Preview of December 4 regular Miami Lakes Town Council meeting

The December 4 regular Miami Lakes Town Council meeting was the first for newcomers, Councilmembers Josh Dieguez, Jefferey Rodriguez and Carlos O. Alvarez, as they tackled a host of issues on the agenda. (The meeting was held after this issue went to press.)
• Council members were expected to authorize the town manager to execute a change order to contract with H and R Paving for the Miami Lakeway South resurfacing project in the amount not to exceed $57,000.
• Council members were expected to authorize the town manager to execute a contract with eSCRIBE Software for agenda management software in an amount not to exceed $166,000 for the first three years.
The proposal includes $150,250 and a contingency amount of $15,750 for additional services if needed.
• Council members were expected to authorize the town manager to piggyback off three contracts between national purchasing cooperatives and CDW Government, specifically contracts with the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance and another contract with Sourcewell for purchase of information technology equipment and peripherals pursuant to budgeted funds, notwithstanding the $25,00 limitation according to the town’s ordinance.
• Council members were expected to discuss Councilmember Josh Dieguez’s proposal to extend the town manager selection process since the process is taking too long that some candidates have withdrawn their candidacy.
Dieguez’s proposal includes hiring a recruiter to conduct a search for new candidates within five days of approving the proposed resolution; close the search process within 30 days of the 5-day recruiter hiring period during which the recruiter will locate three candidates; and a town manager selection committee must meet within 15 days of the close of the search period to review the recruiter’s findings and determine if they would like to add any of the new candidates to their recommended list.
Dieguez is hoping the council will select a new town manger by February.
However, Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez is proposing to select a new town manager as soon as possible.
• Councilmember Carlos O. Alvarez is proposing to conduct a speed study on Balgowan Road, starting from the guard gate and stretching to Ardoch Road to determine the best traffic calming device in the area.
• Council members were expected to discuss Councilmember Jeffrey Rodriguez’s proposal to instruct the town manger to ban or restrict the use of glyphosate-based herbicides in public parks, lakes and other town property.
Rodriguez is also proposing a measure to reduce the speed limit on Miami Lakeway North and Miami Lakeway South from 35 MPH to 30.
• Nelson Rodriguez is proposing to change the council meeting date back to the original second Tuesday of each month.
• Town Manager Alex Rey recommended the January regular council meeting be moved from Tuesday, January 1, to January 22, since the original date falls on New Year’s Day and Town Hall will be closed.
• Dieguez is requesting the town to place at least one police officer at the Movies at the Park event since it draws a massive crowd.
The proposal is part of former Council member Ceaser Mestre’s Public Safety Act to protect residents from any danger during a large event.
• Town Attorney Raul Gastesi is requesting $500,000 for former Mayor Michael Pizzi’s appeal case following a lower court’s decision that dismissed his lawsuit.
Pizzi is suing the town for about $3 million in court costs from his criminal trial.