LTC 236-2002
CITY of MIAMI BEACH ~
Office of the City Manager ~
Letter to Commission No. ~&.2C()Z
-
FROM:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. GOnZale~Zll~
City Manager fI" V
WEEKLY UPDAT
Date: October 20,2002
TO:
SUBJECT:
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 14, 2002: .
Neighborhood Leadership Academy - The Neighborhood Leadership
Academy, the civic and public information program designed to provide Miami
Beach residents with the information and resources to become more
knowledgeable members of our diverse community, started its second class
offering with twenty-five residents enrolled. Each week, various departments
present to the academy an overview of their responsibilities and services
provided. The Capital Improvement Projects Office kicked off the presentations
this week. The participant's surveys, completed at the end of each session. were
extremely positive and the residents participating keep offering very positive
feedback about the sessions. The Neighborhood Services Department will
compile these results and share the feedback provided with each department
that presented as well as with the Mayor and Commission.
South Beach District Community Meeting - Representatives from the
administration and the Police Department met with residents on October 14 to
discuss various neighborhood issues. Residents expressed concerns over the
proposed Penrod's property expansion into 4 undeveloped acres, citing
excessive noise as a source of apprehension. They also reiterated their
concerns with Opium nightclub, stating that Opium's proposed roof, which is
intended to curb noise problems, is simply an awning and will therefore not
decrease the noise volume in the area. Residents also requested increased
clean-up efforts by the Sanitation Department and expressed a desire for
increased police presence in Flamingo Park. Residents were assured that city
and police personnel will continue to work with the Flamingo Park West
Neighborhood Association to find creative solutions aimed at resolving all
complaints. The Entertainment District expressed an appreciation for the traffic
VMS sign posted at 5th street warning against the use of boom boxes.
Orchard Park Homeowners Community Meeting - Representatives from the
administration met with residents on October 14, to discuss various
neighborhood issues including crime analysis and prevention tips. Residents
expressed concerns over illegal vehicle u-turns occurring at 42nd Street and
Chase Avenue. Staff assured residents that the Police Motor Squad will provide
stricter monitoring of the area and will also request the installation of a "No U-
Turn" sign at said intersection. Previous concerns over trespassing at North
Beach Elementary have been resolved with the installation of a new fence
enclosing the property.
Grants Management - The City is the proud recipient of several grants totaling
over $451,000, essential in the completion of valuable civic projects. The City
received a grant from the South Florida Water Management District in the
amount of $226,095 to fund the irrigation system for the Bayshore Golf Course.
Additionally, a grant by the Florida Inland Navigation District totaling $135,000
was awarded for Phase I of the Citywide Seawalls Renovation Project. The City
also received $90,000 in various grants, earmarked for the Thanksgiving Day
Parade taking place on November 6, 2002 and airing on Thanksgiving Day,
November 28, 2002.
Venetian Homeowners and Condominium Associations - Representatives
from the administration met with residents on October 16 to discuss the
construction of a new Venetian Causeway toll booth. Residents were provided
with a construction timeline, with an estimated completion date of August 2003.
The project is slated to begin on October 26 with the construction of a temporary
two-lane road and will include a bike path south of the toll booth. The toll booth
is scheduled to be demolished on January 2, 2003 and tolls will be lifted
throughout the remainder of the project. Residents were assured that the City
will assign a Police Neighborhood Resource Officer to address traffic concerns
and enforcement. A Police Motor Patrol will also be assigned to assist.
Brown Bag Luncheon - As part of an ongoing series with the various city
departments, I had an opportunity to meet with the Procurement Department on
October 16 and hold informal discussions on a multitude of issues of internal and
external concern.
Neighborhoods Commission Committee Meeting - The Committee reviewed
several items, including an ordinance brought forward by Commissioner
Steinberg limiting locations where panhandling is permitted. The Committee
unanimously approved a motion to refer the ordinance to the City Commission
meeting on November 13. The Committee also reviewed the issue of advertising
guidelines and maintenance of pay phones on public property and requested an
ordinance be drafted and placed on the November 13 Commission meeting
agenda. No action was taken regarding the placement of the cellular antenna at
Fire Station No. 2 but the administration will seek other viable alternatives. The
administration will also develop composition recommendations for a City Code
Review Ad Hoc Committee, to be referred back to the Neighborhoods
Commission Committee next month.
"Community Spirit" Campaign - The Mayor, several members of the
Commission and representatives from the administration joined the launch of a
community-wide civic campaign titled "It's My Miami Beach. It's Yours, It's Ours,"
aimed at promoting community pride as well as emphasizing tourism's benefits to
our residents. The event, taking place on October 17, is a collaborative effort
between the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, Greater Miami
Convention & Visitors Bureau and other local businesses and will consist of a
campaign video and a series of advertisements. Themed banners will also be
placed on light posts throughout the city.
MTV Latin America Video Music Awards - Representatives from the
administration met with the MTV production staff to finalize plans for the awards
show scheduled to air from the Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts on
October 24. The show will be broadcast live on several MTV channels, with an
estimated viewing audience of over 400 million.
Employee Intranet - Representatives from the administration met with
Information Technology staff to begin finalizing plans for the City's intranet
service. The intranet, a citywide information tool designed for enhanced internal
communications with staff, is planned for launching by the end of this year.
Summer Festival Season - Representatives from the administration continued
discussion plans for an enhanced Summer Festival in 2003. Further details to
the Mayor and Commission are forthcoming.
JMG/ri/jl
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