LTC 098-2013 Upcoming Staffing TransitionsMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # D 9 g 24 1 3 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City C mmission
FROM: Kathie G. Brooks, Interim City Manager
DATE: March 27, 2013
SUBJECT: Upcoming Staffing Transitions
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to advise the City Commission of the
upcoming staffing transitions that will be taking place as we look forward to Jimmy
Morales beginning his tenure as City Manager effective Monday, April 1, 2011
I have been fortunate enough to have been surrounded by a team of talented individuals
who have supported me during my interim appointment. During this transitional period, a
number of individuals stepped up to the plate and accepted additional roles
responsibilities in order to ensure a seamless transition while the City recruited for a
permanent City Manager.
Max Sklar has been serving as an Interim Assistant City Manager since July 2012.
During his interim assignment, Max has provided outstanding leadership and direction
for this organization. In discussing the transition with the Incoming City Manager,
although Max has fulfilled his "acting" assignment, Max will be moving to an expanded
role as the Director of Tourism and Cultural Development and Economic Development,
incorporating the formerly separate Economic Development Division. This responsibility
will be a huge undertaking as the City continues to move forward with the redesign of the
Miami Beach Convention Center. Max has demonstrated that he maintains the skill set
to be successful in this expanded role. During his interim tenure as Acting Assistant City
Manager, some of his major accomplishments include:
• Approved selection of web hosted parks and recreation software
• Amended the Miami Beach Botanical Garden Lease to allow for new rental rates_
• Amended the City's Special Event Guidelines and Ordinance to created
enhanced penalties and streamline the review and approval process.
• Amended the City's Film and Print Guidelines and achieved consensus between
the film industry and the community on amendments to the residential film
guidelines.
• Supported the formation of the newly created Tennis Advisory Committee
• Awarded a new contract for fireworks and pyrotechnics for July 4cn
• Approved and executed a new lease with Design Miami
• Negotiated a new agreement with Professional Course Management (PCM) for
management of the City's golf course, which is anticipated to be considered by
the City Commission in April 2013.
• Issued Invitation to Negotiate for Food and Beverage Services at the Miami
Beach Convention Center.
• Extended North Beach Food and Truck and Music Fest through September
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March 27, 2013
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2013.
• Approved concession agreement with Miami Beach Cinematheque
• Approved design of new trash and recycling containers in conjunction with Coca -
Cola
• Assisted in the community outreach and education efforts for the referendum for
resort tax increase of 1 % on hotel rooms citywide to assist in funding
improvements and maintenance of the Miami Beach Convention Center.
• Approval of memorial bench honoring I. Stanley Levine,
• Approval of lease agreements with Representative Richardson and County
Commissioner Barreiro.
• Began negotiations with the Police Athletic League for amendments to lease.
• Achieved consensus and obtained approval for the installation of a fence along
the Normandy Shores Golf Course behind the multi- family buildings along South
Shore Drive.
• Completed the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 3 year review of review
the City's established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development
regulations, and adopted local Comprehensive Plan
• Developed Major Event Plan and successfully deployed enhanced staffing for
New Year's Eve, Orange Bowl Game and Bowl Championship Series (BCS).
• Developed Major Event Plan and deployed enhanced staffing for Spring Break
2013.
• Helped move the Convention Center Development and Expansion Project
forward with the shortlisting of 2 developers to create a convention center district
master plan to work with City to prepare a detailed proposal for the MBCC
District that will include, but not limited to, a master plan for the site, project
renderings, a breakdown of proposed uses, proposals for enhancing public open
spaces, renovation and expansion plan for the convention center facility, the
financing plan including at minimum a 30 -year financial pro forma, a preliminary
traffic impact analysis, and any request for public assistance. The public
engagement process began with a goal of identifying 1 developer by June 2013.
® Issued an RFP for the Management and Operation of the City's Tennis Centers.
• Hosted the 2012 South Beach International Amateur Golf Tournament.
• Implemented the Condominium Ombudsman position
in July 2012, Carla Gomez was appointed to serve an interim appointment as the
Special Projects Administrator for the City Manager's Office. During this interim
appointment, Ms. Gomez has been instrumental in providing leadership and support
throughout the organization. In addition to her responsibilities as the Special Projects
Administrator, in December 2012, Ms. Gomez began functioning in a dual role when she
was formally appointed as the Human Resources Assistant Director_ Due to the absence
of a Human Resources Director, Ms. Gomez assumed additional oversight of the day -to-
day operations of the Divisions of Recruitment, Compensation, Benefits and Risk
Management of the Human Resources Department. Since July 2012, Ms. Gomez has
made a number of contributions to the organization including:
Worked with the Budget Advisory Committee on recommendations for Pension
Reform
Serves as a Trustee for the Miami Beach Employees' Retirement Plan
Serves as the City Liaison for the City's Personnel Board
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March 27, 2013
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• Contributes at the Budget Advisory Committee on the analysis of the City's
medical plans.
• Participates as a contributing member of the City's Labor Negotiations Team.
• Coordinated the City's Annual One Team One City Annual Family Picnic.
• Participated in the recruitment of the City's new Risk Manager.
• Served as City Manager's liaison to the Mayor and Commission.
• Researched and prepared the Administration's response to various issues such
as inquiries from the Mayor and City Commission, residents and community
groups.
• Conferred with the Interim City Manager on policy matters and proceeded as
appropriate to ensure implementation and compliance.
• Coordinated internal reviews of complex, sensitive personnel matters impacting
delivery of City services.
• Provided research and substantive support to the Interim City Manager during
Commission meetings.
• Coordinated various City Departments' response to address community needs.
• Assisted in the updating of strategic plans and goal alignments during the
transition of the Interim City Manager.
• Represented the Interim City Manager before employee groups and committees
and provided policy direction on her behalf.
• Reviewed and made recommendations to the Interim City Manager on
correspondence, memorandums and reports and coordinated the response as
required.
• Recommended curriculum for management training covering ethics, new
disclosure policy requirements, personnel matters, and organizational efficiency.
With the start of the new City Manager on April 1, 2013, Ms. Gomez will have fulfilled her
interim assignment as my Special Projects Administrator and will be able to focus her
efforts as the Human Resources Assistant Director.
I would like to thank Max and Carla, as they move on to different roles, for their
contribution in moving the City forward in the past nine months.
KGB /CMG