Government

Government

Miami Beach Seeks to Overhaul Troubled Permit System After Years of Delays and Inefficiency

City Manager Eric Carpenter will present a comprehensive review of building permitting reforms to commissioners on February 19th, marking a critical juncture in the city's multi-year effort to fix a system that has frustrated residents, contractors and businesses with lengthy delays and bureaucratic confusion.

Journal Staff Feb 15, 2026

Government

City Eyes Food Kiosks for Select Parks

The Miami Beach City Commission will discuss a pilot program to install food and beverage concession kiosks at three city parks during its Feb. 5 meeting. City Manager Eric Carpenter recommends moving forward with the initiative, which was originally referred by Commissioner Laura Dominguez and has been under review since May 2025.

Journal Staff Jan 30, 2026

Government

City to Review Next Steps for 19th Street Parking Study

The Miami Beach City Commission will refer discussion of the 19th Street parking feasibility study to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee during its Feb. 5 meeting.

Journal Staff Jan 30, 2026

Government

City Considers Establishing Mounted Police Patrol Unit

Mayor Steven Meiner is requesting the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee study the feasibility of establishing a mounted police patrol for Miami Beach. The proposal, scheduled for discussion at the Feb. 5 City Commission meeting, would explore adding horses to the police department's operations for high-visibility policing, crowd management and community engagement.

Journal Staff Jan 30, 2026

Government

City Proposes $2 Million Settlement Over Troubled South Beach Parking Garage

Miami Beach commissioners will consider approving a settlement agreement that could fundamentally alter the city's control over a prime South Beach parking facility, following a lawsuit that exposed years of maintenance disputes and millions in repair costs at the 7th Street and Collins Avenue municipal garage.

Journal Staff Jan 30, 2026

Government

City Considers Traffic Calming Measures for Sunset Islands

The Miami Beach City Commission will consider directing City Manager Eric Carpenter to coordinate with local homeowners to install traffic calming devices on Sunset Drive, which runs through Sunset Islands 3 and 4. The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez, responds to resident concerns about vehicular speeding and pedestrian safety on the main roadway.

Journal Staff Jan 30, 2026

Government

Florida’s New Development Law Faces Court Test After Judge Declines to Pause It

A Leon County circuit judge has refused to halt a new Florida law that prevents local governments from implementing "more restrictive or burdensome" development regulations, allowing a major legal challenge to proceed that includes Miami Beach among the plaintiffs.

Journal Staff Dec 22, 2025

Government

City Commission to Consider Traffic Delineators on Alton Road After Persistent Illegal Parking Blocks Fire Hydrants

Miami Beach commissioners will vote Tuesday on a proposal to install physical traffic barriers along a problematic stretch of Alton Road where illegal parking by delivery trucks has repeatedly blocked fire department access to emergency equipment, raising public safety concerns in the South Beach corridor.

Admin User Dec 15, 2025

Government

City May Launch Police, Fire Department Charity Calendars

The Miami Beach City Commission will consider authorizing the police and fire departments to create and sell annual calendars featuring creative photos of department staff, with proceeds benefiting charity. The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas, would allow both departments to begin producing calendars as early as 2026 or 2027.

Journal Staff Dec 15, 2025

Government

Miami Beach Eyes Underground Tunnel Network to Combat Chronic Traffic Gridlock

Mayor Steven Meiner is pushing the city to explore what could be one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Miami Beach's history: a network of underground tunnels designed to ease the persistent traffic congestion that has plagued the barrier island city for years.

Journal Staff Dec 12, 2025

Government

Florida Prepares for Electric Flying Taxis as Advanced Air Mobility Takes Flight by 2028

The Florida Department of Transportation is positioning the state as a national leader in Advanced Air Mobility, a new transportation system that could bring electric flying taxis to Miami Beach and other urban areas as early as 2028.

Journal Staff Dec 11, 2025

Government

City Commission to Consider Stoneman Douglas Park Mural

The Miami Beach City Commission will vote on approving artist Christina Petterson to create a $15,000 mural honoring environmental activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas at her namesake park in South Beach. The concrete vinyl mural would measure approximately 16 feet wide by 6 feet tall and depict Douglas "relaxing in the habitat she spent her life protecting" on the west-facing wall of the park's restroom facility.

Journal Staff Dec 11, 2025