LTC 29-2003CITY 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. Gonzaleztt
City Manager
WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: January 31, 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 week of
January 27, 2003:
Bay Link Commission Workshop - Representatives from the administration
held a Commission Workshop on January 27 to explore the possible
implementation of a Bay Link system throughout the City. The City is now
awaiting conceptualized views and diagrams from Miami-Dade County depicting
what Alton Road and Washington Avenue would look like if the Baylink system
was accepted and expects to receive them before the February 5 Commission
discussion.
Mayor on the Move Middle Beach Community Meeting - Representatives
from the administration and the Police Department met with residents on January
27 to address various neighborhood issues. Residents discussed the positives
and negatives of implementing a Baylink system throughout the city. They also
expressed concerns over a broken wall at the 42nd Street Parking Lot near the
corner of Prairie Avenue and were advised that the Property Management
Department would be dispatched to make repairs. Residents also made a
request to have traffic on Alton Road be routed in other directions besides south
during special events but were informed that traffic was directed in such a
manner because it was the most direct and efficient route to the Convention
Center. Those in attendance also expressed gratitude for the City's efforts during
the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Miami Beach Housing Authority - I met with the newly appointed Executive
Director of the Housing Authority, Cathy Haynes, on January 28 to discuss
issues regarding the City's Interlocal Agreement as well as various housing
programs and concerns.
North Shore Community Design Workshop - Members of the administration
met with residents on January 28 for the third and final North Shore
Neighborhood Community Design Workshop (CDW). Resident consensus for
the planned and funded improvements was enthusiastic. The Corradino Group,
the A/E firm for this area, will now prepare the Master Plan (Basis of Design
Report) for presentation to the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee and the City
Commission.
Alaska Property - Representatives from the Administration and
Attorney's Office attended an Alaska Parcel mediation on January 29.
information will be disseminated as it becomes available.
the City
Further
Filming in Miami Beach - Representatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. Staff met with the NBC
television producer of a reality-based series titled "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 held a large casting call
at the Sheraton Four Pointes Hotel at 43rd Street and Collins Avenue on Miami
Beach on Thursday, January 30. "The Entertainment Incubator's Short Film
Showcase," a competition for local filmmakers, is scheduled to take place this
Saturday, February 1 at the Roney Palace. Coming next week to South Beach,
is Oxygen Network's "Girls Behaving Badly" followed by The Learning Channel's
hit decorating show "Trading Spaces" in early February.
Miami Beach Golf Club - World renowned magazine "National Geographic"
filmed a news segment on January 30 at the Miami Beach Golf Club, focusing on
the innovative and environmentally-friendly grass used on our golf course. Air
date is yet to be determined.
Black History Month - An employee celebration luncheon, commemorating
Black History Month, was held on January 31. The festivities, arranged by an
employee volunteer planning committee, were part of a nationwide tribute
highlighting the history and achievements of members of the African-American
community. The Community Relations Board is partnering with the
administration to host a public reception taking place on Thursday, February 25.
Various pieces of art, depicting Afro-Caribbean art forms, will be on display
throughout the fourth floor for the month of February. Details regarding
upcoming events have been posted in the employee intranet and will be updated
as new information becomes available.
West Avenue Building Implosion - Members of the administration continued to
meet with Police and Fire Department personnel and representatives from the
Charles E. Smith Company to finalize logistical details for the building implosion
taking place this Sunday, February 2 at 4:00 p.m. The implosion will require West
Avenue, from 10 - 13 Street, be closed down to vehicular and pedestrian traffic
for 2 hours prior and 1% hours after the planned 4:00 p.m. implosion. A nine-
story vacant apartment building located on the east side of West Avenue,
between 11-12 Street, will be taken down to clear the way for the future
development of a new parking facility that has already received Design Review
Board approval.
Miami Tropical Marathon - Members of the administration continued to work
closely with the neighborhoods and businesses most closely affected by the path
of the 26.2-mile marathon, ensuring all city departments and services are
prepared for the event. The race is taking place this Sunday, February 2,
beginning at 6:00 a.m., with approximately 5,000 participants expected to race.
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.
Internet Domain Name Change - To ease searching, accessing and e-mailing
of the City's internet website, and to remain consistent with governmental internet
naming protocols, the City requested an internet domain name change from the
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The request has been granted
and, beginning February 3, the City's new permanent internet domain name will
be miamibeachfl.gov. The change to the email and internet extension,
previously ci.miami-beach.fl.us, will require stationary, business cards and
letterheads to be updated while changing the extension to all city staff email
addresses. The Information Technology Department will oversee the email
address change process, ensuring that messages continue to be received. An
LTC has already been sent to each of you with further details.
Neighborhood Markets RFP - Representatives from the administration, in
conjunction with the Evaluation Committee, have scheduled meetings which
allow those making proposals to present their services to the Committee. The
meetings, currently in the process of being scheduled, will also provide an
opportunity for public and vendor comments to be heard.
Marseille Drive Streetscape Project - The North Beach streetscape project now
under construction, with the installation of the water main now in progress, will
significantly improve drainage and beautification elements throughout the area.
Completion date is estimated at 180 days.
South Pointe Phase II Neighborhood Streetscape - Members of the
administration toured the South Pointe neighborhood throughout the week as
planning efforts are scheduled to begin for this area. At the request of area
residents, staff and the consultants walked the South Pointe area to note any
issues of concern and identify areas of specific need. The first Community
Design Workshop (CDW) for this phase of the South Pointe Project is scheduled
for the evening of March 4, at a location to be determined.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
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