Your Weekly News and Updates |
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Do you know about Miami-Dade County’s Landscape Irrigation Ordinance?
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According to the University of Florida, IFAS Extension: overall, homeowners over-water by as much as 2–3 times the amount needed by the plants, based on estimates of climate demand.
Since 1991, Miami-Dade County (“County”) has had a landscape irrigation ordinance, codified in Section 32-8.2 of the County Code, to help protect our environment by encouraging more responsible use of water resources.
These restrictions are based off of general landscaping water needs in Florida. In general, a healthy landscape only needs 3/4 to 1 inch of water per week during the summer growing season and only as needed to supplement rainfall. During the winter season, when a lawn goes dormant, it requires even less.
The County’s two-day a week landscape irrigation ordinance is applicable across the County to all users of any water sources, including public or privately owned water utilities, private wells, and any private connections with surface water bodies including canals and lakes. Water restrictions are permanent and enforced year-round. To learn more about the County’s water restrictions, click here.
Recently, the South Florida Water Management District requested that all municipalities, including Key Biscayne, adopt the District’s model ordinance implementing landscape irrigation conservation measures to bring greater awareness to existing landscape irrigation measures. Key Biscayne has acknowledged the importance of implementing these landscape irrigation measures to protect and preserve Key Biscayne’s precious water supply and ecosystems.
If the Village Council adopts the ordinance on second reading, Village residents may:
- Continue irrigating two-days a week before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.; days depend on whether the property address is odd-numbered or even-numbered
- Continue watering using methods such as hoses with nozzle attachments and watering cans, which are low volume irrigation, without regard to schedule restrictions.
Prior to second reading, Village officials are working with the condominium associations and homeowners to clarify the ordinance and how it advances water conservation across the Village.
For more information about the Village’s proposed landscape irrigation ordinance, please contact Dr. Roland Samimy, Chief Resilience Officer for the Village of Key Biscayne at rsamimy@keybiscayne.fl.gov.
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Key Biscayne Residents Have Options for Covid-19 Testing |
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Health officials recommend getting tested if you are feeling COVID-19 like symptoms or have come into contact with someone who has tested positive.
Drive-through testing at the Key Biscayne Community Center remains available 2-days per week by appointment only and is self-pay. The COVID-19 self-pay cost at the drive-through testing is $85 and registration is available on the Key Biscayne Community Foundation website. Dates are subject to change, please confirm your date and time when making your appointment.
A second option for COVID-19 testing is available to the community, seven days per week from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., via the Baptist Health Urgent Care Express facility located at 240 Crandon Blvd. Suite #110. Patients that present to the Baptist Urgent Care Express will be seen and evaluated by the onsite practitioner, who will order the COVID-19 test (on-site rapid antigen, "gold standard" PCR, and/or antibody) as appropriate. Baptist Health does accept most insurances. For uninsured patients or patients with a non-contracted insurance, the COVID test self-pay cost is $199. Patients are welcome to walk in or to use the "Save my Spot" feature to minimize their wait times. For more information, click here.
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Preparation – Response – Recovery
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The Village of Key Biscayne has seen another storm come and go with Tropical Storm Eta.
While most communities have a dedicated emergency manager, an emergency on Key Biscayne brings together personnel from throughout the Village to create the incident command system (ICS).
“We are always in the preparation phase; we’ve worked to train to serve in different necessary functions so that we are always ready when need be,” said Key Biscayne Fire Rescue Chief Eric Lang.
Using a framework that I used on a national scale, the ICS team includes members from the police department, fire rescue, public works, public information and finance with a unified command lead by Lang and Police Chief Charles Press, under the direction of the Village Manager. For Tropical Storm Eta, the ICS also sent a liaison to the City of Miami Operations Center.
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While Tropical Storm Eta impacted the Village with floods and downed trees, the preparation and response ensured that residents and properties were kept safe throughout the storm.
“As small as we are, there’s a tremendous amount of experience and dedication here,” said Lang.
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Protect Your Vehicle, Lock Up Every Time |
Key Biscayne residents: please do not forget to lock your vehicle. Help us keep #VKBSAFE.
The majority of property crimes are committed to unlocked vehicles. In the past two years, only unlocked vehicles with keys left inside have been stolen.
Let's work together to reduce crime in our Village. Lock your vehicle and take the keys with you!
As always: if you see something, say something.
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Key Biscayne’s Shopping Night Out |
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In an effort to support our non-essential retail businesses the Chamber of Commerce has spearheaded Key Biscayne’s Shopping Night Out, a one-night special event where 16 shops have committed to stay open until 10pm on Friday, November 20 — prior to Thanksgiving, and a week before Black Friday & Cyber Monday.
The goal is to inspire customers to get a jump start on their holiday shopping while supporting our local businesses during these tough times.
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Updates to Chlorination by
Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department
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As of Sunday, Nov. 8, Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department (WASD) will temporarily change its chlorination process to continue to provide safe, drinkable water to our County.
While your tap water may have a chlorine taste or smell until Nov. 21, know that it is safe to drink.
If you have any questions concerning this temporary change in treatment process, please call Public Works Department at 305-365-7581.
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Celebrate “America Recycles Day”
with an Electronics Recycling & Shredding Event
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Electronics are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.
On Saturday, November 14, 2020, Key Biscayne Presbyterian School and the Village of Key Biscayne will be hosting an electronics recycling and shredding event in celebration of America Recycles Day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Key Biscayne Presbyterian School at 160 Harbor Drive.
Stay tuned for a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items plus more information on this great event.
IMPORTANT: Masks are required for drop off and social distancing needs to be observed at all times.
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Village Onboards New Building Official and Horticulturalist |
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The Village of Key Biscayne is welcoming two new members to Village Hall. |
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Rene Velazco, Building Official, who joins the Village after more than fourteen years with the City of Doral. Velazco uses his knowledge of the code, and supervisory and customer service skills to ensure that construction code compliance is implemented and encouraged in an efficient, educational, and friendly manner.
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Carlos Sanchez, Horticulturalist, brings in depth knowledge in the landscaping industry including pest control, plant nutrient deficiencies, fungus, and plant identification. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Sanchez has expertise in safety practices and OSHA regulations.
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Your Village Government
Mayor Michael W. Davey
Vice Mayor Brett Moss
Councilmembers:
Luis Lauredo
Edward London
Allison McCormick
Katie Petros
Ignacio J. Segurola
Village Manager Andrea Agha
Village Clerk Jocelyn Brewster Koch
Village Attorneys Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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