CITY of MIAMI BEACH

Office of the City

Letter to Commission No.

TO:

Mayor David Dermer and

Members of the City Commission

FROM:

Jorge M. Gonzalez ,~'"'

City Manager ~'~"

SUBJECT:

WEEKLY UPDATE

Manager

Date: July 18, 2003

The purpose of this LTC is to provide the Mayor and Commission with an update
describing some of the areas the administration focused on during the weeks of

July

7 and

July 14, 2003:

Department Budget Reviews - I, alongside representatives from the Finance

Department and the Office of Management and Budget, met throughout the week
with members from various City departments to finalize budget plans and
allocations for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. A budget briefing with the Mayor and
Commission took place on July 18, with a second Budget Briefing scheduled for
00 p.
July 22, beginning at 4:
m. in the City Manager's Large Conference Room,
00 p.
and a third Briefing on July 24, beginning at 5:
m. in the City Manager's
Conference
Room.
Large
NAACP Convention -

The

City successfully hosted

the 94th

Annual NAACP

Convention, from July 12-17 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, ensuring
that citywide resources were properly allocated. Prior to the event, the City
continued coordinating volunteer recruitment efforts, requesting employee and
community assistance for a variety of tasks and responsibilities. On July 12, the

City

awarded NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume and Chairman Julian
keys to City. The convention, welcoming over 12,000 delegates, is

Bond

estimated to generate a $6 million economic influx to the region. The convention

garnered positive local and national media attention, with the City positively

represented

in

story

accounts.

Major Events Plan (MEP) - As part of the City's Major Events Plan ( MEP),
representatives from the administration met throughout the week to continue
planning and coordinating city services for all of the upcoming events. The MEP,
consisting of various phases of citywide planning and logistical implementation,
attempts to ensure that all city services are enhanced and members of the
community are adequately informed. Among the events for which the City will be
implementing its MEP are the NAACP Conference and the Billboard Hip Hop
Awards, scheduled for August 9 at the Jackie Gleason Theater.

Outdoor Entertainment - Members of the administration participated in a City

Commission Workshop on July 7 to address community concerns and comments
regarding the proposed hotel and outdoor entertainment ordinance. A follow-up
meeting discussing policy and enforcement procedures is being coordinated, with
details disseminated as they become available.

Rapid Transit Options - The city's consultant, HDR Engineering, Inc.,

participated in a special meeting of the Planning Board on July 8 to discuss the
rapid transit evaluation report with members of the Committee. A special
Commission meeting, presenting the draft report, also took place on July 10
where the Commission voted to hold a follow-up Special Commission Meeting on
00 p.
m. in the Commission Chambers. An
September 8, beginning at 5:
electronic version of the Consultant's report, handed out during the July 10
meeting, is available on the City's website under News, Baylink or in hard copy
format in the City Clerk's Office.
Modes of

Members of the administration met with

Lease Agreement
representatives from Penrods on July 8 to discuss the issues outlined in the
referral memo sent to the Finance and Citywide Projects Commission Committee
Penrods

meeting

held

on

July

16.

Royal Palm Negotiations - Representatives from the administration met

internally with Commissioner Smith and outside counsel on July 8 to formulate a
response to the recent R. Donahue Peebles request. Previously, a follow-up
meeting with Peebles and his representatives was held on July 3 as directed by
the Commission during its June 11 meeting.

Symphony (NWS) - Members of the administration met with

representatives from the New World Symphony throughout the week to continue
negotiations and discuss possible design concepts. On July 8, NWS presented
its plans to the Lincoln Road Marketing Association. A Town Hall meeting with
Lincoln Road property owners, detailing proposed plans, has been scheduled for
00 p.
m. in the Lincoln Theater.
July 29, beginning at 7:
New World

FiveYear Consolidated Plan Public Hearing - Members of the administration

met with the City's Committee on the Homeless on July 9 to discuss inclusion
suggestions for the City's five-year Consolidated Plan for the fiscal year 20032007. The meeting fell within the 30day community comment period concluding
on July 11, with applicable comments to be included in the final report presented
to the Commission

on

July

30.

Florida Power and Light (FPL) - I, alongside members of the administration,

met with Florida Power and Light representatives on July 9 to discuss planned
and/or approved projects in the South Pointe area and FPL's citywide capacity,
projected needs and future projects. As a result, FPL identified a need to
increase its capacity and distribution access in South Pointe.

Members of the administration hosted a second community

design workshop on July 15 to discuss proposals aimed at resolving South
Pointe area litigation through the proposed expansion of public land and Baywalk
adjacent to South Pointe Park and development of the Goodman, Hinson and
Alaska Parcels. Several plans, brought forth by architect Alex Cooper of the firm

Alaska Parcel -

Cooper, Robertson and Partners, presented various concepts based on

community input received at the July 1 initial workshop. Planning considerations
and development framework were incorporated into the presentation for the
general area bounded by Biscayne Bay, First Street, Ocean Drive and
Government Cut.
Swale Maintenance Committee - Representatives from the administration,
alongside Swale Maintenance Committee members, met on July 15 to review a
draft policy pertaining to City swales. The draft, intended to create a uniform
quality and standard of maintenance and enforcement for all of the City's swales,
focuses on permit, parking and landscape requirements among other items.
Boucher Brothers - Members of the administration met with internal auditors
and the City's beach concessionaire, Boucher Brothers, on July 15 to review and
discuss audit findings relating to their first year of operations.

Representatives from the administration traveled to

the Village of Pinecrest on July 15 to receive a proclamation honoring the City's
America Award. Other municipalities will also recognize the
receipt of the AliCity's achievement through proclamations including the City of Miami on July 24,
00 a.
m. at the Miami City Hall, and the City of South Miami on July
beginning at 9:
00 p.
29, beginning at 7:
m. at the South Miami City Hall. The City of Hialeah and
Miami-Dade County will recognize Miami Beach during their upcoming
Commission meetings. Tuscan Steakhouse and the newly established AllAmerica City Community Committee will host a celebration on July 24 honoring
C. and to discuss
members of the City delegation who traveled to Washington, D.
plans for upcoming community-wide celebrations.

AliAmerica

City

Award -

Community Policing - I,alongside members of the Redevelopment staff and the

Assistant Chief of Police, appeared before the Board of County Commissioner's
Economic Development and Human Services Committee on July 16. The
Committee approved the Community Policing Redevelopment Plan amendments
and recommended the Plan for full Board of County Commissioner approval on
July 22.
ERA Inc. - I, alongside representatives from the administration, met with ERA,
Inc.,the City's consultant evaluating the governance structure of Greater Miami
Convention and Visitors Bureau, on July 17. Staff representatives will review the
consultant's findings and receive additional feedback in preparation for

completing Task 3 in the Draft Report, as delineated in their contract.

report is expected to be completed by the beginning of the fiscal year.

A final

Charity Event - Members of the administration continued to meet

throughout the week with various city departments to ensure proper allocation of
"
city services and personnel during the NSYNC annual charity event, Challenge
for the Children V." The event, hosted by multiplatinum recording group
NSYNC, will take place from July 19-20 and includes a score of celebrities,
artists and athletes. Events including a " Celebrity Skills Challenge" and a
basketball game will comprise the two-day celebration.
NSYNC

Wayfinding Signage - Representatives from the administration are coordinating

an "Identity Forum" to discuss marketing, image branding and public relations
efforts for the Citywide Wayfinding Signage System. The brainstorming session,
00 p.
00 p.
to be held on July 24 from 4:
m. at the Wolfsonian Museum, will
m. to 6:
attempt to develop a consistent identity for Miami Beach signage efforts.
Charter Review Board - Representatives from the administration, joined by
members of the Charter Review Committee will be meeting on July 22, beginning
30 p.
at 4:
m. in the Mayor's Conference Room, to address renewal of the City's
charter. Topics to be discussed and submitted for Commission consideration
include the Citizen's Bill of Rights, form of government questions, election reform
and City Manager/administrative amendments. Further information, and agenda,
can
be found on the City's website under EGovernment, Boards and
Committees.

Environmental Cleanup - Members of the administration, in conjunction with

various city departments and ECOMB, are coordinating a volunteer clean-up
m. to noon.
00 a.
effort of the banks of the Dade Canal on August 2, from 9:
Chamber
Beach
Volunteers will be clearing the canal path leading to the Miami
of Commerce, Holocaust Memorial, Miami Beach Convention Center and 21st
Street Recreation Center among others. Parking will be available at the North
Loading Dock of the Convention Center and volunteers are asked to meet at the
entrance to the canal

If you have any

contact me.

pathway, located

questions

or

at the Meridian Avenue.

need any additional information, please feel free to

JMG/ri/
jl

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eeklyupdates/ 11 Weekly Update