The workshop began with a focus on the city’s Infrastructure Development Work (IDW), which has been under scrutiny following a state notification. The city manager reported that the city’s petition for guidance regarding IDW had received an inconclusive response due to ongoing litigation involving various unions in the state. The city manager proposed a special session with the city attorney and council members to delve deeper into this matter.

One notable issues discussed was the sanitary sewer moratorium imposed by Miami-Dade County, which had previously restricted new developments from connecting to specific sanitary wastewater basins. The city manager highlighted the recent success in lifting the moratorium status on two major pump stations, allowing new developments to seek permits again. However, Pump Station number 22 remained a issue, affecting several other basins. The city’s top priority is to resolve this issue to facilitate new developments.

Additionally, the city has taken proactive measures against illegal dumping and slum-related issues by establishing an inter-departmental task force. This task force has issued 474 illegal dumping citations and 108 citations for overgrown lots. The task force’s efforts have also led to four felony arrests and numerous misdemeanor arrests, along with the impounding of nine vehicles. The city manager highlighted the rollout of a new procurement method called job order contracting, which has yielded significant savings of $411,000. These savings will be reinvested in capital improvement projects, detailing specific initiatives where substantial savings were realized.

The council discussed the city’s pursuit of grants, having submitted 16 applications valued at approximately $18.9 million since March. There is an ongoing effort to secure additional grants totaling about $20 million. To streamline processes and ensure compliance with audits, the establishment of a new office dedicated to grant management was proposed. The city aims to develop a comprehensive infrastructure master plan to address deficiencies in water and sewer services and to ensure minimum standards are met.

Concerns regarding the city’s existing infrastructure, particularly the size of water pipes in residential areas, were raised. The city manager emphasized the importance of upgrading these systems to meet modern standards. The workshop also highlighted the city’s intention to implement a citywide permitting and electronic plans review system, which would increase transparency and allow council members to track permit applications easily. The city plans to enhance its facilities management structure by creating a standalone facilities department, separating it from Parks and Recreation responsibilities for more effective management.

The potential development of a spaceport in the Homestead area was also a significant topic. The city had engaged with the Florida Spaceport Administration, and the state acknowledged the city’s initiative for collaboration on the spaceport project.

The discussion then shifted to departmental restructuring to improve efficiency and address specific city needs. A proposal was made to create a new department focused on Asset Management, alleviating the responsibilities placed on the Parks and Recreation department. The proposed new department, named General Services, would encompass Asset Management, Fleet Management, and Facilities Maintenance. The Parks and Recreation department would be renamed Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces (PROS).

The speaker emphasized the necessity of developing a citywide strategic initiative to inform budgeting processes over the next five years. This strategic plan would require collaboration between the City Council and the administration. The proposed restructuring would also see Finance renamed as Finance and Budgeting, establishing a new division focused on budgeting to avoid past issues with county revenue estimates.

Further discussions revealed budget allocations for various departments. The finance director presented a detailed overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, totaling $27,334,000 for all funds. An increase of approximately 4.33% in water and sewer service rates was proposed, spurred by cost adjustments and rate changes from the county. Solid waste rates were also discussed, noting that last year’s increases for residential and commercial solid waste would continue to be indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for annual adjustments.

The meeting also discussed the current invoicing process utilized by the city attorney’s office. A simplified approach was suggested, involving a single annual fee for general counsel work to streamline operations. The budget discussion included planned expenditures for information technology, professional services, and additional positions within the planning and zoning department.

Amid these discussions, the city manager provided updates on various budget allocations, including increases in the finance and budget department for a new assistant budget director and associated costs. The procurement department also saw changes, with the creation of a new buyer position and increased budget for property insurance and training.