LTC 244-2002
~
CITY of MIAMI BEACH """'-
Office of the City Manager ~
Letter to Commission No. ,.J<j<.f - ~O;;l
SUBJECT:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. GOnZalez~ . J ~
City Manager r}/~ ()
WEEKLY UPDAT
Date: October 28. 2002
TO:
FROM:
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 21, 2002:
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 second class
offering with twenty-five residents enrolled. Each week, various departments
present to the academy an overview of their responsibilities and services
provided. The Planning Department held their presentation on October 21. The
participant's surveys, completed at the end of each session, were extremely
positive and the residents participating keep offering very positive feedback
about the sessions. The Neighborhood Services Department will compile these
results and share the feedback provided with each department that presented as
well as with the Mayor and Commission.
Middle Beach District Community Meeting - Representatives from the
administration met with residents on October 21 to discuss various neighborhood
issues. Residents expressed concerns over several issues at North Beach
Elementary School, including traffic mitigation and enforcement and the
appropriateness of a chain link fence. Residents also requested additional traffic
studies, analyzing the implementation feasibility of one versus two-way traffic
pattern for 42nd Street, between Pine Tree Drive and Prairie Avenue. Requests
were also made for improved maintenance efforts of beach entrances and
landscaping of trees on Prairie Avenue. Attendees also asked the City to work
closely with Miami-Dade County on enhancing response times for sidewalk and
stop bar repairs.
.
Collins Avenue Reconstruction Project Ribbon-Cutting - The Mayor, several
members of the Commission and representatives from the administration
celebrated the completion of the Collins Avenue Reconstruction Project on
October 22. The project, restoring the roadway area from Lincoln Road to 26th
Street, enhanced the north-south avenue with new curbs, sidewalks, lights and
gutters and includes the installation of a 20-inch water main from Lincoln Road to
22nd Street as well as a 12-inch water main from 22nd Street to 26th Street. A time
capsule was buried, including various city-related items of historic significance.
Biscayne Pointe Homeowners Association Meeting - Representatives from
the administration and the Police Department met with residents on October 22
to discuss crime prevention and safety issues. Residents were encouraged to
join the Neighborhood Crime Watcher program and invited to attend the City's
"Citizens Stand Against Crime" event on October 30.
La Gorce Homeowners Association Meeting - Representatives from the
administration and the Police Department met with residents on October 23 to
address resident concerns over the recent increase of burglaries in their area as
well as their desire to see greater marine patrol encompassing the area.
Residents were assured that a greater police presence had been instituted, with
additional shifts of the Patrol Division, Marine Patrol, and other Special Units
providing assistance throughout the week. The Homeowners Association
graciously offered the use of their boat and guard shack for patrol duty
MTV Latin America Video Music Awards - The City successfully hosted the
inaugural MTV Latin Video Music Awards, airing from the Jackie Gleason
Theater of Performing Arts on October 24. The show was broadcast live to an
international audience on several MTV channels, with an estimated viewing
audience of over 400 million.
Thanksgiving Day Parade 2002 - Planning efforts continued throughout the
week for the Miami Beach taping of the "CBS All-American Thanksgiving Day
Parade." Flyers have been printed and mailed out to members of the community
and ticket dissemination has begun for those who have already expressed an
interest in participating. A telephone RSVP line has also been activated. The
parade will begin on Ocean Drive and 15th Street and travel south to 10th Street.
Taping for this national telecast will take place on Wednesday, November 6 and
broadcast alongside coverage of the world-famous New York City "Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade" and "CBS NFL Update" on Thanksgiving Day,
November 28. 2002. The City has the proud distinction of being the sole
designated parade partner for this event, which is expected to reach 11 million
households throughout the United States.
Employee Intranet - Representatives from the administration met with
Information Technology staff to continue fine-tuning plans and implementing
changes for the City's intranet service. The intranet, a citywide information tool
. .
designed for enhanced intemal communications with staff, is planned for
launching by the end of this year.
Art in Public Places - I, alongside representatives from the administration, met
with members of the City's Art in Public Places Committee to discuss, among
other items, the draft proposal of the "Public Art Master Plan." Additional details
will be provided as they become available.
JMG/ri/jl
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