The Miami Lakes Cultural Affairs Committee on Sept. 9 approved contracts for three outdoor "Music Around Town" performances next spring, voted to accept a vendor quote for a holiday book-reading program and set dates for a slate of community events for 2026. Committee members also reviewed a concert post-event report, discussed planning details for Hispanic Heritage Month and heard an idea to place temporary public art in town lakes.

Why it matters: The committee's approvals commit budgeted town funds and vendor time for public programs that the town presents or helps present; members discussed how the still-unfinalized municipal budget and sponsorships will affect whether the committee can expand programming beyond the three approved concerts.

The committee's most consequential action was approving contracts to book three bands for next year's Music Around Town series. Members voted to authorize booking for March 20, April 17 and May 15, with an estimated combined cost for performers and event expenses presented to the committee of about $7,800. The committee budget line for concerts remains $10,500, and staff said the approved three-event plan fits within that figure; members noted a modest remaining balance that could accept small cost changes or be used to seek sponsors if the group later adds dates.

On the book-program front, the committee approved a revised per-unit vendor quote for an upcoming holiday book-reading series. The vendor reduced its year-over-year price; the committee approved the $6.10 per-unit quote presented during the meeting and directed staff to proceed with contracting and scheduling once the town's fiscal-year budget period opens on Oct. 1.

Members also reviewed a post-event summary for the recent Silver Spring concert. Committee materials and members' reports indicated the event drew roughly 150 attendees on site and additional online views; staff reported about 110 YouTube hits and approximately 15 livestream viewers the day of the concert. Members discussed minor operational issues — inadequate paper plates and water bottles — and recommended ordering more water and some larger food platters for future events.

Planning for the committee's Hispanic Heritage event was discussed in detail. Committee members reported finalized elements that included performers (Marinera dancers, a band and a DJ), a featured visual artist and donated photo-booth materials. Presenters listed in-meeting items such as donated balloons, projected lighting and a food contribution from a local restaurant. The committee discussed a total expense line item presented during the meeting and cited sponsorships; meeting material recorded a tabulated total of $38.85 with sponsorships keyed as $900 and an adjusted figure noted as $29.85 and 85¢ after subtracting sponsorships. Staff emphasized outstanding logistics such as stage rental, set-up availability and a waiver the artist must return to the town before artworks can be displayed.

Committee members spent significant time on scheduling. The committee approved a calendar of 2026 event dates for the near-term programming the committee oversees, including Black History Month (Feb. 21, 2026), Women's History Month (March 14, 2026), a family/children's program (May 9, 2026), a Father's Day fishing tournament (June 20, 2026), the July 4 celebration and a book-talk program proposed for Sept. 10, 2026. Members emphasized those dates are needed to reserve municipal spaces and to avoid conflicts with school open houses and other community events.

A separate new-business discussion introduced an "Art in Public Places" package being circulated by town staff that included a proposal for floating sculptures in town lakes. The proposal described temporary installations with possible LED or solar lighting for night viewing and suggested the installations could be sponsored. The committee did not vote to fund installations at the meeting; members asked staff to request clarification from the project lead about scope, location and cost estimates before any formal committee action.

Budget and process notes: Committee members were reminded that the town fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and that any contractual payments tied to next fiscal-year funds should be scheduled after that date. Staff repeatedly noted that the town will not promote events or finalize contracts until required town contracts are signed. Members were also told budget hearings for the town were scheduled in the coming days and the final appropriation decisions could affect how the committee proceeds with additional concerts or program expansions.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes with corrections: motion to approve minutes as edited (motion made; committee approved with no recorded roll-call). Outcome: approved.

- Holiday book-reading quote: motion to accept the vendor's revised quote of $6.10 per unit for the holiday book-reading program (motion made by Justin Trujillo). Outcome: approved.

- Music Around Town bookings: motion to approve bookings for March 20, April 17 and May 15 (three concerts) and to proceed with contract negotiation and booking; committee approved and staff was authorized to contact performers. Outcome: approved.

- Calendar of events: motion to adopt proposed 2026 dates for a set of signature events, including Black History Month (Feb. 21), Women's History Month (March 14), the May family program (May 9), Father's Day fishing tournament (June 20), July 4 and a book-talk on Sept. 10; committee approved. Outcome: approved.

- Hispanic Heritage: committee set the date and advanced logistics for review (committee held date and directed staff to finalize waivers and logistics). Outcome: no expenditure vote beyond discussed sponsor offsets; staff to follow up.

What committee members asked staff to do next

- Finalize and sign contracts for the three Music Around Town performers and notify vendors to hold dates.
- Proceed with payment arrangements for the holiday book-reading vendor after Oct. 1 (start of the fiscal year) as budget clarifies.
- Confirm stage rental and facilities availability for the Hispanic Heritage event and circulate a list of needed supplies (easels, warmers, plates, water) and volunteers.
- Request additional cost and scope detail from the town staff member who circulated the public-art/"floating sculptures" package before any funding or site approvals.

Meeting context and attendance

The committee meeting included multiple committee members and staff; attendees who were named during the meeting included Felicia Salazar, Elsa Reus, Tranessa Ram, Geraldine Armandoah, Justin Trujillo, Charles James, Susan Crossan and Madeline Santana (committee members). Several members of staff and the public also provided updates and post-event reports. The meeting ran into the evening and concluded with a motion to adjourn.

The committee's actions are procedural approvals to proceed with vendor contracting and scheduling; none of the decisions this evening committed funds beyond the committee's existing budget lines until staff completes contracts or the town finalizes fiscal-year appropriations.