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Ordinance 2000-3276 Revised 9/18/00 ORDINANCE NO. 2000-3276 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE BY RENAMING ARTICLE III ENTITLED "MINORS" TO "GRAFFITI" AND BY CREATING SECTIONS 70-122 THROUGH 70-129 SETTING FORTH COMPREHENSIVE REGULATIONS CONCERNING PROHIBITION OF GRAFFITI ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY; REQUIRING REMOVAL OF GRAFFITI;PROVIDING CIVIL PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER AND SPECIFICALLY,REPEALING SEC.58-302 OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED "GRAFFITI REMOVAL REQUIRED WITHIN 15 DAYS; REMOVAL BY THE CITY WHEN PROPERTY OWNER FAILS TO REMOVE," PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach find that more stringent measures to attack graffiti are necessary than currently exist in the City Code to serve and protect the best interests of the citizens of Miami Beach and to promote and maintain the aesthetic appearance of the City of Miami Beach which is an internationally renowned tourist destination; and WHEREAS, the immediate removal of graffiti is the most effective deterrent to its reoccurrence; and WHEREAS,graffiti depreciates the value of the defaced property as well as the surrounding neighborhood; and WHEREAS, in order to preserve the integrity of the commercial and residential neighborhoods of the City, including its five historically designated districts, and to protect the health,safety and welfare of the general public,the Mayor and City Commission find it is in the best interest of the citizens of Miami Beach to authorize the prompt removal or abatement of graffiti from public or private permanent structures located within the City of Miami Beach. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE III, CHAPTER 70 OF CITY CODE That Chapter 70,Article III to be entitled"Graffiti' of the Code of the City of Miami Beach is hereby created to read: ARTICLE III. hers Graffiti. Sec. 70-122. Definitions. Unless it is apparent from the context that another meaning is intended, the following when used in this article shall have the meanings attributed to them by this section: Abatement means the repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal of a public nuisance. Bona fide Evidence of Majority means a document issued by a federal state, county, or municipal government or agency thereof, including but not limited to, a motor vehicle operator's license, or registration certificate issued under the Federal Selective Service Act, a passport, or an identification card issued to a member of the armed forces which identifies an individual and provides proof of the age of such individual. City's Agent means an independent contractor performing graffiti abatement for the City. Code Compliance Officer means any designated employee acting as an agent of the City whose duty it is to enforce codes and ordinances enacted or adopted by the City. Commercial Property means property that is used for business, commercial, or for-profit purposes. It shall be prima facie evidence that a property is commercial if it is located in a business, commercial, office, apartment, hotel or industrial zoning district. "Commercial property" shall include non-permanent structures such as trailers, dumpsters,traffic signs,barricades, utility poles, traffic signal boxes, and construction equipment. "Commercial property" shall not include: (1) single-family homes or residential property of three or less units; (2) property owned by governments; (3) property used for non-profit purposes by educational institutions, charities, or religious institutions. Corrective Action means an act required to remove or effectively obscure graffiti that is visible from the right-of-way. Director means the Director of the Department designated by the City Manager to enforce and administer this Article or the Director's designated representative. Graffiti means the unauthorized application of paint, ink, chalk, dye, felt-tip or indelible marker, crayon or any non-water soluble substance, or by applying or affixing inscribed or engraved materials, including posters,placards and flyers of any size and type on public or private permanent structures located on publicly or privately owned real property within the City. Marker means any felt-tip or indelible marker,or similar implement,which contains a fluid which is not water soluble and which has a flat, angled, or rounded writing surface one-quarter inch or greater. 2 Non-commercial Property means all property that is not included in the definition of commercial property in this Section. Non permanent Structures means trailers, dumpsters,traffic signs, barricades, utility poles, traffic signal boxes, and construction equipment. Nuisance means anything injurious to health so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property, which nuisance affects at the same time an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable numbers of persons, although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal. Owner means any and all persons with legal and/or equitable title to real property in the City of Miami Beach as their names and addresses are shown upon the records of the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. Public Right-of-Way means any road, parkway, alley, Swale, sidewalk, easement or other public way. Supervising Adult means an individual twenty-one (21) years of age or older who has been given responsibility by minor's parents, legal guardian, or other lawful authority to supervise the minor. Sec. 70-123. Prohibitions. �a) It shall be unlawful for any person to deface, destroy, or otherwise damage private or public property without the owner's consent, by or through the application of graffiti. (b) Any person violating this section shall be punished by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day for a first violation, five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per day per violation for a repeat violation, and up to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) per violation if the court or a special master finds the violation to be irreparable or reversible in nature: or by imprisonment in accordance with the requirements of State Law or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court. (1) In the case of a minor, the parents or legal guardian shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for payment of all fines. (2) Failure of the parents or legal guardian to make payment will result in the filing of a lien on the parents or legal guardian's real property to include the fine and administrative costs. (3) Upon an application and finding of indigence the court may decline to order fines against the minor or parents. 3 c) In addition to any punishment listed in this section,the court shall order any violator to make restitution to the victim for damages or loss caused directly or indirectly by the violator's offenses in the amount or manner determined by the court. (1) In the case of a minor, the parents or legal guardian shall be ordered jointly and severally liable with the minor to make such restitution. (d) In addition to any punishment listed in this section,the court shall order any violator to perform monitored community service in the removal of graffiti. Sec. 70-124. Possession of Spray Paint and Markers. (a) Possession of spray paint and markers with intent to make graffiti is prohibited. (b) Possession of spray paint and markers by minors on public property is prohibited. No person under the age of eighteen (18) shall have in his or her possession any aerosol container of spray paint or marker while on any public property, or right-of-way, except in the company of a supervising adult. Possession of spray paint and markers by minors on private property is prohibited without the consent of the owner. No person under the age of eighteen (18) shall have in his or her possession any aerosol container of spray paint or marker while on any private property unless the owner, agent, manager, or person(s) in possession of the property have knowledge of the minor's possession of the aerosol container or marker and have consented to the minor's possession while on his or her property. (d) Any person violating this section shall be punished by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day for a first violation, five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per day per violation for a repeat violation, and up to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00)per violation if the court or a special master finds the violation to be irreparable or reversible in nature. (1) In the case of a minor,the parents or legal guardian shall be responsible for payment of all fines. (2) Failure of the parents or legal guardian to make payment will result in the filing of a lien on the parents' or legal guardian's real property to include the fine and administrative costs. Sec. 70-125 Graffiti Declared a Nuisance. The creating or maintaining of the unauthorized application of paint. ink, chalk, dye, felt tip or indelible marker,or any non-water soluble substance,or the applying or affixing of other inscribed 4 or engraved materials, including posters, placards, and flyers of any size and type, on public or private structures located on publicly or privately owned real property in the City is hereby declared to be nuisance. • Sec. 70-126 Responsibility of Property Owner(s); Graffiti Removal and Notice Maintenance or allowance of graffiti to exist for more than seven(7)business days on a commercial property, or ten(10) business days on a residential property, is prohibited. (b) Whenever the City becomes aware of the existence of graffiti on any property,a code compliance officer is authorized upon such discovery to give, or cause to be given, notice to take corrective action to the property owner or the property owner's agent or manager. • (1) Commercial Property. For commercial property, the property owner or the property owner's agent or manager shall take corrective action within two seven(7)business days from the receipt or delivery of the notice referenced within this Section. (2) Non-Commercial property. For non-commercial property, the property owner,or property owner's agent shall take corrective action within seven(7) ten (10) business calendar days from the receipt or delivery of the notice referenced within this Section. () Such notice shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested; or by hand delivery by code compliance officer to the owner of record of the property described as recorded in the current county tax rolls. Mailed notice shall be deemed complete and sufficient notice when so deposited in the United States mail with proper postage prepaid. (d) The City shall waive painting permit requirements for abating graffiti, subject to the use of the same colored exterior paint, provided that the existing paint complies with all City requirements. Graffiti abatement shall consist of: (1) Painting of the entire wall, and/or non-permanent structure defaced by graffiti; or (2) Pressure-cleaning or any other method that will successfully remove graffiti from a wall, and/or non-permanent structure, without causing damage. 5 11`11°° Sec. 70-127 Appeal. A property owner who has been served with the notice set forth in Section 70-126 shall elect either to: (1) Remove or cause to remove the graffiti within the time specified on the notice: or (2) Request an administrative hearing before the Special Master to appeal the determination of the inspector which resulted in the issuance of the notice. (b) An appeal for an administrative hearing shall be held before the Special Master and shall be accomplished by filing a request in writing to set the hearing for review and mailed to the code compliance officer or designee, not later than two business days after the service of the notice. The remainder of the appeal procedures will be in accordance with Sections 30-72 through 30-79 of the Miami Beach City Code. Sec. 70-128 Cost of Graffiti Removal as Lien on Property-Collection,Foreclosure and Sale. Ca) Upon failure of the owner of the property to remedy the conditions existing in violation of Section 70-123, the code compliance officer shall proceed to have such condition remedied by the City and/or City agent in an effort to abate the nuisance. (b) City employees and/or the City's agents may enter upon private property to abate the nuisance pursuant to the provisions of this Article. No person shall obstruct, impede, or interfere with any City employee and/or City's agent whenever said person is engaged in the work of graffiti abatement pursuant to this Article, or in performing any necessary act preliminary to or incidental to such work as authorized or directed pursuant to this Article. Following corrective action taken by the City or City's agent, the code compliance officer shall proceed to have all cost incurred thereof to be and become a lien against such property thirty(30) days after notice of completion of work by the City. Said lien shall be of equal dignity with a lien for special assessments, and with the same penalties and with the same rights of collection,foreclosure,sale and forfeiture provided for special assessment liens. The cost chargeable to the owner shall not exceed the amount of cost as set forth in the notice served to the property owner or owners required herein under Section 70-126. Sec. 70-129 Interested Persons May Petition to Dispute Assessed Costs. ) Any person owning property which has been found to be in violation of this Article, 6 and upon which remedial work by the City has been done shall have the right, at any time within thirty (30) days after notice of completion of work under this Article, to present to the City Clerk a sworn petition stating his or her interest in the property and alle ing that in the opinion of the petitioner, the cost of the work exceeds the actual cost thereof or is otherwise erroneous. (b) Such petition shall be presented to the Special Master for consideration. The Special Master may fix and confirm the amount to be charged based on the information presented. SECTION 2. REPEALER. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. Specifically, Section 58-302 of the City Code entitled"Graffiti removal required within 15 days; removal by the City when property owner fails to remove"and as set forth below is hereby repealed: Sec. 58-302. Graffiti removal required within 15 days; removal by the city when property owner fails to remove. (a) Graffiti located on buildings, fences and other structures shall be removed therefrom by the property owner or his agent within 15 days of the mailing of certified mail notice of same by the city. (b) As an alternative to the enforcement procedures set forth in section 58-201, upon the failure of the property owner to remove graffiti as required by subsection (a) of this section,the city manager or his designee may have the graffiti removed. (c) Graffiti may be removed by the city pursuant to this section by painting over the graffiti with white or colored paint. Thereafter, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to repaint same to match the remainder of the building, fence or structure as required by section 58-299. (Ord. No. 94-2930, § 1(17B-29.3). 6-15-94). 7 SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, clause or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid,the remainder shall not be affected by such invalidity. SECTION 4. CODIFICATION. It is the intention of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach,and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of the City of Miami Beach, Florida. The sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention, and the word "ordinance" may be changed to "section", "article," or other appropriate word. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall take effect on the 28th day of October , 2000. PASSED and ADOPTED this 18th day of October , 2000. MAY010 ATTEST: (Phut CITY CLERK 1st reading 9/27/00 2nd reading 10/18/00 APPROVED AS TO FORM& LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION U7N- c7 F:\ATTO\TURN\ORDINANOGRAFFIT3.AMD nay 9/18/00 Ciiy Atto Dais 8 ATTACHMENT A Graffiti Violations Department of Code Compliance September 1, 1999 to September 1,2000 The information below reflects the number of Warning Notices that were issued over a one year period for graffiti violations. The total number of violations issued were 672. Area No. of Violations Issued Mid-Beach Area 1 34 Venetian Islands, Sunset Islands: From Bay- East to Prairie Avenue From South to Dade Boulevard- North to 63rd Street Mid-Beach Area 2 33 From Prairie -East to Ocean From South to 17th Street Total Mid-Beach: 67 North Beach Area 1 59 From 63rd Street-North to 77th Street From Ocean Terrace -East to Dickens West (Including Park View Island) North Beach Area 2 37 From 77th Street- North to 87th Terrace From Collins Avenue to West Tatum Waterway North Beach Area 3 From Bay Side Lane - North to 56th Street 162 From Crespi Boulevard- West to Hawthorne (Including Stillwater Drive and Biscayne Point) North Beach Area 4 71 From 71st Street- West to Bay Drive From Bay Drive - West to NorthShore (Covering all of Normandy Island and North Shore) Total North Beach: 329 F Page 2 South Beach Area 1 50 From 5th Street -North to 17th Street From East to West Avenue -East to Ocean South Beach Area 2 72 From 1st Street to 17th Street North From Ocean to Alton (From 1st to 5th Street- 5th to 17th Street) From East to Pennsylvania - West to Euclid South Beach Area 3 96 From 5th Street North tc 17th Street From East to Meridian West- to Bay (Including Islands: Star, Hibiscus and Palm) South Beach Area 4 58 From Purdy West to Collins Avenue East From 17th Street to Canal Total South Beach: 276 t ATTACHMENT B CITY OF MIAMI BEAC - 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 htto:\\ci.miami-beach.rl.us City of Miami Beach _ rich- 205-i72-7010 ^.',0 '3Ca:rmie S.105-372-77.32 Auaust 18, 2000 TO: Members of the Community FROM: Ronnie Singer, Executive Assistant to the City Manager • SUBJECT: WORKSHOP ON GRAFFITI ORDINANCE Dear Community Partner: Attached please find the proposed ,Gra ^.r_ ^ce" Is - - -_ the September 13, 2000 City Commission iMe- nc. Pas ace f e - l _ - to remove unsightly graffiti on-private property if it is not removed in a tip~;e y mar .r v In' preparation for this meeting, a public Workshop has been scheduled for Wednesday. August 30, 2000 at 4:00P.M. in the City Manager's Large Conference Room. I look forward to seeing you there. and _ _ s: don't hesitatehear:. _, comments. „ you nave any pue.,...,,..,. ea_� to contact me at (305) 673-7 i RS:Ir C: Mayor and City Commission Matthew Schwarz, Assistant yi:•i Deborah Turner, First Assista.,. City , _v Richard Barret°, Chief of Folic= Lynn Bernstein. Special Delivery Manage, Al Childress, Code Compliance Director Brad Judd, Property iManacement Director Mario Courtney Roberto DaTorre Al - Peale Ira Giller Saul Gross Herbert Hofer Randy Hofer Lisa Liotta Jorce Mbrtinez • Larry Michelson Linda Polansky Donald Shockey Bruce Sinner Laurie Swedroe CMGRl9,:L;RC,NNIc.G.RAFFIT:.9 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH Code Compliance Department Interoffice Memorandum To: Ronnie Singer Date: August 3, 2000 Executive Assistant to the City Manager From: Alfredo Perez Code Compliance Administrator Subject: Graffiti Violations The following is a list of properties that received citations for graffiti from Inspector Emmnauel Bastos and Inspector Mercedes Davila on August 1, 2000: 1016 - 71st Street 957 Normandy Dr. 63rd Street and Collins Ave. 200 Block of 65th Street 6525 Collins Ave. 6551 Collins Ave. 6565 Collins Ave. 6605 Collins Ave. 6701 Collins Ave. 73rd Street, 1 block west of Harding Ave. , 6801 Collins Ave. 500-520 71st Street 525 - 71st Street 600 Block 71st Street 7326 Collins Ave. AP:smu cc: Eric Wardle,Assistant Director,Code Compliance • ISI NORTH BEACH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF MIAMI BEACH INC. April 17, 2000 Lawrence Levy, City Manager • City of Miami Beach 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33141 Dear Mr. Le/y: I i ,iV In recent weeks, North Beach has experienced a dramatic increase in the incidence of graffiti both on public and private property. The City employee charged with graffiti removal, George Martinez, has done an excellent job with the limited resources dedicated to his effort. NBDC believes that the increasing scale of the problem calls for a different approach. At the last NBDC Board meeting, a representative from Florida Graffiti Control described the services that his company provides. NBDC would like to request that additional resources be identified to fund graffiti removal and that a professional company be hired to provide graffiti removal services. In addition, NBDC requests that the City explore modifying the graffiti ordinance to enable the City to remove graffiti from private property after a specified period (i.e., 24 hours) of time and to then bill the property owner for the removal. The current system of citing an owner and then waiting for them to correct the problem takes too much time. Graffiti is a scourge that will continue to grow and spread if it is not removed swiftly. Other municipal entities have employed these two strategies with excellent results as detailed in the attached Miami Herald articles. NBDC believes that the graffiti problem will continue to worsen unless additional control measures are taken. Sincerely, „ Donald P. Shockey, Executive Director 300 71ST. STREET SUITE 502 MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33141 TEL: (305) 865-4147 FAX: (305) 865-4175 • fib: 33 v i • y Arnow • I p x� r a1; East wall of Carillon Hotel-6800 Block of Collins Ave. jew 14. S, I t HtY,it 4$0000000, 116 4 t s 4 Parking lot in the 7100 block of Harding Ave. • • • • IP i ri4° aaee } 3 SEtk �v lt:\*44- " , 9 t. D s ,A.+"5`. 'w - a' :,, rs ,� +�} c�.�.s.xr k , ,,,,,' i -,'''4'f.'" -',`.., ." , si , ...,... ,.,: , . ,. , . iiiiilli-.,._ „,, ,,, ,,-,, --,., - , bet lc .itailisliti, Both"tags"appear to be done by the same person-notice same style of writing. • 904 71 St 8/30/00 M . B. A - it. „..;. ,,+.rey W. .4,-;.=4",,t9 t a r. P.5—• < , .„ ' , ,55 v 5 i'. *iii%,-;,` i 1 tli.,14, i 51 5901 CJRCUfT COURT JUDGE e".410 y. 1 MO 3 • 904 71 St 8/30/00 M .B. 1. ,,I#4,,,- ., 4 . R b pt"��� .. , .';,. 4. _tea. .z**. , amu' {+` }f+ t''F '` 4 a"�I :µgal,¢ t sxfv J 904 71 St • 8/30/00 M . B. ,. .-7 , • $ k 4 s ''''''''''''''Ikiti '24 W:',: i 4 r 904 71 St 8/30/00 M . B. GEM -34re 155 55 5 5 WNW •` ' a., 4, 4, BEFORE Gables residents call for cover-up er ELAINE DE VALLE They want an Alberro said. "We're sort of Heraldl erald Staff Wrtter punishing those who have no The writings are on the wall. control over the situation." And on the street signs. And to fight graffiti Another problem is graffiti on on the buildings. Gables street signs, which can For all its green space and code,the city can cite a property only be replaced by Miami- architectural aesthetics, Coral with painted or penned mark- Dade workers. Alberro said Gables has graffiti. Residents ings as a minimal housing viola Gables Public Works Director who live near Coral Gables tion,Alberro said.That can take Al Linero is working with the Hig,h, 450 Bird Rd,. have com- up to 90 days to settle and the county to expedite the process plained about it in their neigh- city has no recourse to take and get stop signs repainted borhood for years. action in the meantime. within 24 hours of the graffiti The school has helped with "And we all know that the fas- being reported. clean-ups and anti-graffiti cam- ter you erase the graffiti,the less Durana suggested the city hire paigns, but some homeowners there will be," she said. a painter to paint over graffiti want the city to do more. The ordinance, which may on city-owned property. The "There's just not much move- come before city commissioners committee also discussed the merit out of the city manager's in April, would give residents possibility of installing video office," said Aurelio Duran, five to seven days to remove cameras or having undercover chairman of the City/Coral graffiti or the city can remove it police operations in high-graffiti Gables High Community Ma- and bill the property owner.The locations. tions Committee and a director county recently passed a similar Gables Police Chief James of the Southeast Gables Resi- law that gives commercial prop- Skinner said that would not be dents Association. "The neigh- erty owners 48 hours to purge practical. "Particularly for a hors are working on it, the graffiti before the county coma very minor violation," he said. school is helping, but we need in to do it— and bills the own- "Surveillant is. very labor the city, too.' era. intensive." Maria Alberro Jimenez, anis- The city's proposed ordinance Another possibility is hiring tant to the city manager,said the still is being evaluated after sev- Florida Graffiti Control. city is working on an ordinance eral Gables property owners Larry Michelson, general to deaf with graffiti on private complained about it at a recent manager of the relatively new property. code enforcement board meet- business, was at Thursday's Though graffiti isn't ing. "They said we're really not city/school committee meeting addressed as such in the Gables assisting them in the effort." and said his company could remove all the graffiti in the area "much like an exterminator." 8 THE HERALD. THURSDAY,.FEBRUARY 4,.1999 • Graffiti policy gives Gables clear complexion re pip nC By ANNE DE VALLE leaders to extend it another six RLf QIt:I GRAFFITI HeraldSlaff Write' months. Studies show that a little graffiti, if left Several residents and Coral . "Reports on graffiti in the res- To report graffiti In Coral Gables officials have noticed the idential and business communi- Gables on private proper- alone, can attract more and, i n some cases, city has a cleaner,clearer face— ties have been reduced almost to ties,call the city's code with no scars. zero,"said Coral Gables Crime enforcement department increase crime in the neighborhood by They say a program to remove Watch Director Garlin Lewis. at 305-460-5226 or send asending the'message to scofflaws that the graffiti within 72 hours of it Commissioners voted unani- fax to 305-460-5274.To being reported has worked so mously last week to extend the report graffiti On Public citizens and police don't care. , well that they have urged city contract with Florida Graffiti properties or structures. call 305-480-5038 or send a fax to 305-460-5082. they come down or are covered Jimenez said. up and that's the most impor- "We want to nip it in the Control through September — tant thing with respect to graf- bud." at a cost of$40,000. fiti," Gary said. "It should not Andres Mural, chairman of Coral Gables may be the only be allowed to remain up for any the Code Enforcement Board, city in the county—perhaps the length of time." said he sees a definite decrease state — paying a private corn- • Studies show that a little graf- in graffiti in the residential pany to remove graffiti from pri- fiti, if left alone, can attract areas. vate as well as public property, more and, in some cases, "It's making a difference," Assistant City Manager Maria increase crime in the neighbor- Murai said."And I strongly urge Alberro Jimenez said. hood by sending the message to the city to.extend the program That suits Tom Gary,a mem- scofflaws that the citizens and even beyond the six months." ber of the city/high school com- police don't care. But there needs to be more munity relations board, just That's the biggest reason the effort put into commercial dis- fine. city has taken on the responsi- tricts, he said, particularly the "As soon as markings go up bility, and the expense, Alberto Gables industrial zone near the high school, traditionally the _ hardest hit area. "They are still getting almost the same amount of graffiti as before,"Murai said. Renee Verhoff, executive director of the Business Improvement District, said she would also like to see less graffiti downtown. "In the alleys s we've hac some," Verhoffsaid. "I cer- tainly never thought there was " `" ¢�"" "�"� M d"' an extreme amount of graffiti in )UTH MIAMI a CORAL GABLES I RICHMOND HEIGHTS Al SUNILAND I WEST KENDALL'I PINECREST the first place, especially com- pared to other areas, so I can't say I've noticed an increase of decrease. "I can tell you that on the newsstands, I have seen ar THURSDAY increase of graffiti. And I don't NEIGIIBORS know if that's something the cit FEBRUARY 4, 1999 can address." • Alberro Jimenez said sh COVERING YOUR COMMUNITY would look into it. "I think the postal servic. takes care of the mailboxes an. ?Ji[t11�1 � we would probably take care o the markings on newspape: i boxes." One problem:traffic signs. "That's the county's responsi bility and we are working wit' them to address traffic signs in more timely manner," Albert' Jimenez said. Though Lewis and Vic Mayor Dorothy Thomson sai, they hoped the city could tak over that duty down the mac Alberro Jimenez said state la prevents it. Herald staff writer Elaine a Valle can be reached via email edevalle@herald.com ' ti6FR, .err— cip o O a M T ^r"., '9 p O •.0; O w NN bA y � 0 .E �" H � c 4 ZO cd N O O C c � O U O O o►-ti u p� A O �we � .5 U t7 O bA c tcc3 U EWUv) U C�