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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. c.20:;-~{)eJ/
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez ~. A~
City Manager t'V (j
MIDDLE BEACH WSLETTER
Date: August 31, 2001
Subject:
The Neighborhood Services Department, Community Resource Division, organized a
Middle Beach Neighborhood meeting on June 26, 2001 to identify and prioritize
neighborhood service delivery concerns. The attached newsletter was developed and
distributed to the Middle Beach residents as a follow up to the meeting.
As we meet with other neighborhoods, it is anticipated that we will do similar follow up
communications. This neighborhood feedback is not intended to be or replace the city-
wide newsletter that was included in the 2002 budget.
Please let me know if you need any additional information.
JMG\~NPG!lWb
F:IWORKI$ALL IDayaminelmiddlebeachnev.scom,doc
cc:
Robert C. Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Vivian P. Guzman, Director of Neighborhood Services
Max Sklar, Assistant to the Director of Neighborhood Services
Lynn W. Bernstein, Community Resource Manager
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Summer 2001 CiI;y of Miami Beach Neighborhood Services Deparbnent
Neighborhood Meeting Addresses Quality of Life Issues
Construction Begins at
North Beach Elementary
North Beach Elementary is nearing the com-
mencement of construction. The portable class-
rooms will be relocated this summer to allow
for construction of a new two-story classroom
facility. New construction, remodeling, renova-
tions and site work is scheduled to begin in
September 2001 and will be completed by late
August 2003. Improvements include an eight
classroom two-story facility, new media cen-
ter, cafeteria addition, new PE shelter, conver-
sion of existing library into additional classroom
space, new bus and parent drop-off lanes, park-
ing lot expansion, two new hardcourts, the re-
moval of all portables, and fieldwork.
Approximately 70
residents attended
the Middle Beach
Neighborhood meet-
ing on June 26, 2001.
Those in attendance
identified a number of
concerns affecting the
community's quality of
life. This newsletter
highlights those areas
and provides impor-
tant information re-
garding the City's pro-
grams and the
community's respon-
sibilities. The following
City Cracks Down on Illegal Uses
of Single-Family Homes
Residents are reminded that single-family homes
may only be occupied by one family, and there-
fore may not be leased for a period of less than
six months or converted for multi-family use. A
family is considered to be one or more persons
related by blood or marriage or a group of no
mare than three nan-related persons residing in
a single-living unit. Furthermore, the City Code
restricts a single-family home or any independent
living facility from being converted into separate
dwelling units intended for occupancy.
The Department of Code Compliance has
proactively investigated homes that are being
rented out in Miami Beach on a less than a six-
month basis and having an impact on neighbor-
hoods. The City has issued notices to property
owners in violation and will be referring the cases
to the Special Master for a hearing to obtain an
adjudication of guilt in these cases. The City has
taken on over 60 cases such as these over the
last year.
Code Compliance will continue monitoring the
neighborhood for the aforementioned violations,
as well as other violations of the City Code. Code
Compliance routinely works with residents of the
area and responds to requests for service. Resi-
dents are encouraged to report any potential vio-
lations to Code Compliance at 305-673-7555.
five items were identi-
fied as neighborhood
priorities :
1. Work to educate and
inform the community
as to the Oty's programs
and the community's re-
sponsibilities. Review
the Oty's informational
material for consistency
and accuracy.
2. Use of Code Enforce-
ment to monitor illegal
dMsion of single-family
homes and illegal rent-
als of residences.
3. Col1CEllbateon park-
ing enfortement:of CDI1l-
mercial vehicles
throughout residential
areas and cars parking
dangerously in the right-
of-way.
4. Increase police pres-
ence in the Middle
Beach residential neigh-
borhood.
5. Provide better edu-
cation on sanitation
pickup schedules,
proper placement of
waste and city codes
regulating the disposal
of waste.
42nd Street Streetscape
Improvements Begin Fall 2001
The 42"" Street Streetscape project retains one-
way traffic and includes sidewalks, curb and gut-
ter, paving, street markings, landscaping, irri-
gation, and minor drainage improvements. Con-
tact Ronnie Singer, Community Information Man-
ager, Capital Improvement Projects Office, at
305-673-7000, extension 6354 for more details.
Parking Enforcement Heighrened
The Parking Department has increased enforce-
ment of commercial vehicles parked in resi-
dential areas and vehicles parked dangerously
in the right-Of-way or blocking a driver's line of
sight. Additionally, violations may be issued
for prohibited parking: blocking fire hydrants,
crosswalks, sidewalks, and obstructing traffic.
The Parking Enforcement Unit will continue to
issue citations and monitor the area to ensure
compliance with parking regulations. To re-
port violations, contact the Parking Deparbnent
at 305-673-7505 or the Neighborhood
Services Community Resource & Out-
reach Division at 305-673-7580.
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Police Increases Staffing in Middle Beach
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In response to recent requests by Middle Beach
homeowners to see more police officers in their
neighborhood, the minimum staffing level for
uniform radio squad car police officers was in-
creased from five to six. There are always (24
hours a day, seven days a week) a minimum of
six officers, one sergeant and one lieutenant as-
signed to patrol this area (17th to 63rd streets)
of the city.
Additionally, the Traffic Enforcement Unit has
been assigned to strictly enforce traffic laws.
During the past six months, over 4,600 traffic
citations have been issued to violators. MBPD
will continue to patrol the area and strictly en-
force traffic laws.
Crime is always an issue in urban areas and
Miami Beach is no exception. While always a
concern to residents and police, the Middle Dis-
trict is one of the most crime-free places to live
in all of Miami-Dade County. And, criminal ac-
tivity invokes a rapid police response. Residents,
of course, must always be aware that an easy
target often invites criminal activity. Moreover,
all suspicious activity shau Id be reported to the
police immediately.
Three types of serious crimes occasionally oc-
cur in Middle Beach. They are burglary, rob-
bery, and auto theft.
Burglary: Residents must be aware that crimi-
nals will usually seek targets of opportunity. The
best defense against crime is far residents to
take extra time to secure their property, making
it hard for criminals to victimize them. Bicycle
theft is a common problem in Middle Beach.
It is important to purchase and use a good
bicycle locking device. Unattended bicycles
should always be secured.
Robbery: This crime is rare in the Middle Dis-
trict. Recently, however, we have experienced
driveway robberies. In these cases a criminal
followed the victim back home, and robbed the
victim in the driveway upon exiting the car. Uni-
form Patrol has combined forces with undercover
detectives to deal with these criminals.
Stay alert and tuned-in to your surroundings.
If you think someone is following you, don't
head home. Drive to the nearest police or fire
station, gas station, or other open business
to get heip.
Auto thefts: This crime has been dramatically
reduced in recent years through the efforts of a
countywide Auto Theft Task Force, which in-
cludes MBPD Auto Theft detectives. Residents
must properly insure and protect their autos.
Middle District officers are routinely assigned to
auto theft details, and will continue to arrest
these criminals.
The Miami Beach Police Department's Middle
District Commander, Captain Casey Conwell
(305-673-7776, ext. 5320) is responsible for all
uniform police services provided to the Middle
Beach homeowners. The Captain invites all resi-
dents to telephone him directly with their con-
cerns.
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Do not set your garbage out for collection more uled bulky waste pick-up appointments per cal-
than 24 hours before your scheduled pick-up. endaryear. Additional pick-ups may be scheduled
Regular residential garbage does not have to at a cost of $20 per cubic yard. For an appoint-
be placed on the swale, the area in front of your ment, call BA at 305-633-2700.
home adjacent to the street. BA will collect resi- Please be reminded that the City Code pro_hibits
dential waste from the back or side yard two the accumulation or storage of trash on swales,
times a week. Violations will be issued to property owners with
waste at their swale for mare than 24 hours prior
to the scheduled pickup date.
Fines for the above are $50 for the first violation,
$100 for the second violation within 12 months,
and $500 for the third violation within 12 months
of the first violation.
For more information, call the Sanitation
Department at 30S-673-7616 or BA at
305-633-2700. ~
Sanitation -- Waste Services
Let's Talk Trash!
Yard clippings, not exceeding 501bs, should be
properly containerized or bundled, and placed out
on the swale for collection on your second sched-
uled collection day of the week, and cannot be
placed prior to 24 hours of your scheduled pick-
up date. Gardeners must remove yard waste im-
mediately following the work performed. Garden
waste that is over 50lbs is considered bulky waste.
Bulky waste must not be placed on the swale prior
to 24 hours of your scheduled pick-up appoint-
ment. Each residence is entitled to four sched-
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