Blasting advisory subcommittee sets Feb. 27 workshop, forwards $699 marketing request to council

The Blasting Advisory Board subcommittee agreed Feb. 6 to hold a public workshop on blasting issues Thursday, Feb. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Hall to review proposed state House and Senate bills, municipal collaboration and public comment procedures, and to coordinate outreach with neighboring cities and community groups.

Members said the workshop will feature presentations by legislators' representatives and municipal officials, a brief legal or policy review, and a public-question-and-answer session. The subcommittee reviewed a program draft and asked staff to prepare two versions of promotional material: one for the public and one formatted for municipalities and elected officials.

To support outreach, members moved to transfer $699 from a marketing line item for materials including a banner and name tags; the motion passed by voice vote and will be placed on the Feb. 24 regular council meeting for formal approval. The subcommittee discussed priority purchases for the workshop (banner, name tags, printed one-page programs) and directed staff to confirm vendors and lead times so items arrive before the event.

Staff and volunteers agreed on several promotional channels: an Eventbrite registration, a QR code on printed programs and flyers, targeted email blasts to HOAs and special taxing districts, and distribution through civic associations and the chamber of commerce. Committee members volunteered to distribute printed copies in their neighborhoods; the group discussed printing about 200 copies for distribution and about 80–200 for smaller outreach stops. The deputy clerk and marketing staff were assigned to finalize branding and the Eventbrite page once the program text is updated.

The draft program includes: welcome and introductions by the chair and town mayor, a short history of the advisory board, presentations by legislators' staff on the bills, a legal/analysis segment, municipal reports and a Q&A followed by closing remarks. The subcommittee emphasized strict time limits for speakers and public comments (three minutes per speaker) to keep the two-hour session on schedule and asked staff to communicate that limit to invited municipalities.

Members discussed outreach to specific neighboring jurisdictions and contacts already invited or expected to attend, including Doral, Miramar, Broward County and Homestead. An attorney from Doral, Luis Valdez, was named as a likely participant; the subcommittee also agreed to invite the county and the local legislative delegation (including Senator Renée García and the House delegation) and asked members to share contact details so the clerk's office can follow up.

On substance, the group asked that presenters explain how the two bills under consideration would work in practice. Members raised three recurring concerns they want addressed at the workshop: whether the bills would preempt local claims or authority, the proposed funding source for any compensation (state funds versus private liability), and the statutory geographic limit (three-mile radius) referenced in the drafts. The subcommittee directed staff to request a short legal analysis and to invite the bills' architects or their staff to explain intent and mechanics for workshop attendees.

Logistics items the subcommittee assigned before the next meeting included: (1) Francesca to update and circulate the program draft and invitation language; (2) marketing staff to add a QR code and prepare Eventbrite registration and printable one-page programs; (3) the deputy clerk to re-send municipal invitations and follow up with county contacts; (4) members to confirm which municipal representatives will attend so branding and logo use can be finalized. The chair asked that all communications and any correspondence about these bills be shared with the full committee as public records.

The subcommittee set a date for a follow-up planning meeting on Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. and reiterated the workshop date of Feb. 27, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Town Hall. The Feb. 24 regular council meeting will carry the $699 marketing request for formal approval.