Mission Statement
To provide efficient, accountable, accessible and courteous neighborhood services that will enhance the quality of life and involve the community.
Water Use Agreement
The Water & Sewer Department signed an historic agreement to continue to provide safe, reliable drinking water to residents and visitors for the next 20 years. The Consumptive Use Permit issued by the South Florida Water Management District allows Miami-Dade County to continue drawing water from the Biscayne Aquifer, while at the same time, undertaking the largest recycling project ever attempted in Florida. The $1.9 billion plan will allow Miami-Dade County to reuse water, which will in turn accommodate future development and population increases.
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Garbage Collection
More than 300,000 households in Miami-Dade County and the municipalities it serves now receive automated garbage collection service. The Department of Solid Waste Management completed the implementation of automated service this year. The system uses an automated arm to pick-up garbage and is neater, cleaner, safer and more efficient that the traditional pick-up method.
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Waste Collection
Bulky waste collection response times were cut in half with the help of new equipment and additional crews to the Department of Solid Waste (DSW). Bulky waste, which includes large items like appliances and furniture, was picked-up, on average, seven days after a service request. DSW also helped clean up more than 1,555 illegally dumped trash piles.
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Road Improvements
The Public Works Department completed 14 major projects to alleviate traffic and/or improve road conditions. One of the most significant projects included construction of an overpass at NW 97th Avenue over the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836), a major north-south corridor. Furthermore, Public Works crews also resurfaced 218.8 lane miles of roadways such as the Rickenbacker Causeway.
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Illuminated Traffic Signs
For safer night driving, Public Works installed illuminated signs at 393 intersections throughout the County including all major corridors: Biscayne Boulevard, US 1, Coral Way, Bird Road, Kendall Drive and more.
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School Traffic Signals
Public Works also installed 29 new flashing signals in elementary school zones, 29 traffic signals in intersections which became too busy for their existing signage, and installed or repaired 61,488 traffic signs.
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New Sidewalks
More than 176,515 linear feet of sidewalks were installed or repaired by the Public Works Department – all of them compliant with ADA (Americans with Disability Act) standards.
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Neighborhood Enhancement Crews
In the first year of operation, Neighborhood Enhancement Action Teams (NEAT) made more than 53,000 minor repairs that improved the quality of life for Miami-Dade residents. The NEAT teams, created by the Public Works Department, patrol neighborhoods for illegal dumping, downed tree limbs, and potholes.
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Interstate and Public Transit Area Beautification
The Community Image Advisory Board (CIAB) enhanced the appearance of the I-95 entrance and exit ramps, from NW 11th Terrace to I-395, by planting tropical trees, shrubs, and brightly colored flowers.
The CIAB also partnered with Miami-Dade Transit to upgrade the landscaping at the Historic Overtown Metrorail Station and at the 3rd Street and Riverwalk Metromover Stations. Fresh flowers and tropical trees were installed and the stations were painted with aesthetically appealing colors.
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Tree Canopy Restoration
In 2007, Miami-Dade Park and Recreation planted hundreds of trees at area parks to restore trees lost during Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, and to further beautify parks with large amounts of open space. Trees have been planted at 42 sites. Once completed, more than 3,700 trees will have been added to the landscape.
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PestControl
Consumer Services Department Extension Division staff was the first to officially respond to the fig whitefly infestation by making collecting samples to be identified by state laboratories. Educational campaigns and training for the landscape industry, public agencies and general public are on-going. The infestation could have an economic impact of more than $100 million.
The Department also prepared potential treatment options and educational materials for the red palm mite, which could result in more than $300 million in lost sales revenues for the South Florida nursery industry.
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Team Metro
Team Metro nearly doubled its community outreach efforts in 2007 as it seeks to improve access to Miami-Dade County services. More than 220,000 residents visited one of the nine Team Metro offices in the County or the “Government on the Go” busses. Team Metro centers offer residents a convenient way to purchase transit passes, dog licenses, baby stroller permits or report problems.
Team Metro spearheaded the relief effort for those affected in the Peruvian earthquake. More than 40 tons of relief items were shipped to non-profit organizations which oversaw the distribution of needed items.
Team Metro also coordinated three major events to assist more than 6,000 individuals in filling their applications for naturalization and providing the applicants with the necessary information to pass the regulatory test.
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Flood Control
More than 56,778 linear feet of drainage pipe to reduce street flooding was installed by the Public Works Department throughout the County.
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Flood Insurance Savings
Residents in flood zones saved 25%, or a total of $19.5 million, on flood insurance in 2007. Homeowners realized the discount because the Department of Environmental Resource Management received an excellent rating by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Ratings System for its ability to maintain local flood control systems.
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Environment
Beach Renourishment
The Department of Environmental Resources Management was recognized for having the top beach renourishment project in Florida over the past 50 years. In September 2007, DERM received the prestigious Golden Project Award from the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. The 30-year-old project, which stretches from Government Cut to Sunny Isles Beach, has transformed low income neighborhoods, increased tourism, and improved beach access.
Recycling Waste
The Miami-Dade Resources Recovery Facility is turning waste-to-energy. The facility, which received more than a million tons of waste from haulers all over the County in 2007, successfully used that waste to generate power to the plant, as well as more than 45,000 households. A wastewater “reclaimer” was also constructed on the site in 2007 reducing groundwater usage by 100,000 gallons per day.
Chemical Collection
A new Home Chemical Collection Center was built in South Miami-Dade in 2007. The center allows for the proper disposal of hazardous home chemicals and electronic equipment, which in turn helps the environment. A second chemical collection center is in West Dade.
Reducing Emissions
To reduce carbon monoxide emissions, the General Services Administration purchased only hybrid sedans when operationally feasible in 2007. The County’s fleet is the third largest public hybrid fleet in the nation, behind New York City and California according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Endangered Lands and Wetlands Protection
Miami-Dade County is aggressively purchasing wetlands and other environmentally sensitive properties as part of the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. In 2007, the County acquired an additional 676 acres of environmentally endangered land, which represents a 77% increase from 2006. With the help of the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond, the County has bought a total of more than 28.5 square miles of environmental land for public ownership since 1991.
Artificial Reef Expansion
Part of the County’s natural resources and a draw for tourists is the marine wildlife that thrives on reefs. Now fish, lobsters and crabs will have additional 2.5 acres to call home thanks to the Department of Environmental Resource Management’s (DERM) Artificial Reef Program. DERM expanded reefs in 2007 by creating and enhancing bottom habitats in Biscayne Bay and near shore ocean waters, through placement of concrete, steel and prefabricated artificial reef materials.
Reducing Contaminants
Tips on pesticide application and water conservation were provided by the Consumer Services Department. As part of its community outreach programs, nearly 10,000 people were provided with training or educational information to help conserve water, maintain water quality, and to safely apply pesticides.
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