UPDATE: Series on Multi Paths - looking at the Red Road Linear Park Path. How it compares to the Palmetto Bay designed 136th Street project.

This video is part of a series examining multi use paths in our area. I plan in comparing the Old Cutler Trail, the Cutler Bay Shared use path, the Pinecrest Red Road Lineal Park Path. All compared with the current Palmetto Bay designed Shared Path now under construction on SW 136th Street. 

Many of you may be familiar with this Red Road Linear Park Path. It was originally created under Miami-Dade County and later nurtured and maintained by the Village of Pinecrest. Compare it with the JPA shared path that Palmetto Bay designed for SW 136th Street.

The Red Road Linear Park Path is a 2.5 mile lighted walking/bicycle path along the Snapper Creek Canal on Red Road. There are three rest areas accented with coral rock walls and enhanced landscaping along historic Red Road, located along the East-side of Red Road between Kendall Drive and Killian Drive in Pinecrest, Florida.

Now this is a shaded, park type amenity that provides safe mobility!

Here is a Yelp Review of this path/park:

Yes, per the Village of Pinecrest, this does qualify as parkland. It's a little strip of land bordered by Red Road on one side and the Snapper Creek Canal on the other. There is a meandering paved path, one upon which my running feet pound quite often. It's a running/walking/biking/blading path, and a good one.

The park is listed as 2.5 miles long. I'm surprised at that, because my internal odometer says it feels a little less. Maybe that's because unlike many other South Florida "parks," it actually has a bit of a tree canopy, helping somewhat to ease the pain the sun brings. In fact, there's a wide variety of native plant life on display along this path, from gumbo limbo to cypress to pond apple. This helps make the path as scenic as a path that close to a busy road can be.

This stretch of Snapper Creek looks like an enticing place to cast a fishing line, but in all honesty, the fishing here sucks. This stretch of the canal is just a deep featureless ditch, with little or no aquatic plant life or other structure providing cover for fish.

Insider tip....only run here when the wind is out of the east, the path is on the east side of Red Road. Run here during periods of westerly breeze, and you open yourself up to breathing truck exhaust.

Important note - this is one multi use path where there are no potential conflicts with motor vehicles - not one. At no point do vehicles cross the path at any point along any of this 2.5 mile path.

Take note of the following for this Red Road Linear Park Path:

• The appearance of park amenity including numerous park type benches. The uniformity of the path.
• The quality of the construction.
• There are no areas of conflict with cars anywhere along the entirety of the 2.5 miles of this path. It is a path uninterrupted by any conflict from motor vehicles crossing the path. 
• At no time does this path narrow from its uniform width, nor does it take any sharp turns or curves (once it begins – the southern terminus connects to the cross walk that leads to Pinecrest Gardens – and other path. 

Contrast this with the Palmetto Bay designed shared path. Note that there will be as many as 70 separate areas of conflict with roadways and the numerous driveways that will cross the Palmetto Bay designed shared path along SW 136th Street. And note, I have previously identified that safety is compromised at each point where motorized vehicles cross shared paths. 

See PRIOR RELATED POST of September 29, 2021, Series on Multi Paths - looking at Cutler Bay's shared path project. How it compares to the Palmetto Bay designed 136th Street project.

Series on Multi Paths - looking at Cutler Bay's shared path project. How it compares to the Palmetto Bay designed 136th Street project.

This video is part of a series examining multi use paths in our area. I plan in comparing the Old Cutler Trail, the Cutler Bay Shared use path, the Pinecrest Red Road Lineal Park Path, all with the current Palmetto Bay designed Shared Path now under construction on SW 136th Street. 

Part 1. Please look at this shared use path that Cutler Bay worked on with Miami-Dade County and compare it with the JPA shared path that Palmetto Bay designed for SW 136th Street.

Take note of the following for this Cutler Bay designed shared path:

• The appearance of park amenity including numerous park type benches. The uniformity of the path.
• The quality of the construction.
• There are minimal areas of conflict with cars - in fact, there are no conflicts in the first 1 minute, 46 seconds of this video. The distance is .4 of a mile or 2,116 feet (measured via Google Earth) where there is a path uninterrupted by any conflict from motor vehicles crossing the path. 
• There are a total of 17 areas of potential conflict (after the .4 mile area mentioned above). There are few streets; most are business driveways all located in close proximity to the Franjo Road business district.
• At no time does this path narrow from its uniform width, nor does it take any sharp turns or curves. 

Contrast this with the Palmetto Bay designed shared path. Note that there will be as many as 70 separate areas of conflict with roadways and the numerous driveways that will cross the Palmetto Bay designed shared path along SW 136th Street. And note, I have previously identified that safety is compromised at each point where motorized vehicles cross shared paths. 

Above and below, photos depicting the construction status of the Palmetto Bay designed shared path on SW 136th Street. Some landscaping will eventually be restored, but the widths will not change. The first photo shows a full 10 foot section that reduces to an 8 foot wide section. The other photo above shows a section where 8 feet is suddenly reduced to a mere 5 feet (standard sidewalk width). The photo below documents a section "separated" by mere feet and no curbing from SW 136th Street.

Please also note that there was no public input on the Palmetto Bay designed shared path. Not a single public meeting. The re-design was developed in private by a few people with special influence and who enjoy special access to the current mayor.

Reference materials. See prior related posts of:

June 24, 2020, Yet another car v bike conflict along the Old Cutler Trail – a multi-use path, not a dedicated bike lane.

July 2, 2020, How Many Cyclists Have to Die Before We Get Serious About Bike Lanes?

MASTER LINK TO RELEVANT PAST POSTS - BACKGROUND MATERIALS (CLICK HERE)

And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, I am a cyclist and I am quite disappointed that this Palmetto Bay designed shared path will not get the cyclists off the road - that would require designation bike lanes - once designed for this SW 136th Street. See: June 22, 2021, Palmetto Bay can change the project, but municipal officials cannot change State Law which determines where bicyclists may ride. 

In other words, drivers will still be required to share SW 136th Street with cyclists. Please don't yell at the cyclists to move off the road. The fault is that of the current Palmetto Bay mayor and council who changed the plans from dedicated bike lanes to a shared path.

SW 136th Street update. There is no mistaking who owns responsibility for this SW 136th project design: Palmetto Bay officials (2019 to date) who redesigned it from bike lanes to a MEGA shared path.

Let's be clear. Palmetto Bay was at all time responsible for the design on the SW 136th Street Project. Palmetto Bay also had the right of first refusal to the Project.  The County is responsible for the construction of the Palmetto Bay designed project. So here we go, the project is finally moving to actual construction. This past Monday, County crews identified the trees that will be removed and replaced for the SW 136 Street MEGA sidewalk project. I have been contacted my many people concerned about the numbers of trees marked for death (removal) and relocation. Remember, this project was once a bike lane project that would have extended the road surface a total of 8 feet; 4 feet on the Palmetto Bay side (east bound lanes) and the other 4 feet on the Pinecrest side (the west bound lanes).

The “Finger Pointing Tour” has begun. Palmetto Bay deflection of responsibility is ramping up as they keep referring to "the County" as responsible for this project. This is a project where Palmetto Bay officials now reference everything as “the County”. Now it is true that "the county" is readying to break ground sometime on or about July 12. It is also true that "the County" marked the trees for removal or 'relocation'.  But please, do not scapegoat Miami-Dade County. The ‘shared path’ slated for SW 136 Street is far from an exclusive project of Miami-Dade County. It is a Joint Participation Project,  done under a contract known as a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA). This means Palmetto Bay officials can't blame Miami-Dade County for the change from a bike lane to the MEGA (8-10 foot) shared path. The current Mayor and Village Council of Palmetto Bay had control over the project design. 

The original plan: (Prior administration) The Palmetto Bay Village Council adopted Resolution No. 2017-47 approving the Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) with Miami-Dade County to construct a bicycle lane along SW 136 Street from US1 to Old Cutler Road.

The information is contained in Resolution, (2017-47) which allocated a total of $500,000 in Village funds toward the project.

Comprehensive information is available in a PRIOR RELATED POST of September 23, 2020, Facts are facts. Here are the facts concerning the SW 136 Street Bike Lanes project: It is a Joint Project (JPA) between Miami-Dade County and Palmetto Bay.

Please also take the time to review another detailed article (posted December 13, 2019), SW 136th Street Project update - Pinecrest Meeting held December 11, 2019. Here is the report I received:

I reported on the Pinecrest community meeting held regarding the changed project. Over 20 people were in attendance, some were Palmetto Bay residents. Pinecrest officials were there. I am told that Palmetto  Bay was represented by District 3 Council Member Marsha Matson, who is advocating for a mega sidewalk for all of Palmetto Bay. [see a PRIOR RELATED POST of October 2019: Foreshadowing - for now, please review the Palmetto Bay Path conceptual Plan proposed by Marsha Matson, Palmetto Bay Councilmember, District 3, March18, 2019. Please review the Palmetto Bay Path conceptual Plan proposed by Marsha Matson, Palmetto Bay Council Member, District 3, March 18, 2019. (CLICK HERE) to download and view this 23 page document.]

There is no mistaking who owns responsibility for this SW 136th project design - Palmetto Bay officials (2019 to date).

Above. the current project, as redesigned and approved by Palmetto Bay officials (2019 to date)
Below- the original design as approved by Palmetto Bay officials pre-2018.

 

 

CONSTRUCTION ALERT - Howard Drive Shared Path project. Construction scheduled to commence July 12, 2021. Details and background provided

Here is a true “in the loop” update on the Howard Drive Shared Path project. Construction is scheduled to commence July 12, 2021. Details and background are supplied below.

Not much has been heard about the MEGA sidewalk since the fireworks erupted late in 2020. I have been provided a timeline from County sources that I am releasing here. CLICK HERE for background blog posts or review: September 29, 2020, Seeking updates on the SW 136th Street MEGA sidewalkproject. Is the grand Photo Op ceremony still on for Friday, October 2nd (SPOILER ALERT – it was cancelled and I am not in the loop as to whether it will ever take place). Also see October 30, 2019, Pinecrest Wins, Palmetto Bay loses. Pinecrest Council discusses material changes to 136 St Bike Lane. Palmetto Bay may be home to a 10 foot MEGA sidewalk instead of a shared project.

July 12, 2021: Anticipate commencement of the shared use path. The initial work will start Howard Drive Elementary in order to minimize any disruptions of class schedules for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.

Both Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest were notified on March 4, 2021, by Miami-Dade County that the start date for construction of the shared used path was July 12, 2021. The County anticipates the project will last 300 days – with substantial completion in 240 days.

All this flows from various meetings, including those listed below:

A November 7, 2019 meeting was held where Mayors Corradino and Cunningham both met with representatives from the County to review the project.

There was an October 23, 2019, meeting where the Pinecrest Public Works Director met with County representatives to discuss the issue with tree removal along the Pinecrest side of the right of way. The result of this meeting was that the County agreed that the trees on the Pinecrest side of SW 136 Street will not be disturbed.

September 23 and 25, 2019: Pinecrest Public Works Director met with Miami-Dade County and Palmetto Bay to discuss plans for the shared-use bike lane on SW 136 Street. Discussed centered around a revised approach that would involve construction of a shared use path along the entire length of 136 Street on the south side (Palmetto Bay) and nothing on the Pinecrest side. 

Further updates will be provided when and if received.

Update on the MEGA Multipath slated for Howard Drive (Palmetto Bay side only). The colors really do bring out the contrast. (an update in a series)

Is this MEGA path needed? Has anyone ever told you that they would love to go for a walk along SW 136 Street, but said they couldn’t because the existing sidewalk is too narrow?  (NOTE - this POST WAS UPDATED 9/22/2020 at 10:15 AM) 

There is a standard sized sidewalk that runs from US1 all the way to Old Cutler Road.  Who asked for this multi-path and what will it really look like? 

The plans are tough to read, so I asked for someone to use color to fill in the sidewalk and the planned MEGA path to provide prospective. The blue marks the existing standard size sidewalk. The color orange is used to mark where these plans have the MEGA sidewalk placed for the home at 8100 SW 136 Street. Note that for this home, the sidewalk is not a 4 foot extension of the existing, but a complete 8-10 foot new creation that is a full 10 feet or more closer to the existing home. This path is not straight, it meanders, meaning that the impact will not be the same (will not be uniform) for all the homes that front Howard Drive. Some may hardly notice it, but some homes will have a HUGE impact, you might say a MEGA impact.

Sources tell me that there is a grand Photo Op ceremony set for Friday, October 2nd (the last day of the current Interim Manager who put in notice of his resignation on Monday, September 21, but that was a prior story.)

9/22/2020 update: I have a section for the area adjacent and in front of Howard Drive Elementary School - see updated pic below:

Note how the path curves with the radius of the intersection like a sidewalk, unlike a bike lane. Does the radius at the Southwest corner of 136/77 foreshadow a future project, extending the concrete MEGA path to eventually travel South along 77th Avenue to Coral Reef Park?

Does the MEGA Path also curve into 82nd Avenue at the intersection of 136/82 and, if so, which side of 82nd Avenue will the continuation of this path travel down?

FAIR QUESTION: If this path is so great, so safe, then why did Pinecrest pay more money so this project would be pushed off, out of Pinecrest and solely onto Palmetto Bay residents?

THE TOOL BOX: CLICK HERE to view related past posts relating to the dismantaling of the bike lanes and substituting them with the Howard Drive MEGA PATH. 

Good news continues to flow from Pinecrest. Government spending kept in check results in dividends to residents

Good governments manage their spending. Deficit spending is the first sign that the elected officials are not watching out for the taxpayers. Reserves are just that: reserves, rainy day funds that should be borrowed, then put back within a reasonable time.  "If you use a commodity or resource carefully and without extravagance you will never be in need."

Pinecrest managed its spending and the services during the COVID-19 storm. The result? A dividend to the taxpayers in the form of reduced property tax rate. This is appropriate. The same should be true in Palmetto Bay, especially as crimes dropped due in part to people working form home, where they kept an eye on their property, and a significant reduction in park expenses due to a curtailing of activities. 

Government officials are measured by how they manage issues. Did the Elected Officials buckle down and manage or did they fail to react, adjust and rely upon casting blame on others and put out propaganda and distraction to cover their mistakes?

See my prior related post of September 2, 2020, Good News report from Pinecrest. No tax rate increase, no cuts in services, no need to raid reserves.

This is wonderful news in these COVID times. Pinecrest managed COVID-19 without any adverse financial impact on their residents. Pinecrest is set up for reimbursement from FEMA. No deficits were incurred.

Success is where preparation meets opportunity. COVID-19 reached everyone. Those where were prepared, dealt with it and came out unscathed. Those who failed resort to playing victim, blaming others and point fingers.

There has been no silly spending in Pinecrest. Revenues have been spent on providing Pinecrest government services. A true case a "waste not, want not."

Good News report from Pinecrest. No tax rate increase, no cuts in services, no need to raid reserves.

The 2020-2021 budget year looks very promising for the Pinecrest community.  The Village of Pinecrest is not raising their mileage rate. They have a surplus (additional to prior). Village employees and police are all getting raises.

This is wonderful news in these COVID times. Pinecrest managed COVID-19 without any adverse financial impact on their residents. Pinecrest is set up for reimbursement from FEMA. No deficits were incurred.

Success is where preparation meets opportunity. COVID-19 reached everyone. Those where were prepared, dealt with it and came out unscathed. Those who failed resort to playing victim, blaming others and point fingers.

There has been no silly spending. Pinecrest government revenues have been spent on providing Pinecrest government services.

Increased property taxable value covers any increases in their budget. The Mayor and Council of Pinecrest have no need, and therefore no plan to either raid reserves or raise taxes. 

Another surplus is anticipated. And this is after all Pinecrest employees, police and general, receive a raise in this upcoming year (possibly a 5% raise).

No Pinecrest taxpayer, business or residential, will be called upon to reach deeper into their pockets for Pinecrest.

For more information:

2020-2021 Proposed Budget

• Village Manager's Town Hall - August 20, 2020, 6:00 p.m. [Meeting Video]
• Budget Workshop - August 25, 2020, 9:00 a.m. [Meeting Video]
• First Budget Hearing - September 8, 2020, 6:00 p.m.

Second Budget Hearing - September 22, 2020, 6:00 p.m.

WEEKENDER – Sat. May 30, FLORIDA HEALTH Coronavirus update released. The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 35 (or is it 37?), Pinecrest jumps to 18, and Cutler Bay remains at 12 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 35 (or is it 37?), Pinecrest jumps to 18, and Cutler Bay remains at 12 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Saturday, May 30, 2020:

Cases          Area

17,826*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       12            Cutler Bay                         Page   10
       35            Palmetto Bay                     Page     8
         2            Village of Palmetto Bay     Page   13 
       18            Pinecrest                           Page     9

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Saturday, May 30, 2020, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/30/2020 (975 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 16)

COVID-19 update released Monday, May 25, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 34 (plus another mysterious listing of “Village of Palmetto Bay” with “1”), Pinecrest remains at 10 and Cutler Bay reaches 12. Link provided to full daily report.

Monday - 5/25/2020 State of Florida Update:

Source - official Florida Health Report for Thursday, May 14, 2020:


Cases          Area

17,041*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       12            Cutler Bay                      See pages  12
      34            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8  & 14 
      10            Pinecrest                         See page    10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Monday, May 25, 2020, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/25/2020 (913 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 16)

COVID-19 update released Thursday, May 14, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 30, Pinecrest now at 10 and Cutler Bay reaches 3. Link provided to full daily report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 30, Pinecrest 10, and Cutler Bay has reached 3 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Thursday, May 14, 2020:

Cases          Area

14,742*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

        3            Cutler Bay                      See page   12 of report
      30            Palmetto Bay                See page     8 
      10            Pinecrest                        See page   10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Thursday, May 14, 2020, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/14/2020 (764 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 15)

COVID-19 Weekender update Saturday, May 9, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 27, Pinecrest now at 9 and Cutler Bay remains at 2. Link provided to full daily report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Saturday, May 9, 2020:

Cases          Area

13,841*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       2            Cutler Bay                      See page    12 (out of 710 total pages)

     27            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8

       9            Pinecrest                        See page    10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Saturday, May 9, 2020, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/09/2020 (710 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 15)

WEEKENDER – Sat. April 25, FLORIDA HEALTH Coronavirus update released: Palmetto Bay now at 20, Pinecrest 7, and Cutler Bay has reached 2 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 20, Pinecrest 7, and Cutler Bay has reached 2 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for April 25, 2020:

# Cases        Area

11,005*       Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       2            Cutler Bay                      See page  12 (out of 549 total pages)
     20            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8
       7            Pinecrest                        See page   10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of April 25, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 4/25/2020 (549 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 14)

COVID-19 update released Tuesday, April 21, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 19, Pinecrest remains at 7 and Cutler Bay 1. Link provided to full report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 19, Pinecrest 7, and somehow, Cutler Bay remains at a single reported case (1).

 

Source - official Florida Health Report for April 21, 2020 (now at 491 pages - CLICK HERE to download and view):

Cases          Area

9,840        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

        1            Cutler Bay                      See page  14 (out of 491)

     19            Palmetto Bay,                See page    8

       7            Pinecrest,                       See page   10

FLORIDA HEALTH update released for Thursday, April 16, 2020 – Palmetto Bay now at 16 cases, Pinecrest remains at 6, Cutler Bay at 1.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area . FLORIDA HEALTH update released for Thursday, April 16, 2020 – Palmetto Bay now at 16, Pinecrest remains at 6, Cutler Bay at 1.

Source - official Florida Health Report for April 16, 2020:

Cases          Area

8,057          Miami-Dade (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities below) 

       1            Cutler Bay                       See page   13

     16            Palmetto Bay, Dade      See page     8

       6            Pinecrest, Dade             See page   10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of April 16, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 4/16/2020 (412 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 14)

WEEKENDER – Sat. April 11 FLORIDA HEALTH Coronavirus update – Palmetto Bay at 14, Pinecrest remains at 6 and Cutler Bay 1. Link provided to full report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area . FLORIDA HEALTH update released for Saturday, April 11, 2020 – Palmetto Bay now at 14, Pinecrest remains at 6, Cutler Bay at 1.

Source - official Florida Health Report for April 11, 2020:

Cases          Area

6,487          Miami-Dade (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities below) 

       1            Cutler Bay                       See page  12

     14            Palmetto Bay, Dade      See page    8

       6            Pinecrest, Dade             See page    9

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of April 11, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 4/11/2020 (299 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 14)

COVID - 19 FLORIDA HEALTH update for Thursday, April 9, 2020. The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade – Palmetto Bay is presently at 13, Pinecrest at 6, Cutler Bay at 1.

Source - official Florida Health Report for April 9, 2020:

# Cases         Area

5,745            Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       1            Cutler Bay                      See page  12 of report (link below)
     13            Palmetto Bay, Dade       See page    8 of report (link below)
       6            Pinecrest, Dade             See page    9 of report (link below)

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of April 9, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 4/9/2020 (299 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 13)

Photo of the Day - Ed Silva and Michael Kesti deliver on safety - providing much needed face masks to our area first responders.

A much needed donation - looking out for our first responders. Palmetto Bay resident and past Village Manager Ed Silva and long-time resident and Rotary member Michael Kesti deliver personal donations of much needed protective masks to Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest and Miami-Dade County Police Units. The masks were delivered on Friday, March 27, 2020. (and keeping their social distance!).

This good news story gets better as you consider that Ed Silva and Michael Kesti were ahead of the curve by providing masks to the Village in advance of the CDC recommendation. This allowed our officers to have the masks on hand on day one for use when the recommendation was released.

Great news here in Palmetto Bay!

Thank you Ed Silva and Michael Kesti for being there for our Palmetto Bay community.

Ed Silva is a long time Palmetto Bay resident, local businessperson and served the Village as Building Official and Village Manager.

Michael Kesti is a long time Palmetto Bay resident, member of the Palmetto Bay business community and officer - both regionally and with the local Rotary Club of Perrine-Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay. Michael is the incoming Governor for 2022-23 for Rotary International District 6990 (South Florida and Grand Bahama Islands). He is Past-President and proud member of The Rotary Club of Perrine-Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay. 

FLORIDA HEALTH report – Coronavirus update for Tues, 3/31/2020 – Palmetto Bay at 7, Cutler Bay 2, Pinecrest remains at 1. Link provided to full report.

March 31, 2020 report from Florida Health - increased testing reveals increase in confirmed cases.

Quick update the Report for Tuesday, March 31, 2020 is now posted– The information (partial areas listed below) was taken from pages 5-9 of the 111 page report. Do your own research – the facts are available for your full review. CLICK HERE to view the official update for Monday, March 30, 2020.

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of March 31. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. CLICK HERE to view the official update for 3/31/2020.  An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The short update for the South Miami-Dade area – Palmetto Bay is at 7, Pinecrest remains at 1. Cutler Bay had a second case verified (2).

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

1,926      Miami-Dade County (Countywide)

36            Coral Gables, Dade 
   2           Cutler Bay
 24           Doral, Dade
   2           Florida City
46            Homestead, Dade
20            Key Biscayne, Dade
  7            Palmetto Bay, Dade
  1            Pinecrest, Dade
23           South Miami, Dade

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 3/31/2020.

Coronavirus - actions taken in neighboring jurisdictions- Pinecrest

I recently featured a blog post of random thoughts - relating to the potential mixed messages in Palmetto Bay. I am looking over the fence at neighboring Pinecrest and Cutler Bay to see what action has been taken there. Cutler Bay officials Send County Mayor Gimenez Letter Encouraging a Shelter in Place Emergency Order. Pinecrest officials are urging residents to stay at home in the Pinecrest Emergency Statement, which provides for the following:

Pinecrest, in coordination with Miami Dade County has issued an Emergency Statement which, among other requirements, asks people to stay at home.

Please follow what the national and local medical experts are telling us. Stay at Home.

We have temporarily closed Village facilities and certain businesses including the temporary closure all non-essential retail and commercial establishments until further notice.

This safer at home warning is designed to protect the health and well-being of residents Pinecrest and Miami Dade county and , to enforce the social distancing required in an effort to limit community spread of COVID-19.

All persons living within the Village of Pinecrest need to remain in their homes, and move about subject only to the county exemptions for essential Retail and Commercial Activities, as defined in Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 07-20. These essential retail and commercial activities include grocery stores; convenience stores; food distribution centers; restaurants (for take-out and delivery only), hospitals, pharmacies, and health care providers. A full list is on our web site.

All public and private gatherings of more than 10 people occurring outside a residence are not allowed, except for the exempted activities.

All travel, including, without limitation, travel on foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or use of public transit is strongly discouraged. Except for outdoor activity and recreation in areas not otherwise closed to the public, provided that the people do not congregate in groups of 10 or more and they maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet between each other. This includes without limitation: walking, hiking, running, or cycling. Please continue to do this but do it safely.

Our police department has been instructed to be proactive in encouraging compliance with these actions.

We need to stay at home until we see data that shows we have minimized the impact on our hospital system.

Thank you and continue to be safe. We are working around the clock to assure we are doing everything we can to impact this disease.

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I will continue the updates as they are brought to my attention. I ask our Palmetto Bay officials to get serious and focus. Stop waiting and relying upon the County to 'be the bad guy' (some call the County to be the responsive and responsible leadership). Going last only shifted out of towners to our parks, increasing the exposure, the risk, to Palmetto Bay.

There was a flutter and appearance of a start of action in Palmetto Bay when the Council actually held a "virtual meeting" but, let's be honest, they have nothing of substance to show for it. See the official Virtual Special Council Meeting- Summary- posted on the Palmetto Bay government website. There was no discussion of joining in with nearly every other municipality to call for a stay at home order. Not even a discussion of a RECOMMENDATION to stay at home. Only a weak attempt to require that food prep employees to wear masks (not a CDC recommendation) and a partial restriction on short term rentals. Again, read the official summary -  there no consideration of a stay at home order to stop the spread of the pandemic. There would be no action taken in Palmetto Bay if not for the action imposed by Miami-Dade County.

Cutler Bay's Mayor has called for action.

The contrasts are striking. Both Cutler Bay and Pinecrest cancelled public events early on - to avoid risk to the public - while Palmetto Bay went ahead with its 2,000 gathering celebration picnic. Both Cutler Bay and Pinecrest closed their parks early on -  at times leading to non-Palmetto Bay residents travelling into our village to have access to parks - long before there were verified reports of Coronavirus in south Miami-Dade County. 

Perhaps the fast and decisive action in both  Cutler Bay and Pinecrest is why there are currently no verified cases of Coronavirus in either Cutler Bay or Pinecrest. Municipalities may enact their own restrictions (such as the 2 acts attempted by Palmetto Bay officials at their virtual meeting).

I ask our Palmetto Bay officials to check in with their fellow elected officials (there is not one case of coronavirus being spread via telephones or e-mails) to get updates on how to attempt to manage this crisis.

Tallahassee update – REVISED – I missed one significant appropriation regarding Pinecrest. A great request. Also, confirming my prior post as to the Palmetto HS Field request.

First: I left this worthy project from my list. Pinecrest is working on improving their jewel, Pinecrest Gardens. Palmetto Bay should do the same. Palmetto Bay has received millions in the past for our parks system that allowed us to claim the title “Village of Parks” – these parks are used by far more than our residents. The parks are open for all.

Pinecrest is getting aggressive in their appropriation requests; making some very reasonable and well researched requests to the Florida Legislature.

One such request is House Bill (HB) 2545 - Village of Pinecrest-Pinecrest Gardens ADA Upper Garden Initiative – the request is for $500,000

Title of Project: Village of Pinecrest-Pinecrest Gardens ADA Upper Garden Initiative

House Member Sponsor: Javier Fernandez

Stated purpose (“Village” below refers to Village of Pinecrest):

The Village proposes to renovate the existing playground, bathrooms, petting zoo, Inspiration (educational) Center and connecting paths to make them ADA accessible; it also intends to add new playground equipment and a unique, greatly expanded ADA accessible Sensory and Learning Garden. Additionally, creating new picnic facilities, a new nature trail and installing better lighting.

CLICK HERE to view the details of this request.

Second, I was contacted regarding my post of February 20, 2020, pointing out to me that the HB 5001 currently lists the appropriation level to the school at $100,000.

Miami Palmetto Senior High School Athletic Field (HB 4987) –  CLICK HERE to view the 8 page project details. HB 4987 is a request for $1,000,000 – One Million dollars.  But it appears (at this time) to be funded at only the $100,000 level that I reported on February 20. As I also said, nothing is ever final until an item makes in into the budget, avoids the veto pen and remains safe in a budget signed/approved by the Governor.  See numbered page 31 (it is actually page 32 of the posted .PDF) of the current list of appropriations listed in HB 5001 – again – no result is guaranteed. Changes can and often do happen, sometimes positive and often less than positive. 

PRIOR RELATED POSTS:

February 6, 2020, Palmetto Bay legislative appropriations requests - Appropriations Project Request-Fiscal Year 2020-21.

February 20, 2020, Tallahassee update - What monies are currently listed in House Bill 5001 - General Appropriations Act – a review of what is currently earmarked for our local Miami-Dade municipal communities –including Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Cutler Bay& Palmetto HS

February 7, 2020, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) - FY2020-2021 Recommended Priority List

Prior posts providing background:

May 8, 2014, Florida Communities Trust (FCT) requires Palmetto Bay to change its operation of Thalatta Park – This is good news for area residents