Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 263-2003 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: November 6, 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 past few weeks: Neighborhood Leadership Academy The Neighborhood Leadership Academy, the civic and public information program designed to provide Miami Beach residents with the information and resources to become more knowledgeable members of our diverse community, has been meeting since September 22. Each week, various departments present to the academy an overview of their responsibilities and services provided. The City Manager's Office held their presentation on October 13, followed by the Building Department on October 20, and the Finance Department on October 27. The Academy will be meeting throughout the month of November and will conclude on December 15. For a full listing of class dates and presenting departments, visit the City's website under Residents, Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Leadership Academy. Major Events Plan (MEP) - As part of the City's Major Events Plan (MEP), representatives from the administration met to plan and coordinate city services for several events. The MEP, consisting of various phases of citywide planning and logistical implementation, ensures that all city services are enhanced and members of the community are adequately informed. The MEP was successfully implemented for the Columbus Day holiday weekend and MTV Latin Music Video Awards on October 23. Staff is currently meeting to continue planning and preparing for the FTAA and Art Basel / Miami Beach. Additional details regarding both of these events are included below. Art Basel Miami Beach - The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, alongside members of the administration, hosted a meeting on October 17 with area hotels to reinforce exemplary customer service initiatives to be implemented throughout the duration of the Art Basel Miami Beach art show. Art Basel Miami Beach and associated events will take place throughout the City and in the designated Art Basel Miami Beach Zone from December 3-7, 2003. Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) - Members of the administration, alongside public safety representatives, continue to meet to plan and share departmental response details for the upcoming FTAA Conference, taking place in the City of Miami from November 17-21, 2003. The Police Department will be implementing alpha/bravo staffing during that week, with a contingency traffic plan to be implemented should the need arise. Updated FTAA news briefs are being disseminated on an ongoing basis, with daily briefings provided at City committee and business district meetings. A City-sponsored community meeting, detailing the City's preparation efforts, took place on October 23. Miami-Dade County is planning to activate its Emergency Operations Center on November 16 for 12 hours and begin a twenty-four continuous operation rotation from November 17-22. I have met with each of you individually to expound on the details and plan to share more specific details with each of you shortly. Grants Management - As a result of our efforts to ease transportation difficulties, The City sought and received a Transportation Enhancement Program grant totaling one million dollars for the construction of the Northem Gateway of the Atlantic Corridor in Miami Beach. The award is a component of the Federal Highway Administration's Surface Transportation Program providing funds for the development of non-traditional transportation projects while creating a regional alternative transportation network which will interconnect key inter- modal centers, area business districts, cultural and tourism centers, residential neighborhoods, parking facilities, parks, schools and beaches. Encompassing the development of a % mile segment of trail between the northern end of the C ty's existing beachfront Boardwalk at 46th Street and the Indian Beach Park a! 53rd Street, the installation of a signaled pedestrian-crossing, and travers ng west over Collins Avenue to the shoreline of the Indian Creek Waterway to connect to the northern end of the Indian Creek Greenway, the project will improve commuter and pedestrian traffic safety while enhancing overall quality of life. In addition, we have been working with Florida International University (FLU) on securing a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of approximately $320,000 for enhancements to the North Shore Youth Center. Additional details will be provided shortly. TV20 Cable Television Access - Atlantic Broadband Miami, LLC has submitted paperwork to the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) requesting authority to purchase and control programming of Charter Communications Cable System, which currently provides local cable access for the City's TV20 government channel. The administration, alongside the Law Firm of Leibowitz and Associates, which has been retained to assist in the transfer, have reviewed the application and prepared a response. Additional information will be forwarded to the Mayor and Commission as it becomes available. United Way Kick-Off- The City hosted the 2003 United Way Kick-off Barbeque celebration on October 16, marking the beginning of a citywide fundraising effort to benefit United Way-sponsored charities, many of whom are situated within the City of Miami Beach. Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - As part of a nationwide tribute highlighting the history and achievements of the Hispanic community, the City successfully commemorated Hispanic Heritage Month with an employee luncheon held on October 10. The City's Hispanic Affairs Committee, in partnership with the City, also hosted a reception on October 13 celebrating the positive contributions of three worthy recipients who have enhanced our Miami Beach Hispanic community. The Fourth Floor Gallery will also continue to display renowned artwork from local Hispanic artists throughout the month in an exhibit curated by the artist Clara McLean and ArtCenter South Florida. Miami Beach Regional Library - Members of the administration, alongside the Capital Improvements Projects Office, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 16 to celebrate the completion of the major construction phase of the new 42,000 sq ft. Miami Beach Regional Library. The library, designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, will house an auditorium, community meeting rooms, a coffee bar, a reading garden, a state-of-the-art computer system, and a comfortable children's room. The $8.6 million project also includes two parking areas and streetscape improvements to the area. The library, located at 227 23rd Street, is expected to open to the public in early 2004. State of the Latin Entertainment Industry - Members of the administration, alongside the City's Production Industry Council, the Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commeme hosted a luncheon on October 21 to discuss the state of the Latin Entertainment industry in Miami Beach. This event will be televised on Channel 20 as directed by the City Commission. Historic Preservation Designation - Members of the Historic Preservation Board hosted a special meeting on October 22 to discuss possible historic designation of the Flamingo Waterway area. The meeting empowered the Planning Department to prepare a Preliminary Evaluation and Recommendation Report on the area in question. New World Symphony - On Tuesday, October 28, I along with members of the Administration and members of the City Commission, met with Frank Gehry at the New World Symphony to discuss his initial findings regarding the site for Soundspace, the capacity of the parking garage, the nature of the park and a proposed timeline. In accordance with the NWS agreement, a project concept plan will be submitted by February 2004. 2003 Elections - Members of the administration worked in conjunction with Miami-Dade County Elections staff to coordinate and train personnel for the elections held on Tuesday, November 4, 2003. Elections staff were on hand in the First Floor Conference Room from October 27-29 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m., October 30-31 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and November 1 from 9 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., to assist in the early voting process. Polls were open on election day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. An informational pamphlet, detailing the ballot questions, was created by the City and disseminated throughout the community as well as posted on the City's website. Candidate forums were recorded and were broadcast every three hours on the City's -rv20 access channel. Convention Development Tax (CDT) - On November 4, 2003 the Board of Miami-Dade County Commissioners adopted a Resolution as follows: "RESOLUTION PLEDGING AVAILABLE CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT TAX AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISE FACILITY TAX PROCEEDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF BALL PARK FOR FLORIDA MARLINS, L.P.; APPROVING CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND AUTHORIZING COUNTY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE ANY AND ALL RELATED GREEMENTS SUBJECT TO FINAL BOARD APPROVAL". The resolution was amended by Commissioner Sally Heyman to honor the County's commitment with the City of Miami Beach if the negotiations with the Florida Marlins do not reach a successful outcome by March 15, 2004. I am preparing a report to the City Commission for the November 25, 2003 Commission meeting in which I plan to clarify certain representations made at the Board of County Commissioner's meeting and am gathering information and data relative to the Convention Development Tax that will serve in any future discussions with the County relative to Amendment One of the Intedocal Agreement. Potamkin Site - I, along with members of the Administration, met with Alan Potamkin, Jeff Berkowitz and Wayne Pathman to continue discussions regarding the proposed retail development on 5th Street and Alton Rd. which will include a supermarket. It is anticipated that a negotiated term sheet will be presented to the Finance Committee before year end. Alaska Parcel - A meeting was held with Tom Daly and Joyce Bronson from the Related Group to discuss the City Commission's directive at the October 15, 2003 executive session conceming litigation on the Alaska Parcel and surrounding properties. The Developer is evaluating submitting project sketches in compliance with the City Commission's request and is evaluating options to activate the pedestrian experience along South Pointe Drive as part of the parcels' developments. Penrods - After several correspondences between the parties, I and members of the Administration held a telephone conference call with the representatives of Penrods to discuss the City's September 30 proposal. It appears that Penrods is now willing to agree to the terms proposed therein and has significantly complied with the scope of work agreed to including removal of nuisance vegetation on the east and north side of the South Pointe Pier Park and inside the Park, thinning of nuisance vegetation and creation of an opening on the south side, removal of the fence on the north side, removal of items stored on the north side of the property and removal of screened bar at east side entrances. Additional items must be addressed such as restoring the north side pathway, and ongoing restoration of the park premises and a site tour is scheduled for November 19 at 5:00 pm. The terms of a proposed concession agreement will be discussed at the Finance Committee meeting on November 20, 2003 If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact me. JMG/ri/ F:/cmgr/$all/Itc-03/weeklyupdates/Novernber 6 Weekly Update