Increased public transportation use has made Key Biscayne a “shining star” with the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust.
Executive Director Javier Betancourt was on hand during last month’s Village Council meeting to explain how the half-penny tax, approved by county voters 22 years ago, has generated $4.8 billion and has led to all sorts of transportation improvements from the municipal transit program to more than 40 roadway improvements.
Municipal Program Manager Mariana Price said Key Biscayne “is one of our gold star-shining star members” with the FreeBee program, accounting for 85,000 riders last year and hitting that mark before October this year with nine vehicles in use.
In addition, there has been a 17% rise in bus travelers on the Key.
It was Vice Mayor Allison McCormick, Brett Moss and Frank Caplan’s final regular Council meeting this term, although Caplan won his reelection bid in the Nov. 5 general election and will be returning to the dais.
Among other topics acted on by the Village Council:
* State Senator Alexis Calatayud spoke about one of her personal goals, to help condo residents with the affordability portion of the latest state-mandated safety measures, perhaps with a “needed” change to the laws or a “timeline remediation.”
She said this past Legislative Session brought in funds for special needs programming and the K-8 Center resilient infrastructure project in Key Biscayne, and she wants to continue to work with the Village Council on grant funding and special appropriations funding.
* A resolution was approved 7-0 for the Village to accept a municipal matching grant award of $36,263 from the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Committee for the Rickenbacker Causeway-Crandon Boulevard traffic and mobility solutions project, as well as another resolution for a related work order to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., for the same project, not to exceed $72,526.
* Recreation Director Todd Hofferberth said the placement of artificial turf on the field at St. Agnes should be done from May 15 to Aug. 15, 2025, when school is out. Bidding will go out in November, and the Village Manager will negotiate an agreement in February.
* Just 35 responses from some 4,000 customer surveys were returned regarding the Building Department Customer Survey, which went out to anyone who had submitted a permit and “was still in the system.”
One of the respondents’ issues was “the significant shortage to answer phone calls in a timely manner because our clerks are doing face-to-face work,” said BZP Director Jeremy Calleros Gauger, who suggested a part-time person might be needed to answer phones.
He said the island remains busy, with 70 active construction sites, “about 6-7% of all homes on the island. When I started, we had 45 (active projects),” Calleros Gauger said.
* McCormick wanted to see if there was still an appetite for Steve Simon’s suggestion of going after the “All-America City” designation, something Caplan said, “I would really like us to do it and take it seriously, not just to win an accolade but to induce civic participation.”
Village Manager Steve Williamson said everyone must support the project, so he will ask if the local schools are willing to do their part.
* Mayor Rasco questioned the increased fees for the 12 trainers on Village Green. He said some fees doubled and, in one case, went up 400%. Council members disagreed that a trainer of, say, three subjects should pay the same as a trainer of 44 subjects. Fees are used to maintain the facilities and assets.
“It’s a good goal, but perhaps we went a little too far with it,” said Rasco, who suggested keeping “what we have in place until we find something agreeable.”
* Rasco honored Helena Iturralde and A Zero Waste Culture with special recognition for winning the Miami Zero Waste Business Award. “It’s just a phenomenal job you’re doing,” he said. “Thank you for what you do to our community.”
Iturralde noted, “It’s not a one-person job; it’s a lot” of community members who make an impact.
* There were moments of reflection upon the passing of Conchita Suarez, “who was very involved in the Village (incorporation),” said Mayor Rasco, who called her a “stalwart person” at Key Colony.
Caplan said she had the temperament to calm “frenzied arguments,” and former Mayor Mike Davey called her “an amazing person.”
Councilman Ed London said, “I think she was the only person granted special privileges to carry dogs to this meeting (Princess). … one of the greatest things for her was getting the dog park approved. Everyone who met her couldn’t help but fall in love with her.”
