Acting on the recommendation by the Miami Lakes Par 3 Committee to take over some land that’s part of a golf course, the Miami Lakes Town Council approved a resolution to acquire the property and convert it to a passive park.
The Miami Lakes Par 3 Committee, which was formed in 2013 in an initiative by Councilmember Frank Mingo to study the pros and cons of the property abutting the golf course at Don Shula’s Golf Club, concluded that the tract should only be used for a nature park.
At the April 14 regular Town Council meeting, lawmakers accepted the land donated by The Graham Companies, which agreed to pay for an environmental assessment, a boundary survey and a provision of grounds maintenance of the property for two years.
The town also agreed on the terms of the donation, the process of development, the conceptual plan for the park and a tentative timetable for future development.
The Par 3 Committee outlined the rules and regulations for usage of the outdoor facility, which is only open to Miami Lakes residents for passive recreational activities such as pedestrian hiking and jogging; serves as a features and historical cultural or archeological attraction; does not allow organized competitive sporting activities; and the land is maintained in its current topography.
The Pa 3 Committee's final recommendation was that the council shouldn't vote on the design pf the passive park until discussing blue prints with residents during a workshop, including members of the committee.
“I want to thank the Par 3 Committee for all their efforts, positive input and hard work during the committee meetings,” Mingo said. “I agree with the consensus reached by them that the acquisition of this golf course should only be used for a passive park.”
In other Council actions:
• Council members, on first reading, passed an ordinance to update the town’s comprehensive plan for water supply plan amendments to be sent and reviewed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and other review agencies.
• Lawmakers, on first reading, approved an ordinance to amend the town’s budget for 2014-2015, general fund for a total of $400,00 from the unassigned fund balance, allocating $200,000 for legal services and another $200,000 to establish a non-departmental reserve for the council to fund new initiatives throughout the remaining of the fiscal year.
• Councilmembers approved a resolution to create a special taxing district for Lake Hilda lake maintenance services done by Miami-Dade Public Works and Waste Management.
• Lawmakers approved a resolution for a zoning application of a conditional use for a sleep testing facility at 16420 N.W. 59th Avenue.
• Councilmembers approved a resolution to waive the town’s competitive bidding procedure and offer contracts to the City of Hialeah for maintenance of the town’s bus and MV Transportation for operating bus and on-demand services, instead of renewing its covenant with Limousines of South Florida.
• Councilmembers approved a resolution to formally establish the Veterans Affairs Committee, which was previously an ad-hoc committee since 2008.
The committee created the town’s veteran’s memorial outside Town Hall.
• Councilmembers approved Councilmember Tony Lama’s plan for Miami Lakes to host a Realtor Forum, where area real estate agents would be invited to take part and provide their input on the town on what potential buyers are seeking when they visit Miami Lakes.
• Town Manager Alex Rey said Miami-Dade County is set to review bids for vendors who are willing to use some space west of Opa Locka Airport for a storage yard for residents’ boats and other watercraft.
Rey said the county received some bids but had to return them unsealed because of a minor legal mistake made in the description of the land.
He said a vendor should be in place in the next several weeks.
Vice Mayor Manny Cid, who’s spearheading the initiative, said at least 30 Miami Lakes residents expressed interest in storing their boats at the location once it’s ready for business.