The council delved into the complexities of the city’s transit system, highlighting the need to modernize and expand the Doral trolley service. A consultant presented a comprehensive transit study, which began in 2020, to reassess Doral’s transit needs in light of Miami-Dade County’s restructuring of its bus network. The study recommended adopting a hub-and-spoke model, creating multiple transit hubs across the city to improve accessibility and coverage, particularly in underserved areas.

The study revealed significant service gaps, notably in the northwest region of Doral, home to a substantial transit-dependent population, including students and seniors. Proposed changes included splitting and adjusting existing routes to better serve residential areas and connect key locations like the Miami Dade West campus and Dolphin Mall. The consultant emphasized the need for more vehicles to achieve optimal service frequency, estimating that an increase from the current 23 vehicles to between 31 and 40 would be necessary to maintain 15 to 20-minute headways.

Council members expressed concerns about the estimated $32 million cost for implementing the proposed transit enhancements, recognizing the city’s limited capital resources. Discussions centered on the feasibility of leasing additional vehicles to expedite service improvements, with an acknowledgment that purchasing a new fleet would require a financial commitment. The potential for leasing was seen as a more immediate solution to increasing transit capacity and meeting growing demand.

Despite enthusiasm for the proposed transit changes, there was hesitance about adopting the plan without a clear financial strategy. Council members underscored the importance of transparency with residents regarding the timeline and funding for transit upgrades, stressing that even with approval, tangible improvements might not be visible for up to two years. The need for ongoing public engagement to ensure community needs are met was a recurring theme throughout the meeting.

In addition to transportation, the council addressed several ordinances, including measures related to the regulation of “Cava” and “Kava” establishments and micro-mobility devices. These ordinances aimed to safeguard public health and enhance safety by imposing distance requirements from schools and parks and implementing a registration process for micro-mobility devices without imposing a fee.

A significant ordinance concerning the procurement code was also discussed, proposing changes to establish competitive thresholds for quotes and increasing the fee for bid protests to ensure proportionality to project value. This ordinance, along with others, passed despite some dissent from council members.

The meeting also included updates on non-transportation projects, such as the Doral Central Park parking garage, and community events like the upcoming tree lighting ceremony and holiday bazaar. The mayor highlighted the success of a recent golf tournament, which raised substantial funds for the Parks and Police for Kids Foundation.

The council concluded the meeting by addressing a proposed ordinance for certified recovery residences and an amendment to the city’s parking regulations, both of which passed with minimal public comment. The meeting adjourned with personal acknowledgments among council members.