HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 60-2003 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 ~J[-~,'i~'~-.
City Manager
WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: February 28, 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:
Bay Link Community Meeting - Members of the administration hosted a
community meeting on February 24 seeking input from homeowner association
members among others. The meeting detailed information from the Draft
Environment Statement, aimed at denoting the impact of a Bay Link system on
our local Miami Beach environment. Public opinion received from previous
Washington Avenue and Alton Road Corridor community meetings was also
conveyed. A tour of various cities, reviewing existing examples of Bay Link
systems, is being coordinated to include members of the Commission. The
group will tour, and meet with transit officials, in: San Francisco, California from
March 1-3; Sacramento, California on March 4; and Portland, Oregon on March
5.
Black History Month - Staff representatives, in conjunction with the City's
Community Relations Board, hosted a reception on February 25 commemorating
Black History Month. The ceremony featured guest speaker Gail Thompson,
Executive Director of the Performing Arts Center of Miami, and honored other
noted members of the community.
Anchor Shops RFP - The Evaluation Committee will reconvene in March where
those bidding for the leasing and management of the retail component of the
Anchor Shops will participate in a question and answer session with committee
members.
Neighborhood Markets RFP - Representatives from the administration, in
conjunction with the Evaluation Committee, met on February 27 to allow those
bidding for the management and operation of street markets to present their
services to the Committee. The meeting provided an opportunity for public and
vendor comments to be heard. Three proposals for Lincoln Road were
considered. The item will then by submitted for Commission consideration at the
March 19 meeting.
Future of Surface Transportation - I joined the Florida Engineering Society on
February 27 to discuss the future of surface transportation in Miami-Dade County
and its impact on the City.
Michael Aller Celebration - Over 500 people attended a celebration on
February 27 inducting Michael Aller, Director of Tourism and Convention and
Chief of Protocol, into the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce's Travel and
Tourism Hall of Fame. Michael received well-deserved praise for his years of
service to the city.
Beach Vehicle Access Press Conference - I, alongside the Mayor, held a
press conference on February 28 to announce an interim policy delineating City
vehicle access to the beach. Building upon the Beach Patrol policy implemented
in 1999, additions to the policy were made which will be applicable to all
employees operating city vehicles. The policy, effective March 1, will be
implemented until further review of all city, state and federal vehicle access
options can yield definitive results to comprise a final, comprehensive policy. An
LTC was sent out to each of you on February 28.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Ocean Beach Park Dedication - Members of the
administration joined members of the community in celebrating the re-naming of
the 3rd Street Ocean Beach Park on February 28. The park, to be renamed
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Ocean Beach Park, received 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; "CSl:Miami" 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 are 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.
City's Birthday Celebrations - Staff members continue 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 are 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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