98-22667 RESO
RESOLUTION NO. 98-22667
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA ENDORSING
THE "NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST" PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the "Neighborhoods First" program is a concept developed by the Mayor, City
Commission, and the City Administration to bring City Hall closer to the problems and concerns of
the neighborhoods and individual needs of the residents within the City of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the "Neighborhoods First" program is an umbrella organization for several
individual City initiatives geared towards making physical improvements in the neighborhoods and
establishing better lines of communication between government and the citizens of the City of
Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the "Neighborhoods First" program is a City-wide effort to shift the focus of
City Hall away from the larger projects and more toward the local needs of the City's residents with
regard to the condition of parks, streets, sidewalks, and neighborhood communities; and
WHEREAS, the "Neighborhoods First" program will be compri"ed of various component
parts including the Neighborhood Inter-Departmental Task Force; the CiviCall public response
program; the City Hall on Wheels program; the Neighborhood Police Initiative; the Police Next
Door Program; an Employee Incentive Program; and the Neighborhood Capital Improvement
Management program; and
WHEREAS, the "Neighborhoods First" program will also include a component to improve
communication between City Hall and the people of Miami Beach in order to provide more efficient
and effective response for services addressing public needs in the community including opportunities
to seek public input, feedback, and participation via a "Neighborhoods First" newsletter;
"Neighborhoods First" updates; City Hall access information cards; utility billing informational
messages, and other printed materials; and
WHEREAS, a further component of the "Neighborhoods First" program will be to spend
tax dollars smarter by better coordinating City efforts and balancing the attention of City Hall to
focus on neighborhoods via requests for improvement grants and outside resources to directly benefit
City neighborhoods and to provide enhanced quality of life for the residents within the City of
Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission deem it in the best interests of the City to
approve, in concept, the "Neighborhoods First" program as outlined above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the "Neighborhoods First"
program is hereby endorsed, in concept, as outlined herein.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 18th day of
February
,1998.
ATTEST:
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MAYOR
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CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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Ciiy Attorney
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Date
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
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. . --.
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TO:
SERGIO RODRIGUEZ
CITY MANAGER
98 FES II PM~: 20
" I ~ . . '.. ._ .', ....
FROM:
NEISEN KASDIN ,JK..
MAYOR
O,:TIC[
DATE:
FEBRUARY 11, 1998
RE:
NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please place on the next agenda a resolution conceptually endorsing the NEIGHBORHOODS
FIRST program. The multi-faceted initiative will be further developed over the next several
weeks with the assistance of the Commission, the Administration, and the public.
Additionally, please place on the agenda the referral of the NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST program
to the Neighborhoods Committee for additional Commission input.
Agenda Item~
L- (($- 9~
Date
tZ.iyllorloocb 2-".11 n
...a town hall approach
Febrllary 11, 1998
Presented by Mayor Neisen Kasdin .
to the City of Miami Beach
~t?'60r'ood, 2r:J1 "
...a town hall approach
1. Component Parts
1. Neighborhood Inter-Departmental Task Force
2. CiviCall
3. City Hall on Wheels
4. Neighborhood Police Initiative
5. Officer Next Door Program
6. Employee Incentive Program
7. Neighborhood Capital Improvement Management Plan
II. Improving Communication
1. "Neighborhoods First" Newsletter
2. "Neighborhoods First" Newspaper Update
3. City Hall Access Information Cards
4. Utility Billing-Additional Information
5. Other Printed Material
III. Smart-Spending
"JZt?'60r'oo~ 2;'.11 "
...a town hall approach
"Neighborhoods First" is a concept established by the Mayor and Commission Office and the
Administration to bring City Hall closer to the problems in our streets, the concerns of our
neighborhoods, and the individual needs of our residents. The first priority should be the
efficient coordination of neighborhood-oriented and user-friendly services. "Neighborhoods
First" is a multi-departmental effort to accomplish this goal. It is a citywide effort to shift the
focus of City Hall away from the large projects that have recently consumed much of ouf time
towards the "local needs" of our residents; towards the condition of our parks, streets, sidewalks,
and communities.
This first draft is a conceptual outline of "Neighborhoods First." It is intended as a working
document to be developed as a partnership between City Hall and the public we serve. Over the
next several weeks, you will see this program evolve and will have an opportunity to provide
input. Hopefully, many of you will take part in this process. Your input and participation is
greatly appreciated...
I. Component Parts
The "Neighborhoods First" program is an umbrella organization for several individual City
initiatives geared towards making physical improvements in the neighborhoods and establishing
better lines of communication. The component parts are delineated below:
· The Neighborhood Inter-Departmental Task Force
The Task Force is an interdepartmental effort to respond to neighborhood concerns within
a structured organization. Monthly meetings will occur throughout different areas of the
Beach and representatives from all service departments will be in attendance. Residents
will have the opportunity to present problems to the group and to establish personal
contacts with the appropriate staff people. Basic service complaints will not need to go
through upper management to be heard and resolved. Full reporting of Task Force
activities will ensure accountability and success.
· CiviCall
Going hand-in-hand with the Task Force is CiviCall. Purchased by and built for the City
of Miami Beach, CiviCall is an automated complaint intake and routing system which is
currently being tested within City Hall. Once fully operational, CiviCall will heighten
public access to City Hall, allowing the Administration to record, route, track, and
respond to individual complaints in a timely and efficient manner. CiviCall
automatically tracks complaints, enabling staff to maintain adequate performance
standards with regard to public service. The use of live telephone operators and
automated procedures are combined for efficient and accurate results. CiviCall will be
introduced as part of the "Neighborhoods First" initiative. By coordinating City efforts,
both the "Neighborhoods First" and CiviCall programs will be more effective.
· City Hall on Wheels
It is often difficult for residents to take the time to visit City Hall. Furthermore, such
visits are usually reserved for settling immediate problems. For this reason,
representatives of the Commission, accompanied by various Department Heads and
Administrative staff, will have the opportunity to visit residents in their neighborhoods.
An Office on Wheels, much like the touring C-SP AN bus, will be created to accomplish
this initiative. The program can be accomplished with little or no cost to the City.
Meetings and neighborhood visits on board the "rolling office" will be scheduled at times
convenient to the residents. City Hall on Wheels is yet another attempt to bring City Hall
closer to our neighborhoods.
· Neighborhood Police Initiative
The Neighborhood Police Initiative, another component of "Neighborhoods First," has
already begun. The Miami Beach Police Department will be charged with reducing
crime, block by block, in Miami Beach and making our forces more accountable to each
neighborhood. Our Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Richard Barreto,
has already instituted neighborhood patrolling, making patrol officers responsible for and
responsive to specific areas or "beats." Neighborhood concerns such as homelessness,
graffiti, and truancy will be addressed during this process. Additional police coverage
has already been received from Miami-Dade County and the City will continue to seek
this assistance in association with "Neighborhoods First".
· Officer Next Door Program
This past June, President Clinton announced the Officer Next Door initiative. The
program offers police officers the opportunity to purchase HUD-owned homes at a 50
percent discount, with a $100 down payment. The Officer Next Door program provides
an affordable house buying option, while bringing a sense of safety into our
neighborhoods. This is done by helping officers reside in the areas they serve. Such a
program, implemented in Miami Beach, will go hand-in-hand with the "Neighborhoods
First" initiatives and will create a heightened sense of security for Miami Beach residents.
Currently, many residents offer affordable rents to Miami Beach police officers. By
establishing this program locally, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development, and the backing of the White House, we can show our support
for this grassroots effort.
· "Neighborhoods First" Emplovee Incentive Program
The "Neighborhoods First" employee incentive program is designed to reinforce the
public service philosophy that is expected of City employees. Currently, merit increases
are subject to supervisory review. This program will allow residents the opportunity to
review City services. A random review procedure will be developed to be the
determinant of across-the-board bonuses for all City employees. The incentive program
will create a "team effort" from within City government, with all employees and residents
benefiting from user-friendly and efficient service. A minimal portion of the traditional
merit increase process can be identified as subject to this program. Therefore, a small
portion of individual employee increases would be calculated according to the results of a
city wide survey. In effect, the only additional cost to the City is that of administering the
survey. The Employee Incentive Program may be subject to employee union negotiation.
· Neighborhood Capital Improvement Management Plan
In addition to handling constituent concerns, there is a need to coordinate capital
improvements within our neighborhoods. The Neighborhoods Commission Committee,
recently established by Mayor Kasdin and Chaired by Commissioner Gottlieb, holds this
responsibility. Items affecting our neighborhoods are referred to the committee. To more
effectively manage and coordinate neighborhood projects, a Neighborhood Capital
Improvement Management Plan will be referred to the Neighborhood Committee. The
Capital Improvement Management Plan will serve to maintain a cohesive plan for Miami
Beach's neighborhoods. In addition to City projects which directly affect the
neighborhoods, such as the South Pointe Streetscape and North Beach Streetscape, the
Neighborhood Capital Improvement Plan will bring together the individual capital
initiatives of north, south, and mid beaches, made possible through the Quality-of-Life
allocations. The management plan will provide the Commission and residents an
overview of the needs and planned improvements to the various neighborhoods.
II. Improving Communication
In order to succeed in bringing City Hall to the people of Miami Beach, we must increase public
awareness and participation. In many respects, the success of the program will depend upon the
ability of the City to communicate its efforts to the public and to respond to feedback. Many of
the components focus on tasks which are, for the most part, performed well by City employees,
but may be trouble-spots in the eyes of our residents. We must provide certain services more
'~ffectively and eliminate public misperceptions with regard to other City services. Miami Beach
residents deserve to feel good about how they spend their tax dollars.
. .... ,.......- )
By establishing better lines of communication with the public, the City can respond more
effectively and efficiently to the needs of the community in relation to "Neighborhoods First,"
and in general. Reports will be generated regularly on the accomplishments and deficiencies of
the various initiatives. The following is a list of some of the many opportunities available in an
effort to seek public input, feedback, and participation:
· "Neighborhoods First" Newsletter
One way to provide accurate and up-to-date information to our residents is to resume
printing the resident/neighborhood newsletter. The last City newsletter was printed over
two years ago and contained a resident survey which was used to improve services.
Program information and feedback can be displayed within the newsletter. Residents
should be privy to the specific accomplishments and on-going problems in their
neighborhoods, in addition to various aspects of City government such as the budget, the
parks bond issuance, and cultural happenings. Outreach will bring City Hall closer to the
residents. Newsletters could be sent quarterly to City residences.
· "Neighborhoods First" Newspaper Updates
Another opportunity to communicate information to the community is via local
newspapers. By seeking their assistance, the City can disseminate specific results and
elicit public involvement. Additionally, Task Force meetings and field trips should be
noticed in the paper. It is imperative that the City reach out to the community and utilize
public input to improve services and neighborhood participation. By communicating
"Neighborhoods First" activity on a regular basis, the City can create a partnership with
the citizens we serve.
· City Hall Access Information Cards
To realize a customer focus, the City can print "Neighborhoods First" access information
cards for distribution throughout the City. Relevant access numbers will be printed on
the face of the card. The card can be used to promote public use of the CiviCall program,
elicit attendance at the Inter-Departmental Task Force meetings, or advertise Department
numbers. Currently, the Tourism and Convention Coordinator, Michael Aller, utilizes
similar cards to advertise emergency assistance for visitors to Miami Beach. This
program has enjoyed great success in our tourist community and would also benefit our
residents. Access information cards can be distributed at association meetings, City Hall
service counters, and other appropriate locations.
· Utility Billing-Additional Information
The City often includes additional messages on the utility billing statements which are
sent to residents on a monthly basis. At no additional charge, the City can communicate
with its residents. Citywide messages, such as the CiviCall telephone number, or area
specific ones, such as information on Task Force and City Hall on Wheels field trips,
should be included.
· Other Printed Material
In addition to utility billing statements, the City incurs the cost of printing and mailing
numerous other materials such as the Parks and Recreation catalog of services. Such
publications are cost-free opportunities for the City to provide information on this and
other programs and promote a new "Neighborhoods First" approach. By simply
promoting a new attitude toward customer service, the City can benefit from heightened
public awareness and increased quality and customer satisfaction.
III~ Smart-Spending
The "Neighborhoods First" program is a predominantly cost-free initiative with a customer-
oriented approach. Nearly all of the services suggested as part of this program are already
funded through our City departments. The concept behind "Neighborhoods First" is not a re-
appropriation of funds, but a readjustment of focus. By better coordinating these City efforts and
balancing the attention of City Hall to focus on neighborhoods, we can be more attentive to the
concerns of our residential community. Through proper management of our resources, we can
better plan the future of our streets, sidewalks, and parks. By spending tax dollars "smarter," the
City can take affirmative action with regard to the safety and physical appearance of our
neighborhoods.
In conjunction with smart-spending of to day's tax dollar, the "Neighborhoods First" approach
makes additional monies available to the City. As an official City project, the "Neighborhoods
First" program would be eligible for neighborhood improvement grants and outside resources.
By creatively seeking outside funds, the City can benefit with little to no cost to the taxpayer.
These additional resources, combined with the total quality service-oriented approach of
"Neighborhoods First," can enhance the City's ability to provide the quality-of-life our residents
desire.
STATE OF THE CITY
GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I WOULD
LIKE TO THANK THE MIAMI BEACH TAXPAYER'S
ASSOCIATION FOR PROVIDING ME, AS MAYOR OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE
ME~ERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, ASSE~LED GUESTS AND
THE CITIZENS OF MIAMI BEACH. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK
AND RECOGNIZE THE OFFICERS OF THE TAXPAYER'S
ASSOCIATION AND IN PARTICULAR, PRESIDENT, JO
ASMUNDSSON, A TIRELESS, SELFLESS, AND MAY I SAY,
DIGNIFIED, CIVIC ACTIVIST WHO, IN MY OPINION, BEARS
THE HIGHEST TITLE THAT CAN BE BESTOWED ON ANY
INDIVIDUAL IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT OF A GOOD CITIZEN.
(RECOGNIZE OTHER DIGNITARIES).
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MY F AMIL Y WHICH IS
PRESENT TODAY, THEY HAVE AFFORDED ME THE
1
OPPORTUNITY OF SERVING THE PUBLIC. IN PARTICULAR,
MY WIFE ANA WHO CARRIED HERSELF WITH STRENGTH AND
GRACE IN THE RECENT ELECTION, AND OUR SONS JULIAN
AND ERIC OF WHOM I AM SO PROUD. I HOPE THAT MY
SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC MAY HELP TEACH THEM THE
IMPORTANCE OF HELPING THE GREATER COMMUNITY IN
WHICH WE ALL LIVE.
AS A CITY COMMISSIONER FOR 6 YEARS BEFORE MY
ELECTION AS MAYOR THIS PAST NOVEMBER, I HAVE
WITNESSED PRONOUNCEMENTS ON THE STATE OF THE CITY
BY OUR DISTINGUISHED FORMER MAYOR, SEYMOUR
GELBER, AND CITY MANAGERS BOTH CAP ABLE AND
NUMEROUS.
IT IS THE JOB OF MAYOR TO LOOK OVER THE HORIZON
AND HELP CHART A COURSE FOR CITY GOVERNMENT, FOR
IT IS THE PERCEPTION OF WHERE THE CITY STANDS TODAY,
\..;.- Ih
2
AND IN WHICH DIRECTION CITY GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE
HEADING, THAT LETS US ESTABLISH THE PRIORITIES OF
CITY GOVERNMENT.
TO PARAPHRASE PRESIDENT CLINTON, THE STATE OF
THE CITY IS STRONG. BY MOST OBJECTIVE MEASURES, THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH IS A BETTER CITY WITHIN WHICH TO
LIVE AND VISIT THAN IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO. THE CITY IS
MORE PROSPEROUS THAN AT ANY TIME IN ITS HISTORY.
OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS THE VALUE OF ALL REAL
PROPERTY HAS RISEN FROM APPROXIMATELY 2.5 BILLION
DOLLARS TO OVER 6.5 BILLION DOLLARS TODAY. IT IS
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE INCREASE IN VALUE HAS
RESUL TED ALMOST COMPLETELY FROM THE RENOVATION
AND APPRECIATION OF EXISTING PROPERTIES. ONLY A
SMALL FRACTION REPRESENTS NEW CONSTRUCTION.
THERE IS A VERY SIMPLE LESSON LEARNED FROM THIS ONE
"
.)
F ACT, YOU DO NOT NEED GIANT HIGH RISE BUILDINGS TO
SUPPORT THE CITY'S TAX BASE. ANOTHER FACT, ALMOST
75% OF THE INCREASE IN PROPERTY VALUES WAS
GENERATED FROM SOUTH BEACH, THE AREA OF THE CITY
THAT HAS LONG HAD THE MOST RESTRICTIVE ZONING. A
NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH MOST OF THE PROPERTY LIES IN
A HISTORIC DISTRICT, WHERE DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC
STRUCTURES IS PROHIBITED AND STRINGENT HEIGHT
LIMITS, IN MOST CASES 50 FEET OR LESS, ARE IMPOSED. THE
MORAL OF THE STORY IS THAT GOOD ZONING HAS
ENHANCED PROPERTY VALUES, AND ENCOURAGED
INVESTMENT. EXCESSIVE BUILDING RIGHTS ACTUALLY
DETER INVESTMENT, BECAUSE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF THE VALUE OF THEIR
PROPERTY AND THEREFORE DON'T SELL OR FIX UP THEIR
PROPERTIES.
4
OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE CITY HAS ENACTED
PROBABL Y THE GREATEST REDUCTION OF ALLOWABLE
BUILDING RIGHTS OF ANY CITY IN THE HISTORY OF THE
STATE OF FLORIDA. IN 1994 ALLOWABLE FLOOR AREA
RATIO-BUILDING SIZE-WAS REDUCED BY UP TO 330/0 IN THE
CONDO CANYON. THE HISTORIC DISTRICT HAS BEEN
EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE ART DECO DISTRICT
ANn MOST OF SOUTH POINTE. THIS PAST SEPTEMBER
CITYWIDE BUILDING HEIGHT LIMITS WERE ADOPTED, THE
FIRST IN OVER 25 YEARS FOR UPPER COLLINS AVENUE,
WEST AVENUE AND SOUTH POINT. LAST MONTH, DESIGN
BONUSES, AN ANACHRONISTIC SYSTEM THAT ALLOWED
BUILDINGS TO ACHIEVE GREATER SIZE, WERE ELIMINATED
CITY WIDE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE LARGEST BUILDINGS
THA T CAN BE BUILT TODAY WILL BE 40% SMALLER THAN
WHAT COULD BE BUILT 5 YEARS AGO. THE ZONING OF THIS
5
CITY TODAY ASSURES THAT NEW BUILDINGS WILL BE
COMPATIBLE IN HEIGHT AND SCALE WITH SURROUNDING
NEIGHBORHOODS. UNFORTUNATELY, SOME BUILDINGS
BEAT THE DEADLINE OF THE NEW ZONING. THESE PROJECTS
WILL BE CLOSELY SCRUTINIZED IF THEY COME BEFORE THE
CITY COMM:ISSION. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO MORE
BLUE AND GREEN AND WHITE DIAMONDS, AS HENRY KAY
CALLS THEM "THE JEWELRY" IN THIS CITY. I AM PROUD TO
HAVE AUTHORED MOST OF THIS GROWTH MANAGEMENT
LEGISLATION AND THANK MY COLLEAGUES ON THE
CURRENT AND PAST COMMISSION FOR SUPPORT OF THESE
INITIA TIVES AND ESPECIALLY THANK THE CITIZENS OF
MIAMI BEACH FOR PROVIDING THE BACKBONE NEEDED TO
UNDERTAKE THESE HISTORIC INITIATIVES.
WE HAVE WITNESSED THE EVOLUTION OF OUR TOURIST
ECONOMY FROM A MORIBUND BUSINESS BASED ON
6
REGIONAL TOURISM IN THE 80'S TO A VIBRANT BROAD-
BASED DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET OF
SOPHISTICATED LEISURE TRAVELERS, AND FOR THE FIRST
TIME IN THIS CITY'S HISTORY, BUSINESS TRAVEL BASED
LARGEL Y ON THE EMERGING ENTERT AINNIENT INDUSTRY.
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN
INVESTED IN THE RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF
NEW HOTELS, OVER PAST FEW YEARS WITHOUT PUBLIC
SUBSIDY, HOTELS SUCH AS THE DELANO, ALBION, TIDES,
NATIONAL, SHERATON FOUR POINTS, SHORE CLUB, SASSON
SONESTA, MARlOTT SOUTH POINTE, EDEN ROC, WESTIN, AND
MANY OTHERS. THE FLAGSHIP FONTAINEBLEAU IS ABOUT
TO UNDERGO A MAJOR RENOV A TION AND EXPANSION AND
THE LOEW'S MIAMI BEACH, CENTERPIECE OF THE COUNTY'S
EFFORTS TO REVIVE THE MEETING AND CONVENTION
INDUSTRY, WILL OPEN BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. IN
7
10 YEARS TOURIST TAX COLLECTIONS HAVE RISEN FROM
OVER 4 MILLION DOLLARS TO OVER 14 MILLION DOLLARS.
LET ~ ALSO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DEBUNK A
GROWING MYTH, THAT THE BOOM IN HOTEL RENOV A TION
AND GROWTH OF TOURISM IS DUE TO THE CITY'S
INVESTMENT IN THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL.
ALTHOUGH THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOEW'S AND THE
CITY'S TOURISM IS SYNERGISTIC, AND IS LEADING TO
SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL HOTEL INVESTMENT, THE
LOEW'S IS A RESULT OF THE REVITALIZATION OF SOUTH
BEACH NOT THE CAUSE OF IT. WITHOUT SOUTH BEACH'S
FAME AND SUCCESS THERE WOULD BE NO NEW HOTELS, NO
MATTER HOW GREAT THE PUBLIC SUBSIDY. IT IS
IMPORTANT TO GET THIS STRAIGHT AS WE DECIDE HOW TO
INVEST THE BOUNTY FROM THE CITY'S PROSPERITY IN
FUTURE YEARS.
8
OF COURSE NO DISCUSSION OF THE CITY'S ECONOMY
WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT RECOGNITION OF OUR
MAGNlFICENT PRODIGAL SON, OR DAUGHTER, THE
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. MIAMI BEACH IS EMERGING
AS THE CAPITAL OF POPULAR CULTURE FOR THE AlYfERICAS,
REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF MULTINATIONAL lYfEDIA
GIANTS LIKE MTV, SONY MUSIC, WARNER RECORDS,
CISNEROS AND MANY OTHERS. THIS IS A HIGH PAYING,
HIGH PROFILE INDUSTRY, THAT SUPPORTS THE
RESIDENTIAL, COMlVlERCIAL AND VISITOR BASE OF OUR
. COl\1MUNITY AND GREATLY ENHANCES THE IMAGE OF OUR
CITY IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD.
SPECIAL THANKS TO COMMISSIONER NANCY LIEBMAN FOR
HER LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THIS INDUSTRY, IT IS OUR
FUTURE AND WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR
POWER, WITHIN REASON, TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE
9
El~TERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.
SO TO FOR ARTS AND CULTURE. WE ARE THE
CUL TURAL CENTER OF SOUTH FLORIDA. HOl'v1E TO THE NEW
WORLD SYMPHONY, MIAMI CITY BALLET, CONCERT
AS~OCIATION OF FLORIDA, BASS MUSEUM, WOLFSONIAN
(NOW A PART OF F.I.U.) AND MANY SMALLER PERFORMING
AND VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS LIKE AREA STAGE AND
ALLIANCE CINEMA. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF
DEVELOPING A CULTURAL CAMPUS, CONSISTING OF THE
EXPANDED BASS MUSEUM, NEW HOME, REHEARSAL
FACILITY AND SCHOOL FOR THE MIAMI CITY BALLET AND
THE NEW REGIONAL LIBRARY WHOSE DESIGN COMPETITION
HAS ATTRACTED THE WORLD'S TOP ARCHITECTS.
COMMISSIONER GOTTLIEB CONTINUES IN HER ROLE OF
SHEPHERDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW CULTURAL
HEART OF THE CITY. IN THE PAST YEAR WE CREATED A
10
CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL AND ENDOWMENT TO PROVIDE
LONG TERM SUPPORT FOR OUR IMPORTANT CULTURAL
INSTITUTIONS. THE ARTS ARE ONE OF THE COSMOPOLITAN
ATTRACTIONS THAT MAKE MIAMI BEACH A SPECIAL PLACE
TO LIVE AND VISIT.
IN THE PAST YEAR THE CITY HAS MANAGED MAJOR
POLITICAL CHANGE PEACEFULLY AND WITH DIGNITY. JOSE
SMITH AND SIMON CRUZ ARE THE FIRST TWO HISPANIC
ELECTED OFFICIALS IN CITY HISTORY AND, I MUST ADD,
ANA IS THE FIRST HISPANIC FIRST LADY IN THE HISTORY OF
THE CITY. THEY ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED, SOPHISTICATED
AND THOUGHTFUL INDIVIDUALS. UNLIKE OTHER
COMMUNITIES, WHERE ETHNIC POLITICS DEBASES THE
QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT, IN MIAMI BEACH DIVERSITY IS
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED
OFFICIALS. AS WITH PASSAGE OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS
11
ORDINANCE 5 YEARS AGO, AND SOON HOPEFULLY,
DOMESTIC PARTNERS BENEFITS, MIAMI BEACH IS A MODEL
FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY, IN NOT ONLY HOW TO
MANAGE CHANGE, BUT ALSO HOW TO WELCOME AND
INDEED THRIVE BECAUSE OF OUR DIVERSITY.
I MUST AT THIS TIME MENTION OUR RECENTLY
APPOINTED CITY MANAGER, SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, IN 18
YEARS AS A CIVIC ACTIVIST, COMMISSIONER AND NOW AS
MA YOR, I HAVE SEEN MANY CITY MANAGERS COME AND GO
(AL THOUGH NOT AS MANY AS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI OVER
THE PAST 3 MONTHS). NEVER HAS THIS CITY HAD A
MANAGER MORE PROFESSIONAL, FAIR, STRAIGHTFORWARD
AND ruST DOWNRIGHT CLASSY THAN SERGIO.
PROBLEMS REMAIN ALTHOUGH OUR ECONOMY IS
THRIVING AND BROAD BASED, THIS PROSPERITY IS UNEVEN.
AL THOUGH MANY NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BLOSSOMED
12
AND LOOK GREAT, SOME, IN PARTICULAR IN THE NORTH
BEACH AREA, NEED EXTRA HELP AND ATTENTION. CRIME
REMAINS A SERIOUS CITY WIDE CONCERN. WE MUST
REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO REDUCE THIS PROBLEM. THE
EFFECTS OF OVERDEVELOPMENT MUST BE MITIGATED.
DEMAGOGUERY AND MIS-DIRECTED CYNICISM OFTEN
ENCOURAGED BY PEOPLE WITH HIDDEN PRIVATE AGENDAS,
IS INFECTING OUR CITY'S POLITICS. SOME POLITICIANS
WILL SAY WHATEVER THEY THINK THE PUBLIC WANTS TO
HEAR, REGARDLESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND
SOMETIMES CONTRARY TO THEIR OWN PRIV ATE AND
PUBLIC ACTIONS. WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT LET THIS
PHONY POPULISM, REMINISCENT OF THE OLD BEACH
POLITICS FROM THE DAOUD ERA AGAIN TAKE ROOT.
YES, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE OUR PROBLEMS I BELIEVE
THE MIAMI BEACH OF TODAY IS A BETTER MORE
13
INTERESTING COMMUNITY THAN THE MIAMI BEACH OF MY
YOUTH. IF YOU BELIEVE, AS I DO, THAT MIAMI BEACH IS A
SPECIAL COMMUNITY AS IT IS, BECAUSE OF HOW IT HAS
EVOLVED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, BECAUSE OF THE.
SPECIAL MIX OF PEOPLE AND, ESPECIALLY, BECAUSE OF
THE MANY FINE NEIGHBORHOODS IN WHICH WE LIVE AND
WORK WHICH TOGETHER CREATE THE WONDERFUL
TAPESTRY THAT IS OUR COMMUNITY, THEN THE PRIORITY
OF OUR CITY GOVERNMENT IS OBVIOUS, NEIGHBORHOODS
FIRST. LET US NOT TRY TO TRANSFORM OUR CITY INTO
SOMETHING DIFFERENT AS PAST LEADERS TRIED TO DO, LET
US MAKE WHAT WE HAVE BETTER, STARTING WITH OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS.
EACH COMMISSIONER IN THE RECENT ELECTION
CAMPAIGNED ON A THEME OF PROTECTING AND
ENHANCING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. PROTECTION OF THE
14
NEIGHBORHOODS "REQUIRED ELIMINATION OF
INCOMPATIBLE HIGH-RISE ZONING. WITH THE ADOPT10N OF
CITY WIDE HEIGHT LIMITS AND REDUCTION IN OVERALL
BUILDING SIZE THIS GOAL HAS BEEN LARGELY
ACCOMPLISHED.
NOW THE RESOURCES AND ENERGY OF CITY
GOVERNMENT, THE DOLLARS AND STAFF TIME, MUST BE
DEVOTED TO ENHANCING OUR MANY WONDERFUL
NEIGHBORHOODS. IN THE PAST CITY GOVERNMENT WAS
FOCUSED ON BIG PROJECTS LIKE THE CONVENTION HOTEL,
PORTOFINO AND OTHERS. AL THOUGH PAST LEADERSHIP
WAS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
AND SOME IMPORTANT INITIATIVES IN THIS REGARD, SUCH
AS AN EXTENSIVE BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM,
STREETS CAPE IMPROVEMENTS IN NORTH BEACH AND
LINCOLN ROAD AND A CITYWIDE PARK RENEWAL PROGRAM
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HAVE BEEN !NITIA TED, THESE PROGRAMS HAVE NOT HAD
THE SAME PRIORITY AS THE BIG PROJECTS.
GOVERNMENT LOST SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT MIAMI
BEACH IS AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE AND VISIT
BECAUSE OF ITS NEIGHBORHOODS; THE BEAUTIFUL HOMES
THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED UP, THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE,
THE BEACHES AND PARKS AND THE INTERESTING
COMMERCIAL STREETS LIKE LINCOLN ROAD AND OCEAN
DRIVE.
NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST WILL TURN THE FULL
ATTENTION OF CITY GOVERNMENT TO NEIGHBORHOOD
NEEDS BY;
· RAPID AND PROFESSIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE 22 MILLION DOLLAR PARK IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM. EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AND
MAJOR RECREA TIONAL FACILITY WILL BE IN TIP-
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TOP SHAPE, WITH WORK BEGINNING IN LATE
SPRING.
· STREETSCAPES: THE CITY WILL LOOK TO USE ALL
AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO UNDERTAKE
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS.
EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD HAVE WELL
PAVED STREETS, GOOD SIDEWALKS, ADEQUATE
LIGHTING AND ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPING.
· EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD MUST BE SAFE. WE WILL
DECLARE WAR ON YOUTH GANGS THAT PLAGUE
BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH BEACH AND THOSE WHO
ARE ROBBING OUR HOMES AND MUGGING OUR
CITIZENS AND VISITORS. THIS HAS BEGUN WITH
DEPLOYMENT OF THE COUNTY'S GANG UNIT ON
MIAMI BEACH THE PAST 2 WEEKS AND AN
INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE FROM OUR OWN
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POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE DADE COUNTY
SHERIFF'S OFFICE. CHIEF BARRETO AND I HAVE
BEEN TALKING TO COUNTY OFFICIALS INCLUDING
MAYOR PENELAS. I HAVE STRESSED TO THE
MAYOR THAT THIS IS A COUNTY PROBLEM AS
WELL AS A CITY PROBLEM, IN CAUSE AND EFFECT,
AND MAYOR PENELAS HAS PLEDGED TO SUPPORT
OUR EFFORTS.
TO BE TOTALLY EFFECTIVE, NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST
MUST TAKE TOWN HALL TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS. ALL
WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE DOES NOT RESIDE ON THE
FOURTH FLOOR OF CITY HALL. OUR CITIZENS AND
BUSINESS PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT THIS CITY BACK FROM
THE BOTTOM OF AN ABYSS. WE MUST NOT MERELY LISTEN
TO THEM, WE MUST LOOK TO THEM FOR DIRECTION AND
LEADERSHIP. NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST WILL DO THAT BY:
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. EXPEDITING COMPLETION OF THE CITY WIDE
PARKS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
. UNDERTAKING NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVErvrENT
PROGRAMS WITH NEW LIGHTING, LANDSCAPING,
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS.
. CREATION OF AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK
FORCE TO ADDRESS NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS,
SUCH AS CODE ENFORCEMENT, LITTER AND
POLICE PROTECTION.
. CITY HALL ON WHEELS-MEET THE CITIZENS IN
THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.
· CIVICALL-IMPLEMENT THIS AUTOMATIC
COMPLAINT ROUTING SYSTEM IN CITY HALL.
· NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY POLICING
INITIATIVES. CONTINUE TO INCREASE POLICE
VISIBILITY AND PRESENCE.
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. INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR CITY EMPLOYEES WHO
PROVIDE EXEMPLARY CITIZEN SERVICE.
MORE DETAILS OF THIS INITIATIVE ARE A V AILABLE ON THE
HANDOUT BEING DISTRIBUTED. WE WILL FOLLOW-UP IN
MEETINGS WITH NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS FOR THEIR
INPUT. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE REFERRED TO THE
COrvI1\1ISSION'S NEIGHBORHOOD CONTh1ITTEE, CHAIRED BY
COMMISSIONER GOTTLIEB WITH COMMISSIONER SMITH AS
VICE-CHAIR TO REFINE AND PROVIDE OVERSIGHT. THE
SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THIS CONTh1ISSION WILL BE BASED
ON WHETHER OR NOT WE IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS. WITH THE COMMITMENT OF THE
COl\11vIISSION AND ADMINISTRATION I AM SURE WE WILL
SUCCEED.
IN A BROADER SENSE, I SHOULD ADD THAT MIAMI
BEACH HAS A HIGHER ROLE TO PLAY WITHIN MIAMI-DADE
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COul~TY THE REGION AND, IN FACT, THE NATION. WE ARE
AN ENGINE THAT HELPS DRIVE THE COUNTY'S ECONOMY.
WE ARE THE POSITIVE, EXCITING AND ALLURING IMAGE OF
THIS AREA THAT IS KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD. WE ARE
AN OPEN AND TOLERANT COMMUNITY THAT EMBRACES
DIVERSITY AND REJECTS PANDERING TO FEAR AND
PREJUDICE. OUR GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN A MODEL OF
PROBITY AND DECORUM. THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH IS
THAT SHINING CITY ON THE HILL. LET US, ALL OF US, LIVE
UP TO THAT ROLE.
,,,,'J.".
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