Accomplishments
Water Utility Bill Assistance Program
In November 2017, Councilman Alix Desulme, Ed.D. sponsored a resolution to establish the Emergency Utility Assistance Program. This program will assist qualifying City residents, based on needs, with their City of North Miami water utility bill. To administer the program, the City began the process of creating the North Miami Low Income Home Utility Assistance Foundation. The foundation, a nonprofit entity, will be charged with collecting and/or raising monies to fund the program and pay the awarded amount on behalf of the City to eligible residents.
Public Safety
In collaboration with the North Miami Police Department (NMPD), several community outreach initiatives in District 4 are ongoing. A major emphasis has been placed on violence reduction and high visibility with light towers, as well as directed patrol and surveillance camera usage.
With Desulme's sponsorship, the NMPD's Ring Camera Program was expanded to include additional homes in District 4. Ring Cameras are small wireless cameras which can easily be placed by the front door. By placing these surveillance cameras at the front doors of District 4 homes, valuable evidence can be collected and supplied to the North Miami Police Department in the event of a crime. In addition, residents can safely see who is at their door, even when they are not home. The camera also allows the homeowner to communicate with the person at the door.
The Ring Neighborhoods Program is a digital neighborhood watch, that both law enforcement and the public can access free of charge by downloading the Ring mobile app (iOS and Android). The app allows Ring Neighbors to share and comment on real time crime and safety events in their neighborhood. As part of the program, North Miami Police Department may posted in the app and request video or assistance in law enforcement investigations and post information relating to critical incidents and other incidents in the app to keep neighbors informed regarding issues in their community.
Job Creation
The Constituent Services Aide position was created to bring the government closer to the community.
Keep D4 Clean
Councilman Desulme advocated, along with the North Miami City Council, to fund the North Miami Clean Team. The Clean Time is made up of North Miami residents hired to clean the City block by block. The North Miami Clean Team is on the streets of North Miami with a mission to Keep North Miami Beautiful.
D4 Back to Work
The main goal of this initiative is to seek out and provide employment opportunities for residents living in District 4, by making connections with developers' job placement agencies, and career resource centers.
Chinatown Cultural Arts and Innovation District
Councilman Desulme secured approximately $30 million in future investments on Northwest 7th Avenue. These investments will create hundreds of new jobs in District 4, along with grant funding opportunities for business retention and façade improvements along Northwest 7th Avenue. Funding was also committed through the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency.
North Miami Golden Silver Senior Program
Desulme founded the North Miami Golden Silver Senior Program in 2016. The program services senior ages 55 and older by providing field trip opportunities, social setting and nutritional meals. More than 100 seniors from the City are registered in this program.
North Miami Leaders in Training Program (LIT)
Councilman Desulme implemented this program to develop our City's next generation of public servants through higher education preparation, career readiness and creating an enhanced understanding of local civic processes. The program serves as a pipeline and prerequisite for North Miami residents, grades 9 through 12, to transition into the City's signature Youth Opportunity Board (YOB) summer paid Internship Program.
Eat Healthy in D4
In June 2016, this biweekly food distribution for families in need began taking place at the Clyde Judson Community Center. This initiative is an effective, efficient way to get fresh produce, dairy products, and other grocery items to residents in District 4.
Infrastructure
Since 2015, more than 165 homes have been rehabilitated and repaired in District 4. More roadways and street facades have been repaired in District 4. More than a dozen roadways have been updated and enhanced and over 21 residential driveway approaches were restructured.
Home Beautification
In 2018, Desulme advocated for new guidelines to the City's Home Beautification Program. Soon, residents will be able to apply for a new Sprinkler system. Through the program, the City will furnish and install all labor, machinery and materials, for example valves and miscellaneous fittings for a complete automated well irrigation system.
Parks & Recreation
- Desulme advocated for a free soccer program for youth at Ben Franklin Park, which is located in District 4. In collaboration with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, this program offered both exercise opportunities and educational resources.
- Through advocating and with support from City Administration, a free to low cost drop-in summer camp at Clyde Judson Community Center was created for parents/guardians who may not have the means to afford traditional summer camps in the City of North Miami.
- Improvements are in the works for District 4 park facilities such as Sunkist Grove Community Center and Thomas Sasso Pool, which will received improvements.
- Extensive renovations were made to the Claude Pepper Park playground and the Rotary/Overbrook Shores Tot Lot at Alhambra Heights. Both reopened in February 2019.
North Miami Music Fest
Is the City of North Miami's annual signature Black History Month music explosion. It's an unforgettable night of live music, a DJ spinning your favorite old school hits, and friends gathered all under the stars of North Miami. Founded by Desulme in 2016, as Music in the Plaza, North Miami Music Fest has grown out of the Museum of Contemporary Art Plaza and has transformed by demand into a full-fledged festival. Past national recording artists include:
- 112
- Az Yet
- Chantae Moore
- Chubb Rock
- Crystal Waters
- Demetria McKinney
- Deniece Williams
- Dru Hill
- Evelyn Champagne King
- Jagged Edge
- Karyn White
- Monica
- Rob Base
Evening of Honors
Is an annual event dedicated to acknowledging and honoring South Florida's best and brightest, the event features a delicious dinner, live musical entertainment, and performances.