LTC 120-2003 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 (~
C~t~UKaLn~ ,U~; D AT E ~ ~~'~
Date: May 19, 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
May 12, 2003:
Neighborhood Leadership Academy - The Parks and Recreation Department
presented an overview of their responsibilities and services to academy
participants on May 12. The participant's surveys, completed at the end of each
session, will be compiled and shared with each department. A final report,
including a summary of all three Neighborhood Leadership academies, will be
presented to the Mayor and Commission.
Memorial Day 2003 - Members of the administration continued to meet
throughout the week with various city departments as well as local businesses,
hotels and nightclubs to ensure proper allocation of city services and personnel
during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Two meetings detailing the City's
action plan took place on May 12, including a discussion with hotel managers,
followed by a Town Hall meeting. A meeting with Lincoln Road Marketing Inc.,
the Ocean Drive Association and the Nightlife Industry Task Force was also held
on May 13, outlining the specifics of the MEP plan. A volunteer training session
or the City's Goodwill Ambassador Program, which is comprised of employee
and community volunteers serving as buffers or liaisons between the police and
visitors, was held on May 14. Those in attendance received instruction on how to
provide enhanced customer service, diffusing tension and utilizing
communication systems to alert safety personnel. The Office of Communications
also held a meeting on May 14 with Police and Fire Department public
information officers, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor Bureau and other
Miami-Dade County communications staff to develop a consistent media
message. An editorial meeting, encompassing the Miami Herald news editors,
has been scheduled for May 19 to ensure news coverage is factual and fair while
emphasizing the City's myriad of the planning efforts. Urban media outreach
efforts, including Police representative appearances at radio stations such as
WEDR/JAMZ, WHQT-FM/Hot 105 among others, have been scheduled to
convey the City's MEP to large segments of the population. The administration
also continues to monitor websites and local and national media outlets to help
determine event perception and possible crowd size estimates.
Charter Review Committee - Members of the administration hosted a public
meeting on May 13 to address the renewal of the City's charter. The meeting,
televised on TV20, is part of a process undertaken every 10 years where
community participants review items such as district representation, election
runoff time frames, mayoral term limitations and form of government questions
among others. Further information, and agenda minutes, can be found on the
City's internet under E-Government, Boards and Committees. The next meeting
is scheduled for May 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
FCCMA 2003 I attended the Florida City and County Management
Association's (FCCMA) 57th Annual Conference, from May 13 - 16. FCCMA, a
professional organization comprised of practicing public administrators from
throughout Florida local governments, promotes the highest ethical and
professional standards while forging strong ties between municipal government
leadership.
North Beach Quality of Life - Representatives of the administration, joined by
members of the community, met on May 14 to discuss various quality of life
issues impacting North Beach. A funding review, encompassing community
recommendations, was addressed.
Anti-DUI Demonstration - Members of the Fire and Police Department joined
forces on May 15 to present the sixth annual "Cheat the Reaper" teen anti-DUI
(Driving Under the Influence) mock car crash demonstration. The live, simulated
DUI car crash presentation was designed to teach approximately 500 Miami
Beach High School seniors about the grave consequences of drinking alcohol
and then driving a motor vehicle. Demonstrated just days before the senior
prom, this program consists of a mock DUI crash which results in one death and
several serious injuries; creating a crime and enforcement scene mirroring real
life consequences. Unofficial reports by our Police Department have indicated
that during the last five years since this program has been in effect, there have
been no teen arrests or accidents for DUI on prom night in the City of Miami
Beach.
Filming in Miami Beach - Representatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. Several productions
wrapped up successful filming schedules throughout May, including the
independent film "lsla Bella," starring Charlotte Ayana and Esai Morales; E!
Entertainment Channel's popular show, "Wild On South Beach!"; Comedy
Central's "The Man Show" and "Trigger Happy TV"; ESPN sports television's
"Beg, Borrow and Deal" and "Totally Hooked"; and the Travel Channel's "Let's
Get Packing." Spanish network Univision will also broadcast their popular
morning show "Despierta America" live from South Beach on May 22, reaching
approximately 40 million viewers worldwide. Also on the horizon for the month of
June is the return of the popular CBS drama "CSI Miami," filming a two-hour
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episode in June; and the theatrical releases of "From Justin to Kelly," a Fox
feature film set in Miami Beach and the eagerly awaited sequel, "2 Fast 2
Furious." Also scheduled for release is "Bad Boys 2," opening in July 2003.
Emergency Preparedness / CERT Training - As a result of our efforts to better
prepare for any emergency crisis, The City has joined the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) national network program and developed a
training series to instruct our community on best dealing with an emergency
situation. The four-week training module focuses on individual and community
preparation and response to any catastrophic disaster, such as hurricanes and
tornadoes among others, and teaches individuals how to protect themselves,
their family, neighbors and neighborhoods during a crisis situation. Participants
will learn about: disaster preparedness; team organization and disaster
psychology; setting up emergency medical operations; damage assessment;
disaster simulation; fire suppression; and light search and rescue. To
supplement funding for this worthy endeavor, the City sought and received last
week a grant totaling $8,000. Details on the CERT classes, scheduled to begin
in September, are posted in the city's internet and intranet.
Normandy Isles Park - Ongoing pool construction improvements at Normandy
Isles Park expanded this week to encompass the addition of fencing and
sidewalk enhancements; creating the need to close the entire facility. The
project, with an expected completion date of November 2003, includes a new
interactive pool with an 18-inch maximum depth and an aquatic play structure as
well as a four-lane lap pool, separated from the interactive pool by a 10-foot
deck. In addition to the pool, new restrooms and shower facilities, a multi-
purpose activity building and an outdoor trellised shade area are being built. A
new entry gate, decorative perimeter fencing, and a pedestrian promenade to
traverse the length of the park are also included in the $3.1 million project.
Public Works Week Celebration - Member of the administration and the Public
Works Department will host the Public Works Week Celebration, commemorating
the valued job performed by Public Works employees nationwide. Event itinerary
and details for the weeklong celebration, taking place from May 18-24, will be
posted in the employee intranet as information becomes available.
Hurricane Season Preparedness - In an effort to help our residents and
businesses prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, from June 1 through
November 30, the City has begun implementing preparedness plans throughout
our community. During the May 6 Hurricane and Homeland Security Seminar,
attended by hotel and hospitality representatives among others, the City
disseminated preparedness tips and action plan specific to the hospitality
industry. Hotel general managers and staff were provided with specific
information on how to best utilize city services and receive assistance for guests
and visitors. Members of the administration are also preparing to host the
second annual Hurricane fair on June 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Lincoln
Road between Lenox and Michigan avenues. The City, teaming with
organizations such as the Humane Society, Red Cross, Home Depot, and
Southeast Metals, will disseminate safety and preparedness brochures, offering
valuable information that could save properties and lives.
Tourism Efforts - Members of the administration are preparing to celebrate the
launching of a new tourism endeavor on May 21, aimed at welcoming visitors to
the port of Miami and generate tourist interest in our city. City representatives
will be on hand to welcome Norwegian Cruise Lines newest ship, "The Dawn"
during its maiden voyage, with the City's renowned flamingo sculptures to greet
visitors. The unique Miami-Beach flavored flamingo sculptures, part of the
"Flamingos in Paradise" program implemented last year, will be permanently
stationed at the entrance to the Port of Miami's Terminal 3. Also joining the
celebration and greeting visitors every Wednesday will be the City's roaming
"Concierge Desk" which disseminates tourism information and sets up tours to
our city.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
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