Delivering Policy Solutions 

Here are some of the greatest hits of the last month:

• This past summer, the Board of County Commissioners approved my resolution banning Styrofoam in all Miami-Dade parks and beaches. This ban will go into effect July 1, 2017, but leading up to it the Parks department has launched a public awareness campaign to help educate the public about the ban.
• #WaterWarrior: Three of my pieces of legislation to protect and guarantee access to water recently passed. The Board adopted my legislation creating a program that will provide Water and Sewer customers the opportunity to voluntarily contribute to a fund for assisting customers with financial need. We also approved a resolution to find alternate uses for reclaimed wastewater previously slated to be used for new Turkey Point nuclear power units. My colleagues and I also sent a message to Tallahassee that we oppose the Department of Environmental Protections’s proposed new rules allowing more toxins in our water.
• #ShineTheLight: In order to increase transparency in local government, I championed legislation making zoning hearing agendas and documents available electronically.

Funders Forum

On October 26, District 8 hosted a “Funders Forum” for the 35 graduates of the Nonprofit Academy. These organizations participated in 6 months of interactive workshops aimed at strengthening their work in the nonprofit sector. As the culmination of the program, the Funders Forum brought the nonprofits together with prominent local funders to learn about the kinds of programs they are looking to finance.

Parks Improvements

Recently District 8 celebrated two major parks upgrades! Debbie Curtin Park has new amenities such as a concrete walking path, an access driveway and 31 new parking spaces, two of which are for ADA-parking. The entire site has been re-contoured to improve storm water drainage and beautified with Bahia sod and Live Oak and flowering trees. Debbie was a cherished county employee who died from cancer. Her family traveled from near and far to celebrate her legacy. Meanwhile, South Dade Park celebrated the groundbreaking of a $5.4 million project that includes a new  swimming pool and re-modeled pool buildings.

Ribbon cutting at Debbie Curtin Park

A Boost for Everglades Restoration

My office partnered with the South Florida National Parks Trust and the Water and Sewer Department to welcome the new Biscayne National Park Superintendent Margaret Goodro and to celebrate the donation of 45 acres of land from Miami-Dade County to the National Parks. This land will be used for Everglades Restoration.
     
New Biscayne National Park Superintendent Margaret Goodro, WASD Director Lester Sola and I celebrate the land transfer                                                       

Upcoming Policy Solutions 

• In the coming months I will be proposing a collection of legislation related to animals. One item will strengthen our ban on puppy mills. Another will lower the age requirement for volunteers in animal shelters. Finally, I am hoping to establish an animal abuse registry.
• I recently published an article in Miami Today outlining why I believe we need to review our county charter. I am proposing legislation to create a community task force that would look at the charter and recommend changes.
• In light of the recent Zika outbreak, I am sponsoring legislation to improve our mosquito control. One resolution will ask the administration to evaluate alternatives to Naled, a controversial chemical used to kill mosquitoes. I am also asking the Mayor to prepare a report exploring possible sources of additional funding for mosquito control.
• A report on the Status of Women in Miami-Dade will be presented to the County Commission on December 6, following the unanimous approval of my legislation adopting the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women. This report will give us objective data to be able to measure our progress in promoting gender equity in our county.

Please contact us with any questions about the legislation and how to get involved: 305-375-5218, [email protected].

The Office of New Americans, which will assist Miami-Dade County’s many legal permanent residents to become citizens, has hired Nestor Rodriguez as its Executive Director. I will keep you posted as this exciting initiative, which I helped spearhead, moves forward.

Accelerate South Dade

Soon my office will be launching a business and nonprofit incubator in South Dade, called Accelerate South Dade. This will contribute to the economic vitality of our South Dade community. For more information, contact Rahel at [email protected].

South Dade Marketing Plan

As a follow up to the last South Dade Solutions Summit, Commissioner Dennis Moss and I are hosting a community meeting November 28 for stakeholders to review ideas generated for our South Dade marketing brand.

Great in 8 Profile: Miami-Dade Urban Debate League and Genesis Hopeful Haven

 I am truly proud of the accomplishments of all the 35 organizations that participated in the District 8 Nonprofit Academy. Two of those organizations that graduated from the 6-month program are Genesis Hopeful Haven and Miami-Dade Urban Debate League.

Genesis Hopeful Haven provides group housing to homeless youth and young adults aging out of the foster system. Fritzie Saintoiry, who participated in the Nonprofit Academy, said Florida was a key place for such an organization because of the incredible need for foster homes here. In particular, Genesis Hopeful Haven strives to serve sibling groups that might normally be separated into different foster homes. Saintoiry says people can support their efforts by donating to Genesis on Give Miami Day November 17.

The Miami-Dade Urban Debate League provides debate programming to urban public middle and high school students in Miami-Dade County, teaching them to think, communicate, collaborate and love learning. Nalisa Saati of the MDUDL said the best part of the Nonprofit Academy was the access to resources and experts, as well as the relationships with other nonprofits. The Miami Herald recently covered a presidential debate that MDUDL hosted. MDUDL is looking for volunteers for an event on November 19 at FIU from 9:30am-5:30 pm. Community members can help by volunteering to judge each round. To get involved, contact Nalisa at [email protected].