LTC 71-2003CITY of MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Mana _/.er_
Letter to Commission No.
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: March 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 week of
March 17, 2003:
Emergency Preparedness - In response to the increase in the terror alert level
on March 17, I, alongside members of the administration, have been meeting
throughout the week to continue working on the City's Emergency Preparedness
& Recovery Plans. Staff leads for the Operations, Logistics, Administration,
Information and Planning, Police, and Fire functional areas will continue to meet
to regularly update the City's plan, ensuring the City is prepared to respond
proactively in any emergency situation. A notice to residents, businesses and
visitors was sent out March 21, reassuring all that the City is vigorously working
with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure that a
concentrated citywide effort is underway which promotes maximum safety efforts
while ensuring the continuity of government services to our community during
any time of crisis. The notice has also been posted on the internet and employee
intranet, with links to external websites containing additional information.
Winter Music Conference 2003 - Implementing our Major Events Plan (MEP),
the City is successfully hosting the Winter Music Conference, with a multitude of
events planned throughout the city. With an estimated total attendance of
13,000, the Conference boasts 229 showcases within the City, over 30
participating hotels and an approximate total weekly economic impact ranging
between $14 - $16.1 million. The Conference is scheduled from March 17-24.
131 Alton Road Property - Members of the administration met with the property
developer on March 17 to discuss the results of the community meeting held on
March 13 and to negotiate pre-approved uses for the property known as "The
Courts," located at 131 Alton Road. During the March 13 meeting, members of
the community indicated that in the absence of the expansion of the existing
South Shore Library Branch, they would prefer the property be purchased for the
exclusive use of relocating and expanding the South Shore Branch. Those
present did not support an option of sharing the space between the Library
System and other public purposes, but instead recommended that if the City
were to contemplate a shared use, then it would be preferable for the City to
lease or sell the space to a third party for profit. A schematic plan for the library
expansion utilizing the 5,000 square foot space has been prepared which
envisions more space for a computer facility, an expanded book collection, and a
children's area for story-reading programs.
Traffic Ticket Surcharge - I met with the County Manager Steve Shiver and
various City Managers from the cities of Pinecrest, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Miami
and others on March 18 to discuss possible uses and implementations of the
County's traffic ticket sumharge fee.
Charter Review Committee - Members of the administration, joined by
members of the public, addressed renewal of the City's charter on March 18.
The process, undertaken every 10 years, is reviewing items including district
representation, election runoff time frames and form of government questions
among others. The next meeting is scheduled for April 9, at 5:30 p.m., in the
Mayor's Conference Room.
Special Events - Members of the administration are working with various event
producers, facilitating the coordination of a multitude of events throughout the
month of March. Meetings have also been held with hotels, nightlife industry,
area residents and businesses to ensure that the City's resources are properly
allocated and planning information is disseminated. On the horizon is: Fashion
Week of the Americas taking place at the Roney Palace, from March 19-22; and
the Miami Beach Sports and Fitness Festival taking place on Ocean Drive, from
5th to 15th Streets, from March 27-30 with an estimated attendance of 20,000.
Major Events Plan (MEP) - In accordance with the City's Major Events Plan
(MEP), representatives from the administration met throughout the week to
continue planning and coordinating city services for all of the upcoming events.
The MEP, consisting of various phases of citywide planning and logistical
implementation, attempts to ensure that all city services are enhanced and
members of the community are adequately informed. Events for which the City
will be implementing its MEP are: the Miami Beach Fitness Festival; Dance Star
USA Awards; and Memorial Day weekend.
Memorial Day 2003 - Members of the administration continued to meet with the
Police Department and other city departments throughout the week to ensure
proper allocation of city services and personnel during the upcoming Memorial
Day weekend. On March 11, in response to the City's request for enhanced
County staff for the holiday weekend, the Board of County Commissioners
approved a resolution for the County to provide in-kind services estimated at a
cost of $335,522.40 for Memorial Day Weekend 2003. I will continue to discuss
issues of mutual concern with County Manager Steve Shiver to further clarify
details.
Filming in Miami Beach - Representatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. MTV "Spring Break
Weekend," filming from March 12-15 at the Surfcomber and Ritz Carlton Hotels,
proceeded successfully and without incident. Several productions are scheduled
to film throughout March, including: "Stuck on You" starring Matt Damon, Greg
Kinnear and Cher among others, scheduled to shoot at Club Zno from March 25-
27; "CSl:Miami" returned for four weeks of filming; and "Dance Star USA
Awards," airing on FOX, will film on Ocean Drive on March 19. An ABC
television pilot titled "Karen Sisco," based on the feature film "Out of Sight," will
also be filming from March 17 - April 2 with locations throughout Miami Beach.
City's Birthday Celebrations - Staff members continue coordinating a variety of
events to commemorate the city's 88th birthday, spanning the month of March.
Scheduled events include: a pictorial exhibition in the Fourth Floor Gallery tracing
the history of our city which kicked off from March 10 - April 10; the launching of
the City's newly designed website which took place on March 1; and a ribbon-
cutting ceremony for the City's Answer Center, scheduled for March 26 at 11:30
a.m. The City's new Answer Center, aimed at streamlining and enhancing
customer service, will serve as a central location for public information
dissemination. Other commemorative events yet to be finalized are also in the
planning phase for the March 26 birthday celebration.
Women's History Month - In commemoration of Women's History Month, the
City will be holding events throughout the month of March highlighting the history
and achievements of women. Christina Cuervo, Assistant City Manager, was
honored on March 19 with the distinguished "In the Company of Women" award
celebrating her leadership skills, positive example as a role model and vast
contributions to our community. Also honored were Miami Beach residents
Liliam M. Lopez, President of the South Beach Chamber of Commerce and
Roymi Membiela, the City's Community Relations Board appointee and the newly
elected chairwoman. The City's Commission on the Status of Women will also
observe the month-long celebration by hosting a reception honoring Miami Beach
women community activists on Monday, March 31, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Jackie Gleason Theater. Honorees include Judith Berson-Levinson, Sheila
Duffy-Lehrman, Ana Kasdin, and Phoebe Morse.
Venetian Islands Community Design Workshop Members of the
administration hosted a community design workshop on March 20, allowing
members of the community to review funded plans for the Venetian Islands which
include the Rivo Alto, Di Lido and San Marino Islands. Funding and planned
improvements were presented by Edwards and Kelsey, the new Architecture and
Engineering firm. Residents engaged in a discussion about a lack of stormwater
funding, but expressed a general consensus on streetscape enhancements and
enthusiasm for the project to commence. Also addressed was the subject of
undergrounding of utilities which residents were advised was a separate initiative
pursued by the various Homeowners Associations. It was generally agreed
however, that this effort should not stop the Capital Improvement Project from
moving forward. Pending neighborhood endorsement, the Architect and
Engineering firm will begin preparing the Venetian Islands Board of Design
Review (BODR).
Belle Isle Community Design Workshop - Members of the administration
continue preparing to host a community design workshop on March 25 at the
Costa Brava Condominium, 11 Island Avenue, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The
meeting, including participation from the project consultants, will allow members
of the community to review funded plans for the Belle Isle area.
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, is preparing to start its third
class offering on March 31. Each week, various departments present to the
academy an overview of their responsibilities and services provided. The City
Manager's Office will kick off the presentations. The participant's surveys,
completed at the end of each session, will be compiled and shared with each
department that presented as well as with the Mayor and Commission.
Council of Excellence in Government - Upon their request, I met with "The
Council for Excellence in Government" on March 11 to discuss leadership
development within government entities. The Council, comprised of 25 senior
level employees of the U.S. federal government from departments including the
Departments of Education, State, NASA, Social Security Administration, Army,
Air Force, CIA, EPA and Administration of Children, Youth & Families, visit
leading private, not-for-profit and government organizations to meet with leaders
who share their insights on achieving high performance. I was given the honor of
being the only municipal government administrator in the country selected this
year to take part in this study; and the third consecutive year which I have been
made part of the process
Baynanza Park Clean-Up - Members of the administration, in conjunction with
Miami-Dade County, are coordinating a volunteer clean-up effort at Miami
Beach's North Shore Open Space Park on April 5. Among the scheduled tasks
are removal of exotic plants and planting of native trees and plants.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
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