Council approves $62,000 payment for Arch Creek East Passive Park walking path; funding shifted to impact fees

The North Miami City Council on Tuesday approved a purchase order for Metro Express Inc. in an amount not to exceed $62,000 to cover work on a concrete walking path at Arch Creek East Passive Park. City staff told the council the work was completed under a preexisting term contract with several contractors and that the item was before the council because the originally intended surtax funding for sidewalks was not an eligible source for park property. "I believe the work is completed," a staff member said during the meeting; staff later explained that the property had been designated as a park in 2016 and therefore required a different funding source. The manager said impact fees would be used to pay the contractor. Why it matters: Council members raised process questions about how work could be completed before an appropriation was authorized and pressed staff to prevent similar funding and oversight lapses in the future. The city manager and staff explained the contractors operate on work orders under a term contract and that the funding issue, not contractor selection, prompted the council review. Action and vote: Councilman Kevin Burns moved approval and Mayor Alex Desilme seconded; the council approved the item by a 5–0 vote. City staff said the payment is being processed now that the correct funding source has been identified. Next steps: Council members asked staff to tighten internal controls and ensure the council is notified when funding sources change; staff said they would follow up.