A Vice Mayor who actually cares. Traffic circle safety - fighting distracted driving. Let him lead - his talents are serving our village

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer - a product of our village who has worked hard to for his chance to serve - and who is making the most of it, when others on the council are more concerned about accumulating perks or taking selfies.

There are important safety issues that need to be discussed by our council. Instead, Palmetto Bay residents rarely find anything useful on village social media - its more targeted to photos of the mayor and selected council members taken at past village social events. 

Vice Mayor Merwitzer is focuses on village safety.  Past history has shown is interest for the people. This is a reboot of a blog post from August 14, 2017. 

Traffic Circle Safety - Please take the time to view this creative video by Mark Merwitzer, Jackson Ribler & Justin Merwitzer. Edited and produced through the talents of "Miami Hal" Feldman.

Our Palmetto Bay youth stepped up and prepared this outstanding video.  

This is outstanding work by Mark Merwitzer, Jackson Ribler & Justin Merwitzer. 

Edited and produced through the talents of "Miami Hal" Feldman. 

Drive safe Palmetto Bay.

Here are some stills from the effort, filmed Sunday, 8/13/2017:

Small Bites - TPO Bridge vote Post-Mortem review. Miami-Dade County has ALWAYS been willing to negotiate. Background and Example 1. Village Wide residential speed limit report.

I am providing a few examples of concessions made by Miami-Dade County (MDC) to show its willingness to work with the Municipal partners (including Palmetto Bay). This is first of a series.

Other examples will include my work with MDC to obtain bike lanes along SW 136th Street (Howard Drive). Negotiations are always ongoing as current leadership worked with the County to revise that plan in order to place a 8-10 foot wide shared recreation path solely on the Palmetto Bay (south) side of SW 136th Street.

In regard to the Bridge - this was never a surprise. I won't go into all that went into the effort that lead to the political slaughter before the TPO (SPOILER ALERT: most of the factors where absolute lack of follow through on the commitments made the last time Palmetto Bay appeared before the TPO on the bridge). I did put this issue out in December 15, 2020 - just days before the current Palmetto Bay mayor had a comprehensive meeting with our County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins. See: December 15, 2020, 2021's first test - the bridge is back. Will it unite or divide Palmetto Bay? Will it happen without input from Palmetto Bay's so-called leaders? 

The sad part is that this TPO fiasco went as poorly as I feared - it has moved forward so far in spite of, and worse, without input from Palmetto Bay's so-called leaders who would rather play victim and allege lack of notice despite the fact that they were warned - and not just by me. Walking away from an issue will not make it go away. But I spoke about it  in the initial Post-Mortem of March 10, 2021, TPO committee moves 87th Ave bridge forward to full TPO Board. Antagonism politics is not working for this Palmetto Bay mayor and council.

You want "no right turn signs"? The County has always been reasonable. What has been unreasonable has been the cost of enforcement.

You want "traffic tables"? We have secured these anytime we have asked.

In fact, the County has even looked away when Palmetto Bay has conveniently failed to comply with the requirements that the 'temporary traffic tables' (informally identified as the black rubber mats) be removed after 90 days.

So after all the background - here is Example #1 - ready for implementation - Resolution 2018-12 - years of hard work and ready to be implemented to the extent that the present or any future mayor and councils desire: the 2017 Village Wide Speed Limit report and traffic calming. By the way, there is a lot in here that is applicable to Golf Carts in Palmetto Bay. This resolution was adopted in February 2018, prior to the elections. Realize that new mayor and new councils bring with them different ideas, priorities and policies - as well as tactics and relative abilities in transparency and work ethic. What has happened with this report post 2018 elections? Not a darn thing. 

My suggestion? I may have talked tough at times but I negotiated tougher - and achieved results. We need to get the village back on the track of co-existing and being civil - both to those we are negotiating with as well as the legions of residents who feel that their voices are currently not being heard. 

Bridging Palmetto Bay - the plan is back and apparently this has been put together without any opposition or input from current Palmetto Bay officials.

 What did they know and when did they know it?

The late US Senator and statesman Howard Baker is known for his famous query of then President Nixon: "What did the President know and when did he know it?" Well, I have the same thought today.  Apparently our Palmetto Bay elected leaders were caught flat footed, blissfully unaware of a plan pushing through the County Commission to bridge Palmetto Bay, starting at 87 Avenue. This is kind of important information to stay on top of - both for supporters and objectors.

I served with two different county commissioners and both would meet regularly with me to discuss issues and projects that concerned and/or impacted Palmetto Bay. I am quite taken aback by this alleged lack of knowledge by the Palmetto Bay Mayor and Council. Commission Danielle Cohen Higgins has been accessible to those who have questions or concerns. I could not see how it is any different for fellow elected officials. There are also the South Dade Municipal Coalition meetings where transportation issues have been discussed as well. In any event, there was a Palmetto Bay Council Meeting last night (Monday, 2/1/2021). Do the current council members support this proposal or not? Do they have an action plan either in support or opposition? If so, could they please share it with all of us?

Here is a link to the Miami Herald Article - viewable by those who subscribe to the newspaper. See:  The fight over the 87th Avenue bridge is back, and up for a last-minute county vote, by Douglas Hanks, 2/01/2021

So it is a fair question to ask: What did the current Palmetto Bay Mayor and Council Members know and when did they know it? And if they knew nothing, then why? Why aren’t questions asked in the numbers meetings and opportunities that they have shared with our County Commissioner, Danielle Cohen Higgins?

Finally – here is a link to the Miami-Dade County Commission item set for today, yes, TODAY, Tuesday, February 2, 2021, beginning at 9:00 AM.

 210164ResolutionDanielle Cohen Higgins, Prime Sponsor   RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY POLICY THAT THE COUNTY ARTERIAL NETWORK EXTEND WITHOUT DEAD-ENDS, WITHIN TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STANDARDS, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND IN FURTHERANCE OF THAT POLICY, DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT A BRIDGE THAT WOULD EXTEND SW 87TH AVENUE FROM SW 164TH STREET TO SW 163RD TERRACE CROSSING OVER THE CUTLER DRAIN CANAL C-100 (“BRIDGE PROJECT”); APPROPRIATING $3,100,000.00 IN UNENCUMBERED ROAD IMPACT FEE FUNDS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY CARRYOVER FUNDS, FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 COUNTYWIDE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE PROJECT; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE, SHOULD ADDITIONAL FUNDS BE NECESSARY, TO IDENTIFY AND APPROPRIATE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2-1796 OF THE COUNTY CODE, LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDS FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 COUNTY BUDGET FOR THE BRIDGE PROJECT, AND TO INCLUDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID BRIDGE PROJECT, AS NECESSARY, IN THE MAYOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022Add-on PDF    1/29/2021Per Ord 20-38, item placed by BCC Chair without committee review and is not subject to 4-day rule

I hear the lamentations of the current mayor and council.  I want to hear the plan, and see it effectively put into operation, either in support or in opposition to this bridge plan.

Recent meetings documented on official's social media:

Is there actual conversation of substance between our elected officials when these events take place or its it merely posing for the camera?

Lawsuit? What lawsuit? Palmetto Bay is now a bit player in future decisions to be made regarding traffic solutions along SW 87th Avenue and surrounding areas.

We will all look back at Monday, February 10, 2020, as the day that the County took control over decisions on what happens to traffic moving within Palmetto Bay. But it gets worse. The decisions are not to be made just by Miami-Dade County, but in consultation with outside elected officials from the surrounding communities of Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest. Mayors from the listed municipalities met with Miami-Dade County Mayor Gimenez - downtown at County Hall on Monday, February 10, 2020, to discuss what needed traffic solutions along SW 87th Avenue and surrounding areas should be applied within Palmetto Bay. 

There is no doubt. Mayor Gimenez advised that the County is stepping in and undertaking a traffic study to address what will be the most effective solutions for the area. These solutions will then be applied. Done and done. This radical new format effectively removes Palmetto Bay as decision maker as the decisions will be controlled  by Miami-Dade County, in consultation with officials representing Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest. 

I wonder how much input Palmetto Bay will be given to needed traffic solutions / issues in unincorporated Miami-Dade, Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest.  Anyone? ... Anyone?

Fair question: How is that Palmetto Bay lawsuit and petty saber rattling working out right now for the current Palmetto Bay elected leaders?

Not well. Palmetto Bay has now lost most, if not all of it's relevance, as now Palmetto Bay will merely be included in the discussion led by Miami-Dade County along with the neighboring communities of Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest. From leader and decision maker to merely a participant, if not even a mere spectator. 

Go ahead and say it Mayor Cunningham and members of the Council (the community is now well-aware, even if you still won't admit it) - you are no longer masters of your own domain!

Obviously, Miami-Dade County is now stepping in to fill the void in leadership here in Palmetto Bay that has seen the following crisis of indecision and reversal of traffic program that began to unravel as of December 5, 2018. I brought this crisis to readers back on October 25, 2019, when I raised the fair question as to how the current Mayor and council overstepped their authority in reaching a formal agreement with Miami-Dade County, through the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) without bringing the proposal back to the residents. It is a fair question as others have wondered whether this lawsuit is an abject 'abdication of responsibility' of the responsibility of their elected office as spelled out in the Village Charter for Mayor Cunningham and the entire Village Council to maintain civility, communication and advocate for Palmetto Bay with Miami-Dade County.

Failure to keep promises, backing out of a traffic circle for SW 87th Avenue at SW 144th, failure to follow through on the traffic programs for Farmer Road, Malbrook, Old Cutler Road, including the neighborhood off SW 156th, East of Old Cutler Road to 77th Avenue. 

TRAFFIC RELIEF PLANS REMAIN ON HOLD: Planned traffic relief set for implementation in early 2019 has come to a screeching halt – Malbrook, 152/77th Area, Old Cutler Road (south of 168th), Farmers Road/Old Cutler North, bike lanes for SW 136 Street (morphing to an enlarged sidewalk solely borne by Palmetto Bay residents), as well as the right turn lane on Ludlum, turning right onto eastbound Old Cutler Road – all currently off the rails. See October 17, 2018, Update on Palmetto Bay Traffic Projects - and further updates will be posted as available 

Where is the follow up on the right turn lane worked out with Miami-Dade County on Ludlum Road at the intersection with Old Cutler Road/136 Street (and don't get me started on how the bike lanes for SW 136th Street became a 8-10 foot play path limited to the Palmetto Bay side of SW 136th Street - See: October 30, 2019, Pinecrest Wins, Palmetto Bay loses.) What about the overall Marlin Engineering traffic plan approved in 2016?

The tool box on this issue - prior relevant posts:

• BREAKING NEWS - County was set to remove stop signs, but will wait for Village Council to reconsider Traffic Circle
• Palmetto Bay - salvage what you can before the door actually closes on the traffic circle for 174 and 87th Avenue
• What is next for traffic management in Palmetto Bay. I missed a report if there was one on Jan 6. Where is the plan?
• South Dade Updates Guest Blog- view of the 12/12/2019 Palmetto Bay / Miami-Dade County conflict resolution proceeding
• Waiting for Palmetto Bay’s official response – Cutler Bay site alleges that the 174/87th 4 way stop to be removed January 17. Where is the announcement, what about the lawsuit?
• Additional background:
• December 10, 2019, Agenda for the Conflict Resolution/Mediation set for 2:00 PM, Thursday, 12/12/19. Agenda includes public comment. Should you/must you go to state your position. Fair questions in advance.
• October 25, 2019, Thoughts on the most recent litigation FILED by the village: Good faith or is this a less than good faith attempt to avoid a deal that the Mayor and Council had no authority to make?
• October 17, 2018, Update on Palmetto Bay Traffic Projects - and further updates will be posted as available
• December 6, 2019, Are we reaching the end game? What is the strategy and what is the long term goal of the current Mayor and Village Council Members? Fire by volley.

Traffic calming - public works - leadership. What is happening with that lawsuit so critical to address an “emergency…”? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Rumor has it (actually, well-placed sources that are honest)  that there is a deal pending that this suit will be ‘dropped’ (dismissed) in exchange for Miami-Dade County funding and installing the traffic circle at the intersection  of SW 87th Avenue and SW 174th Street. This 'rumor' has neither been admitted nor denied by Village Council. It just sits there - like the stalled traffic mitigation programs in the pipeline in 2018 (CLICK HERE to view October 17, 2018, Update on Palmetto Bay Traffic Projects - and further updates will be posted as available - under a different mayor and council and, therefore, different priorities.

Back to the lawsuit. What is up with the lawsuit to protect public safety at 87 & 174? Neither the facts, nor the law are on the side of Palmetto Bay, yet it is strange that this is not being discussed publicly; that the allegations of the alleged deal were conspicuously not addressed at the Special Council Meeting held on Thursday, January 23, 2020. Item 3 of this meeting (III) was "A traffic circle on SW 87th Avenue and SW 174th Street.” The can keeps getting kicked down the road and, what, another ninety (90) days has been requested by the Village. Really? What for? The Village dodged a bullet of a prior January 17 removal date thanks to grassroots resident action (the ‘in spite of the elected officials’ result). See January 13, 2020, Palmetto Bay - salvage what you can before the door actually closes on the traffic circle for 174 and 87th Avenue

Will Palmetto Bay officials accept the inevitable on the traffic circle or, if not, why does it take 90 more days to simply say no to the county and move on the lawsuit? Is there another plan other than delay, delay, delay?

Experience matters as does maturity. It is time for Palmetto Bay to move forward on the traffic circle – and this should be done before the 4-way stop signs are removed and the “do not block the box (intersection)" paint is placed on 87th avenue.

What has been accomplished to date?  Nothing – there has been no action on the lawsuit which sits dormant to date. 

Screen shot of official court docket -
Palmetto Bay v Miami-Dade County as of 3:00 PM, Friday, 1/31/2020

Why must this important item of traffic safety proceed behind the scenes? How are the various members of the Village Council being advised/included without violating Florida’s Sunshine Law?

It is beginning to look more and more like there is deliberate foot dragging (if not actual hiding under the bed to avoid responsibility) calculated to make the county take unilateral action; just as the county did after the current Palmetto Bay Village Council denied the traffic circle at  SW 87th Avenue and SW 144th street which forced Miami-Dade County to step in and unilaterally install the 4 way stop signs.

This is all most irregular – no action, little communication, no leadership. Miami-Dade County removed a 4 way stop at SW 82nd Avenue and SW 148th Street in Mangowood in 2016 (which did lead to significant Village council uproar, but under a prior Mayor and Council). Things have certainly changed under this current mayor and council: 

• Miami-Dade County installed a 4 way stop at SW 87th Avenue and SW 174th Street– that it now wants to remove in favor of a fully funded and installed traffic circle. 
• Miami-Dade County has installed, apparently as a permanent solution, the aforementioned four way stop at SW 87th Avenue at SW 144th street (mere blocks from where the Mangowood signs were removed - the irony!)

All this without a peep, and with no comment by the current mayor or other village elected officials.

There is no action (resolutions or other foreshadowing of discussion) relating to any of these areas listed on the official village agenda for the February village council meeting for Monday, February 3, 2020 (CLICK HERE to view the agenda as it was posted as of Friday, January 31, 2020).

It is all beginning to look like the current mayor and council continue to abdicate their responsibilities in order to simply throw shade and point fingers, all the while waiting on Miami-Dade County to tire of the endless delays and take action without them, thereby allowing Palmetto Bay officials to maintain plausible deniability and blame others – in this case Miami-Dade County.

The tool box on this issue - prior relevant posts:

• BREAKING NEWS - County was set to remove stop signs, but will wait for Village Council to reconsider Traffic Circle
• Palmetto Bay - salvage what you can before the door actually closes on the traffic circle for 174 and 87th Avenue
• What is next for traffic management in Palmetto Bay. I missed a report if there was one on Jan 6. Where is the plan?
• South Dade Updates Guest Blog- view of the 12/12/2019 Palmetto Bay / Miami-Dade County conflict resolution proceeding
• Waiting for Palmetto Bay’s official response – Cutler Bay site alleges that the 174/87th 4 way stop to be removed January 17. Where is the announcement, what about the lawsuit?

No sign of them here? Why is this critical intersection not marked? Street by street? Not here.

2:00 PM UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POST: It gets worse. I spotted a Facebook update who went out to confirm or deny what I had posted early morning of Tuesday, 1/21/2020.  Here is the report from this FOSDU* Note that the identity of the person who posted has been redacted. 

As stated in the post: 

So, was the Mayor's (Referring to Mayor Cunningham's) Clean Street Sign initiative so good that some signs disappeared like the 174 SW 87th ??And some others were completely ignored.See exhibits A, B &C

The missing signs are confirmed, but note the second photo that documents the condition of the Street sign placed at SW 86th Avenue and SW 174th Street (a different intersection).

It is obvious that residents of this area are not "FOK's" (Friends of the Mayor) and are not receiving their spoils share of council delivered public works pork. Unfair!
______________________________________
Original post - 6:00 AM Tuesday, 1/21/2020:

It is easy to see what is there, but it is often harder to notice what is missing. Can you tell without me pointing it out? Look at the photos below, provided to me by a FOSDU*  

Do I need to give you a sign, or at least a hint? Not everyone uses a traffic APP to navigate Palmetto Bay. Anyone involved in a true "street by street" initiative should have been all over this issue by now.

Street signs remain critical. Why then, is the intersection of 87th Avenue at SW 174th Street without these signs? We need to separate and highlight the facts from the fiction being promoted. This is an additional example of why public works should be through professional administration, based upon need, rather than a political initiative through the Mayor or Village Council members.

We may know more on Thursday, January 23, 2020, as Palmetto Bay officials have called a Special Council Meeting for 7:00 PM, to be held at the Palmetto Bay Municipal Center. Item 3 of this meeting (III) is "A traffic circle on SW 87th Avenue and SW 174th Street."

Do you really want to know how to get action for your street? See the post(s) related to:  Getting action. Sometimes nagging works. Sign in process of restoration on day 67! An account of one neighborhood's experience with street signs under Mayor Cunningham's administration and how some streets appear to be treated better than others.

For PRIOR RELATED POSTS, see:

• BREAKING NEWS - County was set to remove stop signs, but will wait for Village Council to reconsider Traffic Circle
• Palmetto Bay - salvage what you can before the door actually closes on the traffic circle for 174 and 87th Avenue
• What is next for traffic management in Palmetto Bay. I missed a report if there was one on Jan 6. Where is the plan?
• South Dade Updates Guest Blog- view of the 12/12/2019 Palmetto Bay / Miami-Dade County conflict resolution proceeding
• Waiting for Palmetto Bay’s official response – Cutler Bay site alleges that the 174/87th 4 way stop to be removed January 17. Where is the announcement, what about the lawsuit?

*FOSDU - a frequently used acronym for "Friend of South Dade Updates" Blog - concerned residents who don't necessarily want to be publicly identified.

BREAKING NEWS - County was set to remove stop signs, but will wait for Village Council to reconsider Traffic Circle

This is breaking news.  Miami-Dade County was set to remove the stop signs on 87th Avenue at SW 174th Street today - January 15, 2020.

Thanks to resident involvement and complaints, Miami-Dade County will now hold off on the sign removal to allow the Palmetto Bay Mayor and Village Council to reconsider its position on the Traffic Circle for this location.

Another great example of leadership at the local grassroots level - by involved residents.

IMPORTANT BACKGROUND see: January 13, 2020, Palmetto Bay - salvage what you can before the door actually closes on the traffic circle for 174 and 87th Avenue,  where I have advocated for cooler heads, that it is time for Palmetto Bay to move forward on the Traffic Circle – and this should be done before the 4-way stop signs are removed and the “do not block the box (intersection)" paint is placed on 87 avenue. This change is currently scheduled for January 17, 2020 - just days from this post. The Palmetto Bay lawsuit seeking injunctive relief is not going anywhere and it will go nowhere – at least anywhere productive. 

Photos above demonstrate the options for Palmetto Bay on 87th Av at 174:

"Do Not Block" paint versus landscaped traffic circle. Which looks and performs better?

UPDATE - 5:00 PM, January 15, 2020:  Palmetto Bay officials have called a Special Council Meeting for 7:00 PM, Thursday, January 23, 2020, to be held at the Palmetto Bay Municipal Center. Item 3 of this meeting (III) is "A traffic circle on SW 87th Avenue and SW 174th Street.

Palmetto Bay - salvage what you can before the door actually closes on the traffic circle for 174 and 87th Avenue

Experience matters as does maturity. It is time for Palmetto Bay to move forward on the Traffic Circle – and this should be done before the 4-way stop signs are removed and the “do not block the box (intersection)" paint is placed on 87 avenue. This change is currently scheduled for January 17, 2020 - just days from this post. The Palmetto Bay lawsuit seeking injunctive relief is not going anywhere and it will go nowhere – at least anywhere productive. 

It is easy for our current members of the Palmetto Bay Village Council to talk tough and hide behind a lawsuit. It is harder to make the right choice, even if it is far from an easy choice. After all, bad litigation allows Mayor Cunningham and the Village Council to scapegoat; to blame the courts for the adverse rulings or others (and boy, does this current mayor and council love to sit back and do nothing but delay and point fingers at others!). 

The facts:

• The County basically ignored the lawsuit, VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA VS MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, case number 019-031036-CA-01, case filed 10/18/2019.
• The lawsuit was very weak, particularly as the alleged facts “verified” (sworn to on the complaint filed) by Karyn Cunningham where she verified unsupported allegations made in the lawsuit that were not based upon an actual traffic expert. Not that this would have made a big difference, but it would have provided something of substance for a Judge to consider at an initial hearing for a preliminary injunction.
• There were obviously no grounds for a preliminary injunction (something that would have alleviated the need for pre-suit dispute resolution and allowed for the injunction - until the case can progress on the merits). The current Village Attorney has not even seen fit to file anything with the court post conflict resolution meeting of 12/12/2019.
• The County pushed back hard at the Dispute resolution conference. (see letter pictured here) and see: January 7, 2020, South Dade Updates Guest Blog- view of the 12/12/2019 Palmetto Bay / Miami-Dade County conflict resolution proceeding
• Palmetto Bay officials have all but admitted to the fact that this lawsuit is baseless, which can be argued by the fact that the current village attorney has not filing anything with the court to advise that the conflict meeting was held and seeking the injunction to prevent removal of the signs currently scheduled for this week, January 17, 2020. The lawsuit simply sits there, untended, which is a reflection of how useless a tool this suit is to force the county to maintain the 4-way stop.
  
  Here is the short version, cutting to the chase, as to what was offered at this meeting of 12/12/2019:

Miami-Dade County officials offered to do 1 of 2 things:

1.  Remove the stop signs and paint a "do not block" (the "box") at the intersection, (see posted pictures for an example) or 
2.  Miami-Dade County will fund and install a traffic circle at 174 and 87th Avenue.

It is time for Mayor Cunningham and, if not her, the others on the village council to face reality and take some action based upon the facts and not their political pandering. 

THE FACT – there is a resolution ready and waiting. The County’s offer of to fund and build a traffic circle at 174 and 87th Avenue is still available – if Cunningham and Co gets out of the way and allows the proper response to the dangerous intersection. My advice to them: ‘when in a hole (and mayor, you are deep in this hole) STOP DIGGING!’ See Law of Holes.

I originally asked this question on December 12, 2019, and nothing good has happened over the month relative to this issue:

FAIR QUESTION: How do our village officials feel their aggressive negotiation through threats and litigation is proceeding, is it effective so far?  Does Mayor Cunningham feel that this process will provide the results worth the probable negative impact on joint projects planned for other areas of Palmetto Bay?  Will we need to litigate all these projects?

TRAFFIC RELIEF PLANS ARE GLOBALLY ON HOLD: Planned traffic relief set for implementation in early 2019 has come to a screeching halt – Malbrook, 152/77th Area, Old Cutler Road (south of 168th), Farmers Road/Old Cutler North, bike lanes for SW 136 Street (morphing to an enlarged sidewalk solely borne by Palmetto Bay residents), as well as the right turn lane on Ludlum, turning right onto eastbound Old Cutler Road – all currently off the rails. See October 17, 2018, Update on Palmetto Bay Traffic Projects - and further updates will be posted as available 

Well?
Grassroots government: INTERESTING POINT – unique to local government. This current Palmetto Bay Village Council has created another first – a local government where the County Mayor and other County Officials get more done through meeting with involved residents than the current elected officials. Not a good sign for anyone looking for any relevance of results from Palmetto Bay officials.

Perhaps this credibility gap is caused by Palmetto Bay officials negotiating and reaching 'agreements' only to renege on that promise (as occurred when the traffic  circle and other projects agreed to were voted down by the village council). 

Again, this litigation will go nowhere productive. Dismiss it and allow Miami-Dade County to fund and install a traffic circle at 174 and 87th Avenue.

The choice (far from 'Sophie's choice') as demonstrated through photos below (but it may be more of a 'Hobson's choice').

Photos above demonstrate the options for Palmetto Bay on 87th Av at 174:

"Do Not Block" paint versus landscaped traffic circle. Which looks and performs better?

PAST RELEVANT POSTS – the ‘toolbox’ on this issue. 

January 7, 2020, What is next for traffic management in Palmetto Bay. I missed a report if there was one on Jan 6. Where is the plan?

January 3, 2020, Waiting for Palmetto Bay’s official response – Cutler Bay site alleges that the 174/87th 4 way stop to be removed January 17. Where is the announcement, what about the lawsuit? - There is just no other way to say it - Mayor Cunningham and the Village Council tell you only what they want you to know. You need to look elsewhere for most information. 

December 5, 2019, Meeting noticed: Conflict Assessment Meeting set in Village of Palmetto Bay vs. Miami-Dade County, Florida, for 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Village Hall, as well as:

October 25, 2019, Thoughts on the most recent litigation FILED by the village: Good faith or is this a less than good faith attempt to avoid a deal that the Mayor and Council had no authority to make?

December 10, 2019, Agenda for the Conflict Resolution/Mediation set for 2:00 PM, Thursday, 12/12/19. Agenda includes public comment. Should you/must you go to state your position. Fair questions in advance.
November 20, 2019, Litigation Update. Court approves agreement between Palmetto Bay & Miami-Dade County to stay proceedings pending exhaustion of conflict resolution procedures

We all are waiting to see how this plays out. We could have at least had a traffic circle, funded by Miami-Dade County. We will now, as things stand now, have the "Do Not Block The Box" paint. Hardly as effective, but that is just my opinion.

What is next for traffic management in Palmetto Bay. I missed a report if there was one on Jan 6. Where is the plan?

No update as to what is next in regard to addressing the pending issue of the intersection of SW 87th avenue at the intersection with SW 174th Street. This much we know:  There was no update of this matter at the regular village council meeting of January 6, 2019. I was provided a copy of the notification Miami-Dade County provided to Palmetto Bay - official correspondence of December 30, 2019. This situation is apparently not an emergency as the village council members have known about this developing situation through this official letter (in their possession prior to the end of 2019), as well as indirect, but obvious notification through Cutler Bay and this blog (see prior related post of  January 3, 2020, Waiting for Palmetto Bay’s official response – Cutler Bay site alleges that the 174/87th 4 way stop to be removed January 17. Where is the announcement, what about the lawsuit?

This is troubling. No updated instructions were provided to the Village Attorney, at least publicly, and it takes the full council to direct the attorney (it must be done in compliance with the Florida  Sunshine and public records laws).  Mayor Cunningham swore under oath (see the verification page), on page 6 of the 6 page complaint for injunctive relief (CLICK HERE), (in numbered paragraphs 16 and 17, page 3 of 6), that:

16. The Village is entitled to an injunction to prevent the County or any other party from removing the Additional Stop Signs without the installation or provision of an alternate safety measure at the Dangerous Intersection. 

17. The Village and its residents will continue to suffer irreparable injury - including, but not limited to personal injury - as a result of the County's removal of the Additional Stop Signs without the installation or provision of an alternate safety measure at the Dangerous Intersection.

So, FAIR QUESTION: has the Village now backed off the claims Mayor Cunningham swore to under oath above? Or has the Village Council determined that the "Do Not Block the Box" paint job (and signs) constitute "installation or provision of an alternate safety measure at the Dangerous Intersection"?

The public was not advised of any update on 1/6, so there appears to be no decision made, or at least announced, in accordance with the Florida Sunshine Law. And last night was a properly noticed council meeting, so I personally don't see how there would be a sudden need to call an 'emergency council meeting' before the 17th, when the signs are removed when this Village Council avoided discussing it at the January 6, 2020, meeting.  

There appears to be a total breakdown in litigation management as well as this Village Council attempting to manage traffic. I remarked on this in a much earlier post, about this council seemingly willing to abdicate its responsibility. PAST POSTS have discussed the buzz around the village is whether the current Mayor and council overstepped their authority in reaching a formal agreement with Miami-Dade County, through the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) without bringing the proposal back to the residents. It is a fair question as others have wondered whether this lawsuit is an abject 'abdication of responsibility' of the responsibility of their elected office as spelled out in the Village Charter for Mayor Cunningham and the entire Village Council to maintain civility, communication and advocate for Palmetto Bay with Miami-Dade County.

This has not gone unnoticed.  Look no further than the December 30, 2019, letter itself. It was addressed solely to the Public Services Director of Palmetto Bay and copied to various Country, but not Palmetto Bay officials.  This is significant in my opinion.

I have posted a photos taken from actual intersections (Red Road in Coral Gables) demonstrating what we can expect SW 87th Avenue at 174th Street to look and function like, according to the notification provided in this letter, see December 12, 2019, How did the Village fare at the Conflict Resolution/Mediation meeting held 12/12/19? I am providing photos of a 'Do Not Block" intersection.





Partial tool box on this issue - the relevant prior posts:

See December 5, 2019, Meeting noticed: Conflict Assessment Meeting set in Village of Palmetto Bay vs. Miami-Dade County, Florida, for 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Village Hall, as well as:

October 25, 2019, Thoughts on the most recent litigation FILED by the village: Good faith or is this a less than good faith attempt to avoid a deal that the Mayor and Council had no authority to make?

We all are waiting to see how this plays out. We could have at least had a traffic circle, funded by Miami-Dade County. We will now, as things stand now, have the "Do Not Block The Box" paint. Hardly as effective, but that is just my opinion.

Waiting for Palmetto Bay’s official response – Cutler Bay site alleges that the 174/87th 4 way stop to be removed January 17. Where is the announcement, what about the lawsuit?

There is just no other way to say it - Mayor Cunningham and the Village Council tell you only what they want you to know. You need to look elsewhere for most information. 

BREAKING NEWS: 11:00 AM, Friday, January 3rd, 2020 - Cutler Bay News Facebook site reports "Important Information For Those Who Travel on 87th Ave." Only silence so far from Palmetto Bay. Perhaps they are not privy to the information provided from Miami-Dade County DTPW to the same extent as the rest of us.

The poorly run conflict resolution debacle was held on December 12, 2019 and it certainly resulted in an impasse - actually- downright hostility. The event was held and the proceeding ended without a resolution. So then why no action on the alleged lawsuit since then? The last docket entry posted in the November 18, 2019, Motion to Stay (proceedings - for this 12/12 event). Has the County called the Palmetto Bay bluff, leaving Palmetto Bay's current Mayor and Council standing/looking like a deer frozen in the headlights of an oncoming truck?

Why do we have to rely on other sources for important information - as reported by Cutler Bay News on its Facebook Page:

Cutler Bay News
Important Information For Those Who Travel on 87th Ave.

According to Miami Dade's Department of Transportation and Public Works: "On Friday, January 17, the stop signs located on SW 87 Ave. and SW 174 St. will be removed and the intersection will revert back to two-way stop signs. The stop signs on SW 174 St. will remain in place."

Wow. It appears that this information is not on the list of things to know.  Pity.  

There is no transparency here any longer in Palmetto Bay. How is that kool aid tasting now?

UPDATE 3:35 pm, Friday, January 3rd, 2020:  Tom Condon, editor of the Cutler Bay News page provided me with an update on the source. It was right in front of all of us.

FAIR QUESTION: Did Miami-Dade County officials send a letter to Palmetto Bay officials in advance informing them of this decision to pull the stop signs? If not, then why, are the members of the current council that irrelevant? And why, if there was such an advance letter, has Palmetto Bay sat on this issue, not running to court to get that much ballyhooed injunction to prevent the sign removal?

Here is the background on the lawsuit fiasco relating to the 87th Avenue/SW 174 four-way stop sign litigation.  CLICK HERE to view the PRIOR RELATED POST of December 12, 2019, How did the Village fare at the Conflict Resolution/Mediation meeting held 12/12/19? I am providing photos of a 'Do Not Block" intersection.

Obviously they did not fare very well, as the County has indicated they will remove the signs.

Additional background:

December 10, 2019, Agenda for the Conflict Resolution/Mediation set for 2:00 PM, Thursday, 12/12/19. Agenda includes public comment. Should you/must you go to state your position. Fair questions in advance.

Additional updates will follow as information becomes available. Also see prior posts of:

October 25, 2019, Thoughts on the most recent litigation FILED by the village: Good faith or is this a less than good faith attempt to avoid a deal that the Mayor and Council had no authority to make?

October 17, 2018, Update on Palmetto Bay Traffic Projects - and further updates will be posted as available

December 6, 2019, Are we reaching the end game? What is the strategy and what is the long term goal of the current Mayor and Village Council Members? Fire by volley.