LTC 148-2003
CITY of MIAMI BEACH "....
Office of the City Manager ~
Letter to Commission No. If'-I? -- '2Ao3
FROM:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez '.A~
City Manager U'fr 0
WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: June 27, 2003
TO:
SUBJECT:
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
June 23, 2003:
Neighborhood Leadership Academy - The Tourism and Cultural Development
Department, alongside the Economic Development Department, presented an
overview of their responsibilities and services to academy participants during the
Academy's final week of presentations on June 23. The participants' 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.
Fourth of July Celebration - Members of the administration continue planning
for the City's annual Fourth of July celebration, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on
the nnd Street Beach, behind the Band Shell. The free event will be headlined
by world renowned trumpet player Arturo Sandoval and will include a
naturalization ceremony and a fireworks display over the ocean. Additional
celebratory efforts, commemorating the City's receipt of the prestigious AII-
America City Award, are also being incorporated into the event as well as
planned individually for a later date. The Office of Communications has begun
media outreach efforts, disseminating press releases, calendar placements and
event flyers to generate media interest. Further information on the
transportation, parking and security plans, as well as copies of the English and
Spanish versions of the flyer, are posted on the City's intranet and internet.
Major Events Plan (MEP) - As part of 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. Among the events for which the City will be
implementing its MEP are the City's Fourth of July Celebration, NAACP
Conference and the Billboard Hip Hop Awards scheduled for August 9 at the
Jackie Gleason Theater.
South Beach Neighborhood Meeting - Representatives from the administration
and the Police Department met with residents on June 23 to address various
South Beach neighborhood issues. Residents expressed concerns over police
efforts in the area, requesting information on crime prevention and protection
initiatives currently underway and stronger enforcement of vagrancy violations.
Those in attendance were assured that the Police Department will compile area
statistics and disseminate information on projects such as "Project Clean
Sweep," which was initiated as a direct result of a previous neighborhood
meeting request. Community members were also informed of the new
panhandling ordinance and its enforcement details. Residents also raised
questions over the development of the Alaska Parcels, located in the South
Pointe area, and were reminded of the upcoming community design workshops
on July 1 and 15 seeking community input.
Pine Tree/La Gorce Homeowners Association Members of the
administration, alongside representatives from the Police Department, joined
residents on June 23 to disscuss various neighborhood issues. Those in
attendance were assured of police diligence in the area, and received comments
to traffic and quality of life concerns.
Parks and Recreation - Members of the administration and the Parks and
Recreation Department hosted a special meeting of the Parks and Recreational
Facilities Advisory Board on June 23 to discuss new tennis fees and available
scholarships. In order to remain consistent and competitive with the South
Florida Parks program market, members of the Board voted to increase fees.
Members also agreed to establish need-based scholarships covering 75% of
fees, with applicants evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A report, detailing the
recommendations, will be provided to the Commission in the near future.
Anti-Smoking Ordinance - Members of the Administration attended a
workshop on June 24 to discuss the impact of the new anti-smoking ordinance
on local businesses. The public forum, sponsored by the Hotel Association of
Greater Miami and the Beaches was held in conjunction with representatives
from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco detailed the implementation of Amendment 6
to the State Constitution and subsequent amendments to the Florida Clean Air
Act.
Convention Center Budget - Members of the administration, joined by
representatives from the Convention Center Advisory Board and the Convention
Center Capital Projects Oversight Committee met on June 24 to discuss and
approve the Miami Beach Convention Center's capital budget for the 2003-2004
fiscal year.
Modes of Rapid Transit Options - The city's consultant, HDR Engineering, Inc.,
hosted a follow-up public information workshop on June 25 which provided an
overview of the transit evaluations currently underway. The workshop,
discussing modes of rapid transit options, provided an opportunity to review
evaluations and results from a recent Modes of Transit study while affording the
public with a forum to express their perspective and receive answers to their
,
concerns. The consultant also expounded on the benefits of using a streetcar
transit mode, highlighting its unobtrusive and small design as considerable
advantages. HDR Engineering will also participate in a special meeting of the
Planning Board on July 8, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers,
to discuss the evaluation report with members of the Committee. A special
Commission meeting, presenting the draft report, has also been scheduled for
July 10, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
Neighborhood Markets RFP - Representatives from the administration, in
conjunction with the Evaluation Committee, scheduled their first Lincoln Road
Antiques and Collectibles Market meeting on June 25 to allow those bidding for
the management and operation of street markets to present their services to the
Committee. Additional vendor presentations will be heard at the next meeting,
taking place on July 22, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the City Manager's Large
Conference Room.
Customer Service Initiatives - Members of the administration, in conjunction
with the Neighborhood Services Department, held a customer service training
session on June 26. The session, conducted by international speaker and
television host Dee Sanford, afforded employees with realistic tips on providing
superior external and internal customer service.
Employee Leadership and Parenting Forum - In order to help employees
achieve stronger leadership and interpersonal skills, the City held Family
Development Forum on June 26. The forum, part of an innovative six-month
coaching series developed by representatives from the Human Resources
Department and the Communications Office during the "Waves 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.
Valet Ordinance - Representatives from the administration and the Parking
Department hosted a meeting on June 26 to address proposed amendments to
the City's Valet Ordinance. Topics of discussion included the implementation of
the Commission's previous recommendations.
Five-Year Consolidated Plan Public Hearing - Members of the administration
hosted a public hearing on June 26 to discuss the City's five-year Consolidated
Plan for the fiscal year 2003-2007. The meeting afforded members of the
community with an opportunity to present their perspective, with applicable
comments to be included in the final report presented to the Commission on July
30. The 30-day comment period, welcoming resident suggestions, concludes on
July 11.
Alaska Parcel - Members of the administration are preparing to host a
community design workshop on July 1, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission
,
Chambers, to discuss proposals to resolve South Pointe area litigation through
the proposed expansion of public land and Baywalk adjacent to South Pointe
Park and development of the Goodman, Hinson and Alaska Parcels. Several
plans, brought forth by architect Alex Cooper of the firm Cooper, Robertson and
Partners, will be evaluated for the general area bounded by Biscayne Bay, First
Street, Ocean Drive and Government Cut. A second community meeting has
also been scheduled for July 15, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers. A full schedule of ads, placed in various Miami Herald Beach
Neighbors editions, have been placed to notify the community.
Outdoor Entertainment - Members of the administration continue preparing to
participate in a City Commission Workshop on Monday, July 7, beginning at 2:00
p.m. in the Commission Chambers, to address community concerns and
comments regarding the proposed hotel and outdoor entertainment ordinance.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
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