West Miami commission approves several grant-backed projects, sets second readings and defers bulk-pickup changes

At its May 13 meeting, the City Commission of the City of West Miami approved a package of grant-funded and procurement items and advanced several administrative measures.

Key approvals and votes

• Musco lighting (resolution 11c): The commission approved purchase and installation of Musco LED lighting and controllers for the recreation-center baseball field in an amount of $29,500. Staff said the work is tied to a grant and will convert existing fixtures to LED to reduce energy usage. Commissioners discussed photometrics and light spill; staff said the LEDs will direct light to the field and not increase spill to neighboring residences. Vote: unanimous.

• Cooper Park walkway (resolution 11d): The commission authorized the city manager to execute a contract with VNG Construction for widening and resurfacing a portion of Cooper Park in an amount not to exceed $50,001.88; staff said the work is 100% funded by a FirdApp grant for the identified portion and more funding will be sought for remaining sections. Vote: unanimous.

• Children's Trust STEM grant (resolution 11e): The commission accepted a $15,000 award from the Children's Trust Community Engagement and Outreach Grant Program to help finance the second year of a six-week STEM program at the 2026 multigenerational center summer camp; staff noted a 50/50 match in the grant agreement. Vote: unanimous.

• DEP stormwater pump grant (resolution 11f): The commission accepted a $300,000 grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to replace and modernize stormwater pump stations 1 and 2 (controls, backup generators); staff said work will include relocating a pump for better park access; local cost-share will come from stormwater funds. Vote: unanimous.

• FDOT transit application (add-on 11h): The commission authorized submittal of an FDOT Public Transit Service Development Program application to request one supplemental vehicle to improve on-demand service capacity; the authorization was for submittal only, not purchase. Vote: unanimous.

• Ordinance 11a and 11i (first readings): The commission approved first-reading votes to standardize city-board appointment procedures (11a) — including an amendment to add a five-member branding board and to set two-year terms — and to designate the West Miami Recreation Center as the permanent municipal polling place (11i). Both items were set for second readings on June 3, 2026.

• Bulk pickup amendment (11g) deferred: A proposed amendment to add two free bulk pickups was discussed, with differing interpretations whether the additional pickups would cover green/tree trimmings only or broader excess trash and whether the heavy-item pickup fee should rise to $70; the commission unanimously deferred the item to allow staff to clarify the language and return a clean draft.

What's next

Second readings for ordinances 11a and 11i are scheduled for June 3, 2026 at 6 p.m. Staff will return with a cleaned-up bulk-pickup draft and a formal swale-permit package following directions from commissioners.