LTC 45-2003 CITY of MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City M.ana_ger
Letter to Commission No.
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor'David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez, . ~
City Manager ~ ~'~"~
WEEKLY UPDAT~~
Date: February 14, 2003
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
February 3 and 10, 2003:
Firefighter Graduation Ceremony - Members of the administration were on
hand on February 6 to welcome the proud new members of our elite Fire
Department. A total of eight firefighters were added to our staff.
2003 Boat and Yacht Brokerage Show - Members of the administration,
working in conjunction with event organizers, continued to finalize details leading
up to the show's opening on February 13. Our Media Relations Office continues
to work closely with print and electronic media outlets to ensure that the City's
parking, transportation and safety plans are disseminated to residents and
visitors. Resident and business notices have been sent out to the community,
notifying them of traffic mitigation plans, event staging area and best available
transit routes. The 2003 Boat Show runs from February 13-18 and boasts 2,300
exhibitors on more than 2.5 million square feet of exhibition space.
Neighborhood Markets RFP - Representatives from the administration, in
conjunction with the Evaluation Committee, scheduled a February 11 meeting to
allow those bidding for the management and operation of street markets on
Espanola Way to present their services to the Committee. Evaluated proposals
included: the Market Company, which received a total of 538 points; Encore,
receiving 335 points; and International Multicultural Crafts Associations (IMCA),
receiving 325 points. A single proposal for Normandy Village from the Market
Company was also received. The Evaluation Committee identified the Market
Company as the top-ranked bidder, and recommended that if the City is unable
to negotiate a contract with the Market Company, negotiations should proceed
with the second-ranked bidder, Encore Events. The next meeting, scheduled for
February 27 at a location to be determined, will provide an opportunity for public
and vendor comments to be heard. The Evaluation Committee will also then
evaluate three proposals for Lincoln Road. The item will then by submitted for
Commission consideration at the March 19 meeting.
Espanola Way Community Meeting - Members of the administration hosted a
community meeting seeking public input on the recommended operating plan for
Espanola Way. Those in attendance recommended the 400 block of Espanola
Way and Drexel Avenue, south of Espanola Way to the cul-de-sac, remain open
to vehicular traffic during the daytime hours and available for closure during the
evening hours. The 500 block of Espanola Way and Drexel Avenue, north of
Espanola Way, should remain open to normal vehicular traffic. Residents also
expressed concerns over parking in the area, debating whether parking should
be prohibited on the Plaza de Espana, as well as around the cul-de-sac, which
would result in an elimination of eight parking spaces. They also requested that
parking areas be adequately maintained. Participants also expressed a desire to
have a valet ramp placed on Drexel Avenue to service Espanola Way restaurant
patrons. The administration offered to attempt to accommodate the request in a
manner consistent with the already approved changes to the area.
Brown Bag Luncheon - As part of an ongoing series with the various city
departments, I had an opportunity to meet with the staff of the City Clerk's Office,
including Special Masters and Central Services on February 12 and had informal
discussions on a multitude of issues of internal and external concern.
Espanola Way Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony - Members of the community, joined
by the Mayor, members of the Commission and representatives from the
administration, celebrated the re-opening of Espanola Way on February 13. The
Espanola Way area, from Washington to Pennsylvania avenues and Drexel from
15th Street to the cul-de-sac, is the latest successful neighborhood project
completed by the City°s Capital Improvement Program. The $900,000 makeover
included new drainage, paving, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, pavers, street lights,
landscaping and irrigation.
Filming in Miami Beach - P,epresentatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. "The Entertainment
Incubator's Short Film Showcase," a competition for local filmmakers, took place
Saturday, February 1 at the P, oney Palace. A new FX pilot set in South Beach
titled "Nip & Tuck" will be filming throughout the city at the end of February. The
City is also working with several productions coming in March: "Stuck on You"
starring Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear and Chef among others; CShMiami returning
for four weeks of filming; "Dance Star USA Awards" airing on FOX, will film on
Ocean Drive on March 19; and the Aaron Spelling Productions 10-day pilot shoot
for a new UPN show. An ABC television pilot titled "Karen Sisco," based on the
feature film "Out of Sight," will also be filming from March 17 - April 2 with Miami
Beach locations yet to be announced. Further information will be provided as it
becomes available.
Staff Recruitment - I met with the top three candidates for the Special Assistant
to the City Manager position and have extended an offer to the top applicant, Ms.
Martha Dempsey. Ms. Dempsey has accepted and will begin in mid April 2003.
Credential details outlining her qualifications will be sent to each of you shortly.
In addition, the Fire Chief and I have been interviewing candidates for the Fire
Marshall position. Positions including Office of Management and Budget Director
and Organizational Development Specialist are currently being advertised with
top candidate interviews to be scheduled soon.
Black History Month Members of the staff continue to work with
representatives from the City's Community Relations Board to plan the reception
scheduled for February 25 commemorating Black History Month. The City also
presented an employee lunch time "Movie Break" highlighting the history and
achievements of the African-American community through film on February 13
with another scheduled for February 19.
Emergency Preparedness Plans - I met with the Police and Fire Chiefs as well
as members of my executive staff to address issues related to the City's
Emergency Preparedness Plans, especially as they relate to the federal
government's recent heightened state of alert. I plan to share additional details
outlining our plan with each of you shortly.
City's New Website - Staff continues to work on updating and redesigning the
City's new website which is expected to launch on March 1, 2003. The new
domain name is www. miamibeachfl.gov.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
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