A noteworthy aspect of the meeting was the presentation on the Alleyway Initiative, which seeks to transform overlooked alleyways into green, sustainable, and multi-functional spaces. Inspired by similar projects in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, the initiative presented a vision to repurpose alleyways for community benefit, potentially serving as fitness paths, promoting health and wellness, and providing additional green spaces for outdoor play and recreation. The plan included the distribution of materials to residents and a two-week notice before service by the selected vendor, with an aim for halfway completion by the end of March and full completion by June 2024. The city is also exploring grant applications for further improvements.

The Alleyway Initiative’s presentation sparked a discussion on the potential of these spaces to serve as venues for farmers markets and events, fostering community bonds. The concerns of overgrowth and obstruction in alleyways—hindering access for emergency and utility vehicles—were addressed, with a budget of $50,000 allocated to clear 50 alleys across all districts. The initiative was not just about cleaning but also about integrating alleys into master planning for environmental, economic revitalization, and health benefits, including Last Mile connectivity to transit stops. The meeting transcript noted that the presentation was commended by the council, and a member expressed gratitude for the initiative to clean up alleyways, emphasizing the dual benefits of beautification and enhanced safety.

Celebrating cultural heritage, the meeting featured a special presentation titled “The Me I Choose to Be for My Black History,” a Black History Month poster contest for children. The event was coordinated by Georgette Spratling, the library manager for North Miami Public Library. Winners of the contest, Zuri Copelan and Ivanka Lazar, presented their posters and read their accompanying narratives, highlighting themes of strength, beauty, and uniqueness, as well as symbols of freedom, strength, and culture. The council meeting highlighted the importance of youth empowerment and cultural awareness, with the library displaying photographs taken by Creative Soul Photography as part of the celebration.

Additionally, the council addressed the city’s parks and recreation services, particularly the development of a master plan for the parks system. The plan would involve analyzing physical park assets and programmatic aspects to ensure alignment with community desires and creating an actionable project list. Community engagement was emphasized as an essential part of the planning process, with suggestions for signage at parks for survey participation and ensuring that the Parks and Recreation Commission were consulted. The proposal was approved with the understanding that WGI Inc., the selected consultant, would be inclusive in their community engagement efforts.

The meeting also covered a range of topics from community events to infrastructure projects. A night of Jazz was announced as part of the Nomi Music Festival, and a block party and talent show were scheduled to celebrate Black History Month. The city also highlighted a grant opportunity for small businesses to apply for up to $5,000 for technology improvements.

Significant resolutions were addressed, including the transfer of a community housing development project to maintain its affordability clause and an agreement for engineering consulting services to assess the city’s drinking water for lead and copper compliance. The latter involved a discussion on the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule revisions, with an inventory required of service lines to address potential contamination in drinking water. The project’s communication plan was emphasized, with outreach to be conducted in three languages and coordinated with the city’s public outreach division.

The council ratified an emergency procurement for the installation of an above-ground diesel tank for the E Pump Station and approved spending for new laptops, ticket writers, and printers for the North Miami Police Department.

Finally, the meeting delved into future planning, with discussions on the upcoming centennial of the city and the economic opportunities presented by the FIFA games in 2026. The council highlighted the importance of civic engagement and encouraged participation in the upcoming presidential preference primary elections.