TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA AGENDA Regular Council Meeting
April 09, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM
Government Center, 6601 Main Street Miami Lakes, FL33014
Video stream of meetings can be viewed here:
A message from Esther Colon: Please be aware that on 04-09-2024 Miami Lakes is holding a Special Election to fill Council Seat #6. Since there is no early voting, we have to vote on that day only. For those who still have to vote, please be aware that every person has to vote at their individual precincts:
In preparation for the debate, I reviewed the 1/31/2024 balance sheet and projected the Towns 9/30/23 additional surplus to be $1.3 million. GREAT NEWS, the Town auditors reported its $1.4 million.
However, please read the 4/9/24 agenda. There is a projected list of spending funds instead of prioritizing basic needs and keeping surplus dollars to balance the F.Y. 24-25 budget.
Note that the proposed draft budget workshops usually start in May, and I do not see the urgent need to spend the funds as indicated on the list on page 38 of the agenda. However, we need to identify the additional overtime police initiatives allocation of $120,000. versus funding one police officer at an annual projected cost of? $165,000.? Note: Current police FY 23/24 OT budget is $457,500.
The administrative overhead allocation on page 37 must also be explained in detail when staff positions continue to increase since incorporation. ? An additional expense of $60,308 for the Town Website Page 49! Good news: the carry forward for Section One is now $ 26,300, reflecting an increase of $1,534.
Understanding the Towns’ budgets and financial reports at the multiple fund level is a major undertaking, so I have advocated for a zero-base budget. Each function is analyzed for its needs and cost, and funding allocation is based on efficiency and necessity rather than budget history (needs, not wants).
Community engagement is essential as we move forward in the next budget cycle to ensure fiscal accountability and transparency with our tax dollars. I hope to be able to sit with neighbors like Mirta Mendez, Albert Aguiar, Abel Fernandez, and others to make sure basic needs important to our community are funded, and Miami Lakes continues to grow beautifully.
Communicated with Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano that no surplus funds be spent until basic needs are identified of which approximately 51% is for contracted public safety.
“Council Initiatives or? Administration Recommendations”? as funds should be reserved to fund the Towns’? FY 24-25 budget. Public Safety and unfunded infrastructure projects must be identified such as sidewalk, pocket park & tree maintenance etc.? Note Below. Page 37 of agenda packet.
Also, the current administrative allocation method must be detailed as additional staff has been added to the roster since incorporation.
Please be advised that this public meeting is open to the public and will be held in Town Hall Government Center, 6601 Main Street, Miami Lakes, FL 33014. Public Meetings will be held at the physical meeting location stated above. For access to the meeting agendas please visit www.miamilakes-fl.gov/agenda. For Live video stream of meetings please visit?www.miamilakes-fl.gov/agenda
Public Comments will be accepted by the following means:
You may call in to any of the following numbers:
+1 786-635-1003 +1 312-626-6799 +1 929-205-6099 +1 253-215-8782
+1 301-715-8592 +1 346-248-7799 +1 699-900-6833
PLEASE ENTER THE MEETING ID# WHEN PROMPTED: 666 475 152#
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 afforded (3) minutes to speak.
All comments or questions from the attending public shall be directed to the mayor, in a courteous tone. To ensure the orderly conduct and efficiency of the meeting, public comments shall be limited to three (3) minutes maximum per person.
No clapping, applauding, heckling, verbal outburst in support of, or in opposition to a speaker or his/her remarks shall be permitted. Should a member of the attending audience become unruly or behave in any manner that disrupts the orderly and efficient conduct of the meeting, such person will be asked to leave the meeting. As a courtesy to others, all electronic devices must be set to silent mode to avoid disruption of the proceedings.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, PERSONS NEEDING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING SHOULD CALL TOWN HALL AT (305) 364-6100, BY 5 PM, NO LATER THAN (2) BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING FOR ASSISTANCE.?
7. APPOINTMENTS
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Neighborhood Improvement Committee
Memo: Oral Report
April 2024 - NIC Committee Report
Aden Perry Hero Life Ring Presentation packet
Est 7907 from Smart LED Concepts 7272
b. Economic Development Committee
Memo: Council Report 2024-04-09
Council Report 2024-04-09
EDC Meeting Minutes 03-19-2024
9. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
a. School Crossing Guards 10 Years of Service (Yanes)?
b. Introduction of Ms. Annabelle Urrea-Guzman – Office of Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (Pidermann)?
c. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY2022-2023 (Grant)?
10. CONSENT CALENDAR?
a. Approval of Minutes ?
Attached please find the following minutes for your review and approval:
11. ORDINANCES-FIRST READING?
Recommendation
Approve amendment to the FY 2023-24 Budget to carry over prior year’s estimated surplus to fund the following: (1) projects that were budgeted and commenced in the prior year but not completed, (2) allocate donations and or sponsorship funds for the committees that were not utilized in the prior year, and (3) allocate funds for one-time operating and/or capital improvement expenditures. In addition, this budget amendment recognizes grants awarded to the Town, as well as donations received for specific Town events.
The proposed amendments are described below and summarized in Exhibit A.
FUND BALANCE
In accordance with the Town’s audited financials as reported in the FY2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the General Fund unassigned fund balance at the end of FY2022-23 and at the beginning of FY2023-24 is $5,791,693. Per Ordinance 21-273 the Town shall maintain a minimum unassigned fund balance equal to an average of two months of the total adopted general fund budget which is $3,395,604 or 16.67%.
At the end of FY 2022-23, operations resulted in a net surplus of $415,781. This surplus is the result of lower-than-expected revenues (-$469,726) and expenditures underbudget ($885,507). The significant expenditure line-items contributing to the expenditures underbudget were as follows:
Of the $415,781 operational surplus, $206,520 was already approved through the budget adoption process for the litigation/settlement reserve, the remaining $209,261 will be carried forward into FY2023-24.
Exhibit A, 04-09-24:? https://pub-miamilakes.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25910
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN’S FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE NO. 23-318; PROVIDING FOR EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENTS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.?
b. Sponsorship Ordinance (Cid)?
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Town Code, deleting the restriction on houses of worship and other religious groups from sponsoring Town events.
Background
During the January 2024 Town Council Meeting, the Town Council instructed the Town Attorney to remove any restriction prohibiting Religious Organizations or Houses of Worship from sponsoring Town events. This Ordinance removes this restriction.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA AMENDING TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES CODE CHAPTER 13, AMENDING ARTICLE XII, DIVISION 1, SECTION 13.2107, “RESTRICTIONS FOR SPONSORSHIP”; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION INTO THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
12. ORDINANCES- SECOND READING (PUBLIC HEARING)?
13. RESOLUTIONS?
a. Youth Council Reorganization (Fernandez)?
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the proposed resolution establishing a Youth Advisory Council, as a permanent Town committee.
Background
During the March 2024 Town Council meeting, the Town Council instructed the Town Attorney to draft and bring for consideration a Resolution Establishing a Youth Advisory Council.
This direction was given on Vice Mayor Fernandez’ new business item, and a presentation delivered by the Miami Lakes Middle School Law Society. This group of students advocated for the creation of a committee that could meet regularly to discuss Town policy, and provide feedback to the Town Council on a periodic basis.
Fernandez 14A Resolution: https://pub-miamilakes.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25905
A RESOLUTION ?OF THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA, CREATING A YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD; AUTHORIZING ?THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVER-ABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.?
b. Resolution of the Town Council of The Town of Miami Lakes, Florida, requesting the Chief Judge to Appoint a County Judge to the Town Canvassing Board, pursuant to Florida Statutes (Inguanzo, Pidermann)?
Memo / Canvassing Board: https://pub-miamilakes.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=25906
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Town Council approve the enclosed resolution requesting Chief Judge Nushin Sayfie to appoint a standby Miami-Dade County Court Judge to the Town of Miami Lakes Canvassing Board for the Town of Miami Lakes Runoff Special Election on April 30, 2024, if needed.
Background
During the November 2023 Council Meeting, Vice Mayor Carlos Alvarez tendered his resignation.
领英推荐
Soon thereafter, pursuant to the Town Charter, the Mayor tendered his nomination for replacement. On January 9, 2024, the Town Council considered the Mayor’s nomination, but was unable to ratify. Accordingly, during the January 2024 meeting, the Town Council authorized a Special Election to fill the vacancy. Accordingly, the Town Council approved to hold a Special Election on April 9, 2024.
Florida Statute § 102.141, requires that a Canvassing Board, composed of the chair of the Town Council, the Town’s election official, and a County Judge appointed by the Chief Judge of the Circuit in which the Town is located be convened. On March 12, 2024, the Town Council passed a resolution requesting the Eleventh Judicial Circuit’s Chief Judge, to appoint a County Judge to serve on the Town’s April 9, 2024, Special Election canvassing board. Chief Judge Nushin Sayfie appointed Judge Eleane Sosa-Buzon and Judge Richard Bach Armas.
As such, it is suggested that the Town Council formally request the Honorable Nushin Sayfie, as Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami Dade County to select a County Judge to fill the vacancy in the event that the canvassing board is unable to have three (3) canvassing board members available for the April 30, 2024, runoff election.
Resolution / Special Election:
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 A STANDBY COUNTY JUDGE TO THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES’ CANVASSING BOARD FOR THE TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES RUNOFF SPECIAL ELECTION ON APRIL 30, 2024; PROVIDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ? ?
14. NEW BUSINESS?
a. Juan Escobar (Cid) ?Recommendation:
I would like to recognize Juan Escobar’s service to our town with a longevity pay increase from $18 to $22 an hour as he’ll soon hit almost 20 years of service to our Town. Juan has been a loyal member of staff who has played a vital role in ensuring that our residents qualify of life is top of mind for almost two decades. (My motion will be to fund this increase during the supplemental appropriations ordinance as we have revenues in excess of those estimated from our previous budget).
[Why is Mayor Manny Cid interfering with the Town Manager's role?]
[Why is Mayor Manny Cid doing this? Is he going to suggest salary / hourly increases for all employees now?]
b. Speeding Detail and Educational Campaign (Garcia)
Recommendation:
Due to excessive speeding along Fairway Dr., I am requesting a speeding detail along with an educational campaign on the Town Social Media detailing the dangers to pedestrians and the cost of speeding tickets and how they can add to everyone's insurance cost.
[We travel through Fairway Drive on a regular basis and most people are traveling at the speed required of less than 30 miles]
[Now, let's ask... when the Council suggests / requests an educational campaign on the Town's Social Media, they are EXCLUDING and DISCRIMINATING because NOT everyone is on the Town's Social Media therefore a large segment of our population would be excluded!]
?
c. Emergency Medical Services (Fernandez)
Recommendation:
At the March 12, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, this item was deferred to the April 9, 2024 Regular Council Meeting.
Memorandum and backup material to follow.
[Isn't the memo and backup supposed to be submitted to the Clerk with the item?]?
d. Three Way Stop Sign (Cid)
Recommendation:
I would like to direct staff to study the possibility of a three-way stop at NW 149th and 77th. Residents have brought this issue at that stop sign to my attention.
[A three way stop sign may sound like a great idea but with the amount of cars that travel through 77th... that will force all cars to come to a full stop even if no one is waiting to make a left or right onto 77th when traveling east on 149th] Why? We are trying to control speed but continuing to aggravate anyone going in any direction in our Town!]
?
e. Fairway Drive Lighting (Garcia) ?
Recommendation:
Many areas are extremely dark along Fairway Drive. The lighting poles are few and far between and covered by tree canopy. In order to protect the tree canopy and improve safety, I am requesting that staff study the possibility of adding gas light style lighting in conjunction with current plans for bike lanes leveraging Federal, State, Private and County grants.
[What? We have traveled through this Town now for over 45 years. Fairway Drive is adjacent to residences, Town Homes, Condo / apartments and all that lighting intrudes in the peace and quiet of those neighborhoods!]
f. NW 154th Street Zoning Overlay (Fernandez) ?
Recommendation:
I would like to start a discussion with my colleagues regarding potential solutions and opportunities for improvement for the properties on the 154th street corridor, west of the palmetto, and enact policies that will stimulate and encourage the redevelopment of the area in a way that adds value to our residents, creates economic development opportunities for our businesses and promotes an environment that is compatible with the standards and core values of our community.
[What is the meaning of this?
While it is written with great fanfare, indoctrination and manipulation... STOP bothering us. Properties adjacent to the 154th street corridor, west of the Palmetto X-Way is where we live and we do not want any policy enacted to stimulate and encourage the redevelopment of our area. If you need to add value to 'our residents' the only value we ask for is to leave us be!?
We are not interested in promoting any environment that is compatible with anything but the STANDARD created through 45 years of property ownership. The only CORE VALUE in Miami Lakes is that we moved to a Norman Rockwell style community, a hidden jewel in the North West quadrant of Miami Dade County and we want to remain as such! ]
STOP!
THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY WE SHALL VOTE FOR #71 ESTHER COLON ON 04-09-2024
THIS IS THE REASON WHY WE SHALL VOTE FOR JOSHUA DIEGUEZ FOR MAYOR... NOT TONY FERNANDEZ!
g. Public Comments Q & A (Cid)
Recommendation:
I would like to Amend the council special rules of order to allow for residents to ask questions during their three minutes public comments and require staff or the council respond to those questions on the record once public comments is complete.
h. Landscaping to Remove Excess Leaves (Garcia)
Recommendation:
The sidewalks along 67 Ave across from Optimist Park are narrow and sometimes impassable due to leaves piling up. In addition leaves are blown by our Town landscapers on swales that sometimes may cause grass die off. Can the staff work with our landscaping to remove excess leaves blocking sidewalks and mitigate leaf piles on our medians.
?
i. Monthly Operational Outreach Town Videos (MOO-TV) (Fernandez) ?
Recommendation:
In an effort to promote transparency and keep our residents better informed, I would like to direct staff to create a monthly video series, with short clips from key town departments regarding the status of upcoming projects, new initiatives, events, financial accomplishments, etc.
[The problem with this idea is the Town of Miami Lakes will then produce videos that share POSITIVE only and that is not transparency but indoctrination. How about if rather than a monthly video series from key Town Departments to include upcoming projects, new initiatives, events, financial accomplishments etc...
A. Videos that incorporate members of each community to discuss what is the perspective of property owners as to what is needed to improve the town
B. Project Review forums where property owners inform the Town of what is needed for life to return to the day when we lived without over-development, traffic jams, sidewalks in need of repair, leaves were collected, etc.]
C. What events do people need? Not want... but need: Easter Egg Hunt / 4th of July / Halloween / Veterans Day Parade... Video record the forum where people attend and are given the opportunity to tell the Council what, if anything, do we need as events, otherwise we continue to spend taxpayer dollars on events that are poorly attended, that hardly anyone knows about
D. Rather than videos on financial accomplishments... the fact that the Town continually requires more revenue opportunities is a dead give away that we have NOT accomplished the most important aspect of budget fiduciary responsibility... Video record property owners explain the difficulties of home ownership and accomplish:
j. Reforestation Program Strategy (Fernandez)
Recommendation:
*This item requires the waiver of Section 6.10 of the Special Rules of Order.
I would like to start a discussion on changing the current strategy of our reforestation programs, to prioritize the planting of trees in all locations that are lacking trees rather than focusing on removing and replacing existing trees in a limited area.
[Bravo: In complete agreement... the more trees, the more oxygen, the more shade, the more canopy, birds and butterflies!]
*This item requires the waiver of Section 6.10 of the Special Rules of Order.15.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS?
a. Tree Canopy Miami Lakeway South (Cid)?
*This item requires the waiver of Section 7.2 of the Special Rules of Order.
16. MANAGER'S REPORTS?Monthly Police Report (Major Gonzalez) ?
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, at approximately 3:08 pm, Town of Miami Lakes units were dispatched to 14900 Egan Lane in reference to a domestic dispute/violence.
The victim advised that she called 911 for the second time today in reference to her ex-husband returning to her residence to cause problems. in addition, she expressed that yesterday, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at approximately 2:06 pm, the defendant showed up to her residence to pick up the kids. The victim’s aunt who was with the kids inside the residence answered the door and instructed defendant to wait outside for the kids to come out. at which time, defendant without authority/permission, opened the door and entered the occupied residence. Once inside the defendant begins searching through the victims’ bedrooms looking for jewelry. The victim’s aunt is telling the defendant to get out of the house, again and again telling him that he was not authorized to be there. The defendant eventually leaves with his two children.
Later that same evening, at approximately 11:28 pm, The LPR (License Plate Reader) captures the defendants Black Ford Truck bearing Florida tag 18DBRH entering the Town of Miami Lakes located at Miami Lakes Drive NW 57 Court (WB). At approximately 11:33 P.M., the defendant is observed on video surveillance cameras walking into the gated backyard of the residence 14900 Egan Lane. The defendant is observed wearing a black hoodie, a hat on, and the same pants on, holding an unknown object in the right-hand. He then approaches the corner of the impact window/glass and with what appears to be a hammer in his right-hand smashes the glass with one blow and caused it to break/shatter. The defendant then leaves the scene. At approximately 11:38 pm, The LPR (License Plate Reader) captures the defendants Black Ford Truck bearing Florida tag 18DBRH leaving the Town of Miami Lake located at Miami Lakes Drive NW 57 Court (EB).
Town of Miami Lakes, GIU Detective Morales responded to the scene and took over the investigation.
During the course of Detective Morales investigation, the Defendant was taken into custody and charged with Occupied Burglary, Trespass and Felony Criminal Mischief.
b. Monthly Infrastructure Reports (Santos) ?
c. K9 Cove – Maintenance & Public Input Process Report (Bajdaun) ?
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.?
04-04-2024 PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST
Please provide screenshots of all postings on I love Miami Lakes that are of a political nature, many have written that this person: Eric Brandon, has enforced the rules ONLY now when before these were all allowed!
Town of Miami Lakes Town Clerk responds:
Good afternoon Ms. Reynolds,
I hope this email finds you well.
Please be reminded that the Town of Miami Lakes is not associated with the I love Miami Lakes Facebook page that you are making reference to. The TOML only has one Facebook account and it is this one: https://www.facebook.com/townofmiamilakes
Thank you.
Gina M. Inguanzo
Town Clerk
Town of Miami Lakes
Thank you Gina!
But we must ask: