In an effort to restart and finish construction of the Youth Center building at Miami Lakes Picnic Park East, the previous contractor’s surety company has offered the Town of Miami Lakes $726,000 to finish building the facility more than a year after construction abruptly stopped because the company’s work was not up to the town’s standards.
At the April 8 Town Council meeting, councilmembers approved a resolution to accept the money but the settlement doesn’t include issues with the windows, said town attorney Raul Gastesi.
Though the town earmarked more than $1 million for the Youth Center, Miami Lakes didn’t pay the contractor all of the money up front and because of the default, it has about $1.4 million to finally complete the facility, said Town Manager Alex Rey.
However, the contractor is claiming through the surety company that Miami Lakes still owes it about $74,500.
Gastesi said there are some issues with the windows and plans to negotiate with the contractor.
“Some are fine and some are not,” Gastesi said.
In other Town Business:
• Lawmakers gave final approval for an ordinance to change the town’s Planning and Zoning Board appeals process for variance decisions.
The ordinance now allows affected parties that wish to appeal a variance decision made by the Planning and Zoning Board to either go directly to Circuit Court or, in limited circumstances, to appeal the decision to the Town Council. If such a request is received within 10 days of the Planning and Zoning Board's decision, and the applicable criteria are met, the Town Council would hold a rehearing of the variance application at a special Council meeting, with the appealing party being responsible for additional costs of processing the appeal. The decision of the Planning and Zoning Board would be set aside in its entirety, and the Council would make a decision on the entire variance application.
An appeal to circuit court would still be available for any affected party.
• Council members approved a resolution to amend the town’s budget to reallocate the Education Advisory Board’s Fiscal Year 2012-13 carryover funds in the amount of $18,800 from the General Fund Reserve to specific projects as requested by the committee.
The Board is recommending the money be used for eighth grade classes at Miami Lakes K-8 Center and Bob Graham Education Center to prepare advanced students with the necessary vocabulary to help them read on a college level before entering high school.
• Councilmembers approved a resolution to authorize the Town Manager to finalize and enter into a covenant agreement with Miami-Dade for the construction and maintenance of beautification master plan improvements made on county road medians and right of ways within the town limits.
• The Town Council authorized the town manager to enter into an agreement with the YMCA of Greater Miami to provide Summer Camp programming.
Last year, Miami Lakes went through a competitive selection process to select program providers for comprehensive recreational programming, inclusive of summer, after school, and community programs that fit with the Town’s initiatives and future growth. However, the Town determined that it was in its best interest to reissue the solicitation at a later date. The town will be initiating a competitive selection process for after school and summer camp programs once the Youth Center and Optimist Park Clubhouse facilities are near completion.
In the meantime, with summer quickly approaching, the town wanted to offer a high-quality and affordable summer camp program that meets the needs of the residents and promotes enhanced learning opportunities, social development, health and wellness.
For over six years, the YMCA of Greater Miami has partnered with the Town to provide successful teen center and summer camp programming to thousands of youth in Miami Lakes, focusing on education, character development, health and wellness.
• The Council authorized the Town Manager to apply to the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for funds for a new greenway on N.W. 77 Avenue from Miami Lakes Drive to the future dog park, as well as sidewalk improvements and an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Master Plan and enhancements.
• Lawmakers approved a resolution to place a proposed charter amendment on November’s ballot to allow the mayor and councilmembers to each appoint members to the town’s committees.
• The Council approved a resolution to collaborate with the Good Government Initiative at the University of Miami for a recurring campaign candidates’ debate at Miami Lakes Town Hall during each election year.
• Lawmakers approved a resolution to request that the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser opens a branch office in Miami Lakes.
• Lawmakers approved a recommendation to rename a portion of Miami Lakeway North that runs east from Ludlam Road to Miami Lakes Drive Father James P. Murphy Way.
The street runs in front of Our Lady of The Lakes Catholic Church where Father Murphy served as pastor and contributed to the community for many years. Murphy died earlier this year of cancer.
• Lawmakers approved Vice Mayor Manny Cid’s recommendation for a straw ballot question to determine if Miami Lakes should continue to pursue an independent zip code.
• Lawmakers approved Councilmember Frank Mingo’s recommendation for a proposed ordinance for Miami Lakes to notify homeowners when their quality of life or property values are affected by projects.
“I am proposing an ordinance that all Home Owners Association within a one mile radius be notified of any Administrative Site Plan review and any Commercial Variance Application,” Mingo said.
• Lawmakers approved Councilmember Tim Daubert’s suggestion to create a code enforcement amnesty period to allow residents to come into compliance with the town’s code. Violations to be resolved include dirty roofs, lawns not cut and illegal fences.
• Council members approved Cid’s recommendation to ask Mayor Wayne Slaton to negotiate the possibility of transferring special taxing districts for guard gates, street lighting and lakes maintenance. The county currently administers the districts. Cid said there are four guardhouses in Royal Oaks, and one each in Loch Lomond and Lake Carol.