203-2001 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.----e:020.3 - /J00 (
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September 4, 2001
TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM:
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ - ~
City Manager 0 ~ a
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE
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 weeks of
August 20 and 27, 2001.
Source Awards Weekend - All weekend events associated with The Source
Hip Hop Music Awards 2001, and the Awards Show taping at the Jackie Gleason
Theater of Performing Arts on Monday, August 20 were successful and with no
major reported incidents. Our colleagues from Miami-Dade County Police, Fire
and Community Relations provided mutual aid throughout the weekend. In
addition, the Administration, the County and the U.S. Department of Justice
coordinated the Goodwill Ambassador Program which deployed over 100
Goodwill Ambassadors throughout the City's Entertainment District over the
course of the weekend. Numerous positive media (print and television) stories
regarding the City's Major Events Plan resulted from the City's efforts. A
complete press clip report is being compiled and will be shared with the
Commission.
Raymond Scott - Subsequent to the successful conclusion of the Source
Awards Show and unrelated to that event, Mr. Raymond Scott, a co-owner of the
Source Magazine, was arrested on August 21 for an incident resulting from a
traffic violation in the 8600 block of Harding Avenue. Mr. Scott was clocked at 64
miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. This traffic violation occurred on a
road where the City has increased traffic enforcement as a result of two
pedestrian fatalities within the past few months. Mr. Scott was charged with
reckless driving, resisting arrest without violence, battery on a law enforcement
officer, resisting arrest with violence, driving without a drivers license, driving
without a license as a habitual traffic offender, possession of a fraudulent license,
possession of marijuana, and threats to a public servant. Subsequent to the
arrest, Mr. David Mays, Publisher and CEO of the Source Magazine, contacted
several representatives from the Administration, including the Police Department,
and the Commission and made repeated requests for the charges to be dropped
alleging that Mr. Scott was a target of racial profiling and police brutality. Mr.
Mays was advised to request for an investigation by either the Police
Department's Internal Affairs division or the State Attorney's Office. On Tuesday,
August 28, the Police Department began an Internal Affairs investigation into the
allegations that Mr. Scott was beaten even though no formal request had been
filed. On Saturday, September 1, representatives from the Source Magazine
worked with representatives from Model City Administering Board to hold a
community forum from 1 :00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Four Points in
Miami Beach to discuss these issues. There were 5 people who attended this
forum over the course of the afternoon.
Bond Ratings - Annual fiscal update meetings were held with Moodys, Fitch and
Standard & Poors in New York City from August 22 - 24. Mayor Kasdin,
Commissioners Cruz and Smith, and representatives from the Administration
participated. We are optimistic about an increased rating from Standard & Poors
from our current A to an A+, which would bring it in line with our A1 rating from
Moodys. During each of our meetings we discussed what they felt we needed to
demonstrate to move to a higher rating (AA) and we will continue to pursue these
items. Responses to questions and copies of the final Operating and Capital
Budgets, and updates of the Capital Improvement Plan and Five Year Operating
Budget will be provided during September following approval.
Loews Hotel - Representatives from the Administration met with Jack Adler,
COO, and Vince Dunleavy, CFO, of Loews Corporation in New York City for an
annual review of financial results. Additional discussions included: Loews' plan
to refinance the hotel and use excess cash earnings to reduce the principal by
$15 million (the portion guaranteed by Loews Corp.). As a result, the City stands
to increase its share of profits in future years (from both lower principal and
interest resulting from the Loews refinance) it is most likely that we will receive $0
profit sharing from 2001. Also, an update on the Georgian noise issues and a
discussion of funding sources should there be a decision to assist the owners
with replacement was given.
Beach Concessions - Representatives from the Administration continued
negotiations with representatives from Boucher Brothers in an attempt to finalize
an agreement to be presented to the City Commission.
Collins Avenue - Work on the City's watermain project is expected to be
completed by the end of this week. Miller Construction has finished their leak
sealing which has been a success. Central Florida Construction is in the process
of beginning to install the service laterals. Representatives from the
Administration continue to meet weekly with representatives from each hotel on
Collins to update them on the status of construction.
Sunset Island I and II - Representatives from the Administration have been in
conversations with residents regarding the new design for the entry kiosk. A
draft design will be available next week and the Administration will work with the
residents to ensure that they approve of the design and location.
Tennis Center - The Administration has received 11 RFP's for the Flamingo and
North Shore Park Tennis Center's and will begin the process of identifying and
selecting members to serve on the evaluation committee.
Police Department Executive Development Process - The Administration is
continuing to work with Cross Consulting to assess the City's Police Department
Command Staff and Executive Development process in order to identify the next
Chief of Police and appropriate subsequent appointments to the Command Staff
due to potential promotions and retirements.
Finance and Citywide Projects Committee - The Finance Committee met on
August 30 and recommended that the proposed incentives for the Production
Industry be forwarded to the full Commission for approval.
Employee Brown Bag Lunches with the City Manager - In an effort to better
communicate with City employees, the City Manager along with other
representatives from the Administration continued to hold dialogues over lunch
with City employees in an effort to get to know each other better and understand
mutual concerns. On Friday, August 31, we met with employees of the Human
Resources Department.
Should you desire any additional information about any of these items, please
feel free to contact me.
JMG:RI
F :/cmgr/$all/ltc-O 1 /weekupd .August31