LTC 045-2006 Bi-Weekly Update - January 21 - February 10, 2006MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LT¢ :il/: 045-2006 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~ ~
DATE: February 14, 2006
SUBJECT: BI-WEEKLY UPDATE---January 21- February 10, 2006
The purpose of this LTC is to provide you with an update describing some of the areas the
Administration has recently been focusing on:
Police Department- On Thursday, January 26, the Miami Beach Police Department
provided information regarding the 2005 Part I Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) for the City of
Miami Beach via LTC No. 029-2006. During calendar year 2005, Part l UCR crimes declined
by 10.89% from 2004.
On February 1st, Ms. Sarah Pouix and Aifa Alvarez received the Civilian of the Month Award.
On February 2nd, Command Staff attended the Dade County Chiefs of Police Association
Meeting where Detective Luis King received the Dade County Chief's of Police Association
Officer of the Month Award.
On February 8th, Chief De Lucca presided over the promotional ceremony for Chadie London
from Sergeant to Lieutenant and Bruce Johnson from Officer to Sergeant.
Labor Relations - Staff and I have started contract negotiations with the Fraternal Order of
Police. We have already had several meetings over the past couple of weeks, and we have
scheduled the 3rd session for February 27, 2006.
Meeting with Steve Sonenreich regarding Hurricane Season-- I met with Steve
Sonenreich of Mount Sinai Hospital regarding his request concerning the possible distribution
of the Health Facilities Authority's excess funds. I outlined my vision of the type of public
process that is necessary for the distribution of the Health Facility Authority funds.
In light of the hurricane activity of the past two seasons and that which is forecast for the next
few years, I proposed that any portion of these funds that are distributed should be used for
hazard mitigation to make our primary care health facilities including emergency rooms more
hurricane ready.
Meeting with Ron Blumberg regarding Parking at 23r" Street-- I, along with Assistant City
Manager Tim Hemstreet, met with Ron Bloomberg regarding parking on 23r~ Street. This
meeting is a follow-up to discussions held at the Finance Committee regarding the possible
action that can be taken to enhance parking in the Cultural Campus.
Meeting regarding the City's Right-of-Way Infrastructure Improvement Program --In
preparation for the scheduled ClP workshop, I met with staff and representatives from our
program managers, Hazen & Sawyer, on January 24th regarding the status of the City's Right-
of-Way Infrastructure Improvement Program.
Noise Ordinance -- Assistant City Managers Hilda Femandez, Robert Middaugh and I have
met in order to discuss the Noise Ordinance, and the enforcement issues that need to be
addressed in order to enact an effective ordinance. From an administrative point of view,
several issues were raised by the Commission as well as staff as to which is the best way to
track and term out violations. We will be meeting with community representatives in advance
of our March 8th 2nd Reading.
Meeting with Dr. Martin Karp -- On January 25, 2006, Kathie Brooks, Director of Budget
and Performance Improvement, and I met with Dr. Martin Karp regarding issues facing the
school system in Miami Beach.
Meeting regarding WiFi-- On January 26, 2006 I met with Atlantic Broadband's Chief
Executive Officer, David Keefe, and Ed Holleran, President and Chief Operating Officer, in
order to discuss the City's WiFi project.
Management Team Retreat-- On January 27, 2006, I led the Management Team Retreat
with the purpose of reinforcing our strategic planning process and revisiting the initiatives
which had been set forth for the last fiscal year. This retreat served as a means to kick-off
our budget process as we discussed the City's Key Intended Outcomes (KIOs), how each
department supports these, and where budgetary enhancements should be allocated in the
coming fiscal year.
Tourism & Cultural Development--Tourism and Cultural Development Department, along
with staff at the department and executive level, have been working hard to mitigate the
effects of multiple events occurring around our City. Following please find several projects
being worked on throughout our City:
o City of Miami Beach's Annual Cultural Grants Program for Non-Profit (501c3)
Arts Organizations and Cultural Departments within a University or College
remains open through Friday, February 3, 2006. Applications have been recently
updated and are available at mbculture.or,q.
o South Beach Wine and Food Festival began setting up February 13, 2006 in
preparation for their event which begins March 24 - 26, 2006. The event is
already sold out, and has already received major media coverage across the
nation.
o Major Events Plan (MEP) -- City staff has begun Major Event Planning efforts in
preparation for the Annual Winter Music Conference. The Conference added 3
days this year for a total of 8 days. This event takes place during Spring Break
each year and requires multi-departmental coordination and planning.
o Miami International Boat Show: Planning efforts for the Miami International
Boat Show continue. Convention Center Drive will be closed beginning February
9th for move-in and will reopen February 23r~ at 5pm. The event will run from
February 16-20, 2006.
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o Film and Print-- Warner Brothers announced the selection of Miami as the
location for the Aquaman Pilot, scheduled to air on CW, formally WB. This was a
joint effort between Miami-Dade County, City of Miami and Miami Beach Film
Offices. All jurisdictions are working with producers to secure the destination as a
permanent location for the television show if it gets picked up.
CWA Ratification Vote -- On February 1, 2006, the Communications Workers of America
(CWA) had their ratification vote for the current CWA contract. Nearly 90% of the union
membership voted "yes" on the contract, with almost 75% voter turn out.
Meetings with County Officials -- On February 1, 2006, Assistant City Manager, Hilda
Fernandez, and I met individually with County Commissioner Sally Heyman, County
Commissioner Bruno Barreiro and County Manager George Burgess regarding on-going
projects and issues in the City of Miami Beach.
New World Symphony -- I met with Howard Herring and Assistant City Manager Tim
Hemstreet regarding the building progress of the New World Symphony as well as the use
and programming of the external screen as part of the New World Symphony City Center
project.
Washington Avenue Streetscape Project-- Commissioner Gross and I met along with
several members of the Administration's staff regarding the species of tree that should be
planted as part of the Washington Avenue Streetscape Project. The ability of the trees to
endure hurricane season as well as create a shade canopy were issues of discussion.
Leadership Florida - I attended the Leadership Florida Conference in Tampa Bay, Florida
from February 2- 4, 2006, in an effort to continue fostering stronger ties throughout the
community as well as a wider network of leaders throughout the state.
ClP Dedication/Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies -- On February 7, 2006, the City held a
memorial dedication ceremony at the Rotunda across from the Bass Museum for Melvin J.
Richard. On February 8, 2006, the City held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new restrooms
located at 1401 Ocean Drive (Lummus Park).
Scott Rakow Proposed Master Plan -- I met with CIP Department and Parks and
Recreation Department staff to discuss the proposed Scoff Rakow Master Plan.
Pension Changes -- I met with staff from the Office of Budget and Performance
Improvement, Human Resources and Labor Relations the next steps necessary in order to
make the pension changes as reflected in the Pension Ordinance which will be before the
Commission for second reading at the March 8, 2006 Commission Meeting agenda.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.
JMG/dm
F:~cmgr\.$ALL~TC-06~Bi-Weekly Update weeks of 1-21-06 and 2-10-06.doc
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