LTC 51-2003 CITY of MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No..?]--
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: February 21, 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 week of
February 24, 2003:
2003 Boat and Yacht Brokerage Show - Members of the administration
continued to assist event organizers throughout the duration of the Boat Show,
ensuring the success of the event. The 2003 Boat Show, which ran from
February 13-18 boasted 2,300 exhibitors on more than 2.5 million square feet of
exhibition space and was a success by all accounts.
Pine Tree/La Gorce Homeowners Association Members of the
administration, alongside representatives from the Police Department, joined
residents on February 17 to discuss various neighborhood issues. Residents
expressed a desire for landscaping on traffic calming islands while denoting
concern over speeding on La Gorce and Pine Tree Drive, between 51 and 63
Streets. Those in attendance were assured of police diligence in the area, and
were also offered security surveys aimed at spotting potential security problems.
Emergency Preparedness Plans - I met with the Police and Fire Chiefs as well
as members of my executive staff on February 18 to continue addressing issues
related to the City's Emergency Preparedness Plans, especially as they relate to
the federal government's recent heightened state of alert. Staffing plans for the
Emergency Operations Center, to be implemented in case of an emergency, are
also being reviewed and enhanced. Further discussions on the topic were also
held at the February 21 Management Team meeting.
Police Crime Statistics - I, alongside the Mayor and the Police Chief, held a
press conference on February 19 to announce the city's crime rate for 2002. The
number of crimes throughout the city have decreased by 38.34% since 1996 with
notable decreases in 2002 of 26% in total aggravated assaults and 18.4% in
sexual batteries. Part I crimes also decreased by 7.4% in 2002 on the heels of a
decrease of 9.5% the previous year. An LTC detailing crime rates was sent to
you earlier this month.
Recycling Efforts - Members of the administration held a training session on
February 20 to instruct all staff on how to best participate in the City's new
recycling program. The program, whose main focus is to create a more
environmentally-friendly workplace through the recycling of commonly used office
and paper products, is facilitated through a recent agreement arranged by the
City where the BFI Company will provide recycling bins to all city departments.
Baylink Community Meeting - Members of the administration are preparing to
host a community meeting on February 24 seeking input from homeowner
association members among others. The meeting will detail information from the
Draft Environment Statement, aimed at denoting the impact of a baylink system
on our local Miami Beach environment. It will also relay public opinion received
from previous Washington Avenue and Alton Road Corridor community
meetings.
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 19.
Neighborhood Markets RFP - Representatives from the administration, in
conjunction with the Evaluation Committee, scheduled a February 27 meeting to
allow those bidding for the management and operation of street markets to
present their services to the Committee. The meeting, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in
the First Floor Conference Room, will provide an opportunity for public and
vendor comments~ to be heard. Under consideration will be three proposals for
Lincoln Road. The item will then by submitted for Commission consideration at
the March 19 meeting.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Ocean Beach Park Dedication - Members of the
administration are preparing for the re-naming ceremony of the 3rd Street Ocean
Beach Park taking place on February 28. The park, to be renamed Marjory
Stoneman Douglas Ocean Beach Park, will receive a new plaque and enhanced
landscaping among other improvements.
Filming in Miami Beach - Representatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. Several productions are
scheduled to film in March, including: "Stuck on You" starring Matt Damon, Greg
Kinnear and Cher 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.
Special Events - Members of the administration aro working with various event
producers, facilitating the coordination of a multitude of events throughout the
month of March. Meetings have also been held with hotels, nightlife industry,
area residents and businesses to ensure that the City's resources are properly
allocated and planning information is disseminated. The South Beach
Entertainment District will host two popular events on Ocean Drive, from 5th to
15th Streets, including the South Beach Wine and Food Festival from February
28-March 2, and the Sports and Fitness Festival from March 27-30. Also taking
place is: Winter Party Week, from March 1-10 with an estimated attendance of
5,000; Fashion Week of the Americas taking place at the Roney Palace, from
March 19-22; Winter Music Conference, from March18-22, with an estimated
attendance of 11,000 and the Miami Beach Fitness Festival, from March 27-30,
with an estimated attendance of 20,000.
MTV Spring Break Weekend 2003 - Members of the administration, alongside
representatives from the City's Nightlife Advisory Task Force, aro working with
producers of the MTV Music Television network to facilitate logistical planning
details for their upcoming March 12-15 filming at the Surfcomber and Ritz Carlton
Hotels. MTV is bringing their popular and heavily promoted "Spring Break
Weekend" to Miami Beach for the first time, with filming concentrating largely on
hotel property and stage events not open to the public. Approximately 1,000
attendees, pro-selected by MTV, will be allowed entrance at any given taping
session. Further details will be disseminated to you shortly.
City's Birthday Celebrations - Staff members aro coordinating a variety of
events to commemorate the city's 88th birthday, spanning the month of March.
Scheduled events include: a pictorial exhibition in the Fourth Floor Gallery tracing
the history of our city; the launching of the City's newly designed website; and the
debut of the City's new Answer Center, aimed at streamlining and enhancing
customer service. Other commemorative events yet to be finalized aro also in
the planning phase for the March 26 birthday celebration.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
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