[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6196569,"mediaKeyId","3857566-d3c6e438cb520b58a4964fe9b4e3cc6c","parentId",3857566,"title","CITT briefs Miami Lakes on PTP funds, on-demand transit and regional rapid-transit planning","audioSeconds",224,"startMs",11475000,"endMs",11699000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857566-d3c6e438cb520b58a4964fe9b4e3cc6c&start=11475&end=11699","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857566-d3c6e438cb520b58a4964fe9b4e3cc6c/thumbnail_11475000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196569/Miami-Lakes/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/CITT-briefs-Miami-Lakes-on-PTP-funds-on-demand-transit-and-regional-rapid-transit-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196569-968fe359423c5125956ccecc9216b281/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438004&Signature=kpWGAARmlMYd-mHK3ZzOJPMYo1vvv7aYH2FMbr7JAEM3jdWi4~c84wztK27NMbWIQ96N3x6Eo6uMLDAW7afTMcQqiHrCGWqW5ScJTQl8E5-IIw6-oLNlZuSCmiqc7M89~skGYNIjMowsm6Y6Fv4hreVK3oihAmsFVYucm1G~5ivquqxMiVHVgT1xYkjojqVZkRJBNa7RdUtHR736iZ6hfEmRGa0WV5mxm6THHo5Xk5zKyGSdRcjdTvPvJ1fPdvGRuTlOtja0eMtyCCmIclpDUi50Di4WeRqa3AakeWEzj09Vs1nFTScZ6elqeXaYu5Oueo6Y0oTJaItinEB4Dx5nRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miami Lakes, FL","date","2025-06-18T08:12:32.467Z","article","Miami Lakes — The Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust on Thursday gave the council a broad briefing on the county's People's Transportation Plan (PTP) surtax, municipal allocations and regional rapid-transit planning.

Javier Bettencourt, executive director of CITT, told the council the half-penny sales surtax has generated more than $5 billion since inception and currently brings in roughly $400 million a year countywide. He said roughly 20% of annual surtax collections are allocated to municipalities; those funds must be used at least in part for transit. \"We are strictly focused on being a watchdog over the funds and making sure that the promises that were made to the people were implemented,\" Bettencourt said.

Mariana Price, CITT municipal program manager, reviewed Miami Lakes-specific figures: the town received about $1.9 million in PTP funds last year, and reported about 33,300 rides from its on-demand service in the previous year. Price said the town has at times spent more on transportation projects than the annual allocation, noting municipalities commonly use surtax funds alongside other local resources for projects.

Bettencourt and Price described the countywide priorities in PTP's current strategic plan, including a soon-to-open bus-rapid-transit (BRT) South Corridor, planned corridor studies for Beach and East-West connections, and proposals to use existing rail rights-of-way for commuter rail. They urged municipalities to coordinate on-demand services — such as Miami Lakes' Freebee program — with adjacent cities and to explore regional partnerships and alternative financing tools for larger projects.

Council members focused questions on local issues: whether drainage work incidental to road projects would be eligible for PTP funds (staff said it may be eligible when incidental to a road project), the timing and prioritization of upgraded traffic-signal systems, and whether municipal on-demand services could cross municipal boundaries. Bettencourt said many municipalities already permit cross-jurisdiction service and that CITT will provide recent contracting best-practice guidance to help towns reduce costs.

The presentation included a request that municipalities consider joining pilot projects and shared procurement exercises to lower per-ride costs for on-demand services and to plan first/last-mile connectivity to fixed-route services and stations.

Ending — Bettencourt encouraged further coordination among Miami Lakes and neighboring cities and said CITT would continue to provide municipal audits, contracting resources and program guidance to help cities make the most of PTP funds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Council Meeting | June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) told the council how PTP half-penny sales tax revenue is distributed and urged cities to coordinate transit services; Miami Lakes' on-demand ridership and municipal spending were discussed.","taxTitle","Miami Lakes, Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",55516,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196574,"Miami Lakes committee wins funding move for life rings, asks town to draft fertilizer ordinance",724,7716000,8440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857566-d3c6e438cb520b58a4964fe9b4e3cc6c&start=7716&end=8440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857566-d3c6e438cb520b58a4964fe9b4e3cc6c/thumbnail_7716000.jpg","/articles/6196574/Miami-Lakes/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Miami-Lakes-committee-wins-funding-move-for-life-rings-asks-town-to-draft-fertilizer-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196574-650ec51241d89aa50d9dd4bee821bdb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438004&Signature=b0Oh6b-Dnt4z8-gPoKFczxFBic8sEIFLvh0TA~d5Bg39MycU84eqnEdH~0BFINvZlm7yN1IXXqnd6HrgZNUSGMqIOmfNXgejPHfSJK8F5ns4fjAl7s47ZcusamOU6Tvcv4sVNTLu2tlGh~29OC9oQ4ssVQixcFdcd1e4D13U5z18z2X8dAyj0s3G4LgGhQTnUNY0bsLxMjZo2sFb5bheyqh1KJdXeFikJIDFz7g9s8bO7i-4M9qzCdJfNGpgtcxn2iGXJ2uFnUj2pHlQGB--UEoW1TuEBnMyvhefExhy6hwP1LI8gEM5JmzW4oOv7m5Bf1xfG~TrT32k7fkBkk92DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miami Lakes — The Town Council on Thursday approved a Neighborhood Improvement Committee request to reallocate $3,504.44 from the committee's annual budget and asked staff to return in July with a budget amendment for an additional $2,450 to buy life rings for town lakes and canal access points.

The committee said the \"Aiden Perry Hero Life Ring\" initiative would place life rings at roughly 15 locations across the town where residents and children access water. Each ring costs about $395 and the committee surveyed beaches and canal access points to identify sites. \"It's a small investment that can help save lives, and honor Aiden's memory in a way that's meaningful,\" said Helen Bridal of the committee.

Council members backed the request and also instructed staff to return in July with a proposed budget amendment to fully fund the 15 rings. Councilman Garcia urged focusing first on the beach-style lake access locations and suggested seeking outside sponsors, county discretionary funds or civic donations to support broader rollout. The council approved the transfer of the committee's remaining $3,504.44 and asked staff to identify the additional $2,450 for the next meeting.

The council also directed staff to draft a fertilizer ordinance after a Neighborhood Improvement Committee recommendation. Committee member Felicia Salazar described the proposal as modeled after similar municipal rules: an ordinance that would regulate fertilizer types and application near waterways, along with an education campaign for residents and landscapers. \"We have so many waterways in the town of Miami Lakes — it's prudent for us to have these rings out and to protect our lakes,\" Salazar said.

Council members asked the committee and staff to consider implementation details including mounting/tethering the rings so children cannot remove them as toys near schools, and the installation cost beyond the price of the rings. Staff and committee members said some rings include tethers and that the committee had added a small buffer for installation in its costs. The council voted in favor of both actions — reallocating the committee funds to purchase a first batch of rings and directing staff to draft a fertilizer ordinance for future council consideration.

Ending — The council told staff to return with a July budget amendment to fund the remaining rings and with a draft fertilizer ordinance. Council members encouraged the committee to seek sponsor funding and to work with staff on safe mounting designs for school-area sites.","The Neighborhood Improvement Committee won council approval to reallocate $3,504.44 to start installing life rings at popular lake access points and secured direction for staff to draft a fertilizer ordinance and an education campaign to reduce nutrient runoff to town lakes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196580,"Miami Lakes council authorizes town attorney to seek court ruling on state blasting law",3693,3173000,6866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857566-d3c6e438cb520b58a4964fe9b4e3cc6c&start=3173&end=6866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857566-d3c6e438cb520b58a4964fe9b4e3cc6c/thumbnail_3173000.jpg","/articles/6196580/Miami-Lakes/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Miami-Lakes-council-authorizes-town-attorney-to-seek-court-ruling-on-state-blasting-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196580-f8f030c2d576090f0a282a80f59711b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438004&Signature=RUT3vK0gYsB9VptbnT78Il1dGnZjV7yN8JzzVELJlrAplMfwsm3hyc-fs-ya0OeAjKOkxt-XDtYVQKC2-fhUJxVoosTrud2k~TjWk2xyNa99eJeKKMD4xKBQSyRW6YG4ti-IIhVB1g2y0QVCoTx2iO2lFRFOQ2XsWPPOW4HQUKUMwCT9DLNe3HWKTuzQ2OtU~pOawhJSstkidJHexA9SNr8tqXKJb5cBu-EOa~8fObH2I-3n4gAfMTLMecwDEDYJ9yHDEP3i4cKERnpwWLMeVteXaJhhvd7j9zxnAHnCngPYOu5EHyL793DTRFhx0wS~I0beV3SSmC1NmPuQMNaMXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miami Lakes — The Town Council on Thursday voted unanimously to authorize the town attorney to prepare and file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Florida law that channels blasting damage claims into administrative hearings and away from the courts.

Councilman Steven Herzberg, who introduced the item, said the measure would seek declaratory and injunctive relief and, if successful, restore property owners’ ability to pursue damages in court before a jury. \"This is not a lawsuit that stops the mining. I'm very clear. We're not trying to stop the mining,\" Herzberg said as he outlined the legal theory and timeline.

The item grew out of years of work by the town's Blasting Advisory Board and by residents who testified at the meeting about alleged damage to homes, pools, sidewalks and infrastructure. Dozens of residents from Miami Lakes and nearby neighborhoods urged the council to act. \"We are blasting mad and we will not take it anymore,\" said Esprensa Reynolds during public comment. Miguel Martinez, a longtime activist on the issue, told the council the industry had acknowledged damage but characterized it as \"cosmetic.\" \"I strongly support item 16C and stopping this egregious action,\" Martinez said.

Herzberg framed the suit as a limited constitutional challenge focused on two central claims: that the statute eliminating jury trials in blasting damage cases violates the Florida and U.S. constitutions' guarantees of access to the courts, and that it creates a separation-of-powers problem by moving matters traditionally heard in judicial courts into an administrative process. \"The heart of the issue ... gets rid of your right to have your damages determined by a jury of your peers,\" Herzberg said. He told the council the town would not immediately sue for damages, but would first seek a court ruling restoring property owners' rights to use the courts.

Council members asked questions about potential costs, timing and whether other municipalities would join. Several council members said they would seek partners among neighboring cities and county officials to share costs and legal strategy. \"If they don't want to chip in, we lead,\" Herzberg said, adding he hoped to file within 60 to 90 days. The town attorney who addressed the council said the litigation would be expensive and could affect relationships with state entities and funders, but told the council the legal arguments were strong.

The motion, to \"authorize the town attorney to prepare a lawsuit for declaratory and injunctive relief finding that the statute is unconstitutional and to file it in a competent court of jurisdiction,\" was moved by Councilman Steven Herzberg and seconded; the council then voted by roll call and the item passed unanimously.

Council members and public speakers emphasized this action is intended to restore procedural rights for property owners, not to stop or regulate mining operations themselves. Several speakers and council members said they view litigation as a last resort after legislative and administrative efforts in Tallahassee failed to produce relief for residents.

The council also discussed funding options, including asking nearby municipalities and county officials to contribute to legal costs and exploring a dedicated millage or other revenue sources. The town attorney and Herzberg said the first step would be strategy discussions with outside counsel and possible executive sessions to address legal tactics. The council did not approve specific litigation contracts or budgets at the meeting; the authorization was limited to directing the town attorney to proceed with preparing the suit.

The council's vote will allow the town to pursue the constitutional challenge in court; no complaint had been filed by the end of the meeting and there is no guarantee of success, council members and the town attorney cautioned.

Ending — The vote caps months of resident complaints and advisory-board work on blast-related damage in Miami Lakes. Councilman Herzberg said the town would continue outreach to other municipalities and to stakeholders as the town develops litigation strategy and seeks potential funding partners.","After years of complaints about quarry blasting, the Town Council voted unanimously to direct the town attorney to prepare a lawsuit seeking a declaration that a Florida statute that restricts blasting-related claims to administrative hearings is unconstitutional.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CITT briefs Miami Lakes on PTP funds, on-demand transit and regional rapid-transit planning

Miami Lakes committee wins funding move for life rings, asks town to draft fertilizer ordinance

Miami Lakes council authorizes town attorney to seek court ruling on state blasting law