Lynda Bell: Lone Vote Against Diversity and Inclusion

In 2002 the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) passed the gay-rights ordinance and was subsequently upheld by the voters in the Fall.  However, the existing Miami-Dade law doesn’t cover transgender people.  

In May, Commissioners Bruno Barreiro and Audrey Edmonson filed a trans-inclusive amendment, which was co-sponsored by Commissioners Barbara Jordan and Sally Heyman. The amendment passed on first reading with an 11-1 vote. Only Miami-Dade Commission Vice Chairwoman Lynda Bell voted against.

Next, the amendment must pass the commission’s Health and Social Services Committee, which is chaired by Edmonson. A vote is scheduled on July 8. If three of five committee members approve the amendment, it goes back to the full commission for a final vote, probably in the fall.

Reference Links:

Miami Herald 
Eye on Miami

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2013/06/save-dade-seeks-transgender-protections-in-miami-dade-county-hopes-to-pass-law-by-end-of-the-year.html#storylink=cpy

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Robin Hood Effect may land Carlisle Development Group Executives in Prison

HIH POV:

The cruel Sheriff of Kottingham (Feds) allege the Merry Men:  Robin Hood (Matthew Greer), Little John (Lloyd J. Boggio) and Friar Tuck (Michael K. Runyan) have employed trickery and deceit to develop affordable housing in Miami.  The Merry Men may end up in prison regardless of their good intentions to help the poor and disadvantaged in our community. The article by the Miami Herald expresses "shock and awe" at the ordeal.  Everyone appears to justify their "means to an end" approach especially the County Commissioners who've received campaign contributions from the Merry Men.  If the allegations of fraud are true the Merry Men will pay dearly for it and the band of supporters in the community and at County Hall may have to forgo this fairy tale's happy ending. 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/01/v-fullstory/3428600/feds-investigation-into-miami.html#storylink=cpy

Miami Herald Excerpt:

The 13-story edifice, standing on a city block surrounded by a railroad track, a highway and an elevated transit rail, is home to 90 rental apartments for low-income people. The developer, Carlisle Development Group, also donated much of the ground floor to after-school care, computer labs and other educational services.

“The first thing people say is, ‘This is Overtown?’ ” said Saliah Nelson, vice president of Urgent Inc., the nonprofit that operates the programs. “Yes, this is Overtown.”

Nelson described the $25 million complex as Carlisle’s “big gift” to the community — not unlike dozens of other affordable-housing projects that the Miami-based company has developed over the past decade in South Florida and elsewhere.

But Carlisle’s reputation for building modern apartment complexes that lift up people’s lives seems suddenly at risk: A federal grand jury is investigating allegations that Carlisle and its chief executive officer, Matthew S. Greer, the scion of a prominent Miami-Dade family, and others associated with the company bilked a U.S. government subsidy program designed to promote affordable-housing development.

News of the investigation, headed by the U.S. attorney’s office, has already affected Carlisle, the state’s biggest and the nation’s third-largest affordable-housing developer, with more than 80 completed projects valued at $1.4 billion.

- Note undated photograph of Matthew Greer.  Michael K. Runyan is a general contractor and President of BJ&K Construction Services.

- Reference Links:

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/01/v-fullstory/3428600/feds-investigation-into-miami.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/01/3428600/feds-investigation-into-miami.html#storylink=cpy

Feds’ investigation into Miami affordable-housing developer, Carlisle, baffles supporters - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

Affordable-housing developers under investigation contributed to Miami-Dade political campaigns - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

Carlisle Development Group under Grand Jury investigation

Community celebrates opening of award winning housing development

Related Article:
Regions Bank lawsuit: Carlislie defaulted on $5.1M

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Homestead and Florida City 2013 Property Values Decreased Again

HIH POV:

Homestead's property values decreased 2.2% and Florida City decreased 7.5% while the county overall property values increased.  The true impact to individual homeowners won't be known until the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) set the maximum millage rate in mid-August as they've historically done.  The early release of this information is a "nice to have" for municipalities planning purposes but for the average citizens it's much-a-do-about-nothing.  One may also look up individual property assessments online at the Property Appraiser's website using the New Search.

Mind you the Miami Herald's headline states "Good News" but this qualification should really be left to the readers' interpretation. It's good news for government entities who will now increase property owners' tax bills for services provided.  Also, it's good news for those selling their property but for the majority of citizens staying in their homes, it's not good news.  This just means higher tax bills come November.  Tack on higher windstorm insurance bills to boot and you have a perfect storm brewing once more.

In Homestead and Florida City the impact will be less apparent since the overall values continued to decrease though not as much.  It appears property values may begin their turn into positive territory. Lets just hope that come November the new Homestead City Council of 2013 allocates the new found monies wisely into sustainable projects that spur growth in the city.

Miami Herald Excerpt:

Property values in Miami-Dade County rose for the second year in a row – welcome news for South Florida municipalities, which derive much of their revenue from property taxes.

“It’s a good thing for anybody in government,” Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez said.

The growth – about 3.1 percent countywide – was slightly less than Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez was expecting. Last month, Gimenez predicted property values would rise 3.5 percent, creating in an additional $33.3 million in new revenue for county coffers.

But on Friday, Gimenez said the revised figures were “something we can work with.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3427173/good-news-for-miami-dade-property.html#storylink=cpy

Good news for Miami-Dade: Property values are increasing - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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For Whom the Bell Tolls: Mark Bell Running for Mayor?

Mark Bell owner of The Redland Hotel may be running for Mayor of Homestead, FL.  The unofficial word in town is that he's seriously considering it.  The suspense has the city elders flummoxed in that his wife is the venerable Lynda Bell, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 8 and Ex-Mayor of Homestead 2007-2009.  The city would get a bargain by having twice the expertise for the price of one.  Already a power couple in South Dade rubbing elbows with the well connected throughout the county, the Bells would become even more so of a power couple if Mark were to win.  It would also be a vindication for Lynda whose Mayorship was cut short by the current Mayor Steven Bateman.  Political guerrilla warfare may be possible in Homestead depending on the candidates and a coup d'état may not be out of the question if only figuratively speaking.

                   These photo of The Hotel Redland is courtesy

                   of TripAdvisor

This photo of The Hotel Redland is courtesy of TripAdvisor

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Proposed New Southwest Expressway: A Highway to Urban Sprawl in South Dade

The proposed Southwestern extension of 836 MDX Toll Expressway appears to be a breath of fresh air to the residents of West Kendall.  An alternate route to the job centers of Miami-Dade county that will enable the residents to cut their commute time and frustrations of bumper to bumper traffic on Florida Turnpike (SR 821) and Don Shula Expressway (SR 874).  Residents won't be able to escape the tolls though as all expressways ran by MDX have this funding mechanism.

With a highway of this magnitude in the western reaches of the county one can only expect more housing, shopping centers and other aspects of urbanization or in the case urban sprawl.  It happened in Broward county and we will be no different. You can expect there will be a push to extend the UDB further west.  The forces to make this happen are gearing up for a fight on both sides of the issue.  On one side the Developers and construction interests.  They are very powerful in the county as they are able to influence MDX and the Board of Commissioners via lobbyist as well as campaign contributions for the latter.  On the other there will be Farmers and Environmental Activists who would like to preserve their agricultural way of life and the Everglades.  A compromise is inevitable so stay tuned as the study gets underway.

Purple Route:  Non-Starter.  It traverses residential areas along SW 137th Ave from the current terminus of SR 836 at NW 12th ST/SW 137th Ave to The southeast corner of Tamiami Executive Airport. The North Kendall residents are very vocal and worse for politicians:  They Vote!

Red Route:  Traverses Urban Development Boundary (UDB).  Environmentalists will be up in arms.  Miccosukee Tribe may support the effort if they buy off on the value of an entrance/exit to their casino. If not, they will align with the Environmentalists and Farmers and this route will be doomed from the get go.

Blue Route:  The most cumbersome route going in a southwesterly direction along the UDB until it aligns with Krome Avenue. This may be the path of least resistance but will be challenged by the Farmers and Environmentalists alike as it will bring urban sprawl to the western part of the county nearest to the Everglades. 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/10/3277911/new-expressway-idea-for-southwest.html#storylink=cpy

Reference Links:
New expressway idea for southwest Dade draws fire

Fred Grimm: Build it, and the strip malls will come – to Krome Avenue

MDX Future Projects

MDX State Road 836 Southwest Extension

This conceptual project would extend SR 836/Dolphin Expressway from NW 137th Avenue west and then southwest to SW 136th Street. This will provide interconnectivity with the SR 874/Don Shula Expressway Ramp Connector project. Such a connection would provide improved north-south access and mobility throughout the southwestern section of Miami-Dade County. 

General Information 

Public Kickoff Meeting

Alternatives
Public Workshop

Public Hearing

Project Conclusion Summary

Reference Link:
http://www.transitmiami.com/miami-dade-transit/lost-vision-miami-dade-transit-40-years-on

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Not So Fast! No Forced MACs, Annexations, or Incorporations

Commissioner Lynda Bell, representing District 8, on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) stood on principle not to support the creation of three Municipal Advisory Committees (MAC) for West Kendall unless each MAC garnered signatures of 20% of the residents affected prior to its creation.  Commissioner Juan C. Zapata, representing District 11, wants to create three MACs in West Kendall splitting the district somewhat evenly along transportation corridors.  Currently there are no municipalities in District 11 so annexation is not a consideration.

Commissioner Zapata would like to have the ordinance requiring 20% of the signatures waived for his proposed MACs.  Commissioner Zapata provided a justification akin to "a previous MAC didn't need to meet the threshold" but Commissioner Bell did not budge.  Commissioner Jordan also voiced some reservations and asked counsel to provide more information as to the threshold and its particulars.  She motioned to deffer the item to the next meeting and Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz, who chairs the Land Use and Development Committee second the motion.

At first one may think this is an altruistic proposal by Commissioner Zapata whereby citizens will get together and decide on the future of the proposed areas.  Everyone will have their say and then decide cordially to incorporate or not to incorporate.  However, history has shown that these committees take a life of their own and suddenly incorporation will not be a choice but a forgone conclusion.  Fact is creating new municipalities is an arduous task and all the ordinace requires is a 20% commitment by the residents affected.

Commissioner Zapata needs to garner 20% commitment from the residents in each of the three areas proposed to create the MACs. Incorporation will be moot if not successful since there is an even greater commitment of 25% of the residents affected to achieve an incorporation vote. This may be a case of a solution looking for a problem; however if Commissioner Zapata can garner the signatures then surely Commissioner Bell may readily sign on to his proposal. 

See video below specifically Lynda Bell's explanation starting at 16:55.

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IT'S ON! Miami-Dade County Annexation Bug is in Full Swing

Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, Florida City, Homestead, Medley, Miami-Springs, and Miami Shores are on the path to annex areas now part of Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA).  Furthermore, new cities now being considered in Kendall,  East and West that will essentially do away with UMSA as we know it.  The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meetings seem to be on and off to discuss the annexations and incorporation drives but the direction is clear:  Annexation or Incorporation is the way forward.

The obvious question for those in South Dade:   When will the Redland and Redland Edge incorporation drives spin up again? It appears area residents "just want to be left alone" as some have said at the two Homestead Annexation Workshops this month.  However, "left alone" is a luxury we can ill afford in a county ran by construction and developer interests.  Being proactive is a better approach as it will assert a desire to determine the areas' future.  If "agri-dential" is the latest Urban Dictionary term then so be it, but the Redland and Redland Edge areas will have to fight for it.  Homestead residents have a bias for our agricultural communities for many aspire to moving out west of Krome away from zero lot lines and Homeowners Associations (HOAs).  The city and these soon to be towns have shared interests and common goals.  Together we can impress upon the BCC the need for a common sense approach to incorporation in South Miami-Dade that will allow for the residents to preserve their way of life in an agricultural setting.

Redland Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) Maps.

Reference Links:
County to vote on annexation of land near Miami International Airport - Doral - MiamiHerald.com

Annexation hearing for West Miami-Dade cities is canceled
 
 http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/miami/redland/

 http://www.miamidade.gov/managementandbudget/library/reports/Report_on_Interest_of_Municipalities_to_Annex_Neighboring_MAC_areas_December_11_2007.pdf

Farmers fighting to save a lifestyle

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Miami-Dade County to UMSA: Incorporation or Annexation

With the election of State Representative Juan C. Zapata to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) there will be a new drive to incorporate new cities and have existing cities annex areas adjacent to them.  Commissioner Zapata believes State Senators and Representatives can better represent municipalities directly versus going through county government.  Another reason:  Miami-Dade is in the process of spinning off the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA).  The county will then be left to run the Airport, Seaport, County Fire and Police Departments, Water and Sewer Department just to name a few.

South Dade will  not be spared hence why the Homestead City Council held a Workshop to discuss the feasibility of annexing surrounding areas of UMSA, specifically Reland Edge and Leisure City. These areas have few options due to a limited tax base making incorporation a challenge. Even the tax base of Redland Edge and Leisure City combined isn't sufficient to support incorporation so that leaves the only viable option:  Annexation. In the near future these areas will get absorbed by newly created cities or annexed by Homestead because the status quo is unsustainable. The county has determined that it's simply too expensive to continue providing municipal services to these areas. With a $50M deficit this year alone the county will be putting the incorporation and annexation efforts in overdrive.  So unless Redland and Princeton incorporate soon and are willing to respectively accept Redland Edge and Leisure City, these areas may not have any other alternative than to allow annexation by the City of Homestead. The residents of these areas can choose one path or the other but they may not stay in UMSA forever.

Reference Links:

Miami-Dade lifts ban on new cities
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/04/03/miami-dade-commission-to-consider-lifting-ban-on-new-cities/

A case for incorporation

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/18/2851787/the-case-for-incorporation-in.html

Commissioner Jean Monestime supports increasing property taxes for UMSA
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/06/2988431/jean-monestime-proposed-county.html

Commissioner Juan Zapata supports incorporation of new cities (2 Links)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/23/3360701/task-force-considers-creating.html

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/04/group-tackles-creation-of-new-miami-dade-cities.html

Commissioner Juan Zapata supports creating new city:  West Kendall
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/blog/morning-edition/2013/05/could-there-soon-be-a-city-of-west.html

Miami-Dade Current Annexation Proposals

Miami-Dade County - Management and Budget - Annexations

The Politics of Municipal Incorporation in South Florida
http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/landuse/vol122/lazega.pdf

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