In preparation for a workshop meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo), the City Manager published his list of short / long term planning initiatives.  Here’s a rundown of the list:

Oakwood/Forrest Drive/Stafford Park/East Drive Stormwater (flooding) Project

Funding is requested to address the safety and flooding issues on the East side of town from Stafford Park to Oakwood, including Forest Drive. Additionally, stormwater drains/pipes would be added on East Dr from Stafford Park to the new Oakwood pump station on Oakwood Dr.

COST:  $1,700,000 (estimated)

CURRENT STATUS:  City Engineers are currently working on survey, background/data collection and a preliminary design so that when funding is in place we can quickly complete the design plans that will be issues with the RFP for bidding on construction

FUNDING SOURCES:  We have two potential funding sources for this project: 1) State appropriation request for FY21- 22 and 2) the $5.8 million from the American Rescue Plan

TIMELINE:  Depending on funding timeline we could potentially commence project during FY21-22.

East Drive Road Improvement Project

Funding is requested to address the safety and flooding issues on East Drive between South Royal Poinciana and NW 36th Street. This design involves adding a traffic circle at the intersection of Oakwood Dr. and East Dr. which includes adding a green area to absorb rainwater to reduce flooding in the area. Additionally, sidewalks will be added on East Dr. by Stafford Park, milling and paving of East Dr. from SRP to NW 36th St , bike lanes and landscaping along Stafford Park

COST: $1 Million (estimated)

CURRENT STATUS: City Engineers would need to develop design plans so that when funding is in place we can quickly issue an RFP for construction

FUNDING SOURCES: We have two potential funding sources for this project: 1) State appropriation request for FY21- 22 and 2) the $5.8 million from the American Rescue Plan

TIMELINE:  Depending on funding timeline we could potentially commence project during FY21-22.

South Royal Poinciana Boulevard

South Royal Poinciana Median Project

Funding is requested to address the safety and flooding issues on South Royal Poinciana Blvd. A traffic study recently conducted by RJ Behar, concluded that vehicles traveling on these lanes drove an average of 10 miles over the speed limit posing a hazard to pedestrians and bicyclists. In addition, we worked with the County to reduce the speed limit from 35MPH to 30MPH, to be consistent with all other speed limits within the City. This design not only reduces the number of lanes on S. Royal Poinciana Boulevard from four lanes to one lane in each direction, but also adds bike lanes and green median to absorb rainwater in order to reduce flooding in the area. Additionally, these alterations provide an added benefit by allowing bicyclists to ride safely.

COST: $800,000 

CURRENT STATUS: Pending funding approval so we can initiate plans and design development

FUNDING SOURCES: We have two potential funding sources for this project: 1) State appropriation request for FY21- 22 and 2) the $5.8 million from the American Rescue Plan

TIMELINE: Depending on funding timeline we could potentially commence project during FY21-22.

Canal Bank Restoration

Phase II & III of erosion control & stabilization of the collapsing Esplanade Canal banks (North Side); engineering study states within 5 years adjacent roads, mature trees, curb, and gutter could collapse, causing road closure, property damage and loss of resident & emergency vehicle access to adjacent homes. Erosion is causing sedimentation & impaired water quality in this tributary to Everglades Watershed. City was funded for Phase I (which completed the stabilization of the canal banks on Esplanade from NRP to Westward Dr.) in 2015-2016

COST: $1,500,000

CURRENT STATUS: Pending funding approval so we can continue with Phases II and III

FUNDING SOURCES: We have two potential funding sources for this project: 1) State appropriation request for FY21- 22 and 2) the $5.8 million from the American Rescue Plan

TIMELINE: Depending on funding timeline we could potentially commence project during FY21-22.

Food Distribution at the Rec Center

Parks and Recreation

There are three main priorities at this time:

  1. construction of a new racquetball court;
  2. painting the exterior of the Rec Center; and
  3. replacing the cabanas at the pool.
  4. Another consideration that prior councils have discussed is relocating the tennis courts/racquetball court to another location e.g.: the golf course property

COST: $250,000

CURRENT STATUS: Pending approval of funding so we can begin bid process.

FUNDING SOURCES: These projects would be funded from the General Fund through direct funding from city or via a bank loan in the upcoming FY21- 22 budget.

TIMELINE: Depending on funding timeline we could commence project during FY21-22.

Parks and Recreation

The following are other projects that Parks and Recreation recommend be funded:

  1. Walking Path on Stafford $120,000;
  2. Playground surface at Stafford Park $80,000;
  3. Renovation of Peavey / Dove large field $150,000;
  4. Expanding Prince South and Peavey /Dove to 70ft bases $15,000;
  5. Adding new batting cages to Stafford and Prince Fields $50,000;
  6. Shade canopies at Prince ball fields $60,000;
  7. New exercise equipment at Stafford Park $100,000; and
  8. Installing 6 exercise stations along Curtiss Parkway walking path $10,000 per station or $60,000.

COST: $625,000

CURRENT STATUS: Pending approval of funding so we can begin bid process.

FUNDING SOURCES: These projects would be funded from the General Fund through direct funding from city or via a bank loan in the upcoming FY21- 22 budget.

TIMELINE: Depending on funding timeline we could commence project during FY21-22.

Miami Springs Golf and Country Club
Miami Springs Golf Course

Golf Course

The Golf Course (which is older than the City itself) turns 100 years old in 2023 the funds requested are needed to continue the path to prominence that we have enjoyed over the past few years, and continue our increasing revenue stream/cash flow to the City of nearly $2mil in FY 20/21 Budget. Revitalizing the golf course playing surfaces by adding new and resizing current tee surfaces for more teeing rotations to accommodate increasing rounds of golf. Converting the greens to USGA spec greens to allow for appropriate drainage. Floating fairways surfaces to allow for proper drainage during the rainy season. This project will also address any infrastructure needs such as, but not limited to, roof repairs, repainting of the buildings, golf cart storage facility, golf course bridges, etc. Project anticipated start date April 2022 and completion in October 2022. This investment to the facility, if properly maintained, can last over 30 years.

COST: $5 Million (Estimated)

CURRENT STATUS: Pending approval of funding so we can begin bid process.

FUNDING SOURCES: These projects would be funded from the General Fund through direct funding from city or via a bank loan in the upcoming FY21- 22 budget.

TIMELINE: Depending on funding, project could be started in April 2022 and completed in October 2022. This investment to the facility if properly maintained can last over 30 years.

Miami Springs City Hall & Police Department

New City Hall / Police Complex

Construction of a new City Hall/Police/Fire station complex to replace the current facility. This project would involve selection and acquisition of a new location and once the new facility is constructed the current City Hall can be sold and proceeds used to offset cost of new building

COST: $10-$15 Million

CURRENT STATUS: Pending approval of funding so we can begin bid process.

FUNDING SOURCES: This project would be funded via a long term bank note.

TIMELINE: Depending on project approval and funding

Citywide sidewalk installation

Installation of sidewalks with ADA accessibility in all areas of the city which currently do not have them. One major challenge of this project is getting residents to support this project on their particular streets since this may involve tree removal and cutting through existing driveways.

COST: $2.2 Million

CURRENT STATUS: Pending approval of funding so we can begin bid process.

FUNDING SOURCES: This project can be funded through the General Fund, Grants, or bank financing.

TIMELINE: Depending on project approval and funding

Add More Police Officers

The city spends significant manpower resources dealing with hotel calls, the city currently has 21 hotels. These calls reduce the number of officers that can patrol the other areas of the city as well as perform traffic enforcement. We have increased the number of officers from 43 to 45 in the past two years, we would recommend adding additional officers as budget permits in the coming years.

COST: Each officer has a cost of approx. $100,000 which includes benefits, equipment and training

CURRENT STATUS: Can be implemented quickly once funding is approved.

FUNDING SOURCES: This would be funded from the General fund, however the city continues to pursue getting its fair share of Bed Tax funding from hotels.

TIMELINE: Depending on funding

Attracting new business to Downtown District

Currently there are two major projects now underway in the Circle /Downtown area. The Miami Springs Town Center project and the renovation of the old Barry’s Cleaner building into retail shops. The city is also speaking to a group that is in the process of purchasing the SunTrust Building on the Circle with plans to bring in a national brand food restaurant.

COST: N/A

CURRENT STATUS: Both projects are underway at this time.

FUNDING SOURCES: N/A

TIMELINE: Ongoing

Parking garage for downtown area

As new projects and businesses come into the downtown area, we will be looking at locations where a municipal parking garage can be built in order to provide additional parking to our downtown area.

COST: $3 to $5 million

CURRENT STATUS: This is a long term goal and once the need arises we will begin discussions with Council

FUNDING SOURCES: This can be done through a bank loan. If parking fees are charged, the revenues collected can be used to offset debt service costs.

TIMELINE: Long term

Revision of City Code

This project would involve revising our entire code to bring it up to 2021 legal standards. This would be a major undertaking that would require hiring a consultant to assist in making these revisions. We could also consider doing a piecemeal approach in which case we would begin with the sign code, which we consider a top priority, and work from there to other areas.

COST: Depends on which approach we take-entire revision or piecemeal

CURRENT STATUS: Pending approval of funding so we can begin bid process.

FUNDING SOURCES: This projects would be funded from the General Fund.

TIMELINE: Depends on funding availability

Miami Springs Annexation Proposal

Annexation

Annex area west of the FEC tracks.

COST: N/A

CURRENT STATUS: Pending County Commission Action

FUNDING SOURCES: N/A

TIMELINE: Pending County Commission Action

Runway Inn

Hotel Bed Tax

This would allow the City to receive a portion of the Bed Tax collected from hotels in order to fund more police.

COST: N/A

CURRENT STATUS: City is pursuing this both at the County and State levels

FUNDING SOURCES: No cost to city, this would generate revenues

TIMELINE: City is pursuing this both at the County and State levels

FPL Underground Wiring Project

The initial project will do 47 laterals (this represents 49% of the total laterals in the city) which affect 1,042 customers and replaces approx. 6.5 miles of existing overhead wiring.

COST: No cost to city or residents

CURRENT STATUS: As of today they have completed 21 laterals, 4 are in active construction and the remaining 22 laterals are scheduled for 2022.

FUNDING SOURCES: FPL covers cost of this project

TIMELINE: As of today they have completed 21 laterals, 4 are in active construction and the remaining 22 laterals are scheduled for 2022. FPL advised that their content is to do the entire city however as of now they only have set plans up to 2022.

$2mm Pedestrian Bridge to connect Miami Springs and MetroRail Station

Pedestrian Bridge to Metro Rail Station

Pedestrian bridge from North Royal Poinciana Boulevard to the Metro Rail Station on Okeechobee

COST: N/A

CURRENT STATUS: Pending FDOT and County MPO approval of funding

FUNDING SOURCES: Pending FDOT and County MPO approval of funding

TIMELINE: Pending FDOT and County MPO approval of funding

What do you think?

Which of these projects have merit and should go forward?  Which of these projects are a waste of time and taxpayer dollars?  Which project should be added to the list that’s not even listed?  Share your thoughts in the comments, social media, or head to the Public Workshop on Wednesday (Cinco de Mayo) at 6pm at Miami Springs City Hall.

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