LTC 204-2002
. . if'
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. ~O4-- )..00 ~
m
From:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ ~
City Manager 0 - U
SANITATION DIRECTOR
Date: August 28, 2002
To:
Subject:
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to inform you of a recent appointment I have
made in the Administration.
Alberto (AI) Zamora has been appointed as Director of the Sanitation Division in the Public
Works Department. AI has served as the Interim Sanitation Director since September of
2001. During these ten months, AI has done an outstanding job in taking charge of the
Division and in improving its performance and customer service. He planned and
successfully supported the sanitation challenge during major events such as the Source
Music Awards, the N'SYNC Veteran's Day Concert and the 2002 Memorial Day Weekend.
He has also fully implemented and improved the performance of the South Beach Service
Team, which provides an enhanced level of sanitation services to the South Beach
business district.
AI has been with the City for four years. Previous to being the Interim Director, AI served
as the Sanitation Assistant Director. Prior to joining the City of Miami Beach, he spent over
15 years in the solid waste private industry working as a site manager and operations
manager for large national companies.
As part of his selection process, three Sanitation employee focus groups were conducted
to assess the Sanitation Division needs and challenges, as well as determine the qualities
the new director should have. In general, most employees were of the opinion that the
Division is performing much better under AI Zamora's leadership and would support his
permanent appointment as the Sanitation Director. In addition to being supportive of AI as
the permanent director, the focus groups also identified a series of department issues upon
which AI will be able to focus attention.
Please join me in congratulating AI in his position. I am sure you will find him to be very
professional and successful in continuing our customer service initiatives. I have attached
a copy of his resume and a summary of comments from the employee focus groups.
ShO~ld ou have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
JMG \ ~Ch
Atta ments
F:\WORK\$ALLIO Lucy\L TClltc re 81 zamora appointment.doc
C: Robert C. Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Fred H. Beckmann, Director of Public Works
Sanitation Division Employees
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. .
SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FROM SANITATION DIVISION
FOCUS GROUPS
Three focus group meetings were held on July and July 26, 2002.
o Division is more flexible, more open communication, Director accessible
o People below AI don't know their jobs
o No easy transition... see more professionalism... more accurate evaluations...
happier Division... more efficient.
o We didn't get evaluations for six years. .. AI has changed it for the better
o Not complying with our Union contract... use seniority for assignments... rotating
shifts do not consider seniority
o SBST makes their own rules... not fair... no opportunity for existing Sanitation
workers to be hired into SBST
o Promote from within vs. hiring from outside
o AI is a good Iistener... problem solver
o Much more settled atmosphere
o Does not care about seniority
o Provide better working conditions
o Follow Union contract policies and procedures
o Use ideas from the workers
o Need more staff
o Provide more training
o Would like to have a set schedule... not rotating shift
o Improve men restrooms and locker rooms
o Sanitize mobile sweepers
o Find new office/shops for SBST
o Provide Supervisor training
o Install illegal dumping signs at 74th Street and Crespi
o Improve facilities at
o AI is doing a fine job... we'd like to see him as the permanent Director
Alberto Zamora
13310 S.W. 103rd Terrace
Miami, Florida 33186
Home: (305) 386-2582 Email: Zavrno@aol.com
JOB TARGET
Directorl Solid Waste
WORK mSTORY
City of Miami Beach (Public Works Department! Sanitation Division) 09/01 to Present
Miami Beach, Florida
Interim Director. Leads technical, administrative and clerical staff, to ensure that theDivision's
goals are met in an effective and efficient manner. Manages resources and directs scheduling to
better serve the businesses and residents of the City of Miami Beach.
City of Miami Beach (Sanitation Department) 08/00 to 9101
Miami Beach, Florida
Assistant Director. Assisted Director in scheduling and supervising technical, administrative,
and clerical staff to ensure the efficient and effective collection of solid waste throughout the
City. Responsible for directing and supervising operations of the Sanitation Department in the
absence of the Sanitation Director.
Soil Tech / Bulk Express 9/99 to 8/00
Miami, Florida
Consultant. Made recommendations on the type of equipment and manpower needed for each
specific job. Once job was awarded arranged travel routes and disposal sites. Scope of work
included transferring Municipal Solid Waste, C&D, Recyclables, contaminated soil. Assisted
several municipalities with hurricane clean up.
B.F.I: 02199 to 8199
Miami, Florida
Operations Manager (Recycle Plant and Transfer Station). Implemented best management
practices. Ensured compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements. Coordinated
with Supervisors the work schedule of 61 employees. Responsible for Division's Profit and Loss
results. Put in place a preventive maintenance program for all equipment. Coordinate shipment
of finished product making sure it met specifications. Hired and trained all new employees,
evaluated and counseled them as needed.
I!jl
Waste Management (Router Recycling Plant) 08/97
to 01/99
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Site Manager (Recycle Plant and Transfer Station). Oversaw the design and installation of
equipment in the recycle plant. Consolidated the Miami-Dade and Broward plants increasing
revenue 10% by the third month of operation. Responsible for daily operation of the two plants.
The Material Recovery Facility processed 4,000 tons of materials a month and the transfer
station handled 26,000 tons of Municipal Solid Waste a month. Combined revenue: $16 million
a year.
Waste Management (Recycle America) 07195 to 08/97
Miami, Florida
Operations Manager (Recycle Plant). Monitored productivity with an emphasis on best
management practices. Ensured compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements.
Coordinated work schedule for 42 employees. Responsible for payroll and any other employee
issues (i.e. hiring, training, counseling, evaluate). Monitored inventory and set up movement of
finished product. Maintained all equipment and facility.
Waste Management of Dade County 08/87 to 07195
Miami, Florida
Route Supervisor. Supervised the trash collection of routes in Dade County. Managed Roll-
Off, Front Loaders, Packers., clam trucks, street sweepers. Responsibilities included route
optimization, customer services, payroll, training, evaluations, hiring and all other employee
issues. Ensured compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements.
AI's Landscaping & Design
Freeport, New York
Owner. Managed all aspects of business
01/85 to 06/87
Professional Waterproofing & Construction
Rockville Center, New York
Foreman. Supervised construction crew, purchase materials, payroll.
06n9 to 01185
Education
9/77 through 6/79
NASSAU Community College,
Uniondale, New York
Liberal Arts
South side High School
Rockville Center, New York
High School