LTC 161-2024 Interim Personnel Appointment - Parking DepartmentMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC# LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Rickete wtams, Interim cy Manaa, ff'()
April 30, 2024
Interim Personnel Appointment - Parking Department
As noted in Letter to Commission (L TC)# 083-2024 dated March 6, 2024, Monica Beltran, Parking
Department Director, has decided to retire from her service to the City. Monica has exemplified
dedicated leadership and commitment during her tenure. We will certainly miss her solutions-
driven approach, exemplary customer service and superior work ethic.
In recognition of the natural synergy between the Parking and Transportation and Mobility
Departments, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jos~ R. Gonz~lez, P.E. as Interim
Parking Director (over Administration) in addition to his current role as Transportation and
Mobility Department Director. Alberto Ventura will maintain his role as Assistant Parking
Director with an elevated focus on all operational functions. With the Parking Department in
the process of undertaking several strategic initiatives including a master plan, a new North Beach
residential parking zone, potential hybrid decal program, PAVE Mobility expanded pilot, disabled
placard registration process, procurement of handheld enforcement equipment, and expansion of
electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, among others, it is critical to reinforce the Department
with strong administrative leadership to complement its operational capacity during the
interim period.
With the unique intersection of the Departments, there is an opportunity to be creative and
leverage resources to promote greater collaboration. It is worth highlighting some key
examples of the collaborative relationship that exists between the Transportation and Parking
Departments, including co-liaising with the Transportation, Parking and Bicycle-Pedestrian
Facilities Committee; planning and implementation of the ongoing Intelligent Transportation and
Smart Parking System project; establishing park-and-ride shuttle services from parking garages
during major special events and high impact periods; and coordinating multiple transportation
projects to minimize and mitigate impacts to on-street parking. The alignment of these types of
functions is not a novel approach in the public sector as both the City of Fort Lauderdale and the
City of Coral Gables have merged these functions into a single department.
Jose joined the City in 2011 as a Transportation Manager in what was then the Transportation
Division within the Public Works Department. In 2014 he was selected to serve as director of the
newly established Transportation and Mobility Department. During his 13-year tenure with the City,
Jose has helped to shape and professionalize the City's transportation planning and traffic
engineering functions as well as spearheaded numerous innovative projects and programs,
including several "firsts": first citywide trolley service and first eco-friendly/on-demand transit
service in Miami Beach, first bicycle-pedestrian master plan and street design guide in Miami
Beach, first protected green bicycle lanes in Miami-Dade County, first city in Miami-Dade County
to establish a modal prioritization to guide the implementation of mobility projects, and only city in
Miami-Dade County to launch an intelligent transportation/smart parking system including a real-
time traffic management center co-located at the Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT)
District 6 Sun Guide Center.
161-2024
To this end, Jose has demonstrated the ability to efficiently balance limited staffing resources and
manage a robust work plan with a current annual operational and capital budget of approximately
$18 million and $15 million, respectively. Prior to his tenure with the City of Miami Beach, Jose
worked as a Transportation Manager for the City of Miami within the Office of the City Manager
where he planned and developed Miami's successful citywide trolley service. He also served in
various capacities during his 10 years of service with FDOT - District 6. Jose holds a bachelor's
degree in civil engineering from Florida International University and is registered as a Professional
Engineer in the state of Florida. He is also a Miami Beach resident.
Jos~'s background and experience, coupled with that of the existing Parking team, will
serve well in maintaining the success of the Parking Enterprise Fund and developing and
implementing planned initiatives from a legislative, programmatic, and operational
perspective. Effective May 1, 2024, Jose will provide oversight of the administration of the Parking
Department with operational leadership from Alberto Ventura. Alberto has served as Parking
Assistant Director for roughly 2.5 years, in addition to 13.5 years in other operational, management
and leadership roles within the Department. Alberto has significant experience with all parking
operation and enforcement functions including off-street and on-street facilities, freight-loading,
valet, towing, and special events/high impact. Albert earned an associate's degree from Miami
Dade College and is currently pursuing a bachelor's of public administration from Barry University.
He is also a U.S. Navy Veteran. Otniel Rodriguez will also continue in his role as Transportation
and Mobility Assistant Director. Note that Otniel has approximately 8 years of experience with the
City, including over 6 years working within the Public Works Department where he served as the
Right-of-Way Manager for 3 years. Assistant City Manager, David Martinez, P.E., will provide
added support to both departments during the interim period.
As the transition period continues, recall that the Human Resources Department is
implementing a robust recruitment effort for senior management roles, including the
Parking Director position. The Parking Director position was advertised on March 11" and
closed on April 12". Applications are currently under review. Should you have any questions
about the recruitment process or require further information regarding this interim appointment,
please let me know.
Thanks for your continued support, guidance, and feedback. Please join me in wishing Monica the
very best in her future endeavors, supporting Jose as he takes on added duties and
responsibilities, and cheering on Alberto as he assumes a greater level of operational
management.
CC: Ricardo J. Dopico, City Attorney
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
Joe M. Centorino, Inspector General
Executive Staff
Department Directors