Memo from City Manager re GOB management 12-10-18
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: December 10, 2018
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF THE GOB PROJECTS
This memorandum is intended to set forth the proposed program management for the projects funded
by the General Obligation Funds approved by Miami Beach voters in November. The voters approved
57 projects within the $439 million budget and the challenge is to successfully complete the projects
(i) within a reasonable time frame, (ii) within budget, (iii) on a coordinated basis (including coordination
with non-GOB projects and projects by other jurisdictions), (iv) incorporating resiliency and best
practices, and (v) working with and communicating effectively to the impacted neighborhoods.
My approach to achieving the aforementioned goals is to utilize centralized program management and
decentralized project delivery. This approach is depicted in the organization chart attached hereto as
Exhibit A. As you can see, my preference is to provide program management in-house and not retain
a firm to serve in that capacity. The City had a less than positive experience with outside program
management of the previous GOB program approved by voters in 1999. I believe that we have the
expertise in-house to manage and coordinate these projects, and still have the opportunity, on a case-
by-case basis, to solicit outside expertise if and as needed.
With respect to program management, I recognize that we need to have one office managing and
coordinating the overall program. For that purpose, I have asked Maria Hernandez and her team to
transition from project management of the Miami Beach Convention Center campus project to the
program management of the GOB program. Maria and her team, while reporting directly to me, have
overseen a $620 million project with many moving parts and have been involved in every detail, no
matter how large or small. I think they are the perfect group to provide the program management of
the 57 GOB projects. Their role is not to manage specific projects, but to provide general oversight
and coordination. This would include coordinating project phasing and schedules within each of the
bond issuance tranches, assuring the incorporation of resiliency measures and ensuring effective
communication with all stakeholders. Again, they would report directly to me, but as set forth in the
attached organization chart, would work closely with Procurement, Finance, Resiliency and
Communications (as well as needed with other departments) to ensure the delivery of the projects.
Maria would serve as the liaison to the GOB Oversight Board, as well as make presentations to the
City Commission and Commission committees.
As for project delivery, it is important to note that the 57 projects cover a wide range of types of
projects, from vertical construction, roadwork, park constructions and renovations, technology
implementation, repairs and renewals, and underground infrastructure work. Our various departments
have extensive experience delivering similar projects over the past 5 years and I see no reason to
depart from that model. The source of the funding should not dictate a different delivery method.
Under the purview of the centralized program management, each of the departments set forth on the
attached exhibit are quite capable of delivering the projects enumerated under them on the chart. The
actual work will be performed in-house in some instances and by outside contractors in many other
City Manager’s Memorandum re: GOB
December 10, 2018
Page 2
cases just as it takes place today. To the extent that project delivery involves participation by two or
more departments (e.g. street trees), the program manager will facilitate coordination.
The team is now reaching out to each department with the goal of creating a timetable for the issuance
of the bonds and the delivery of the projects over a 10-15-year period. Keep in the mind that the City
promised voters that the issuance of the bonds would be staggered over such a time frame to phase
in the total millage rate increase. Furthermore, some projects are either shovel ready or smaller scale
and can be delivered more quickly, while others have longer lead times or need to be coordinated with
other projects such that it impacts their time frame. We intend to present the proposed project schedule
to the City Commission and the GOB Oversight Board in January.
GOB Project Org Structure
GOB Program Manager
(M. Hernandez)
CIP
-Marine Patrol Fire/Police
-Ocean Rescue North Beach
-Baywalk
-Flamingo Park And Youth Center
-Maurice Gibb Park
-Beach Walks
-Palm/Hibiscus -Neighborhood Enhancements
-La Gorce Neighborhood Improvements
-Flamingo Park Neighborhood Improvements
-North Shore Neighborhood Improvements
-Neighborhood Above Ground Improvements
-Par3/Community Park
Environment & Sustainability
- Street Tree Master Plan
- Waterway Restoration
Parks & Rec
-LED Lighting In Parks
-Collins Park
-Crespi Park -Fairway Park
-Fisher Park
-La Gorce Park
-Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Park
-Muss Park
-Palm Island Park
-Pinetree Park
-Polo Park -Stillwater Park
-Tatum Park -South Pointe
Property
Management
-Police HQ Renovations
-Roof Replacements For Cultural Institutions
-Log Cabin
-Scott Rakow Youth Center
-North Shore Park And Youth Center
-Skate Park
Public Safety
-Security Cameras
-LPRS
-Public Radio System
Public Works
-Street Lighting Improvements
-Security For Public Spaces
-Street Pavement Program
-Sidewalk Improvement Program
-Resilient Seawalls & Living Shorelines
Special Projects
-72nd Street Park, Library And Aquatic Center
-Fire Station #1
-Fire Station #3
-Soundscape Park
-Lummus Park
-Art Deco Museum Expansion
-West Lots Redevelopment
-Ocean Drive Project
-41st Street Project
-Washington Avenue Corridor
Transportation
- Neighborhood Traffic Calming & Pedestrian Friendly Streets
- Protected Bike Lanes & Shared Bike/Pedestrian Paths
Communications Finance / Budget
Resiliency Procurement