The council devoted considerable time to the Vision Zero initiative, a project introduced by transportation department representatives, emphasizing enhanced safety across the town’s transportation networks. This initiative seeks to gather input from local business owners to identify critical areas for “walking audits” and “bicycle audits” to ensure that the most problematic spots are addressed. A QR code was distributed on business cards to facilitate community input through an interactive map, allowing residents to comment on specific transportation issues like inadequate sidewalks and unsafe crossings.

A primary concern highlighted during the discussion was the need for public transportation improvements. Representatives acknowledged Florida’s public transportation system as inefficient compared to other states and assured attendees that enhancements are included in the current transportation master plan. They stressed the importance of Miami Lakes’ interests in discussions with county transportation entities, mentioning the town’s historical neglect in regional transportation planning. Miami Lakes’ significant industrial presence, encompassing over 700 acres, was noted, with frustrations expressed over the town serving as a conduit for freight traffic without receiving adequate infrastructure support.

The representatives called for a recommendation letter from the council to support funding applications targeting commercial vehicle routes and freight transportation. The urgency for this request was driven by an approaching grant application deadline. They encouraged both the council and individual business owners to submit recommendation letters, arguing that Miami Lakes should not be perceived merely as a “sleepy residential community” but as a vital industrial hub requiring appropriate traffic management to shield residential zones from heavy truck traffic.

The council discussed the budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, focusing on the contentious $10,000 allocated to the Local Intel contract. The debate centered on whether the town would continue to bear this expense, given prior discussions about terminating the contract. Clarification was provided that the contract would not expire until the fiscal year’s end, leading to confusion over payment timing. The council was reminded of the opportunity to formally request the contract’s termination in an upcoming meeting.

A disconnect emerged between the council’s previous direction to cancel Local Intel and the staff’s preference for retaining the service. Members stressed the importance of ensuring future budgets reflect their desire to eliminate the contract, redirecting funds toward other areas. Immediate financial implications were discussed, with the first $2,500 payment due in the current fiscal year. Members explored reallocating these funds to marketing initiatives if the contract were canceled.

The economic development committee’s interest in broader advertising efforts was also discussed. A proposal to request $25,000 for a comprehensive advertising campaign aimed at promoting Miami Lakes was considered, with concerns about potential overlap with the communications team’s responsibilities. The need to reallocate existing budgets for impactful advertising strategies was noted, highlighting the local Chamber of Commerce’s success in attracting events and new businesses.

Specific budget requests included $5,000 for a boot camp initiative and $3,000 for quarterly business networking socials. Questions arose about the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce membership’s value, with some members advocating for reallocating its $2,000 budget to seminars instead. A motion to reallocate these funds was agreed upon, followed by a proposal to request $100,000 for a marketing campaign to enhance Miami Lakes’ visibility and draw visitors.