Susana Alonso

The Town of Miami Lakes' Beautification Master Plan aims to transform the physical environment to become the most uniformly beautiful municipality in the region. It serves as a vision and guide for enhancing gateways, major and neighborhood roadways, cul-de-sacs, underpasses, intersections, and parks. Key initiatives include the phased removal and replacement of Black Olive trees to create a consistent, aesthetically pleasing tree canopy, and standardizing park furniture and landscaping. The plan seeks to establish memorable landscape aesthetics, improve pedestrian safety, and brand the town's public spaces.

The Town Council authorized the Town Manager to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to fund the Miami Lakes Comprehensive Vision Zero Safety Action Plan. The resolution includes authorization to expend budgeted funds for the required 20% local matching contribution and empowers the Town Manager to execute the necessary grant agreements and amendments.

The Council meeting covered a wide range of administrative and community topics. Proclamations were presented to recognize volunteer service, school crossing guards, and St. Thomas University. The Council reviewed police and infrastructure reports, with significant discussion on traffic studies, drainage projects, and the maintenance of electrical posts. Financial and budgetary matters were prominent, including discussions on revenue opportunities, the organizational review report, the procurement ordinance, and adjustments to the budget calendar. Various resolutions and ordinances were approved, including sponsorship policies and urban forestry grants. The Council also addressed new business items such as the modernization of the Town Code, support for federal sanctions regarding Cuba, school zone designations, and potential improvements to employee performance review policies and the Blasting Advisory Board's mandate.

The meeting focused on legislative priorities for an upcoming trip to Tallahassee. Discussions included reviewing the town's appropriations requests, identifying projects for prioritization, and determining which state representatives or senators to meet with. Concerns were raised regarding the potential impact of proposed legislation on municipal authority and routine community governance, specifically regarding the expansion of the Live Local Act and the effects of HB 1001 and SB 1134. Additionally, the need to focus on traffic flow issues within the town was emphasized.

The commission reviewed legal reports regarding the definition of sufficiency, rules on employee interaction, and procedures for special elections. There was an extensive discussion regarding the future meeting schedule, resulting in a motion to cancel an upcoming meeting to allow for a redline draft of the charter to be prepared. Plans were discussed to resume meetings in April to finalize charter recommendations for the council.