FYI Miami: May 21, 2015

RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT: Miami-Dade is starting from scratch in the search for firms that will establish a red light camera program for the county’s police department, now that the Metropolitan Services Committee voted to recommend the full board reject proposals received to date. Given the time elapsed since the January 2014 proposals submission date, all will be rejected without prejudice to the proposers. If approved by commissioners, the mayor or his designee will issue a new solicitation within 60 days. The program, anticipated at no cost to the county, would be funded through revenue generated by the citations issued. The program would be deployed in phases, with the initial phase of 50 cameras. Additional cameras would be added in increments of up to 50 cameras for up to a total of 150 at the county’s discretion.

FREE SUNPASS: The Miami-Dade County Office of Community Advocacy will partner with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) to give away free SunPass-minis every month at the Stephen P. Clark Center in downtown Miami. The giveaways will take place the third Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning today (5/21) in conjunction with the Office of Community Advocacy’s monthly DMV to Go events in the Clark Center lobby, 111 NW First St. Residents can receive free SunPass-minis for all vehicles in their household and activate them on-site by using a credit or debit card and filling out an activation form including vehicle information. Residents also can activate the devices at home. MDX representatives will provide information about the SunPass Tag Swap Program in anticipation of battery-operated SunPasses becoming obsolete after Dec. 31. Details: Office of Community Advocacy, (305) 375-5730.

HIDING THE UGLY: The Miami-Dade Metropolitan Services Committee unanimously asked the county commission to set a policy to minimize negative aesthetic impact before granting a license or easement for utility lines and equipment on county property. Many times, utilities have placed above-ground lines and equipment in areas that are easily seen and unappealing, the resolution says. But in many cases, county staff said, it’s possible to minimize ugly looks by shifting the lines and equipment, adjusting the way they’re installed or camouflaging them with foliage and landscaping. If the full commission approves, the mayor’s office would negotiate with utility companies on ways to cover up or minimize unsightliness of utility lines and equipment before granting an easement or license.