Palmetto Bay is steering its share of Miami-Dade County's half-penny transportation surtax toward bike lanes, complete streets and free rides rather than building more roads. Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer outlined those priorities in a CNEWS TV appearance published Sept. 3.

Merwitzer appeared on "Mobility Matters," a program hosted by Javier Betancourt, executive director of the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust, or CITT. The CITT is the independent county agency that oversees the surtax and the People's Transportation Plan. The episode, recorded on the show's fourth anniversary, focused on Proposal 6, a proposed transportation charter amendment that the show's description says voters should know about before Nov. 3.

"We can't build, we can't roadway our way out of this. We simply don't have the room," Merwitzer said during the interview.

Village Prioritizes Complete Streets, Golf-Cart Access and Transit Connections

The vice mayor said the village is channeling surtax dollars toward alternatives to road-building. Projects discussed include a complete-streets redesign of 92nd Avenue, expanded golf-cart access, pedestrian improvements and connections to bus rapid transit. The conversation also covered aging in place, helping children get to school safely and reducing distracted driving across Miami-Dade.

Palmetto Bay already funds Freebee, a free on-demand ride-share service available anywhere in the village through a smartphone app, according to the village's website. Merwitzer framed the broader effort as expanding choices for residents who want to get around without a car.

Charter Amendment Proposals Could Reach November Ballot

The Palmetto Bay Village Council advanced charter amendment proposals at its July 7 meeting. Mayor Karyn Cunningham said at the time that the amendments could appear on the November ballot. The exact provisions of Proposal 6 have not been released publicly in available records.

Merwitzer Brings Transit Advocacy Background to Council Seat

Merwitzer won his council seat in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election by 77 votes, defeating incumbent Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam, according to Community Newspapers. A University of Florida graduate with a degree in political science and a minor in urban planning, he previously served as associate director at Transit Alliance Miami. He also chaired the village's Youth Community Involvement Board and sat on the Education Advisory Committee.

Residents can watch the full interview on YouTube.