The Miami City Council approved an initial agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation on Aug. 5 to pursue a Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to implement safety improvements to existing infrastructure.

City staff described the item as an initial agreement that requires the council’s signature before the federal agency returns a formal contract. A staff presenter said, “I just needed their signature on this. Then we will get the contract after that is executed in student. So, sorry. Just need your signature.”

During discussion council members asked whether formal approval was still required; staff confirmed the action on the agenda was an approval/signature step. The presenter also stated that the Department of Transportation “will no longer enforce certain requirements, DEI, etcetera,” and characterized the current vote as an administrative authorization to proceed pending the executed contract.

A motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded; the roll-call-style responses recorded in the transcript show council members voting in favor. The recorded votes in the meeting transcript were: Dunkel (yes), Jones (yes), Barnes (yes), Eastep/Eastaff (yes), Milton (yes) and Parker (yes). The motion was recorded as approved. The agreement at this stage commits the city only to pursue the grant and to execute the initial paperwork; the transcript indicates that the federal contract and any funding terms will come later.

Council members did not provide a detailed funding breakdown during the discussion; the transcript does not specify a grant award amount, local match, or timeline for implementation. Staff indicated the executed contract will be provided to the city after the DOT completes its process.

The vote completes the city’s signature step authorizing staff to move forward; city staff will return any final contract documents to the council or place them on a future agenda as required.