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Southwest Ranches council approves due diligence on $3M Milagros parcel, multiple contracts and trail board
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Summary
Council authorized due diligence for a potential $3,000,000 purchase of the Milagros parcel for a public safety facility, approved a $166,075 construction contract, a $364,876 change order for park improvements, adopted an ordinance banning smoking/vaping in parks, and created a multi‑use trails advisory board (5 members + 2 alternates).
The Town of Southwest Ranches council approved a package of motions and votes on infrastructure, procurement and land acquisition at its meeting.
Due diligence for Milagros parcel: The mayor and administration reported a verbal agreement with the property owner to sell an approximately 3.5–4‑acre Milagros parcel for $3,000,000. The council moved to begin due diligence (survey, environmental review and related examinations) and approved the motion by roll call. Staff said a formal nonbinding letter of intent was submitted and the town received an appraisal confirming fair market value; due diligence was estimated at 30–60 days.
Contracts and change orders: Council approved a resolution awarding a construction agreement to Kayla's Contractors for the Halotea Trail and Luray Road drainage improvement project for $166,075 and separately approved change order 7 with East Coast Builders and Developers totaling $364,876.02 for Southwest Meadows Sanctuary Park improvements. Staff explained that public‑health and utility requirements required connecting the park to Sunrise Utilities via a lift/grinder station, which increased costs; the town engineer and competitive pricing reduced the final change‑order figure from an earlier estimate above $500,000.
Ordinance and charter referendum: The council approved an ordinance (item 11) adding a public smoking and vaping prohibition in parks and approved (item 12) submitting a charter amendment to the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to increase council and mayor compensation with a maximum 3% annual CPI‑W cost‑of‑living cap.
Trails advisory board and appointment: The council created a multi‑use/equestrian trails advisory board and approved a composition of five voting members plus two alternates. Council also moved and passed the appointment of George Morris to the citizen MPO.
Votes at a glance: [all by roll call] — Due diligence on Milagros parcel: passed (yes 5‑0); Ordinance: smoking/vaping in parks (item 11): passed (yes 5‑0); Charter referendum (item 12): passed (yes 5‑0); Kayla's Contractors agreement (item 13): passed (yes 5‑0); East Coast Builders change order 7 (item 14): passed (yes 5‑0); Trails advisory board composition: passed (yes 5‑0); Appointment of George Morris to citizen MPO: passed (yes 5‑0).
What happens next: Staff will proceed with due diligence on the Milagros parcel, return purchase documents to council if due diligence supports acquisition, begin contract execution and implement the park change order and trail advisory board onboarding.
