The following actions were taken during the June 10 regular Miami Lakes Town Council meeting: • Lawmakers authorized the town manager to award a contract in the amount of $1.8 million to ABC Construction Company to build a new clubhouse for the Miami Lakes Optimist Club at Miami Lakes Optimist Park. The contract amount includes ABC’s proposal amount of $1.5 million in addition to a contingency amount of $303,000 to cover unforeseen/hidden conditions that may be encountered during the performance of the work. The site contains significant muck conditions as well as an FPL line that may be encountered during construction. • The Council authorized the town manager to enter into a long term lease agreement for a private park parcel, 16550 N.W. 86 Court, with the Royal Oaks Homeowner’s Association, to be utilized and maintained as a public mini-park. In March, members of the Royal Oaks Homeowners Association approached the town to discuss the possibility of transferring the maintenance and operation of the park parcel. Presently, the park has a playground that does not meet current safety and accessibility standards for use. The HOA expressed to the Town its interest to transfer the property due to the playground’s replacement and upkeep of the park not being sustainable for them in the long term. While the park has been maintained by the HOA over the years, it is in the Royal Oaks neighborhood which is accessible to the public. In neighborhoods that are accessible to the public in Miami Lakes, public park land has been dedicated by the developer and maintained by the Town. The Royal Oaks neighborhood is an exception as no public park land was dedicated as part of the development. Transfer of this parcel would address the exception and allow funding for park maintenance in the same manner as the Town’s other public mini-parks. In addition, obtaining the parcel allows the Town to continue to grow its park inventory as it makes strides to meet its Level of Service goals outlined in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan for future population growth and maintain the park at a high standard for the future. The Town proposed a long-term (99 year) lease agreement for use of the parcel as a public mini-park. In April 2014, the Association Board voted to proceed with leasing the parcel to the Town. The town plans to remove the playground area and maintain it as open green space until funding is acquired to build a new playground. The initial cost for demolition, site restoration, installation of sod, benches, waste receptacles, and irrigation upgrades are estimated to be $25,000. The projected yearly maintenance cost is $3,000 per year. • Lawmakers approved an ordinance on first reading to change the town’s land development code regarding the height of a fence and walls that are adjacent to a street right-of-way from six feet to nine feet. Councilmember Ceasar Mestre, who sponsored the ordinance, said many residents brought to his attention their desire for the maximum height of walls to be increased in efforts to enhance public safety. • Lawmakers gave their final approval to an ordinance which now requires the town to notify homeowners and condominium associations of proposed building and zoning projects within one mile of their boundaries. Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez recommended the measure. • Councilmembers passed an ordinance on second reading to adopt amendments to update the Town of Miami Lakes Comprehensive Plan. • The Miami Lakes Town Council authorized Town Manager Alex Rey to issue a supplemental work order for additional construction administration services for both phases of the West Lakes A Drainage Basin Improvements to the town’s engineer, Kimley Horn & Associates. The supplemental work order is not to exceed $51,230.00, which is comprised of an additional $13,115.00 for West Lakes A Basin Drainage Improvements, Phase I and $38,115.00 for West Lakes A Basin Drainage Improvements, Phase II. • Lawmakers approved Councilmember Tony Lama’s recommendation to work with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), as the agency is making plans to alleviate traffic in the Northwest Miami-Dade area. Lama said he talked to residents about the traffic congestion and they suggested adding a ramp at N.W. 67 Avenue to connect to State Road 924 the Gratigny) as an option. The lawmaker said Javier Vazquez, a new MDX board member, indicated a similar plan is included in the agency’s five-year plan to help relieve traffic gridlock, as well as adding access from S.R. 924 to the Turnpike. Rush hour traffic on Miami Lakes Drive going east and west to the Palmetto and on N.W. 67 Avenue going north towards the Palmetto continues to be an issue of great concern to residents, who are scrambling for a solution. Lama said the town would work with MDX and evaluate its plan for exit points out of town via N.W. 67 Avenue. • Lawmakers approved Councilmember Frank Mingo’s recommendation for Miami Lakes to spend $2,000 for the Operation SAFEE Flight (OSF) program for Miami Lakes kids who want to take part in the 2014 SAFEE Aviation Summer Academy Program. As part of the program, Miami Lakes can partner up with other cities for the Summer. The Operation SAFEE Flight (OSF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children stay in school, improve their academic performance and explore STEM education and career possibilities in the aviation industry. OSF is expanding its outreach for the summer 2014.