Miami Lakes accomplished a lot of the goals that council members set in 2015, including opening the new Youth Center known as “The Spot,” completed a good portion of storm water drainage projects, opened up the new fire station, completed the Town Center zoning district map and construction of the Greenway along N.W. 77 Court, and achieved a Class Five flood insurance rating.
The town also launched the town’s new mobile application, Lakes Life, for residents to track down the town’s local businesses, search for doctors, places to eat or shop, and report potholes and sidewalks that need repairing.
Created by Councilmember Tony Lama, Lakes Life makes life easy for residents as more than 1,200 residents use the app to access their government and track down the Miami Lakes Moover buses at the tip of their fingers.
Also in 2015, Miami Lakes initiated the first town Traffic Summit, where town, state and county officials gathered to offer solutions to the traffic problems in the town.
Following the meeting, the Miami Lakes Town Council adopted a transportation improvement plan to incorporate the proposed traffic solutions into the town's new strategic plan.
The year 2015 was capped off with the town’s 15th anniversary of incorporation and council members, volunteers and residents vowed to make 2016 an even better year.
The town will continue with its code enforcement and building amnesty program which allows residents, who have liens placed on their properties, to come into compliance for reduced costs. After residents complete the program and pay the reduced fees, the town will remove the liens from their properties.
Before the program started, Town Manager Alex Rey said liens were placed on about 300 homes but most of the residents have come into compliance since the program got underway.
The deadline for the amnesty program was extended to December 31, 2016, to give all residents a chance to take advantage of the program and have their liens officially removed.
Also for this year, Miami Lakes is expected to open up a new dog park, complete construction of the Miami Lakes Optimist club house, and work diligently to turn the Par 3 golf course into a passive park.
Miami Lakes is looking to develop the Miami Lakes Drive Bridge Park, where an Interstate 75 overpass would be converted into a pedestrian and bike friendly park, and make the town a golf cart community to help alleviate traffic congestion.
The town is planning to continue its Green Energy/PACE Initiative and the Lake Water Quality Awareness program, and complete transportation and storm water improvements for Lake Martha, Lakes Sarah and Lake Hilda, and budgeted $878,500 for the town’s canal bank stabilization program.
Miami Lakes will also continue its tree trimming and tree planting program after adopting a more uniform tree planting program to reflect the beautification character of the town, and lure more businesses to the area with a marketing plan that includes a partnership with the two biggest landowners in the town.
But Miami Lakes must seek funding to resume the senior classes at the two community centers for the remainder of the current fiscal year.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo donated $20,000 to Miami Lakes to underwrite the classes for six months, but the town is seeking private dollars to ensure the programs continue until the summer.
Also in 2016, town officials are hoping to work with representatives of Miami-Dade Public Schools to find solutions for the overcrowding issue at some of the town’s schools, including the K-8 facilities. Reportedly, the overpopulation is negatively impacting kids’ education.
The Miami Lakes Charter Review Commission has already started meeting to examine the town charter and determine if any changes are needed to the document, and 2016 will see three council members seeking reelection and the mayoral seat is up for grabs as well.
Many residents are calling for new leadership in the mayoral race.