LTC 342-2019 MIAMI NEW TIMES STORY REGARDING MIAMI DADE COUNTY WORK ON PINE TREE DRIVE MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LETTER TO COMMISSION
LTC # 342-2019
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of he City C.f ission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager __--
DATE: June 12, 2019
SUBJECT: MIAMI NEW TIMES STORY REGARDING MIAMI DADE COUNTY WORK ON PINE
TREE DRIVE
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to notify you of a story that was published this
morning by the Miami New Times, pertaining to the upcoming work Miami-Dade County will be
doing on Pine Tree Drive. The story falsely states that the work is being completed by the City
and not the County, incorrectly references the area and leaves out various other points.
Based on these inaccuracies, we have sent the following request to the reporter as well as the
managing editor to have the story corrected.
1. "city officials plan on pruning the hundreds of Australian pine trees that have towered
over the road for more than a century"
This is a county project, which is clearly stated in the attached LTC, being
conducted by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
Department
Steven Ducan is the contact for this operation. For easy reference, here is his
contact information:
Seven Duncan, Superintendent
Miami Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
T: 305.270.1791
Steve.Duncan(c�miamidade.gov
2. "The city's solution is aggressive pruning, which will significantly reduce the height and
size of the existing canopy for a 15-block stretch"
Again, this is a Miami-Dade County project, not the City of Miami Beach.
3. "...followed by a resurfacing of the road, which will topple additional pines."
Following the pruning, Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and
Public Works will focus on milling and resurfacing the roadway which MAY
remove pines—not additional. I also understand the County is working on
different resurfacing/milling methodologies in order to minimize the impact to the
pines and extend the life of the roadway. Again, I would encourage you to speak
the County.
Jennie Lopez is the contact for this milling/resurfacing operation.
Jennie Lopez, Information Officer
Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works
Phone 305-375-2810
Jennie.Lopez(a�miamidade.gov
Page 2
4. The article erroneously states that the work is taking place between 30-46 streets, when
the attached LTC specifies work is happening between 23 —41 streets. The reference
to 30-46 streets was the risk assessment that was conducted post Hurricane Irma.
The City of Miami Beach understands the importance of tree canopy and as such is conducting
an urban forestry master plan, where we will be including a management strategy for existing
pines to minimize the impact of the removal of large trees as they reach the end of their life
cycle. This is also referenced in the LTC, which I'm assuming was the basis of this piece.
For your reference, I have also attached the previous LTC that is referenced and was sent on
May 31. As a reminder, the structural pruning of these trees is important as it will help to reduce
their risk rating and save many of them from having to be removed completely as part of the
County's milling and resurfacing project.
JLM/ST/EW/"f'D/MB
MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach. 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www,miamibeachfiaov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel:305-673-7010 Fox:305-673-7782
315-2019
NO. LTC# ETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of t e City Corn ission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: May 31, 2019
SUBJECT: Upcoming Miami-Dade County Trans ortation & Public Works Roadwork on
Pine Tree Drive
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide an update on Miami-Dade County's
Transportation and Public Works Department's upcoming milling and resurfacing of Pine Tree
Drive between 23rd Street and 41st Street. On Tuesday, June 11, 2019 the County will be hosting
a public meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Miami Beach Golf Course (2301 Alton Road). The purpose
of the meeting will be to provide details on the scope of the project and how traffic patterns will be
impacted during the pruning and construction process.
Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, a tree risk assessment was conducted by two certified master
arborists to assess the health of the 271 Australian pines located in the median and right-of-way
along Pine Tree Drive between 30th and 46th Street. The trees along this corridor are
approximately 100 years old and have exceeded the average lifespan of Australian pines in
Florida, which typically range from 40 to 50 years. Per the arborists' report, the Australian pines
along the corridor have significant structural problems, resulting primarily from decay at their base.
The reduction pruning will remove a large amount of the height and size of the existing canopy,
which will impact the visual look of this historic corridor. This structural pruning will help to reduce
the risk rating of the trees, however we may lose additional trees as a result of the milling and
resurfacing work.The Urban Forestry Master Plan will include a management plan for the existing
Australian Pines with goal to minimize the impact of the removal of large trees as they reach the
end their life cycle.
Prior to commencement of the milling and resurfacing, structural pruning of the Australian Pine
Trees will be required, as recommended by the City's consulting arborist. The structural pruning
will result in a dramatic reduction of the tree canopy. The pruning work is anticipated to commence
late June or early July dependent upon weather. Pruning is anticipated to be completed four to
six weeks after commencement. Following the reduction cuts to the tree canopy, the asphalt will
be removed, and selective root cuts will be necessary to complete the roadway improvements.
The reduction in structural roots may result in increasing the risk rating of the trees and may
warrant the need to remove trees that are a safety risk. The City's consulting arborist who has
previous knowledge of the sensitivity of these trees will monitor the work being performed. The
Australian Pine Trees along Pine Tree Drive have been designated as historic, and all measures
are being taken to increase the longevity of these trees while balancing public safety.
Work within this area will continue from June to October 2019. Traffic will be rerouted around the
area however; the County and City have agreed to adjust the project phasing to maintain peak
traffic flows during rush hour.
If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Jennie Lopez
(Jennie.Lobez( miamidade.aov), Public Information Officer with Miami-Dade County Department
of Transportation and Public Works or Elizabeth Wheaton
(ElizabethWheatonnmiamibeachfl.gov), Environment & Sustainability Director.
JLM/SMT/ESW/JG/JF/ojl