"Happy Presidents' Day to all who celebrate." ??? Whaaaaaat?

 Interesting buzz - 

Ken Jennings on Jeopardy (Monday, February 21, 2022):

"Happy Presidents' Day to all who celebrate."

What was that I just heard? Did he really say that? Quite a buzz. Thought provoking. Was this an awkward or perhaps a political statement made for an episode that was probably recorded at least 2 months in advance, set to air on a specific day.

At least this is a holiday where no politically correct method of observation is required. As I asked (in my official recognition post for Presidents Day) "Do you celebrate this federal holiday by reflecting upon legacies of past presidents, simply relaxing over a long weekend, taking in annual community events, taking advantage of sales or none of the above?"

But "Happy Presidents' Day to all who celebrate." - really? Let's not inflict this on anyone who may not celebrate. And I hope those who chose not to celebrate it went to work rather than spending it as a day at the beach.

Actually I did both - I celebrated Presidents' Day and went to work, someone has to earn money and pay those taxes, including local, State and Federal. Besides, It is one of those days I call a traffic holiday, when traffic is so light it would be a shame not to take advantage.

I could find no local parades for Presidents' Day. I did not find even a blood drive. Were there any public events where the names of the US Presidents were read aloud? As I have noted, Sadly, by some, it is better known commercially as the Presidents' Day Sale where we celebrate and save with great deals! Providing for an extra 15 - 20% off plus free shipping (online)!

So once again I ask if there are there people who actually "celebrate" President's Day? Like, how? By buying a mattress?

Things to consider. That is all.

Happy Presidents Day - 2022

What have you been doing over this weekend?  Do you celebrate this federal holiday by reflecting upon legacies of past presidents, simply relaxing over a long weekend, taking in annual community events, taking advantage of sales or none of the above? 

Presidents' Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February.  Sadly, by some, it is better known commercially as the Presidents' Day Sale where we celebrate and save with great deals! Providing for an extra 15 - 20% off plus free shipping (online)!

A short History of Presidents’ Day

Presidents’ Day was first celebrated in the 1880s, with the birthday of George Washington was first celebrated as a federal holiday.

Controversy: long weekends versus recognizing the actual date:

In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill in 1968.  This moved federal holidays to Mondays. The intent was to provide for long weekends.  There was opposition to this move, by those who believe that those holidays should be celebrated on the dates they actually commemorate.

And then there was one national day for all presidents:

How many of us remember celebrating both Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays as separate events?  Presidents' Day became the officially celebrated holiday in 1971, to honor the birthdays of both Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln (February12).  Note that Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated in many states, but was never an official national holiday (I wonder which states celebrated?  Extra points awarded for those who can answer)

UPDATE Tallahassee Legislative Agenda 2022 – current money listed in SB 2500 (updated 2-17-2022), now under HB 5001 - Appropriations: what local cities have money listed at the present time in the House/Senate versions.

IMPORTANT NOTE:     Everything is subject to change. Appropriations can and will change. And even money passed in the final budget are not final until after the Governor approves the budget. The governor can and does exercise line item vetoes - where individual appropriations are removed.

CLICK HERE to view the current SB 2500 -  Appropriations (you can search the document by name to see who has what listed to date) CLICK HERE to view HB 5001

SB 2500 (2022) Appropriations
    http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/02500
    SENATE - Substituted HB 5001
    SENATE - Laid on Table, refer to HB 5001

WHO HAS APPROPRIATIONS LISTED (Note that this is a very representative sample of neighboring municipalities as HB 5001 is currently 448 pages long):

Under HB 5001, there are some key differences from SB 2500:

           Coral Gables:
House Bill 5001:
975,000  Coral Gables Mobility Hub (HB 2637)
187,500  Coral Gables Citywide Septic to Sewer Conversion Assessment (HB 2639)
250,000  Coral Gables Stormwater Master Plan (HB 2641)
375,000  Coral Gables - Restoration of Historic Gondola Building  (HB 4173)

Senate Bill 2500:
375,000  Coral Gables Citywide Septic to Sewer Conversion  Assessment (Senate Form 1250)
500,000 Coral Gables Legacy Sewer System Repair and Replacement Project (Senate Form 2612)
500,000 Coral Gables Stormwater Master Plan (Senate Form 1251)

           Cutler Bay:
House Bill 5001:
(No items are currently listed as funded under HB 5001)

Senate Bill 2500:
520,000  Marlin Road Improvement Project - Cutler Bay (Senate Form  2608)
100,000  Town of Cutler Bay - Active Adults Services (Senate Form 2020) 

           Doral:
House Bill 5001:
125,000  Doral Stormwater Improvements Sub Basin D-3-1 (HB 3179)

Senate Bill 2500:
250,000  Doral Stormwater Improvements Sub Basin D-3-1 (Senate  Form 2496)

           Homestead:
House Bill 5001:
250,000  City of Homestead - Breast Cancer Screening (HB 3661)

Senate Bill 2500:
100,000  City of Homestead - Senior Citizen Programming (Senate Form 1446)

           Miami Lakes:
House Bill 5001:
500,000  Miami Lakes Canal Bank Stabilization Phase III Project  (HB 3507)

Senate Bill 2500:
750,000  Miami Lakes Canal Bank Stabilization Phase III Project (Senate Form 1328)

           North Bay Village:
House Bill 5001:
150,000  North Bay Village Stormwater Inlet Filter Installation (HB 4385)

Senate Bill 2500:
150,000  North Bay Village Stormwater Inlet Filter Installation (Senate Form 1757)
250,000  North Bay Village Wastewater Pump Station Improvements  (Senate Form 1758)

           North Miami:
House Bill 5001:
200,000  North Miami Pedestrian Bridge Over C-8 Canal (HB 4613)

Senate Bill 2500:
500,000  North Miami Septic Tank to Sanitary Sewer Conversion (Senate Form 1968)
400,000  North Miami Pedestrian Bridge Over Biscayne (C8) Canal  (Senate Form 2036)

           Palmetto Bay
House Bill 5001:
392,500  Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 43 Construction (HB 4027)
560,000  Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 57/96 Construction (HB 4029)

Senate Bill 2500:
(No items are currently listed as funded under SB 2500)

           Pinecrest:
House Bill 5001:
250,000  Pinecrest Stormwater Improvements (HB 4041)

Senate Bill 2500:
500,000  Pinecrest Stormwater Improvements (Senate Form 1321)
500,000  Pinecrest Water Line Extension Project (Senate Form 1560)

           South Miami:
House Bill 5001: 
(No items are currently listed as funded under HB 5001)

Senate Bill 2500:
500,000  City of South Miami New Police Station (Senate Form 1254)

_______________________________________________________

WHAT IS CURRENTLY REQUESTED BY PALMETTO BAY, but is not currently listed within SB 2500?:

Some important money has been requested by Palmetto Bay officials. There are presently three items filed as House Bills, as listed below:

HB 4025 -  Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 11 Construction
$765,000 Appropriations Project request filed by State Rep. Aloupis
Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 11 Construction: Provides an appropriation for the Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 11 Construction.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022
Last Event: Now in Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:22 PM

HB 4027 - Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 43 Construction
$785,000 Appropriations Project request filed by State Rep. Aloupis
Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 43 Construction: Provides an appropriation for the Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 43 Construction.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022
Last Event: Now in Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:22 PM

and, finally:

HB 4029 - Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 57/96 Construction
$1,120,000 Appropriations Project request filed by State Rep. Aloupis
Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 57/96 Construction: Provides an appropriation for the Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 57/96 Construction.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022
Last Event: Now in Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:23 PM

The item of critical importance is that none of the three items above are currently listed as receiving funding within SB 2500 -  Appropriations

General Bill by Appropriations

Appropriations: Providing moneys for the annual period beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023, and supplemental appropriations for the period ending June 30, 2022, to pay salaries, and other expenses, capital outlay - buildings, and other improvements, and for other specified purposes of the various agencies of state government, etc.

Effective Date: Except as otherwise provided herein, this act shall take effect July 1, 2022, or upon becoming law, whichever occurs later; however, if this act becomes law after July 1, 2022, then it shall operate retroactively to July 1, 2022

Last Event: 02/10/22 S Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/17/22 on Thursday, February 10, 2022 6:17 PM

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information above is accurate as of 2:00 PM, Friday, 2/11/2022. Information listed via link should be updated automatically by source.

It is important that Palmetto Bay officials get these items funded through the budget. There is significant work to be done.

Tallahassee Legislative Agenda 2022 – current money listed in SB 2500 - Appropriations: what local cities have money listed at the present time. Who doesn’t.

IMPORTANT NOTE:     Everything is subject to change. Appropriations can and will change. And even money passed in the final budget are not final until after the Governor approves the budget. The governor can and does exercise line item vetoes - where individual appropriations are removed.

CLICK HERE to view the current SB 2500 -  Appropriations (you can search the document by name to see who has what listed to date)

WHO HAS APPROPRIATIONS LISTED (Note that this is a very representative sample of neighboring municipalities as SB 2500 is currently 459 pages long):

Coral Gables:
375,000  Coral Gables Citywide Septic to Sewer Conversion  Assessment (Senate Form 1250)
500,000 Coral Gables Legacy Sewer System Repair and Replacement Project (Senate Form 2612)
500,000 Coral Gables Stormwater Master Plan (Senate Form 1251)

Cutler Bay:
520,000  Marlin Road Improvement Project - Cutler Bay (Senate Form  2608)
100,000  Town of Cutler Bay - Active Adults Services (Senate Form 2020) 

Doral:
250,000  Doral Stormwater Improvements Sub Basin D-3-1 (Senate  Form 2496)

Homestead:
100,000  City of Homestead - Senior Citizen Programming (Senate Form 1446)

Miami Lakes
750,000  Miami Lakes Canal Bank Stabilization Phase III Project (Senate Form 1328)

North Bay Village
150,000  North Bay Village Stormwater Inlet Filter Installation (Senate Form 1757)
250,000  North Bay Village Wastewater Pump Station Improvements  (Senate Form 1758)

North Miami
500,000  North Miami Septic Tank to Sanitary Sewer Conversion (Senate Form 1968)
400,000  North Miami Pedestrian Bridge Over Biscayne (C8) Canal  (Senate Form 2036)

Palmetto Bay
(No items are currently listed as funded under SB 2500)

Pinecrest:
500,000  Pinecrest Stormwater Improvements (Senate Form 1321)
500,000  Pinecrest Water Line Extension Project (Senate Form 1560)

South Miami:
500,000  City of South Miami New Police Station (Senate Form 1254)

WHAT IS CURRENTLY REQUESTED BY PALMETTO BAY, but is not currently listed within SB 2500?:

Some important money has been requested by Palmetto Bay officials. There are presently three items filed as House Bills, as listed below:

HB 4025 -  Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 11 Construction
$765,000 Appropriations Project request filed by State Rep. Aloupis
Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 11 Construction: Provides an appropriation for the Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 11 Construction.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022
Last Event: Now in Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:22 PM

HB 4027 - Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 43 Construction
$785,000 Appropriations Project request filed by State Rep. Aloupis
Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 43 Construction: Provides an appropriation for the Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 43 Construction.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022
Last Event: Now in Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:22 PM

and, finally:

HB 4029 - Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 57/96 Construction
$1,120,000 Appropriations Project request filed by State Rep. Aloupis
Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 57/96 Construction: Provides an appropriation for the Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 57/96 Construction.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022
Last Event: Now in Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:23 PM

The item of critical importance is that none of the three items above are currently listed as receiving funding within SB 2500 -  Appropriations

General Bill by Appropriations

Appropriations: Providing moneys for the annual period beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023, and supplemental appropriations for the period ending June 30, 2022, to pay salaries, and other expenses, capital outlay - buildings, and other improvements, and for other specified purposes of the various agencies of state government, etc.

Effective Date: Except as otherwise provided herein, this act shall take effect July 1, 2022, or upon becoming law, whichever occurs later; however, if this act becomes law after July 1, 2022, then it shall operate retroactively to July 1, 2022

Last Event: 02/10/22 S Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/17/22 on Thursday, February 10, 2022 6:17 PM

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information above is accurate as of 2:00 PM, Friday, 2/11/2022. Information listed via link should be updated automatically by source.

It is important that Palmetto Bay officials get these items funded through the budget. There is significant work to be done.

Mediation ended in an impasse – will the mayor and council file the lawsuit? Key local attorneys are ready to step in for residents in opposition to the bridge.

Update on the 87th Avenue Bridge dispute.  The mediation held February 3, 2002, ended in an impasse (no issues resolved). This is significant. This means that the dispute resolution requirements have been met and the Village of Palmetto Bay officials may now proceed with the long promised lawsuit.

Another lawsuit? Well, yes, but this case may be different for Palmetto Bay due to probable appearances by Palmetto Bay Resident Norman Waas and local attorney David Winker.

Both are excellent attorneys, well suited for this cause. Attorney David Winker has been retained by various residents in opposition to the bridge.  Attorney Winker has extensive experience protecting the rights of aggrieved residents in actions taken by local government. Winker has recently achieved a huge win in a case against the City of Coral Gables in what is known simply as the WAWA case; a victory for the residents in an action where they claimed Coral Gables officials approved the WAWA, through a process described as expedited and without proper notice (sound familiar?).

Attorney Norman Waas is a highly respected litigator. He has incentive as a resident who has opposed the bridging of 87 th avenue. Passion and extensive litigation experience. 

The team of attorneys Winker and Waas will drive this lawsuit and should work well for their respective interests / clients in this matter.

I assume this lawsuit will be discussed at the February Regular Village Council meeting, Monday, February 7, with the lawsuit possibly being filed by the end of this coming week. 

Update on the Multi-Use Trail & SMART Plan Connectivity Study

The Multi-trails study is not listed on the agenda for the February Regular Council meeting.

I was advised that there has been an extension provided in order to finalize the draft report and conceptual plan sheets due to the latest COVID wave of Dec/Jan. Additionally, it is believed that there will be updated drafts that will be submitted to the Village, TPO and County in the next week or so. I will try to obtain and provide these documents in advance.

Perhaps this matter will go before the Village Council sometime in March. 

I am hopeful to receive a date, which I will pass on upon receipt.

CLICK HERE to view prior posts related to the Multi-Use Trail & SMART Plan Connectivity Study.

How and where will it all fit? Design definition of a multi-use trail – as defined by the Palmetto Bay study. Issues and concerns that should be addressed before any alternatives are greenlighted.

I have been asked to provide more information regarding the proposed multi-use trail, a possibility for Coral Reef Drive (and SW 184).  I have posted page 16 of the draft study below. Note this is limited to the multi-use trail, not the alternative plan if protected bike lanes were installed. The protected bike lane alternative will be the subject of a future post if there is interest from readers.

As indicated on page 16, for purposes of this study, Marlin Engineering lists the design (and impact) of a multi-use trail as follows:

·       Standard width is 10 to 12-Feet, may be 8-Feet in areas where space is restricted or if it is not heavily used.
·       Must be at least 6-Feet from roadway and have a 2-Foot clearance on each side. 

(See below)

SPACE REQUIREMENT: That means total space dedicated to the Multi-Use Trail would be 16 to 20 feet from the edge of the roadway [minimum 6 feet from road, plus minimum 8 feet (where restricted) plus an additional 2 feet of clearance from the edge of the path furthest from the street].

IMPORTANT ISSUES: The logical question here is whether there is sufficient open right of way along Coral Reef Drive? I have previously identified the numerous mature shade canopy trees as well as a historic coral rock wall in many areas.

My issue is what trees will be destroyed for a project that may not fit within the design parameters set by Marlin Engineering? Or would the Coral Reef Multi-Path be forced to take the same type of modifications used on SW 136 Street such as severe reductions or splitting the path in two to allover for trees in a center median?

The discussion above leads to many fair questions to be discussed when and if these proposals come before the mayor and village council. That is, unless any changes would be handled administratively as attempted (and, thankfully, denied) for the Palmetto Bay Village Center.

Applying the Marlin Engineering Design recommendations to the actual 136 Street buildout:

Obviously the SW 136 Street Multi-Path was not designed by Marlin Engineering as that path does not conform to the design criteria.  There are many areas where the 136 Street path is significantly less than 8 feet, some areas only as wide as the standard sidewalk they sought to upgrade from. There are many areas where the SW 136 Street path is significantly closer to the roadway than the 6 feet Marlin Engineering’s design recommends. That same 136 Street path also suffers many areas where the path has a hard end to obstructions including fences, walls and hedges – meaning there is no 2 foot buffer for the non-street side of the path – any bicyclist attempting to use the path would need to stay to center in order to avoid conflicts with these obstructions, thus severely reducing the effective width of that area of the path.

Background - prior related post - see: January 28, 2022, Next issue - do we turn Coral Reef Drive into the next SW 136th Street? Time to get involved.

TO BE CONTINUED ... stay tuned and check back for updates

Next issue - do we turn Coral Reef Drive into the next SW 136th Street? Time to get involved.

Coral Reef Drive is one of our signature main streets crossing through Palmetto Bay. Do we really envision remaking this street into one where the mature canopy shade trees are yanked out for a concrete path of 8 to 10 feet? Ask yourself, what is the problem they are trying to solve as well as is this a case where the proposed 'solution' is actually worse than the problem they allege? Seriously, why would we want to change the character of Coral Reef Drive? I did not see any issue alleged in the recent survey put out by Village Officials, so do we really need to spend significant tax dollars to pour tons of cement along Coral Reef Drive, ripping out many, many, mature signature shade trees in the process?

All of the above should be discussed when an update of the Palmetto Bay Multi-Use Trail and SMART Plan Connectivity Study is scheduled to come before the Palmetto Bay Mayor and Council at the February Regular Council Meeting.

SPOILER ALERT: The recommendations to be presented to the Palmetto Bay Council represent profound changes to SW 184 and 152 Streets (those along SW 168th and 144th can rest easy - for now).

CLICK HERE to review the current document, consisting of 38 pages. As always, these documents are subject to change. I will update documents as I become aware of any.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There is no requirement for the mayor and council to make any changes to either Coral Reef Drive or SW 184th. This is all discretionary. "Keep as is" is an option. There is no compelling need to make changes to either road.

But for now, here is the issue for Coral Reef Drive:  Do you want to continue with Coral Reef Drive as it currently exists:

Is there really a problem with Coral Reef Drive as depicted in these photos? 

Or will the current mayor and council approve a change in scenery and go with the Howard Drive (SW 136th Street) model as seen below?

For perspective, comparing what is promised versus what is delivered, this is what was originally promised for SW 136th Street, as posted on the official Village Website as late as October 2021:

Then Village officials updated the SW 136th Street rendering to the following:

Actual photos of the 136th Street project disclose a much different reality:

All photos are actual photos, so we can see current conditions. The photos are fair comparisons.

Remember, this SW 136th Street 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) with minimal, if any impact on the existing tree canopy along Howard Drive. See related article of June 17, 2021: 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.

Back to the current proposals being proposed for Coral Reef Drive:

The following have been taken from the current draft document. Note page 18, "SW 152 Street Existing Conditions". The street is characterized as a "Tree-lined residential Street" with a ROW (Right of Way) that varies from 73' - 96' feet. What is not detailed are sections of historic coral rock wall that exists within the ROW. See Page 18, posted below along with an actual photo of current SW 152 detailing the coral rock wall

BACKGROUND POSTS - CLICK HERE to view prior articles relating to share paths and the SW 136th Street project.

Excerpts from the present draft document. Please note the Pros and Cons presented. Feel free to formulate your own pro or con argument to the proposals:

TO BE CONTINUED ... stay tuned and check back for updates

An important environmental post worth repeating: What’s So Special about a 22 Acre Forest on Old Cutler Road, by Eduardo Varona, Guest Post (originally published October 18, 2018)

Is the environmental spirit dead with current elected officials? Why are they willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in the future to "beautify" the median running within US1 (costs that they gladly assumed from FDOT), but not protect environmentally sensitive land? 

Various plans have been proposed. I proposed working with the Miami-Dade Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) several times. In fact, I worked to get these 22 acres placed on the "B" List for acquisition, but it requires that Palmetto Bay participate.  That would remove any threat of development both on that land or any transferrable rights being applied to adjoining land.  This land has been used as a political football for far too long and I am anxious to see a realistic plan to save this precious land. 

I rely upon experts. The 22 acres of the Palmetto Bay Village Center should be saved. Please see this guest post from 10/18/2018: What’s so special about a 22 acre forest on Old Cutler Rd? 

This forest is very special indeed. It is one of the last remaining remnants of the tropical rockland forest ecosystem that covered Miami-Dade County before we bulldozed 98% of it. Yes there is roughly only 2% left of this forest ecosystem left in all of South Florida. Most of this ecosystem existed almost exclusively in South Miami-Dade. And day by day we lose additional acreage to development and neglect.

Specifically, the 22 acres of the PBVC is a tropical rockland forest composed of rockland hammock and pine rockland. These two forest communities exist on the oolitic limestone ground in a fluid equilibrium with each other as the land can transition back and forth between the two distinct plant communities in a natural and controlled process influenced by fire, hydrology, and by man. The species diversity both plant and animal that this 22 acre forest harbors cannot be measured in dollars. It should not ever be measured in dollars. In fact some years ago, the 22 acres was nominated for inclusion into the County's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) acquisition program. County biologists assessed the site in response and documented the important habitat values. As a result, the Board of County Commissioners added this site to the list of lands that EEL should purchase for management and protection. The land has remained on the list ever since awaiting funding for purchase.

Here is the complete guest post, originally published on October 18, 2018:

Thursday, October 18, 2018

What’s So Special about a 22 Acre Forest on Old Cutler Road, by Eduardo Varona, Guest Post

Many have questioned over the last decade what is the importance of 22 acres of privately owned native forest on the east side of Old Cutler Rd just north of SW 184 St in Palmetto Bay. Some have claimed and said it is a protected forest. The private owner at times has wanted to develop it and at times seems to want to protect it. Politicians have even fallen on their own swords actually proposing to develop it. At times part of the forest was even looked at for a fire station to serve the surrounding neighborhoods. 

In the last four years there has been a serious push to finally give steadfast lasting protections to this forest through a deal between the Village of Palmetto Bay and the private owner, the Palmetto Bay Village Center (PBVC). This agreement would involve a transfer of developmental rights from the 22 acres east to the parcels surrounding the PBVC. And Palmetto Bay would receive the 22 acre forest as the newest passive park in the “Village of Parks”.

So this begs the question, do the 22 acres of forest need protection? Is this privately owned forest currently protected from development now and in the future?

The answer to the second question is a very certain NO. The 22 acres have never been designated a Natural Forest Community (NFC) by the County and therefore are not protected whatsoever under County laws. To have been designated an NFC the private owner could have approached the county and asked for an ecological and biological assessment of the site. This has never happened. Had it happened, due to the relatively well maintained condition of the forest it would most likely have been designated an NFC. However, even if it had been designated an NFC it would only have protected a percentage of it from development, not all of it. 

What about a covenant that allegedly exists or existed that allegedly protects the forest. Well, depending on who you ask and on which side of the bed they woke, there is a covenant of sorts that is enforced by the Village. A covenant that the Village agrees is soon scheduled to expire.

But in actuality that covenant doesn’t protect the forest at all. It only protects the homes across from the forest along Old Cutler Rd by maintaining a “visual buffer” so that those homes can’t see the PBVC building. That is the extent of the covenant which is due to expire in 2019, if you ask the experts. Finally, is there interest by the private owner to develop the forest? Well why wouldn’t there be as it is prime real estate right on old Cutler Rd. If not protected, someday it will be developed.

Now let’s go back to the original question, the title of this writing. What’s so special about a 22 acre forest on Old Cutler Rd? This forest is very special indeed.  It is one of the last remaining remnants of the tropical rockland forest ecosystem that covered Miami-Dade County before we bulldozed 98% of it. Yes there is roughly only 2% left of this forest ecosystem left in all of South Florida. Most of this ecosystem existed almost exclusively in South Miami-Dade. And day by day we lose additional acreage to development and neglect. 

Specifically, the 22 acres of the PBVC is a tropical rockland forest composed of rockland hammock and pine rockland. These two forest communities exist on the oolitic limestone ground in a fluid equilibrium with each other as the land can transition back and forth between the two distinct plant communities in a natural and controlled process influenced by fire, hydrology, and by man. The species diversity both plant and animal that this 22 acre forest harbors cannot be measured in dollars. It should not ever be measured in dollars. In fact some years ago, the 22 acres was nominated for inclusion into the County's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) acquisition program.  County biologists assessed the site in response and documented the important habitat values.  As a result, the Board of County Commissioners added this site to the list of lands that EEL should purchase for management and protection.  The land has remained on the list ever since awaiting funding for purchase.

Roughly half of the 22 acre forest is pine rockland with the rest consisting of an oak hammock also containing trees such as mastic and gumbo limbo. Yet it is a little known fact that pine rockland is a worldwide endangered ecosystem and plant community which only occurs in Cuba, Bahamas, and yes, Miami-Dade County, and only in South Dade. 

There is more that makes this 22 acre forest more unique than other similar parcels in South Dade. This forest is one of the last remnants of a vast coastal forest that existed in a long ecotone where the forest met the South Dade coastal wetlands and then beyond that Biscayne Bay. And there is even more that makes it so special. 

Few understand that all throughout the Miami coastal ridge where now lie the municipalities of Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, and Pinecrest there existed transverse glades, also known as finger glades. These transverse glades, traversed the coastal ridge as creeks and fresh water wetlands that in the wet season flowed with fresh water from the Everglades all the way to Biscayne Bay. One very large transverse glade occurred in the area known as Bel Aire in Cutler bay and it ran northeast into Palmetto Bay emptying most of its fresh water into Biscayne Bay at the Deering Estate.  This same transverse glade, now a canal, at one time also fed this 22 acre forest and the coastal wetlands abutting it with a seasonal seepage of subterranean ground water through the porous limestone underfoot. In fact an unusual tree species for this location so close to the coast still lives on the edge of these 22 acres at the spot where it once met the coastal wetlands. The Swamp Bay, a tree in the Avocado family, mainly occurs in the Everglades tree islands and in transverse glades. And that a specimen of this tree still grows on the edge of the 22 acre forest is evidence of the strong Everglades fresh water connection that once existed at the site.

So to come full circle, the 22 acres is significant in of itself as one of the last remnants of a vast tropical rockland coastal forest that once existed but is now mostly gone. However, the last piece of the intricate story is that this 22 acre forest lies right beside the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands (BBCW) restoration project which is an integral component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). This large scale CERP restoration project is planned to restore many thousands of acres of coastal wetlands and the near-shore adjacent portions of Biscayne Bay.  With the exception of what has already been restored at the Deering Estate, the most northerly component of this large project is the 130 acre restoration parcel purchased by the Water Management District just to the south of the 22 acre forest.  This makes the forest and its protection an effort worthy of local, county, state, national, and international significance.

This precious 22 acre forest if preserved will support and enhance BBCW and the Village of Parks far into the future.

Swamp bay trees that are proof of the connection of this forest to fresh water wetlands.

Marvin Lee Aday - known as Meatloaf - passed away at age 74.

See: TODAY, online, Rock legend and 'Bat Out of Hell' hitmaker Meat Loaf dies at 74, By Drew Weisholtz,1/21/2022

The singer recorded classic such as “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”

As my tribute - here is the video we all watched at the Grove Cinema prior to The Rocky Horror Picture show:

Miami-Dade County will hold the Joint meeting with Palmetto Bay today, Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 12:45 PM. There is a public comment section listed on the agenda.

 Today is a big day in regard to the 87th Avenue bridge issue. The Palmetto Bay Council and Board of County Commissioners will meet in a joint meeting today, Thursday, January 20, 2022. at 12:45 PM

The agenda does include "reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard" (Public Comment). (CLICK HERE) to view the official agenda.

4A JOINT STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES
 

4A  

  220108 Joint Meeting/Workshop  

  ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE JOINT STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES (ATTACHED TO THIS AGENDA) RELATED TO THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEEDINGS INITIATED BY THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY AGAINST MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PURSUANT TO VILLAGE RESOLUTION NO. 2021-18  

5A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD
 

6 DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  

6A  

  220105 Discussion Item  

  CONSIDERATION OF THE JOINT STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL AND THE BOARD  

6B  

  220106 Discussion Item  

  DISCUSSION OF ANY RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTE  

6C  

  220107 Discussion Item  

  CONSIDERATION BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF ANY PROPOSED MOTIONS FOR A CONCEPTUAL RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEEDINGS, OR IF NO CONCEPTUAL RESOLUTION IS REACHED, THE GOVERNING BODIES ARE REQUIRED TO SCHEDULE MEDIATION TO BE CONDUCTED BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO CONTINUE TO SEEK RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT  

7A ADJOURNMENT

Celebrating the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, Jan 17, 2022

Monday, January 17, is the day we celebrate the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King in 2022.

President Ronald Reagan signed the legislation creating a federal holiday to honor King in 1983 . The holiday, first commemorated in 1986, is celebrated on the third Monday in January, close to the civil rights leader’s January 15 birthday.

Dr. Martin Luther King was a leader about principles, not populism and doing things that are RIGHT, not because they are politically expedient.

I have posted a link to watch a posting on YouTube of the "I Have A Dream Speech" of August 28, 1963. Please take the time to view this important and inspiring historical statement:


 
For more information, check out 10 Things You May Not Know About Martin Luther King Jr., on History.com by Christopher Klein. This online article was originally posted on April 4, 2013. It was updated January 15, 2020.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Welcoming back the weekend rides. Trying to get back to what will be a new normal.

I am looking forward to some quality cycling this weekend. I am pushing ahead on in this next phase of life.