Cutler Bay manager lists events, survey launch and park and property updates

Town Manager Russell used the council’s Sept. 17 meeting to deliver multiple community and administrative announcements, including an education survey, fundraising results, upcoming events and property‑management developments.

Russell said the town launched an education survey the day of the meeting; the survey was mailed to more than 6,500 residents and will be promoted on the town’s newsletters and social media to solicit resident feedback to “help guide our town’s educational future,” Councilmember Duncan said. Russell also confirmed a record $17,535 was raised at the town’s 17th annual Cutler Bay golf tournament; the proceeds will be deposited to the town’s community fund for distribution to nonprofits.

Russell listed several upcoming community events: a Business Resource Expo at Town Hall (upcoming Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.), a coastal cleanup at Southwest 80th Avenue and Southwest 212th Street (date noted as the same Saturday later the same day), and a Hispanic Heritage celebration at Cutler Ridge Park (Sept. 27, 6–10 p.m.). He also said the town is collaborating with the Florida Chief Financial Officer to host an unclaimed property event at town facilities on Oct. 21; Russell said roughly $8.8 million in unclaimed funds are associated with ZIP codes 33157, 33189 and 33190 and the town will post registration and guidance as the event approaches.

Russell updated park and land matters: first‑phase parking improvements at Saga Bay Park are complete, adding 34 parallel spaces; landscape beautification along Southwest 709th Court is being finalized. He also described progress on Coastal Ridge Preserve Park: the town’s application to move the property from Miami‑Dade County EAL (environmental acquisition list) Category B to Category A passed unanimously at the county committee stage; Russell said Miami‑Dade staff will prepare an item for the Board of County Commissioners to adopt the list before the town proceeds with negotiations for a potential sale of approximately two acres to preserve a flowway canal footprint.

Russell said staff identified a wording problem in a recently adopted floodplain management ordinance that unintentionally prohibited storage of hazardous materials as defined by FEMA — a definition that includes LP gas used for home generators. He said staff will introduce a staff‑initiated ordinance to correct that provision so homeowners with permitted generators are not unintentionally restricted. Russell reminded the council of the town’s second budget hearing at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25.

No formal council action was taken on these announcements during the Sept. 17 meeting.