Commission has 'busy agenda'
By Bari Auerbach

For those unable to attend the April 15 Sunny Isles Beach City Commission meeting, the following ordinances and resolutions exemplify the "busy agendas" city officials consider with the goal to initiate proactive regulations, projects and services intended to enhance quality of life for residents, business owners and visitors:

Ordinances for First Reading
(second reading, May 6, 7:30 p.m.)

'No ticket fixing'
An ordinance passed rendering it unlawful for any elected or appointed official or employee of the city to cancel, void, reduce or interfere with a civil violation notice, citation, ticket or fine issued by the city's Code Enforcement Department - except by a code enforcement officer when the issuance of such violation was in error.

Mayor Norman Edelcup, who sponsored the ordinance, explained, "The Commission previously adopted an ordinance so we wouldn't be in the position of having people come to us to have us help them fix traffic tickets.Now, we're essentially expanding this to say it also applies to tickets issues by the Code Enforcement Department."

'Special event permits'
An ordinance passed establishing guidelines for the issuance of special events permits. City Attorney Lynn Dannheisser explained, "The City of Sunny Isles Beach has become a prime location for special events being sponsored by entertainment groups. For example, we had a recent casting call for a television show, which drew more than 1,000 people to the city.

"Because special events have an impact on the resources of the city and the city has an obligation to respond to the health, safety and welfare issues that may be generated by such an event, it is essential for the city to have advance notice and the ability to regulate these special events. This ordinance requires an applicant to obtain a special event permit before hosting special events in the city with 60 days notice before the event. A nominal fee of $40 is required to be submitted - but that may be waived administratively for non-profit groups."

'Commercial vehicle parking'
An ordinance passed prohibiting parking of commercial vehicles and vehicles displaying signage in residential districts.

"Through a recent code enforcement meeting, it came to our attention that the county code is not entirely clear as to the regulation of the parking of commercial vehicles," Dannheisser said. "So we drafted this ordinance to eliminate ambiguities that may exist."

According to the ordinance, "commercial vehicles" shall mean any truck, bus, trailer, portable equipment, machinery or similar vehicles or combination thereof, used or intended to be used for any commercial enterprise or business purpose; or which has more than two axles, a height grater than eight feet or has an overall length of more than 22 feet, excluding self-propelled roadway vehicles less than 10,000 pounds net weight.

Residential area pertains to any lot, right-of-way, or other land designated as residential on the city zoning map, the land use element of the city's comprehensive plan or any other applicable ordinance of the city. For more information or a complete copy of the ordinance, contact City Hall: 305-947-0606.

'Under Construction Fences'
An ordinance passed amending the city's land development regulations relating to temporary construction fencing.

"This ordinance prevents chain link and barbed wire fences from being used as temporary construction fences," Dannheisser said. "On the east side of Collins, it requires temporary construction fencing to be of masonry, concrete, stucco, stone or wood such that the sand from the beachfront cannot be brought onto pedestrians or adversely affect Collins Avenue landscaping.Fencing elsewhere can include wood pickets, rod iron or aluminum. All temporary construction fencing must be constructed in accordance with the Florida building code. Murals and graphics must be approved by the city and landscape buffering must be provided."

"I asked for this [ordinance]," Edelcup said. "One of my pet peeves is that we had chain link fences on Collins.some with canvas on them that heavy winds rip apart. On the east side, we're asking that the fences be of some solid nature so that sand blowing off the beach does not blow onto pedestrians or damage all the landscaping we've put in the median areas.On the west side, because the wind is not an issue, we're permitting an open type fence - as long as they're architecturally pleasing and meeting the requirements of certain height restrictions."

Following a suggestion proffered by developer Joseph Milton, the ordinance was amended to provide that temporary construction fences have a minimum height of six feet and a maximum height of twelve feet.

Ordinances Passed on Second Reading

'Building Department Revised Fee Schedule'
An ordinance passed revising a Building Department fee schedule. Building Official/Administrator Clay Parker explained, "At the request of Mayor Edelcup, with the average homeowner in mind, the fee schedule has been revised so that for any job of $1,000 or less, the maximum paid will be a fee of $35."

'Alarm registration fees waived'
An ordinance passed creating a new Sunny Isles Beach ordinance entitled "Alarm Systems Registrations." City Manager Christopher Russo explained, "Mayor Edelcup has requested this ordinance be amended to remove the initial and annual registration fee provision.Alarm owners will still need to register their alarms with the city; however, there will be no charge for this service.

"The fine and penalty schedule has been adjusted to provide for two free false alarms prior to being charged.for the third false alarm, the charge will be $50; for the fourth, it will be $100; and for the fifth plus additional false alarms, the charge will be $200."

'Historic Preservation Board'
An ordinance passed establishing standards and review procedures for the preservation of historic landmarks in the City of Sunny Isles Beach. "County Commissioners from Miami-Dade County have adopted an ordinance requiring all municipalities to adopt an Historic Preservation Ordinance - if they don't want to be subject to the jurisdiction of the county," Dannheisser said. "Thus, this ordinance seeks to provide the city with jurisdiction over the designation of historic properties within the boundaries of the city.

"The ordinance calls for the creation of an Historical Preservation Board which will be responsible for protecting historical sites within the city - it will consist of five members each appointed by members of the City Commission."

Resolutions

'Active Park taking shape'
A resolution approving the schematic plan for the Active Park located at North Bay Road and 181st Drive was deferred to allow for parking and traffic flow reconfiguration in consideration of a future school the Commission would like to see built in the vicinity of the park.

During discussions regarding the park's site plan, it was noted that in addition to a playground area and baseball field, an on-site community center has been expanded to include a second floor and a multi-purpose court has been enclosed to create an indoor gymnasium. The plan also reflects an increase in the community center's square footage to a total of 8,983 square feet plus restrooms (the enclosed gymnasium will be 8,745 square feet). At the request of the Commission, locker room facilities for changing purposes will also be added.

Florida Communities Trust Grant
A resolution passed authorizing the City Manager to apply for, receive and expend grant monies from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) through its Florida Forever Program, for the purchase of land to be maintained as park land or environmentally sensitive open space.

"The City has a rare opportunity to apply for grant funding through the FCT, for the purchase of property for the preservation of open space as park land or environmental significance," Russo said. "These funds cannot be used for the development of facilities on park land or other such municipal activities. The total appropriation available in this funding cycle is approximately $600 million and the city is eligible if we have an appropriate project.

"FCT grant determination is based on a point system and proposals can generate the most points by having been discussed at various types of community meetings/hearings; budgeted for through a hearing process; or land connecting to other open space such as park areas, beach walkways or any type of linear walking park that connects other preserved environmental areas will be looked at more favorably.

"The FCT application requires a letter from prospective property owners, indicating their willingness to explore the possible sale of their property. The areas we are interested in exploring include: (1) 15795 Collins Avenue (Ocean Palm Hotel); (2) 16050 Collins Avenue; (3) 16100 Collins Avenue; and (4) 16200 Collins Avenue; and we have sent the required "willingness letter" to the property owners. In the event we cannot get a willingness letter signed, we will not have an application at this time. The willingness letter only commits the property owner to speak to us about the potential sale of the land."

'More bus benches'
A resolution passed allowing for the purchase of 15 additional bus benches from Rep Services, Inc

"The city recently purchased and installed 43 bus benches throughout the city," explained Susan Simpson, director of cultural and human services. "During the installation process, it was noted that there are additional locations in which these benches would be useful. Rep Services has submitted a proposal in the total amount of $20,843.The city should have extra benches on hand for immediate replacement in the event one gets damaged. The city's portion of the Miami-Dade County Transportation Surtax will fund the purchase of the benches, as they are directly related to transportation needs."

'Sister City relationship'
A resolution passed to pursue the formal twinning of Sunny Isles Beach with Netanya, Israel through Sister Cities International.

"The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission expressed its desire to enter into a Sister City relationship," Simpson said. "Netanya, Israel is a coastal resort community similar to Sunny Isles Beach and they have also expressed an interest in twinning with Sunny Isles. Sister City relationships are developed to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. Sister Cities International, based in Washington, D.C., is the organization that formally recognizes Sister City relationships worldwide."

'Sunny Isles Beach Government Center'
A resolution passed naming the city's Government Center, being constructed at 8070 Collins Avenue, as the "Sunny Isles Beach Government Center."

'Bi-monthly Commission meetings'
A resolution passed establishing a schedule for bi-monthly regular City Commission meetings. Monthly zoning hearings have been changed into regular City Commission meetings that will commence at 7:30 p.m. For a complete schedule of meeting dates, contact City Hall: 305-947-0606.
 

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