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C6C-Report- July 31 2015 Neighborhood-Community Affairs CommitteeOFFICE OF THE CIry MANAGER TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members of the City Commission COMMISSION MEMORANDUM FRoM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manag * ruZ bDATE: August 12,2015 ( / SUBJECT: REPORT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (NCAC) MEETING ON FRIDAY, JULY 31,2015 A meeting of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee was held on Friday, July 31, 2015 al 2:00pm in the Commission Chamber, 3rd Floor of City Hall. Commissioners in attendance: Commissioners Michael Grieco, Joy Malakoff, Micky Steinberg and Ed Tobin. Members from the administration and the public were also in attendance. THE MEETING OPENED AT 2:10 P.M. 1. Report From Miami-Dade County Public Schools On The Status Of The Action Plan Related To Nautilus Middle SchoolAnd Progress Date. Commission ltem RgE, October 22, 2014 (Requested by Commissioner Tobin) AFTER-ACTION Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Chief Learning Officer, presented this item. This is the fourth follow-up to an action plan that was presented to the commission in June 2014. Sally Alayon, North Region Director for M-DCPS, presented on behalf of Nautilus Middle School Principal Rene Bellmas, and informed the committee that Nautilus was still waiting for Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) results and the school's climate survey results. Sally Alayon also updated the committee on one of the new initiatives between FIU's ACCESS work groups and Nautilus Middle School. Currently the ACCESS group and Nautilus are collaborating on a curriculum called "Habits of the Mind" - which builds on character, problem solving and critical thinking skills. At the time, Sally Alayon said the principal was at an ACCESS work group training, representing his school with a group of his teachers. The school will implement this curriculum in the upcoming school year. For the 2015-2016 school year, FIU will continue to provide feedback in the form of instructional reviews. Sally Alayon said that tutoring had expanded, specifically afterschool and on the weekends, and provided some quantified statistics. ESOL and reading tutoring averaged 60 participating students, algebra tutoring averaged about 9-'10 students a session every day after school, and Saturday tutoring (January through April) averaged 55 students. Sally Alayon noted that the school provided busing for Saturday tutoring. Additionally, Sally Alayon informed the committee that from the 2013-2014 school year to the 2014- 20'15 school year, there was an overall decrease in disruptive behaviors from 316 Agenda ltem L)OC Date ?-2-/f263 incidents to 206 incidents. Defiance of school personnel dropped from 252 incidents to 134 incidents. Students failing to comply with class rules dropped from 166 to 98. lndoor suspensions dropped from 214 incidents to 86 incidents. Lastly, outdoor suspensions dropped from 161 incidents to 53 incidents. Commissioner Malakoff asked about how the teens relate to the Teen Club tutors. Sally Alayon said the tutors are hired by the school and they are not Teen Club staff. The only scores available were results from both algebra and biology end-of-course exams. Sally Alayon prefaced that these were high school level courses given to middle school students. That being said, Sally Alayon said the scores indicated that 90% of students passed the exams in algebra and biology. Sally Alayon informed the committee that the school is pushing teacher development in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as working to enhance the performing arts program. The school is adding two new chorus classes, two theater classes, two production crew classes, and one new Spanish teacher to compliment the lB program. The school also has a wellness program, and the Division of Social Sciences has now made it adaptable for students with physical impairments to participate in Physical Education through technology. Commissioner Steinberg asked Sally Alayon what she considered that the biggest obstacle for the upcoming school year would be. Sally Alayon said that the school needs to make sure that the teachers are well prepared to lead their students as they raise the curriculum. Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld said the City is supporting that effort with the City's lB conference (set to take place August 17th and 18th), where about 7Oo/o of Nautilus teachers are participating in the conference. NO ACTION TAKEN. 2. Discussion Regarding The Status Of City Funds Given To The Wolfsonian-FlU Museum. Commission ltem C4M, April 15,2015 (Requested by Commissioner Tobin) AFTER.ACT!ON Tim Rodgers, Director of the Wolfsonian, presented this item. Tim Rodgers said he would be looking into the reinstallation of a permanent collection. The Wolfsonian stores 180,000 objects in their warehouse. Tim Rodgers said the current collection revolves around the highlights, but that he would like to reorganize the first floor to be the history of art deco on Miami Beach. Tim Rodgers said this artwork would always be on display, and not rotate. The other floor would be reorganized to link current life to the early part of the 20th century, and highlight the causes of events revolving the environment and industrialization. Tim also said that there would be an expanded education space. Rene Gonzalez, architect to the project, took the committee through the conceptual plan of the Wolfsonian Museum. Rene Gonzalez said the plan is to open up the ground floor 264 3. and create integration to the City, so as to invigorate Washington Avenue. DIRECTION: Come back in 6 months to present an update. Discussion Regarding Status of Beach Chair Lock Boxes For Valuables. Commission ltem C4P, February 11, 2015 (Requested by Commissioner Tobin) AFTER.AGTION Max Sklar, Director of Tourism, Culture, and Economic Development, presented this item. Max Sklar reminded the committee that at the last NCAC meeting, the Boucher Brothers were in the process of getting new lockboxes. The lockboxes are now 6 weeks away from coming in. In the meantime, Max Sklar said the signage that Commissioner Tobin requested would be placed on the beach within a week's time. NO ACTION TAKEN. Discussion Regarding Bicycle Parking Locations And Adding Attractive Bike Racks Throughout The City. Commission ltem C4H, July 23, 2015 (Req uested by Com missioner M al akoff) AFTER.ACTION Xavier Falconi, Senior Planner for the Transportation Department, presented this item. Xavier Falconi informed the committee that the Transportation Department had met with the Historic Preservation Board, Design Review Board and the Art in Public Places committee, since the last NCAC meeting. The Design Review Board said they would like to choose the design for the bike racks based on a contest which is open to the public. Both the Historic Preservation Board and the Art in Public Places committee said they would prefer to stay with the current U-shaped bike racks. Xavier Falconi presented a few options. The first option would be to select a design from the memo, beginning on page 14 of the agenda packet. The second option would be to select an artist, and the third option is to host a contest, as suggested by the Design Review Board. Commissioner Joy Malakoff said that if both the Historic Preservation Board and the Art in Public Places committee would prefer the inverted U-shape design, then the city should stick with the current design. MOTION: By Commissioner Steinberg to continue with the inverted U-shaped bicycle racks designs. Unanimous approval. Discussion Regarding The Lack of Availability Of Public Parking At 46th Street And Collins Avenue. Commission ltem C4O, February 11, 2015 (Requested by Commissioner Steinberg) And Discussion Regarding A Gompetition Swimming Poo!. 4. 5. 265 6. Commission ltem C4K, June 10,2015 (Req uested by Com missioner Mal akoff) AFTER-ACTION Saul Frances, Parking Director, presented this item. Saul Frances informed the committee that ClP, the Parking Department, and the Parks and Recreation Department had met since the last NCAC meeting and determined that there were preliminary issues which require direction. From a parking perspective, Saul Frances said he would like to maximize the number of spaces in the garage. The type of facility it turns out to be will determine the amount of parking that is needed. Commissioner Tobin said that 46th street location did not have to be the location of the Olympic-size swimming pool and inquired if there were other places besides the beach. John Rebar, Parks and Recreation Director, said they are ready to study other options, but will focus on this location first. Commissioner Malakoff said that this site was being considered a location because the base of the parking garage could have lockers and restrooms for the swimmers, and the pool could be built on an open space with a view to the ocean. Saul Frances said that whether the pool would be on a flat space or not was another component of the direction they needed. Assistant City Manager Mark Taxis noted that there is a difference between a competition swimming pool and an Olympic-size swimming pool. John Rebar said that the motion from the Parks and Recreation Board specifies 50 meters, which is the length of an Olympic-size pool. A competition pool would be 25 meters in length. John Rebar said he would need direction in regards to that, and also inquired whether there would be a dive wall component. Commissioner Joy Malakoff recalled that the swimming coach from the high school requested a competition sized pool with blocks and a diving component. John Rebar said that the advisory committee specified they wanted a 50 meter pool, Olympic-size pool. Commissioner Grieco said Park and Recreation should look into expanding the Normandy lsle pool. DIRECTION: Commissioner Tobin said to come back in September with options for both an Olympic and a competition size pool. Discussion Regarding Amending Chapter 74 Of The Code Of The City Of Miami Beach, Entitled "Peddlers And Solicitors," By Amending Article lll, Entitled "Panhandling On Public Property," To Provide Additional Areas Where Panhandling ls Prohibited; Providing For Repealer, Severability, Codification, And An Effective Date. Commission ltem C4B, July 8, 2015 (Req uested by Com missioner Wolfson) AFTER.ACTION: Maria Ruiz, Director of Housing and Community Services, presented this item. Maria Ruiz said this item was driven by the number of complaints received, especially by those along the Washington Avenue corridor and those along the Ocean Drive corridor. Maria Ruiz said that homeless approach tourists/ passersby/ or residents and restaurants for 266 7. soliciting purposes, and many times tourists/ passersby/ or residents find themselves having to come off the sidewalk and onto the street to try and avoid the person. The specific change to the ordinance identifies certain areas in the city which are critical to its economic health, such as Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue from South Pointe Drive to 17th street, and further north from 63'd to 75th streets. Maria Ruiz said the ordinance prohibits people from panhandling in these zones. MOTION: By Commissioner Grieco to move in favor of the ordinance which prohibits panhandling in areas of the city which are critical to its economic health. Unanimous approval. Discussion And Update Regarding Undergrounding Of FPL Lines In The Venetian lslands And Citywide. Commission ltems RgU R70, July 8, 2015 (Requested by Commissioner Tobin) AFTER-ACTION Eric Carpenter, Public Works Director, presented this item. Eric Carpenter said the Venetian lslands Homeowners Association has taken the initiative to engage an engineering firm to come up with preliminary plans to try and get FPL and the City to sign off on transformer locations. The City got the plans last week and sent them back to the homeowners association with edits. The homeowners association is currently looking at revising the City's comments. Eric Carpenter said FPL has sent over the guidelines they are looking to accomplish in this process, and also said that everyone is working collectively to move fonruard with this issue. ln anticipation of any questions, Eric Carpenter said that Public Works calculated the cost of citywide undergrounding. Eric Carpenter said, based off 140 miles of streets and 33 miles of alleys and assuming there would not be any duplication (underground would either occur on the alley or on the street), it would cost $400 per linear foot for FPL. Eric Carpenter noted FPL is only 60% of the overall cost. The ball park estimate for citywide undergrounding is $500 million. NO ACTION TAKEN. Discussion Regarding Options For The Relocation Of The 21"1 Street Teen Center. Commission ltem C4A, July 8, 2015 AFTER.ACTION John Rebar, Parks and Recreation Director, presented this item. John Rebar provided some background information regarding the necessity of the relocation of the Teen Club at 21"t street recreation center, and attributed the construction of the new Convention Center as the reason. John Rebar prefaced the conversation by informing the committee that all of the current options for the relocation had their downsides. The first option is to move the teens to the Flamingo Park PAL building. Currently PAL uses 50% of the building, and Parks and Recreation uses the other 50% of it - mostly for an after-care program of elementary age students. Parks and Recreation could move the elementary aged students to the Scott Rakow Youth center, and move teens to the PAL building. One major issue with this solution is that the venue would not have the capacity to serve the same number of children for summer camp; Parks and Recreation would 8. 267 9. need an additional site for the summer camp. Other issues include that many of the Flamingo Park parents walk to pick up their kids, so the city may have to look into transportation to drive the kids from the Scott Rakow Youth Center back to Flamingo Park. A second option would still include relocating the Teen Club to the PAL building, in addition to partnering with the new Boys and Girls club that is in construction. John Rebar said the issue with this option was that the new building is still under construction and the Boys and Girls club is not in a position to either solidify a deal or continue the conversation. A third option would be to go to the high school and use a small allotted space. Since the school already has their own activities in place, Parks and Recreation would not have use of the gymnasium or the auditorium. Another option which was explored was to move the North Shore Park Youth Center aftercare program to Biscayne Elementary. ln turn, North Shore Park could be used to house the teen center. The problem this option faces is that the kids in the aftercare program are not solely from Biscayne Elementary, but also from Mater Academy and Treasure lsland. The city could not move those children from the current location due to a school board policy. John Rebar said the Miami Beach Teen Club staff made an amended recommendation to move the Teen Club to the Scott Rakow Center, and have the program cohabitate with the existing elementary school aftercare. Staff believes they can create separate entrances for the different age groups and carefully program how the kids rotate throughout the 14 available areas. John Rebar supported this recommendation and said that Parks and Recreation would consider having an open house for parents before the programs started to ease concerns. David Martinez, Director of ClP, approached the dais to update the commission on the plans for the Muss Park pavilion. David Martinez said that an architect has started to design the new facility and expects the project to be completed no sooner than a year and a half from now. DIRECTION: Commissioner Tobin told David Martinez to come back to the next NCAC meeting with the architect who is designing the Muss Park pavilion, and a time frame for the project. MOTION: By Commissioner Grieco to move in favor of the amended recommendation made on behalf of the teen club staff. Unanimous Approval. Monthly Crime Statistics Report. (Recurring ltem On A Monthly Basis) Commission ltem R9D, April 13,2011 (Requested by Commissioner Tobin) AFTER.ACTION Mark Causey, Police Major, presented this item. Mark Causey spoke about arrests made in connection with the recent bank robberies. The last arrest cleared two bank robberies in Miami Beach and another one in Miami Shores. Mark Causey also said that the ordinance which restricts boats from tying up to a public sea wall took effect a couple 268 weeks ago. On the first day the ordinance took effect, PD had a special detail with the entire marine patrol squad. Major Causey said the signage that had been placed to warn vessels from docking worked in favor of the city because only 10 vessels were towed on the morning the ordinance took effect. Mark Causey also informed the committee that Sergeant Jose Reina was now the Ocean Drive sergeant during the night time hours. Once the sea turtle nesting period started, PD had to remove all portable lights from Lummus Park. The lights were moved to the 100 blocks of 8th street and 1Oth street, where lighting is an issue. Mark Causey said PD had a walk-through of Ocean Drive with Jeff Oris and 12 other city employees to look at all lighting issues the length of Ocean Drive and Lummus Park, and look into safety issues. Commissioner Grieco inquired about having a potential South of Fifth neighborhood patrol unit. Major Causey said PD has 8 officers in week 2 of FTO training at the moment. Once the officers complete the 3 month program, they will be deployed depending on where they are needed. Major Causey informed the committee that all three shifts on Mid Beach had a walking detail on the boardwalk. He also said that PD has been addressing bike riding on Lincoln Road with a police detail. Major Causey said that removing bike racks from Lincoln Road and installing them on the side streets would be a great solution. To address the loud noise on Ocean Drive, PD put up a message board on Fifth Street and Ocean Drive. Major Causey said that the open air electric cars were the main violators. PD also reached out to the companies that run the open air electric cars to tell them that they must comply with the city's noise ordinance. Additionally, Mark Causey informed the committee that the west bound traffic light on the MacArthur causeway was extended an additional 90 seconds for the afternoon rush hour (4:1Spm to 6pm), which has made a significant difference in traffic flow. NO ACTION TAKEN. Meeting adjourned at 3:48pm. 269 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 270