LTC 365-2023 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT EARNS 4th APWA REACCREDITATIONDocuSign Envelope ID : 504C34DF-3991-4645-96C E-612D F3C3FDFF
MIAMI E
NO. LTC# 365-2023
H
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FR OM: Ana T. Hudak, ciy Man aoer [a..ii.4
DATE: August 17, 2023
SUBJECT: PUBLIC WORK S DEPARTMENT EAR NS 4" AP WA REA CCRE DITATION
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to report that the City of Miami Beach's Public Works
Department has been re-accredited by the American Public Works Association (APWA) for
another 4 years. This notable accomplishment serves as a reaffirmation of the Miami Beach
Public Works Department's unwavering dedication to upholding best practices in its field,
positioning it alongside an exclusive group of agencies that proudly bear this distinction.
In a comprehensive assessment conducted on August 15-16, 2023, the Department underwent
a meticulous on-site audit of its management practices by impartial industry experts designated
by the APWA. The audit encompassed a thorough evaluation of the Department's operations,
policies, and preemptive measures, with a stringent focus on adherence to nearly 500 best
practice guidelines established by the APWA. As a result of this rigorous scrutiny, the
Department's operations were found to be in 100% compliance with the prescribed standards,
further reinforcing its commitment to excellence and industry leadership.
In preparation for the reaccreditation process, the Public Works Department dedicated itself to
an extensive reevaluation of its existing methodologies and the streamlining of its operations.
This comprehensive undertaking focused on key areas of importance, including stormwater and
flood management, risk and emergency protocols, right-of-way practices, street cleaning and
recycling methods, landscaping operations, planning and development, communications
disciplines, and wastewater conveyance, among others. To demonstrate their commitment to
shared efficiencies, over 20 members of the Public Works team actively participated in presenting
the intricate innerworkings and inter-workings of their various divisions. They provided extensive
supportive documentation of the Department's collective efforts and highlighted their commitment
to maximizing operational effectiveness.
Attaining this reaccreditation serves as a testament to the Public Works Department's standing
as a premier, well-managed professional agency. It signifies that:
• The Department's practices and policies have been acknowledged as meeting the highest
pro fessional standards thro ughout the United States and Canada.
• By pro viding efficient services to stakeholders, the Department upholds the City's ethics
and fulfills its fiduciary duties to all employees.
• The Department strives to cultivate a relationship of trust with residents, businesses, City
leadership, and elected officials, actively promoting transparency, exceptional
communications, and respect.
• The Department remains committed to ongoing evaluation and optimization of its
processes, ensuring it remains at the forefront of industry standards.
• Their unwavering dedication to excellence distinguishes the Miami Beach Public Works
Department as a trusted and forward-thinking entity within the field.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5D4C34DF-3991-4645-96CE-612DF3C3FDFF
For more than 80 years, the APWA has been steadfast in its mission to advance professional
excellence and foster public awareness regarding public works by means of education,
advocacy, and the sharing of knowledge. Its international membership presently surpasses
30,000, consisting of public works departments, private sector companies, and individuals.
Reaccreditation is mandatory every four years. The City of Miami Beach's Public Works
Department was the first municipality in South Florida to receive the accreditation in 2007.
Additionally, it has the distinction of being only one of 24 municipalities in the state of Florida,
and 194 municipalities in North America (USA and Canada) to hold this
accreditation. Considering the thousands of municipal governments that exist in the United
States and Canada, this is an outstanding achievement and illustrates the City's commitment to
its residents and visitors to provide the best and most professional services possible.
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