LTC 230-2003
or
CITY of MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. 2~LJ--VP3
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TO: Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez ".r ~
City Manager G
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: September 26, 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
September 22, 2003:
International City and County Manager's Association Conference (ICMA) -
I attended the ICMA Annual Conference in Charlotte from September 22-25. The
Conference focused on bringing together leaders from diverse communities to
discuss issues of mutual concern. Educational sessions, keynote speakers,
workshops, and special events were offered to assist in addressing the multiple
challenges and opportunities facing communities on a daily basis.
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, started its new semester on
September 22. Each week, various departments present to the academy an
overview of their responsibilities and services provided. The Planning
Department kicked off the presentations this week. For a full listing of class
dates and presenting departments, visit the City's website under Residents,
Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Leadership Academy.
Major Events Plan (MEP) - As part of the City's Major Events Plan (MEP),
representatives from the administration met to continue planning and
coordinating city services for 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 taking place throughout the next several
weeks for which the City will be implementing its MEP are: the Columbus Day
holiday weekend; MTV Latin Music Video Awards on October 23; and the Maimi
Herald Hunt on October 26 which will take place throughout the City. The MEP
was successfully implemented for the MTV2 $2 Bill Concert, featuring DMX,
Ludicris and Method Man on September 22 at the Jackie Gleason Theater.
FT AA Major Events Plan - Members of the administration, alongside public
safety representatives, continued to meet throughout the week to plan for the
upcoming FTAA Conference, taking place November 17-21, 2003. The Police
Department will be implementing alpha/bravo staffing during that week, with a
contingency traffic plan to be implemented should the need arise. Updated
FT AA news briefs are being disseminated on an ongoing basis, with daily
briefings provided at City committee and business district meetings. The
Tourism and Cultural Development Department is coordinating a meeting with
hotel managers and security staff on October 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Convention
Center to discuss overall preparations and area impact. In addition, I plan to
update each of you separately at meetings scheduled next week.
Filming in Miami Beach - Representatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. Several productions,
concluded their filming schedule throughout the month of September including: a
music video shoot featuring hip-hop superstar Busta Rhymes and Latin music
artist Mia; ABC Television's "Prime Time Mondays" segment filmed on
September 26 from Ocean Drive and scheduled to air September 29; MTV's
reality dating show "Dismissed," with Miami Beach segments scheduled to air in
October; Univision's commercial shoot for the "Doritos" contest giveaway,
featuring four Volkswagen Beetle's on our beach; ABC Television's "Karen
Sisco," based on the feature film "Out of Sight," filmed throughout the City and
will be premiering October 1 at 10:00 p.m. FX's hit show "NipfTuck," set in South
Beach, has also been picked up for a second season, with production of 15 new
episodes scheduled to begin early next year.
North Beach MiMo Architecture MultimedialWeb Design Competition - In an
effort to enhance promotion and information dissemination efforts in North
Beach, the City sponsored a multimedia presentation/web design competition on
September 22. Students from various design and art schools and similar
programs were encouraged to produce and submit creative and cutting edge
multimedia presentations which best educated the public on the North Beach
area and its renowned Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture.
Collins Avenue Resurfacing Project - Members of the administration held a
community project information meeting on September 24 to discuss the
commencement of the final phase of the Collins Avenue Resurfacing Project.
The meeting included updates on resurfacing, signalization, traffic lights and
lighting improvements on Collins Avenue between 5th and 15th Street.
Information letters were sent to area residents and businesses impacted by the
project prior to the meeting date.
Community Policing - Members of the administration, alongside representatives
from the Police Department, met on September 26 to continue discussing
community policing in Miami Beach.
Employee Recognition - As a way of thanking all staff for their hard work
throughout this past fiscal year, a "New Fiscal Year's Eve" celebration will be
held on September 30, beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the First floor entrance of City
Hall. Employees will receive complimentary ice cream from Ben and Jerry's.
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Noise Enforcement Workshop - Members of the administration are
coordinating a community workshop detailing the City's noise enforcement policy.
The workshop will take place on October 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers, and will afford the public an opportunity to voice their opinion.
Leadership Initiatives - As part of my list of annual priorities aimed at enhancing
organizational efficiencies through the empowerment and education of ourstaff, a
"Laws of Teamwork" training session is scheduled for October 2, beginning at
10:00 a.m. at the Miami Beach Convention Center's Hall C, Room 225-226. The
session will focus on team building and developing effective practices.
Arts and Cultural Facilities Workshop - Members of the administration are
preparing to host a workshop with arts organizations throughout the city to
discuss ways to enhance the arts and cultural activities; specifically addressing
operating needs as well as the service capabilities of the city's existing facilities.
The workshop is scheduled for October 7 at 9:00 a.m. at the Botanical Garden.
An LTC providing additional information will be sent to each of you shortly.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - An employee volunteer planning
committee continues to coordinate an employee luncheon commemorating
Hispanic Heritage Month. The luncheon will take place on October 10 and is part
of a nationwide tribute highlighting the history and achievements of the Hispanic
community. In addition, the City's Hispanic Affairs Committee, in partnership with
the City, will be hosting a reception and celebration of Hispanic Heritage on
Monday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the 4th Floor Gallery. Three awards will be
given to worthy recipients who have made positive contributions to the Miami
Beach Hispanic community.
Historic Preservation Designation - Members of the Historic Preservation
Board will host a special meeting to discuss possible historic designation of the
Flamingo Waterway area. The meeting, scheduled for October 22 at 6:00 p.m. in
the Commission Chambers, would empower the Planning Department to prepare
a Preliminary Evaluation and Recommendation Report on the area in question.
2003 Elections - Members of the administration have been working in
conjunction with Miami-Dade County Elections staff to coordinate and train
personnel for the upcoming 2003 elections. Elections staff will be on hand in the
First Floor Conference Room on October 27-29 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m.,
October 30-31 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and November 1 from 9 a.m. to 7:00
p.m., to assist in the early voting process. Election Day is November 4, with
polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
F:/cmgr/$all/ltc-03/weeklyupdates/Septmber 26 Weekly Update