arsenic may or may not do. You're going to do the research. All right. Anyone anything else? All right. With that, thank you very much, director. Uh, Mr. Vice Mayor,

just a point between these two items as it relates to director Backdown's uh, report. Uh, I believe other members of the council received this letter from the Royal Oaks Homeowners Association uh, regarding their some concerns that they had about some trees. Um, I just want to know, is there an update on this? Are you aware of this letter? And then um just confirmation that you would be you or someone from the department would be attending this February 23rd meeting that they set with the department of agriculture.

Yes, I am aware. Uh yes, those trees were already previously reviewed by staff um that were identified. There's a larger amount on that letter than what was requested and identified with staff. Uh yes, I will. I already mentioned I'll be there. And then um we already have made contact with previous individuals from both the bris branch locally as well as the state forester who have worked on something similar in the past. This is not the first time the town has gone through this process in this community as far as looking at the overall health of the aging oaks. Okay, that's all I wanted. I just want to make sure it was getting the the the appropriate attention since we all received this this letter. Perfect. Uh we are now on item.

Mr. Mayor, can I take a a point a special point of privilege now that we're talking about trees with uh the director? Okay. Please, please. I'll make it brief. Go ahead. Uh director, uh you know my topic on Brazilian peppers.

Okay. Uh the gentleman behind my house, those two Brazilian trees are growing and growing and they're not on his property. They are on our canal soil. I would like to consider going out there. I'm gonna take you out there personally to show you that they're not in his property. They're outside. Let's take care of it. He's called me a hundred times. He comes to my house all the time. And we have that infe infestation going on around our town with these Brazilian peppers. We haven't really seen the big picture, but they're going to do a lot of damage to our town if we don't put attention to it. So, uh, please consider, uh, looking into that gentleman's Brazilian pepper.

Most certainly. And if possible, if we can just get the address sent through the the manager's office, uh Omar, myself, I'll go ahead and take a look at it again, make sure that we didn't miss any of the sideline properties. Please make sure that director uh Angel also is informed in case, you know, he needs to be involved. All right. So, with that 8e park sponsorship program, let's pick it up, guys. Councilman Herszburg or uh or director back down if you want to introduce the item before he makes a motion. Go ahead.

Okay. So, moving on to the review of the park sponsorship program. Um given previous direction from the council as far as looking at ways to include sponsorships mainly for corporate levels of playgrounds um this program itself takes a full uh analysis of all options in which we have to include a new sponsorship form uh coming off the back of the town's original commemorative parks program. So, the program you have before you aims at providing uh sponsorship opportunities through playgrounds, pavilions, uh uh athletic features, dog park elements, fitness equipment, and landscape enhancements. Um, it also takes into account recent review of the county's article 7 of the charter in which previously we were not looking into sponsorship opportunities, but given some of the language review, there is an exemption on pocket and neighborhood parks that would not reduce the amount uh or reduce the possibilities of sponsorships and some marketing within the parks themselves. Um, so this program is the preliminary review of what we've been working with uh, Councilman Herszburg on as far as what options we may have moving forward and it is up for your input and review as to anything you may want to add for us a review. This will have to come back to you uh, later on as a resolution to adopt the actual program

through the chair. Uh, Councilman Harrisburg.

I mean, so if it's going to come back, I've reviewed it. You know, we had some meetings regarding the the sponsor program. This is one of the I think it might have been the first MBI I did. Uh I like the packet. I think it's something that we can all use and and go out to our corporate, you know, contacts and see what they're willing to sponsor. My idea is to make upgrades to primarily our pocket parks and playgrounds. Do it very tastefully. We're not going to have big banners, okay, and like that. but to give that opportunity one to corporations national or local to give back and two it's a cost-saving measure because I believe there will be some uh there is some will to give back to the community and this is a really nice way to do it as well.

Yeah. And piggybacking off of that I mean I I could easily foresee now that we're getting all the the parks the pocket parks installed with uh park rule signs and everything else maybe that could be just a poll that we add an additional plaque to or something. uh with those uh sponsorships, you know, in a way that it's more taste tasteful and not, you know, like something out of Blade Runner or something like that. All right, good reference. I'm glad you guys liked it. Okay. Um, anything else on on this item? Councman Sanchez,

the difference between gold and silver playground sponsorship is $30,000 and the only difference when it comes to the the chart is other. Can you define other for $30,000? So that can be filming at the place of their business. That can be other things that we can take a look at and also any input we have from the donor at that point. Okay. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Uh seeing nothing else, thank you very much. We are now on item eight. Pardon me. I guess it would be 8F. Yes. Organiz organizational review report by Councilman Hzburg and Deputy Manager Lopez. I guess uh at this juncture I will recognize the deputy manager to present the item and then Councilman Herszburg for a motion.

Uh thank you mayor. Good evening mayor and council Tony Lopez, deputy manager. Um the item you have in front of you is in relationship to a new business item that Councilman Hzburg presented back in October of 2025 uh where he requested for us to look into the costs for an organizational structure and efficiency review. Uh typically these types of reviews are a comprehensive assessment of internal administrative and operational structures with the goal of in essence identifying areas that where we can improve, streamline processes, reduce costs and enhance service delivery. Usually these studies come with different recommendations around what we can do internally in terms of restructuring any policy changes or processing improvements to improve our community's performance. Um so in essence we went ahead and did a a wholesale review a preliminary wholesale review of communities across the country that have embarked on these types of studies um out of in within the last five years. And out of that, uh, our general perception, it really depends on the size of the community. Um, we saw pricing ranging anywhere between 40,000 for smaller communities all the way up to $250,000 for large communities. Uh, with that, our estimation is for a community of our size and our staffing levels, uh, this study will likely be in the range of about 50 to $100,000. And that concludes the report. Councilman Herszburg.

Thank you, Mayor, and and thank you to the staff for getting that information over to us. Uh if it's something we want to do, the only way we can get the true cost is we send it out to bid. So, um I don't know. I'm not here to tell you I want to spend $200,000 on something or a hundred, maybe even 50, but we're not going to know until we send it out to bid. So, my motion would be to proceed and and send this out to bid and and see what the cost comes back with. And then we have a menu of options. That's the best way to deal with it if it's something this council wants to think about, right? The only way we could do it is is to see how much it really cost. I'll second that. All right. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion on the motion through the chair? Councilman Garcia.

Um our our town manager uh has received certifications from recently received a certification which I I think we should all be proud of. uh puts him at a at a level of of professionalism when it comes to being a city manager with his peers all over the country. Congratulations. Our deputy town attorney uh manager,

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm looking at uh town manager uh not only um you know is is well educated when it comes to this, but also uh you know teaches at at our local college as a professor. Um I mean I I I think the expertise and and finding efficiencies are here. Um and finding efficiencies and being able to see where we can save money here, save money there, or be more productive with less or add or delete is something that I think these two gentlemen have put together close to 50 years of experience. So I although I understand the council Herzburg's uh uh idea here it's just the cost again to me when we have talent here that teaches this you know government and how to run efficiently and what it's all about I think we can we can I honestly think we should use the talent that we have around us. I mean we're asking them to get certifications. We're asking high standards of of our manager and deputy uh town manager. We're asking all these things in their contracts and we're not utilizing them. I I would Is there would you be opposed to using your Is there anything that you can bring to the table that this study um will do differently? Um, what is it about this study you feel is something that you can't do with all the experience you bring you guys bring to the table when it comes to assessing talent, assessing systems, you know, assessing budgets, things like that that that this study will do that you can't.

Yeah. council member for us to do something like this in house. It would it assumes that he and I then would not be doing our regular jobs for days, weeks on end. Um this is a very comprehensive type of a report and I know that Tony or Dr. Lopez has uh looked at kind of like the cost structure, what some min uh but he hasn't delved into exactly what are each of these would encompass. So I mean there's there's a limit, right? Everybody has quote unquote our day job, right, that we actually have to continue to do

uh to now set time aside. it'd be a a large amount of time that we would have to dedicate to doing this and this alone and our our regular day-to-day operations or our duties would go by the wayside. I I would ask uh the council, was there a time frame that you wanted this our this to go out to bid and get started and and get completed?

Not necessarily. I I know this is a this would be a take some time to to draft up the the bid. Um and I agree with you. We have the talent here and if you created, you know, Peterman Lopez Consulting and sent them to some other towns, I would take their advice, but you can't you you can't review yourself, right? At the end of the day, it's just not proper and they would agree with that. They they they understand that. I have no idea what the cost would be. This is all about just sitting out the bid and see what the cost is. There's a good chance that we're going to say, "Wow, that's too much money. Forget about it. We'll figure it out another way." But um this is just the the real way to figure out what how much it would cost to give us that tool in the future if we want to, right? No one's, you know, saying to spend the money now.

I guess I would beat a dead horse and say if there's anything you can provide with your experience, not taking away from your other duties to help lower the cost for the town. I would I would ask and and again I think we do that on a daily basis. Yeah. No, I Yeah, absolutely. But I understand what the coun uh Councilman Hersburg is saying. you can't review yourself, but man, we're looking at more than 50 60 years of experience just between the both of you. So, it's, you know, I'd love to to make sure we're utilizing it, but thank you so much. Thank you. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no.

The eyes have it. The motion carries. Uh, item 8G, public safety committee request to transfer allocated funds. Mr. Manager, present the item and I'll move it. Mr. Manager. Uh, thank you. This is a request from the public safety committee. They were not scheduled to present tonight and all they want to do is get t uh council approval for two donation checks, $500 each. Uh and they it comes from the proceeds from the Cars for Heroes event. So, I just like I will go ahead and move it. It's seconded by the It's been seconded. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. You guys have it. The motion carries and we are now on the attorney's report. Mr. Attorney, you're recognized to give your report. There is nothing really to report. Uh there'll be some stuff in March, but there's nothing to report right now.

Okay. Okay. Excellent. All right. We are now on uh item 12B, which was pulled from the consent calendar. Oh, wait. Uh we have That's right. You guys moved it up earlier. Okay, got it. So, never mind. We're on We're on the consent calendar. Is there a motion? Still moved. It's been moved. Is there a second? Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. The consent calendar, which is just a minutes passed. Uh uh 13 A and B were deferred. We have however 13C procurement ordinance by Dr. Lopez. Please be advised that the I'm going to read this. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's an ordinance. So yeah, go ahead. Please be advised that the following items on the board's agenda are quasi judicial in nature.

Oh, ju just read the title. Just read the title or read read the ordinance into the record. Okay. An ordinance of the town council of town of Miami Lakes, Florida, amending and restating ordinance number 17-203 pertaining to purchasing procedures, authorizing the town manager to take all necessary actions to implement the revised rules and regulations, providing for incorporation of recital, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you very much. Deputy manager, you're recognized to introduce uh the the ordinance. So uh the item you have in front of you is uh currently a proposed revision to the town's procurement ordinance. The procurement ordinance is in essence one of the town's most important and consequential ordinances when it comes to doing business. Uh in essence, this ordinance provides the procedures and rules of how we make purchases um and provide and purchase and acquire services. This ordinance is going to give us the guidelines and the framework to do that. The last time this procurement ordinance has been revised in detail was approximately 14 years ago in January 2012. Um, now that it's been 14 years, it is a a good opportunity to take a really good hard look at improving the ordinance to make it more efficient, streamline processes, and adapt to current times. and also current costs. We have also received direction back in 2000 in 2023 from the council to proceed in reforming the code and incorporate certain preferences as I will be describing as part of this uh report. As part of this process, um myself, uh staff, our procurement staff, and also all of our staff played a key role in providing input and feedback around the changes proposed in this ordinance. We also took a look at several municipal ordinances predominantly in the Miami Day County and Florida areas and their revisions that they have conducted within the last five years. As a general overview, some of the major changes, uh, we went ahead and updated our exemptions list. Um, this includes

items that we relatively purchase on a day-to-day basis. We made an effort here to put it more in line to specify uh certain exemptions that really uh are purchases such as travel um permits, modification services to our software, shipping services. These are day-to-day items that we seek to add to the exemption list just to be more specific on items that we procure around these areas. We've also provided um language around limitations that purchases should only be made based on the allocated budgets. We provided updates to the town manager's purchasing thresholds mainly to adjust to today's economic conditions and also to streamline purchasing ability. And in this case, what we did do to highlight some of those changes is in our small purchasing ordinance. Previously, the manager had the authority to to expend $5,000 um without with just getting one quotation. We're proposing to increase that to $10,000. Any purchases that are between 10 and previously it was purchases between $5,000 and $15,000 required three bids. We are now proposing to amend that to purchases between $10 and $50,000. And in essence, anything that's over $50,000 would be the trigger to issue a competitive solicitation. Um, other changes uh that we've added, we've specified areas, specific reasons on how bids should be rejected and what defines is a what defines a major or minor irregularity when it comes to a bid that's submitted. We've adopted f federal rules and state procurement rules into our code. We've also pro provided a limitation for all of our contracts to not exceed five years. That is in essence our current practice, but

we're trying to add that language as part of the ordinance. Again, just so there is no questions moving forward. Right now, all of our typical contracts are three years with two extensions. This is memorializing that practice. At the same time, if the council ever desires to extend a contract further than that, they do have that ability. The other item that we did memorialize as part of this ordinance was Councilman Sanchez's um recent new business item that passed and resolution related to increases on contract renewals. Um we also have amended certain thresholds around emergency procurements, uh contracts with um nonprofit and public's entities. We've also amended um some details around sponsorship, donations, and inind services. The one of the main points that I did want to bring up and I brought up in several of the briefings was your next ordinance highlights a purchasing an acceptance threshold for sponsorships. It's being proposed at 25,000. In this current code, we are recommending it be 50, but I will leave that as a decision point for this council. if they want to stick to the 25, we will amend the code accordingly to follow that. Additionally, we've also went ahead and increased local business preference points. Um, we've increased the points from three to five in terms of a bidding or RFP process and a 5% threshold when it comes to cost or bids. We also add added preferences for veteran businesses, veteranowned businesses, um disabled veteranowned businesses, and also um under direction from the previous um council, we added a uh preference for companies in Florida

that employ special needs individuals. So, that's also part of our preference procedures. Um we also accounted for a situation where you may have a business that has all three um or you have multiple businesses bidding that have preferences. So we have accounted for that in our procedures. Uh but the main preference will always go to the local business. Also we added a new procurement methodology uh called challengebased procurement. um communities are starting to adopt this methodology which in essence allows us to pose a problem that we may be facing in our community. For example, some places may have um electronic permitting or uh issues with solid waste in their communities and they may want to pose out to the public, hey, we have this issue with solid waste. give us your ideas, give us your concepts, and then we will under this process allow them to pilot that as part of the evaluation process. So they'll be able to demonstrate whatever innovation or technology to solve that problem. Um, we've added this kind of a future thinking. We don't necessarily foresee this as being a common practice, but in a future scenario where we may have a situation where there are new technologies evolving, a lot of artificial intelligence products, things like that, where we may want to test something before going into a long-term contract with them. This methodology provides us a competitive process to do that. Lastly, we also added a statement around ethics and public contracting, ensuring that there are consequences if we do not follow this procurement ordinance and ensuring that ethics is first and foremost when it comes to procuring goods and services for the town. So, with that, these are all the proposed

changes and at this time, if there are any questions, uh, I'll be or comments, I'll be happy to address them. But to get us in the right posture, I'll move to adopt the ordinance. Is there a second? It's been seconded. All right, discussion. Who wants to go first? Uh, Vice Mayor Moretta.

Yeah. Just very briefly to say um I'm going to move the item or move vote yes. Uh the ordinance in first reading. Um but I would like to schedule uh a conversation with Dr. Lopez and the manager to talk about some of the changes that I'm a little bit uneasy about. I am uneasy about the $50,000 threshold. I am uneasy about some of the other points um that I would like to see like to see tweaked between here and second reading. Uh but as as far as the first reading goes, it's fine. That's it through the chair. Uh Councilman Garcia,

thank you. Um thank you so much for for the time you you took on this. Couple questions that I have as far as making sure that in the contracts our our vendors are hitting their milestones uh during due diligence. We had a contractor recently who couldn't his finances were I don't know something was happening he couldn't complete the contract believe it was a demolition and um are there any changes that you've made here that could uh kind of make it easier for the town to in do while they're doing their due diligence or in the bonds that we we we asked to pay uh that they have to pay to uh upfront to prevent companies from bidding be the lowest bidder and then not be able to follow through like and and slow down any any um any any projects that we have that just happened. We've had as a real real life uh uh example that just happened.

Councilman, um we can definitely take a look at that. Uh the in this ordinance, this sets up the guidelines for the actual purchasing of the goods. Okay. So the contract component is thereafter and that's something that we definitely can look at how we can incorporate more teeth into our contracts if there is a vehicle that we can add to this but this is mainly focused on the actual procurement and the guidelines around procurement. Okay.

Um the step after that uh that's definitely something that we can talk to our town attorneys with on the contracting side of how we can beef up those performance standards. Just a question, doctor. If you um were doing procurement, just next step contracting, was that something you thought about or or maybe said, "I'm already looking at this process. Might as well look at contract because contracting has been a huge

maybe not issue, but it's something that comes up constantly, especially when our when our contractors don't meet the milestones. What are we doing to make sure either we're getting our money back or not paying them if they don't fulfill those mile milestones or they're off scope or whatever it is. Um, you know, is that something I have to Mr. Manager, do I have to put a motion to have them do that or is that something you already going to look into? But I think we do that already. Council member, was there a specific incident that that

Yeah, the incident with the demolition of 59th Avenue where the we awarded the lowest bidder and they were having issues economically and they couldn't we had to put it out for another bid and during due diligence we didn't find that and I kind of mentioned, hey, he's the lowest bidder. Maybe we should look a little more into into that and those issues. Um, that's a that's a major issue and if it happens, maybe it'll happen again. Is there any safeguards we can put in since he's already looking at take a look at that specifically about but we did that that contractor that specific situation he has performed in other situations and we got references from other cities that he's worked for. 100%. Right. But the result was

in in looking internally and saying, "Hey, when we when we do our postmortem, did you find areas in the postmortem when it comes to the contract?" He said, "If we would have maybe done this or this, looked a little more into this, we would have maybe it would have been a red flag." Just the fact that he was the lowest bidder buy more than 50 or 60 or maybe 70,000. Is that a red flag that we say to ourselves, whoa, let me take a look into a little more. Why is he so cheap? I'm just saying that's something I think we should codify. I don't know if if you agree or not, but I I definitely think we should codify. We'll take a look at it. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else on this ordinance? All right, Councilman Herszburg, just because I'm just No, no, because he he shrugged a little bit. So, I was like,

I just No, it's the right time to say it. I'm on the same position the vice mayor. Honestly, I didn't have time to review this with traveling in the last few weeks. uh there's changes I have the same concerns we'll meet uh some some things are a little manager manager friendly which sometimes can create efficiency I understand that and I do remember the prior council asking for that but you know we've got a new council now so uh it'll be our job to decide this but I appreciate it it's um it's a it's a big job to make this ordinance thanks thank you with that um madame clerk please call the role on this ordinance on first reading again this is 13 C.

Motion to approve the ordinance in first reading, item 13C. Council member Hersburg, yes. Council member Sanchez, yes. Council member Fernandez, yes. Council member Cuadra Garcia, yes. Council member Garcia, no. Vice Mayor Moretta, yes. Mayor Diegas, yes. Ordinance and first reading, item 13 C passes.

Excellent. 14A. um naming rights sponsorship policy and letters of support, vice mayor, but I'm going to turn it over to the attorney to go ahead and read the ordinance into the record. An ordinance of the town of Council of the Town of Miami Lakes, Florida, deleting Town of Miami Lakes Code, chapter 13, Article 12, naming rights, sponsorship policy, and letters of support. Creating chapter 11, uh, chapter 11, article 5, division 5, naming rights, sponsorship policy, and letters of support creating for providing inclusion into the code, providing for servability, and providing for an effective date.

Excellent. This being an ordinance on second reading, there is a public hearing required. With that, the public hearing is now open. Is there anyone in chambers wishing to speak on this item 14A? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, anyone online? No one online. All right. Public the public hearing is now closed. With that, Mr. Vice Mayor, you are now recognized to go ahead and make a motion related to this item and then we can go to the attorney to elaborate further. I'll move to adopt the ordinance in second reading. I'll second it. Mr. attorney. Go ahead and and uh provide the background.

Yeah. So, what we've done with this is really two main things. One of them is move the uh naming rights sponsorship policy and learn support out of the land development code and into uh a different section. Uh and this does provide for certain flexibilities in case we need to make uh future changes. And it also provides uh the manager with the authority to be able to accept gifts uh in the amount of $30,000 now 25 I'm sorry,000 uh in increase. Now, something for you to consider, especially since we're taking a look at uh the procurement ordinance, uh in the procurement ordinance as far as spending, we're looking at $50,000. So, as far as the manager being able to accept, I would also suggest that you consider uh raising that amount to $50,000 as well.

All right, Mr. Vice Mayor, is there anything more you want to say to that presentation before we open it up to our colleagues? No, it's pretty self-explanatory. I mean, I will say this this mot this uh proposed ordinance actually seeks to match the current procurement limits uh of the manager and is actually one of the reasons why I was a little confused by the ordinance that was in first reading. I think that this limit is um solid for the current times. Um and and yeah, I'll I'll be voting in favor.

Anyone else on this item 14A? All right. Going once. Going twice. Once twice. All right. Madame clerk, please call the role on ordinance uh 14A. Ordinance in second reading to approve the ordinance item 14A. Council member Fernandez. Yes. Council member Hzburg. Yes. Council member Sanchez. Yes. Council member Garcia. No. Council member Cuadra Garcia. Sorry. Can can you can somebody please um bring me up to speed on this? Sir, we're in the middle of the vote and so I it's going to be a no for me. Okay. Thank you. Vice Mayor Mora.

Yes. Mayor Diegas. Yes. Ordinance in second reading. Item 14A passes. Thank you. We are now on item 15A. A resolution. Yeah, you don't have to read resolution. All right. I'm trying to save us all. He's had a He poor guy has had probably had a long period. Oh, okay. Well, welcome back. Welcome back. All right. 15A. Authorization to apply to the 2025 urban and community forestry grant. Um and then with that, who is going to speak on behalf of this? I'll speak on it. It's a $75,000 uh grant application that we're requesting approval for. No local match. And this works in conjunction with the tree inventory that we're about to undertake. This would be to develop a forest management plan. I'll move it. Is there a second?

Second. Is there any discussion? All right, seeing none, all those in favor say I. I oppose. No. You guys have it. Resolution 15A passes. We are now in new business items. Let's begin with uh 16A, comprehensive review and modernization of the town co by Councilman Hersburg. Thank you, Mayor. I think modernization makes it sound a lot better than it actually is. But u Oh,

but the the in summary, I think it's a good idea to go through our code and figure out that what we can throw out. I think there's uh parts of our code, especially with code enforcement that are obsolete, that are not enforced, that maybe we don't want to enforce, and things that could make our code officers and ability department's job harder. So, I think it makes sense to allow staff to come back to us with those with those parts of our code that they don't believe have any value to still in be in there and let's get rid of it. Let's not allow old code and old laws to be stagnant. I think we need to do everybody at all levels of government need to do a better job in getting rid of obsolete. So, that's what my motion is.

Thank you very much. Is there a second? Second. It's been seconded by Councilman Garcia. Any discussion? Councilman Fernandez, I'm just gonna I'm I'm going to vote yes on it, but I'm a little reluctant. I mean, I I really do think that the code is there for a reason, and I'd like to see what they come back with. That's really it. I'm in the same boat. Uh with that, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The motion carries. We're now on item 16 C by Vice Mayor Moretta, FPL Street Lights.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and allow me to get there very briefly. Uh so this is a short and simple. Um I think everyone's kind of uh understood at this point. I know Councilman Quad Garcia has raised this issue in the past. Um for whatever reason, uh there's a a there are times where getting FPL out to make repairs on street lights can take a significant period of time. Um sometimes more than six months. Uh, and I think we can all agree in our town that's not acceptable. Uh, not only for for safety, but also for aesthetics. A down street light is a sign of a a municipality that doesn't take care of itself and doesn't take care of its residents. Um for that reason I also understand uh as the manager has pointed out in the past that there are times where FPL has a heavier than normal um demand on its resources due to be it a hurricane, be it the recent cold snap um and as a result their response time is therefore delayed. However, they have a monopoly on this date. That's their problem, not mine. and they go out and h and they're the ones that have to go and do repairs in North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, and it it can't be the town of Miami Lakes's problem that somewhere in North Florida had uh a snowstorm. Uh at least not when it comes to these kinds of repairs. Uh so what I would like to see is uh for the town to have the ability to fund and perform these repairs uh almost on a basis sort of like how we do with the county and and speed humps, right? Where where there's pre-approved criteria uh for for the the

studies that have to be done and and met in order to proceed with the speed hump and then the speed of hump has to comply with certain parameters. uh when we go to go ahead and install them, something sort of like that where the the town can go ahead and say, "Okay, a parameter has been met. It it hasn't been responded to in 3 months. We're going to go ahead and do it and we're going to do it according to this criteria that has been pre-approved by FPL. It is my understanding that other municipalities or local governments have similar form of agreements. Uh so at this time what I'm doing is I'm moving to direct the town manager to open discussions with FPL uh with the end goal of reaching an agreement whereby the town can be authorized to implement the repairs ourselves and then apply for reimbursement for set uh for said repairs from FPL.

I'll second it. It's been moved and seconded. Councilman Sanchez for discussion.

I completely agree with the vice mayor. um you know the the image when you're driving down the street and you see the darkness of the lights that are not turned on, it can be detrimental to the perceived value of the town. So, anything we can do to expedite the repairs. Um but obviously this is two parties that had to come together and meet at a middle ground. I I don't know if other municipalities do have this in place already and if maybe it's something that needs to come down from Tallahassee since really Tallahassee is the one that dictates pricing and everything like that with FPNL. Um, but if it does come back where we don't have that alternative, I would recommend taking the route of reaching out to our state rep uh state leadership, our representatives up there and ask them to please put something forward where local municipalities, not just Miami Lakes, but across the state, can collaborate with FPNL to uh to expedite the repair process on their own and just seek reimbursement after the fact.

Yeah. Um, thank thank you, Councilman Sanchez. Uh I I I'm going to vote for this to hear back on what the terms of whatever agreement, if any, uh can be reached with FPL. Obviously, I also don't like having streets that are dark, you know, for you know, in large large blocks, right? Like sometimes I'll be walking around, there'll be three or four lights out and so there's a big chunk of the street that's very dark and therefore dangerous for pedestrians and dangerous for the for drivers. So, uh, I'm going to support this, but, you know, with mainly with the eye of waiting to see what the final product is going to be because obviously cost is going to be a factor. But with that, any other any other discussion on this item?

Just quick, uh, I know I when I first came into office, I I kind of had a similar item where we create a little tiger team of a small group that can do these little fixes. In the same vein as as the vice mayor, I think the the gas company has caused so much issues. Um, and I know I put another item of trying to get communication with them and trying to get reimbursed. I think this is a great idea, Vice Mayor. I think ask for forgiveness instead of permission in a sense, but if we're following their rules and their their engineering, um, you know, we're following whatever we have to do. I don't see a reason why we can't do this. They should be open to it. It makes them look it makes them look good, you know, and it makes the town look good, too, because we have services working 247. Again, I just want to re reiterate that I think what we all need to be looking at is, you know, how quickly we would get reimbursed and everything because that money's got to come out of our own pockets, you know, and you know, in essence, now we're going to be taking over those polls, you know, so we just I just want to make make sure that everybody remembers that part before we start getting into uh expressions about, you know, better to ask for forgiveness and for permission. With that, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no.

The eyes have it. 16 C passes and we are now on Councilman Sanch's item 16D, school zone designation. So, just to give it a little bit of background, Miami Lakes Educational Center is our easternmost high school. Um, it's located at 5780 Northwest 158th Street in Miami Lakes in an area surrounded by commercial and industrial properties. Along Northwest 158th Street and Northwest 59th Avenue, the speed limit at all times of the day is 30 miles an hour with no allocated time for a school zone limit of 15 miles an hour, which leads to a higher risk of incidents. Additionally, Miami Day's Educational Center has one Miami date county school police officer control all the traffic in the area for both arrival and dismissal procedures. Additionally, the upcoming construction and opening of Northwest 59th Avenue to Miami Lakes Drive will increase the amount of vehicular traffic to the area. It is recommended that a request be made to Miami date county requesting a study to implement a school zone of 15 miles an hour from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. and 1:45 to 3 p.m. along with suffic sufficient signage and flashing lights to alert drivers of the speed zone. It is also recommended to seek support from the Miami Day County School Board since this directly affects the safety of the students at Miami Lakes Educational Center. Now, this is not the plan that we had earlier that was shut down of putting the high-speed cameras where people would get fines for speeding. It's just the implementation of what other schools in the area already have of the speed limit of 15 miles an hour. I went out there in purpose on like on on an invitation from the sergeant in charge of the schools in Miami Lakes and I witnessed it for myself as a police officer from Miami Day County Public Schools was standing on 158th Street would tell traffic to stop so that the students crossing over 158th would be able to cross into a school safely and cars would be traveling at 35 40 miles an hour wouldn't see them and just

wouldn't see the police officer and just keep going just because of the excess of speed. So, I would I hope that I have support with this because this is a safety concern for students and for parents alike. I'll move it or seconded. It's been seconded by Councilman Garcia. Any discussion? Uh just that it's a great idea. The fact that they don't have one already is doesn't make sense. You're absolutely right. All right. All those in favor say I. I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. 16 D passes. We are now on 16e. Maintenance of overgrown foilage surrounding electrical light post by Councilman Cuadra Garcia.

No, three pages. I I'll move the the 7.2 waiver. I'll second. Yeah, it was not the It's on the item though. Oh, on the item itself. Okay. But it's on the agenda. I'm following the agenda. All right. Uh all those in favor of the waiver say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. The rule is waved 98%.

Okay. I'll make it brief, Mr. Mayor, uh, and council. Let's look at page 208, 209, and 210. As I was out there uh fixing those 11 um um issues with the light and the electrical, I happened to had been talking to the electrical contractor and I he said he he shared with me that all 11 poles that we visited have this. Look at look at this. These these look like um beehives. These polls are uh full of I don't even know what to call this this stuff, but it's definitely not our standard. This this can bring uh snakes. Guys, are you looking at this?

I am.

Okay. Okay. So, this is all Let's look at page 209. I mean, this is on a pole that's coming all the way from the very bottom all the way to the very top of the transformer. that doesn't grow there in three weeks, three months or three years. This is years and years of growth. These things are as hard as an electrical cord. So I reached out to the manager. I asked him, "Is this is this who's who takes care of this?" The contractor told me that from the very bottom to halfway of the pole, it belongs to us, the down. And from half of that all the way to the very top belongs to FPNL. That's what was told to me by the our electrical contractor. So,

well, let let him finish it. Yeah. I'm sorry, sir. No, I was saying to let to have them let you finish before we jump into uh And if you go over to page 210, trees all the way up to the electrical wires. Is this our standard? This is not our standard. So who who can we ask and how can this be taken care of? Do are you making a motion or I'm I'm I'm asking that somebody here has seen this before, mayor. And who needs to be who needs to be asked?

Uh manager Peterman before we go back to him for a motion. We addressed this uh verbally with FPNL and these this is only concentrated in the area of Lake Patricia and Lake Katherine with the overhead power lines in that area. The utility easement instead of being in the front of the house in the front of the yard. Yes. Like uh the areas where they have uh underground power lines. The utility easement is in the rear of the house and it goes between the two homes. That's where the utility easement is. That's where the these power uh poles are. So they are on private property. FPNL advised that they handle the top of the pole where the power lines are and the homeowners are responsible for the lower half of the pole. What they are is vine that grows from the bottom up. and that vine, if the homeowner would be diligent in making sure that the vine never even gets on the pole or can get it while they can get it low, then it never gets to this point. But the the responsibility for the lower part of the pole is the homeowner and the upper part of the pole, this is on private property. We couldn't go on there even if we wanted to.

Well, can just as a regular code enforcement action, is there anything in our code that addresses this? There's nothing that I'm aware of in our code that addresses this. Mr. Manager, Mr. Manager, there these polls are not on private property. There are they are outside of the fence. I could go take pictures for you. Uh and again, um again, these this is not our standard. We should look into this. I'm just requesting that somebody looks into it and uh and gets this cleaned up. Anything inside the sidewalk is privately owned. So if it's not out on the swale, it's privately owned. It could be outside their fence, but as long as it's inside the sidewalk, that's on private property. Vice Mayor Mora,

just to get us into the proper posture, do you want to make a motion to have the staff look into the trimming and maintenance of these overgrown foliages and and come back to us? That is the answer. Okay, I'll second that and then I'll I'll just briefly make a point.

Make the point. the I definitely understand if it's private property, we can't go in there, but I do think uh I've seen FPL be very aggressive to the point of being overly aggressive with front yard easements and the oak trees and and the soil trees. I wish they would be just as prudent with this uh as they are with those. Um, so I I understand, you know, uh, that sometimes, as has been mentioned at several points throughout this meeting, that they can sometimes be a little bit difficult to get out. This is something that they need need to get out and address, especially if it is a safety concern. Visually, I honestly don't care. I actually think that that looks better than a plain pole. Uh, but, uh, if it is a safety concern, then they do need to address it immediately. and and I've gotten I've had luck getting FPL out when I specifically say um uh I had it happen at my my new house this summer. Um I've had good luck getting FPL out immediately when I say that there is a concern for life and safety. So that's what should be said and if those vines pose a life safety concern it should be me mentioned to FPL so that they know that they're on the hook if somebody does get hurt. I'll support it in the form that the vice mayor put it, you know, to have staff look at the potential to argue it as a as a life safety issue. Um, you know, and and also, however, for them to explore maybe this is something we need to add to our code as something that that they need to u maintain. Um, you know, since we make them maintain the swale and everything else already in good order, maybe this is something else we need to add to the code, you know, after of course educating them that this requirement is changing. Um, so with that, any further discussion? Seeing none, All those in favor say I. I. Oppose. No.

You guys have it. And 16E passes. We are now on 16G, establishment of an employee performance review policy via ordinance by Councilman Hzburg.

Thank you, Mayor. My thought process is just that I think it should be the policy of this council to require some type of review process for town employees and directors. This would put it in in an ordinance. Uh so I I'd like to think it's a little bit of future proofing. Obviously any council can re remove an ordinance takes your readings. It helps it and it makes it a a clear uh policy directive uh of the town. I put in some minimum standards that I I think make sense. But at the end of the day I first this is requesting that the town manager come back to us with um positions for how this annual reviewer process would work. At the end of the day, all we can do is say implement one and do one and it's up to the manager to decide what that review process means for employees. Uh so that's my motion.

Is there a second? It's been seconded by the vice mayor. Discussion beginning with the vice mayor. I have no discussion other than I I support this completely. All right. Anyone else? I just like to add a friendly amendment if possible. Hey, Councilman Garcia to tie the results of the review to incremental raises so that the top performers are being rewarded and those who are performing, you know, average are still getting something but not as much as the top performers just to give the top performers an incentive to continue to do that. So, I'd like to see a a correlation between high ratings and um if we do give uh uh you know raises or colas or anything like that, we can Point of order. Mr. Vice Mayor, you're recognized for a point of order.

I don't think that the amendment is allowed. I think that that breaches I think that does go beyond our charter. Okay. Allowed uh duties or powers. Okay. Point I I now that he mention mentions it, I think so in an abundance of caution, I will rule in favor of the point of order. You know, that we can't consider that amendment. But however, feel free to do the research between now and whatever meeting. Okay. To see if it's something we can t on later, you know, perhaps when we get this back as an ordinance. Remember, it'll have first and second reading. So, um, with that, any other discussion on this item? Mr. Manager, you want to speak? Go ahead.

Yep. I listen, we are implementing this and during the budget process, I admitted that we were I was deficient in making sure that this was done on a regular basis. I I take that that buck stops with me. And we have taken now the the steps to implement a process. We have uh implemented a process. Well, it's about to be implemented. I'm getting final feedback from my executive staff. Our plan is to implement a review process where it would happen on the employees anniversary month so that they're not all stuck in one month. We're going to spread it out throughout the year. HR will send out and say, "Okay, these are the employees in next month who have their anniversary." and those employees would then have their review during that month. I think it'll be less impactful on the departments, especially the larger departments. So, we're already doing this. my my fear right and my concern and I I also am a protector of the charter and I believe that this if it doesn't border I think it already it it it invades the separation of the council interfering with the administration of uh especially because it's it's earmarked specifically for town employees. So, it's basically the council telling me you have to do this with with employees. The next thing that could be is you have to make sure that all town employees are doing different things, right? And now it's the the council imposing on the manager. I believe that this is better done as an encouragement or a recommendation and that you can put that the manager's evaluation will uh part of the evaluation will will be based on their managerial practices including evaluating proper you know employees on a regular basis something to that effect

but the mandate that you are mandating me to do something with town employees I believe crosses the line into interfering with the manager. The manager in the charter is giving powers and duties and in those powers is that that you know oversight of employees and interference I think is clear in there that the town council won't interfere with town employees.

Well, we're we're not going to go in an extended back and forth. I just want to remind all parties that we are still in the new business item phase. this would come back as an ordinance which means it would require first and second reading. I think uh the manager has made a valid point that we need to flesh out where that line begins right you know where where the prohibition begins in the charter. So why don't we just give as you know while we're passing this we'll give the attorneys direction to go ahead and also report back on what extent we can in essence you know direct the manager to establish these sorts of programs and evaluations right I know in the past that we have uh had uh changes I believe it was uh councilman Mingo a while back that had some standards relating to women in the workplace and whatnot so I I know in the past that we have been allowed to regulate somewhat, you know, uh, on some of these issues, but why don't we just, while we're waiting for first reading to come back, we'll also simultaneously have the attorneys deliver an opinion on that, which is something I think we need to flesh out.

Through the chair, can he also look can the can the town attorney also look into performance uh, based on perform salaries based on performance percentage of increase in salaries to look into that if that's available to us?

Whether we can mandate that is that what you mean? well base depending on whatever if we decide yeah we you can give ratings and and and and and to all the employees. Well, well, the the the question to him is whether the council can direct them to establish uh you know something like that like that kind of evaluation system or if we uh you know are only required to say set up an evaluation program and then the details he alone is able to have again that that is what the direction we're giving to him right now. just like to see if while he's looking at if it's the answer is yes. Can we attach performance raises based on performance ratings as in again in essence establish the performance incentive program?

Yes, council member Garcia just historically that's been done through the budget process. Yeah, that's just my two cents worth on that. We've done it in the past but through colas or no but even uh some uh merit increases based on per on the results of a performance evaluation. Okay. Can we attach the merit through the budget process? Can we can we look into attaching the merit increases into their actual ratings if a performance evaluation is approved and it can be done if the if the lawyer comes back to us I mean I'm sorry the town attorney comes back and says yeah you can do this

can we look into I think as part of the request I made to the attorneys that would be included right okay um because again the idea is for them to flesh out when the prohibition uh starts right you know when is that line that we're now getting into what we're not committing to do councilsburg

if I may just to give a little close here. Um, I think the line's really clear. The coun the manager puts in the policy of the council. This is a overview policy. I think the attorney can answer the question right now honestly and I think he wants to. This is no way a charter violation in saying this is a minimum standard of please put do this. We're not telling you what the policy does. We're not telling you if someone gets a an unsatisfactory, we have no power over what that means. I don't I don't I don't agree with the councilman that we can set merit increases, that's in the complete power of the manager. Uh but to have an ordinance that says a minimum standard of just making sure that this town has annual review process is in no way a charter violation and if the town attorney wants to answer it right now, but I I just don't see it.

Do you want to answer it right now? I'd be s I'd be very surprised if this was a charter violation. That's fine. But I think it would be helpful regarding have a a formal legalized opinion that, you know, just so in, you know, instead of going case by case, you know, we kind of have a a general line when it falls on one side to the other. As long as I'm not being offensive to the item, my plan is to talk to Councilman Herszburg, get a little bit more detail, then discuss it with the manager and make sure that we're You join JAMS mediators or something or you know, I'm not mediating. I'm not mediating. Okay, by the way, they're very expensive, but that's a whole another issue. They are

um you know, I I think there's a way to implement this legislation without offending the charter.

No. and and I don't disagree. Uh but again, I just think for everybody's benefit on future legislation related to what we can't and can't, you know, set policy for as it relates to employees and whatnot. I think that would be helpful to everybody, you know, uh for the future. Um and again, obviously, the devil is always going to be in the details as to how these evalu is is prepared. Um, but notwithstanding that, I I think the, you know, I agree with you and I agree with the council member that this is something we can do. But I, you know, I think it would help everybody moving forward to go ahead and, uh, and have you guys come back with a formal opinion that we can use as an advisory opinion moving forward for ourselves and future council members. With that, any further discussion? Uh, Council Mcweather Garcia. And then

I like what you said, Mr. Mayor. I like that.

Thank you. All right. All those in favor say I. I. I'll oppose. No. The eyes have it and the item carries. And so now we are on item 16I. My item which is to review the status of the blasting advisory board. I want to begin by saying that that this is a a discussion item. Uh but I do want to take some action tonight and I'll explain why it I need somebody to explain to me and you heard it directly from the chair himself, right? that the blasting advisory advisory board was not meant to be a committee in perpetuity, right? It is not meant to exist forever. And you know at this point that they have been done excellent work, right? And for those of you that were part of it before, you all did excellent work going to Tallahassee representing you know the town and it and the interest of its people uh with respect to this issue. There have been uh at least two major uh town halls on blasting that have been partly organized or or uh or assisted by the the blasting advisory board. Um there have been other forums as well uh held uh where residents were able to express their their concerns where research was able to be presented and and an organization structure set up to marshall these complaints together and present them to the fire marshall's office. Right. and with other key decision makers. But I I believe we need to amend the resolution to provide for some clear metric for sunsetting the committee. Um because I don't think there's anything else that they can do that has not already been done. And you know again we we already had this discussion during the budget season regarding uh how much money they should be allocated. I I disagree with the chair and and the defense that he gave of why they were having blasting keychains, you know, that they were passing out as part of their budget as a promotional item. You know, I don't

think that that necessarily raises awareness in the way that he thinks, right? I mean, this isn't a branding thing, right? Uh this is and it's not and for and you either are aware of the blasting because you experience it or you're not. So I my point is that for for monetary reasons not to mention that a let's be real a good chunk of the membership of that board if not all of them don't live in the town and I just you know have always been deeply uncomfortable with having the town solely bear the responsibility and you know uh and the and the weight financial and otherwise of having to push for this issue. This is not saying that the town is going to uh end its blasting efforts. It's just a recognition that you know at this point what are they doing that we can't already do ourselves and and the alternative to go ahead and and have a a discussion with all of you as to what should be the criteria for that board to sunset or should we do an annual review you know uh you know that where it forces us to go ahead and consider uh ending this board because again it it's not meant to be a committee of of continuous existence right and then you know I just don't see what else the board has left on its to-do on its docket as it were in order to to continue advancing the efforts in a way that we cannot do ourselves right again reports been presented etc etc so with that you know

second for discussion second for discussion thank you councilman Garcia go ahead mayor I think it's a good idea I'm sorry just councilman Garcia then uh Vice Mayor Moro

mayor I think it's a good idea to always take a look at um these advisory boards uh and not they're not in perpetuity forever and you you have to take a look at you know I think looking at it yearly to see where they are is a good idea. I I think it's premature to and sunset it as of right now. We did sunset the first board right uh I think it was prematurely we had to we uh we started a second one. Um, a lot of the a lot of that uh uh I guess I would say I guess education that a lot of the residents got and and you know, we've been up to Tallahassee. We've seen we've seen a lot of the uh representatives get get a good education on what blasting is. They didn't even know it was an issue or the lobbying for the for the miners did a good job in getting their point across. Um, you know, we're not there yet. We make a lot of progress, but I still think they have a valuable uh job to do, which is continue the education process. This this brand new um litig litigation is new. We don't know where it's going to go. We don't even know if it's going to be, you know, if we're going to go to court, if it's going to get thrown out, is going to the miners are going to come to the I mean, Florida's going to come to the table. Um, so I I still think it's a little premature to sunset it now, but I do think we should implement a a mechanism that allows us to review on a yearly basis any board really that we have a budget for just to make sure they're being or any committee just to make sure they're being effective. I I would I would go with that.

Thank you. And I'm going to reserve uh any rebuttal for after I let all of you go. So uh just want to make that clear. So, we'll go to the vice mayor and then I see uh uh Councilman Guad Garcia, then Councilman Hersburg, and we'll move uh down to my left.

Thank you, mayor. Um from the outset, I'll say it is a healthy practice to every so often review how our committees are doing and are they living up to their their governing uh ordinance, etc. Uh I don't deny that the BAB is is probably primed for an amendment to its operating ordinance. Um the the nature of the playing field has changed when it comes to the BAB. I have myself stated in the past that pretty much once the BAB delivered its long written opinion off which a lot of our efforts have been based uh uh the one that was offered uh authored by uh Councilman Hersburg when he was still a member of the BAB. Uh that that essentially concluded uh the BAB's one of one if not its primary goal. It is after all an advisory board. It provided its advisory opinion. Uh that being said, I do think it sends the wrong message to even discuss sunsetting uh during a legislative session on which uh Representative Fabricio, who has stuck his neck out for us time and again um as well as Senator Avula, uh have bills um attempting to go to the floor. Uh we have said it a million times. The miners watch these meetings and they know what we're doing and the second we do something like that, they're immediately going to report that, oh, if it was of such importance, why are they sunsetting that committee? Um I I just don't think it sends the right message at this time. I I will agree with your item to the extent that it only seeks a

review and a potential amendment to the ordinance to fit it to its current role. But but a full sunset, I don't think we're ready to see that now. I think at the earliest that you could see that is the end of the current fiscal year. Um or the end of the current um at the earliest end of the current legislative session. Uh just to see how how the the cards fall. Okay. Councilman Guad Gracia Herszburg and Sanchez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I'm going to echo the words of our vice mayor. Uh make it brief. Um I think that I think that we should give it a little more time and again uh consider you know evaluating it uh once a year see their performance but I think that this is uh not the uh appropriate uh moment uh to actually get rid of it. Thank you. I hope you consider

Councilman Hsburg. Thank you mayor. Um I agree with you that we need to look at the incorporated resolution. I I think the what it does now has completely changed especially after the advisory opinion right was presented. I for me and I also agree I don't understand what the key chains and things like that were about but uh to me they are pretty much the lobbying team for for this item for for this town for our residents. And yes, you're right for everybody else because nobody else is out there. And whenever I I I've spoken to people, I've said that this isn't this isn't just Miami Lakes. This is all of Northwest State and even parts of Broward. Uh but that tool is important. I know it's very important to our representatives. Uh I know it's very important to the senator. And for example, the only reason I had a meeting with Representative Coaster on this issue, who is the chair of the committee that uh the bill currently sits in, it's a lastm minute try, yes, but she was very interested is because uh the chair of the blast advisory board was in Delhas and he was walking the halls and and got that meeting and we later had a meeting of a lobbyist team of of the industry. So um just that shows that that there is benefit. I think they I think this year they should have gone up much earlier. I go work with them on getting the the the lobbying travel set much better. I think days was the wrong time to go, but that's where I see this board having a benefit. It is a a small cost, but it's a cost that if we wanted to use our lobbyists would be a lot more. Uh, so I agree with you that the the purpose of the board does need to change and we can look at that and I'm fine looking at any any committee or board every year and seeing if we want to get rid of it or not. Uh, I I just don't see it now, right? It's not something that we'll get rid of now. Uh, and I don't know when the endgame is that that is a very good question that

we will decide at some point because you're right, it's not a permanent board. Thank you, Councilman Sanchez. And then uh, do you have and then I guess Councilman Fernandez. This is more of a question for Councilman Herszburg and our town attorney. The information put forward by the blastering advisory board, are you able to use that information as reference material for the cases you're currently litigating?

Is it helpful? It it has been helpful, but I want to stop there. Okay. I I will say that the information they use is all public records. It's relatable information. It's it's reference material, but it's all public records. It's all public records. anyone can get it. But right, but if we if we one day said this isn't going to happen anymore, that is one less tool in your toolbox that you can use. Not really. It's all public records. Can does it help that they compile data and give us numbers without us doing it? I guess. But it's all public record anyway. Anything. I'm a full favor of supporting something that this is one of the times when I love to sit up here and say I don't got to tell anybody anything about what's going on in my litigation. No, but if it's a tool in your toolbox that you can use to help expedite the process,

we're we're not using any town resources for our litigation. Let's just put it at that. Including the BAB. Yeah, it's it's a it is a complete separation where I mean, if they have something that we can use, sure, but we're going to do it ourselves. This is, you know, very serious uh we're not litigation resources. Okay, that's all I want. Councilman Fernandez,

to the extent that uh that I agree with you, the that committee specifically will end at one point. I don't think it is something that's going to be on go on indefinitely. I'm just not sure that it's that this is the time. I I will just say that I think that I would agree that if we if you wanted to make it out where we would we would review yearly the the committee and and its mission, then I would I would agree with you. right now I think that we should just leave it alone for the time being.

Well um thank you all for your comments. I do want to point out and look I can read a room and I understand the the delicacies of addressing this issue right and I understand um you know that how it may look or whatever as the vice mayor said which is the most salient point I've heard as far as why keeping it but that's exactly my point I think and as councilman Herszburg did there was a recognition that there isn't a clearly defined endgame you know for this committee and you know so I I'm glad I brought up this conversation because like what do we want them to do? I mean, as as was just answered by in response to Councilman Sanch's uh point, you know, as the attorney and and Councilman Herszburg responded, that report is already a public record that can be used at any point. You know, the lobbying that goes on in Tallahassee, there's nothing that stops Mr. Martinez from doing this on his own on a regular basis. You know, and I've long argued, just as when I was on then Representative Manny Diaz's blasting advisory task force, I have long argued that not having a formal structure of of a board actually is better for them. It's more flexible, right? And if the only thing we're going to rely on them for is to be an extra set of hands in lobbying, then we don't need a board that meets once a month to do that, right? Taking and you know, we got to remember the soft cost that that we incur through staff time, you know, on these meetings. And again, it sounds to me as if nobody quite knows what is the endgame, you know, just yet, which I So maybe that's the item I need to bring, you know, back. Um, you know, for us to clearly define that because again, right now it seems also as if nobody's quite sure what there is left for them to do, which I think just highlights my point further, you know, other than the lobbying, you know,

right?

Which again is really our job, right? And then, you know, and which you've, you know, I've I've delegated that role to you, you know, as the chief lobbyist on the blasting issue, you know, but again, I just want to reemphasize the importance of not allowing mission creep to take over these any of these committees. The historical preservation board, by the way, when I first got here, had been in existence, I think since the town was founded, but was inactive for over a decade or so or close to it by the time, right, Clarisso? So, you know, these zombie commi committees sometimes, you know, uh exist um and you know, it's important to have a review of those uh of those founding resolutions and to, you know, provide in those that aren't needed on a on a on a you know, on an year-to-year basis like a cultural affairs, planning events like our Fourth of July, etc., or elderly affairs, planning a bingo for our seniors, like you know, we need to have we need to start remember to include sunset language. uh in those uh resolutions or at least review period. So with that in mind, I'm going to go ahead and and amend, you know, being that it was initially just a discussion item, I'm just going to go ahead and uh and make a strike all amendment, you know, uh requiring that every year during, you know, I I'm going to set it to coincide with the fiscal year, right, when we have to make decisions about this. So, you know, every August or rather every July, you know, I think would make more sense because that's at the start of the budget process. We the the the the council will need to go ahead and reauthorize the committee's ex existence. That is it. That's simple as that. All right. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion on the amendment?

All right. Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. No. One. No. By Councilman Garcia. Uh the eyes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all. And we are now on 16. I I Yes. Sorry. I think I incorrectly had had called this one I when it was H. So 16 I the budget calendar by Vice Mayor Brian Mora.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh so this is uh a discussion slashaction item. Uh, I wanted to have a discussion with you guys about potentially modifying the town's budget calendar to provide the council and residents with greater opportunity to offer meaningful input before the preliminary budget is developed and released. Um, as I know we will all recall uh during the last budget cycle when we received the uh preliminary budget, we all had the same feeling. Uh number one, we were rightfully um called many names in many places um and sent to the various depths of hell um as a result of that preliminary budget when in reality we had pretty much no input in into that preliminary budget and as as did the the residents. um in in discussions with with residents um and and and you know uh people who who work in peer municipalities, I came to find out that you know some some municipalities do it a little different than we do. They start their budget process earlier in the year through some preliminary sessions uh where at least priorities are set forth and and developed early on giving the uh the staff a clear picture of what it is we're looking for so that the product that is delivered at the time a preliminary budget is is drafted is at least has our fingerprints on it and is not for lack of a better term the manager's budget strictly. Um, so I'm open to discussing the details and the scope of the changes that we can that we make. Uh, but some of the concepts that I believe warrant

discussion uh include holding at least one prelim preliminary strategic uh planning workshop prior to the the deadline for submission of departmental budget requests. Uh that would allow the council and the residents to provide policy guidance and articulate priorities uh to staff at an earlier stage in the process, helping to avoid that sticker shock that we just talked about uh once the preliminary budget is published and enabling uh a proactive rather than reactive budget process. Uh it also enhances transparency and public confidence in our budget development process. Uh the other um recommendation that that we should consider is circulating uh draft preliminary budget scenarios based on good faith revenue and expenditure forecast earlier in the process allowing the council to identify at an earlier stage areas that may require additional funding adjustment or further analysis. Um, and this is actually in reference to what um, at least in my case, we were asking for preliminary budgets early on and we kept getting told, "No, you can't have that essentially because we don't have the numbers from the state yet. We don't have the numbers from the state yet. All we have is a forecast. We don't have the fixed numbers from the state." That's all right. We understand that. We're grown up. We're adults. We we can understand that it's a forecast, not an exact figure, and that that number is subject to change, but it allow allows us to start the building blocks for the budget of seeing, okay, well, hang on, this area is going to be severely underfunded. uh we need to figure out what we need to move around, where we need to to cut and slice and dice in order to get to a balanced budget and to meet that area or hey, this area looks like it's going to be severely overfunded this this year. We can take from here. Uh so, but without seeing

those in an actual budget spreadsheet, uh it becomes very hard for us when all we receive is a preliminary budget um right at the beginning of the process. Uh so so that's my item. It's to direct staff to come back to us. Actually the the item is to direct staff to come back to us uh during the March 2026 regular council meeting with proposals consistent with the concepts that I just described uh and any that may be uh generated during this discussion uh including a review of of budget practices employed by peer municipalities that align with the spirit and intent of this proposal. I'll second.

It's been seconded. Uh Councilman Sanchez for discussion. I would also like to uh to amend it a little bit to add it deadlines for the specific specialty funds that we have within the budget. Have those deadlines given to us within this um this preliminary budget workshop? So, for example, during the budget season last year, um the special funds had already closed by the time that we tried to make changes to them, if I'm not mistaken. Is that correct? No, I don't. that we were working specifically we the general fund we had to finish it by a certain deadline but the ones for like the PTP and the the all the other funds had different deadlines

no the the deadlines is setting of the millillage which has to be done in July once I'm talking about the actual special funds after the fact after we set the millage this is like August September no the the only ones the only deadlines really are the passage of the entire budget in the two uh special uh in the budget hearings. But I recall trying to change something in one of the special funds and we were told that the deadline to change anything on that had already passed budget

director. Mayor council, I believe what you're referring to is maybe the special taxing districts, but as far as any other funds, the budget is presented in September and that is when the final budget is presented. However, when it's referring to the special taxing district, what we're setting is not the budget for it. Is we're setting the assessment rate that each special taxing district will be charged for that budget cycle.

Thank you for refreshing my memory because it had to do with the with the renewal of the contract for the security services and that we were increasing it during that budget time without sending it out to bid. And when we went back to try to say, "Hey, let's bring it back down," it was already too late. But we hadn't we weren't aware that we pass the deadline. As far as the budget, we can we can amend the special taxing district budget. However, the only thing that we would not be able to amend and our deadline for that um hold on because the assessment that goes in out in the trim and it goes out in the trim bill and that is and on the but isn't that similar to the um to the millage rate that that is worst case scenario we could always lower it.

Yeah, we could lower we can't we cannot raise it. But by when is the set rate for the specialty district is due before the general is due. So the first is due July I believe 11th. All right. July it changes based on the fiscal year but this I'm just trying to get to the point that they have two different due dates. The general budget versus the special taxing district budget has two different due dates. Is that correct? Again the entire budget is in September. The special taxing district what we're setting is only the assessment rate. We're not finalizing the the budget per se for the special taxing district. Yeah. It's just like we have to set the preliminary mill is what she's trying to say. Yeah. But the millillage in September can be lowered. The assessments

can be can be lowered but they cannot be raised. Right. Right. And I understand that they cannot be raised but our general budget is due to the county by when? Not to the county? October 3rd or 4th. Right. So yeah after the budget here. Well to the state. Right. So we have to follow trim compliance right. So we have different deadlines that is in my budget calendar and my budget calendar states which what deadlines we have to provide. So let me since I have it here before me. So July 1st we got our final um certification of the taxable value from the property appraiser.

Right. um by August 4th, I have to let um this department of revenue know what our millillage cap will be right for the trim notice. Um but let's target specifically the special testing district. What are the deadlines for special taxing districts or are they aligned with the entire budget? I have to send the folio files for to the county in July. July 15th around that time frame. The folio files. Yeah. The folio and the rate files. So what the assessment rate will be for each folio within the special tax.

And that's why you normally ask us to go ahead and set the rate sooner. So that's why we have the ordinances that come before you to set the assessment rate um for the special testing district. And that's why we do the special taxing district budgets before so that you have an idea what is needed what their assessment rate should be based on the expenses that they have. But if we decide to lower it because we can always lower it as you just lower by when do we have to lower it and is does it coincide with so I believe the final final date that you can lower it is September 15th. So, it's prior to that, but remember that it would have to be two readings. So, so you would have to have a meeting in August and a meeting in September

to lower the assessment rate. And also keep in mind that then I also have deadlines to publish the budget. So, if you change special taxing districts, I have to also change the entire budget book. I'm not asking to change anything. I just because I remember last budget season we caught were caught a little bit off guard when we tried to change the budget for special testing district and we were told we already passed the deadline. May may I suggest just if you can do me you know with with the manager's indulgence if she can email us her her deadlines or at least her estimated time frames. Well, you'll have it in the March council meeting. You'll have a copy of the budget calendar and all the deadlines that I have to meet. Perfect. Okay. I think that would be immensely helpful. which is I believe what what um vice mayor is asking for. Yeah. So,

right. Yeah. Okay. But I agree but I agree with the vice mayor of stretching out the timeline for us to process the budget a little bit longer. So we every year you every year when we start budget process, you do get a budget calendar. What you do do get is a condensed one. What I'm going to provide you is the second one that I have that is the extensive one. So so you know what every single deadline is. there deadlines that are behind the scenes that I have to deal with, right? But now it'll be clear for you to know. Yeah. Okay. X and Y. Uh Vice Mayor, when were you thinking of having that initial like in June after we get the the estimated valuation from the county?

Again, that that's part of the motion is for you guys to let us know when an ideal time is because I also understand that there is a little bit of interplay with the current fiscal year's amended budget um discussions. So, I don't know how that plays into it. But again, that's why that is not a budget meeting as as much as it is a priority setting meeting. I'm talking about the the one I'm proposing. I it's setting off early letting you guys know where we stand so that we can have our fingerprints on the future one, the one that ends up getting passed in September. So, if I may go ahead, um to be clear,

what you're wanting is to have a meeting prior to the proposal that would be coming before you um to set the millillage uh cap. You wanna you want to have a meeting before to absolutely to let you want to have a meeting before to basically not that we're going to present something to council, but for council to necessarily tell us or to tell me um what you would like to see in the proposal is am I correct?

Yes. And and and to the to the extent and and I don't even care if it's one meeting, two meetings, I don't care. I'm not one of these I'm this is where I I love the mayor. This is where we disagree. I'm okay with having extra meetings on that subject. It's it's a very it's the one job that this council has is to set a budget and to do it right. And uh if it takes having a couple extra meetings, so be it. Uh I would uh uh recommend taking a look at one of our sister cities, take a look at Dorado, uh take a look at at other cities nearby, see how they do it. Uh I know for a fact Dorado's one of the ones that implements it. That's where I actually stole the idea from. Uh props to them. and and and and just come back to us in March with some some suggestions and some suggested dates for that. That's it.

All right, we got it.

All right, I'm going to jump in here and just say I'm going to support this just to move it forward and wait for those uh options. Um but I am but yes, as the vice mayor said and correctly so with good reason. I am not for meetings on meetings just to say that we're you know that we're doing something right. I want these meetings to be productive. So, I'm it my ultimate support is going to come down on what those proposals look like, what we're accomplishing because I am not going to be sitting here wasting time or the public's time, you know, just to be able to say that, you know, virt to virtual signal. Um, I'm not saying that's what this is. Again, I'm waiting to see what the final proposal will be, but I mean, again, there's nothing has that has ever stopped any of us from reaching out to the manager and saying in this budget, I would like to see more of this or or or that. And ultimately in most cases, you know, with um you know, when we're cutting stuff from the budget, it's not so much that, you know, the manager went rogue and reinvented the wheel in conjunction with the budget director, you know, although I'm sure they would like to.

I'm sorry.

But with that said, it, you know, I think they really are just building off of prior years budgets and incorporating the feedback they've heard year round from us already. So that's why I just whatever the proposal is, my my recommendation to staff is just to make sure that it is detailed enough about the objective of that meeting and it not just be a sunshine meeting to have a sunshine meeting because then now it's going to be a sunshine meeting, you know, to discuss the the committee budgets where they're going to have to come over here and let's call it what it is. Basically gravel to us asking for money, right? Then there's going to be another uh uh sunshine meeting, you know, or special call meeting on setting the the preliminary rate. Then's going to be another meeting. You know, again, let let's make sure that this is as productive as possible. Not just for my convenience or anyone else's convenience up here, but to respect the public's time, right? Because not everybody is just somebody just hanging on Facebook wait trying to watch, you know, they're not a young Josh Diego out there trying to nerd out watching this meeting till midnight when they should be asleep already, right? You know, they want to be at meetings that are going to be productive and have a defined goal. And so that that's all I'm asking for as part of this. Um, so anything else before we go and call a vote? All right. All those in favor say I. I.

I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. The motion carries. All right. We are now on 16J, technology upgrade by Councilman Sanchez, who is recognized to introduce the item.

Just a little bit of background, uh, that the town Miami Lakes building department stands as one of the best building departments in Miami date county due to its customer service, excellence in permit reviews, and turnaround time. To make it quote unquote the best in Miami Date County, hardware and software components need upgrading to allow for digitalization of architectural plans and future submissions. Just like Miami Date County already has, it's recommended that staff return to the March 17, 2026 regular council meeting with a project scope to begin the procurement process for the technology upgrades needed to implement the ability for architectural plans to be submitted digitally instead of printed paper. That will save time. It'll be cost effective and it'll save some trees in our tunnel management.

Is there a second? I'll second. It's been seconded by Councilman Hsburg. Any discussion from me, sir? No. In support of item. All right. Anybody else? All righty. With that said, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. The eyes have it. And with that, a one more for me. Yeah, we got Hold on. I'm just trying to follow this here. Okay. Well, yeah. So, we're L We're at 16L. Consolidation of town events by Councilman Sanchez. But before you do, I'm going to go ahead and move that we extend the meeting to 11:30 p.m. Is there a second? I'll second. It's been seconded by Councilman Sanchez. All those in favor say I. I.

All oppose, no. The the motion carries and we can continue till 11:30. All right. Councilman Sanchez, you're recognized to introduce your item. So based on some due diligence research in a fiscal year, the town of Miami Lakes produces 40 plus events that includes the mental health fair, Nightmare on Monrose, the Veterans Day parade, Main Street concert, Spring Fling, and the Fourth of July as its main events with smaller events sprinkled in between such as Skate Miami Lakes, Book Talk, the Small Business Boot Camp, Poptober, etc. It's recommended that staff return with a new schedule where events with low attendance may be merged with larger events such as skate be a part of the spring fling and the fall mental health fair with the Halloween event and renaming the Miami Lakes fall festival as this will draw a larger crowd due to the attractiveness of a family event without the stigma associated with mental health. I believe this will lead to higher attendance to our events along with having cost savings due to vendors covering one event instead of two events.

Thank you. Is there a second? Second. It's been seconded. Discussion. Yeah. I always I think it's a great idea to in fact I know we've been encouraging for years for the committees to work together and come together and decide, hey, how can how can we pull resources, right? Yeah. I I think we should encourage that any way possible. So, as far as mental health fair and Halloween, I think I'd separate those two, but that's just me. Well, it'd be daytime. It'd be a funible, but yeah. Know where where residents can dunk the mayor.

That Yeah, that would that would make some people happy. I don't know who. No, I'm just joking. But, uh, yeah, I think it's a great idea to be able to I think we should encourage that constantly. And I think we should encourage that just like we encourage the the committees to find a way of generating revenue. Yeah. to do that as well. Maybe we can codify it some way. Um, is there a maybe make a friendly amendment to figure out a way to codify that to to have them work together as much as possible? Yeah. Any further discussion? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor say I.

I. I. All oppose, no. The eyes have it. Motion carries. We're now on uh my item that was uh they need a waiver of 7.4. I move to wave uh section 7.4 special rules. It's been seconded. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose? No. You guys have it. 7 point the rule 7.4 is waved as to 16M.

Oh, my apologies. Well, oh yeah, it was 7.2. I apologize. Anybody have an objection? Okay, so the waiver still applies. Um, thank you. With uh I had it wrong in my notes. So that said, um, so obviously as you heard from Miss Herrera earlier today, the, you know, the issue regarding the Graham notices, uh, it was quite upsetting for many residents, right? the I don't know that necessarily that trust was obliterated with the town government, but I do think that when it comes to matters of development naturally and rightly so, uh many residents, including ourselves, are always worried and we're a bit more sensitive to these types of approvals regardless of what state law may mandate that we do. you know, to avoid attorneys fees and other uh other uh legal issues that would arise if we were to incorrectly handle quasa judicial zoning item. With that said, I thought that um you know it it she is correct though that there that the mishap that we had with the notices certainly at least caused a strain on that trust. Um, so what I'm simply proposing is a direction to the manager to go ahead and review the notices uh that we've issued in the past and to come back to us with any findings, you know, uh, regarding any regularity or anything, uh, you know, as a report to the council, you know, you know, you can send it to us, uh, like you do with the MAM connect already, right? Or or with the afteraction items. So, you know, just let us know if in your review you notice anything that needs to be addressed. Um because again like this issue is too important. You have so many state laws out there that make it harder for municipalities to make their own decisions on development and what's more uh also just makes it you know uh getting it wrong when it comes to development costly as well. So with that uh is there a second on the review? Okay. Seconded by Councilman Garcia who is recognized for any debate

if he has any. Just to say I agree 100%. We we got to be in our P's and Q's when it's something this important. Yeah. Thank you. Any other comments? No. All right. Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The you voted I, right? Yes. Okay. So, the eyes have it. Uh, and the item passes. We're now on item 17A by Councilman Hsburg, the joint letter he he's proposing to the council.

Thank you, mayor. I was just looking at the legislative session. It's planned to end on March 13th if I remember correctly. We'll see if it actually does plan to end. Uh back I think it was in November, we discussed doing a joint letter. Uh there is a draft of the joint letter. Uh it's either we can go one or two ways. We can agree to it uh and send it out. I'll sign it and send it out or we don't and you know we can all reach out to representatives on our own. I I certainly plan on doing that on behalf of myself. uh regardless of which way we go regarding uh property tax relief, I think we're all in favor of some sort of relief, but the relief needs to be responsible. It needs to be funded and it needs to uh you know reflect that uh core services should not be affected especially such as public safety and even our parks where some of the proposals that are outstanding right now either means that we would have to raise the millage rate on everybody else and keep if if homestead taxes were abolished or uh provide for some serious cuts. And and the point of this letter is to make sure a lot of legislators don't understand town budgets. And and of course the headlines are grabbed by the big communities, the big counties that have enormous budgets. That's not simply uh how we do it here in Miami Lakes. It's a matter of just letting them know. By the way, there are towns that are responsible. There are towns with, you know, contract cities that don't have these enormous budgets and and and projects that you see that are are out there. and that's, you know, being public publicized the most. So, that's the purpose of the letter. If you guys want to join on it, that's fine. If not, you know, I'll be reaching out to representatives and senators on behalf myself. I just wanted to see if we wanted to make a a joint effort or not. I've just been able to review the letter more thoroughly. I like it. I'm willing to sign my name to it with the caveat that I do want to add some changes just simply reflecting that we are not just mentioning in a generic sense that we're

one of the lowest in Miami Day County. I think it would be good to quantify that, you know, that we are the fifth uh you know, out of the 34 cities in Miami Day County, we are the fifth lowest. Yeah. You know, because um you know, just delineating that um more specifically. Additionally, uh pointing out um you know, just the advances we've had in crime, right? That we're at an 11 at an 11-year low when it comes to our crime statistics, you know, as far as the ones that our police department or the sheriff's department is able to provide to us. So, you know, like that that this could result in a step back of actually forcing us to increase costs for another segment of resident, namely renters, right? Um and and others or our commercial businesses as well. Um you know, so I just would like to see some of that um in here. I don't know if you want to do it now.

So, I'm I I I agree with you and I you're right. I don't know how we can do this through the sunshine. I I agree 100% with with your comments and I would say, you know what, why don't you put your comments in there and then let's let I I'll be able I'll whatever you put in I'll be fine with. I trust your judgment and I'll I'll sign that with you. All right. Anyone else have comments on the letter or I'm all for it. I'm happy to sign it. All right. So then I Okay, then then I'll I'll take care of this JV. Let's hang back after the meeting just a little bit and just do this real quick. uh you know so yeah like uh if it's just that so I would ask you guys to hang back as well since we're all here so we can sign it again they it won't take very long to get it you know turned around

um okay perfect so we're on 17B now which is my report on days um for those who were able to go uh you know full well uh how it went but for our colleagues um you know this will be a good time to explain to them that on the property taxes reform front there's still a lot of miscommunication it seems frankly between the two chambers and and the governor's office. So, it seems as if even though tomorrow the House will be taking up one of the proposals that they've been considering, that would be a gradual elimination of of nonhomestead or uh or rather of homesteaded uh property taxes or property taxes affecting homesteaded properties. Um that would do it over 10 years. That one's going to be put on the floor tomorrow. Uh but it seems as if again like the chambers are still far behind. They they had some budget drama recently. You know, we finally have budget numbers which I'm pleased to share with all of you. Miami Lakes is actually doing pretty good. Uh you know, of the six projects that were uh submitted, five of them are in play, which I think is good. Um with respect to what they are, we got Miami Lakes Northwestern 9th Avenue drainage on the house side at 500,000. Uh so half of the request Miami Lakes Northwest 82nd Avenue drainage for $650,000 on the Senate side. So that project is in play, although that project might go down. You know, it depends on on what the you know what we need to do up there to make the numbers square off. Uh the Miami Lakes Northwest 155th Northwest Turn Lane and Parking uh project is funded in both chambers uh at different amounts though. The Senate has it at the $790,000 amount. the house has it uh at the 395 amount, right? So I that project is likely for sure to be included in the final list, right? And it's just a matter of what number ultimately comes out of that. The this wasn't one of our

direct uh uh requests, but it it affects the town. So I thought it was good to include. The Miami Chamber of Commerce is in line on the House side of the budget to get $100,000 toward their marketing campaign that they had wanted to advocate for. And then lastly, the late item that we added at the request of Councilman Sanchez, the Miami's Bob Graham improvement, uh, you know, came in at 57,000 on the House side. For as a refresher for those who don't know, as long as as long as it appears in one of the the chambers budgets, it's in play. Um, so obviously uh, one of the projects out of the six is not at all in play. Conferencing is, you know, likely going to occur after they consider the t the tax package. Now that the budgets are out, the next step is to consider the tax packages. Uh when that's done, then they'll go back and forth uh exchanging offers and that's when, you know, the real horse trading will will occur on the budget and we'll see what will ultimately make it. And then of course, we have the governor's veto pen. So that's where we're at. Anybody have questions? Uh for me again I think I covered property taxes and that it you know even though there's a high likelihood that something will still pass u even if it's done through a very rapid special session it just doesn't look like it will occur in this particular uh main session is what what I'll call it um a regular session and uh I does anyone have questions? So with with regards to the Bob Graham, they reduced the amount from 127 to 57. Correct.

Yes. But I'll take anything we can get on that you know any other questions for the chair just to thank you for for all your efforts and always advocating for the town. Well, thank you very much, Councilman. All right. With that, there being no further business, I'm now adjourning our regular. Mr. Mayor, yep. Before you hit before you hit that gavvel, can you uh budget to see if we could fix that light over there and this high hat over here, Mr. Mayor. Well, I I hear you have great contractors, so you know that can do that can do it for cheap. We have a high hat right over here.

I would just say ask for forgiveness permission. So, just get it done. With that, we are now we are now adjourned at 10:57 p.m.