[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506988,"mediaKeyId","5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0","parentId",5464328,"title","OCITT highlights ambassador program, community outreach and rising social media engagement","audioSeconds",78,"startMs",120000,"endMs",198000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0&start=120&end=198","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0/thumbnail_120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506988/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/OCITT-highlights-ambassador-program-community-outreach-and-rising-social-media-engagement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506988-6587ecd9a8b55ba80472d0378eeccd2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395946&Signature=jrjZ0Fr21229JWfOtQw56cNOkWktWP1ROje1dNWJwXW~2r8gwTcyO1iS8~GJN01b9qo5hfmUwpXRzYxwJoKPj0U54bOJsv72lFyuzFvAoK7LLkqVyePfxyl9rLMkZGAjyeAFRyz-AkCBqpCCSHMljXdVXrUD-~YNdfICV-FVCGow~Fm3JzFV2TrdA6cGVTvUQpJYer4GSsBwjcsH6V7ThYSUMTICyk2gp425ZKfrFqP77SyEXEIAEv5SEj-G3fTeDLaq0EUHYDohmSJL4VgkOKGPcEamp-juP-l~t65l6V-KE2Vg22kCOHJrviczlKtsGnNLc83X-TtavR1UxNX6HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miami-Dade County","date","2025-07-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Office of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust briefed members on community engagement activities, the CITT Ambassador program and digital outreach metrics.

The trust recognized Hesham Elajani as the CITT ambassador of the month for June 2025 and noted Kathleen Ahmed Vargas as the second‑quarter ambassador; Vargas will be recognized at an upcoming Transportation Committee meeting. Elajani spoke briefly at the dais: “Well, actually, thank you very much for the opportunity to help a little bit. And I do like, I do like the program because, it give us a voice,” and the trust presented him with a certificate and bonus points to redeem in the ambassador mobile app.

OCITT staff reported a full schedule of municipal presentations this quarter and participation at local events, including Mobility Matters programming and partnerships with Miami’s Community Newspapers. Staff said community outreach included municipal briefings and upcoming presentations to advisory boards (Elder Affairs Advisory Board, Community Relations Board, Commission for Women).

Joey Garcia, OCITT’s new digital media specialist, reported social media gains quarter‑over‑quarter including a 23% increase in reactions driven largely by LinkedIn growth and a 15% increase in followers overall. Staff said Facebook and Instagram metrics showed mixed trends while LinkedIn performed strongly. Cheryl Metzel, ambassador program coordinator, said the ambassador program held its first quarterly check‑in and focus group on May 15 and is testing email alerts and working with municipalities and the Freebie on‑demand service to recruit ambassadors on uncovered routes.

Why it matters: The ambassador program collects rider feedback that OCITT uses to inform service improvements; staff said continued outreach and digital engagement helps recruit volunteer ambassadors and raise public awareness of new services such as trolley pilots and the South Dade Transitway opening.

What’s next: Staff will continue municipal outreach, present the ambassador of the quarter to the Transportation Committee, piloting email alerts for ambassadors, and schedule a corridor tour of the South Dade Transitway later in August or early September.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Miami-Dade County - Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust - Jul 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The OCITT presented quarterly community engagement work, recognized the June ambassador of the month and reported improved social media metrics and ongoing ambassador recruitment tied to municipal outreach.","taxTitle","Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2864,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506992,"County planners report progress on TOD station‑area plans and list 16 Metro Rail transit‑oriented projects",884,3391000,4275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0&start=3391&end=4275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0/thumbnail_3391000.jpg","/articles/6506992/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/County-planners-report-progress-on-TOD-stationarea-plans-and-list-16-Metro-Rail-transitoriented-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506992-f7ae431b328f7dbf91e13722c4be5b72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395946&Signature=iIV-ct0AF~rPwQcwaDB0010Py9xbBzF4M0FYH~6Hf9YEauGdEoQOGScv2~Tm0fnIMF~v6NBeCBa-1L7Ua5p4ib-AvVvQPtzYcQvbtNd6oGHDGCn0ezKRg~eemnLGbLs3-36OfLHq0gIWrPnRc5PvFreAXGqA29O~~bOg53KkcONWvETpfW1v6APGPH8EH5dCAdpOR1eNUhxTNbpdsp3BOGat1sysRWq5~tG8xTy1eSgfqXnyrA67VIn5va5NxbQH8YdAZt3N3wGCie-IZeMjZibhavDifmb9~Ztmp17A~n063x8B1YpyCHXYg21DmHqsG4mKV6ua1ycJq6EABY-kUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miami‑Dade County transportation planners updated the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust on transit‑oriented development (TOD) station‑area studies for the South Corridor, North Corridor and a Design District extension of the Beach corridor, and provided a status report on Metro Rail transit‑oriented community (TOC) projects.

Francisco Arbelaez of the Department of Transportation and Public Works said the South Corridor TOD master plan has an approximate budget of $1,300,000 (FTA grant with local PTP match), is about 87–89% complete and is expected to wrap up by fall; staff held three community meetings, completed roughly 45 interviews and collected about 200 survey responses. For North Corridor planning, Arbelaez said the project budget is $720,000, including $315,000 in PTP funds; a kickoff occurred in May and public engagement will begin shortly. The department is also expecting a $500,000 congressional earmark that would increase the North Corridor project budget to about $1,200,000 if awarded.

Arbelaez said the Beach corridor TOD funding was refocused on a Design District extension; that project carries a total budget of roughly $1,125,000 with $225,000 in PTP funds and a 24‑month timeline. Arbelaez told the trust that while TOD planning is coordinated with rapid transit planning, the TOD studies do not halt rapid transit project delivery.

Separately, Jordan Shane, manager of joint development and real estate coordination for DTPW, provided a status report on Metro Rail transit‑oriented community projects: the county currently has 16 TOC/TOD projects adjacent to Metro Rail — six completed, eight in progress and two planned — and two additional county‑owned sites available for future TOD. Shane listed near‑term milestones including recent certificate of occupancy for Vox Phase 2 (South Miami), tower construction at Link at Douglas (Cadence) and several projects with workforce or affordable housing components and completion targets in 2025–2028.

Trust members asked about community outreach methods, station typologies and whether the studies will offer blueprint‑style station plans. Arbelaez said the TOD master plans include station‑area plans, market analysis, bicycle/pedestrian gap studies, water/sewer scenarios and recommendations customized to station typologies; for the South Corridor the study is analyzing five representative stations that cover the corridor’s typologies.

Why it matters: TOD station‑area planning and joint development around Metro Rail stations guide where and how the county expects housing, jobs and services to cluster near transit. The reported projects include significant affordable and workforce housing components.

What’s next: DTPW plans to present the completed South Corridor TOD master plan to the OCITT and TPO subcommittees this fall, proceed with North Corridor public engagement, and continue joint development procurements for identified Metro Rail sites.","DTPW reported near‑completion of a South Corridor TOD master plan and new work on North Corridor and Design District extension studies; staff also gave an update on 16 Metro Rail transit‑oriented community projects, six completed, eight in progress and two planned.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506999,"DTPW outlines NW 12th Street road widening, bus‑only lane and bicycle/pedestrian connections to Dolphin Park & Ride",253,2992000,3245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0&start=2992&end=3245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0/thumbnail_2992000.jpg","/articles/6506999/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/DTPW-outlines-NW-12th-Street-road-widening-busonly-lane-and-bicyclepedestrian-connections-to-Dolphin-Park-Ride","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506999-a214a6dec5d4fe0ae2df0b23791b6d9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395946&Signature=ZIAy-wCCu8gXkhIBhazH1K9UEObcB5GtCtQsgMnSs7gOgsqA~4N8~WDllPd3Zx10TGeYnV683uzlhrxiFMumtmccugY388R~5xTBbXGhcbuOSqYhUSajMUF59axAl7h-4~Aakvg0KwKdfuZk9SFk~qdyMSbh~x4O7GCNkot2v3OhlFEA840v4H9IqHwsQp~qvAaz4cWMLKEtTbT5KLW6ywz3kMlqSA0G34TosH~w-YsrXy39oJi60hNcFFkbxlpzazh9Xs7ZnClLwQOBhwg49XaVvVwTAn6sUm9W7GbLqIllr87342yZepFkebPKwSwyfLzw3qhd8Q1mbDLRFogW~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) told the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust that design work is nearly complete on improvements along Northwest 12th Street to link Dolphin Park & Ride with the Dolphin Mall and the surrounding trail network.

John Fabian, a DTPW project presenter, said the larger project will add a new bus‑only lane to improve connectivity to the Dolphin Park & Ride and Dolphin Mall by widening the roadway and adding capacity for left‑ and right‑turn lanes. The work will also include a new drainage system, pavement markings, signage, roadway lighting and a shared‑use path north of NW 12th Street. Fabian said design is approaching 100% completion with anticipated design completion in November, and the construction estimate for that phase is approximately $10,700,000.

A second, contiguous project will extend a trail connection and provide drainage, milling and resurfacing, signal upgrades including a new signalized crossing, and lighting between the Park & Ride and NW 130th Street/7th Avenue. DTPW has procured the designer for the second project and anticipates completing design in May, with an estimated construction cost of $3,700,000.

Fabian told the trust that the $10.7 million project is funded roughly 50% by PTP and the remainder by an FDOT grant. For the second project, DTPW said design costs are currently funded 50% PTP and 50% county DOT funds; construction funding for that phase has not yet been finalized.

Trust members asked whether procurement could bundle the two contiguous projects for construction; Fabian said the design schedules are offset—one project is near final design while the other has just begun procurement for design—so consolidation would require internal coordination but is not ruled out.

Why it matters: The projects add a dedicated bus lane and a bicycle/pedestrian connection in a corridor that serves a major park‑and‑ride and a regional mall, which DTPW staff said will improve transit connectivity and access to existing trail infrastructure.

What’s next: DTPW plans to finish design, proceed with contractor procurement (9–12 months anticipated for procurement), then begin construction. The trust had no objection and accepted the presentation.","Miami‑Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works presented two connected projects on NW 12th Street to add a bus‑only lane, multimodal facilities and drainage; estimated construction costs are about $10.7 million and $3.7 million for the two phases.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6507003,"CITT approves four actions including Metro Rail bathroom rehab, $22M CEI umbrella and FY2026 budget",2798,1558000,4356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0&start=1558&end=4356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5464328-7b990ef8a3861078e1184dd49977cab0/thumbnail_1558000.jpg","/articles/6507003/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/CITT-approves-four-actions-including-Metro-Rail-bathroom-rehab-22M-CEI-umbrella-and-FY2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6507003-bed1fede17ac295526584c02c24057a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395946&Signature=ZhruxCzvnTaDSQDs4Guep~GogULF7VcJly9DB5shAcSeqQfEgGL5zc7MOR3GifqlOfQsJXBGJ67khgyFHeh521njw-au4IpAQl4f7~9QDCAgv5PdKbVlceC6RmaY6TtuiuhDzbrHfTbBVl6OvT7Uc3EW3uyrWBC67-tUh2kXhmXxWbYpXFHUrrXfaKtuRPpoMi1w0PUh5XAnhEeUpLYPcR7saU2ozMTNqnBSuggEA~jGS24rCAGe7sL3QjuURPO0askyI-TObBTTdtx2RtsLFA7D~Qcygx8CuLqogzzMa13lM4-AmbJEFFQcmcORov0drN7Pq4DyCHwT7-8vzT9dSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Citizens Independent Transportation Trust on July 16 unanimously approved four actions sending recommendations and the proposed OCITT budget to the Board of County Commissioners.

The trust approved a resolution recommending the county award a contract for Metro Rail bathroom rehabilitation to Delco Inovo Group Inc. for an amount not to exceed $576,723.80, inclusive of a $51,065.80 contingency and $15,000 in permit allowances, and authorizing use of People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) bond program funds. The resolution notes the project was added to the five‑year implementation plan in January 2016.

The trust also recommended approval of an umbrella professional services agreement for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services (SP D project E23TP04, contract 20230116) with four firms in a total amount not to exceed $22,000,000 inclusive of contingency. Stacy Miller, director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, said the umbrella contracts let the department issue individual work orders for PTP‑funded projects already listed in the approved five‑year plan and “This is an effort to make us more efficient,” so projects do not need separate contract approvals each time.

Trust members discussed that $4.5 million of the $22 million is already identified for specific projects and that the umbrella can be used only for work included in the five‑year plan. Miller and other staff said other funding sources besides PTP (for example general obligation bonds and FDOT grants) may also be used under the umbrella; the department will notify OCITT staff before issuing work orders using PTP funds.

In separate votes, the trust adopted its fiscal year 2026 strategic objectives and approved submission of the proposed OCITT fiscal year 2026 budget to county process. Executive Director Javier Bustamante said the office initially projected higher surtax receipts but that changes in state law (elimination of the business rent tax) reduced projected collections; staff intends to manage the approved proposed budget to keep actual spending below 85% of the proposed total if receipts follow the lower projection, which Bustamante said would keep OCITT under its 1% cap on administrative costs.

All four motions passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents.

Votes at a glance
- Metro Rail Bathroom Rehabilitation (RPQ TP0000027284): Recommend award to Delco Inovo Group Inc., not to exceed $576,723.80 (includes $51,065.80 contingency, $15,000 permit allowances). Funding: People’s Transportation Plan bond program funds. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- CEI professional services umbrella (SPD project E23TP04, contract 20230116): Recommend award to ADA Engineering Inc., Ally Engineering Services Inc., HBC Engineering Company, and SRS Engineering Inc., total not to exceed $22,000,000 (inclusive of contingency). Purpose: construction engineering and inspection for multiple projects in the five‑year plan. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt FY2026 OCITT strategic objectives: Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Submit proposed FY2026 OCITT budget: Outcome: approved (unanimous).

Why it matters: The trust’s recommendations are required before the Board of County Commissioners considers awards that use PTP bond funds; the CEI umbrella approval is intended to speed procurement of inspection services for multiple PTP and other funded projects in the county’s five‑year plan. The budget vote establishes OCITT’s priorities heading into the county budget process.

What’s next: The trust will forward its recommendations and the proposed budget to the county mayor and Board of County Commissioners for final action. If the county’s projected surtax collections remain lower than earlier internal estimates, OCITT staff said they will postpone hiring a proposed new position and limit spending to keep administrative costs under the 1% guideline.","The Citizens Independent Transportation Trust voted unanimously to recommend a contract for Metro Rail bathroom rehabilitation, approve a $22 million umbrella professional services agreement for construction engineering and inspection, adopt strategic objectives and submit the FY2026 OCITT budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

OCITT highlights ambassador program, community outreach and rising social media engagement

County planners report progress on TOD station‑area plans and list 16 Metro Rail transit‑oriented projects

DTPW outlines NW 12th Street road widening, bus‑only lane and bicycle/pedestrian connections to Dolphin Park & Ride

CITT approves four actions including Metro Rail bathroom rehab, $22M CEI umbrella and FY2026 budget