LTC 97-2003CITY of MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City I anager
Letter to Commission No. -c2 4
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez ~
City Manager ~~
WEEKLY UPDATE-
Date: April 21,2003
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
April 14, 2003:
Neighborhood Leadership Academy - The Capital Improvements Projects
Office presented an overview of their responsibilities and services to academy
participants on April 14. The participant's surveys, completed at the end of each
session, will be compiled and shared with each department with a final report
presented to the Mayor and Commission.
Middle Beach Neighborhood Meeting - Representatives from the
administration and the Police Department hosted a community meeting on April
14 to address various Middle Beach neighborhood issues. Residents suggested
structural improvements, including the repair of the wall surrounding the city-
owned parking lot on 42nd Street, between Royal Palm and Prairie Avenue and
the addition of designated bike paths throughout the city. Those in attendance
expressed concerns over speeding motorists on Alton Road and emphasized the
need for traffic calming efforts to enhance public safety and quality of life.
Residents were assured that the Police Motor Squad would increase traffic
enforcement in the area, with an emphasis on Alton Road. Community members
also requested and received status updates on: the 63rd Street flyover project
and the proposed modifications to the intersection leading into Allison Island and
the Aqua development; the 42nd Street Improvement project; La Gorce and Pine
Tree Drive median project; Par 3 golf course; and Swale Maintenance Committee
developments.
Miami Beach Housing Authority - I met with the Executive Director of the
Housing Authority, Cathy Haynes, and HUD Representative Karen Cato-Turner
on April 14 to discuss issues regarding the City's Intedocal Agreement as well as
various housing programs and concerns.
Memorial Day 2003 - Members of the administration continued to meet
throughout the week with various city departments as well as local businesses,
hotels and nightclubs to ensure proper allocation of city services and personnel
during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. A meeting was held on April 15
with the Visitor and Convention Authority followed by two Major Events Planning
(MEP) internal meetings on April 16. Two meetings detailing the City's action
plan have also been scheduled for May 12, including a discussion with hotel
managers beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room and
followed by a Town Hall meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. The
administration will also be meeting with the Cultural Arts Council, Transportation
and Parking Committee, Ocean Drive Association and other community groups
throughout the upcoming weeks. Volunteer recruitment for the City's Goodwill
Ambassador Program, which is comprised of employee and community
volunteers serving as buffers or liaisons between the police and visitors, has
begun with a training session to be held on May 14.
Parks and Recreation - Members of the administration joined residents in a joint
meeting between the Parks and Recreational Facilities Advisory Board, Scott
Rakow Youth Center Advisory Board and the Golf Advisory Board on April 15 to
discuss the future use of the Par 3 golf course. Discussions centered on the
possible development of the area as playfields to be used by the Scott Rakow
Youth Center and how such a goal can be accomplished appropriately. The
boards will continue discussing the matter at their upcoming meetings and
develop a general consensus.
800 MHz Public Radio System - I, alongside members of the administration,
met with representatives from Motorola on April 15 to continue contract
negotiations for the 800 megahertz public safety radio system. The system, once
in place, will enhance communication efforts for the Police and Fire departments
among others.
Youth Initiatives - As part of "Reading is Fundamental," a nationwide program
promoting youth literacy, I joined our community's youngest residents in reading
activities. On April 15, I visited our city's library to read stories out loud to those
in attendance. On April 16, I also participated in "City Hall Takes Over Feinberg
Fisher," where I read stories out loud and distributed books to an eager crowd.
The events focused on enhancing overall reading skills while helping our youth
foster a lifelong relationship with literature.
Brown Bag Luncheon - As part of an ongoing series with the various city
departments, I had an opportunity to meet with the staff of the Parks and
Recreation Department on April 16 and held informal discussions on a multitude
of issues of internal and external concern.
Employee Leadership and Parenting Forum - In order to help employees
achieve stronger leadership and interpersonal skills, the City held Family
Development Forum on April 17. The forum, part of an innovative six-month
coaching series developed by representatives from the Human Resources
Department and the Communications Office during the '~/Vaves of Change
Customer Service Appreciation Week," provides employees with dynamic and
real life solutions to everyday work scenarios and life challenges. The Family
Development forum, which also includes a corresponding Leadership forum,
focuses on enhancing family relationships while instructing staff on how to
develop a balance between life and work responsibilities. All coaching forums
are carried out by a professional coaching instructor, with the schedule posted on
the employee intranet.
2003 Community Development Week - Members of the administration are
preparing to host the 2003 Community Development Week, commemorating the
achievements made possible by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funds, from April 21-27. The weeklong activities, celebrating Earth and Arbor
Day, civic participation and affordable housing among others, focus on inspiring
the community and achieving personal and family success. A full listing of the
week's activities is available on the city's website.
Rapid Transit Options RFQ - Representatives from the administration, in
conjunction with the Evaluation Committee, will meet on April 24 to allow those
bidding on consultant services for rapid transit options to present their services to
the Committee. The meeting, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the City Manager's Large
Conference Room, will provide an opportunity for public and vendor comments to
be heard.
Employee Volunteer Efforts - Employees, in conjunction with the City, have
enthusiastically embraced various volunteer efforts to combat diseases such as
cancer and AIDS. On April 13, employees participated in the 15th annual "AIDS
Walk," a run/walk/blade event benefiting programs and those affected by
HIV/AIDS. The event kicked off and ended at the Miami Beach Convention
Center and was denoted a success. Also showing their support for the upcoming
event "Relay for Life," a Miami Beach community event designed to celebrate
cancer survivorship and raise money for American Cancer Society research and
programs, city employees from various departments have developed innovative
fundraising efforts to supplement the event's received contributions. The
numerous departmental volunteer efforts have already garnered large financial
contributions and will continue throughout the month of April. "Relay for Life,"
comprised of 18 hours of entertainment, food, music and activities, will take place
May 3-4 at Miami Beach Senior High School. Teams of runners have also
formed to represent the City in the 2003 Corporate Run, taking place throughout
Downtown Miami on May 8. The charity event, consisting of a 3.1 mile run/walk,
is comprised of employees throughout Miami-Dade County and supports the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's fight against blood-related cancers. All
fundraising and volunteer efforts are posted daily on the employee intranet as
well as throughout City Hall.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
F:/cmgr/$alllltc-O3/weeklyupdates/Aprill 8weeklyupdate