LTC 006-2006 Bi-Weekly Updates - December 19 & December 26, 2005MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 00~-2006
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
FROM:
DATE:
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~,~.~
January 4, 2006
SUBJECT: BI-WEEKLY UPDATE-- Weeks of December 19 and December 26, 2005
The purpose of this LTC is to provide you with an update describing some of the areas the
Administration has recently been focusing on:
Emergency Management-- On Monday, December 19, Miami Beach Police
Department (MBPD) and Miami Beach Fire Department including Ocean Rescue
responded to the Chalk's Ocean Airways seaplane crash which took place at 2:37pm in
the east and south side of Government Cut. MBPD representatives secured the land
area near the crash site and assisted Miami Beach Ocean Rescue, Miami Dade Fire
Department, Miami Dade Police Department and United States Coast Guard at the crash
site.
I, along with Chief Don De Lucca and Chief Floyd Jordan, held an on-site press
conference immediately after the area was secured and specific information was
available for dissemination to the media. In the days following this tragic event, the
Administration facilitated information to the media regarding the City's role in the
emergency response effort as well as cooperated with local, state and federal authorities
to ensure all the information was available to investigators.
The rapid response time of City of Miami Beach Police Department, Fire Department and
Ocean Rescue Division was highlighted by the media as well as eyewitnesses, and by all
accounts, our City's first responders performed their duties in an outstanding and
capable manner.
Cirque du Soleil m On December 19, 2005, staff and I met with Maria Sastre,
Chairwoman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) to discuss
various issues including the GMCVB, Convention Development Tax, Convention Center
Expansion, Cirque du Soleil as well as convention business opportunities and hotel room
availability.
Holiday Courtesy Notice (Parking Enforcement) - In keeping with the holiday spirit,
the Administration once again provided a one (1) hour grace period at expired meters.
The vehicle operators were advised of this courtesy through a holiday courtesy notice
placed on their windshields in lieu of a parking citation. This courtesy was extended to all
on-street and off-street metered parking spaces from December 19-26, 2005.
Flamingo Park Playground/Tot Lot Ribbon Cuffing -- The Parks and Recreation
Department hosted the ribbon cutting for the new $185,000 playground at Flamingo Park on
December 20, 2005. Thanks to the Miami Beach G.O. Bond Program and a grant from the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Recreation Development Assistance
Program, this new facility includes three times more opportunities for fun than the older
equipment. The new playground includes areas and activities for specific ages, swing sets,
and a rock-climbing wall. This is just one of several improvements planned for Flamingo
Park in the near future.
MBPD and Fire Department Toy Drives - On December 21,2005 the Miami Beach Police
and Fire Departments hosted their Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway. Through their hard work
and effort, these Departments were able to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of
children who participated in these events.
Building Official Recruitment Process -- Since the Building Assessment Center Process
on December 8, 2005, I have continued to evaluate and move forward on the recruitment
efforts for City's next Building Director.
South Pointe Park Dog Beach - I met with Commissioner Saul Gross and representatives
of the local civic group "Responsible Dog Owners of Miami Beach" on December 27th at
South Pointe Park in order to discuss issues and concerns regarding dog access to the
beach at the park.
Major Events Plan (MEP) -- The City of Miami Beach proved to be prepared for the
New Year's Celebrations throughout the City. New Year's Eve Weekend was by all
accounts a success. Hotel occupancy was very high throughout the entire weekend. The
skies lit up with free fireworks over Ocean Drive, courtesy of the City of Miami Beach and
Ocean Drive Association, as the City welcomed 2006. The City also enhanced staffing
levels during the holiday weekend. A 24-hour hotline, 305-673-7400, was operational
throughout the weekend.
5th Street & Alton Development Project (Potamkin Site) - On December 30, 2005, I met
with Jeff Berkowtiz as well as City staff in a continued effort to discuss construction costs for
the project.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.
JMG/dm
F:\cmg r\$ALL~LTC-06~i-Weekly Update weeks of 12-19-05 and 12-26-05.doc