Anaheim Police Department posts an outstanding video (from a series) relating to bike safety. No one—no driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian—has sole rights to the road. Safety is everyone's responsibility.

A great educational video by the Anaheim Police Department, posted to their Facebook page, February 5 at 3:00 PM

No one—no driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian—has sole rights to the road. Safety is everyone's responsibility. #ShareTheRoad



Miami-Dade County has sharrows and many are located here in Palmetto Bay - 77th Ave, 152, 168th and even US1 to name a few.

Related reading: For more information of Sharrows and types of bikeways that you can find here in Palmetto Bay, see my blog post of December 17, 2018, Taking a close look - Old Cutler Bike Trail - designed use, rules of the road - Types of bikeways - 2 discussed here: paved path & sharrows 

Drive safe. Traffic safety is a two way street. It is important for everyone to follow the rules of the road, regardless of their method of travel.

Authoritative article regarding Unsolicited Proposals - Article Two, authored by Alexander Tachmes, Esq.

I am posting an additional article in order to provide yet more information regarding unsolicited proposals. I recommend reading the following online resource: Public-Private Partnerships Becoming More Popular, February 14, 2018, by Alexander Tachmes, Esq., who is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen LLP

Section 255.065, Florida Statutes, enacted in 2013, sets forth a comprehensive framework for those interested in pursuing public-private partnerships, providing  guidance to local governments that might otherwise be “ill-equipped to embark on such complex projects”.

This is not just another important read, but it is important as it may give some unstated reason for an unsolicited bid proposal, as the rational given sounds familiar. This article seems to have anticipated the Palmetto Bay Parking Garage situation: 

“Sometimes, for political or other reasons, a city is hesitant to issue an RFP or RFQ for a new project. If a developer is interested in a P3 but cannot persuade the local government to initiate the process by issuing an RFP or RFQ, the developer itself can submit an unsolicited proposal, which can serve as the catalyst for a P3. Assuming a local government wants to pursue the development of a project, after its receipt of an unsolicited proposal, the city can invite other bidders to submit proposals within a certain period of time. Or, the submission of an unsolicited proposal could provide the impetus to a city to draft and issue a formal RFP or RFQ for the subject project.”

This is additional recommended reading.

Author credit: Alexander Tachmes is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is Chair of the Land Use and Government Relations Practice Group and a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. The online source notes that this article was originally published in the Daily Business Review on February 14, 2018.

CLICK HERE to view prior articles on this blog relating to Palmetto Bay’s Unsolicited Proposal-Mixed Use Downtown Development - UP No. 1819-00-002

Authoritative article regarding Unsolicited Proposals - Article One, authored by Al Dotson, Jr., Esq.

I am providing more information regarding unsolicited proposals.  Proposals of this type are not improper; to the contrary, they are common and provide a vehicle for the private sector to provide an opportunity that the applicable government did not know existed. See: Unsolicited Proposals for Public-Private Partnerships, Thursday, November 1, 2018, published in The National Law Review, authored by Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Partner in the law firm of Bilzin Sumberg

The article provides additional insight regarding the State of Florida’s P3 law, which provides the authorization for private firms to submit unsolicited proposals to state and local agencies.

As explained by Attorney Dotson, Esq., "Ordinarily, if the government likes the new idea, it must then conduct a competitive process that permits other firms to submit alternative proposals."

I am providing resources such as this article to assist interested readers; be they members of the Village Council, Staff, or fellow residents for purpose of taking some of the rumor and uncertainty out of the process.

CLICK HERE to view prior articles on this blog relating to Palmetto Bay’s Unsolicited Proposal-Mixed Use Downtown Development - UP No. 1819-00-002

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.

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.

Do you have students in our local Public Schools or have any plans to have your children attend? If so, please plan on attending.

The Education Advisory Committee for Palmetto Bay will be holding an Education Town Hall Meeting, Thursday, October 13, 2016 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.

This meeting will be held at Southwood Middle School Auditorium, 163 SW 80th Street.

Please attend and participate.