Miami Beach, FL Strategic Planning Retreat - Final 011424 regFoundation Work
High-Level Feedback
From Advance
City Commission
Interviews
What is the one thing that you want to ensure we do or
get accomplished at the Strategic Visioning Retreat?
•It’s OK to express differences of opinion, desire to assure a vibrant city with
high Quality of Life that is unique and different
•Develop a shared sense of vision among City Commissioners
•Resident friendly Commission supporting Quality of Life issues
•That we clearly define our roles as a City Commission vs. the roles of the
Administration
•Achieve a high-level/macro list of priorities to use as a prism for our decision-
making and budgets
•Need for Team Building and governance work
•Discuss how we can be open to new ideas and disagree without it becoming
personally, especially as we approach the upcoming municipal elections
What are the Strategic Questions that should be
addressed at the Strategic Visioning Session?
•Assuring a Financially Healthy City
•Assuring a Resilient City
•Turnover on City Commission
•Unfunded $1.6 Billion Infrastructure Projects/Needs – 2018 GO
Stormwater Master Plan Bonds
•Changing/evolving City Commission Priorities
•Continue to work well with City Management
•Public Safety is paramount issue
•Commission is aligned on infrastructure focus
•Clean streets & sanitation
•Explore water taxi service
•Preserve/stabilize structure of Commission-Manager Form of Government
•Independent Police Department
What are the Strategic Questions that should be
addressed at the Strategic Visioning Session?
•Achieve a high-level vision of the City – Avoid micromanagement of
City Departments by Commission
•Better define the role of the City Commission as policy makers vs. day-
to-day operations of City
•City Commission is currently by and large unified in its vision vs. what
has occurred in the past decade
•Despite our differences and different degrees of what we believe should
get done, we are collegial in our discussions
•Strike balance between residents and tourism
•City is perceived as “Anti-Business”, and we seem to have a lot of
closed business in the community – some portions of the City look
depressed with closed storefronts
•The Commission receives lots of complaints about our permitting
process
What are the Strategic Questions that should be
addressed at the Strategic Visioning Session?
•We have become a safer City, but maybe at the expense of our economic
development climate
•Traffic congestion continues to be a concern – should we consider slowing
down development?
•We need to protect what we have: Convention Center and Convention
Center Hotel ($700M for Convention Center & $75M for Convention
Center Hotel)
•No new City facility in 12 years
How is the City Commission doing as a team being
aligned to advance the City’s priorities & objectives?
•Need for shared vision by City Commission at a high-level – Take pride in being
part of the team
•We generally are open to the ideas of our colleagues
•As a City Commission, we have to be respectful of all our colleagues’ thoughts
and opinions and as a group, ultimately support the final decision even if our
particular position did not prevail
•We could use more “esprit de corps” and less anger on the City Commission
How is the City Commission doing in working with the
Administration to advance City priorities & objectives?
Partnering with Local Governments to Recruit, Assess and Develop Innovative, Collaborative, Authentic Leaders
•A lot of changes on City Commission and with City Manager/Senior Staff in
2023 - Concerns with negativity/toxic/aggression, but is now back to normal
•The Administration is very responsive which is critical to our success
•Some people take the term “public servants” too literally – can be negative at
times
•We have gotten better as a City Commission in supporting and providing
direction to our Administration
•We started off good, but seem to have gotten sidetracked – no team building
and we don’t even each lunch/dinner together as a Commission
Preparing for Strategic
Visioning
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The Art of
Strategic
Visioning
Perspectives
Matter!
Credit: The Higher Logic - Steemit
Credit: A Matter of Perspective – The Networking Nerd
Perspectives
Matter!
Remember
Why You
Decided to
Pursue Public
Service
As Elected
Officials You Are
In A Unique
Position…
But Remember…
Picture Credit R-J-Seymour
Strategic
Visioning
Framework
Vision
Mission
Values
Pillars & Priorities
Projects, Programs, & Services
Key Success Indicators
Strategic Vision Hierarchy - Alignment
The City Commission’s Visioning
Focus should be at 10,000 feet
The City
Commission’s
Visioning Focus
should be at 10,000
feet
Roles of the City Commission vs. Staff
•City Commission: Strategic Visioning - Focus should be on
envisioning the long-term direction of the organization, including
its Vision, Mission, Goals & Priorities, & Organizational Values.
•Staff: Strategic Planning – Focus should be on the
implementation of the City Commission’s Vision and desired
outcomes with specific action plans with Key Performance
Indicators to track the progress on the Commission’s Vision,
Mission, Goals, and Priorities.
It’s OK – You Are Not Going to Get Everything Right!
Understanding Challenges – 2019
SWOT Assessment Feedback
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
Anything
Fundamentally
Different Given the
Last 12 Months?
SWOT – Strengths
•Evolved from sleepy beach town to 22K+ hotel rooms, 81K residents, and
400-500K visitors daily with Convention Center
•Balance Quality of Life for residents with safety of tourists/visitors
•Public safety – 59% of Annual City Budget
•City Commission alignment
•Less infighting on City Commission
•City Manager appointment & Management style
•Improved morale and performance of the Administration
•Broke up rowdy Spring Break reputation – (but unfortunately many went
away which has impacted our commercial health)
•Streets and cleanliness of City has improved
•Definitely a safer community than is has been in previous years
Anything
Fundamentally
Different Given the
Last 12 Months?
SWOT - Weaknesses
•Kicked the can down the road on numerous resiliency projects
•We have lost a lot of senior staff with turnover
•Tone of the City Commission vis-à-vis respect of professional staff
•Need for more respect for resident opinions that may differ from ours
•Cultural changes in interpersonal relationships desired – Can be the
“elephant in the room”
•Quality of Life issues are challenging – cars, traffic, sirens, loud music, etc.
•We have made our community safer, but may have negatively impacted our
nightlife – still looking for the right balance
•The City’s permitting process is not viewed as “business friendly” for both
large and small projects
SWOT - Weaknesses
•Traffic continues to be a major problem in the City, and we are not
perceived as pedestrian/bicycle friendly. Need to hire or retain traffic
experts to help us be more proactive and less car-centric in our policies
and programs
Anything
Fundamentally
Different Given the
Last 12 Months?
SWOT - Opportunities
•Upcoming Resiliency projects
•Stabilized City Commission & Administration
•Spring Break without challenges & negative impacts
•Improved regional access to our neighboring communities
•Attention to detail by City Manager & Administration without Commission
prodding
•Newly elected Commission – build trust and reinforce resident-centric focus
•Developing positive outlook and philosophy of willing to try new things
•We have spent lots of energy and funding on homelessness, but not sure we
are achieving our desired outcomes yet
•Need to balance “Law & Order” with nightlife and fun
SWOT - Opportunities
•We have seen a decline in our year-round vs. seasonal residents. Need to
explore options to encourage year-round housing options
•Although we have amended our zoning and development standards, not sure
the current mix of regulations helps us achieve the desired look/feel of the
community
Anything
Fundamentally
Different Given the
Last 12 Months?
SWOT - Threats
•Terrorism like what just occurred in New Orleans (X2)
•Category 5 Hurricane in South Florida
•Storm surge/rising sea levels
•Relationship with County – Need to improve and rebuild “bridges”
•Historic Districts are all being redeveloped at the same time – an economic
downturn could threaten desired redevelopment efforts and impact the City’s
skyline/culture
•Proposed zoning changes that don’t fully take into account the impact of
future parking needs
•Miami Beach does not have a “Downtown” for our residents and visitors to
congregate in a recognized urban center
SWOT - Threats
•Underground infrastructure needs, especially in historic areas of City –
Renewed commitment needed
•Lots of unfunded CIP work
•Some of our City facilities look old and worn out
•Building Permitting perceptions/concerns
What do you want the current Miami Beach
City Commission’s legacy to be known for?
•Completed projects – Baywalk Bridge, resiliency projects, and legislation
to prepare Miami Beach for the future
•Safest City in America
•Having Miami Beach become a Blue Zone (Health, long-lives, and other
pillars)
•Rebuilding the historic Hotel Deaville in North Beach
•Re-Imagining the Byron Carlyle Theatre in North Beach to multi-faceted
arts complex including workforce housing
•Relocating new Fire Station to protect an existing historic building to
become a Community Center
•Micro-Mobility Working Group to improve multi-modal transportation
safety
What do you want the current Miami Beach
City Commission’s legacy to be known for?
•Transparency and ethical conducting of City business
•Miami Beach does not do “World Class Greatness” projects well, with the
exception of the South Point area. We should pursue exceptional
projects and programs
•Historic preservation
High-Level
Feedback From
Advance
City Commission
Interviews
What do you want to change about Miami Beach?
•Reduce turnover & taxes
•More Police visibility/Community Policing
•Infrastructure & Arts/Culture improvements
•The negativity in the public space – encourage diversity of opinion at all
socio-economic levels in a respectful way
•Miami Beach needs to be open to all economic levels - not just the wealthy
•Need for diversity and inclusion in City planning and development for social
equity of community
•Change and get rid of bureaucratic red tape in permitting and City approval
processes
•More walkable, multi-modal community
•Need for a “Downtown” Urban Center for people to congregate
What do you want to keep about the way it is?
•Ocean Drive – Postcard for City – Keep authentic art deco brand
•Our art deco architecture , lifeguard stations, etc. that have become our
calling card and makes us unique
•Architectural heritage of City with natural spaces for people – Keep the
fabric of Miami Beach
•Miami Beach recognized as welcoming community to raise a family
•Safety of residents & visitors of all demographics
•Socio-economic diversity of residents and balance of year-round vs.
seasonal residents
•Need to keep Miami Beach affordable for all socio-economic levels and that
we don’t push the middle class out of the City
•Small town “feel” of community
What does the City of Miami Beach do
exceptionally well?
•Incredible City Team (Economic Development, Tourism, World Class
Events, e.g., Art Basel)
•We are responsive, listen, and are connected to our constituents, visitors,
and businesses, with high community engagement (X4)
•City Commission respects and works well with the City Administration
•Commitment to the Arts
•Additional financial support to schools/education
•How we address homelessness
•Arts, culture, parks & recreation, and infrastructure improvements
•We coordinate a variety of World Class special events (X2)
•We offer outstanding Parks & Recreational opportunities and public/open
greenspace (X2)
What does the City of Miami Beach struggle with?
•Traffic management – Need to better explore water taxi service for connectivity to
surrounding areas
•Focus/commitment on our priorities is a challenge at times
•We focus on our operations, but sometimes to the detriment of our overall
community image (today/current vs. tomorrow/future). Need to take care of what
we have while still investing in our future
•Need for more holistic focus on operations by staff – not just on their own
Departmental operations (Created need for Area Managers)
•Broader focus on economic development to leverage health, wellness, and
sports to attract businesses who could be successful in Miami Beach
•We have two City’s (5:00 AM and post-5:00 PM) - Need to find and support
business for each demographic
What does the City of Miami Beach struggle with?
•We need to focus on the last 5%. We generally get most of what we want out of
our programs and projects, but we often miss the last pieces of a
project/program that would result in the effort being exceptional – Sometimes
that results in perceptions about what the City does really well.
•We are turning into a transient vs. year-round resident community
•While we run major events very well, our focus on such comes may result in the
detriment in our non-tourist areas (e.g., it took us years to get our sidewalks
pressure cleaned and gum removal)
What progress has been achieved with current
Miami Beach major projects and/or initiatives?
•We don’t control all of our roads – Belle Isle Street Project (County redoing
bridges and City undergrounding utility piping that is currently attached to
bridges.)
•West Avenue Phase I completed with Phase II delayed to take into account
resident concerns
•2024 Spring Break was a success with assistance of Governor & Florida
Highway Patrol
•Increased Police visibility in community
•Infrastructure projects getting off the ground
•Need for water taxi service
•Added Traffic Control Division with non-sworn personnel to assist in traffic
control
What progress has been achieved with current
Miami Beach major projects and/or initiatives?
•North Beach Bus Line
•Exemption of Arts Districts from State pre-emption
•Prevented Casino expansion
•Our program and marketing for a safer Spring Break was very successful,
but may have negatively impacted our brand for nightlife
•Ocean Terrace Park Project
•Maurice Gibb Park
Amy major City projects and/or initiatives that have stalled over the last year?
•Exploration of water taxi service
•Indian Creek Pathway property acquisition
•We took a conscious effort to slow down some of our infrastructure projects
to take into account resident comments, but those are now moving forward
•We need to remain focused on unintended results – making changes without
fully understanding the consequences of those actions (e.g., zoning changes)
•Some of our iconic areas are not currently aesthetically pleasing and appear
to be run down
•The public image vs. reality of Miami Beach is not the same
•We need more comprehensively thought-out planning vs. one-offs and our
current piecemeal approach
Amy major City projects and/or initiatives that have stalled over the last year?
•We stalled on a City building painting project
•Byron Carlyle Theater – Redevelopment plans started in 2019, and we have
changed our plans numerous times to the detriment of getting it redeveloped
•Perception that our Administration is taxed with too much, resulting in delays
of projects that should be completed sooner
Miami Beach’s
Updated 2023
Strategic Plan
Foundational Document – Five Vision Areas
Miami
Beach
Vision
Statement
A Community’s Vision Statement should provide a
clear and vivid description of what the City seeks to
create in the future i.e., the why. The Vision Statement
describes where the organization hopes it will be going
in the future if it can fulfill its Mission, and typically
does not change over the life of the Strategic Plan
(e.g., 5-10 years)
The City does not currently have an overarching Vision
Statement.
Examples:
“An innovative, friendly, engaging, and sustainable community where residents, businesses, and visitors flourish.”
“A vibrant, innovative, culturally inclusive, world-class community.”
Vision Statement
•Does the City Commission desire to adopt an overarching Vision Statement for
the City of Miami Beach?
•Skeptical about need for Vision Statement
•Yes, we should state what we ant to become as a City - We have a bit of an
identity crisis right now
•Not sure we need a community Vision Statement – We are recognized
globally as a tourist destination
•If the City wants to adopt a Vision Statement, what are the various adjectives,
themes and/or concepts you believe should be reflected in it?
•Clean, safe, resilient, good governance, diversity/inclusive, resident-centric,
beautiful, World-Class
Miami
Beach’s
Mission
Statement
A Mission Statement should provide the
City’s purpose & should be consistent over
the life of the Strategic Plan.
The current Miami Beach Mission Statement
is:
“We are committed to providing excellent
public service and safety to all who live,
work, and play in our vibrant, tropical,
historic community.”
Mission Statement
•Does the current Miami Beach Mission Statement remain relevant today -
why or why not?
•If not, what comes to mind when you think about what the organization’s
Mission Statement should reflect?
•What are the various adjectives, themes and/or concepts you believe
should be reflected in the purpose of the organization and the things that
it provides in implementing the City Commissions’ Mission of the
organization?
Miami Beach’s
Organizational
Values
Organizational Values should be the
guiding principles utilized by the elected
officials and staff of the City to carry out
Miami Beach’s duties and obligations in
service to your citizens & constituents.
Organizational Values should be
revisited from time to time but rarely
change significantly once they are
adopted to ensure the culture of the
organization becomes ingrained with its
employees and their actions.
Miami Beach’s Value Statements
•We maintain the City of Miami Beach as a world-class city.
•We work as a cooperative team of well-trained professionals.
•We serve the public with dignity and respect.
•We conduct the business of the City with honesty, integrity, and
dedication.
•We are ambassadors of good will to our residents, visitors, and
the business community.
•Do the current Miami Beach Value Statements remain relevant today -
why or why not? If not, what adjectives, themes and/or concepts
comes to mind when you think about what Miami Beach’s Values
should reflect?
Discussion regarding
Miami Beach’s
Vision Areas
Objectives & Actions
Do the City’s current Vision Areas remain appropriate?
•Prosperous v. Vibrant (How do
we define “Prosperous”)
•We need to emphasize
tourism, and that Miami Beach
is a desired “Destination Spot”
in our Strategic Plan
•Clean streets, mobility, traffic,
public safety, and resiliency
(the latter not a one size fits
all model)
•Emphasize “People First”
•Effective vs. Smart City
Summary of
Mayor & City Commission
Advance Interviews
Top project/priority that you would like to have accomplished next year?
•Baywalk behind residential corridor on West Avenue (Building
ownership/easements needed to access Lincoln Road pedestrian Street
Mall & on to Ocean & Bay
•Enhanced Police visibility
•Water taxi service
•The need to restore and respect Home Rule Authority by our State
Legislature
•17th – Lincoln – Washington corridor needs to be converted to live, work,
play area
•Beautification of Ocean Drive and sidewalk, lighting and landscaping plan
completed
•Seven buildings to be painted by renowned artist in historic district in April
New projects and/or initiatives that you would like to propose?
•Goal of attaining more affordable housing opportunities in City (Missing
middle is the concern)
•Building an additional pedestrian beach walk along the sand dunes
•Pursuit of Micro-Mobility Initiatives
•Pursue the possibility of attracting FIU and/or Miami Dade University
outposts in Miami Beach (leverage Arts, culture, marine life, etc.)
•Replace current and problematic drawbridge at 63rd with a beautiful
functional flyover
•Design the Metromover/Baylink train infrastructure from Downtown Miami to
5th Street to include a pedestrian/micromobility deck that ties into the
Underline to extend that 10-mile linear park to CMB
•A minority of voices often drive changes that don’t necessarily reflect the
overall community thoughts on the topic and/or desired direction
•Programming for South Shore Community Center completed
Prosperous
City
Vision Area
•Vision: “A Prosperous City with a special flavor of arts, culture, education and business”
•Objectives: Build on our arts and
culture strengths, balance tourism
with quality of life, revitalize areas
and support excellence in our
schools.
Prosperity Goals (From 2019 Strategic Plan)
•41 Street (2020)
•Arts & Culture (2050)
•Attract Local Residents (2050)
•Change Nature of Tourism (2050)
•North Beach Town Center (2020)
•Tourism Balance Improvements (2020)
•True City Center (2050) with MBCC Hotel (2020) and 17 Street
Garage
•What are the current Goals/Programs/Priorities/Projects of the
City Commission for this Strategic Area?
New Prosperous City Area Goals & Priorities
Possible Topics:
•Historic Preservation
•Balance Tourism with Residents
•Holistic and future vision of Zoning and LDC’s
•Promote year-round resident opportunities
•Blue Zone City
•Hotel Deaville
•Byron Center Theater
•Commitment to the Arts
•World Class Projects
•Live-Work -Play Urban Areas/Corridors
•Affordable Housing
•Ocean Drive Project
•South Shore Community Center Programming
Safe City
Vision Area
•Vision: “A Safe City with a
mosaic of residents enjoying
life in iconic and historic
Neighborhoods”
•Objectives: Build resident
satisfaction through safety,
cleanliness, parks and
modern codes.
Safe City Goals (From 2019 Strategic Plan)
•Crime Improvements (2020)
•Clean/Beautify (2020)
•Create a Strong Local Community (2050)
•What are the current Goals/Programs/Priorities/Projects of the
City Commission for this Strategic Area?
New Safe City Area Goals & Priorities
Possible Topics:
•Police Presence/Visibility – Community Safety
•Balance of Nightlife with Safety
Resilient
Costal City
Vision Area
•Vision: “A resilient coastal City
with a thriving environment and
modern infrastructure”
•Objectives: Protect and
enhance our environment and
invest in infrastructure projects
and assets that build resilience
benefits like reducing flood risk
and increasing sustainability.
Resilient Coastal City Goals (From 2019 Strategic
Plan)
•Clean Water Strategy (2020)
•Improved Infrastructure (2050)
•Stormwater, Water, and Sewer Planning (2020)
•What are the current Goals/Programs/Priorities/Projects of the
City Commission for this Strategic Area
New Resilient City Area Goals & Priorities
Possible Topics:
•Resiliency CIP Projects
•Steet Conditions
•Storm Water Drainage Improvements
•Underground utilities
People-First City
Vision Area
•Vision: “A People-First City
where the pedestrian is
prioritized in mobility options
and community services are
pathways to prosperity”
•Objectives: Increase mobility
and housing options for current
and future residents and visitors.
People-First City Goals (From 2019 Strategic Plan)
•Attract and Keep Young Families (2050)
•Become Less Car-Centric (2050)
•Create a More Local Full-time Community (2050)
•What are the current Goals/Programs/Priorities/Projects of the
City Commission for this Strategic Area?
People-First Area Goals & Priorities
Possible Topics:
•Baywalk Bridge
•Traffic congestion
•Micro-Mobility Projects – Less car-centric
•Parking/Zoning standards
•Water taxi service
•Regional connectivity
•Beachwalk
Smart City
Vision Area
•Vision: “A Smart City of
high quality and efficient
services and employees”
•Objectives: Improve
strategic decision-making
and financial stewardship,
making the City more
business friendly and user-
friendly with an employee
culture of problem solving
and engagement.
Smart City Goals (From 2019 Strategic Plan)
•G.O. Bond (2020)
•Technology & Innovation (2020)
•What are the current Goals/Programs/Priorities/Projects of the
City Commission for this Strategic Area?
New Smart City Area Goals & Priorities
Possible Topics:
•Holistic/Non-Department view of community by employees
•Interdepartmental cooperation/coordination
•Need to serve both night and day populations
•“Business Friendly” permitting processes
•Promotion of World-Class Projects/Programs
•Responsiveness of Commission & Administration
•Respectful, collegial Commission-Administration-Resident-
Constituent relations
•Promote eco-tourism, health. fitness economic development
opportunities
•University presence in Miami Beach
New
Proposed
Strategic
Area?
Are there any additional Strategic
Areas that the City Commission
would like to propose as part of their
new Strategic Vision?
New Proposed Strategic Area Goals & Priorities
Possible Topics:
Do We Have Consensus on Miami Beach’s
Future Direction & Priorities?
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Next Steps
The Strategic
Visioning Process
is a Journey