LTC 148-2004 Amending the Ordinance Adressign Newsracks
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. 148-2004
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To:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez \ .r~
City Manager ()fIJ-O
Subject: AMENDING THE ORDINANCE ADDRESSING NEWSRACKS
Date: June 10, 2004
In a previous LTC information was provided about the efforts of Public Works Department
to revise the current ordinance governing the permitting, location, and maintenance of
portable newspaper sales racks (newsracks). At the City Commission meeting on June 9,
2004, a referral of the proposed revised ordinance to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs
Committee was deferred. During discussion on the referral an incorrect impression may
have been made regarding the outreach and discussion conducted by staff.
The proposed revision to the newsrack ordinance is the result of a four month collaborative
effort by staff, publishers and citizens. Modular newsracks were discussed frequently, but
it was emphasized that the goal of the newsrack group was to revise the ordinance
regulating individual newsracks and that the modular newsrack application was still in the
development stage. At the group's request, Public Works and CIP attended the meeting on
February 24, 2004, to specifically discuss modular newsracks. A lengthy discussion was
held which culminated in assurances that current plans called for installation of modular
newsracks only on Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road.
The attached email was sent to the group on June 8,2004. It included the additional
revision to the draft ordinance addressing modular newsracks and announced a newsrack
group meeting on June 22, 2004, to discuss the issue prior to the
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee meeting in July.
The success of the newsrack group's efforts is due largely to the participation in the
process by publishers such as the Miami Herald, SunPost, USA Today, Street, Sun
Sentinel, and Entertainment Weekly. Effective working relationships have been
established. I am confident that continuation of this forum will permit the modular newsrack
issue to be addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned. 0 0
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Robert C. Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Fred H. Beckmann, Public Works Director
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F:\WORK\$ALL\OLUCY LLOPIS\L TC\Newsrack Ordinance.doc
Message
Page 1 of 1
Halfhill, Robert
From: Villar, Elisa
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 2:50 PM
To: Robert L. Metz (rmetz@usatoday.com); Andrew Stark (astark@miamisunpost.com); Don Louser
(dlouser@herald.com); Don Worth (dontonton@aol.com); Elisa Villar
(ElisaVillar@miamibeachfl.gov); Elizabeth Maclaren (Iibbymac@bellsouth.net); Hector Guevara
(hguevara@herald.com); Howard Salus (hsalus@entnews.com); Michael Albo
(malbo@herald.com); Michael Cohen (michael.cohen@miaminewtimes.com); Ronnie Singer;
Segona Calcerrada; Carlos Curbelo; Fernando Alonso; Halfhill, Robert; Hector Rodriguez; Julian
Suardi; Marlo Courtney; Morris Sunshine; Paul Miller; Rivas, Jose
Subject: Newsrack Ordinance
The revised newsrack ordinance is on the agenda for the City Commission meeting tomorrow. The purpose is to
have it referred to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee for discussion and review. The ordinance
revision is already in the City Attorney's Office for legal review. The modular newsrack subject is gaining
momentum. I was asked to include the following item as the last paragraph of the newsrack ordinance revision.
Sec. 82.192. Modular Newsracks
The City reserves the right to install and regulate modular newsracks at locations determined by the City.
I have also been asked to continue our committee meetings and broaden our discussion to include modular
newsracks. My intentions are to schedule a meeting of our committee in the Public Works Conference Room for
Tuesday, June 22. 2004 at 10:00. Please advise me of your availability and RSVP with Elisa Villar.
Thanks
Bob Halfhill
06/10/2004