244-2001 LTC
.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City ManaQer:
Letter to Commission No. o.2.f./Q - c:2QO!
m
November 5, 2001
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM:
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ . ~
City Manager o.rv G
WEEKLY UPDATE
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 October
29, 2001.
Veteran's Day Weekend - Final preparations are underway for the free Veteran's Day
weekend parade and concert featuring 'NSYNC and various other artists taking place
on Sunday, November 11, 2001. The Major Events Plan that will be implemented for
this event includes: enhanced security and traffic measures; the Goodwill Ambassador
program that will use City employees as well as members from community boards,
committees, and organizations; and working with representatives from the County, local
business and our residential community. Notices to residents and businesses will be
sent early this week to inform them of traffic and other issues associated with this event.
In addition, welcome brochures with important safety and other information will be
distributed to area hotels, businesses and to visitors attending the events on November
11. A press conference was held on November 1 that announced important additional
information and that the following artists will be participating in the show: Mpress, Dante
Thomas, Tito Puente Jr., Willa Ford and Deborah Cox. A final planning meeting is
scheduled for November 6 at 10:00 a.m. to finalize plans for the holiday weekend
activities and a Goodwill Ambassador training session has been scheduled for
November 8 at 1 :30 p.m. for City employees and at 6:00 p.m. for members from
community boards, committees, and organizations.
School and Home Office Products Association (SHOPA) Convention -
Representatives from the Administration met with representatives from SHOPA to
discuss and finalize plans for this conference that expects to bring between 10,000 -
12,000 participants to Miami Beach from November 14 - 16, 2001. Among the issues
discussed were the enhanced security measures that have been implemented in the
Convention Center and throughout the City. SHOPA exhibitors and personnel will begin
moving into the Convention Center on Thursday, November 8.
Normandy South Community Meeting - Representatives from the Administration met
with about 15 residents from the Normandy South community to discuss issues
affecting their area including: parking, street conditions and police related items.
Middle Beach Community Meeting - Was held on November 1 to discuss police and
burglary related issues relating to the recent wave of burglaries to affect the area.
Issues discussed included what residents should do to better prepare themselves as
well as what to look for and how to better communicate with the Police Department. On
November 2, a burglar was discovered in a home in the area and arrested.
Unfortunately, another break-in occurred in a different home later that same day. No
suspect has been arrested in that break-in.
North Shore Park and Youth Center Construction Celebration - About 30 local
community activists and members of the Oversight Committee attended the
construction celebration on November 1. The Administration is finalizing contracts now
and expects to begin construction on the youth center, tennis center, and baseball field
in January 2002.
Cultural Campus Groundbreaking - About 20 local community activists attended this
groundbreaking ceremony on October 30. This construction project is going out to bid
this week and we are looking at a potential award to be made in early 2002.
Bass Museum Board of Trustees - Met on October 30 to discuss the special
exhibition taking place at the Bass to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach. In addition,
a discussion was had regarding a 20-year celebration to honor the Christo surrounded
islands event that took place in 1983. The Trustees voted to direct staff to work with the
VCA and other groups to pursue this issue further.
Art Basel Miami Beach - Representatives from the Administration worked late
Thursday night with representatives from Art Basel to address concerns and reaffirm
our commitment relating to this event, but unfortunately you all are aware that the
organizers decided to postpone the premiere of Art Basel Miami Beach until December
5-8, 2002. All Arts Beach events that were scheduled to take place during the Art Basel
events are still taking place on Miami Beach. Sam Keller, Director of Art Basel, plans to
be here this week to continue meeting and working with the Administration on Art Basel
Miami Beach, the ongoing planning involved for next year, and to help with the finalizing
of the plans for the ArtsBeach events.
Hurricane Michelle - Representatives from the Administration met on Friday and
throughout the weekend to monitor, prepare and allocate resources for Hurricane
Michelle and its impact on Miami Beach. As a result of the storm, we experienced a 25-
30% erosion of the beach and have crews out throughout the City cleaning up the
damage. The Administration is working with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) for possible funding for the beach erosion.
Should you desire any additional information about any of these items, please feel free
to contact me.
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