Update on Malbrook intersection issue - discussion of options to threatened removal of 4 way stop signs on 87th Avenue. Meeting noticed for 7 PM, Oct. 17, 2019.

At least someone still listens - the special council meeting is on for October 17, but it will be more of a discussion of options, rather than the proposed rush to lawsuit (I cited the actual language in the prior post).

Obviously the so-called ‘solution’ presented for approval at the Oct 4 council meeting (negotiated outside of resident input) was not acceptable to those most affected. Their voices should matter. The agenda item was denied by a unanimous vote. One strange aspect is that one of the no votes came from the very official who claimed to have negotiated it.

The residents of the affected areas should be involved in the discussion and any decisions made. We had involved them in numerous Town Hall meetings prior to December 2018, when the administrations changed. I recommend that Palmetto Bay reinvigorate the interactive town hall meetings. 

I asked the Village Council Members in my prior post of 10/9 to tread carefully and not file a lawsuit unless it has a solid chance of success, but also be mindful of what future ramifications are for loss of significant partnership, including placing the entire Old Cutler Road traffic relief program on hold creating traffic nightmares for years to come. 

It appears that some have listened as the actual notice differs from the initial saber rattling and reads as follows:

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 7:00 PM

Village Hall Municipal Center, 9705 East Hibiscus Street

The Village of Palmetto Bay shall be conducting a Special Council Meeting on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at approximately 7:00 p.m. at Village Hall, 9705 E. Hibiscus Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157. This Special Council Meeting for the purposes of discussing an email received by Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) and requesting the County to leave the 4-way stop signs located on SW 174 Street and SW 87 Avenue, including discussing on filing an emergency motion for injunctive relief in the 11th Circuit Court against the County to prohibit them from removing the stop signs due to public safety at least until the county commission can rule on this. Discussion will also ensue to petition the Miami Dade County Board of County Commissioners for relief on this matter by directing the County Mayor to stop DTPW from forcing the Village to remove the stop signs in the event the action would create a public safety hazard as in the case of SW 174 Street and SW 87 Avenue. (all underline emphasis added)

Calmer heads on the Village Council may be prevailing. Palmetto Bay should avoid reestablishing a reputation for being mired in litigation. It took significant work to resolve the era of litigation relating to Palmer.

The actual meeting notice provides a much broader range of topics and leaves open the possibility of litigation, if required and deemed to be a viable option. This is for the best of our residents and prevents a further souring of relations with MDC and MDC DTPW.

There is nothing in the notice as to whether there will be any re visitation on the Mangowood 4-ways stop (SW 82nd Avenue at 148th St.), given the change in aggressiveness toward Miami-Dade County.

For additional background - please review PRIOR RELATED POST of October 9, 2019, BREAKING NEWS! Palmetto Bay Vice mayor will call for a Special Council meeting to discuss filing suit against Miami-Dade County.