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Dear Friends of District 8,

April was filled with many earth-friendly activities in the beautiful outdoors of our county. We celebrated big improvements to two District 8 parks, planted more trees for Arbor Day, cleaned up areas along Biscayne Bay at the annual Baynanza, and helped transform our Leisure City neighborhood on National Rebuilding Day. Keep reading below about these and many more local endeavors to make our community a great place to live, work and play.

In addition to the outdoor activities, Team 8 continues to engage in several resiliency planning efforts. We participated in the Miami-Dade Office of Resilience’s Sea Level Rise Community Workshops and encourage all residents and the business sector to get involved in planning for a resilient Miami-Dade. Also, check out the 100+ great ideas to build a more sustainable and resilient Miami-Dade.

As always, the District 8 Team is available to serve you. Reach out to us at  district8@miamidade.gov; call us at 305-375-5218 (downtown office) or 305-378-6677 (district office); chat with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Yours for a resilient Miami-Dade,

Daniella
Legislative Highlights
Government Transparency
The full Board of County Commissioners last met on April 9. B elow are some highlights:

  • Per my request, the Board approved a report and recommendations for updating the County’s outdated sexual harassment policy after 32 years. The revisions will help ensure a safe, healthy, inclusive workplace for all and is an integral part of the county’s ordinance supporting the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an international human rights treaty. Read more.
  •  An ordinance was moved forward which would allow the Board to directly hear zoning applications for childcare facilities and all private schools, not just private schools of a certain size. Currently, these issues are first considered by the local community councils. I voted against this item because I believe community council members should continue to hear these important matters which impact local neighborhoods.
  • The Board approved my resolution to accept a grant from the federal Economic Development Administration to create an economic development plan for the South Dade region based on our community’s work through our three South Dade Solution Summits. I’m excited to get started on this project to craft an economic development strategy based directly on the input and participation of our community. Announcements of meeting times coming soon!
  • The Board approved my resolution appointing local affordable housing developer Alex Ballina to the Naranja Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), and we recognized April as Fair Housing Month by celebrating the county’s fair and affordable housing advocates (pictured).
Read more in the full BCC agendas . Watch the meetings via webcasting .
Protecting Affordable Housing
During final weeks of the state legislative session, I have encouraged our legislators to help boost the economy by ensuring that affordable housing trust funds are used for their intended purpose . The continued raiding of the housing funds drastically reduces resources needed by local governments and developers to build quality housing for our teachers, police officers, health professionals and many others whose incomes make it difficult to find housing. Creating affordable housing not only improves the lives of families, but improves the overall economy. Read my letter in the Miami Herald .
Keep Up with District 8
Rebuilding Day in Leisure City
I believe everyone should have the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy and attractive community. That’s why, for the third consecutive year, I partnered with Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade to invest in revitalizing the Leisure City area. With the help of more than 200 volunteers, community and corporate sponsors, we worked to make critical home repairs and to help beautify the neighborhood on April 27, National Rebuilding Day. Watch here.

Protecting Our Environment
Team 8 joined hundreds of environmentally-conscious residents, including the Thunderbird Pack 20 (pictured), for the 2019 Baynanza cleanup day on April 13. Baynanza is a celebration of Biscayne Bay and its significance as one of our most important ecological systems in South Florida. While Baynanza includes more than 25 great events spanning over five weeks throughout March and April, the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day event has become nearly synonymous with this celebration. Read more.
Saving the Everglades
I was deeply humbled and honored to receive an award from the Friends of the Everglades during their 50th anniversary celebration on April 7, which is also the birthday of the legendary Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Their work to protect and preserve our Everglades for future generations is invaluable. Congratulations to my friend and environmental advocate Paul Schwiep who was also honored. Read more.
Planting More Trees
Just in time for Arbor Day, my husband Rob and I joined arborist Henry Clifford, historic preservationist Rick Cohen and Mayor Karyn Cunningham for a morning of tree shopping in Palmetto Bay. We took home and planted a beautiful buttonwood tree! A big shout out to the Palmetto Bay Garden Club for sponsoring the event and for their collective green thumbs that help beautify our community. If you’re interested in joining the club, they meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 PM in the Community Room at Ludovici Park.
Improving Our Parks
A new aquatic complex is now open at South Dade Park and we are still relishing the joy on the children’s faces when the pool finally opened on April 10. The new Aquatic Center is sure to be a favorite family gathering spot in South Dade. Here residents and their children can enjoy healthy, safe pool recreation, with exciting options that include Learn2Swim, water exercise classes, and splash and play activities! The facility features a new multipurpose competitive/recreational swimming pool with zero-depth entry, eight 25-yard lap lanes and a water slide tower plus remodeled pool buildings. Learn more.
On Earth Day, April 22, we gathered at Briar Bay Park to officially dedicate the park’s newly completed recreational amenities, designed to inspire residents to spend more time outdoors with nature. Highlighting the new features are bike racks, a picnic shelter, a musical playground and a beautiful butterfly garden mural, created by visual artist Cheri Vice. Cheri was aided by Arvida Middle School teacher Jovany Corzo, and several middle and high school students.  Read more.
Supporting Our Farmers
I was honored to support our farmers at the 41 st Annual Dade County Farm Bureau BBQ on April 27. We enjoyed good food, good music and great people! Congratulations to "farmer of the year" Barney Rutzke Sr.

Pictured: Executive Director Jorge Abreu, Treasurer and Women’s Committee Chair Carol Harris, Vice President Tom Rieder and his wife Susan.
Promoting Our Businesses
I had the honor of welcoming the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce to South Dade at the South Dade YMCA Family Center located in The Falls on April 16. This was the Chamber’s third in a series of Board meetings being held in the community, and the first held in South Dade. It was a perfect occasion to share news about incredible business opportunities being created in South Dade, where there’s always #MoreToExplore. 
Enjoying Good Friday
I was delighted to be a sponsor of the 44 th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast presented by the Homestead-South Dade Kiwanis on Good Friday, April 19. It was wonderful to see so many friends in the same peaceful place, and to listen to the inspiring story of Bernadette Todd who overcame incredible obstacles to lead a life of purpose and example. A special thank you to the Women’s Club of Homestead for cooking and serving the breakfast. Pictured: Community volunteers and Cutler Bay Vice Mayor Sue Loyzelle.
Supporting Our Students
Kudos to the Kendall Federation of Homeowners Association for a successful Operation Turnaround scholarship event on April 23. I’m a proud supporter of this great endeavor to recognize and invest in those students who have overcome great obstacles to graduate and attend college. Team 8 is especially proud to sponsor Erika Castro from Southwest Miami Senior High who plans to attend Miami Dade College in the fall.
Highlighting Our Nonprofits
District 8 Nonprofit Academy graduate Trinity Empowerment Consortium, Inc. (TEC) is a HUD Certified Housing Counseling agency located in South Dade providing comprehensive Pre- and Post- Homebuyer Education, Financial Literacy Education, as well as Homeowner Retention Services. Trinity believes that the strength of our community is in the knowledge our residents possess, and through direct programs and initiatives we can empower all to realize their goals and potential. Trinity hosts free, homebuyer education workshops designed to guide first-time homebuyers through the process.
Adopt Me, Please!
There’s no better time to adopt a big mutt than now. You don’t have to have a big home; a big heart is all you need. Now through September 30, adoption fees for dogs over 35 pounds are waived as part of the big mutts promotion at the  Pet Adoption and Protection Center and  off-site pet adoption events hosted by Animal Services. Read more.
What's Happening
Recycling
Tip of the Month
In case you missed it, check out the Earth Week Challenge and get inspired to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and live more sustainably every day of the week.