The most newsworthy event was the ceremonial presentation of a key to the city to May Lo, the first female mayor of The Gambia. The council acknowledged her historical significance and numerous accomplishments, including recognition from the United Nations and the American Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Lo highlighted the symbolic nature of the key, emphasizing the strengthening relationship between North Miami and Banul, The Gambia. She shared her journey and challenges faced as a woman in African governance, stating, “my only crime was to contest with a man because they thought the seed is a male dominated area.” Her leadership serves as an inspiration for women and youth, and she promoted Banul as a tourist destination.

In addition to the ceremonial presentation, the council also tackled community concerns, particularly the performance of WastePro, the city’s waste management contractor. Residents and council members expressed significant dissatisfaction with the service reliability, citing missed pickups and unprofessional behavior by drivers. A council member articulated the frustration by stating, “I am 100% dissatisfied with the service that you guys are providing to the city. It is not fair to the resident… to be treated that way for a service that they are paying for.” Instances of drivers arguing with residents and leaving waste uncollected were recounted.

WastePro representatives, including William Conrad and Kenny Skags, were present to address these concerns. Conrad acknowledged the issues and detailed an action plan that includes maintaining the same driver on the same route to minimize missed pickups and implementing a “10 and 2 process” to track driver progress and notify the city of completion percentages for routes. Despite these assurances, the council members remained adamant about the need for drastic improvements and suggested establishing real-time communication channels, such as a WhatsApp group, to manage resident expectations and frustrations.

Further complicating the waste management discussion was the issue of financial penalties for missed pickups, with estimates suggesting penalties between $1,000 and $40,000. The council highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability, emphasizing that residents deserve the level of service for which they are paying.

Another topic of discussion was the proposed resolution for a tutoring program at the Sunkiss Grove Community Center. The Parks and Recreation Director, Christine Carney, explained that the program would provide academic assistance for elementary to high school students, focusing on subjects and college prep. The program, set for Mondays through Thursdays over approximately 35 weeks, is initially limited to North Miami residents. Carney emphasized the program’s importance, stating, “I see it like every year we have about 40 to 50 students who cannot graduate either for reading or mathematics.” The initiative received strong support from the council and was approved with a motion and subsequent second.

The council also addressed concerns about public safety and hurricane preparedness. Sergeant G Baptist from the North Miami Police Department provided an update on Hurricane Francine and urged residents to create family plans and secure supplies in preparation for potential storms, stating, “develop a family plan, stock up on supplies, and make sure that you are securing your home.”

Environmental issues were also on the agenda, with a proposed resolution designating an 11.14-acre area in Claude Pepper Park as a Brownfield. This designation would facilitate environmental rehabilitation and promote economic redevelopment by providing financial and regulatory incentives. The director of development services elaborated on the process, explaining that the approval would allow the applicant to enter into a Brownfield site rehabilitation agreement with Miami-Dade County. Community concerns about the condition of the property and the visibility of a green screen to mitigate dust and visual blight were discussed, with assurances made that the green screen installation would be prioritized.

During the public hearing segment, resident Evelyn Delgado voiced apprehensions about the construction of an 18-floor building near her home, citing potential impacts on her quality of life, including loss of privacy, noise, and environmental concerns. The council appeared receptive.