LTC 41-2002
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CITY of MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. 1/...- ZCJ02-
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TO:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Date: February 15, 2002
Jorge M. Gonzalez, . ~
City Manager tI ~ 0
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE
FROM:
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
February 11, 2002.
2002 Boat Show - Representatives from the Administration met throughout the
week to finalize logistical issues involving the 61st Annual Boat Show which got
off to a great start on Thursday, February 14 and will conclude on Tuesday,
February 19, 2002.
Mayor's Blue Ribbon Tourism Task Force - Met on Monday, February 11 to
continue their discussion of tourism related issues. The items discussed at the
meeting included progress reports by all the sub-committees that met the prior
week. The next meeting will take place on February 26 and the final meeting on
March 4,2002 when the final recommendations will be presented.
Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center - A historic link with the Center was
formally established this month when five trainees from the Senior Aides
Program commenced employment with the Human Resources Department.
Trainees work a minimum of twenty hours weekly and have been assisting full-
time Human Resources staff in various facets of work.
72nd Street Site - Representatives from the Administration met on Monday,
February 11 with representatives from the Related Group to continue discussing
alternatives for the 72nd Street site. The Related Group presented two additional
development plans. In addition, the Administration is coordinating a working
group meeting composed of representatives from the North Beach Development
Corporation, residents, local business owners, area commercial property owners
and other appropriate representatives to evaluate and provide feedback on the
Related Group's most recent proposals.
Nightlife Industry Task Force - Met on Tuesday, February 12 and discussed a
number of issues related to the nightlife industry, the most important being their
recommendation that nightclub hours be extended from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on
Friday and Saturday nights. This item is on the agenda for discussion at the
February 20 Commission meeting.
17th Street Site - Representatives from the Administration met with Bernard
Zyscovich to review plans he developed for the Equity One (777) Building and
City lots fronting Meridian Avenue.
Mirador Building Tour - Representatives from the Administration toured the
Mirador Building (formerly the Forte Towers) on 11th Street and West Avenue
currently under renovation by the Charles E. Smith Realty Companies and heard
about the progress of construction efforts. This renovation represents a
significant capital investment in the South Beach district.
The Trust for Public Land - Representatives from the Administration met with a
representative from the Florida Office of the Trust for Public Land, a national
conservation organization created to conserve land, to discuss ways in which the
City and the Trust could possibly partner on such initiatives as the Biscayne Bay
Strategic Access Plan and the Indian Creek Greenway project.
Management Team Meeting - Department and Division Directors and Assistant
Directors met on Thursday, February 14 to hear a presentation about the City's
issues dealing with concurrency management, including road impact fees and
the Municipal Mobility Plan. In addition, a presentation was made about the
upcoming relocation of several City Departments within the 555 and 777
Buildings and City Hall.
Beach Concession Facility - Representatives from the Administration met with
representatives from Boucher Brothers to discuss the possible violation of the
State's coastal construction regulations regarding beach concession facilities
east of Lummus Park. The City is sending the State of Florida a letter requesting
clarification on this possible warning.
LNR Property Corporation - Representatives from the Administration met with
representatives from LNR to continue discussing their move to Miami Beach.
LNR has executed a 12-year lease for approximately 60,000 square feet at the
Lincoln Place Project which will employ 240 employees and generate in excess
of $3 million annually in direct spending. A discussion item has been placed on
the February 20 Commission meeting to discuss LNR's proposed relocation of its
headquarter operations to Miami Beach.
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau - City Manager attended
GMCVB meeting on Friday, February 15 and raised concern over the talks of
studying the feasibility of a convention center being built in downtown Miami. A
follow-up meeting with representatives from the City of Miami, the GMCVB, and
the City of Miami Beach is being scheduled.
Should you desire any additional information about any of these items, please
feel free to contact me.
JMG/RI
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