At its July 17 regular meeting, the Miami Lakes Town Council was expected to approve two ordinances, a host of resolutions and several new business items.
• Council members were expected to give their final approval for an ordinance to complete the buildout of the town’s sidewalks network, requiring the repair of existing sidewalks damaged by construction work.
The ordinance also calls for future sidewalks to be developed consistent with the town’s adopted Complete Streets plan.
• Council members were expected to give their initial approval for an ordinance to adopt and ratify the non ad-valorem special roll and special assessment district rates for the town’s Special Taxing Districts for Security Guard Gates and Lake Maintenance.
The final assessments must be approved no later than September 15.
• Council members were expected to approve a resolution to tentatively keep the same rate for property taxes, 2.3353 mills, for the next fiscal year. The proposed rate is projected to generate at least $7.1 million in tax revenues.
But the town may lose about $350,000 if voters approve the additional $25,000 Homestead Exemption in November. However, a possible increase in property values may offset the lost of property tax revenues.
Lawmakers will vote on a final tax rate and budget during two budget hearings scheduled for Tuesday, September 4 at 5:05 p.m. and Tuesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. at Miami Lakes Town Hall.
• Council members were expected to approve a resolution to amend the current budget to shift funds over to finance projects and provide education and training for town staff and council members.
The budget changes include $114, 750 for the town’s On Demand transportation services; $45,000 for repairs to the Roberto Alonso Community Center at Royal Oaks Park; and $21,500 for the West Lakes Phase 3 and drainage improvement.
• Lawmakers were expected to authorize the town manger to increase the contingency reserve by an additional $75,000 for the Lake Sarah Roadway and drainage project, as well as approve revisions to the current budget transferring funds from the capital projects fund. The project is located between Miami Lakeway South, Palmetto Expressway and N.W. 67 Avenue.
• Council members were expected to approve a resolution to adopt new initiatives, goals and revised priority of the 2025 Strategic Plan for Miami Lakes, which includes responding to the Parkland shooting massacre with reintroducing public safety a key component, revised an Achieve National Recognition as a model town for creativity, education, innovation and use of technology.
• Council members were expected to approve a resolution requesting the county road impact fees accumulated by construction projects in Miami Lakes be used for the Palmetto Underpasses project.
The project includes creating two new east-west connections at N.W. 146 Street and N.W. 159 Street under the Palmetto Expressway to enhance connectivity to mitigate gridlock along N.W. 154 Street.
• Council members were expected to approve a resolution instructing the town manager to apply for the Enterprise Florida Inc., and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Florida Job Growth Grant Fund Public Infrastructure Grant for the Miami Lakes Business Park East Infrastructure and Economic Development project.
• Council members were expected to authorize the town manger to execute a work order under an existing contract for miscellaneous engineering services for $62,396 to Kimley-Horn and Associates for the Par 3 park-and-ride facility traffic assessment study.
• Lawmakers were expected to authorize the town manager authorize the town manger to execute Federally Funded Subaward and Grant Agreements for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for returning a disaster area to pre-disaster conditions.
As part of the agreements, at least 75 percent of eligible cost is provided to primarily address the repair and restoration of public facilities and infrastructure which have been damaged or destroyed, or the restoration of services which were negatively impacted.
• Council members were expected to authorize the town manager to execute contracts with Kita Corporation to act as the primary contractor and SFM Services as the secondary contractors if Kita in non-responsive or unable to perform litter control services for rights-of-way and town parks in amounts not to exceed budgeted funds for the services.
Currently, the town has $94,000 for the services, however, for the following fiscal years, the town can increase or decrease the number of litter crews dedicated to the town to meet the level of service expectation.
For new business, Council members were expected to discuss and approve Councilmember Luis Collazo’s proposal to look into adding a fire rescue unit at Miami-Dade Station 64 without any costs to residents; and Councilmember Tim Daubert’s request to change the designated council parking space at Town Hall to a Purple Heart space.