224-2001 LTC
. .
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. DJ [) 4 - 01001
tD
October 8, 2001
TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM:
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ . ~
City Manager d r~ 0
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE
The purpose of this LTC is to provide the Mayor and Commission with an update
describing some of the areas the Administration focused on during the week of October
1, 2001.
Economic Tourism Roundtable - Over 200 business and community leaders
attended a meeting the Administration convened on Monday, October 1 to discuss
economic and tourism related issues and what the City is doing to stimulate the local
economy, Positive outcomes of this meeting included the City's proposals to: defer
payment of occupational licenses by 60 days; Code Enforcement working with
businesses to give them more time to come into compliance with code issues; first hour
free at all City attended Parking lots; and free Electrowave shuttle services after 9:00
p.m. In addition, a discussion was had regarding public safety issues and how to
provide services for displaced workers who live and work in Miami Beach. These
proposals, along with additional details and ideas will be presented to the Commission
at the October 17 Commission meeting.
Police Department - A number of Police related items occurred this week. On Monday,
October 1, Police Chief Don De Lucca was sworn in at the afternoon roll call and I had
an opportunity to address over 150 civilian and sworn police personnel to talk about the
Chief, the Department and the important role they all play in our community. In addition,
I met with various staff receiving a promotion to discuss the future of the Department
and the important leadership role that each of them play. A budget review meeting was
had with the Police Chief to discuss financial related issues. Finally, on Friday, October
5, a Police Department Promotion Ceremony was held to swear in 23 officers who have
been promoted to the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major and Assistant
Chief.
Tennis Center RFP - The Administration is compiling a list of names for the Flamingo
and North Shore Tennis Centers RFP process that includes a number of outside
technical resources and neutral residents. The Commission should be receiving this list
for review and recommendations soon.
.
Collins Avenue - The installation of the water line service laterals to the hotels and
along the corridor is now complete except for a few minor adjustments to be made. The
Florida Department of Transportation will now continue with all construction. We are
still on schedule for our completion date by December, 2001. Representatives from the
Administration continue to meet weekly with the Collins Avenue Task Force (comprised
of representatives from the hotels, businesses and community on Collins Avenue) to
update them on the status of the construction.
Art Basel - Representatives from the Administration met to discuss preparations for Art
Basel, Miami Beach and we have been in continuing conversation with the organizers
from Switzerland to assure that preparations are proceeding accordingly.
Representatives from Switzerland plan to be in Miami Beach at the end of this month to
meet with us and finalize preparations for the event.
Employee Brown Bag Lunches with the City Manager - In an effort to better
communicate with City employees, the City Manager along with other representatives
from the Administration held a discussion with employees from the Building Department
over lunch in an effort to get to know each other better and understand mutual
concerns.
Nightlife Industry - Representatives from the Administration met with leaders from the
nightlife industry to continue discussing the composition and appointments to the
Nightlife Industry Task Force which plans to meet for the first time on October 24 at 4:00
p.m. A detailed description of this group as well as its members will be sent to the
Commission prior to the October 24 meeting.
Management Leadership Retreat - Was held on October 4 and 5 with all senior level
Administration, including Assistant City Managers and Department Heads, to review
and discuss our accomplishments from the past year, our city-wide priority areas and
deliverables for the next fiscal year, and organizational and leadership team
development and operating principles.
Veteran's Day Weekend - A press conference was held on Saturday, Octobef 6 to
announce a free Veteran's Day concert featuring 'NSYNC and various other artists
taking place on Veteran's Day, Sunday, November 11, 2001 on the sands of South
Beach. This free benefit concert will be a salute to the heroic New York Police and Fire
Departments with proceeds going to the families of the victims of the September 11
terrorist acts. The Administration is working with the Ocean Drive Association to
prepare for a weekend that will be fun and safe for thousands of visitors to Miami
Beach.
Should you desire any additional information about any of these items, please feel free
to contact me.
JMG:RI
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