West Miami approves joint-use agreement with Miami-Dade School Board for Sylvania Heights campus, will fund cameras and fences

West Miami commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 1 to implement a joint-use agreement with the Miami-Dade School Board that will allow the city and residents to use portions of the Sylvania Heights Elementary School campus as a park. The agreement requires the School Board to install 13 cameras and fences; the city will reimburse the School Board for those installation costs.

Why it matters: The joint-use arrangement opens additional recreational space for residents while establishing security measures and procurement responsibilities. The city and school district each have distinct procurement and building procedures, so the work will follow the School Board's vendor processes.

Details: City staff explained that the school board must use its vendors and building officials to install the cameras and fencing. The manager confirmed the city's financial obligation is for the initial installation and fencing only; ongoing maintenance and operation of the cameras were described as responsibilities of the School Board. Commissioners emphasized safety and securing the campus when the public uses the facilities on weekends.

Action and implementation: The commission approved the resolution 4-0. The manager said work will begin under the School Board's procurement and that the installation will allow weekend public access while maintaining school security.

Next steps: The parties will coordinate procurement and installation schedules. The city will reimburse the School Board per the joint-use agreement for the initial costs of cameras and fencing.