State of the City Address
Mayor Norman S. Edelcup

Dear Citizens of Sunny Isles Beach:
The Charter of our City provides that the Mayor presents a “State of the City” message on an annual basis in January. This brings to the Office of the Mayor, the ability to pass on important information to the citizens of our City, and an explanation and meaning of items and issues that came before your City Commission during this past year.

It is my pleasure and privilege as Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach, to report to you, the citizens of our wonderful City, that the state of the City’s financial condition is very secure and strong.
We have been able to maintain our funding on scheduled capital improvements this past year; and at the same time maintaining a healthy general fund reserve in excess of ten million dollars. In addition to the general fund reserve account, your City Commission approved an additional hurricane reserve account in the amount of $250,000.

Our tax base this past year increased in value by one billion dollars to a level of 4.8 billion dollars. The Sunny Isles Beach ad valorem tax millage levy rate remained the same at $2.95 per one thousand dollars of taxable assessed value.

A significant highlight that took place this past year was the additional 1.5 million dollar donation to the Miami-Dade County School Board. This brings the total to 10 million dollars that the City has donated towards land located at 182 Drive and North Bay Road. A kindergarten through eighth grade school will be built to accommodate 1,600 children living in our City. Completion of the school is scheduled for August 2008.

Directly across from the proposed school, construction is well under way on the Active Park located at 18115 North Bay Road. When completed, scheduled for mid 2007, the park’s activities will include indoor projects for children and senior adults, indoor basketball games for children, and an outdoor little league baseball field.
Five new shuttle buses are now in operation for our citizens. The buses operate 7 days a week. The Community Shuttle schedule is posted on the City website and in the Sunny Isles Beach Community newspaper on occasion. Schedules can be obtained on the bus or in the Government Center lobby. The local hospital van to Mt. Sinai operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday on an as needed basis.

Always keeping in mind how important parks and green space become as we look into the future for our citizens, this past year your City Commission purchased 4 acres on Collins Avenue and 192 Street. The cost on this property was 19.6 million dollars.

Additionally, we purchased a one acre site at the southwest corner of Sunny Isles Boulevard. Discussion is under way for a proposed future water taxi at this location. This could provide our citizens transportation by water to surrounding areas.

Having a Chamber of Commerce in our City became a reality this past year, merging with Aventura Chamber. Membership for the Chamber is nearing 200 members. At the same time, we welcome the Sunny Isles Beach Lions Club International. Lions Club is part of the world’s premier community service organizations with 1.4 million members world-wide.

Two famous artists were commissioned to create sculptures, not only to beautify the entrance to Samson Oceanfront Park and Town Center Park, but also to designate a theme that would be representative of creative modern art. The sculpture in front of Samson Oceanfront Park is named “The Family” by artist David Fisher. This sculpture was dedicated on June 16, 2006, the 9th Anniversary of the City. The Town Center Park sculpture named “Rising Horizons” by artist Raphael Barrios Arias was dedicated on September 27, 2006. Both sculptures are beautiful and welcome additions to our parks.

Three dedicated and active citizens of Sunny Isles Beach passed away this past year. To honor and commemorate their work, loyalty, and dedication to our City, your Commission has approved by resolution a beach access in each of their names.

Citizen Walter Bresslour 178 Street & Collins (7-20-06)
Citizen Bill Lone 192 Street & Collins (7-20-06)
Citizen Cecile Sippin 189 Street & Collins (9-21-06)

Town Center Renaissance Re-Development commenced this past year on the south side of Sunny Isles Boulevard with the construction of the St. Tropez project and the Sunny Isles Beach Marina. St. Tropez will feature 3 Mediterranean-style residence towers and shops along with beautiful landscaping on Sunny Isles Boulevard. A boardwalk is also planned along the bayside to Collins Avenue. The Sunny Isle Beach Marina property will feature a 19 story high rise with 230 units, several restaurants, a built-in automated marina, and a planned boardwalk on the bayside.Additionally, we approved a two-tower Marina and condo project just west of the St. Tropez property.

As Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach, and speaking for your City Commission and Staff, I’m quite proud to announce that during 2006 three individuals from the City were honored for their leadership, dedication, and outstanding contributions within the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County. Hans Ottinot, City Attorney, was recognized by the “Haitian Lawyers Association” as one of four attorneys in Miami-Dade County for his leadership and contributions to our community. We’re very proud of Hans and the outstanding work he does for our City.

Chief Fred Maas was honored by the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association on March 2, 2006. He has received recognition for many consecutive years for his leadership and complete dedication to his department, the community, and the officers who serve under him. Therefore, this special award will now be named “The Fred Maas Outstanding Law Enforcement Leadership Award,” to be presented annually by the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association.

The City of Sunny Isles Beach has been very fortunate to have serving our City Commissioners who come to work every day prepared and committed to move our City into the future, leaving a legacy of which we all can be proud.

I’m pleased to announce that Commissioner Lewis J. Thaler was one of the five finalists in the State of Florida selected for the year 2006 as “Commissioner of the Year” by the Florida League of Cities. The Florida League has 410 cities as members, congratulations Lew for a well deserved honor.

Your elected officials have commissioned local historian, professor, and author, Mr. Seth Bramson, to write a book on the history of this area. This book, entitled “From Sandbar to Sophistication, the Story of Sunny Isles Beach,” will be available in time for the City’s 10-year Anniversary.

A committee is working on special plans for celebrating the city’s 10th Anniversary in June 2007 that include a family fun festival the evening of Friday, June 15; a special dedication memorializing Harvey Baker Graves, the creator of Sunny Isles in the 1920s; and a special birthday party for residents the evening of Saturday, June 16. The anniversary weekend will conclude with a fabulous fireworks display at the Samson Oceanfront Park.

My fellow citizens, as we enter the New Year of 2007, on behalf of your City Commission, Police Department, City Staff and myself, we pledge our continued loyalty and dedication to the citizens of Sunny Isles Beach. By working together, we will continue to raise the quality of life for the residents in our community and to make our City known throughout the world as Sunny Isles Beach – Florida’s Riviera.

In conclusion, we wish everyone in our community a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Thank you…God Bless You… and God Bless America.

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