‘Stamp of Approval’
City approves progressive ordinances and resolutions
By Bari Auerbach

The April 19 City Commission meeting started out with a special presentation highlighting the new Sunny Isles Beach U.S. postage stamp featuring the city seal designed by long-time resident Charles Wachsberg... From there, the agenda continued with a series of progressive ordinances and resolutions getting the Commission’s “stamp of approval” in keeping with goals to perpetuate an even higher quality of life in Sunny Isles Beach.

‘Stamp-ede!’

Every citizen is sure to want to hurry to be among the first to purchase the official new Sunny Isles Beach postage stamp created to commemorate the city’s 10 th anniversary. At the April 19 City Commission meeting, Mayor Norman S. Edelcup recognized resident Charles Wachsberg for designing the city seal which appears on the stamp.

“Charles has been a resident of our city for many years – even before we [incorporated] in 1997,” Edelcup said. “The City needed a seal and there was a contest for it to be created...Charles became the person who is the ‘father’ of our city seal... It came to my attention that we could further [promote Sunny Isles Beach] by having a U.S. postage stamp with a picture of the city seal... I have the first run of the postage stamps now available for all residents [and would like to present Charles Wachsberg] with one of the first sheets of the stamps.”

“I am very humbled and moved to be fortunate enough to have my [city seal design] selected for our first U.S. postage stamp,” Wachsberg said. “I will hold this moment dear to my heart... Thanks to all of you who are here today to help us celebrate this momentous occasion.” Wachsberg, a Holocaust survivor, also noted that coincidentally, the April 19 presentation date was the same date he was liberated by Americans in 1945.

‘Giving and Receiving’

Philanthropy was a focus of the April 19 Commission meeting as resolutions were passed pertaining to the acceptance of generous donations and city sponsored contributions.

Once again, Sunflower Society president Connie Morrow announced a $5,000 donation to sponsor children to attend the Sunny Isles Beach summer day camp program.

“Every year the Sunflower society has contributed to our summer camp program providing scholarship funds to children who could otherwise not attend,” said Susan Simpson, director of the city’s Cultural and Human Services Department.

During the April 19 Commission meeting it was also noted that donations in the amount of $68,350 have been received from various organizations to help sponsor the city’s 10 th anniversary celebration. City contributions to the Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor elementary school were also approved ($5,000 for an after school program and $300 for a teacher appreciation event).

“The city annually grants funds to Ruth K. Broad elementary, where many of our Sunny Isles Beach children are being educated,” Mayor Edelcup said.

‘Sign of the Times’

To help promote an upscale image for the city, the Commission passed an ordinance requiring businesses to comply with uniform sign regulations. An ordinance was also amended to allow a TV or computer monitor to be part of allotted space for window sign displays. Following approval of plans for signage submitted by retail establishments it was noted that virtually all businesses in Sunny Isles Beach will soon be in compliance with the new sign regulations.

‘Quiet Zone’

Beyond creating a new chapter in the Sunny Isles Beach code entitled “Nuisance” establishing guidelines and regulating types of public nuisance within city limits so code enforcement officers can take proactive action, the Commission approved amending an ordinance entitled “Noise” to address construction and various forms of equipment.

An issue regarding the regulation of noise emanating from garage fans at the Ocean Four condominium was also discussed - and then deferred for further consideration at the May 17 City Commission meeting.

City Manager John Szerlag noted, “We had an issue between two condos that pertained to the continuous noise of exhaust fans... We’re working with George Gonzalez of Ocean Four [and The Related Group] which has 22 fans that run continuously. A proposal is in the works to have 18 of those fans operate on CO2 sensors so that the fans would only come on intermittently when carbon monoxide reaches a certain threshold.”

Mayor Edelcup added, “The people from Ocean Four are not contesting this ordinance... They’re asking to make sure a [scheduled] test will [ensure the noise levels] meet the standards of the ordinance [created] to accommodate all residents so there’s peace and quiet...I think we all have the same objective to make sure our neighborhood and neighbors are not irritated by excessive sound...I don’t have a problem deferring [passage of this ordinance] by one month until the test is done.”

‘New and Improved’

Resolutions were passed at the April 19 Commission meeting to upgrade landscaping, add new park equipment and facilitate computer software updates. A plan for a renowned artist to create a butterfly sculpture to be placed at Gwen Margolis Park upon completion of renovations was also approved in keeping with the city’s goal to create “art in public places.”

In the “school zone,” the Commission has approved the acquisition of land to build a K-8 public school in Sunny Isles Beach. “We agreed to pay 50 percent of the total purchase of the land cost - determined through an eminent domain settlement,” Mayor Edelcup said. “[The total cost is] $24.5 million of which the city’s obligation is half... On May 8 we will be having the groundbreaking for the school and we’ll be well on our way to having it open in August of 2008.”

‘Paperless Agendas’

In keeping with the city’s goal to be on the cutting edge of technology, future Sunny Isles Beach City Commission agendas are going to be placed on CD’s and will soon be available on the city’s website for public viewing. Visit www.sibfl.net for more information.

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