LTC 25-2003 CITY of MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalezx ..._ ~'
City Manager /'t ~
U
WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: January 24, 2003
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 first three
weeks of January, 2003:
Community Relations Board (CRB) - I met with Roymi Membiela, my
appointee to the City's Community Relations Board and the newly elected chair
of the CRB, to discuss pertinent issues and ideas for future consideration by the
CRB. A CRB meeting was held on January 8. The CRB is currently working with
the Administration to host a reception on February 25 in honor of Black History
Month. Additional details about this event will be shared with you shortly.
Colony Theater Construction - Construction efforts are proceeding with interior
demolition while an exterior wall is being erected to facilitate the renovation of the
historic facility.
Public Relations Branding Seminar - Members of the administration joined
consultant Motivus in an image branding seminar aimed at instructing staff on the
marketing practice of image and product branding.
"My Miami Beach" Campaign - Representatives from the staff joined members
of the community and the Tourism Task Force Subcommittee on Sunday,
January 5 to celebrate the launching of the "My Miami Beach" campaign. The
event highlighted the customer service component of the program to the
hospitality industry.
South Beach Community Meeting - Representatives from the administration
and the Police Department met with residents on January 6 to address various
neighborhood issues. Residents expressed concerns over excess noise from
open air entertainment facilities. Also discussed was the role of the South Beach
Service Team in keeping the neighborhood clean and an update on Capital
Improvement Projects for the area was also provided.
Filming in Miami Beach - Representatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. On January 6, a major
motion picture titled "From Justin to Kelly," began filming throughout Miami
Beach and will continue its filming schedule throughout the next several weeks.
In addition, staff met with an NBC Television producer of a reality series called
NEXT ACTION STAR. Miami Beach is the first of several casting
locations across the country for the main show, set to air on NBC starting in
June. The producers are holding a large casting call at the Sheraton Four
Pointes Hotel at 43rd and Collins Avenue on Miami Beach on Thursday, January
30, starting at 9:00 a.m.
Art Deco Weekend - The administration continued to work alongside the Miami
Design Preservation League (MDPL), addressing logistical and planning details.
From all reports, all events associated with the weekend were a success.
Art Miami - The celebrated art show returned to the Miami Beach Convention
Center for its 13th year from January 9-13, concentrating on contemporary Latin
American and Spanish Art. By all accounts, the opening gala and subsequent art
show was a huge success.
Event Producer Charette - Representatives from the administration and the
Visitors and Convention Authority (VCA) met with approximately 60 local,
national and international event producers on January 10 to discuss ways to
strengthen the working relationship between the City and event producers and
how to better partner for future projects including the upcoming Summer Festival
Season 2003.
Miami Tropical Marathon Community Meeting - Representatives from the
administration met with members of the business and residential community on
January 14 to discuss the upcoming 26.2-mile marathon. The course will begin
and end in front of the American Airlines Arena in Miami and will run through
several municipalities throughout Miami-Dade County, including the City of Miami
Beach. The Miami Tropical Marathon is scheduled to take place this Sunday,
February 2, 2003, beginning at 6:00 a.m., with 5,000 to 7,000 participants
expected to race. Members of the administration continue to work closely with
the neighborhoods and businesses most closely affected by the path of the race
to ensure all city departments and services are prepared for the event.
Employee Awards and Recognition Celebration - On January 16, the City
held its annual Employee Awards and Recognition Celebration at the Jackie
Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts. Over 250 employees and their guests
were in attendance to salute Service Award winners, and nationally recognized
awards in various fields. Employees also received their 5 to 45 year service pins
and were treated to an employee talent show. The ceremony was part of our
highly successful weeklong celebration "Waves of Change Customer Service
Appreciation Week" promoting departmental customer service initiatives.
West Avenue Building Implosion - Members of the administration met with
representatives from the Charles E. Smith Company which will be imploding a
building on the east side of West Avenue, between 11-12 Street. A planning
meeting with both the Police and Fire Departments also took place on January
16 at 11:00 a.m. to finalize logistical details. The implosion will clear the way for
the future development of a new parking facility that has already received Design
Review Board approval. The implosion will take place on January 26 or February
9 at 1:00 p.m. and will require a detour of all traffic on West Avenue.
2003 Boat Show - Representatives from the administration hosted a community
meeting on January 21 detailing the upcoming Boat Show. Resident concerns
were addressed, including the implementation of a third lane of traffic to enhance
traffic flow. Police officers will be instructed to maintain the third lane open to
traffic at all times with the exception of instances allowing buses to load/unload
guests, equipment and other products and services vital to the progression of the
show.
Parking Central Pay Stations - Beginning January 22, the City's Parking
Department will begin a 90-day test period for a new centralized parking payment
system. The system will allow street payment at a centralized location on Ocean
Drive, between 7 -10 Streets and at Municipal Parking Lot 5M. The system
allows users to take advantage of various traditional payment options and
incorporates credit card payments. The system is one of the parking
enhancements brought forth by suggestions from the Mayor's Blue Ribbon
Tourism Task Force Parking Sub-Committee.
Neighborhood Markets RFP - Representatives from the administration joined
the Evaluation Committee on January 22 to discuss the RFP process. Upcoming
meetings yet to be scheduled will allow those making proposals to present their
services to the Committee. Further details will be disseminated as they become
available.
Employee Appreciation Barbeque - The final event of our Customer Service
Appreciation week was this luncheon saluting employees for their hard work and
dedication was held at the 21st Street Recreational Center on Thursday, January
23 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Anchor Shops RFP - The Anchor Shops Evaluation Committee met on January
24 to hear RFP presentations. The Committee ranked the proposals, with the
City's Parking Department receiving 575 points and AAA receiving 564 points.
Voting was evenly divided as three of the members voted in favor of the City
Parking Department while three members voted in favor of AAA; and one
member designating both applicants as equally matched.
Memorial Day 2003 - Members of the administration met with representatives
from Miami-Dade County and event producer Luther Campbell on January 24 to
discuss details of proposed events for this year's Memorial Day weekend. An
internal Major Events Planning (MEP) meeting is scheduled for January 29 at 10
a.m. to review site plans.
Black History Month - An employee volunteer planning committee is
coordinating an employee luncheon on January 31 to kick off Black History
Month. The Community Relations Board is also partnering with the
administration to host a public reception taking place on Thursday, February 13
to highlighting the history and achievements of members of the African-American
community. Details regarding both events have been posted in the employee
intranet and will be updated as new information becomes available.
Staff Recruitment - I have appointed Donna Shaw to serve as the Director of
Tourism and Cultural Development beginning on February 3, 2003. An LTC has
already been sent to the Mayor and Commission outlining Ms. Shaw's
qualifications. Finalists for the Special Assistant to the City Manager position
have been identified by an internal review committee and I will meet with each of
the three finalists in the upcoming weeks. The position of Director of
Management and Budget is currently being advertised.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
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