Tuesday, Oct. 12 - Miami-Dade TPO Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) MEMBER DISCUSSION – PALMETTO BAY GOLF CARTS use of Old Cutler Trail / Shared Paths

Should golf carts be added to shared paths in Palmetto Bay? This issue continues behind the scenes and will come up for a public discussion far from Palmetto Bay's borders, at a live meeting held in downtown Miami. This time, the meeting discussion will be  amongst the Miami-Dade TPO Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). 

You can download the complete workshop agenda package at the TPO website and/or by clicking here on BPAC.  

Why this discussion? 

Mayor Cunningham and Council passed a Village of Palmetto Bay resolution to study the feasibility of allowing motorized golf carts to use the county's Old Cutler Trail, a shared use path. (Note - this resolution is NOT posted on the village website for viewing). After review, the Miami-Dade County Transportation & Public Works Department (DTPW) issued this response:

"The path is not designed or warranted for the use of golf carts. After reviewing the request DTPW does not recommend the use of golf carts along the OCR (Old Cutler Road) shared use path."

The DTPW specifically cited Florida Department of Transportation standards saying:

"...the conflicts between the golf carts and the shared use path users (pedestrian and bikers) would create significant safety and operational problems..."

No new action has been taken publicly nor have any additional resolutions been passed at any meetings, yet Palmetto Bay has sought additional hearing on this matter, hence this meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 12, 2021. 

All sides of this issue may want to be present at this meeting.  

What is the position of the current Palmetto Bay and Council? Palmetto Bay officials have not openly discussed this upcoming meeting or posted any advisement of it to the public. I am unaware as to any policy set by the council setting forth the official position of Palmetto Bay officials. This appears to be yet another example of allowing things to happen instead of proactively advocating for a desired result. Weak leadership allows for others to make decisions affecting our municipality - a desired result for those who refuse to take positions.  

Just what do Mayor Cunningham and Council mean when they asked for a "study" as to "the feasibility of allowing motorized golf carts to use the county's Old Cutler Trail"? This just sounds like a feeble attempt to walk a political tightrope to hide their actual position, reserving the right to claim victory regardless how this issue plays out. This is yet another textbook example of allowing things to fester instead of actually making a decision this mayor and council may fear is unpopular, allowing them to play both sides - for the winners: taking the credit while consoling the losers by blaming the county (sound familiar? Recent examples include the 87th Ave bridge, 136th Shared Path).

Meeting info:

Miami-Dade TPO Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)

In-Person Meeting*

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Starts at 5:30pm

 

Miami-Dade TPO Governing Board Chambers

150 West Flagler Street, Suite 1924

Miami, FL 33130 

 

*Pursuant to CDC guidelines, all persons entering the building are required to wear facial masks at all times. Social distancing measures will also be enforced. 

This is listed as a "BPAC MEMBER DISCUSSION relating to PALMETTO BAY GOLF CARTS" - (NOTE: this topic is on the agenda "for Discussion Only; This is Not an Action Item")

Update on Multi-Paths for Palmetto Bay - the request was for $1 Million for a project with a projected total cost of $6,195,345. The Palmetto Bay taxpayers would put up the $5,195,345 match.

When we will be put in the loop? Only careful readers of Village Council business would have a hint that the current Mayor and Village Council are hell-bent on wrapping Palmetto Bay in 10 feet of sidewalk. Where are the meaningful public hearings, updates, or town hall meetings? Whose voice(es) matter?

What is mindboggling is how the current mayor and some members of the village council are deflecting responsibility through alleging that the shared path now under construction on SW 136th Street is a County Project (it is not, it was started under Palmetto Bay as a bike lanes project and morphed under a JPA CLICK HERE for background). 

Watch out! The shared path lightning bolt may strike twice in Palmetto Bay! Keep an eye out. I am the one who is actually keeping you in the loop. That a look at a SW 184th Street project that the current mayor and 2019 Village Council pitched to the TPO under the name "SW 184 St Intermodal/Intercity Connectivity Pathway".

The TAP request was for funding in the amount of $1 Million for a project with a projected total cost of $6,195,345. The Palmetto Bay taxpayers would put up the $5,195,345 match. And best of all, this $6,195,345 is the Village spending municipal (and grant money) for a COUNTY road.  Yes, that's right, there is no County partnership, this is not Palmetto Bay sweetening the pot to obtain some control or enhancements; this is 100% Palmetto Bay taxpayer dollars ($$$) mitigated by a mere 20% contribution by a TPO Grant.

But, but but: I know what you are thinking, but our current elects keep referencing 136th Street shared path as a COUNTY PROJECT - surely they would have no more influence over 184 than they had over 136th.

The reality: Apparently they have less influence over 184 than 136. Palmetto Bay did submit an application for a TPO grant for the Multi-Path along 184th Street from US1 to Old Cutler Road. (CLICK HERE) to view this detailed application (21 pages). This item was placed on the February 4, 2019, Regular Village Council Meeting agenda as item 10N (CLICK HERE) to view this item that I obtained and saved to my Google Drive. You can also view the approved resolution, Resolution 2019-32, where the current mayor and 2019 village council approved moving forward on seeking this grant by a 4-0 vote (CLICK HERE).

The application was not funded by the Miami-Dade TPO. The TPO received 21 applications for TAP funding in the 2019 cycle. 

The list of the 21 applications for TAP funding in the 2019 cycle

MEASURING SUCCESS: The 2019 Palmetto Bay mayor and council were limited in their "success" on 136th Street, merely redesigning a bike lane project worked out by a prior Palmetto Bay administration to a shared path (placed solely onto the Palmetto Bay side), but this mayor and council have been unable to date to get a 184th Street shared path moving forward.

Who are Palmetto Bay officials depending upon to vote down the 87th Avenue Bridge? Analysis.

I am trying to see where there is support or any opposition to the 87th avenue bridge. I previously listed important facts relating to the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) (link at bottom). 

March 18, 2021, will be a big day for Palmetto Bay history as this matter formally comes before the entire TPO Board for a important vote. There is a lot of work to do for Palmetto Bay officials as this matter has now come before 10 of 13 County Commissioners (on 2/2/21) and 4 of 7 members of the TPO Transportation and Mobility Committee.  There have been 12 TPO members who have cast one or another procedural votes to date (two county commissioners sit on the TPO committee - both have now voted twice in favor of moving the 87th Avenue bridge forward to March 18). 

The number needed for a majority vote on March 18 obviously depends upon the number in attendance, but it appears that 13 votes in favor will be required, assuming all TPO members attend.

VOTES TO DATE:

So far 10 County Commissioners have voted in favor of legislation that will lead to the bridge (none have voted in opposition to date). See 02/02/21 (Adopted R-88-21). Vote 10-0, absent: Heyman, Higgins, Sosa.

03/10/21: A unanimous vote  in favor of moving the 87th avenue bridge forward by the Transportation and Mobility Committee of the TPO. Note that this committee is made of County and other local officials as listed below:

Jean Monestime, Chairman
Oscar De La Rosa, Vice Chairman

Voting Members
Steven D. Losner
Philippe Bien-Aime
Raquel A. Regalado
Micky Steinberg
Keon Hardemon

This current bridge matter has now been before 12 voting members of the TPO.

See a PRIOR RELATED POST: Friday, February 5, 2021, for more information - Next stop for the 87th Avenue Bridge: the Miami-Dade TPO - who sits on this board?

IMPORTANT NOTES: Member comments at the committee may be revealing. One was that the TPO very often defers to the Commissioner where the project is situated. The second is a strong commendation to our Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins for taking on such a tough issue. 

TPO committee moves 87th Ave bridge forward to full TPO Board. Antagonism politics is not working for this Palmetto Bay mayor and council

Disappointing. Those in opposition of the bridge have suffered a huge loss in influencing the District 8 Community Connectivity Committee (CCC).  History has shown why you can’t just pick up your ball and walk off. The others will make decisions that profoundly impact you. Look to lessons not learned from 1950s. And the current Palmetto Bay electeds want to do it on their own; more than apparently not interested in consulting or working with those who have been there, and had fought this fight before. 

Where we are: March 10, 2021, the TPO Transportation and Mobility Committee voted unanimously to approve moving the SW 87 Avenue bridge vote to the full TPO Board on March 18.

Two Palmetto Bay officials were told time was up and eventually had their microphones cut off.  Embarrassing.  It’s embarrassing both from lack of preparation, being unable to prepare their remarks to fit within the time limit as well as the fact that they do not have the political pull to be allowed time to finish – this is an important issue that will profoundly impact the future.

But then again, our officials cut off the County when the current mayor unilaterally pulled Palmetto Bay out of participating in the Community Connectivity Committee (CCC). Perhaps the respect our officials are receiving from the County is directly related to the amount of respect (or lack of) that they are showing to Miami-Dade County Officials.

So we are not participating. I was one of many who watched the remaining members of the Community Connectivity Committee (CCC) do their work in hearing from experts regarding the possible impacts of the bridge on 87^th Avenue.  There is palpable fallout, irreversible damage, to Palmetto Bay through the current Palmetto Bay Mayor unilaterally packing up and walking away from participating is evident. How? Let’s review.

First of all, I am not sure that the report would have been a 4 – 4 deadlock on the bridge. Palmetto Bay appointed members are locked in opposition to the bridge, but I disagree that there is a solid 4-0 voting block in favor from the Cutler Bay members. I do see two solid votes in favor, but one that is still far from certain and one who I think could be swung to a vote in opposition.  But you don’t win friends or influence opposition when you remove yourself from a seat at the table.

That means residents north of the canal had a chance at a 5-3, or possibly (but doubtful) a 6-2 vote in OPPOSITION to the bridge, had the Palmetto Bay Mayor not removed Palmetto Bay from the group. An opportunity lost.

Additionally:

Palmetto Bay was downgraded from full participant and influencer to spectator who at best could speak in should sound bites at public comment. Remember, this is not a Palmetto Bay Committee. It is not a Cutler Bay Committee. It is a Miami-Dade County, District 8, Community Connectivity Committee (CCC). That committee continues to move forward unimpeded by Palmetto Bay’s walk out.

And, as it continues working, the 4 members from Palmetto Bay were unable to question the officials who were brought before the CCC on Thursday, 2/25/2021. Residents in opposition to the bridge lost their appointed representatives who could have asked the right questions that would have blunted arguments for the bridge. But once again, you can’t participate when you have removed yourself from the event.

I thought it was wrong for the Palmetto Bay mayor to agree to participate in the committee in the first place, but she did, and this error was grievously exacerbated by her allowing the proceedings in Palmetto Bay to get out of control, losing decorum (perhaps by design) and then, compounding the rolling errors, pulling out! 

Not only did Palmetto Bay lose any claim to a moral high ground in pulling out, but after seeing what appeared to be some uncertainty in the Cutler Bay members, Palmetto Bay clearly pulled out prematurely.

The moral high ground: The remaining CCC is clearing going through the efforts of evaluating the testimony and arguments before them prior to reaching findings. The Palmetto Bay Task Force spoke for a few minutes then announced that they were going to work on a report in opposition:  An admission that the entire effort will be to support the pre-determined opposition to the bridge.

This will have a profound, negative, impact the efforts to stop the bridge. I am far from conceding the bridge, but the road just became significantly more rocky and it is going to be much more difficult to stop the critical mass building toward to approving the bridge.

Why walk out now? Does no one pay attention to history?

1950: The Soviet Union removed its delegates from participating in the UN Security Council to demonstrate displeasure on a significant matter. It is obvious that the Soviet action backfired. They didn’t stop the Security Council from acting; to the contrary, the UN Security Council went on with its work unimpeded by the Soviets when the issue of North Korea’s invasion of South Korea was brought before the Security Council. Specifically due to the Soviet’s lack of participation, the Security Council voted to invoke military action by the United Nations for the first time in the organization’s history. The Soviets could have blocked the action in the Security Council, since the United States, Soviet Union, China, Britain, and France each had absolute veto power, but no Russian delegate was present. In just a short time, a multinational U.N. force arrived in South Korea and the grueling three-year Korean War was underway.

A strong lesson in how you lose when you fail to participate.  Does anyone believe the UN would respond to any policy paper unilaterally put out by the Soviets objecting to UN Military action in Korea?

Next stop for the 87th Avenue Bridge: the Miami-Dade TPO - who sits on this board?

The next meeting of the TPO is currently scheduled for Thursday, February 18. The agenda is not yet set, so there is no guarantee what issues will be placed on it. 

The TPO Governing Board meets once a month (on a Thursday), starting at 2 pm in the TPO Chambers located at 150 West Flagler Street, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33130. CLICK HERE to view the County web page for the Miami-Dade TPO.

The Miami-Dade TPO Governing Board

The TPO Governing Board is comprised of:

• 13 Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners
• 8 elected officials; one from each of the eight municipalities with a population over 50,000
• 4 appointed by the Governor, representing:
• Miami-Dade County School Board
• Municipality-at-Large (within Miami-Dade County)
• A Non-Elected Official (residing in unincorporated Miami-Dade County)
• Expressway Authority

The TPO Governing Board is composed of 24 voting members. The current members are:

Commission District 1 - Oliver G. Gilbert III, Chair
Commission District 2 - Jean Monestime
Commission District 3 - Keon Hardemon
Commission District 4 - Sally A. Heyman
Commission District 5 - Eileen Higgins
Commission District 6 - Rebeca Sosa
Commission District 7 - Raquel A. Regalado
Commission District 8 - Danielle Cohen Higgins
Commission District 9 - Kionne L. McGhee
Commission District 10 - Javier D. Souto
Commission District 11  - Joe A. Martinez
Commission District 12  - Jose “Pepe” Diaz
Commission District 13  - René Garcia
City of Coral Gables - Vince Lago
City of Doral - Juan Carlos Bermudez, Vice-Chair
City of Hialeah - Oscar De La Rosa
City of Homestead - Steven D. Losner
City of Miami - Francis Suarez
City of Miami Beach - Micky Steinberg
City of Miami Gardens - Rodney Harris
City of North Miami – Philippe Bien-Aime
Municipal Representative - Roberto Martell
Miami-Dade County School Board - Perla T. Hantman
Non-Elected Official - vacant
Expressway Authority - vacant

The TPO Governing Board is vested with the responsibility for exercising the powers of the TPO including the final decision on all policy matters, adoption or endorsement of transportation plans and programs, adoption of budgets, approval of agreements or contracts, adoption of rules, and establishing or changing its internal operating structure.

Update, including agenda on the August 27, 2019, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting.

The next Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting is set for Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 5:30 PM.  The Public is invited to attend may address the committee as provided under "Citizens comments" agenda section IV " Citizen Comments".

Note - information provided to me from Kevin C. Walford, Transportation Planner 3,  Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). Materials are available on line.  Please see below the information for the August 27^th BPAC meeting.  To view the full Agenda Package, please Click right here on BPAC. 

Taking transit to the meeting? Visit www.miamidade.gov/transit  or call (305) 770-3131 for route information.

  

MIAMI-DADE TPO

BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BPAC)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 AT 5:30 P.M.

STEPHEN P. CLARK GOVERNMENT CENTER

18^TH FLOOR, CONFERENCE ROOM 18-4

111 NORTHWEST FIRST STREET, MIAMI, FL 33128

I.	CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
II.	APPROVAL OF AGENDA
III.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 25, 2019
IV.	CITIZEN COMMENTS
V.	23RD ANNUAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY – OCTOBER 2, 2019 Michelle Lopez - The Corradino Group on behalf of Miami-Dade County Public Schools
VI.	2045 LRTP BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN PLAN Edward Aparicio – Gannett Fleming
VII.	DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Yanek Fernandez – DTPW
VIII.	FDOT DISTRICT 6 – PROJECT UPDATES REPORT (JULY + AUGUST) Tiffany Gehrke - FDOT D6
IX.	INFORMATION
	1. 2. 3. 4.	BPAC 2019 Attendance BPAC Resolution #4-2019 (David Henderson) BPAC Resolution #5-2019 (SMART Trails) BPAC meeting date change for November
X.	MEMBER COMMENTS
XI.	NEXT MEETING DATE – September 24, 2019
XII.	ADJOURNMENT

Kevin C. Walford

Transportation Planner 3

Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO)

About the BPAC (CLICK HERE to view the official web page info):

The Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) reviews transportation plans and projects for non-motorized mobility and safety, provides a forum for the discussion of issues affecting bicyclists and pedestrians, and reports to the TPO Governing Board on bicycle and pedestrian-related issues.

The BPAC also assists the TPO staff in the development of comprehensive bicycle transportation plan (a component of the Long-Range Transportation Plan), and reviews plans and projects for bicycle and pedestrian mobility in the Transportation Improvement Program.

The BPAC usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center at 111 NW 1st Street, Conference Room #18-4.

I will continue to monitor and advise.

Eugene Flinn, Director, EBC

Congrats Team Palmetto Bay - a nominee for the 2019 Safe Streets Awards. Will the current Mayor and Council remain committed to Palmetto Bay's policy of Complete Streets Guidelines?

Congratulations Village of Palmetto Bay. Let's keep the success moving forward. 

Hard teamwork during 2017 & 2018 is paying off and the Village is set to be recognized. The Urban Health Partnerships has announced the nominees for the 2019 Safe Streets Awards. The Safe Streets Awards are an opportunity to highlight individuals and jurisdictions that have led by example in creating better streets for all users. Palmetto Bay is nominated in the Miami-Dade County section for the Complete Streets Community Award. The nominees are as follows:

• Bike Walk Coral Gables (BWCG)
• City of Doral
• Freebee
• The Street Plans Collaborative
• Village of Palmetto Bay

A complete list of the nominees (regardless of category) is posted at end of this blog (Miami-Dade County only).

Here are the facts relating to Complete Streets and Palmetto Bay's buy in to date.

We need to keep this work on complete streets, including bike lanes, etc., et. al. going strong.  

I suggest that this current council take a look at policy set to date by prior administrations, specifically Resolution 2017-67,  (sponsored by Mayor Eugene Flinn) wherein the Village Council unanimously adopted  Miami-Dade County’s “Complete Streets Guidelines” and directed that these guidelines should be incorporated into the planning, design, approval, and implementation processes for any construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance, alteration, or repair of streets, bridges, or other portions of the transportation network, including pavement resurfacing, restriping, and signalization operations if the safety and convenience of all types of users (i.e., pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transit riders, including children, youth, families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities) can be improved within the scope of the work.

The 2014-2018 Village Council directed the Village Manager to incorporate, whenever feasible, the Complete Streets Guidelines into the operations of any Village departments responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of County streets, bridges, and other portions of the transportation network and adjust any impacted standards so that they are consistent with the recommendations in the Complete Streets Guidelines.

Related Post: January 13, 2019, The Miami Foundation - Safer Street Talk: How We will Reduce Pedestrian and Bicyclists Deaths - detailing some of the collaboration that Palmetto Bay has been a part of to date in Safe Streets

With this in mind, and specifically considering the current award nomination for past policy and achievements, I strongly suggest that the current Mayor and Council read the Complete Streets Guidelines and determine whether this newly elected council wants to revisit the concept of and Palmetto Bay's future commitment to Complete Streets.

COMPLETE STREETS – Miami-Dade County resources:

Miami-Dade County Complete Streets Design Guidelines available

Per the County webpage:

“Do you want safer streets in your community? Do you want to be able to get around by bike, foot, transit and automobile? Do you need help calming traffic in your community? Check out the Complete Streets Design Guidelines.” 

(Click link above to view)

PALMETTO BAY  votes on Complete Streets under past administrations:

Several important votes were taken in 2017 in line with the “Complete Streets Guidelines” policy. Among these votes:

Bike lane improvements

June  5, 2017   Reso 2017-77 - 82nd Avenue from SW 160th Street to SW 168th Street (approved 5-0)

April 19, 2017  Reso 2017-47 - Joint Participation (JPA) between Pinecrest, Miami-Dade and Palmetto Bay in design and construction of bike lane improvements on SW 136th Street from US1 to Old Cutler Road (approved 4-1, Vice Mayor opposed).

Note that Miami-Dade County has acted on this matter, in the memorandum dated October 23, 2018, Agenda Item No.: 8(N)(4) recommending approval of the resolution authorizing the execution of a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) between MDC and Palmetto Bay. CLICK HERE to view the memorandum posted online at Miami-Dade.gov 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Transparency dictates that both these resolutions (at a minimum) should be brought forward and either rescinded or modified to conformed to properly reflect the policy and intention of the incoming Mayor and Village Council.

COMPLETE LIST OF MIAMI-DADE AWARD NOMINEES:

The Safe Streets Awards are an opportunity to highlight individuals and jurisdictions that have led by example in creating better streets for all users.

COMPLETE STREETS CHAMPION AWARD

Miami-Dade County

•            Meg Daly, Founder and President/CEO of Friends of the Underline

•            Anthony Garcia, Principal, The Street Plans Collaborative

•            Robert Ruano, Founding and Current Chairman of Bike Walk Coral Gables (BWCG)

•            Jason Spiegel, Founder of Freebee

•            Patrice Gillespie Smith, Sr. Manager of the Miami Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Planning, Design & Transportation Department

COMPLETE STREETS COMMUNITY AWARD

Miami-Dade County

•            Bike Walk Coral Gables (BWCG)

•            City of Doral

•            Freebee

•            The Street Plans Collaborative

•            Village of Palmetto Bay

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST PROJECT

•            Avenue 3 Miami Quick Build

•            City of Sunrise - Sunset Strip Boulevard Complete Streets Project

•            Clematis Streetscape Project

•            Old Dixie Highway Complete Streets Project

•            Palmetto Park Road Shared Path Improvements

•            Pinecrest Elevation Drive

•            Shady Lakes Drive Extension and Shady Lakes Drive and PGA Boulevard Intersection Improvements

•            US-1 Complete Streets Project in Village of Tequesta

•            SW 152 St Separated Bike Lanes

Editor's note: This information provided by Eugene Flinn for purposes of transparency and to document past and present County and Municipal policy relating to complete streets and bike lanes in Palmetto Bay.

Freebee update - reviewing prior notifications. FAQ. The funding is in place for the Palmetto Bay Freebee service, but is the interest or political will?

I was asked for some updates/confirmation as to representation of a TPO Grant applicable to the Freebee. The excerpt/TPO Grant confirmation letter is posted here in response.

The Freebee is o be funded from our Transportation 1/2 Cent share. We also sought and received a 3 year TPO Grant.

The funding is there, but is the interest or political will?

CLICK HERE to view my e-mail blast of October 5, 2018, where I updated our community of the status of funding that will assist the village in facilitating the Freebee on-demand, APP based service..

This is an exciting item that I have been working on. It is presently operating in several Miami-Dade County Municipalities and is now set to commence operation in neighboring Pinecrest beginning Wednesday, 1/16/2019.

I still believe that it is time to bring the Freebee service to Palmetto Bay. This TPO Service Development Program awarding Palmetto Bay $225,000 in year one, does allow Palmetto Bay to move us forward on this exciting on-demand service for Palmetto Bay.

The funding is there, but is the interest or political will?

Follow up – requesting status of the $1,000,000.00 TAP grant, will the new council follow through to maintain our priority for bicycle lanes, attempt to repurpose the money or reject this grant?

It is decision time: Bike lanes or not, safe streets or not.  Follow through with the Palmetto Bay Traffic Master Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan or not? Will the new council follow through or a will there be change in council policy?  

The possibility of bike lanes in Mangowood was a hot button issue, but decisions need to be made now that the elections are over and the two year window is closer than many realize. So who wants to reject $1,000,000 to cover the cost of building bike lanes (also part of our Safe Routes to School efforts)? And in the interest of full disclosure, our (Palmetto Bay's) match to the $1 Million is $1,860,937.

Palmetto Bay was notified on July 20, 2017, that we were approved for a TPO TAP grant. We requested $1,000,000 and will match with $1,860,937, as stated above. See my prior post of July 20, 2017, Palmetto Bay Awarded $1 million TAP grant for bicycle lanes project The request was for bike lanes on 82nd avenue, partially completed between 160th south to 168th Street.  

The TAP grant application (CLICK HERE to view the detailed application and supporting exhibits) was clear as to the purpose that the Village sought this grant: 

"The purpose of this project is to construct bicycle lanes along both sides of SW 82nd Avenue, from SW 136th Street to 168th Street. Along with this would be milling and resurfacing the road, culvert widening, intersection improvements, drainage installation and modification, potential tree relocation and installation of green paint at conflict points."

(Underline emphasis added)
Total Estimated Project Cost per the application was $2,860,937 (Page 6 of the grant application).

The grant has a two year window and our match is scheduled to come from CITT revenues and not from general funds. This grant is to build bicycle lanes to work toward completion of our bicycle master plan.  The TAP grant will help considerably in beginning this long overdue process in complying with this approved master plan.

Congratulations are in order for the staff who worked hard in acquiring this grant.  This is an item that needs to be sorted out by the new village council. Do we or don't we? 

This TPO TAP grant and the bike lane issue was discussed as part of the TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS ACTION PLAN, (Updated 2/16/18), Incorporating Ideas Generated by Participants at the Traffic Solutions Summit on February 3, 2018 (CLICK HERE to view the 4 page action sheet - specific item located at bottom of page 3 of 4).

CLICK HERE to view the grant award and the details. The Palmetto Bay project is item #16 and specifies the purpose of this grant: SW 82nd Avenue, Palmetto Bay, Commuter Access.

We will begin to see in the next few months whether the newly elected Mayor and Council maintains commitments made to date by following through on the Transportation Master Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (otherwise known as 'strategic plans' for their respective purposes) or will reject all and leave substantial grant money on the table, shifting future costs of this infrastructure onto the village resident tax dollars.