City of Miami 2024 Review

MIAMI, OK. — 2024 was a landmark year for the City of Miami, filled with new leadership, grant successes, and transformative community developments.

Key Achievements of 2024

This year saw the appointment of Tyler Cline as the new City Manager, chosen from 29 applicants. His leadership focuses on building a stronger foundation for Miami’s growth, emphasizing infrastructure improvement and greater community accountability.

Over $20 Million in Grants: A total of $20 million in grants were awarded to Miami in 2024, with a focus on infrastructure capital improvements, flood mitigation, and revitalizing aging systems.
Historic $6.8 Million Oklahoma Water Resource Board Grant: To fund system upgrades, including AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure), water treatment plants, and new generators, made possible by key tribal partnerships.
FEMA Flood Mitigation Grant: A $6.3 million FEMA grant to improve flood-prone roadways, including Veterans Boulevard, Elm Street, Rockdale Boulevard, and East Central.
New $3.1 Million Airport Terminal: Funded by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics and the FAA, this project is set for completion in 2025.

Major Infrastructure and Development Projects

Street Improvements: Nearly $2 million in street improvement projects were completed in 2024.
New Housing Developments: The Peoria Tribe broke ground on 17 new single-family homes on Q Street, addressing the community's housing needs.
Miami Housing Authority’s Renovations: Significant upgrades to the Miami Towers and Nine Tribes apartment buildings.
New Commercial Businesses: Miami saw the opening of businesses like Starbucks, Rowdy’s, and Mia Bella Italian Kitchen, as well as expansions in retail and office spaces.

Community Growth and Collaboration

Miami’s growth is also driven by partnerships with local tribal nations and industries. Notable developments include:

Peoria Tribe Projects: New greenhouse and RV resort developments.
Shawnee Tribe: Improvements to 110 Road.
Modoc Nation: Opening of the Healing House/ABC Therapy facility.

Local Cultural and Educational Advancements

The City of Miami also thrived in cultural and educational initiatives:

Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB): Hosted popular events such as the Route 66 Bull Bash, Heritage Fest, and Rodeo Miami, attracting both locals and tourists.
Public Library Programs: The Ottawa County “Dolly Parton Imagination Library” provided free books to children, and the Library’s Excel High School program helped adults earn accredited diplomas online.

IT Department Enhancements

The City of Miami's IT department has ensured continuous 24/7 service to assist citizens while keeping pace with technological advancements to meet the growing demands of the community. IT has also extended its support to other organizations in the area, including:

Chamber of Commerce
Community Crisis Center's new building
Providing technical services for the Cowboy Channel during the Bull Bash

Sports & Recreation Department

Now under the Public Works Department, the Sports & Recreation Department had a very busy and productive year, including significant improvements and a variety of youth programs. Key highlights include:

Facility Improvements: Numerous upgrades at Joe Booth Softball Complex, Little League Baseball Complex, Francis Morgan Field, and the Sam Wells Soccer Complex.
Youth Programs: The Miami Youth Softball Rec League had 38 teams, 546 athletes, and 119 coaches. They completed 225 games over 23 days.
MSRP Program: The Miami Summer Recreation Program registered 80 kids for activities like field trips and games.
New Leagues for 2025: A Pickleball League and a 13-15 Junior Baseball League are set to launch next year.
Events Hosted: USSSA Sanctioned Fast-Pitch Softball Tournaments and the Smokin' on the Route BBQ Competition were successfully coordinated.

Parks and Recreation Upgrades

2024 saw several upgrades to Miami's parks and recreational facilities, including:

Pool Enhancements: New rentable shade structures were installed at the Miami Municipal Pool, funded by the $1.50 Rec fee collected from utility bills.
Lifeguard Training: Miami's lifeguards are now trained in-house after completing Red Cross lifeguard instructor training.
Expo Building Renovations: Mobile HVAC units and new insulation have been added, funded by an ARPA grant.
Riverview Park Landscape Upgrades: 150 pecan trees were planted in three locations within the park, with plans for more in the future.

Cemetery Updates

The City of Miami’s G.A.R. Cemetery has undergone several improvements to enhance the space for visitors and ensure respectful memorials. These include:

Technological Advancements: The addition of interactive maps and QR codes to share information about those interned.
Columbarium Construction: A new columbarium with an ossuary will be built in 2025 to provide a dignified space for families to honor loved ones.

Airport Developments

The Miami Regional Airport has seen increased foot traffic and improvements to its operations. Key developments include:

Customer Service Enhancements: Increased focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction has improved the overall travel experience.
New Terminal Construction: The new terminal is on track to open in the spring of 2025.

Facilities Department Updates

The Facilities Department has focused on maintaining and improving City buildings. Significant projects included:

Police Department Remodel: The former Pacesetters building was remodeled to house the Criminal Investigation Division of the Miami Police Department.
Civic Center Improvements: A generator was installed, and projects are underway to restore the gym floor and improve the Public Works office.

Community Development & Code Compliance

In 2024, the City’s Code Compliance and Community Development departments achieved key milestones, including:

Property Inspections: 1,802 new property inspections and 2,424 re-inspections were completed.
Building Permits: 149 building permits were issued, with a total valuation of $11,462,275.
Abatement Work: 258 abatement work orders were completed in 2024.

Fire Department Accomplishments

The Miami Fire Department responded to over 2,750 emergency calls in 2024. Additional highlights include:

CPR/First Aid Training: Over 200 people were trained in CPR/First Aid and AED use.
New Equipment: A new Captain's truck and brush truck were placed in service, with a new fire engine arriving in February 2025.
Fire Prevention Education: The annual fire prevention show at the Coleman Theatre was attended by 2,353 local youth.

Police Department Updates

The Miami Police Department made significant strides in 2024, including:

Arrests and Citations: 556 arrests were made, with the majority related to drug and alcohol offenses, theft, and burglary.
Rescue Assistance: The department provided critical rescue support during flooding and used drones for law enforcement purposes.
911 Call Statistics: Dispatch received a total of 115,261 calls, with 94,594 directed to MPD.

Dispatch Department Transformation

2024 marked a year of significant improvements for the Dispatch Department:

Facility Relocation: Dispatch moved to a state-of-the-art facility, integrating NextGen 911 services powered by fiber technology.
National Recognition: Dispatchers attended the Oklahoma Public Safety Conference and the National Conference in Orlando, FL.
911 Call Statistics: The department received 16,186 911 calls and 137,030 admin calls, with 12 dispatchers and one manager on duty.

Animal Shelter

The Miami Animal Shelter had a busy year. Shelter Manager Maycee Goza received a scholarship to attend the Best Friends Animal Society National Conference in Orlando, Florida, and spoke on multiple panel interviews about rural animal sheltering in Oklahoma. The shelter staff hosted a northeast Oklahoma district meeting for shelter leaders to network, learn about different software being used, and discuss the importance of data tracking for shelters.

A milestone of over 300 cats has been released since the launch of the City’s Trap Neuter Return program. Through donations, the shelter provided 63 bales of straw and multiple bags of dog/cat food and treats to the community free of charge over the Thanksgiving holiday. The shelter’s current live release rate is 93% (January-November). Staff are also participating in a research study conducted by the University of Oklahoma regarding animal sheltering in the state.

Utilities

Solid Waste

The Solid Waste department hauled in 7,071 loads of yard waste, weighing 2,627 tons, and picked up 13,411 loads of residential waste, weighing 11,713 tons. They also managed 1,461 City trucks of waste, weighing 8,133 tons. A new commercial sanitation truck was acquired in January. Community interaction was a focus of the department, including meeting a young man who aspires to be a sanitation driver and interacting with students at Washington Elementary who decorated a dumpster to thank the staff.

Pollution Control

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) treated 635 million gallons of raw water, averaging 1.8 million gallons per day. Plant operations are managed via a software system to ensure compliance with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The plant has experienced no violations in 2024. Biosolids from the plant are hauled to a land site, where they are spread and reduced through a newly built drying building.

Streets

Street improvements and replacements were a priority, with nearly $2 million in projects completed, including the reconstruction of multiple streets, such as L Street NW and M Street NW. Other projects included excavation for the new Boys and Girls Club and the burial of stormwater pipes for the new airport terminal.

Electric/ROW

The Electric Utility crews replaced over 140 electric poles, conducted 400 CT meter inspections, and installed 400 new LED lights. They also rebuilt a line on H Street NW and G Street SW to improve lighting and safety.

Water

The Water department crew replaced approximately 7,800 feet of water line, 2,300 feet of sewer line, and two important wells.

Utility Customer Service/Finance

The Utility Customer Service department processed 4,465 service orders and 638 debt payment plans. The Metering crew installed 221 new meters, and the Finance department focused on improving financial operations and processes for the city.

Senior Citizens’ Center

The Miami Seniors' Center underwent reorganization following the dissolution of its former board. It is now under City of Miami ownership, with plans to add a new kitchen and replace the building’s water line system. The city staff, seniors’ board, and members are working on plans for future events and projects.

Human Resources

The HR department manages payroll, benefits, employee safety, and recruiting. They also organize monthly meetings, health fairs, and events to boost morale and create a positive work environment for city staff.

Administration

The Admin team includes the City Manager, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk, City Attorney, Communications Manager, and the new Chief Financial Officer. The City Clerk manages official records, supports other departments, and facilitates communication with the public. The Communications Manager worked to ensure transparency through social media, press releases, and real-time updates. The City Manager and Admin Assistant oversee municipal affairs, working closely with the City Council and Mayor.

"Last year was exciting, and 2025 looks to be as great," said Mayor Bless Parker. "Miami, Oklahoma thrived as a community in 2024, showcasing remarkable growth and resilience. With an unwavering focus on innovation, collaboration, and local pride, the City is laying a solid foundation for an even brighter future. As we move into 2025, Miami’s momentum is unstoppable, fueled by the spirit of its people and their commitment to making this city a beacon of opportunity and success."

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City of Miami 2024 Year In Review