Miami Lakes advisory board plans pre-session outreach, recruitment push and sets criteria for recognition

The Miami Lakes Blasting Advisory Board on Jan. 8 discussed a coordinated push for legislative outreach ahead of the 2025 state legislative session, set criteria for certificates of appreciation for past members and agreed to review a roster of past appointees at its next meeting.

Board members and council liaisons said they want a single, council‑backed letter to send to elected officials in neighboring municipalities and to state lawmakers before the legislative session begins. The board asked staff to prepare a short, one‑page letter plus a simple infographic or visual that can accompany that letter to illustrate the types of property and community impacts the board attributes to blasting activity. Board members listed target municipalities for outreach including Doral, Miramar, Hialeah and Pembroke Pines and said they would try to secure a supporting resolution before Tallahassee’s session opens in late March.

The board emphasized coordination with the mayor’s office and with county and state legislators. Members discussed planned meetings with legislative staff, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce public affairs committee and other delegates to explain the board’s concerns and to solicit support. The group also said it will attempt to reach relevant officials in Broward County and the county commission to build a unified message across affected jurisdictions.

On board operations, members reviewed membership and attendance questions. The town clerk’s office provided a roster of 41 people who have been appointed to the advisory body since its creation; the board directed staff to produce a more detailed list for the next meeting showing who served on the original (“OG”) board and historical attendance where available. As a preliminary step, the board voted to pursue formal recognition for past members but to apply criteria rather than automatically awarding certificates to every person who was once appointed. The motion to set criteria passed on a voice vote; the transcript records “all in favor,” but no roll‑call tally was supplied.

Board members discussed proposed recognition criteria that have been suggested in the meeting: automatic recognition for original founding members and a minimum attendance threshold (members discussed six meetings as an example) for subsequent award eligibility. The board asked staff to return the full roster and attendance documentation at the Jan. 27 meeting so members can make final selections.

Separately, the group planned a regional workshop to educate other municipalities and visiting delegations on the technical, health and infrastructure impacts the board has identified. Members requested that any outreach packets include samples of visual evidence and concise talking points for elected officials who may not be familiar with blasting issues. The board also discussed recruiting new members with specific skills, including medical or mental‑health professionals, communications specialists and affected small‑business owners to bolster the board’s evidence and outreach capacity.

Finally, the board confirmed its near‑term meeting schedule: a special or regularly calendared meeting on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. and a meeting set for Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., with the group agreeing to reconfirm meeting cadence and timing at the next meeting. Members noted calendar constraints with the town chambers and requested staff follow up with calendar owners to secure a regular slot through the fiscal year.

The board recorded several operational follow‑ups for staff: circulate the one‑page draft letter and accompanying visual materials for review; compile the 41‑name roster with appointment dates and any available attendance records; prepare a draft criteria motion and list of proposed honorees to be considered at the Jan. 27 meeting; and confirm meeting room/calendar availability for the remainder of the year.

The meeting included extended discussion of strategy, lobbying timing and recruiting, but no formal ordinance, resolution or regulatory change was approved at the session. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., when members will vote on recognition recipients and review the membership roster.