Miami Shores Village’s ongoing infrastructure improvements along NE 96th Street recently experienced a brief setback. During scheduled work, the contractor inadvertently struck underground Florida Power & Light (FPL) utility lines. Crews immediately halted construction, and FPL was contacted to assess and repair the damage.
FPL has mobilized, and repairs are already underway to restore service and ensure the site is safe for both workers and the community. The Village is working closely with both the contractor and FPL to minimize delays and keep the project on track. While this unexpected issue has temporarily slowed progress, the project remains a priority, and every effort is being made to maintain the construction schedule.
Miami Shores Village thanks residents for their patience and cooperation as these important improvements move forward. Updates will continue to be shared as the project advances.
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL ADOPTS FISCAL YEAR
20252026 BUDGET
On September 16, 2025, the Miami Shores Village Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget, by a vote of 5-0, reaffirming its commitment to fiscal responsibility and community investment. The adopted budget is balanced at $46,930,873 and maintains a millage rate of 7.8, ensuring stable property tax rates for residents.
Key investments include funding for critical stormwater projects that advance the Village’s commitment to infrastructure, along with capital improvements for roads, parks, and Village facilities. The budget also provides resources to sustain high levels of public safety, enhance recreation and cultural programming, and strengthen sustainability initiatives.
By carefully aligning financial planning with long-term priorities, the Council has adopted a budget that protects core services while addressing much needed infrastructure and resilience needs. This forward-looking approach ensures that Miami Shores Village can continue to thrive as “The Village Beautiful” today and into the future.
VILLAGE HALL NEWS
ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND SUCCESS: THE IMPORTANCE OF A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT
Miami Shores Village is committed to helping new and existing businesses succeed and stay compliant. Anyone who provides goods or services to the public, including home-based businesses or sole proprietors, must obtain a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) in accordance with Chapter 14 of the Village Code. Businesses must have the proper licenses, registrations, and permits before operating and are subject to municipal, county, state, and federal regulations. A Business Tax Receipt is not just a formality; a valid BTR confirms that your business complies with zoning laws, building codes, life safety regulations, and other local standards. It ensures that businesses operate in appropriate locations, meet safety requirements, and support quality of life. BTRs promote fairness, holding all businesses to consistent standards.
The September 30 deadline to renew Business Tax Receipts has passed. Businesses may now be subject to late penalties, and those that remain unlicensed will be referred to Code Compliance for inspection. For assistance contact: Ashley Velazquez, Planning & Zoning, Tel: (305) 762-4866 or Email: velazqueza@msvfl.gov
CONGRATULATIONS TO BLUE DRAGON TAEKWONDO TEAM USA
Congratulations to our competitors and USA Team Co-Head Coach, Master Aaron Fruitstone! Best of luck on your quest for gold in Croatia, October 4–12!
Blue Dragon Taekwon-Do Team USA Competitors:
Mateo Nicolucci – Senior Male, 2nd Dan Patterns, Individual Sparring, Men’s Team Sparring
Aleksi Ailio – Pre-Junior, Individual Sparring
Veronica Oro – Senior, 3rd Dan Patterns, Individual Sparring, Women’s Team Sparring
Vittoria DiPietro – Junior, Individual Sparring, Junior Women’s Team Sparring
Cristian Balboa – Individual Sparring, Men’s Team Sparring
Leo Forsberg – Junior, Individual Power Test, Junior Team Power Test, Junior Men’s Team Sparring
For more information about our Taekwon-Do classes, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305-758-8103.
BLEEDING BLUE MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
The Miami Shores Police Department is proud to participate in the Miami-Dade Multi-Agency Peer Support Team. This collective effort provides Miami-Dade County police officers with trained peers who offer confidential support 24/7. Members proactively reach out to fellow officers through events for first responders. Events such as the 2nd Annual Bleeding Blue Mental Health Conference, which brings together a diverse group of industry experts, mental health professionals, and first responders to discuss strategies for supporting and maintaining the mental health and well-being of first responders. Miami Shores Police Chief David Golt strongly believes, "We must prioritize mental well-being in our ranks if we wish to serve our communities effectively and compassionately." MSPD Sergeant Dawn Roig, who is a member of the team, stated, “When police officers are healthier, both mentally and physically, they provide better service to the communities they serve.
Pictured: MSPD Sergeant Dawn Roig and Pinecrest Police Captain Ivan Osores
FLORIDA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Miami Shores Parks & Recreation team recently took part in the Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Annual Conference. This statewide event brings together recreation professionals from across Florida to learn, share, and collaborate. By attending workshops and connecting with leaders in the field, our staff gained new insights and strategies in areas such as aquatics, programming, facility management, and administration. These experiences allow us to bring innovative ideas and improved services, helping us create even better programs and opportunities for the Miami Shores community.
OCTOBER EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
CODE COMPLIANCE
KEEPING OUR VILLAGE CLEAN
We appreciate the efforts of our residents and business to keep the Village Beautiful.
Here are some tips on continuing our collaborative efforts:
Storage
Sec. 12-104: exterior areas must be free of debris and hazards.
• Use covered containers.
• Remove flammable materials.
• Ensure all garbage is properly stored.
Dumping
Sec. 9-4: it is unlawful to place any waste on parkways or medians in public rights-of-way.
Uncollectable Waste
Sec. 9-5: the village won’t collect:
• Hazardous or regulated materials that poses a safety risk to workers or equipment.
Collection Guidelines
All properties must use village-approved waste collection services, unless otherwise authorized.
Placement:
• Rear alley: Place trash near the rear property line.
• No alley: Place waste curbside in front of your property.
Container Requirements
• Use 20–40 gallon containers (metal/plastic (sealed tightly)).
• Weight <50 pounds.
Garbage:
• Drained of liquids.
Your cooperation ensures our village remains clean, safe, and welcoming. Thank you for doing your part!
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHIEF DAVID GOLT’S HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
OCTOBER HOUSE OF THE MONTH:
As part of the Historic Preservation Board’s 2025 Historic House of the Month program which highlights homes from the 1930s and 1940s, we are showcasing this beautiful example of Southern Colonial Revival architecture designed in 1949 by famous architect Robert Fitch Smith. Fitch designed the Tropical Modern Audio-Visual building at the University of Miami and the Coral Harbor Club in Nassau, among many others. He served as past chairman of the Regional Planning Board of Miami-Dade County and was listed in Who's Who in America. This house was built for Jean McArthur whose father, James Neville McArthur, founded the McArthur Dairy Farms in 1929 - one of the largest, privately owned dairies in the world, which is still in existence in Little River. McArthur built his daughter's house close to his own at 1285 NE 101st (demolished in 2023). Notable architectural features include a columned porch, shutters, and a graceful portal.
Drive by and admire this beautiful Miami Shores home at 9900 NE 13th Avenue.
Keeping Our Community Safe This Halloween. As Halloween approaches, Chief David Golt of your Miami Shores Police Department would like to remind parents, trick-or-treaters, and drivers to stay alert and follow these essential safety tips: For Parents & Children:
1. Plan Your Route: Choose a well-lit, familiar neighborhood and agree on a route in advance.
2. Stay Visible: Wear bright costumes or add reflective tape, glow sticks, or lights to your child’s outfit or candy bag.
3. Use Crosswalks: Always cross the street at corners or crosswalks and never between parked cars.
4. Stay in Groups: Children should trick-or-treat in groups and be accompanied by an adult.
5. Check the Treats: Examine all candy at home before eating. Avoid homemade treats from strangers.
6. No Masks for Little Ones: Use face paint instead of masks that can block vision.
7. Respect Property: Stay on sidewalks and avoid walking through yards or landscaping.
For Drivers:
1. Slow Down: Reduce speed in residential neighborhoods and stay alert for trick-or-treaters.
2. Be Extra Cautious: Watch for children at intersections, driveways, and in the street.
3. No Distractions: Avoid using phones or other distractions while driving.
4. Turn On Headlights Early: Even before sunset, to increase visibility.
For Residents:
1. Keep It Lit: Turn on porch and outdoor lights to welcome trick-or-treaters.
2. Secure Pets: Keep dogs and other pets safely indoors and away from the front door.
3. Decorate Safely: Avoid fire hazards like real candles in pumpkins. Use battery-powered alternatives. In Case of Emergency: Call 911 for emergencies or (305) 759-2468 for non-emergency assistance. The Miami Shores Police Department will have increased patrols during Halloween night to ensure a safe, fun, and spooky evening for everyone! Have a Happy & Safe Halloween! From Chief David Golt and your friends at the Miami Shores Police Department
Photo Credit: Zalmy Meyer, A.IA.
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
For more information on Parks and Recreation programs call: 305-758-8103
SEPTEMBER RECAP
SUMMERS FINAL WAVE
On September 21, the Miami Shores community came together at the Aquatic Center for one last splash of the season! Families and friends enjoyed a fun-filled day at Wild Waters, complete with delicious bites from food trucks, exciting rides down the inflatable water slide, and plenty of fun in the sun.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate and make the season’s closing such a memorable event
TEEN TRIPS KICK OFF WITH A SPOOKTACULAR NIGHT!
Our new Teen Trips series launched this fall with an unforgettable adventure to Horrorland at Jungle Island on Friday, September 26. Teens braved five haunted houses, explored scare zones, and enjoyed thrilling live shows.
It was the perfect way to kick off the season, and we can’t wait for more exciting Teen Trips to come!
LETTERS TO JACK SKELLINGTON
September 15 – October 20
Jack wants to hear from YOU! Write Jack Skellington a letter telling him about your Halloween plans, costumes, or spooky fun. Drop your letter in Jack’s Pumpkin located at the Community Center, and Jack along with his frightful friends will send a reply straight from Halloween Town! Be sure to write the child's name and return address clearly so Jack can reply.
DOGGIE DIP AT THE AQUATIC CENTER
October 4
11AM - 12:30PM | DOGS UNDER 25 LBS 1PM - 2:30PM | DOGS OVER 25 LBS
Bring your furry family member to Wild Waters Doggie Dip and have a Pool “paw-ty”! Dogs will be allowed to play in the water, cool off and have fun in the pool. For more information on event requirements, please contact the Aquatic Center 305-795-2241.
TEEN TRIPS LA CHARGERS VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS
October 12 | 11:00am – 5:30pm
Join the Miami Shores Parks & Rec staff as we take an unforgettable trip to the Hard Rock Stadium as the Miami Dolphins take on the Los Angeles Chargers!
SHORES SPOOKTACULAR
October 24 | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Join us for a night of spooky fun this Halloween! Enjoy music, games, inflatables, and spooky surprises. Wristbands are available for purchase.
DMV FLORIDA LICENSING ON WHEELS
October 29 | 9:30am – 1:30pm
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ mini-FLOW (Florida Licensing on Wheels) will be coming to the Miami Shores Community Center. Take advantage of the mini-FLOW program’s team of Driver License Examiners at the Miami Shores Community Center (9617 Park Dr). Registration required (Space is limited).
LIBRARY NEWS & EVENTS
For more information on Library programs call: 305-758-8107 | Registration Required.
LIBRARY SEPTEMBER RECAP
PARENT
WORKSHOP RESONATES AND INSPIRES
On Tuesday, September 9th, Brockway Memorial Library hosted Navigating Your Kids’ Deep Emotions, an interactive parent talk led by local resident and founder of Into the Body Method, a body-centered approach that integrates somatic education, movement, and nervous system awareness, Michelle Stone. The workshop allowed parents to explore children’s big feelings, not as something to fix, but as an invitation to connect more deeply. The evening was marked by honest conversation, shared challenges, and simple take-home practices to support family life.
Brockway Library will offer a second session, The Power of Play & Presence, on Tuesday, October 7th from 6:00–7:30pm. Parents will discover how even ten minutes of distraction-free presence can shift family dynamics, along with playful rituals that strengthen connection and bring more joy into the home.
COLLEGE READY WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD! Are you in need of access to online newspapers & journals?
Access Academic OneFile (Gale) - Complete sources for peer-reviewed, scholarly articles across all academic disciplines. Gale eResources offers screened and reliable content from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials, including Gale’s Florida Newspaper database. Visit https://www.galepages.com/26829_brockml .
BARRON’S TEST PREP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Free via Brainfuse at Brockway
Access a broad spectrum of digital test prep books in their entirety: AP® Test Prep, Digital SAT®, ACT®, Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, and World Languages. Free with your library card at https://www.msvfl.gov/OnlinePrograms under the heading Brainfuse HelpNow. Continuous updates ensure patrons access the most current educational material - 2025 study guides are currently available for viewing. Learn from Barron’s‑‑all content is written and reviewed by AP experts!
KIDS PROGRAMS
LIVE PUPPET SHOW
Wednesday, October 1 | 4pm
READ WITH MAJOR TROY Thursday, October 2 | 3:30pm
VILLAGE KIDS BOOK CLUB
Thursday, October 16 | 4pm
SATURDAY STORYTIME
Saturday, October 18 | 10:30am
ADULT PROGRAMS
WORKSHOP SERIES
Tuesday, October 14 | 6pm Living Seawalls
BOOK TALK
Tuesday, October 28 | 6pm
Catch me when you can with John Philip Davies
BRIGADIERS HISTORY CLUB
Saturday, October 25 | 10:30 am
PUBLIC WORKS
HANGING ITEMS IN RIGHTOFWAY TREES IS PROHIBITED HERE'S WHY
While swings and hanging plants may seem like charming and fun in front of your property, it’s important to know that attaching anything to right-of-way trees—those located along streets or in public easements—is strictly prohibited in Miami Shores Village. This regulation exists to protect both public safety and the long-term health of community trees.
Hanging items such as swings, planters, or decorations can cause significant damage to tree bark and limbs. Over time, ropes, chains, or hooks can girdle branches, limit nutrient flow, and leave trees vulnerable to disease or decay. These issues can shorten a tree’s lifespan or create hazards that require expensive maintenance or removal.
In addition to harming trees, items hanging from public trees pose safety risks. A swing tied to an uninspected or aging branch can break without warning, leading to injury. Heavy hanging planters or decorations may fall during storms or high winds, creating a danger to pedestrians, vehicles, or nearby property.
Furthermore, anything installed without permission in the public right-of-way can be removed without notice and may lead to fines or citations under local ordinances.
If you want to beautify your outdoor space, keep enhancements within your private property and consult with local authorities or an arborist if you’re unsure about tree ownership or safety. Protecting right-of-way trees helps ensure a safer, healthier urban canopy for everyone.
SEPTEMBER COUNCIL ACTIONS
SWALE MAINTENANCE AND APPEAL
Miami Shores Village is requesting your cooperation in properly maintaining neighborhood swales. Swales are the strips of land located in front of or beside homes, adjacent to the roadway. They play a vital role in neighborhood appearance, street drainage, and water quality.
Purpose of Swales
Stormwater from streets and driveways flows into swales, which guide excess water to drains and allow it to percolate naturally through soil. This filtering process reduces pollutants before the water reaches canals, rivers, and Biscayne Bay. Well-maintained grassy swales also improve the appearance of neighborhoods.When swales are altered with asphalt, fill, or elevated sod, serious problems arise. Improper drainage can lead to stagnant water, roadway deterioration, and pollution from oil, fertilizers, and pesticides. Roads designed to last 15 years can be compromised, leading to costly taxpayer-funded repairs. Federal and state law requires cities to manage stormwater, and maintaining swales is a critical part of compliance.
Guidelines for Swale Care
Driveways: Design them to direct runoff through swales, not into roadways.
Parking: Avoid regular parking on swales to avoid compaction protect grass and soil permeability.
Debris: Keep swales free of branches, clippings, leaves, and oil residue.
Be a Community Example
Maintaining your swale benefits everyone. Healthy swales protect the environment, reduce pollution, and help save on road repair costs. By setting an example, you encourage neighbors to do the same—together building a cleaner, healthier Miami Shores Village for generations to come.
• Approved a resolution, authorizing participation in a lawsuit seeking, among other things, to declare that SB 180 imposition of a blanket statewide prohibition on the exercise of home rule authority over land use and zoning regulations, is unconstitutional and should be enjoined, and retaining Weiss Serota Helfman Cole and Bierman, PL to prosecute the lawsuit.
• Approved the award of request for qualifications (RFP) 2025-06-01 for employee health benefits, medical, dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability and authorizing the village manager to execute agreements with authorizing contracts for medical coverage with the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust / United Health Care, dental and vision coverage with humana, and retaining life and long-term disability coverage with mutual of Omaha.
• Approved a resolution, declaring the imposition of non-ad valorem assessments for wastewater collection within the shores estates residential subdivision located within the boundaries of Miami Shores Village.
• Approved a resolution, relating to the provision of solid waste collection and disposal services located within the boundaries of Miami Shores Village, Florida, establishing the method by which the non-ad valorem assessments for solid waste collection and disposal services shall be calculated.
• Approved a resolution, adopting the tentative and final millage rate of 7.8000 mills for fiscal year 2025/2026, which is 8.65% greater than the calculated rolled-back rate of 7.1791 mills; and adopting the tentative and final debt service millage rate of 0.1331 mills.
• Approved a resolution, adopting the tentative final operating and capital outlay budget for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
• Appointed Kristen Adsit, Virginia Gil, Lucy McGuire, Mariano Valera and Victoria Row Traster to the Arts and Culture Board.
• Appointed Isabel Alonso, Pablo Arrieta, Ronnie Kirschenberg, and Dana Vignale to the Education Advisory Board.
• Directed the Village Attorney to draft an amendment to Chapter 6, Section 6-9, of the Village code of ordinances to modify the general elevation requirements for nonresidential uses.
• Directed the Village Attorney and Village Manager to amend the contract between Miami Shores Village and Professional Course Management to include a 60-day transition clause, ensuring a smooth handover from the current management company to the selected firm.
Human Resources: Yamileth Slate McCloud slate-mccloudy@msvfl.gov | 305-762-4871
Information Technology: Gustavo Parra parrag@msvfl.gov
Library: Michelle Brown brownm@msvfl.gov | 305-762-4921
Parks and Recreation: Angela Dorney dorneya@msvfl.gov | 305-762-4903
Planning and Zoning: Corradino Group 305-762-4866
Miami Shores Village
10050 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33138
Phone: 305-795-2207 | Fax: 305-756-8972
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SOMETIMES IT’S OUT OF MY HANDS
Hi, I’m your monthly newsletter! Sometimes, my journey is delayed by circumstances beyond our control. Even with everyone’s best efforts, unexpected delays can happen. Some months, I may arrive a little later than intended—even after the month has begun. If that’s ever the case, please accept our sincere apologies. The good news? An electronic version of me is always available by the first of each month! Visit msvfl.gov to view it online, or sign up to have it delivered directly to your email inbox. Thanks for reading and for your patience!
NEW BUSINESS BUZZ CORNER
Police: Chief David Golt david.golt@mspd.org | 305-759-2468
Public Works: Delroy Peters petersd@msvfl.gov | 305-762-4886
