LTC 220-2003
CITY of MIAMI BEACH ~
Office of the City Manager ~
Letter to Commission No. Z2...o - 2.CO~
TO:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Date: September 12, 2003
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ ~ ~
City Manager O.r a
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE
FROM:
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
September 1 and 8. 2003:
Major Events Plan (MEP) - As part of the City's Major Events Plan (MEP),
representatives from the administration met throughout the week to continue
planning and coordinating city services for upcoming events. The MEP,
consisting of various phases of citywide planning and logistical implementation,
attempts to ensure that all city services are enhanced and members of the
community are adequately informed. Among the events for which the City will be
implementing its MEP are: MTV2 $2 Bill Concert, featuring DMX, Ludicris and
Method Man on September 22, beginning at 9:00 p.m. at the Jackie Gleason
Theater; MTV Latin Music Video Awards on October 23; Herald Hunt, held on
October 26 throughout the City; and the Thanksgiving Day Parade, with date yet
to be decided. The MEP was successfully implemented during Labor Day
Weekend and the Latin Grammy's, held at the American Airlines Arena on
September 3 with several associated events taking place throughout the City.
Filming in Miami Beach - Representatives from the administration continue to
facilitate various filming projects throughout our city. Several productions,
scheduled to film or in production throughout September include: two Spanish
language "telenovelas" including "Amor Descarado" airing on Telemundo and
Rebeca" airing on Univision; MTV's reality dating show "Dismissed," with Miami
Beach segments scheduled to air in October; ESPN2's "SoBe Fight Night,"
broadcasting live from Level nightclub on September 9; Disney Channel's "La
Cumbre" broadcast from the Loewes Hotel on September 10; filming of music
video featuring hip-hop artist "Too Short," highlighting Flamingo Avenue
residences and the 11 th Street Diner; Univision's commercial shoot for the
"Doritos" contest giveaway, featuring four Volkswagen Beetle's on our beach;
ABC Television's "Karen Sisco," based on the feature film "Out of Sight," filmed
throughout the City and will be premiering October 1 at 10:00 p.m. FX's hit show
"NipfTuck," set in South Beach, has also been picked up for a second season,
with production of 15 new episodes scheduled to begin early next year.
Royal Palm Hotel Negotiations - I, alongside Commissioner Smith and
members of the administration and the City Attorney's Office, met with R.
Donahue Peebles and his representatives on September 4 to continue
discussing further amendments to the lease in connection with the April 30, 2003
LOI. A term sheet agreed to by the parties was distributed via a Letter to the
Commission.
Charter Review Board - Members of the administration, joined by members of
the public, addressed items pertinent to the renewal of the City's charter on
September 2. The process, undertaken every 10 years, is reviewing items
including Commission powers, election run-off dates and district representation
among others. An agenda, including a listing of accepted issues, is posted on
the internet, under Boards and Committees, Charter Review Board. The next
meeting is scheduled for May 6, at 5:30 p.m., in the Commission Chambers.
Proposed FY 2004 Budget - I, alongside representatives from the Finance
Department and the Office of Management and Budget continued to finalize
budget plans and allocations throughout the week for the City's 2004 Fiscal Year
budget. Staff was also on hand to discuss departmental plans during the first
public hearing on the budget, scheduled for September 4.
Building Fees - Members of the administration hosted a public workshop on
September 3 aimed at informing the public and members of the development
community about recently proposed building permit fee increases. The workshop
conveyed permit and inspection fee details for building, plumbing, electrical and
mechanical fire prevention work among others as well as anticipated technology
enhancements.
Modes of Rapid Transit Options - The city's consultant, HDR Engineering, Inc.,
participated in a special Commission meeting on September 8 to discuss the
selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The Commission approved
the continuation of the Bay Link Transit Project into the final Environmental
Impact Statement/Preliminary Engineering Phase of Study and designated the
streetcar mode as the optimal transit technology. A bi-directional loop route was
also designated, recommending a path which more effectively traverses the city.
An electronic version of the Consultant's report, as well as a copy of the
resolution and recommended map route, is available on the City's website under
News, Baylink or in hard copy format in the City Clerk's Office.
Art Basel Miami Beach 2003 - A Major Events Planning meeting was held on
September 9 to discuss the City's on-going preparations for Art Basel/Miami
Beach. Representatives from the administration will continue meeting throughout
the next several weeks to ensure that the City, and all pertinent departments, are
prepared for the event. Additional meetings will take place throughout the month
to finalize plans for this event. Once additional details are available, they will be
shared with the Mayor and Commission.
Fire Station No.4 - Members of the City's Historic Preservation Board approved
a Certificate of Appropriateness request on September 9 to demolish the
existing, historic fire station located at 6860 Indian Creek Drive and construct a
new fire station in its place.
Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings - Members of the administration hosted a
community seminar on September 11 to discuss incentives available to property
owners to rehabilitate post-war modern (MiMo) rental apartment buildings.
Focusing on North Beach properties, the free seminar included an overview of
the historic designation and listing process outlined by the National Register of
Historic Places (NRHP) and emphasized the benefits derived from such a
designation including: 20% federal rehabilitation income tax credit; ad valorem
county property tax exemption; federal income tax charitable deduction for
fac;ade easement donation; and off-street parking exemptions. With comments
from Peter Bell, Executive Director of the Preservation Development Council and
David Resnick, CPA and co-author of the original HUD audit manual, discussion
also centered on Florida building and life safety code interpretations.
"Participate Miami Beach" Civic Participation Week - Members of the
administration, alongside representatives from the Neighborhood Services
Department, continued finalizing details for the second annual "Participate Miami
Beach" celebration; taking place September 11-17 at various locations
throughout the city and City Hall. The scheduled events provide several
opportunities for the public to volunteer, communicate and vote while contributing
to the enhancement of their community. "Participate Miami Beach" serves as a
weeklong pledge to civic participation, honoring the courageous spirit of the
American people while paying tribute to the lives lost on September 11, 2001. A
separate LTC with specifics about these events has already been sent.
FTAA Major Events Plan - Members of the administration, alongside public
safety and administration representatives continue to plan the City's Major
Events Plan (MEP) for the upcoming FTAA Conference. An MEP will be held on
Friday, September 19 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Manager's Large Conference
Room. In addition, I plan to update and brief each of you separately at a meeting
scheduled for early October.
Emergency Preparedness & Recovery Plans - Representatives from the
Administration met throughout the week to continue working on the City's
Emergency Preparedness & Recovery Plans and to discuss team response
should Hurricane Isabel threaten our city. In addition, representatives from the
administration visited the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in west
Miami-Dade County to coordinate a personnel move to that location should the
need arise. Staff leaders for the Operations, Logistics, Administration,
Information and Planning, Police, and Fire functional areas will continue to meet
to update and share information to enhance the City's plan.
Monitoring of Hurricane Isabel - Members of our citywide emergency response
team continued to monitor Hurricane Isabel's progress throughout the week,
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reinforcing communications and planning efforts as each condition and threat
level altered. Projected path information and news updates were continuously
disseminated internally to all functional areas, ensuring accurate communication
and consistent citywide response.
Beach Patrol - I met with representatives from the City's Parks and Recreation
Department and Beach Patrol on September 12 to discuss budget and staffing
guidelines as well as department needs for the 2004 fiscal year.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - An employee volunteer planning
committee is coordinating an employee luncheon commemorating Hispanic
Heritage Month. The employee celebration luncheon will take place on Friday,
October 10 and is part of a nationwide tribute highlighting the history and
achievements of members of the Hispanic community. Details regarding the
event will be posted on the employee intranet and will be updated as new
information becomes available. In addition, the City's Hispanic Affairs
Committee, in partnership with the City, will be hosting a reception and
celebration of Hispanic Heritage on Monday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the 4th
Floor Gallery. Three awards will be given to worthy recipients who have made
positive contributions to the Miami Beach Hispanic community.
Tenant Rights and Responsibilities - Members of the administration, alongside
Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., are coordinating a public workshop aimed
at informing tenants about their rental rights and responsibilities as well as where
to seek additional legal assistance. The workshop is scheduled for September
15, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG/ri/jl
F:/cmgr/$all/llc-03/weeklyupdates/Septmber 12 Weekly Update