Mayor’s report: town growing, beautifully

The community is more united and new businesses and residents are drawn to the town in the three years since he took office, Mayor Manny Cid said in his “State of the Town” address.
Cid discussed the town’s accomplishments, challenges and future plans during an Oct. 16 presentation before an audience that filled town hall and who also watched on the internet.
The mayor credited residents and volunteers for coming together after several years of political turmoil.
“They made Miami Lakes stronger,” Cid said of citizens’ participation in municipal government and activities. “The council carried out the policies on what they wanted for the town. As a result, the town is stronger than ever.”
Miami Lakes is living up to its motto, “Growing Beautifully,” and Cid cited a low crime rate, smoother traffic flow and progress in a road construction project on the west side of town.
While discussing crime, Cid mentioned a survey that listed Miami Lakes as the 11th safest city in Florida.
“People outside the community want to move here because of our public safety,” Cid said.
A contributing factor may be that last year, Miami-Dade Police stationed in town began using portable cameras that scan license plates, Cid said.
The technology relies on a database that alerts officers to possible suspects, and arrests were made for offenses including car theft, burglary and robbery, Cid said.
Promoting Miami Lakes as a business-friendly town has lured new entities, Cid said, listing restaurants Sergio’s Cuban Café + Grill and Bolay as well as dietary supplement manufacturer Pharma Natural.
As for traffic, Cid said he’s seeing improvement along Northwest 154th Street where traffic lights were synchronized and officers prevent gridlock at intersections.
Rush hour delays have fallen from 30 to five minutes for drivers headed toward the Palmetto Expressway, Cid said.
“We’ve been focused on traffic mitigation and the results are starting to show,” he said.
A major road construction project, funded with a $3.6 million state grant that was awarded in 2018, is in the design phase while awaiting resolution of eminent domain negotiations, Cid said.
The project will extend Northwest 59th Avenue south to connect to Northwest 151st Street.
It will provide a safe avenue for Miami Lakes
Educational Center and
Technical College students to get to school and allow workers in the area and shoppers to avoid having to drive on Northwest 57th Avenue.
Two lawsuits are also ongoing.
Former Mayor Michael Pizzi is seeking more than $2.5 million in legal fees after a federal jury found him not guilty of conspiring to commit bribery and extortion.
On Oct. 2, the Third Court of Appeal sent the case back to trial court.
In another case, the town sued Miami-Dade County, the city of Hialeah, developer Lennar Corporation and a contractor to prevent opening a bridge at Northwest 170th Street and Interstate 75.
Following Cid’s speech, the town recognized volunteers and employees.
Volunteer of the Year was Daylin Garcia, a member of the Youth Activities Task Force who worked on the Jingle Bell Jog 5k, Spring Bling at Easter and Halloween events.
Garcia also organized a Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas toy drives for needy families.
Garcia remembered her friend Mercy Moore, 53, who fought breast cancer before she died on Oct. 14.
“She was a kind person,” she said. “Because of her, I can stand here tonight and I dedicate this award to her.”
Employee of the Year was William Sanchez. He is the town’s committee and special events coordinator who has worked for the town for one year.
Town Manager Edward
Pidermann said Sanchez worked extra hours to help when the town collected supplies for the victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.
“I’m very honored to be here,” Sanchez said. “We have an amazing staff.”
Cid gave former councilwoman Dorothy Cook the Key to the Town award.
A longtime Miami Laker, Cook was a leader during the town’s incorporation movement.
And she has volunteered in town for more than 30 years.
“I enjoy doing this because it’s my life,” Cook said. “This is a blessing.”