|
District Office
8345 NW 12th Street
Miami, FL 33126
(305) 599-1200
Downtown Office
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street
Suite 220
Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-4343
|
|
|
Dear resident,
Thank you for your support. I invite you to read this month's newsletter to be informed of matters that concern you as well as community events in your area. If you are a property owner in Miami-Dade County, the County has made it easy to make your payment and also get a discount, be sure to visit the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector website before March 31 to pay your property taxes. If you pay online in January you will receive a two percent discount and if you pay in February, a 1 percent discount will apply. No discount will be applied if you pay in March.
|
District 12's Mom and Pop application available February 5
|
If you are a small business owner in District 12, you can apply for the District 12's Mom and Pop Small Business Grant available starting Monday, February 5 to Thursday, February 22. Business owners will be able to download the application online or by visiting our office at 8345 NW 12th Street for the printed application. This program helps by providing financial and technical assistance to local small businesses.
|
Commissioner Diaz sponsored a resolution urging Congress to approve legislation calling for the immediate extradition to the Unites States of all fugitives from U.S. justice who are
receiving safe harbor in Cuba, including notorious convicted terrorists William Morales of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional Puertorriqueña (FALN), and Joanne Chesimard of the Black Liberation Army. More than 70 fugitives from the United Sates, charged with offenses ranging from hijacking to kidnapping to drug offenses to murder, are believed to be currently receiving safe harbor in Cuba.
Commissioner Diaz sponsored a resolution urging Congress to pass H.R. 4345 also known as the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2017, which will provide funding to develop and maintain veteran treatment courts across the Country. This will include
Miami-Dade's first veterans treatment court established in January 2017.
Commissioner Diaz sponsored a resolution approving the Florida legislature's codesignation of the Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike/State Road 821 between Mile Marker 34 and Mile Marker 36 as "Trooper Patrick Ambroise Memorial Highway"
Commissioner Diaz sponsored a resolution declaring January 2018 and establishing the month of January for each year as slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month in Miami-Dade County.
|
Commissioner Diaz attends City of Doral's Ribbon cutting for Police Substation
|
Commissioner Diaz attended the ribbon cutting for the City of Doral's police substation on January 12. The facility is 12,500 square foot facility and will house the department's School Resource Unit, Neighborhood Resource Unit, the Bike Squad and the K-9 Unit. Police reports, copies of police records will also be available to residents, business owners and visitors at the substation located 3719 NW 97th Avenue.
|
Drainage Improvement Project
A drainage improvement project will start at NW 5Oth Street from NW 74th Avenue to NW 77th Avenue. The project will focus on drainage improvements to resolve flooding issues in the area as well as roadway restoration. Project is scheduled to be completed in February 2018.
Capital Control Infrastructure Project
A Capital Control Infrastructure project is underway at NW 58th Street and NW 117th Avenue, to improve water management and increase the level of service being provided to residents within the Dressels Canal Basin. The project consists of new headwalls, operator pad, motorized gates, extension of culverts and intergration of the motor controls into SCADA system which will allow for remote monitoring, automated and remote control of the structure. The project is scheduled to be completed in May 2018.
Drainage Improvement Project
A drainage improvement has started at NW 127th Court from NW 10th Terrace to NW 10th Lane. This project will focus on drainage improvements to resolve flooding issues in the area as well as roadway restoration. The project is scheduled to be completed in February 2018.
Intersection Improvements
An intersection improvement project is underway at NW 36th Street and NW 79th Avenue which includes clearing and grubbing, milling and resurfacing; installation of concrete curb and gutter; sidewalks and ramp connectors; signage and pavement markings installation. This project is expected to be completed in April 2018.
|
Happenings in District 12 Schools
|
|
|
Congrats to Andres Dones, a senior at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, who was selected by the National Catholic Educational Association to receive the 2018 Youth Virtues, Valor and Vision Award for his creativity and ideas to change the world. Outstanding job Andres!!!!
Congrats to three District 12 High Schools for being named best Charter High Schools in the State of Florida
Doral Academy Charter High School ranked 7th
Doral Performing Arts & Entertainment Academy ranked 15th
Mater Academy Charter High School ranked 18th |
|
Miami-Dade looking for Library Tutors
|
Lane closures on 836, starting February 2
|
Newsworthy Items for the Community
|
|
Tax Exemption for Disabled First Responders and their Spouse
If you are a first responder with a homestead property and who has been injured in the line of duty, you may qualify for a total and permanent disability exemption from ad valorem taxes. Click here to see if you qualify
Constitutional Amendment No. 5 and Seniors 65 and older
If you are 65 years old and obtained the long-term senior exemption before January 1st, and later lost the exemption when your property's market value exceeded the $250,000 limit, you may benefit from the
Constitutional Amendment No. 5
, which may qualify you to receive the exemption retroactively to when they originally qualified and could result in obtaining a refund for those prior years.
Water Conservation Rebates offered
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer (WASD) is offering $50 toilet rebate to replace old toilets with high efficiency models. For the rebate form and more information on the rebate, visit WASD's Water Conservation page.
10th Annual Every Drop Counts Poster Contest
The Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department is sponsoring the 10th Annual Every Drop Counts Poster Contest on the importance of water conservation. All Miami-Dade County elementary school students from kindergarten through 5th grade are encourage to participate b
y
filling out the application and submitting their poster before the deadline on February 2, 2018. There will be 13 winners; one from each county commission district and the winners will be recognized at a Board of County Commission meeting and receive gifts and prizes.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) is accepting applications for the
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
. The WAP is designed to to assist Miami-Dade homeowners with improving the air quality in their home, at no cost to the homeowner. This program also reduces home energy costs and is free for eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 786-469-4728 or 786-469-4729.
AileyCamp Miami Summer Program
Looking to enroll your child in a summer program? Adrienne Arsht Center is hosting AileyCamp Miami which is a full scholarship for a six-week summer program for Miami-Dade Public Middle schools. The program strives to provide a safe and artistic environment for students that focuses on West African, Jazz, Modern and Ballet dance classes while also learning about nutrition, conflict resolution, drug prevention as well as creative communication classes. The program has served over 800 students since its inception in 2008. The deadline to apply is March 28.
Metromover schedule for January and February
The
Metromover system
will close early during several days in January and February and close all day during two Sundays, to allow Brightline to complete work adjacent to NW 5th Street. Free bus shuttle services will be provided between Metromover stations.
2018 "All Kids Included" Student Art Competition
Is your child artsy or wants to be an artist? If so, you might want encourage your child to enter the
Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affair's All Kids Included (AKI), which is a district-wide student visual art competition open to all Miami-Dade students in grades Pre-K through 12. The 2018 theme is "Celebrating Inclusion, Empathy and Choosing Kind," which is inspired by the book "We're All Wonders" written by R.J. Palacio and the deadline to submit is February 5, 2018.
|
Commissioner in the Community
|
|
|
| Commissioner Diaz greets some of the most world renowned shooters at the 2018 Miami Cup Skeet Shooting Competition on January 13 at Trail Glades Range. |
|
|
| Commissioner Diaz waves at parade goers at Univision Miami's 48th Annual Three Kings Parade along SW 8th Street (Calle Ocho) on January 14th. |
|
|
| On January 14, Commissioner Diaz attends the 2018 Gables Chili Fest where proceeds benefited the United Way and the Miami-Dade Military Affairs Board, where Commissioner Diaz serves as Chairman. |
|
|
| On January 19, Commissioner Diaz speaks at the "Miami Mental Health Summit" to address the mental healthcare needs for Veterans and their family in our community |
|
|
| Commissioner Diaz speaks at the codesignation for fallen Trooper Patrick Ambroise on January 24. Trooper Ambroise was killed on May 15, 2010 in the line of duty when his patrol car was struck from behind while he was stopped on the shoulder. The crash caused his unit to burst into flames, trapping him inside. Commissioner Diaz sponsored the legislation to have a portion of State Road 91 (Florida Turnpike) be known as "Trooper Patrick Ambroise Memorial Highway" in his honor. |
|
|
| on January 24, Commissioner Diaz attends a charrette workshop focusing on the implementation plan for the Smart Plan's East-West Corridor. The workshop was held at the Hilton Miami Airport. |
|
|
| Commissioner Diaz welcomes over 20,000 runners, including singer Prince Royce at the 2018 Fitbit Miami Marathon & Half Marathon on January 28 |
|
|
| On January 29, Commissioner Diaz and fans welcome Major League Soccer (MLS) to Miami. Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber officially announced the approval of a Miami franchise to Miami Beckham United which includes David Beckham, Marcelo Claure, Simon Fuller, Masayoshi Son and Jorge and Jose Mas. |
|
|
| Commissioner Diaz at City of Doral's 15th Anniversary on January 29. Commissioner Diaz was extremely involved and supportive in establishing the City 15 years ago. |
|
Free Zumba classes at North Trail Park
|
The Miami-Dade County Parks, as part of their health and fitness initiative, will be offering free "Zumba Gold" classes to residents age 55 and older at North Trail Park Community Center, 780 NW 127th Avenue. "Zumba Gold" mingles fun and energetic music with lower impact movements to improve balance, flexibility, cardiovascular health and muscle conditioning. For more information about Miami-Dade Parks Active Older Adults Program, contact Allan Tavss at 786-372-9701 or visit the website.
|
On November 30, 2009, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six in partnership with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) began a reconstruction project of the State Road (S.R.) 826 (Palmetto Expressway) and S.R. 836 (Dolphin Expressway) Interchange. Now that construction has begun, there will be many upcoming lanes and ramps closures on the Dolphin Expressway. For more information about construction-related activities, please contact Oscar Gonzalez at 786-280-0983 or via e-mail at ogonzalez@mrgmiami.com. General information can be found at www.826-836.com. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log on to www.fl511.com for real-time traffic and lane closure information.
|
I hope this newsletter has been helpful and as always, I look forward to your comments and concerns. I am happy to serve the following cities of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, and a large portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
Sincerely,
Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 12
|
|
|
