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Commission divided over $250,000 for Girl Scouts site; alternative parking improvements proposed
Summary
Commissioners debated a proposed $250,000 allocation for invasive tree removal and improvements on the Girl Scouts property. Some opposed interior tree removal without lease changes; the commission agreed to keep funds in the proposed budget while staff meets with the Girl Scouts and returns with lease/design options.
A proposed $250,000 allocation to address invasive vegetation and site improvements at the Girl Scouts property prompted a sharp debate during the City of South Miami’s July 18 budget workshop.
Some commissioners said they opposed using city dollars to remove trees on the interior of the Girl Scouts parcel without clearer lease terms or shared maintenance obligations. “I’m 100% against spending a dollar to remove any trees on that property unless we have a changed and clarified lease,” one commissioner said, urging the commission to protect public funds and avoid the appearance of subsidizing private nonprofit property without reciprocal commitments.
Other commissioners argued the city should show a willingness to invest in improvements that could make the parcel usable for public programming, or at least invest in adjacent public parking and crosswalks that would benefit both the Girl Scouts site and the surrounding neighborhood. Staff and commissioners discussed an alternative approach: use part of the proposed allocation to improve the public parking west of the fence and add a crosswalk to improve safety and access while continuing lease negotiations.
City staff said they will begin a substantive meeting with Girl Scouts leaders within about a week and recommended keeping a budget allocation available so the commission can act quickly if the parties reach an agreement. Staff explained that the proposed $250,000 in the budget is intended initially to cover assessment, design and potential removal costs, with the expectation that a study would first identify protected plants, invasive species and the scope of work.
The commission did not vote to spend the money immediately; instead, the mayor directed staff to pursue lease discussions and return with a revised proposal that includes a clear scope and terms. Commissioners who live near the site volunteered to participate in talks and to explore whether some investments could be redirected toward adjacent parking and crosswalk improvements if that better serves neighborhood safety and access.
