CITY of MIAMI BEACH ~

Office of the

City Manager ~

Letter to Commission No.

ro ~

TO:Mayor David Dermer

and Members of the City

October

Commission Jorge M.
Manager
Gonzalez \. C
~ ity

dl<j)) - 0
UPDATE Date:

SUBJECT: WEEKLY
U""

6,
2003 FROM: 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
29, 2003: Neighborhood
week of September
Nei
g
hborhood
Academy,
the civic and public information
Leadership
Leadership Academy - The

Miami Beach residents with the information

more knowledgeable members of our diverse community,
and
semester on September 22. Each week, various
started
of
an
departments
present to the academy
their
overview
responsibilities and services provided. The Capital Improvements Office held their
Neighborho d Services Department following on October
presentation this week,with the
program

designed

to

provide

resources to
its new

become

7 in the First Floor Conference Room. For a full listing of class

and presenting departments, visit the City's

dates

part of
Neighborhood Leadership Academy. Major Events Plan ( MEP) As
website under Residents, Neighborhoods,
MEP),
Events
Plan
(
s
Major
City'
representatives from
the
the administration met to continue planning and coordinating city services for
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 taking place throughout the next several weeks for which the City will be
MTV Latin Music
implementing its MEP are: the Columbus Day holiday weekend;
and
the Miami
Theater;
the
Jackie
Gleason
October
23
at
Awards
on
Video
Herald Hunt on
October 26 which will take place throughoutthe City.Federal Trade Area of
-s of
the Americas (FT AA)Major Events Plan Member
meetthroughout
the
publ
i
c
r
e
pr
e
sent
a
t
i
v
es,
conti
n
ued
week to plan
to
safety
the administration, alongside
taking place in the City
for the upcoming FT AA Conference,
The Police Department will
2003.
21,
from
November 17of Miami

be implementing alpha/ bravo staffing during that week, with acontingency traffic plan to
be implemented should the need arise. Updated FT AA news briefs are
basis, with daily briefings
being disseminated on an ongoing
provided at City commit ee and business district meetings. The Tourism
Department hosted a meeting with hotel managers and security staff
and Cultural Development

Dade
John Timmony discussing overall preparations and area impact. Miamion November
County is planning to activate its Emergency Operations Center
twentyfour continuous operation
for 12 hours and begin a
16
from November 17-22. I have met with each of you individually
rotation

to
Representatives from
expound on the details. Filming in Miami Beach projects
throughout
the administration continue to facilitate various filming
schedul
e
their
filming
the month
productions,
throughout
our city.Several
concluded
Busta
superstar
hop
featuring
hipof September including: a music video shoot
Time Mondays"
"
Rhymes and Latin music artist Mia;ABC Television' s Prime
s reality
MTV'
29;
Drive aired on September
segment filmed from Ocean
Dismissed,"with Miami Beach segments scheduled to air in October;
dating show "
" oritos"contest giveaway, featuring four
Univision' s commercial shoot for the D
filmed
" Sisco,"
Volkswagen Beetles on our beach; ABC Television' s Karen
1.Children' s Trust - I,
alongside the City Attorney
the Children' s Trust
and the Mayor, met with the Executive Director of
the City' s contribution
was
addressed
Also
on September 30 to discuss the RDA waivers.
to the Trust as well as the corresponding work plan and its impact
on Miami Beach. I will be forwarding additional information regarding local
throughout

providers

the

city,

premi d

October

and

the
City servic needs in the near future. Gablestage - I met with
Gablestage and the Board Chair on September 30 to discuss their
Executive Director of
interest in a possible
well as programming in Miami Beach. Employee Recognition - As a way
relocation as
year, a
of thanking all staff for their hard work throughout this past fiscal
Year' s Eve"celebration was held on September 30 in
New Fiscal
the First floor entrance of City Hall. Employees, alongside members of
the community,

"

from
ice cream
Ben and Jerry' s.
al
o
ngsi
d
e
Royal Palm Hotel Negotiations - I,
Commissioner Smith and members of the administration
with R.
and the City Attorney' s Office, met
discussing amendments
Donahue Peebles and his representatives on September 30 to continue
LOI.
2003
to the lease in connection with the April 30,

received

complimentary

status

progress will be provided during

negotiation
the administration
October 15 Commission meeting. Noise Enforcement Workshop - Members of
held a community workshop detailing the City' s noise enforcement
report

detailing

the

1 while affording the public an opportunity to

committee comprised of
their opinion. Wayfinding Signage - A steering
voice
City staff met on October 1 to review the Wayfinding Signage program, currently in
the consultant' s design phase, and to prepare for

policy on

October

a series

of

the

workshops aimed at informing the community, Mayor and Commis ion on

subject.Leadership Initiatives -

As

part of my

list

of

a "

training session was held on October

team building and developing effective

Laws of Teamwork"

session

focused

on

2.The

Beach -Members of the administration met with the

Miami
October 4 to
Operating Officer of the Loews Hotel Corporation on
alongside staff,
G
r
o
u
n
d
Lease. I,
their purchase option denoted in the
and provide details as part of a referral item
the
be

practices. Loews

Chief
discuss
will
presented

to

analyzing

the Mayor

proposal
and

Commission

during

an upcoming

Finance and

Citywide Projects
Facilities Workshop - Members of the
Commission Committee. Arts and Cultural
organizations throughout the
administration are preparing to host a workshop with arts
and
cultural
city to discuss ways to enhance art related
as well as the service capabilities of the
needs
operati
n
g
addressing
activities; specifically
October 7 at 9:
for
city's existing facilities. The workshop is scheduled
Botanical Garden.An LTC providing additional information will
m.at
00 a.

the

be

sent

shortly. Hispanic Heritage Month

of you
Celebration - An employee volunteer planning committee continues to
will take place
The luncheon
coordinate an employee luncheon commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month.
hi
g
hl
i
g
ht
ing the
tri
b
ute
nationwide
on October 10 and is part of a
s
the
history and achievements of the Hispanic community. In addition, City'
hosting a
Hispanic Affairs Committee, in partnership with the City, will be
m. in
6:00 p.
reception on Monday, October 13 beginning at
contributions of
the Fourth Floor Gallery. The celebration distinguishes the positive
our Miami Beach Hispanic
three worthy recipients who have enhanced
local Hispanic
community. The Fourth Floor Gallery is also displaying renowned artwork from
artists throughout the month

to each

curated by the ArtCenter South

in an exhibit
host a
Florida. Historic Preservation Designation - Members of the Historic Preservation Board will
the
designation of
Flamingo Waterway area.
special meeting to discuss possible historic
00
p.
The meeting,scheduled for October 22 at 6:
De
p
a
r
t
m
e
n
t
Planning
the
empower
to
Chambers,
would
the Commission
m.

in

a Preliminary Evaluation and Recommendation Report on the

prepare
of the administration have been
area in question. 2003 Elections - Members
Miami- Dade County Elections staff
working in conjunction with
informational
to coordinate and train personnel for the upcoming 2003 elections. An
throughout
pamphlet, detailing the ballot questions, is being prepared and will be disseminated
Elections
the community as well as posted on the City' s website upon completion.
on
Room
Floor
First
the
in
Conference
hand
staff will
be on
00 p.m.,
to 7:
October 3027- 29 from 12:
00 noon
October

31 from 9: 00

a.
m.to 4:

00 p.

m.

and

November

to
00 p.m.,
1 from 9 a.m.to 7:
4,
is
November
assist in the early voting process. Election Day
00 p.
to 7:
m.
00
from
a.
7:
with polls open
Convention and
Art Basel Miami Beach - The Greater Miami
m.
members of
alongside
Visitors Bureau and the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association,

at the National Hotel. Art Basel

at 3: 00 p.m.
Miami Beach and associated events will take place throughout the City and in
the designated Art Basel Miami Beach
beginning
28,

2003. If you have any

Zone from December 37,
additional information,

please feel

free

to contact

me. JMG/

jl
ri/

F:/
cmgr/$

questions

or need any