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LTC 113-2003 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. Gonzalez r, City Manager /,/~ WEEKLY UPDATEv Date: May 12, 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 May 5, 2003: Neighborhood Leadership Academy - The Parking Department presented an overview of their responsibilities and services to academy participants on May 5. The participant's surveys, completed at the end of each session, will be compiled and shared with each department. A final report, including a summary of all three Neighborhood Leadership academies, will be presented to the Mayor and Commission. Alton Road Homeowners Association - I, alongside representatives from the administration, met with members of the Alton Road Homeowners Association on May 5 to discuss neighborhood concerns and possible solutions. 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 with the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce took place on May 6 while members of the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council and Cultural Arts Trust discussed planning details during their retreat on May 10. 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 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, continues with a training session to be held on May 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Miami Beach Convention Center Board Room C-124. The City's Office of Communications also continues article placements in news publications recruiting residents and community participants for the Goodwill Ambassador Program. The Communications Office is also coordinating a meeting with Police and Fire Department public information officers, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor Bureau and other Miami-Dade County communications staff to develop a consistent media message. An editorial meeting, encompassing the Miami Herald news editors, is also being coordinated to ensure news coverage is factual and fair while emphasizing the City's myriad of the planning efforts. Urban media outreach efforts, including Police representative appearances at radio stations such as WEDR/JAMZ, WHQT-FM/Hot 105 among others, are being coordinated to convey the City's MEP to large segments of the population. Charter Review Committee - Members of the administration hosted a public meeting on May 6 to address the renewal of the City's charter. The meeting, televised on TV20, is part of a process undertaken every 10 years where community participants review items such as district representation, election runoff time frames, mayoral term limitations and form of government questions among others. Further information, and agenda minutes, can be found on the City's internet under E-Government, Boards and Committees. The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Mid North Bay Road Homeowners Meeting Representatives from the administration and the Police Department met with residents on May 6 to address various neighborhood issues. Residents discussed traffic concerns, requesting enhanced efforts against congestion on North Bay Road during rush hours and vehicular infractions such as speeding and running of stop signs. Those in attendance were assured by city representatives that the Police Motor Squad would augment their focus and enforcement of the area. Community members also discussed issues created by construction projects, focusing on recent burglaries of area homes under construction, illegal parking by construction workers and a volume increase of lunch trucks in the neighborhood. As a result, community bulletins have been distributed to Police units patrolling the area while detectives monitor construction sites. The City's Code Enforcement Department will also monitor the area for illegal lunch truck vending. "Beach Bails" Outdoor Exhibit - Members of the community joined representatives from the City's Art in Public Places program to celebrate the launching of the "Beach Balls" outdoor sculpture exhibit on May 6. The program, consisting of larger-than-life beach balls artistically designed to represent Florida lifestyles and landmarks, promotes tourism and local artistry and follows the successful "Flamingos in Paradise" exhibit. The exhibition runs through the summer of 2004 and was spotlighted in this Sunday's Miami Herald Beach Neighbors. Sidewalk Cafes - Members of the administration hosted a community discussion on May 7 to address permitting issues pertinent to sidewalk cafes along Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road. The meeting provided residents and business owners with a forum to express their concerns while receiving feedback from members of the administration. Municipal Clerk's Week - As part of a nationwide celebration honoring the valuable job performed by the city clerks, the City held a "mock" Commission meeting on May 7. Students from Feinberg Fisher, selected through the Youth Empowerment Network (YEN), experienced firsthand the job performed by the Mayor, members of the Commission, the City Manager, Police and Fire Chiefs and City Clerk while spending time with their adult counterpart. Venetian Islands Homeowners Meeting Representatives from the administration and the Police Department met with residents on May 7 to address various neighborhood issues. Residents discussed crime prevention tips and the expressed concern over recent burglaries to homes under construction. Enhanced efforts against speeding and the implementation of the "Amber Alert" law were also addressed. Quality of Life Task Force - Representatives of the administration, joined by members of the community, met on May 8 to discuss various quality of life issues impacting the city. Discussions focused on enhancing the City's Noise Ordinance and how to better enforce its reach. Miami Design Preservation League Awards - I, alongside Assistant City Manager Christina Cuervo and Film and Print Coordinator Maggie Fernandez were recognized by the Miami Design Preservation League on May 8 for this year's successful efforts on behalf of Art Deco Weekend. Mayor Dermer was also recognized for his valuable support of the event, receiving the prestigious "Chairman Award." Corporate Run - Employee teams represented 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, was comprised of employees throughout Miami- Dade County and supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's fight against blood-related cancers. Police Memorial Service - The City's Police Department and members of the administration joined the community on May 8 in honoring the seven Miami Beach Police Officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The annual service is part of a countywide tribute and recognizes our fallen officers dating back to 1928. Leadership Initiatives - As part of my list of annual priorities aimed at enhancing organizational efficiencies through the empowerment and education of our employees and managers, the Leadership Team met on May 9 for a half day session. The Team, comprised of Executive Staff and Department Directors, focused on reviewing achieved goals and designating areas yet to be enhanced throughout the remainder of the fiscal year as well as engage in strategic planning for the next year and beyond in order to achieve our five-year vision. Public Works Week Celebration - Member of the administration and the Public Works Department are preparing to host the Public Works Week Celebration, commemorating the valued job performed by Public Works employees nationwide. Event itinerary and details for the weeklong celebration, taking place from May 18-24, will be posted in the employee intranet as information becomes available. America's Best and World's Best Beach 2003 - The popular Travel Channel, part of the Discovery cable television entertainment chain, has once again named South Beach to its annual "America's Best Beach" and World's Best Beach" lists; following the same tribute in 2002, 2001 and 2000. Receiving high marks on criteria such as child-friendliness, water and sand quality, atmosphere and non-beach related activities, our beach received a soaring rating in atmosphere, denoting our unique mix of entertainment, venue variety, and historic Art Deco district beauty. The programs are now in heavy episode rotation as well as center stage on the website, as the Travel Channel celebrates "Beach Week." If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact me. JMG/ri/jl F:/cmgr/$all/Itc-O3/weeklyupdates/May9weeklyupdate