145-2000 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.u&
L.T.C. No. 145-2000
LETTER TO COMMISSION
July 28, 2000
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
Lawrence,~~Levy.G.~
City ManY'
Letter from Maiko Restaurant re Homeless issue at 1253 Washington Avenue
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The issue mentioned above has been addressed by the Police Department, the Sanitation Department
and Property Management as outlined below:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Please see the attached report from Police Chief Richard Barreto.
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
The Sanitation Department empties receptacles in this area twice daily, Tuesdays thru
Thursdays, early morning and at 2PM; Fridays thru Monday they are emptied three times
daily, which includes 7PM.
The Department also assists in cleaning the sidewalks in this area daily, utilizing a crew
dedicated solely to Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive. The Department
recently purchased additional equipment (Litter Hawks) to assist in the cleaning of the
sidewalks in these areas,
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:
The Property Management Department has removed the trash receptacle located at 1253
Washington Avenue.
The Departments mentioned above have been instructed to follow-up on this issue.
LAL:ptw
Attachment
c: Police Chief Richard Barreto
Robert Thomas, Sanitation Director
Bruce Lamberto, Property Management Director
f/cmgr/$all/ltc-OO/maiko.hom
.
MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
"
TO:
Lawrence Levy
City Manager
Richard Barreto . b----
Chief of Police W
FROM:
DATE: July 14,2000
SUBJECT: MAIKO RESTAURANT
At your request, I have prepared the following response to Commissioner Liebman's memorandum
on MAIKO RESTAURANT.
Commissioner Liebman requested to be advised if we "are moving homeless people out of dooIWays
on W ashington Avenue, or do the property owners need to post the appropriate
signage ?" I will describe the procedure we use to handle this situation.
When an officer observes a criminal violation occurring such as Drinking in Public, the officer can
take action. If an individual is on the sidewalk blocking the entrance to the busmess, and refuses to
leave, the subject can be arrested for trespassing. Prior to arresting an individual for trespassing on
private property, the officer must receive authorization from management of the business. If the
business is closed, a letter authorizing MBPD officers to take action must be on file with the Patrol
Division Major's Office in order to arrest. The Patrol Division encourages businesses to authorize
the Department to take action for trespassing.
In reference to the problems being encountered by MAIKO'S RESTAURANT, our officers will
contact their management and provide them with a copy of the MBPD Trespass Authorization Letter.
Once the letter is on file, we will provide them with a trespass sign to post on their property. We will
also meet with the bike officers and AOR officers to make sure this location is consistently
monitored. The Homeless Outreach Team routinely contacts individuals on Washington Avenue for
voluntary placement in the Salvation Army Shelter, and will pay special attention to this location.
RB~/GT/MA:ma
<=:)
<=:)
<-
=
r-
~1 u:> "
(-"') -0
f. :x
~
N
....a
;-.1 . ..
MAIKO RESTAURANT
1255 WASHINGTON AVENUE
MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139
305.531.6369
Mr. Nieson Kasdin, Mayor
Mr. Lawrence Levy, City Manager
Miami Beach Commissioners
Mattie Bower, Simon Cruz, David Dermer,
Luis Garcia, Nancy liebman, Jose Smith
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
QOJUL-'l Pi\l<:45
July 5. 2000
To all concerned:
We are writing this letter to advise you of a serious problem which currently exists
on the easterly blockfront of Washington Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets.
Specifically, many homeless or other .streef individuals are using the recessed building
entrance at 1253 Washington Avenue as an area to either consume food and/or relieve
themselves of bOdily waste. Despite the fact that the entryway is cleaned at the crack of
dawn each morning, the condition persists throughOut the day.
A factor that we believe contributes to this condition are the municipal garbage
receptacles placed along the blockfront and the frequency with Which they are emptied.
Normally, these are emptied by mid-morning at the earliest, say 9:00 to 10:00 am. As a
result, homeless individuals wandering the streets in the morning pick food out of the
receptacles, which are full and overflowing from the previous night, and consume it in
the entryway. leaving in their trail trash and bodily excretions. In addition, while rooting
through the receptacles for food, trash is scattered throughout the viCinity of the
receptacles, creating a condition of squalor that impacts our business.
Although we appreciate the City's beautification program, as a tenant on this
block, our patrons and employees are constantly subjected to this noxious condition
which is not conducive to promoting business or maintaining a comfortable, safe and
sanitary work environment. A Miami Beach sanitation worker observed that the
department does not have sufficient equipment or manpower to collect the garbage in a
timely manner (i.e., early in the morning).
In short, the garbage needs to be picked up earlier and more often. Perhaps one
thing which should be considered is the removal of the receptacle directly in front of
1253 Washington Avenue where the combination of food and some shade in the
entryway are a lure.
Very truly yours,
Idly )t~/~