North Miami mayor highlights new programs, renovations in ‘State of the City’ address
Since his reelection in May, Mayor Smith Joseph has consistently referred to North Miami as the “city on the move.”
In his State of the City address at the Miami Shores Country Club, he discussed the city’s progress in development and beautification and pointed to new projects on the horizon.
“The city of North Miami is a strong city. It is a strong city because the people of North Miami are a strong people. It is a strong city because the council of the city of North Miami is a strong council,” Joseph said.
Joseph addressed dozens of guests and spoke about the advances in nearly every city department and emphasized the reopening of the North Miami Public Library after significant interior renovations.
North Miami has more than 2,500 businesses, according to Joseph, and his address focused on opportunities for businesses in the city including business tax receipt renewals being available online and the new NoMiBiz.com website where businesses will be able to advertise for free for a year.
North Miami “is a city of great opportunity for families and businesses, no matter what size the business may be,” Joseph said.
The city has also devoted millions in this year’s budget to streetscape improvements, sidewalk repairs and home beautification programs.
North Miami, at this time, we are poised to really be the city we want to be
Mayor Smith Joseph
Employees were also a focal point in Joseph’s speech. He announced that staffers would not face furlough days this fiscal year and that departments including community planning and development and code compliance will continue to be more vigilant and visible across the city.
Joseph also joked about the length of his address, which went for more than 30 minutes, and said he couldn’t heed the advice of his wife, Patricia, to keep the speech short.
“How can I be brief when I’m going to talk about a 90-year-old city? A city that is being eyed by all visionaries, investors, designers, how could I be brief about that?” Joseph said.
The crowd was made up of several politicians including state Reps. Daphne Campbell, Barbara Watson and Joe Geller and local elected officials including North Miami Beach Mayor George Vallejo, Miami Shores Vice Mayor Steven Zelkowitz, Miami Gardens Councilman David Williams and North Miami City Council members. Miami-Dade School Board members Raquel Regalado and Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall also attended.
This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 11:59 AM with the headline "North Miami mayor highlights new programs, renovations in ‘State of the City’ address."