Michael Joseph, Mayor, City of North Miami Beach
Michael Joseph, mayor of North Miami Beach, sat down with Invest: and outlined the city’s plans to address priority areas such as infrastructure upgrades and youth-focused initiatives, shared how the city is addressing challenges like housing affordability and rising costs, and why the city is well positioned as a hub for sustainable growth.
What have been some of the most recent accomplishments for the city?
Over the past year, we have had several major accomplishments in North Miami Beach. One of the highlights was the groundbreaking renovation of the Washington Park Community Center, which will soon be fully operational. Additionally, we secured a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to hire more police officers. Our Fitch rating also improved, moving up to a stable “AA” from a lower rating, which reflects financial stability.
We launched the NMB Youth College Bound Program, which is designed to support young residents in pursuing higher education. It is also worth mentioning that the city has moved past a period of political upheaval and is now on a positive trajectory. These developments are helping us project a more favorable image to the community and beyond.
How has the population growth in South Florida impacted North Miami Beach, and what strategies are you implementing to address the influx of people?
The growing population has indeed presented challenges, particularly in housing affordability. An article recently identified us as one of the best cities to live in, but not the most affordable. Like many other cities, we are grappling with rising inflation and increased costs of living, compounded by the higher prices of materials since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our housing inventory is limited, and the few available units are being sold at a premium. One of my key initiatives focuses on addressing this through septic-to-sewer (S2S) upgrades. Many properties in the city are restricted in their development potential due to outdated septic systems, which limit expansion. These systems prevent families from accommodating second or third generations in their homes, leading to residents moving away. Upgrading our infrastructure will unlock the potential of these properties, making them more suitable for larger families and reducing the need to relocate.
What are some of the business opportunities in the region and how is North Miami Beach positioning itself for economic growth?
North Miami Beach is one of the last areas in North Dade with room for meaningful development for small businesses. For years, small businesses struggled to grow here due to a lack of infrastructure. However, with other areas now overdeveloped, we are seeing increased interest. We are the only viable option for new office spaces and better infrastructure in this region.
The influx of businesses and residents has brought more traffic and investment to the city. While this is a positive development, it also means we must play catch-up with our infrastructure to meet the growing demand. This increased activity is helping our small businesses thrive, and I am optimistic about the future.
Could you elaborate on the NMB Youth College Bound Program and other initiatives aimed at supporting young residents?
Youth development is indeed a top priority for us. The NMB Youth Bound College Program, spearheaded by Commissioner Jean, focuses on supporting at-risk youth and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The program aims to make higher education more accessible for students who might otherwise face significant barriers.
Additionally, North Miami Beach is a residential community with many families and young children. Our parks programs and quality-of-life initiatives are integral to why people choose to live here. These programs are more nuanced and impactful compared to those in larger cities, offering a personalized touch. The college program has already seen significant interest, and I believe it will create opportunities for our young residents to succeed.
We are also exploring a workforce readiness program. This extends itself to students who are not particularly interested or ready to continue on the path to higher education. Instead, some young residents may want to pick up a trade and jump right into the workforce. This pilot program will offer training to young adults to seek employment in industries that offer competitive employment packages and opportunities for continued growth such as hospitality and tourism,
What are some initiatives you have in place to continue improving the city’s quality of life?
One of our primary initiatives is our Parks Program, which ensures that our public spaces remain accessible and enjoyable for all residents. Additionally, we have focused on increasing police presence. We recently secured a one-million-dollar grant to add more officers to our streets, making our city safer.
We also have a comprehensive beautification program that includes an enhanced trash collection and recycling system. People care deeply about having clean streets, so we aim to exceed expectations in this area. Moreover, we are committed to providing accessible services such as water and gas, making them more affordable and accountable.
A significant concern I hear from residents is the difficulty in reaching municipal services, whether for billing, code issues, or general inquiries. My administration is dedicated to simplifying access to these services and making them more user-friendly and efficient.
To address this, we are in the early stages of bringing broader services typically handled by the county to our city hall.
For example, I am in discussions with the County Clerk’s Office to establish a satellite office in North Miami Beach City Hall. This could include DMV services, notary services, and document recording. Additionally, we aim to make services such as wedding registrations available locally. In exchange for providing office space to these county services, we ask that our residents receive preferential treatment. For instance, dedicated slots could be reserved for North Miami Beach residents, allowing them to bypass long waiting periods for services like license renewals.
My goal is to collaborate with the county to bring any government service currently centralized in downtown locations to our municipality. This ensures that our residents have easier access and preferential treatment for essential services.
Considering the current economic landscape, how have ongoing changes impacted the city’s residents and businesses over the past few months?
The rising costs of living have created challenges for our residents and businesses. While the city cannot directly control all costs, we are focused on areas within our jurisdiction. For instance, we have streamlined processes like permitting. Previously, residents had to visit City Hall in person to submit documents, but we have now transitioned many of these services online. This improvement saves time and makes interactions with the city more convenient. Although these changes are still being implemented, they represent significant progress.
Looking ahead, what role do you think the City of North Miami Beach will play in South Florida’s growth over the next decade?
Despite being behind in some areas, such as infrastructure, our position allows us to learn from the successes and mistakes of other cities. For example, we are studying the sewer system upgrades undertaken by Coral Gables and Fort Lauderdale to identify best practices and avoid potential pitfalls. This learning process enables us to fast-track improvements while minimizing errors.
Being slightly behind can be advantageous. It allows us to assess and adapt strategies effectively by observing others who may have undertaken similar processes. Additionally, our coastal location and central position in South Florida make North Miami Beach an attractive destination for development. As other areas become saturated, our city offers opportunities for growth while maintaining its appeal. By leveraging lessons learned from other municipalities and focusing on strategic planning and target industries, we are well-positioned to accommodate current trends, growth potential, and enhance our community overall.
