Exciting news on School Transportation! Our Palmetto Bay EAC to receive an update on School Pool - Car Pooling

I  told you that additional traffic programs are set to roll out on traffic here in Palmetto Bay. Here is one more program - this one specific to our school traffic issues.

Come to our next Education Advisory Committee (EAC) and learn more about Car Pooling to our schools located in Palmetto Bay. The next EAC meeting is set for Tuesday, June 26th at 6:30 pm at Village Hall, 9705 E Hibiscus Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools is partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) / South Florida Commuter Services to expand the School Pool Program to include all schools in the Village of Palmetto Bay for the 2018-19 school year.

This transportation item is being placed on the EAC agenda to allow FDOT, School and So. Fla. Commuter Services to explain in detail what the program entails and how to best inform the public about this opportunity to reduce traffic on the streets of Palmetto Bay.

We may need to move the June Education Advisory Board (EAC) meeting to the council chambers! Why? To provide for proper space for our interested public to learn more about this good news on this Transportation School Pool program. We are attempting to confirm the attendance of the FDOT representatives.

For more information on School Pool, please visit: GoSchoolPool (CLICK HERE)

         What is SchoolPool? (info taken from their website)

SchoolPool is a free service offered by the Florida Department of Transportation in cooperation with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The program connects families interested in carpooling, biking or walking to and from school and provides incentives to parents and students who share the ride. It can even match families participating in before-and after-school programs. If you are tired of idling in the car pick-up line each day, SchoolPool is perfect for you!

I remain proud of the hard work of our EAC. The members of the EAC serve the Village by reviewing and supporting the terms of the Education Compact that was entered into between the Village and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. I am honored to be the Council Liaison for the EAC.

I invite parents, caregivers, as well as the members of the public who are interested in hearing about another effort at traffic mitigation to attend to hear details regarding the (FDOT) / South Florida Commuter Services intention to expand the School Pool Program to include all schools in the Village of Palmetto Bay.

Car pooling to school is far from new.  Times may have changed from when I was able to walk to my local Elementary School, which I did and I biked as well. I was part of a Car Pool to what when then known as "Junior" High School.

Efficiency through joining effort. Encouraging committees to work together on common projects. Case in point - student Transportation as part of the effort to relieve village traffic.

Leadership - bringing committees together to collaborate.  Putting talent together to work effectively for similar efforts.

Another great Education Advisory Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.  Eva M. Regueira, Ed.S., Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Grants Administration Miami-Dade County Public Schools works with our EAC and has recently also been working with Council Member David Singer - who has also been working on school transportation plans.  Director Regueira provided maps pursuant to his request which demonstrate the reported residences of students who attend our 4 area public schools: Howard Drive, Coral Reef and Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts - elementary schools as well as Southwood Middle School.

Robert Buzzelli serves on the village Services Advisory Committee and is working within that committee to coordinate efforts on village/Student transportation.   I invited him to participate in the 4/3 EAC meeting and begin to work together as he will also be in communication with Council Member Singer.

I have another "Meeting of the Mayors" meeting with Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava on Friday  (4-6-2018) where we will continue work on many of these school transportation issues.

I’m very proud of the dedicated members of all our committees as well as serving as Council Liaison to the EAC.

I am proud to be involved in real efforts to reduce adverse traffic impact to our Palmetto Bay residents.

Educational Advisory Committee (EAC) - updates on school school security and transportation initiatives

School safety was the big topic of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting held on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. Other important issues discussed included school transportation and a legislative update from Tallahassee. I am proud to be the liaison to this committee.

Palmetto Bay Policing Unit Major Gady Serralta presented on Palmetto Bay’s collaborative efforts on security in and surrounding our schools. Major Serralta disclosed that the enhanced security to MDCPS may reach $60,000.00 in overtime - through the remainder of this school year. I expect to bring forward budget adjustments to facilitate keeping students safe within our area.

As Mayor, I provided updates to the EAC members and guests on both village meetings on security and transportation efforts and meetings I have held with school board leaders.

Transportation is also being discussed - both on proposals I am facilitating regarding of ongoing meetings with Miami-Dade County Schools in an attempt to use our IBus to relieve school traffic as well as updating on (presently available and approved by MDCPS) car pooling initiatives - how I am working with our County Commissioner to identify potential users and encourage a dramatic increase in car pooling to schools.  Council Member David Singer appeared and privately discussed his own ideas for school transportation with District Representative. I understand that there will be a roll out for discuss in the very near future . 

Council Member David Singer and I have been hard at work holding several Town Hall Meetings on transportation (along with an upcoming traffic Safety Town Hall set for Monday, March 12, 2018).  Many ideas have arisen through the interactive discussions occurring at these town halls.

Tracking the taxes (GOB debt) that you pay. How much is being spent in Palmetto Bay?

I remain extremely proud of  the work of our Education Advisory Committee (EAC) and consider myself fortunate to serve as the Committee Liaison to the Village Council.   This is one very Transparent committee and has created a Facebook page as part of its public outreach (CLICK HERE). Information concerning this Committee is kept on the official Palmetto Bay web site (CLICK HERE)

Here are the links to the General Obligation Bonds (GOBs) fund improvements of our public schools. 
You can view GOB projects by municipality by visiting http://bondsforschools.dadeschools.net/project-lists-by-mun…. 

For the improvements scheduled for Palmetto Bay public schools, visit http://bondsforschools.dadeschools.net/Fil…/Palmetto_Bay.pdf.

We enjoy an outstanding working relationship between our Palmetto Bay Village with both our Public and Private Schools.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day - Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 8 - 9:00 AM

Hosted by the Village of Palmetto Bay - at Panera Bread

Media Group Lifestyle, 5 questions with Nancy Lawther, Education Advocate

A must read about Nancy Lawther who is passionate about protecting education. Ms. Lawther is a tremendous resource to both the Palmetto Bay Village Council and our Village of Palmetto Bay Education Advisory Committee.

See: Media Group Lifestyle, 5 questions with Nancy Lawther, Education Advocate

Photo credit - Media Group Lifestyle

 

Transparancy and communication - the Palmetto Bay Educational Advisory Committee Facebook page is live

Please "LIKE" our new Facebook Page created specially for our Palmetto Bay Educational Advisory Committee.  You can receive updates on all things education related to our area Public Schools. 

CLICK HERE to be taken to this Facebook site.  Become a member of this page and kept up to date on important information and events occurring at or concerning the Miami-Dade County Public Schools located in Palmetto Bay and/or serving our students.

PURPOSE: This advisory committee serves the Village by reviewing and supporting the terms of the Education Compact that was entered into between the Village and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.Current Members:

Diane Quick, Chair
Erica Watts, Secretary
Greg Zawyer
Tania Marrero
Valorie Erin Baker

Council Liaison: Mayor Eugene Flinn

Please "Like" and watch this page for ongoing information.

Village updates: Village meetings & events you should plan on participating in!

Its time for you to participate - SRTS meetings, Parks Master Planning, Historical Committee and a murder/mystery.  All here in Palmetto Bay.  Join me in February and March.

Please review my latest in the Community Newspapers online:
Village meetings & events you should plan on participating in!
By: Eugene Flinn - Mayor of Palmetto Bay |February 3, 2017
Late February and March will be a big month. Yes, more of the “P”s that I keep harping on! Planning Parks & People are some of the big “P”s that we are involved in. Please Plan on attending and Participating (or otherwise Providing inPut via e-mail or other means).

One of my biggest priorities is having Safe Routes to Schools (“SRTS” – keep an eye out for that acronym). A Village workshop on SRTS improvements scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2017 – 7:00 PM at our Village Hall. With Village Officials and design engineers. This is one of your best chances to impact the project. You are invited to attend and receive information on the details of the SRTS project designed to advance safe walking and bicycling to and from schools. The project consists of sidewalk connectivity, crosswalk and ADA ramp upgrades, signage, and pavement markings. Please note that no official action will be taken – this is a preliminary meeting – one of those opportunities to impact the project before it is a finished project.

Note that other meetings will be scheduled for our other schools, so don’t panic because you did not see your area of interest listed.

I want to let everyone know that Palmetto Bay will be engaged in updating our 2007 Parks Master Plans. Meetings are being planned. The decisions made will impact our community for generations to come so it is important for you to participate. Impact could range from decisions simply to maintain status quo and upgrade what we have to a total revamping of one or more parks. I recently have heard ideas involving bringing pickleball to existing facilities. There are many ideas – as well as opinions which include simply “add no more” so I ask for you to get engaged.

How is your knowledge of Village History? Are you a history buff? Do you have any pictures or “relics” from Palmetto Bay’s relatively short past? If any apply, you may want to participate in an upcoming short term history project. Your Mayor and Village Council is poised to set up a history committee that has been championed by our founding Vice Mayor, Linda Robinson. We will be gathering history for our 15 year Village Celebration. A surprise or two may be in store. Get involved – Participate!

Lastly, not to be missed, Thallata Estate is home to yet another open ticket event – Come on out for the March 10, “Totally 80’s, Murder Mystery Dinner & Show – full details are available on the official Palmetto Bay Facebook and website regarding this exciting evening of interaction with a professional cast to figure out the culprit in a lively “who-dun-it” mystery. Murder- as they say, “dinner – and a show!”

I look forward to continue the work with you in protecting Palmetto Bay as the best place to Live, Work, Play, & learn – no place better for families in Miami-Dade County!

Team Palmetto Bay presents its legislative agenda priorities to the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation

Team Palmetto Bay - at FIU for the 2017 Miami-Dade Legislative Hearing.

I was honored to speak before the Miami-Dade Delegation.  This was a collaborative team effort.  Palmetto Bay is about programing money for those with unique abilities and seniors, green, traffic calming and stormwater projects. 

Kudos to Mark Merwitzer, Member of our Palmetto Bay Youth Community Involvement Board (YCIB) who spoke passionately in favor of a legislative priority to make testing and driving a primary offense - saving lives!


Starting left moving to right :Mayor Eugene Flinn, County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava,
YCIB member Mark Merwitzer, PPP Chair Peter England and Palmetto Bay Manager Ed Silva.

Palmetto Bay Partners Advisory Committee (PPP) Chair Peter England spoke on an important Deering request that Palmetto Bay is fully supportive.

Palmetto Bay has put together a unified legislative agenda.  See my prior post of January 22, 2017 - Presenting the full text - and transparency protection - Palmetto Bay's 2017 Legislative Priorities - to view the complete 2017 Palmetto Bay Legislative Agenda

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 pm – Dr. Larry Feldman will be presenting the School Board Budget in a town hall setting.

8 pm – 11 pm – Vice 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 pm – Art in Public Places – in the Planning & Zoning Conference Room

7:00 pm – Charter Revision Commission – in the main 1st Floor Conference Room

> Watch Live Village Meetings here

  > Watch Archive Meetings On-Demand

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.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Another committee study, another book end for the Palmetto Bay shelf

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Report is another study that currently sits unresolved by the current council, much like the Palmetto Bay's Building and Permitting Advisory Committee Final Committee Report.  Review the minutes from the September 2009 regular council meeting.  I personally do not like sending people on a snipe hunt (also known as fool’s errand).  The study was completed through significant resident input alongside the Corradino Group as consultants to the study, paid for out of an MPO grant.

The study was presented at the regular council meeting of September 2009.  I made specific inquiry as to the following:

Q: Are any of the recommended plan currently funded?  A: They were not.

Q: If the plan was accepted, would it give critical mass to go forward and seek funding.  A: I was assured it would.

Despite the fact that current mayor Stanczyk takes credit for much of this plan, it remains another plan on the shelf and cannot currently be located on the village website under documents (as of 1/15/13).  The plan addressed safety and accessibility issues.  This report has value and was a project rolled over from the original council, yet no effort has been made over the last two years to resolve the 5 year plan. 

RESULTS TO DATE:  Miami-Dade County (not Palmetto Bay) completed the Old Cutler Bike Path upgrades.

BRIEF ASIDE: The Complete committee report accepted in September 2009 should be available online, without having to make a public records request.  All Charettes, Public studies, etc., should be maintained online for public access.

RECOMMENDATION:  Seek funding from the State or County to implement the proposals of this plan. Show your work. Don’t let these recommendations be the next fire stations, a project left to be completed, but ignored to date by the current council.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THIS REPORT:  A spreadsheet of the project was provided (Click the link to view) to me from one of the committee members (I forgot to obtain authorization to use the member’s name and will follow up).  Care was taken to split up routes that are MDC responsibility from VPB.  Critical Co. infrastructure is sidewalks on the west side of Old Cutler Rd. particularly from SW 157 Tr. to SW 162 St. and from SW 168 St, to SW 174 St. as there is no way to get past the canals without crossing Old Cutler Rd. twice at locations where there is no light or marked crosswalk. 

The committee member also identified one more safety item that we should ask the Co. to do ASAP.  There is no ped. push button to operate the light at Old Cutler Rd. & SW 176 St.  Cars and bicycles with aluminum wheels can operate the light by rolling over the detector loops but there is no way for a pedestrian to operate the light.  The library at 17641 OCR is cut off from pedestrian access. 

I have asked the town to concentrate on the sidewalks on SW 176 St. to provide safe travel for peds. when people are entering and leaving Palmer Trinity School.