Miami Lakes panel readies data-driven presentation on air-blast complaints for public workshop

Committee members preparing a March public workshop on seismic/air-blast impacts reviewed data work and set deliverables for the event.

A committee member presented an automated dashboard built from the county/town complaint forms and said the dataset can be refreshed regularly to show complaint counts by area and over time. Members asked to match each complaint timestamp to contractor blast reports so the group can show whether blasts recorded by seismographs (including peak particle velocity, or PPV) correlate with citizen complaints. “If a blast occurred and no complaints were received, then we can look at what was the PPV for that,” one attendee said, describing how that comparison would identify thresholds at which residents report impacts.

The board asked the data presenter to produce three linked outputs for the workshop: (1) a simple handout that summarizes complaint volume and the importance of filing reports; (2) a chart that overlays recorded blast events (with PPV) and complaint timestamps; and (3) a version of the dashboard that staff can share as an internal reference. The committee also requested that staff prepare a printable one-page handout and send a draft to the board quickly so it can be included in the workshop packet.

Members discussed logistics for the public workshop: media outreach (local TV stations), Eventbrite RSVPs (seven signups were noted), printed programs and certificates of recognition, promotional items and signage. Staff reported tangible items — a retractable banner, tablecloth and a table clock — were already received and asked whether the town printing team could deliver business cards and name tags in time. The board decided unused marketing funds would be used for personalized business cards or keychains if the town cannot provide cards in time.

The meeting included a brief demonstration plan: a demonstration device (an “air cannon”) was described as a visual aid to show how overpressure waves (air blasts) travel and how structures can respond; the presenter said the device would make the phenomenon visible to attendees.

Board members asked that a short press release be finalized and circulated to local TV news outlets the morning before the workshop to increase turnout and ensure elected officials or staff from nearby municipalities have time to adjust travel plans. No ordinance or statutory change was decided at the meeting; members set follow-up tasks and deadlines to finalize materials before the workshop.