10-29-2024 Council Meeting Review
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dbbw3sO4mk Starts 03:07:21 on the dial
Special Taxing Districts Advisory Boards and Youth Activities Task Force Committee
Mayor Cid and Council members,
Coincidentally, the two most common issues raised during the public comments at the 10/29 Council meeting were seemingly unrelated. Yet, they are inextricably linked by the lessons they offer about the Town's committees and boards.
The second most-discussed issue was the expulsion / resignation of a member of the Youth Activities Task Force Committee. This member's "offense" was providing public comment to the Council during its 10/15 meeting, offering a perspective that differed from the majority recommendation of the Youth Activities Committee. Within days, this "troublemaker" was gone.
The most-discussed issue, however, was the dissolution of the Special Taxing Districts' Advisory Boards.
The Council established these boards ostensibly to serve as intermediaries between district residents and the Council.
Yet, as with the Youth Activities Committee, only the majority recommendation was presented to the Council.
In the case of Section 1, when the majority of the seven -7-member advisory committee made their recommendation, the other 834 equally affected owners were excluded.
Those few owners who dared to appear before the Council were also labeled "troublemakers." Appearing before the Council was almost always a waste of time, as the advisory board recommendations were almost always a fait accompli.
Now, with the dissolution of these boards,
and
An additional observation is that there appeared to be an organized attempt to confuse the public through contradictory demands during the meeting.
On one hand, there was a call for the most experienced Council members to refrain from voting on the ordinance to establish procedures for amending Special Taxing District ordinances.
At the same time, several cautions were directed toward Councilman Bryan Morera, urging him to step back and avoid taking on too much responsibility too soon, as he is the creator, sponsor, and primary proponent of this proposed new chapter to the Miami Lakes Town Code.
Both the demands for experienced Council members to abstain and the cautions directed at Councilman Morera seem rooted in pure demagoguery.
The appeal, essentially, was for the Mayor and three Council members—who created and have firsthand experience grappling with these issues over the past five years, to step back, leaving the decision to an incoming Council where the majority will have zero experience on this and every other matter.
Councilman Morera, however, has gone through a full budget cycle and has dealt extensively with Special Taxing District issues. He has dedicated countless hours to listening, researching, and educating himself on these topics.
Why would Councilman Morera, along with Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano, Councilman Luis Collazo, and Councilman Josh Dieguez, defer this long-standing and contentious issue to an incoming, inexperienced Council, where at least four members will have no prior experience?
Boris Foster
The above message was sent to the following individuals:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Boris Foster <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Oct 30, 2024 at 8:39?PM
Subject: Special Taxing Districts Advisory Boards and Youth Activities Task Force Committee
Council 2024
To: Mayor Manny Cid <[email protected]>,
Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano <[email protected]>,
Councilman Tony Fernandez <[email protected]>,
Councilman Luis Collazo <[email protected]>,
Councilman Joshua Dieguez <[email protected]>,
Councilman Ray Garcia <[email protected]>,
Councilman Bryan Morera <[email protected]>
Town of Miami Lakes Staff / Future Council Members
Cc: Town Manager Edward Pidermann <[email protected]>,
Councilman not yet sworn into office Steven Herzberg <[email protected]>,
Councilman not yet sworn into office J. C. Fernandez <[email protected]>,
Candidate for Mayor Yuniett Gonzalez <[email protected]>,
Candidate for Seat 1, Angelo Garcia <[email protected]>,
Candidate for Seat 1, Mario Pinera <[email protected]>
Student Dayan Jimenez
Agenda is now online: https://pub-miamilakes.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=c07950fa-b745-4741-9b75-67d632b860ba&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
03:09:32 Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo reads the rules during Public Comments, none online
03:10:06 Angelo Garcia running for Council Seat 1
03:11:13 Bonnie Cintron Regarding Youth Activities Task Force, the case of Dayan Jimenez
03:14:12 Esperanza 'Hope' Reynolds
Esperanza Reynolds, Lake Glenn Ellen
A text message was distributed by Royal Oaks Homeowners Association with the heading of NOTICE TO RESIDENTS
The notification advised that during tonight’s meeting there would be a second reading to abolish the Neighborhood Services District - NSD - Advisory Boards. The message also urged all residents to attend tonight’s meeting to have their voices heard by the Town Council.
The information is wrong, the VOTE for the dissolution of the Advisory Boards was held quite sometime ago and tonight what is before the Council is the Ordinance in Second Reading that corrects how the special taxing districts operate.
When I reviewed the agenda I noticed that the original memo that spoke about the Advisory Boards remained intact without correcting the fact that the Advisory Boards had already been dissolved.
I suggested to Councilman Bryan Morera that the memo should be revised and he explained Staff should have done it.
At any rate… and before a litany of incorrect public comments ensue, the dissolution of the Advisory Boards is already done and we wholeheartedly agree because there is now direct communication with Council members through workshops where property owners can directly discuss issues of particular interest at the Special Taxing Districts…
In other words, when property owners want something from the Council, we will file a petition that will require the majority of the signatures for the Town of Miami Lakes to act on it. We no longer want a few to determine what is required at the Guard Gates… It was a violation of property rights to have given power to a few that never consulted 100% of property owners to first ask if we had any interest in what they were supposedly deciding on our behalf.
We planned to talk about other issues but sent those through the Clerk and decided to focus on this important matter to say that
We are in full support of Item 12 A. Ordinance in Second Reading / Special Taxing Districts
Mr. Morera, you have made us very proud!
Authority to Award Vehicular Gate Arm Repair / Maintenance: With LPR Cameras at the entrance that capture all tags, why have gate arms and entry passes on a public road? For that matter: Why have Level 2 Guards to write tags when we invested on LPRs?
STOP wasting our assessment funds!
Public Comment submitted in writing through the Town Clerk who distributed to Council
Esperanza Reynolds, Lake Glenn Ellen
We are in full support of Item 12 A. Ordinance in Second Reading / Special Taxing Districts
Authority to Award Vehicular Gate Arm Repair / Maintenance: With LPR Cameras at the entrance that capture all tags, why have gate arms and entry passes on a public road? For that matter:
Why have Level 2 Guards to write tags when we invested on LPRs?
STOP wasting our assessment funds!
In favor of The Cuban Diaspora’s demand for an investigation of former Cuban Pilot - Gonzalez-Prado for his involvement in the 1996 CRIMINAL shooting of several Brothers to the Rescue… No one should ever follow orders that make them complicit in criminal activity!
Against beautification project for 154th Street and the Palmetto X-Way. Installation and maintenance will interrupt traffic. Since 1976… 48 years, I have lived in Miami Lakes and when we cross under the Palmetto we are not thinking about beauty.
Please do NOT change Council Meetings to the third Tuesday of the month as it will conflict with our HOA meetings.
The Youth Activities Task Force meeting of 10-16-2024 surfaced rather serious issues. We used first principles thinking theory applied to analyze the arguments expressed that night and provide key points:
Thanks to that INDIVIDUAL questioning one event we are looking into committee rules and formation with a critical eye to ensure that committee rules incorporate the community, that we measure the success of events by participation numbers and that we become scientific in our understanding the composition of age groups per community.
As we also looked at the members of the group, why were family members selected? The spouse of a council member, the daughter of a deputy attorney and the son of a former councilman… Is this not nepotism? Who determines the nomination process? In fact, one member of the community explains the importance of the committee because from that group, one is now Vice Mayor of the Town and another the Mayor…
Are committees working to SERVE Miami Lakers or to serve themselves by creating a career path, a reputation, to gain popularity and a name for themselves?
Please review all committees… the development of the Mission should be in accordance to The Constitution and the Charter. Both documents of the Oath of Office center around WE THE PEOPLE… not the selected few
Analyze the Census and define each committee target audience, review each event by the # of participants, and if hardly anyone shows up, CANCEL the events. Be wise with tax dollars.
Thanks for listening…
Alexander Hamilton, Founding Father: Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many... Let's add that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
03:17:33 Claudia Luces
03:20:36 Rudy Llereda: Is government taking over? No!
03:25:50 Jorge Llorena
03:31:57 Luis Rodriguez
03:35:55 Alex Ariano
03:37:14 Homero Cruz, Royal Oaks
03:41:42 Steven Herzberg, Councilman yet to be sworn in
03:42:38 Patrice Morales
03:45:28 Jose Soberon, Lake Hilda
03:49:47 Dayan Jimenez, Resigned from the Youth Activities Task Force: Everyone
03:56:05 Maribel Balbin
03:58:21 Boris Foster, Attorney at Law, heard a lot of things that are not accurate. Special Taxing Districts are formed by property owners for a specific purpose, taxing themselves independently of the Town taxes and are not open to add things anyone wants unless all property owners agree / vote by those who agreed to tax themselves, not people providing ideas on how to improve, and if they want their ideas to be adopted, they must obtain the majority of property owners CONSENT. Many owners now pay more than what they pay in Miami Lakes taxes. Advisory Boards were a way for the Town to get owners to pay for items.
04:01:53 M. Prieto, Youth Activities Task Force
04:03:09 Rudy Lloredo's son
04:03:50 Mario Cubias, a Member of the Satori HOA Board
04:05:22 David Lewis, now lives in Orlando, 4 hours away
04:07:32 @ 4 PM, Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo informs the attendees that she received written public comments from Hope Reynolds. Above, I have provided a copy of the written public comments. The time mentioned by the Town Clerk records the moment when I received the information distributed to a certain group by the Royal Oaks Home Owners Association, see below:
Royal Oaks Home Owners Association, 15280 NW 79th Court, Suite 101, Miami Lakes, FL 33016
NOTICE TO RESIDENTS
Please be advised that on Tuesday, 10-29-2024 at 6:30 PM, members of the Town of Miami Lakes Council will be holding a meeting. Please see attached agenda. Please be advised that during the meeting, there will be a second reading to abolish the Neighborhood Services District -NSD- Advisory Boards. This meeting will be particularly relevant to communities under the NSD such as Royal Oaks HOA.
[Miss-information provided and shared Town-Wide as the second reading was for an ordinance, the NSD Advisory Boards vote to dissolve was already accomplished.]
We would like to remind all residents that they are directly affected by the Neighborhood Service Districts -NSD. The Advisory Boards were an avenue to represent residents for each section and relay messages to Town Council.
At this time, we would like to urge all residents to attend this meeting and have their voices heard by Town Council. RED check mark to mark your calendar.
04:07:51 About to close Public comments...
04:08:03 Gisela Soberon, Lake Hilda, 35 year resident
Miami Laker: https://miamilaker.com/our-neighborhoods-lake-hilda
04:11:10 Yesenia Oriana, Special Needs
04:13 Very emotional as she thanks Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano, her participation on the Special Needs Advisory Board is due to the inspiration by Councilwoman Ruano, Bravo!
04:13:50 Rodolfo 'Rudy' Blanco, Chair Blasting Advisory Board, Serenity Pointe. Get involved, committees or not, you have to participate, you have to go to the meetings, no matter how many good or bad people are in the Council, your participation is essential. Miami Lakes is #1 on Voting in Miami-Dade County. Participate! Get involved!
06:09 Eric Marrero provides public comments and thanks the council members for the entertainment as he watches council meetings online! Bravo!!!
04:16:20 Special Needs Advisory Board
Left to right: Councilman Bryan Morera was just given Cuban Coffee by Danny Angel, Councilman Luis Collazo, Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez, Mayor Manny Cid, Councilman Ray Garcia, Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano, Deputy Town Attorney Lorenzo Cobiella reads the Ordinance in Second Reading, Town Manager Ed Pidermann and Town Clerk: Gina Inguanzo
12 A Discussion on Ordinance in 2nd Reading starts
7. APPOINTMENTS
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Education Advisory Board
Education Advisory Board Minutes 10-21-2024
9. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
a. Introduction of Ms. Taylor Fowler, Youth Programs Coordinator
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approval of Minutes
Attached please find the following minutes for your review and approval
1. Call to Order:
MINUTES Workshop on Neighborhood Services Districts August 26, 2024 7:00 PM Government Center 6601 Main Street Miami Lakes, Florida 33014
The meeting began at 7:07 p.m.
The following Elected Officials were present: Bryan Morera, Marilyn Ruano, and Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez. Councilmember Luis E. Collazo was present via Zoom and Councilmember Josh Dieguez joined via Zoom at 9:06 p.m. Mayor Cid was absent.
The following Town Staff members were present: Deputy Town Clerk Victoria Martinez and Special Projects Manager John Yanes.
2. Public Comments:
(Phonetically spelling of each speaker’s name will be used throughout the minutes unless correct spelling is known)
The Deputy Town Clerk, Victoria Martinez, read the public comment instructions.
Mr. Harry Bollinger came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He expressed his concerns regarding the Neighborhood Service Districts. He stated that he is in support of dissolving the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards.
Mr. Boris Foster came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He explained that he is not in support of the additional taxes applied to the Neighborhood Service Districts.
Ms. Esperanza Reynolds came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. She stated the importance of good communication and explained that many residents of the Neighborhood Service Districts were not aware of this meeting- that she rode her bicycle around Lake Cynthia and Lake Sandra, letting the residents know about the Workshop on NSD’s and she also informed many residents that drove by her home, so that they all were informed about the NSD workshop meeting. She further explained that the Town needs to improve their communication for meetings regarding the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards, and that some in the Town needs to instruct and train anyone in any committee to let them know that they are there as representatives of a community that is supposed to inform the Town Council the community issues and that they should not use that opportunity to talk about their own reflection. She answered some questions that were posed by the Town Council and on this matter, she stated that many residents saw the signs at the entrance of the community, but did not know what it was about, that although the signs were greatly placed, perhaps they need to use heavy markers for the residents to be able to read the signs better. She also mentioned that the in the Town Website, under the Town NSD Listing, the name that appears as the president of Lake Sandra HOA is incorrect. She stated that the person has been on the NSD Board but not Lake Sandra HOA. The Town Council asked Town Staff to reach out to the HOA and ask who their president is, in order for the Town Website List to be corrected.
Ms. Claudia Luces came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. She explained that residents of Miami Lakes Section 1 are being additionally taxed because of LPR’s and she is very concerned. She stated that the LPR’s were politized and she stated that she is in support of dissolving the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards.
Ms. Eileen Gutierrez came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. She explained her concerns regarding the Royal Oaks East Guard Gate. She stated that she is in support of dissolving the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards.
Mr. Homero Cruz came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He stated that he is the HOA President of Royal Oaks and that he fought for the creation of a Special Taxing District. He stated that when the County was in control of the Special Taxing District, nothing was done and no accountability. He stated that the NSD is only a buffer between the community and the Town Council, and he stated that the NSD only advises the Town Council and as a board, they exist basically for the 4 guardhouses. He mentioned that if residents want to put Christmas lights- that should be the HOA-not the NSD. He expressed his concerns regarding the Neighborhood Service Districts. He stated that he is not in support of dissolving the Neighborhood Service Districts Advisory Boards.
Mr. George Arena came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He stated that he is currently the Vice Chair of the NSD of Royal Oaks East and that he welcomed the workshop format meetings where the public is allowed to speak in a more informal way. He explained that residents of the Neighborhood Service Districts should be able to vote on whether to dissolve the NSD Advisory Boards or not, and if a resident wants to keep the NSD Advisory Boards, and he stated that he would like to know what changes they propose to the NSD’s. He further stated that he thinks most of the residents in East and West Royal Oaks would like to maintain the NSD Advisory Boards for the guardhouses- that they provide value. He stated he would like to maintain the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards.
Mr. Jose Soberon came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He thanked the Town Council for their effort regarding the Neighborhood Service Districts. He stated that he is part of Lake Hilda and that he feels for these residents, and he thinks that going to Miami Dade County is the wrong thing. He stated that this Town has the right people and right management. He thinks the best way to handle things is via sunshine meetings. He advised to account for the money and spend it wisely. He stated that in Lake Hilda, many residents got together and funded the cleaning of the lake and that with the handling of Miami-Dade County, it was a waste of time. He stated that he would like to continue under the services of the Town of Miami Lakes.
Ms. Gisela Soberon came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. She explained that she has been part of the Lake Hilda and Lake Patricia NSD since the beginning and she is very happy with the results. She stated that the condition of Lake Hilda has drastically improved since the NSD’s. She stated that the Town should not involve the district with issues concerning the NSD’s and the NSD Advisory Boards. She stated that in her opinion, people, neighbors, are happy with their (lakes) NSD Advisory Boards. She wished they had more participation.
Ms. Miriam Klein came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. She expressed her concerns regarding wood posts on 167th Street.
Mr. Benard Amaro came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He stated that he is the HOA president of Lake Carol and the Chair of NSD Section 1. He thanked Town Staff (JP Yanes) for an amazing job and that he stated that he has been a very communicative person. He explained his concerns regarding the Security Guard Gates. He stated that the LPR’s are working well. He stated that whatever happens in their meetings is communicated to the HOA’s and that their meetings are all livestreamed, so residents can participate and see everything. He further explained issues regarding NSD board member attendance. He stated that he is not in support of dissolving the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards but that he respects whatever decision the Town Council decides.
Mr. Robert Sosa came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He stated that he is part of the NSD for Royal Oaks. He explained his concerns regarding the Neighborhood Service Districts. He stated that he is not in support of dissolving the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards.
Mr. Abel Fernandez participated in Public Comments via Zoom. He stated that JP Yanes has been an excellent addition to Town Staff. He expressed his concerns regarding the costs of the LPR cameras located at the Security Guard Gates. He thinks it’s unfair for the NSD’s to be paying for them. He stated that some minutes of the NSD’s were not found and for him that is concerning. He explained that the ordinances regarding the Guard Gates are outdated and should reflect modern times regarding the guard houses, and perhaps having the communities vote on this issue. He also mentioned that privatization is the way to go regarding the management of the NSD’s. He stated that the Town should not manage the business of the guardhouses, and perhaps this should be put out to bid. He thanked the volunteers, but he stated that it is not a friendly environment- that you can’t participate in these meetings via zoom.
Ms. Hilda Fernandez participated in Public Comments via Zoom. She thanked all the NSD Advisory Board members present at Council Chambers, and she stated that it is not an easy job to sit on volunteer boards, where you are being tasked to work with the Town Council representing us. She explained that the Town needs to improve their communication for meetings regarding the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards. She stated that the NSD meetings are open to everyone, but you can’t participate via zoom. She stated that if you really want to have a representative government, you should have participation via zoom available for these meetings. She also mentioned how does the Town Council know when the NSD’s bring forth recommendations, if they are really recommendations of community input or just the product of a subgroup of residents. She stated that in other municipalities, the minutes of these meetings get posted in the agenda that goes out to the Town Council, so the Town Council can read them. She also explained her concerns regarding the costs of the LPR cameras located at the Security Guard Gates. She stated that members of one community should not pay for a service that benefits the entire community. She stated that for the NSD Advisory Boards to function, they need to be getting the entire community input and allow input via zoom and more transparency.
Ms. Susana Herrera participated in Public Comments via Zoom. She explained that the Town needs to improve their communication for meetings regarding the NSD Advisory Boards. She further explained that the ordinances regarding the Guard Gates are outdated. She explained that residents of the Neighborhood Service Districts should be able to vote on whether to dissolve the NSD Advisory Boards. She stated that the true participation of the people must be validated. She thanked everyone who has been involved as a volunteer but to look for the best, it can’t happen without ownership participation.
Mr. Alex Ariano came before the Town Council to participate in Public Comments. He stated that dissolving the Neighborhood Service District Advisory Boards is a good idea and he stated that putting out a petition asking people if they want something is good plan.
Deputy Town Clerk Martinez stated for the record that Ms. Helen Costa submitted a written Public Comment via email, and she read the written public comment into the record as requested by Councilmember Morera.
The written public comment addressed that Ms. Costa is in support of maintaining the Neighborhood Service Districts Advisory Boards.
3. Item Discussed:
Sunshine Meeting/Workshop on Neighborhood Services Districts
Councilmember Garcia explained that transparency regarding the NSD’s should be a priority. He also explained that residents of the Neighborhood Service Districts should be able to vote on whether to dissolve the NSD Advisory Boards. He stated that he is not in favor of dissolving the NSD’s and the NSD’s advisory boards.
Councilmember Ruano stated that she is in support of dissolving the NSD Advisory Boards. She explained that the NSD’s have lost sight of the purpose they were originally meant for. She further explained that dissolving the NSD Advisory Boards would make for a more streamlined and efficient process.
Councilmember Fernandez stated that he is in favor of maintaining the NSD Advisory Boards. He explained that the Advisory Boards provide valuable input from residents that the Council can utilize to make decisions. He proposed the idea of having quarterly NSD meetings to provide residents of the NSD’s with a forum to voice their concerns.
Councilmember Collazo explained the importance of the input from NSD’s Advisory Board Members. He stated that the original NSD ordinances should be amended.
Councilmember Dieguez explained that the NSD’s have lost sight of the original purpose of their Advisory Boards. He further explained that all residents of the NSD should have the right to vote on NSD related matters. He stated that the Council should assist the HOA’s in communicating with one another.
Mr. Patrick Kunkel, President of the Loch Lomond HOA Board explained that all Loch Lomond NSD Advisory Board Members have served on the HOA. He also explained that there are yearly elections for the HOA Board.
Councilmember Morera explained that he will be bringing an item forward at the September Council Meeting to dissolve the Miami Lakes Section 1, Royal Oaks Section 1, and Royal Oaks East NSD Advisory Boards. He further explained that these specific NSD’s Advisory Boards have lost sight of their original purpose. He stated that these Advisory Boards are doing more harm than good for the residents. He further explained that the Loch Lomond and Lake Maintenance NSD Advisory Boards would be maintained. He stated that at the Budget Workshop on August 27th he will be discussing methods to reimburse the NSD’s for the LPR’s. He further explained that he would like to reestablish a contingency reserve, quarterly NSD workshops with the Council, and a dedicated Budget Workshop specifically for the NSD’s. Councilmember Morera read his proposed amendments to the NSD Ordinances.
Ms. Esperanza Reynolds explained that only residents with a Homestead exception are allowed to vote or sign petitions.
Councilmember Morera clarified that only homeowners are allowed to vote or sign petitions and Councilmember Ruano stated that renters should not be allowed to vote on long term issues.
Mr. George Arena stated that the decisions of whether to dissolve the NSD Advisory Boards should be made by the residents living in the NSD’s.
Councilmember Ruano clarified that the purpose of the proposed quarterly NSD meetings is for Residents to voice their concerns directly to the Town Council.
Councilmember Fernandez stated that the NSD Advisory Boards should be a conduit between the residents and the Town Council.
Councilmember Garcia explained that he is in favor of more communication between the Town Council and the NSD Advisory Boards. He stated that the NSD Advisory Boards should be a conduit between the residents and the Town Council.
Councilmember Morera explained that the duty of an NSD Advisory Board Member is not to express their specific concerns but the concerns of the residents of the NSD as a whole.
Councilmember Ruano explained that the NSD board members have not properly performed their duty of relaying the concerns of all residents from the NSD’s to the Council.
Mr. Boris Foster stated that the taxes within the Neighborhood Service Districts should not be changing every year.
Ms. Esperanza Reynolds explained that 141 ballots were sent out to a specific NSD regarding the decisions of whether to dissolve the NSD Advisory Boards.
b. Authorization to Piggyback the State of Florida, NASPO ValuePoint Copiers and Managed Print Services Contract for the Town Hall Copier Services (Marrero, Cure)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE LEASE OF COPIER SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO UTILIZE THE STATE OF FLORIDA NASPO VALUEPOINT COPIERS & MANAGED PRINT SERVICES CONTRACT FOR LEASING COPIERS WITH TOSHIBA AMERICAN BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC., FOR TOWN HALL, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE V, DIVISION 2 SECTION 2-157 OF THE TOWN CODE; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
c. Authorization to Award a Contract for ITB2024-27 for Holiday Lighting Services (Marrero, Bajdaun)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR ITB 2024-27, TO FLORIDA LIGHTING TEAM, LLC, DBA MIAMI CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
d. Authorization to Award a Contract for ITB2024-07R for Vehicular Gate Arm Repair and Maintenance Services (Marrero, Bajdaun)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR ITB 2024-07R, TO IWATCH SYSTEMS, LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED BUDGETED FUNDS, ?AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
e. Authorization to Award a Contract for ITB2024-21 Genesis Oak Gardens Drainage Improvements Project (Marrero)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR ITB 2024-21, TO RG UNDERGROUND, INC (“RG”) IN AN AMOUNT OF ONE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY SIX DOLLARS AND 80/100 ($1,475,536.80) NOT TO EXCEED BUDGETED FUNDS AND AUTHORIZE A PROJECT CONTINGENCY OF ONE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE DOLLARS AND 68/00 ($147,553.68) APPROXIMATELY TEN PERCENT (10%), FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES RELATED TO THE PROJECT; APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE CONTINGENCY RESERVE LINE-ITEM INTO 405-563805-ARP06; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
f. Authorization to Award a Work Order for Construction Engineering Inspection Services for the Genesis Oak Gardens Drainage Improvements Project (Santos)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING A WORK ORDER, PURSUANT TO CONTRACT 2021-43 FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES, WITH CALVIN, GIORDANO & ASSOCIATES, INC, FOR GENESIS OAKS GARDEN DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION (CEI) SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT OF TWO HUNDRED FORTY FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FOURTEEN DOLLARS AND 56/100 ($245,614.56) NOT TO EXCEED BUDGETED FUNDS; MODIFYING THE TOWN BUDGET APPROVED BY ORDINANCE NO. 24-330; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY OF TOWN OFFICIALS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR ROUNDING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
g. Authorization to Award a Contract for ITB2024-02R Royal Oaks (D, 2nd and 5th Addition) Drainage Improvements (Marrero)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR ITB 2024-02R, TO PEDRAIL SYSTEM, LLC (“PEDRAIL”) IN AN AMOUNT OF? ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED NINETY-THREE DOLLARS AND 58/00 ($1,728,293.58) NOT TO EXCEED BUDGETED FUNDS AND AUTHORIZE A PROJECT CONTINGENCY OF ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY EIGHT THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE DOLLARS AND 34/00 ($178,829.34) APPROXIMATELY TEN PERCENT (10%), FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES RELATED TO THE PROJECT; APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE CONTINGENCY RESERVE LINE-ITEM INTO 405-563805-ARP07; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
h. Authorization to Award a Work Order for Construction Engineering Inspection Services for the Royal Oaks (D, 2nd and 5th Addition Drainage Improvements (Santos)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING A WORK ORDER, PURSUANT TO CONTRACT 2021-43 FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES, WITH EXP U.S. SERVICES, INC, FOR ROYAL OAKS (D, 2ND ADD, & 5TH ADD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION (CEI) SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTEEN DOLLARS AND 60/100 ($153,218.60) NOT TO EXCEED BUDGETED FUNDS; MODIFYING THE TOWN BUDGET APPROVED BY ORDINANCE NO. 24-330; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY OF TOWN OFFICIALS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR ROUNDING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
i. Authorization to Award a Change Order for the Design of NW 59th Avenue Extension, RFQ 2019-27 (Santos)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE AWARD OF A CHANGE ORDER FOR ADDITIONAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE NW 59TH AVENUE EXTENSION, RFQ 2019-27 TO STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT OF $720,591.32; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
j. Resolution in Support of the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora (Cid)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, COUNCIL PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE AMERICAN MUSUEUM OF THE CUBAN DIASPORA’S DEMAND THAT FORMER CUBAN PILOT GONZALEZ-PRADO BE INVESTIGATED FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE 1996 UNLAWFUL SHOOTING OF SEVERAL BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE AIRPLANES; PROVIDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
11. ORDINANCES-FIRST READING
a. Commercial & Recreational Vehicles, Amending Chapter 13, Section 13-1607 (Angel)
领英推荐
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 13, SECTION 13-1607, TITLED, COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES CODE, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION INTO THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
b. Landscaping Noise Hours (Fernandez)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 16, SECTION 16-1, TITLED, UNNECESSARY AND EXCESSIVE NOISES, OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES CODE, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION INTO THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
c. Policing Short-Term Rentals (Garcia)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE IV, DIVISION 3, TITLED “SHORT TERM RENTALS”; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION INTO THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
12. ORDINANCES- SECOND READING (PUBLIC HEARING)
The proposed Special Taxing District -NSD- ordinance returns before the Town Council as an Ordinance in Second Reading next Tuesday, October 29th, 2024.
While I know attending Council Meetings is not always the most exciting thing one can do on any particular evening, I want to extend a cordial invitation to each of you to attend .
First and foremost, your presence will ensure that the ordinance passes.
Secondly, in the past, you have been marginalized, ignored, and ostracized.
Now, you have been listened to, given a platform, and action is finally being taken on the issue you’ve so passionately advocated for over the last several years.
Hence, the passage of this ordinance is a victory for you!
The passage of this ordinance is a victory for taxpayers!
A victory for property rights!!!
A victory for representative government; and I believe you deserve to share in that moment! Be there!
I hope to see you on October 29th! Celebrate in our success! Read:
a. Neighborhood Service Districts - Amendment Process (Morera)
Memo:
Recommendation:
The Neighborhood Service Districts (“NSD’s”) in our Town have been a hot-button issue for several years since the Town took over the administration of these Districts from the County. I recently had the opportunity to host a workshop with residents in the affected areas to hear their concerns and discuss how the Town Council, as the governing body of the NSD’s, can best serve the Districts.
During the discussion it became apparent that the NSD Advisory Boards, while established with the best of intentions, are not fulfilling their purpose of acting as conduit between the Council and the residents of the respective NSD’s, but rather, have at times been the source of frustration and resentment among the NSD Residents. As the governing body of the NSD’s, it is the Town Council’s duty to listen to the NSD residents and act as stewards for the NSD’s. For these reasons, I would like to have a discussion with my colleagues about dissolving the NSD Advisory Boards for the Miami Lakes Section 1 NSD, the Royal Oaks Section 1 NSD, and the Royal Oaks East NSD.
[PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ALL NSD ADVISORY BOARDS [SECURITY GUARD GATES / LAKES] WERE DISSOLVED DURING SEPTEMBER'S COUNCIL MEETING
That being said, at this time, I do not see a reason (or a call from the residents) to dissolve the NSD Advisory Boards for Loch Lomond, Lake Hilda, or Lake Patricia. In the case of these NSD’s, the Advisory Boards appear to be accomplishing their intended purpose because, in the case of Loch Lomond, all members of the Advisory Board are elected members of the Loch Lomond HOA, and in the case of Lake Hilda and Lake Patricia, because these districts are solely for lake maintenance, and are naturally limited in that role to measures that are needed for the maintenance and preservation of the lake.
Additionally, in order to ensure transparency, open dialogue, and that the Town Council is doing its job as governing body of the NSD’s, I would like to discuss with my colleagues the idea of establishing quarterly NSD workshops open to all NSD’s (including those who still have advisory boards) wherein our Town Council can listen to feedback and concerns from the NSD residents directly.
[PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE QUARTERLY NSD WORKSHOPS OPEN TO ALL SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS WAS APPROVED BY COUNCIL PROVIDING ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL MEMBERS. FOR ANY SUGGESTION, IDEA, OR COMMENT TO MOVE FORWARD WITHIN A SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT IT REQUIRES A PETITION BY PROPERTY OWNERS, SIGNED BY THE MAJORITY AND PRESENTED TO COUNCIL]
Moreover, to ensure that their non-ad valorem tax dollars are budgeted wisely and with the input of those that ultimately pay the assessments, I would like to propose to my colleagues that we establish, by ordinance, that the Town Council is required to hold a budget workshop or special call meeting in or around late- spring/early-summer specifically aimed at the NSD budgets.
Finally, as discussed at a prior Council Meeting and during my various meetings with the NSD residents, the Council had License Plate Reader cameras (“LPR’s”) installed at the entrance to some of the NSD’s to enhance the existing network of LPR’s placed throughout the Town. These LPR’s benefit not only the residents of the respective NSD’s, but the entire Town, whose overall security infrastructure is bolstered by a having a robust network of LPR’s throughout the Town. However, the burden of bearing the cost of these LPR’s was placed solely on the NSD residents. It should be noted that the costs associated with these LPR’s is not trivial; by my calculation, the LPR’s make up 19.6% of the Miami Lakes Section 1 operating costs (excluding staffing and administrative costs), 30.9% of the Royal Oaks Section 1 operating costs (excluding staffing and administrative costs), and 33.4% of the Royal Oaks East operating costs (excluding staffing and administrative costs).
To remedy this, and to account for the fact that the NSD’s get preferential pricing and payment plans on the LPR’s than the Town, I would like to propose to my colleagues that we amend the FY24-25 budget for the Miami Lakes Section 1, Royal Oaks Section 1, and Royal Oaks East NSD’s, respectively, to add a revenue line- item from the Town’s overall budget (source fund TBD), thereby reimbursing the NSD for its expenses relating to the LPR’s, and simultaneously increasing the contingency reserve line items by a reciprocal amount. This way, (1) the assessment rate remains the same; (2) the NSD’s contingency reserves are properly funded, (3) we benefit from the preferential pricing and payment plan available only to the NSD’s, and (4) we avoid imposing a cost burden on the NSD residents for something from which all Town of Miami Lakes residents benefit.
Ordinance:
NSD Amendments Ordinance
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA; CREATING CHAPTER 38, TITLED “SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS”; CREATING SECTION 38-1, TITLED “SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS”; CREATING SECTION 38-2, TITLED “AMENDMENTS”; CREATING SECTION 38-3, TITLED “IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION”; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION INTO THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
b. Lien Reduction Ordinance (Ruano)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA; CREATING AMENDING CHAPTER 8, SECTION 8-7 OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLED “RECOVERY OF UNPAID CIVIL PENALTIES; UNPAID PENALTY? TO CONSTITUTE A LIEN; INTEREST TO BE PAID ON LIENS; FORECLOSURE; PROHIBITION OF THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATES OF USE AND OCCUPANCY OR ZONING APPROVALS TO VIOLATORS WITH UNPAID CIVIL PENALTIES OR LIENS; CIVIL PENALTY REDUCTION; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION INTO THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
c. Approving the Devising of Certain Land Owned by TOML in Consideration for Land Owned by Miami-Dade County (Santos)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA; APPROVING THE DEVISING OF CERTAIN LAND OWNED BY THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES IN CONSIDERATION FOR LAND OWNED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
13. RESOLUTIONS
a. Runoff Election Canvassing Board (Inguanzo)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, REQUESTING CHIEF JUDGE NUSHIN SAYFIE OF THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI DADE COUNTY AND PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE § 102.141, TO APPOINT? STANDBY COUNTY JUDGES TO THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES’ CANVASSING BOARD FOR THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES RUNOFF SPECIAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 26, 2024; PROVIDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
b. Revision to Legislative Priorities (Shock)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN’S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026; AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO PURSUE FUNDING FOR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AGREEMENT IN FURTHERANCE OF ADVANCING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AUTHORIZING TOWN CLERK TO REMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO TOWN LOBBYIST, THE SOUTHERN GROUP AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
c. Police Contract Extension for 5 years (Pidermann)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, APPROVING A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF LOCAL POLICE SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY OF TOWN OFFICIALS; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY TO EXPEND BUDGETED FUNDS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
d. FY 2024-2025 Year-End Budget Revision (Pidermann)
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, MODIFYING THE BUDGET APPROVED BY ORDINANCE NO. 23-318 AND AMENDED BY ORDINANCE 24-324; MODIFYING BUDGETED LINE ITEMS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL ACTION NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
14. NEW BUSINESS
a. Portable Speed Cameras (Dieguez) What?
Recommendation:
I move to direct the Town Administration to acquire portable speed cameras at the earliest opportunity in order to address speeding along long residential roads such as Alamanda and NW 86th Court where speeding continues to pose a threat to our children. The camera should come from a reputable source and preferably manufactured and operated in the United States.
b. RFP TOML Bank Services (Cid)
Recommendation:
I would like to have a conversation with my colleagues regarding the Bank Services Contract for the Town of Miami Lakes as the Kindergarten to College savings accounts program for the kids in our community wasn’t contemplated nor reinstated.
c. NW 166th Terrace Palm Trees (Cid)
Recommendation:
I would like to direct Town Staff to immediately assess and remove the palm trees on NW 166th Terrace and begin analyzing the possibility of planting trees similar to those in the West Lakes Reforestation Program.
d. MOU with Dog House Miami (Cid)
Recommendation:
Local Miami Lakes business Dog House Miami has offered to board, free of charge, any lost dog in Miami Lakes until the owner is found. I would like to direct Town Staff to draft an MOU between the Town and Dog House Miami to put in motion this positive initiative for our community.
e. Beautification Project - NW 154 Street and Palmetto Expy Overpass (Cid)
*This item requires the waiver of Section 6.10 of the Special Rules of Order.
Recommendation:
Attached you’ll find a beautification project proposal submitted by a town resident. I would like for Town Staff to begin the process of bringing this to fruition.
Exhibit A:
15. MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
16. MANAGER'S REPORTS
a. Adoption of 2025 Council Meetings Calendar
Recommendation:
Staff is recommending moving the standard date for Regular Council Meetings from the 2nd Tuesday of each month to the 3rd Tuesday of the month. The schedule of 11 Regular Council meetings shall remain in the months of January through November, with a recess in December. Budget Hearings shall take place in the month of September.
We are recommending this change because we believe that it will present fewer conflicts with holidays throughout the year, as well as with statutorily required deadline dates of the budget process in summer and early fall. This will not preclude that from time to time we may need to move a meeting date. These will be handled on a one- on-one basis as they present themselves.
b. Police Report (Major Gonzalez)
Crime Report:
c. SNAB Request
Recommendation:
Special Needs Advisory Board would like to sponsor the Hope for Autism Gala in March of 2025. Instead of a donation of food, the SNAB has elected to purchase a 10-person table sponsorship for $750.00 from the Social and Recreation line item and will be attending the Gala, along with select members of the community. The SNAB believes this is the next step in helping to support this organization, which benefits so many children and adults in our community.
17. ATTORNEY'S REPORT
18. ADJOURNMENT
This meeting is open to the public. A copy of this Agenda and the backup therefore, has been posted on the Town of Miami Lakes Website at miamilakes-fl.gov and is available at Town Hall, 6601 Main Street, Miami Lakes 33014.
The Town of Miami Lakes Committee of
Youth Activities Task Force
MEETING SCHEDULE: The Youth Activities Task Force meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m., subject to change. Meetings are held in Town Hall (6601 Main Street) in the Community Conference Room, Room 106. Special meetings are called as needed.
MEMBERSHIP: The Youth Activities Task Force shall be comprised of fourteen (14) members. There shall be a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of seven (7) high school student members, in which each member of the Town Council shall nominate and appoint two (2) individuals. The Committee also includes one (1) representative from the Miami-Dade County Police Department
Vacancies: 2 Current Vacancies
Staff Liaison: Ernesto Soto, Programs Coordinator
Liaison Contact: [email protected] ? (305)364-6100 Ext. 1241
Legislative History: Resolution 01-15, Resolution 07-550, Resolution 15-1298
What was said by Dayan Jimenez during the 10-15-2024 Council Meeting during Public Comments?
Youtube Video is available for review, click below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ-nEdi9dBA Starts @ 01:02 on the dial
#5 Dayan Jimenez
#5 Dayan Jimenez
01:26:44 Re: Christmas event. Bike Rodeo was not fond of the results of that event. There have been lots of comments made about being conservative about expenditures and cutting the budget to not do this event. We also have to preserve Town Tradition. The point that I am trying to make is that it would be in the best interest of the Town if you spoke to committee members to push them to craft this event in a more creative way to allow more town residents to take advantage of this event and not just the selected few. I don't mean the selected few, I just mean a certain section of people rather than the overwhelming number of the population to take advantage of events. Do not think the results of the event were satisfactory at all, and I think there are better ways to go about it, so I ask the Council to do your part and reach out to the committee to ask they do a better job. [Other topics after that]
Video of the October 16th, 2024 Meeting of the Youth Activities Task Force
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HhHMsE81SA&t=1053s
Approval of 09-19-2024 Minutes:
24:11 on the dial, Dayan Jimenez asks, how much money did we spend? Dayan tells the group that he spoke to the Council, he shares his opinion on the event not being very well received and the expenditure, location, suggests the group analyze events to benefit the overwhelming majority of the Town, just the few. Veterans Park being a much better location. Further suggests to do a bike ride in conjunction with the Food & Wine event, saying the bike ride was more of a waste, to please reconsider the event. The Chair @ 26:40 explains this is a low turnout event and tries to defend it. "Let me finish, I don't think this is a waste, and by saying that word that is an insult to everyone who worked on this project. None of our events should be called a waste."
27:58 Dayan Jimenez explains there is a better way to do our events, it is a waste of resources if no one shows up, it was not intended to those who worked to plan the event, but let's look back, analyze the results and preserve what works, where more people take advantage of events, and where the population at large take advantage of what we offer. Was not intended as an insult.
29:10: Chair, that was a small event, it has never been a large event, we are lucky if we get 100 people there. Awareness for safety on bikes or safety on anything.
Other members continue the discussion, uneven, let's change it back to the original location, tried and did not work in 2024, it took a lot of time planning, set up, sweat and tears. We did our part, it was informative. Another member provides comments and her perspective, the idea of combining with the Food & Wine may not be something that kids like, understands where Dayan Jimenez is coming from but it is contrary to the creativity of the targeted population. Budget is a concern because of the cost of police...
[What cost of police? It sounds as if the Police Over-Time used for dedicated police to the events is charged to the Committees because while the police is on the General Budget, the dedicated police to an event can't patrol and therefore the charge is to the committee. Since the committee funds are provided by the general fund, again, it sounds as convoluted accounting to me!]
32:52 The truth is there is not a lot of interest to go to the Bike Rodeo by the Town!
36:30 There is a lot of problems with Social Media and the Town of Miami Lakes where they did NOT post this or other events not even once! Anywhere on Social Media! I don't blame anything on this event, it was perfect! The problem with this event was the Marketing of this event...
[IF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES DOES NOT COMMUNICATE EVENTS, IF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES DOES NOT MARKET ITS EVENTS... WHY HAVE THEM?]
[It is said that content is king, that MARKETING is about values. But in this complicated and noisy world, there is little chance that people will remember much about anything in particular unless there is a clear path provided for information and awareness...
Marketing is providing the right information, at the right time, at the ideal place because without knowing, reminders, and attractive place to go to, there are too many choices for an outcome that is worth the investment of finite resources!]
36:44 on the dial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HhHMsE81SA&t=1053s
The Town of Miami Lakes did NOT:
A. MARKET THE EVENT
B. NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT
C. BRIAN RODRIGUEZ, CHAIR: I would not go to the Staff, not to the Council, not take off our budget, it is ON THEM for not posting the event!
37:15 As someone who has studied Marketing / Communications / Social Media, Chair, the lack of marketing has an effect which we have seen in the past. When the Town of Miami Lakes does not post our stuff, when we had the least number of people attending, we figured it out, the Town did not post it anywhere! There is give and take for everything! There is always something we can improve on but restructuring our events, I don't think we have to do that. You keep saying the Town's tradition, I don't even know what that means! We do what we do for the children of this town but there is no tradition...
[Let's ponder, what is tradition?
The customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way... ]
38:04 If we want to keep something, we keep something! There is NO tradition! Never heard of that, it is the Town's tradition! I have lived here for 26 years... since I was born!
I don't believe in NO Town Tradition! Or being conservative! This the money they give me, this is the money we will use. Here is what we want to do, here is what we can do.
38:43 Dayan Jimenez, there are ways to do much better with this event, we can open it up to a wider population, it is in our best interest to gear it toward more people, some committees are being cut, our budget should be more effective, we should be more inclusive of more residents, apart from that I have never talked about social aspects of this event. I have not said to take any event off but if no one attends the Council will tell us to take off the budget, I am saying to restructure the event so the Council may even increase the budget if more people attend.
40:15 Staff Liaison: Ernesto Soto, Programs Coordinator says there are two types of people that attend these events; this type event is not one where people hang out for a long time, they evolve as they come and go. Unlike Easter / Halloween, those have people there for hours! To change the event to Main Street, at first I was not on board with it but then I said the Farmers Market brings a lot of people. There are plenty of people that live in that area. It is not only the people that live on Main Street but in the neighborhoods that surround that area of the Town of Miami Lakes. So, I thought it was a good idea at the end of the day...
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST: 10-23-2024 @ 5 PM
Town of Miami Lakes Clerk Inguanzo,
Gina:
Watching the Youth Activities Task Force meeting of 10-16-2024, hearing the struggle of youth participants trying to determine how to go forth without having much attendance to meetings
Please provide details as to how Youth Activities Task Force events are marketed to the community... Was the bike rodeo announced through email? Newspapers? Social Media? Town Calendar? Flyers posted at schools? Announcements at Houses of Worship? Flyers posted at Publix / Winn Dixie? Flyers posted on Main Street? Main Street Theater?
Do we have a population statistics report per community?
Do we have population data as to the age of each member of each community?
Please provide all details if the Town of Miami Lakes has it and if not... why not?
Thank you!
05:15 PM: Good afternoon Ms. Reynolds,
I acknowledge receiving your email and I have asked the Communications Department for assistance for responsive documents.
Thank you. Gina M. Inguanzo, Clerk, Town of Miami Lakes
Let's fully understand The Town of Miami Lakes
2024 Population: 31,505
Population growth: Rate of 0.85% annually
Age 15, Male: 1,100 Female: 538 = 1,638
Age 20, Male: 1,300 Female: 738 = 2,038
Age 25, Male: 859 Female: 1,000 = 1,859
Age 30, Male: 920 Female: 1,000 = 1,920
Total less than 30 years of age Miami Lakers: 7,455
If the Town of Miami Lakes only has 7,455 people between the ages of 15 to 30, where within our communities do we have the majority of youth to place the events closer to the targeted audience?
41:44 This is what the committees are for, to sit down and elaborate and to come up with other ideas if the event has not gone the way they envisioned them... You changed it to a new location, a new route, I applaud you for that, you took a chance, it is unfortunate though, I don't blame it on the area, I blame it on what was happening in terms of weather
[Hurricane affected Miami-Dade County and many things were closed on a particular couple of days but thank GOD hardly anything happened other than high winds.]
44:50 Timing of this particular event
54:22 Open Order of Business
57:06 Manny Martinez from the Town joins the meeting [Standing in the back as he enters the room]
01:00:50 Maurits Acosta joins the meeting
01:26:15 Chair Brian Rodriguez asks if anyone has concerns then saying I know I do. First of all... then turning toward Dayan Jimenez, and I am going to call you out Dayan, but what you did yesterday in my opinion is NOT appropriate. Going and talking behind out backs to people without a chance to speak about the bike rodeo -and I think we had a great talk about the bike rodeo today- so this could all have been avoided but talking in a negative way about the bike rodeo to the Town Council because I did get calls about it today, does not look good for us. Does not look good on me, points to other committee members ending with it does not look good for any of us. I am sure a lot of people agree but we also saw the meeting last night. While we were at our meeting with all the volunteers, you were there instead of being with your committee. Talking about committee stuff, you were, you were there. That is my concern, what I want to bring out is that other people have done the same, it happens, I don't like calling out names but I think there was a boundary that was overstepped where the committee was not informed this was going to happen -Dayan Jimenez says I don't have to inform the committee- Chair Brian Rodriguez says I understand
01:27:52 Staff Liaison: Ernesto Soto, Programs Coordinator: It is not about your actions Dayan, you need to understand you are part of the team! I am talking now, hold on for a second, and I am not happy about this situation and I am going to be honest with you, all right... This is a team!
[Definition of a team: a group that comes together to achieve a common goal.]
01:28 We thrive or we sink but we are a team. Let's talk about it before you go elsewhere to talk about it! Hold on, you mean to give the opinion for the others man! You got on board with us to do this, right? To be part of the "YMCA," do you know what it is? You were not there yesterday, when you should have been! And you know about it -Dayan says he did not know there was a meeting- Everybody here knew about it!
01:28:34 Dayan Jimenez First of all, I had to text you, and I need to put this on the record that I did not receive your email until -So you got it!- Got it an hour or two and I had no idea about the event. I was told about the event by a friend because she signed up for the event. I had no idea about the meeting, did I not text you?
01:29:00 Dayan: and I said, Ernie can you please text me the information because I had not received anything. Again, I don't like playing the blame game at all! Which it seems it is something we like doing in the committee where everything somehow is someone's fault but this isn't about playing the blame game. I have a right -everyone has a right to go before the Council to say whatever they want. I went before the Council and I spoke about the event, and I said the same thing today, there are ways that we can go about using the budget that are more effective. I get -I don't have to repeat myself again because I already made that clear. Now, me going before the Council I don't think I did it in a negative way. It was expressed in a way that you and Brian are talking about it right now. [It goes on and on]
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HhHMsE81SA&t=1053s
What I take offense is for you to go to a Council member who appointed me to tell them to influence my thinking, we should not show our negatives to others before we have an opportunity to talk about it first. Chain of Command?
What is the RESPONSIBILITY of a member of a Committee?
01:53:31 Chair Brian Rodriguez says, we are not here to focus on what the Town of Miami Lakes is doing, we are here to -at the end of the day we need to make the Town look good, but we are here in this committee to serve this committee and to make sure we are doing. I could care less what the mileage rate is, I could care less what our taxes are. We have a budget, we work with that budget. At the end of the day, we are appointed by our elected officials, that is why you do not see me in one of those meetings, I work all day for what I want and what I need. Right now my focus is serving the community of Miami Lakes. If it is $25 dollars or a million dollars that I am given, I am going to use this budget. We are going to do everything to use the tax dollars for what they were given for. At the end of the day, this was a 10 event for me, even if no one showed up! It was a 10 out of 10, you know why? Because we put it together and we worked on it. We made this event the greatest possible we can. It doesn't matter about the results because at the end of the day, the Town loved it anyway!
01:54:48 Maurits Acosta: Two points, first I work hard to put respect on my name and I work hard to try to do the right thing and I think I have worked hard to earn my image in the Town of Miami Lakes. From Civic Engagement to being a volunteer in the community. I don't appreciate if someone from our group goes to the Council to talk about how something went wrong. Now the council is going to question, what is going on in that committee? That someone from inside has to come out to talk about all these things, so now it makes me look bad, it makes us look bad collectively, and I have been here for almost four -4- years and I have worked hard and so have others to create a name for this committee as one of the best committees in this Town achieving some of the top events. And I don't like the fact of putting an image in the Mayor of council members minds that something is going wrong. That is the main issue that I have Dayan.
Dayan apologizes for going before the Council...
02:08:04 Brian Rodriguez, Chair, thank you for apologizing but this is the second time you apologize, once the committee votes on something, that is the vote and we can talk about it again next year. You have to accept it and let it happen if we vote on something collectively. The Council appoints us and gives us the responsibility to run these events, if not, we would not be here. 'They are trying to remove committees and I don't want to see this committee go. We worked to hard.' These kids made this committee and it builds careers, one of them is Vice Mayor in our Town today. The Mayor served on this committee!
02:11:19 I feel like every committee meeting we have had in the last two months continues to be the same thing and we are not getting anywhere with that. Halloween is set up, we are almost there. It is two weeks from now and somethings are still in the works. So, I would like to propose a motion for Brian Rodriguez and Maurits Acosta as Chair and Vice Chair to remove a committee member Dayan Jimenez from the Youth Activities Task Force if that is possible / Seconded
02:11:31 Point of Order says Dayan Jimenez, based on committee rules I don't think that is possible, I don't think that is allowed
02:11:37 Chair Brian Rodriguez says, if I may, it is NOT allowed but I am making a recommendation that it has to be done. Motion that the Chair / Vice Chair or any one go before the Council to remove him...
02:11:58 Chair Brian Rodriguez, that is the only way we can do it and they would have to approve that.
02:12:05 Dayan Jimenez asks for another moment of personal privilege... Chair Brian Rodriguez says, there is a motion on the table, let's finish that, Motion is amended to Motion that Chair Brian Rodriguez to go before the Council to remove Dayan Jimenez from the Youth Activities Task Force. / Seconded...
02:12:25 Dayan Jimenez takes his moment now that the Motion is in the discussion phase to say: Before we move forward all I ask is for an opportunity to be heard. You feel that I don't have a fitting role in the committee and I am more than fine with facing the repercussions of my actions because I apologized for something that was not correct.
All I am asking is for an opportunity to be part of this because I believe in it, I genuinely do or I would not have joined. If removing me is because I went before the Council that is already done and I would understand but I think we have had interesting discussions and a lot of ideas have been spread, a lot of thinks have been put out there. It is your personal opinion, all I ask is for an opportunity to be heard like every other member of the committee and possibly given the opportunity to continue to serve. If you do not think you can give me a second chance...
02:13:52 A voice is heard saying This was your second chance!
02:14:25 All in favor say I, any opposed and we see Dayan Jimenez raise his hand. Dayan Jimenez calls for a Roll call to verify the vote to remove Dayan Jimenez, someone wanted to abstain and was told they could not abstain per the committee rules. There is 1 / 2 NOs but the motion passes. 02:19:31 Motion to adjourn the meeting...
Veterans Committee Special Call: 10-22-2024
3) Pledge of Allegiance / Moment of Silence
4) Public Comments
5) Order of Business (Deferrals, Additions, Deletions)
6) Review & Adopt Minutes from Sept 2024 Veterans Committee meeting
7) Old Business
A. Veterans Parade, Grand Marshall selection, Parade update.
B. Reindeer Run 2024 update, subcommittee meeting information
C. Date for presentation of the Miami Lakes Veteran’s Families Scholarship checks to families. Pre-council ceremony.
D. QR code Markers for Veterans Park:
1) Website design and location
2) Volunteer, (Boy Scout project) to assist in mapping out dedicated trees, and structures (who, and where, as well as collecting biographies to link to QR code).
8) New Business:
9) Veterans Committee Schedule of Events for 2024
This message was sent through LinkedIn 'messenger' or to emails other than those at Town Hall
Whereas, committees have migrated to groups that no longer ASKS the community
Whereas, committees now think the money given to them is to be spent without conducting LESSONS LEARNED sessions to identify what if anything can be done to incorporate Town wide residents as opposed to the minimal number that seems to be in attendance
Whereas, there is no serious ANALYSIS of the Miami Lakes population, still remember trying to saddle us with $25 Million dollar debt to renovate the Optimist Park when it was discovered that only 187 Miami Lakes Children actually benefited from Optimist Park activities
Whereas, the Youth Activities Task Force is formed by:
A. Spouse of Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez
B. Daughter of Town Deputy Attorney
C. Son of Councilman Nelson Rodriguez not sure about the balance
Whereas, during a highly difficult time in our history, the committee nominee appointed by Councilman Bryan Morera is removed? Highly suspect...
Whereas, a Council meeting is a publicly announced meeting where anyone can come before the Council to address their issues, concerns or grievances
Whereas, the committee discusses that DJ went behind their backs... what?
These are volunteer MINORS, playing the roles that will serve them well -hopefully- in their careers and the first lessons ought to be the CONSTITUTIONAL principle of freedom of expression
Whereas, to have discussed it first would have violated Sunshine Law and
whereas to wait another month to speak about it after the committee meeting would have eliminated the group DJ wanted to address
Whereas, if our events are not receiving marketing support, or are announced, or subjected to a Social Media campaign...
WE NEED TO REVIEW A - Z...
As a taxpayer I HEREBY FILE MY OBJECTION TO THE USE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS TO what?
Train youth to form groups that equivocate without the necessary guidance to know that above all EVERY PERSON AT TOWN HALL has an oath of office to defend and safeguard THE CONSTITUTION?
Hope Reynolds, Author
Destroyed Dreams & Sue?os Destruidos