Sunday, September 27, 2015

Supermoon - super tide! Info on the last of a four Blood Moon series and Photos of the Day.

Get ready for the unusually large and beautiful moon tonight - the Blood Moon rises - as do the tides it influences!

There will be a supermoon tonight, which will look brighter and larger since it is closer to Earth. There will also be a total lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, tonight and will have a reddish color. A supermoon eclipse will not happen again for another 18 years - Source: Miami-Dade County.

This is the last of a four (4) blood moon series.   The moon takes on this color during the eclipse as it passes through the Earth's shadow, which is the color of a desert sunset.

See my prior post of April 14, 2014: Howling at the 'Blood Moon"! Coming Tues, 4/15. Ask NASA Experts About the Total Lunar Eclipse | NASA

Here are some "Photos of the Day" from the People's Dock at Deering as well as the boat ramp at Black point taken earlier this morning, Sunday, 9/27/15, while Alexandra and I were out bicycling:


Friday, September 25, 2015

Update on the Bike on the Bay event - Saturday, October 17 - new route, more details

New information.  Please make plans on attending.  This should shape up to be a fun event for the entire family.

The Saturday, October 17, 2015 - "Bike on The Bay" has a new route for the family bike ride.  It starts and ends at Miami-Dade County's Deering Estate where there will be a fun morning of activities scheduled up to noon.
Bike safety - and a community fun event. CLICK HERE to view the village Facebook page for more information and follow this page for more information as it develops.

I am looking forward to working with our new Village Police Commander, FDOT, Deering Estate and all the FDOT region partners.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Florida League of Mayors - Visioning session, Board of Directors Meeting

Saturday, September 19, 2015.  I am out of town on village business participating with the Florida League of Mayors, Board of Directors. 

We are working together, sharing ideas and resources. Saturday is a great day for planning.
The Florida League of Mayors (FLM) is the official nonpartisan organization of mayors in the State of Florida. Created in November 2005 during an Orlando meeting of members of the Florida League of Cities, FLM is a comprehensive association for all mayors. The primary goal of FLM is to provide a platform and outreach for a powerful tier of established and emerging leaders to speak out on issues of urgent interest to the citizens in their cities.

CLICK HERE to review the entire press release regarding my participation with the Florida League of Mayors.

It is exciting and humbling to serve with so many other Mayors from across the state.  This is an opportunity for corroboration with other officials across the State of Florida.  This will give rise to fresh ideas that I will be able to share with my fellow Village Council members and staff and will help us continue to move Palmetto Bay in the right direction.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Wed, 9/16/15 Update on the County Drainage project - Coral Reef Drive near 82 Avenue - changes to MOT and hours of operation

Ed Silva, Palmetto Bay Village Manager, has provided an update in regards to the Coral Reef Drive drainage project.  

Estimated completion date of the project is the second week of December 2015

Start date of the project has been pushed back to October 5, 2015 to allow for further community out reach

Project completed in three (3) Phases

Phase 1 Construction - SW 152nd ST from SW 83rd AV to SW 82nd AV
Road Closure – 9:30am – 6:30pm  SW 152nd ST closed eastbound  and westbound from SW 83rd AV to SW 82nd AV
Intersection of SW 152nd ST and SW 82nd AV open to vehicular traffic traveling N and S on SW 82nd AV and east of SW 82nd AV on SW 152nd ST daily during phase 1

Phase 2 Construction - SW 152nd ST from SW 80th AV to SW 82nd AV
Road Closure – 9:30am – 6:30pm  SW 152nd ST closed eastbound  and westbound from SW 80th AV to SW 82nd AV
Intersection of SW 152nd ST and SW 82nd AV open to vehicular traffic traveling N and S on SW 82nd AV and west of SW 82nd AV on SW 152nd ST daily during phase 2

Phase 3 Construction – Intersection of SW 152nd ST and SW 82nd AV
Road Closure –  Proposed work to be scheduled on a Saturday with complete closure of intersection, if intersection needs to be closed on a weekday it will be closed from 9:30am – 4:30pm  during phase 3 but it is expected that the work in phase 3 will be completed in a two day time frame.

There will be no open trenches at the end of the work day and all roads will be open to vehicular traffic by 6:30 p.m. daily.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Save the DATE - Family bike ride and event at Deering estate - sponsored by FDOT and partners - more information to follow

Save the date - Saturday, October 17, 2015 - "Bike on The Bay" including a family bike ride from Black Point beginning at 8 AM to Miami-Dade County's Deering Estate where there will be a fun morning of activities scheduled up to noon.  More information to follow.
(l to r) FDOT Community Traffic Safety Program Coordinator Carlos Sarmiento, Mayor Eugene Flinn,Village Policing Unit Lt. Serralta, and Communications Manager Bill Kress
Bike safety - and a community fun event. This event includes a family bike ride which starts at Black Point and ends at the Deering Estate. Let me know if you want to join up for a ride DOWN to the starting point at Black Point on Saturday morning - we'll make it a round trip!  Or simply meet up at the Deering Estate for the morning of fun bike-related activities.

CLICK HERE to view the village Facebook page for more information and follow this page for more information as it develops.

I am looking forward to working with our new Village Police Commander, FDOT, Deering Estate and all the FDOT region partners. See the 'Save The Date' flier below.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Update on the County Drainage project - Coral Reef Drive near 82 Avenue

From our Village Manager, Ed Silva:

There have been numerous requests for information on the street closure sign on S.W. 152nd. Street. This is a Miami-Dade county project that has been in the works for some time to help alleviate the drainage issues in that immediate area.
 
The project was authorized to proceed on September 4, 2015 and submitted to the Village on September 11, 2015 for our review.

The Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) is scheduled for approximately 30 days. The project was originally 'red tagged' by the Palmetto Bay Manager (stop work order) as pictured in the upper left (4 photos to the right). 
 
After a telephonic phone conference with Maria Levrant (from Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava’s office) and Antonio Cotarelo (Director of PWWM) we discussed  the closure and emphasized  the impact it will cause residents in the morning commute. They agreed to have the road open during the morning commute and schedule the work between the hours of 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. They asked to allow work on Saturdays so as not to delay the project and we agreed to this request.
 
The manager thanks the both of them for working with us and reaching an agreement that helps our residents in the morning commute but also addresses the drainage problems that area has. This proves what good, respectful communications can bring.
 
More information will be released as it becomes available. 

UPDATE - ADDENDUM:  CLICK HERE to view the official Palmetto Bay site with article: "Road Work Threatens to Close Coral Reef Drive - Village, County Work Together to Minimize Impact on Commuters" - photo of the MOT / Drainage work plan - posted below.
 


 

WAZE - reading update. links to articles regarding Waze and small neighborhoods

Additional online reading information concerning the WAZE and small neighborhoods:

Traffic:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/12/la-neighborhood-blames-waze-app-for-morning-traffic-jam/
http://sfvmedia.com/sfv/waze-app-pushing-valley-traffic-onto-narrow-canyon-roads-officials-say/
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-waze-traffic-app-neighborhoods-readers-20150506-story.html

Police Safety:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lapd-chief-concerned-waze-20150126-story.html
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-waze-google-lapd-response-20150127-story.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5d5ZZZdXYk

City Partnership with Waze to reduce cut-through traffic:

http://vnnc.org/2015/04/krekorian-wants-waze-to-reduce-cut-through-traffic/

City Partnership with Waze: (does nothing to reduce cut through traffic, but gives real time data to city)

http://www.lamayor.org/mayor_garcetti_details_agreement_with_waze_to_help_reduce_congestion_increase_safety_and_improve_driving_experience_around_l_a

DIY Reporting of Problems Doesn't work:

http://gizmodo.com/is-it-really-possible-to-trick-waze-to-keep-traffic-off-1660273215
http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/locals-upset-at-googles-waze-for-sending-traffic-to-their-streets/#!

Thank you to the many concerned neighbors who continue to research and participate in being part of the solution! 

This is why we live here - working together on issues important to our quality of life.


Eugene Flinn, Mayor
Village of Palmetto Bay

Palmetto Bay meetings - four meetings are set for the week beginning Monday, September 14

Four (4) meetings are scheduled to take place during the week beginning Monday, 9/14/2015.  You may be interested in attending and participating/observing these meetings. These meetings are as follows:

September 16


6 pm – 8 pmDr. Larry Feldman will be presenting the School Board Budget in a town hall setting.
8 pm – 11 pmVice Mayor DuBois and Councilwoman Siegel Lara will be meeting in a sunshine meeting to discuss matters concerning the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Proposed Operating & Capital Budget.  Other members of the Council may be in attendance.

September 17

6:30 pmArt in Public Places – in the Planning & Zoning Conference Room
7:00 pmCharter Revision Commission – in the main 1st Floor Conference Room



Public Meetings page – online resource:
CLICK HERE to view the official Palmetto Bay meetings page.  This is a good page to bookmark for quick reference of any and all Palmetto Bay meetings.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Is WAZE adversely impacting our local Palmetto Bay traffic, an individual's gain at expense of entire neighborhoods? Research is ongoing.

The week of September 6 through 12 may have been a short week due to the Labor Day holiday, but it was long on meetings.  Palmetto Bay officials held a regular council meeting, first budget hearing, special council meeting, manager's town hall meeting on traffic, as well as a zoning meeting. Attendance was a huge indicator on local priorities - traffic.  This was a very productive meeting that I opened with Councilman Tim Schaffer, held by our Manager Ed Silva.  We had officials from Miami-Dade County present as well as our Public Works, incoming Village Police Commander and our outsourced Traffic Engineer, Joe Corradino.  
Manager Silva presented some of the options being considered.  Mr. Corradino brought the community up to date on our efforts and his observations.  Many of this work was done in response to specific fact finding efforts that included myself and other members of the village council. 

I had noted some traffic updates on my Twitter feed referencing Palmetto Bay generated from a traffic app WAZE.  Discussion generated quite a buzz and research commenced from neighbors subsequent to that meeting.  I spoke with one neighborhood leader today, Sunday, September 13, 2015. 

I am now sharing some research to try to solicit more input on this issue.

See: L.A.'sLove/Hate Relationship With Waze Continues – The article talks about both the advances to the individual drivers and, more importantly, contrasts the BACKLASH onto the once quiet neighborhood as well as the local elected officials.

Sound familiar?

I am continuing to work with affected residents in all areas of Palmetto Bay.

Questions, comments, suggestions and research can forwarded to me via official e-mail, eflinn@palmettobay-fl.gov as well as the entire village council through a single e-mail: council@palmettobay-fl.gov.  I will keep the entire council up to date on the process and I request that I be copied on any e-mail you forward to a specific council member.


Please stay involved and look forward to/participate in both localized as well as larger town hall meetings  in the future.  This is but an interim update.   

Thank you again for working with me, us, on these important issues.  COMMUNICATION – is one of the reasons why we all live here.


Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Busy day in Palmetto Bay - Part II - Back to School Celebration - Coral Reef Park - Sept 9, 2015

A great time was had by all who attended the back to school celebration held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. Note this event was rescheduled from the original Friday, September 2, 2015, date. Our young students (and many parents) had a fun day at Coral Reef Park at the back-to-school party.








Village Park Staff available to promote and advise residents of upcoming events

Part of a busy day in Palmetto Bay, Part I - meeting with village lobby team

Good results in Tallahassee never happens without advance preparation.  I met along with our village officials; our Manager, Ed Silva and staff with an important part of our lobby team - Ron Book and Rana Brown.
Topics today covered opportunities, budget projections and issues.  We outlined how we are going to work Tallahassee to cover both our appropriation and policy priorities in Tallahassee for the upcoming 2016 Florida Legislative session.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Rain hits Palmetto Bay hard. Document and report localized flooding - and please drive safely and with consideration

Heavy rains caused major flooding in many areas of Palmetto Bay. My first photos are document one of the hardest hit homes, resident Ray B, who had water into his garage.  He had to block off his street to prevents the cars traveling down the street, creating wakes that were making his situation even worse.  The photo to the left was taken at 1:43 PM.  The photo to the right (both immediately below) was his street at 2:49 PM.
If you had flooding issues and have photos to share please forward them on so that we can provide them to our Public Works Department to assist in finding drainage solutions in your neighborhood.

Other areas of flooding:
 No one wants to face local flooding, to the point where it actually enters your garage.  Drive carefully and avoid stirring any wake.
And please, the photos that follow document how NOT to drive in areas of urban flooding.  It is dangerous, you can lose control, your breaking ability or simply stall your own car.  It is also rude to those dealing with the high water situation.
 



Water main break just the start of a very wet day for PBay

It started with a report of a water main break off 168th street up - 78th and approx 169.  Little did we know that the torrential rain of Labor Day, 2015, would make the water main look tame.
Pre-rain - work proceeding
Post deluge, the work continued.                          





Happy Labor day 2015. Thank you to those who work hard to make America great!

To all those who work so hard to make America great enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday weekend, I wish a very happy Labor Day weekend.  This is also the official end of Summer.

The first Monday in September is recognized as Labor Day, dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. 

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. 

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker. 

This information was obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor web site.   More information concerning Labor Day can be obtained from: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Great times in the Village of Parks - "Murder Mystery" dinner & show - where fun was had by all, that is all but for the 'victim'!

Palmetto Bay's inaugural "Murder Mystery" dinner & show was held Friday, September 4, 2015.

This was a guest participation event – part theatre, part dinner, where an appetite was required both for the meal as well as for solving a murder whodunit. The ‘Til Death Do Us Part’ Murder Mystery Dinner & Show started at 7:30 pm at Thalatta Estate Park. 

The event sold out well in advance of the event date. This is a strong statement that Village sponsored ticketed events are welcomed by residents in and surrounding 'The Village of Parks." 

Reviews posted on social media about the event have been very positive as well.

“Dinner and a show!” This was a sold out event which included a delicious three-course meal and an exciting evening of interaction with a professional cast to figure out the culprit in a lively “who-dun-it” mystery. 
Just one table group with part of the cast.  Good times.
Winners of 'best costume'
What is a “Murder Mystery Dinner & Show”? Murder-mystery dinners begin innocently enough – diners arrive to mingle amid drinks and quiet conversation. As diners munch away, a sudden death interrupts the feasting, and a hapless detective arrives to accuse one of the audience members. A detective arrives to determine who the killer is, inevitably laying blame on one of the audience members. Tablemates work together to prove their innocence and find the real killer through an interactive performance full of hilarious characters and eye-catching costumes.

I will update this blog, or add new posts as new photos or comments come in.  

Thank you to all in attendance.

A huge "Thank You" to our Village Management, Parks Director and staff/Special Events team/PIO for working so hard to get these events started and working so well in running such an outstanding event. Watch the village web site for upcoming opportunities to meet up and enjoy an another evening in our Palmetto Bay Parks with family, friends and neighbors.