Storms don't stop City Commission
By Bari Auerbach


When hurricane Ivan was still posing a threat to South Florida, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission went on with its Sept. 9 meeting - taking care of important business while keeping a close eye on the storm's projected path.

City Manager Christopher Russo made a point of commending members of city staff for their assistance with hurricane preparations.

"Throughout the past week, we've been assessing damages, filling out FEMA forms and requesting additional supplies.and now we're preparing for hurricane Ivan," Russo said on Sept. 9. "This is the first time in the four years I've been here that I've been through this entire process.Thank goodness we had minor effects from [hurricane] Frances.

"We did have some serious [storm] bands come through and we're now in the formulation stages of documenting and completing a disaster emergency plan.In terms of execution, the ability and skill of our city staff was 'unbelievable' - from the Police Department that was out there right through the entire event and manning the divisional EOC in North Miami Beach - to all of our departments pulling together to prepare. We had the tremendous burden of not only preparing the community but also city facilities and equipment.

"[Many] things in the city needed to be pulled in..our Building Department had to follow procedures to secure all construction sites.and we had the added burden of being in these quarters [at City Hall in the R.K. Shopping Center] which are not exactly the most secure from the standpoint of weather.

The [hurricane preparations] were made easier by the cooperation of the entire city staff and the inter-municipal cooperation of other communities such as Aventura and entities like Aventura Mall, where we were able to bring many of our vehicles and equipment. Vendors the city works with, such as Quality Communications, let us use their warehouse; and the City of Pembroke Pines allowed us to bring vital records, our computer servers and documents over to their climate controlled secure warehouse out in the western portion of Pembroke Pines thanks to an inter-local agreement we have with them.

"This is part of our whole network of disaster emergency preparedness. I can tell you our staff really pulled together and 'made it happen.' I'd like to express gratitude to everyone for all of their efforts."


Commission Agenda Highlights

Comprehensive Plan Review
On Sept. 9, the City Commission approved a resolution entering into an agreement with Calvin Giordano & Associates (the planning consulting firm hired to assist with preparation of the city's Land Development Regulations) for services in the amount of $53,850 for preparation of an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). The state requires municipalities prepare an EAR with regard to their Comprehensive Plan every seven years.

Mayor Norman Edelcup explained, "[On the seventh] anniversary of our Comprehensive Plan [the review process will determine if it] still fits our needs and if changes need to be made. [There will be] public and staff input.If there any changes, the state has to accept them before we can approve them.The whole process will take at least a year so there will be some public hearings on this."

Biscayne Bay Society
The City Commission approved a resolution renewing a $5,000 contribution to Florida International University's Biscayne Bay Society. The contribution will help support programming the city could not otherwise afford or provide because of facility constraints.

The co-partnership allows Sunny Isles Beach residents to participate in "Second Tuesdays" - a cultural series consisting of events taking place from October through April on the second Tuesday of every month at FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus. From concerts, wine tastings and culinary events - to celebrations of art, film, dance, literary works and historical milestones - activities are offered at little or no cost to participants.
For more information about upcoming events, phone: 305-919-5381 or make reservations online at www.fiu.edu/~bbsoc


Lighting Improvements
City Manager Christopher Russo noted street lighting improvements slated for 159th Street and 174th Streetshould be complete by the end of the year. "In order to put in concrete bases, in some areas it will be necessary to remove trees - but very few," he said. Mayor Edelcup added, "For every tree that comes down a new one will replace it. "

Russo also said that 24 street light poles and brackets have been purchased for North Bay Road between State Road 826 west and 172nd Street

Sculptures Donated by Trump
The City Commission approved a resolution accepting the donation of three fiberglass sculptures from Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences. The sculptures, previously located at the Days Inn miniature golf course, depicting an "egg man, pig and tree" are considered to be of nostalgic value to the city. The sculptures are eventually slated to be placed at one of the city parks frequented by the ever-growing population of children in Sunny Isles Beach.

Broadcasting System
The City Commission approved the purchase of a broadcast system from Design Computer Systems, Inc. in the amount of $14,388.44 to upgrade the city's public access Channel 20. The broadcast system will facilitate delivery of automated video content, create a program schedule and provide a backup system in case of a system failure. According to City Manager Christopher Russo, the cost of the broadcast system as well as other associated fees are being incurred by the cable company.

Eminent Domain Case
The City Commission approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to pay attorney's fees, appraiser's costs and court costs in the amount of $97,219.33 pertaining to the eminent domain case: City of Sunny Isles Beach vs. 18100 Collins Avenue Shopping Center, LTD.

Raanan Katz of R.K. Associates is the owner of the property located next to the city's new Government Center that the city is seeking to acquire for public use. At the Sept. 9 Commission meeting, Katz said, "As the' biggest taxpayer' in the city, you're spending my money to sue me.It's cheaper for [the city] to make a deal than if you have to pay the full market value if you win.and if you do, I'll appeal."

In response to Katz's remarks, Commissioner Roslyn Brezin said, "In all fairness to you, if you make an offer it would have to be given to our City Manager - that's the procedure. If he feels it's something warranting a presentation, he will present [the offer] to the Commission and we can then decide to accept it or reject it." Subsequently, Katz said, "I'll [be willing to] take a substantial discount on the TDR value (transfers of development rights)."

After the city did not receive a response from Katz last April regarding an offer for the parcel in question, commonly referred to as the "Alamo property" or "National Car Rental site" within a 90 day specified timeframe, the Commission decided to proceed with plans to acquire the property via condemnation and begin eminent domain proceedings. Eminent domain entails a court making a determination regarding a purchase price the city will pay for taking properties through condemnation.

Prior to pursuing the condemnation option, the city was considering an agreement calling for Katz to donate the property to the city, thus enabling him to receive millions by subsequently selling applicable transfers of development rights (TDR's). In essence, Katz could sell the development rights attached to his property on the west side of Collins to an entity owning property elsewhere in the city such as the east side of Collins where oceanfront land is substantially more valuable (upon approval of the City Commission).

The city originally tried to buy the land last year - but the former owner of the property, Mitsubishi Motors, did not want to sell at the time. Subsequently, eminent domain proceedings initiated by the city stalled when Mitsubishi sold to R.K. Associates, owned by Katz. According to a Miami Herald article, "R.K. paid $1.9 million for the land, approximately $300,000 more than its appraised value."

Future Commission Meetings
Going forward, the City Commission will only have a second meeting per month when needed. Generally, the Commission meetings will fall on the second Thursday of each month, except for in October 2004 when there is one date on a Tuesday.

"We will have a meeting on Wednesday, September 22 (the second budget hearing at 6 p.m. ant the regular City Commission meeting at 7 p.m.)," Mayor Norman Edelcup said. "On October 14, there is a meeting scheduled - and if needed, we will have one on October 26 - but [for now], we're planning to have only one meeting in October. We're also going to have a meeting on November 18 due to the holidays. There is a meeting set for December 9 and if a second one is needed, it will be on December 23."

Budget Business
Prior to the regular City Commission on Sept. 9, a budget hearing for fiscal year '04-'05 was held featuring a presentation by City Manager Christopher Russo.

Russo began his budget presentation regarding adoption of an operating and capital outlay budget for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005, by noting the second budget hearing scheduled for Sept. 22 would be more comprehensive.

"This budget [for the '04-'05 fiscal year] is mostly a continuation as we complete projects and start a few new ones.The bottom line is we've had substantial growth in the city's tax base - about 28 percent. It certainly is being used totally to meet the needs of our growing community and upgrade our infrastructure. There was no need to consider any tax rate hike.values have gone up as everyone in the city knows.

"Our tax rate is staying the same ($3.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value) and assessed values have grown from approximately $2.5 billion to approximately $3.2 billion." (This is the biggest - approximately 27% increase in any single year that the city has had representing over $2.2 million of increased revenue.)

"Out of the 34 municipalities incorporated in Miami-Dade County, Sunny Isles Beach [is ranked number 28 with the lowest tax rate] which puts us in the lowest 20 percentile in terms of tax burden in the county."
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Steady Growth
Highlighting the city's continued growth, Russo said, "The city's overall tax base has been [experiencing] steady growth every year - but because development doesn't happen every year on a certain date as far as buildings and approvals - there is roughly a three-year cycle from an approval to getting a building built and getting it on the tax roll.

"We've had fluctuations in how much we've grown year to year. [A growth rate] of 28 percent is reflected in the tentative budget; last year we had 14 percent [growth]; and we're showing a lull for next year." (This fiscal year, the city's revenue from property tax is estimated to go from a little over $8 million to over $10.3 million.)

"My projections for the '05 year forward have tended to be on the conservative side - but even those show the up and down fluctuation based on what it takes to get development approved, completed, assessed and on the tax roll.But it adds up to steady growth. "

Revenues
"On the revenue side of [the budget], the big piece is property taxes that fund the [city's] general [operating fund]," Russo said. "[Additional revenue from] property taxes are totally earmarked for our capital budget for beautification, parks and upgrading of the city's infrastructure.The rest are other revenue sources that make up the remainder of the budget.

"[Regarding] the breakdown of expenditures, there are 'no surprises.' The public safety operations of the city are the biggest single piece of our budget and then from there, it's pretty much the same as it has been in the past.

"We've budgeted [to take in revenue] from the transit tax we receive from the county; building permit fees and inspection fees are still high; and we're expecting increases in parking meters and permit areas with the attendant we have at Pier Park. The budget also contemplates adding an attended booth to the Lehman Causeway parking.so we expect to collect more revenue."

Expenditures
"On the expenditure side of the general fund, we're awaiting the market survey on our classification plan update which I'm sure will necessitate some adjustments in compensation - notably within the Police Department," Russo said. "There may be some other adjustments as well.We're expecting results back this month so we can see where we stand and if we need to make any adjustments.In the 'Finance' section, we've budgeted $45,000 for our required general audit."

Building Department
"The most significant [budget expenditure relates to the Building Department] up by approximately a half a million dollars to complete full staffing and re-organization," Russo said. "Noteworthy [Building Department] positions still vacant are for a chief mechanical inspector and one building inspector."

City Clerk/Administrative Services
"Under 'City Clerk,' we are still analyzing the position of a contract coordinator and based on some work we're doing with our management analyst, we may combine that position," Russo said. "In 'Administrative Services,' in terms of customer service, $15,000 [is budgeted] to start accepting credit cards in the Cultural and Human Services and Building Departments - and then in Code Enforcement. 'Administrative Services' also runs lines for transfers to other funds.This year we have the capital transfer that will be raised by $60,000.We also have operation increases for the new Government Center; and for adding a part-time office assistant."

Police Department
"The Police Department is the biggest part of our budget," Russo said. "The retirement contribution is 18.53 percent just for police officers; and for health insurance, we've [budgeted for] a 12 percent increase we believe is fairly accurate Most significant this year is the replacement schedule of our vehicles.We have the police personally assigned vehicle program .We're planning on getting six years out of these vehicles as opposed to the typical three.

"We have some upgrades to jet skis; two ATV's; a needed tandem trailer and other equipment. In keeping with upgrades and increases - for the '02-'03 [fiscal year], we had 24 police officers budgeted; we went up to 26 for the '03-'04 fiscsal year; and we're going up to 28 patrol officers in the '04-'05 budget. We've hired three as of this year; we have two more positions to fill; and we have two vacant dispatcher positions. We've filled the Captain's position and will be making an appointment by the start of the next fiscal year.All of this is in line with the master plan study for the Police Department."

Code Enforcement and Licensing
"[The budget provides for] full implementation of our parking enforcement program.We've entered into an inter-local agreement with [Miami-Dade] County for a computerized automatic ticketing system.We previously purchased two vehicles used by [parking enforcement staff] and [now] we're upgrading one vehicle and replacing a loaner Ford Taurus from the Police Department with a vehicle [more conducive to their needs]. We have one Ford Ranger and one Ford Focus.with the second Ranger we should be covered for now."

Pubic Works
"We're trying to get [Public Works] equipment to operate more efficiently," Russo said. "We're proposing to buy a dump truck and a bob cat - and we need a tandem trailer for the bob cat. We have an open position for a senior maintenance worker position, which may be targeted for the new Government Center. We also have a vacancy for a fleet maintenance worker and we are in the process of recruiting for a skilled maintenance worker.

"We budgeted an anticipated increase to our landscape maintenance contract because we have new areas coming on line such as the Government Center - and there are a few more areas we've landscaped since the last time we dealt with the maintenance contract."

Technology
"Our IT (Information Technology) Department has been separated out [for the first time in the budget]. It [includes] software, computer and setup issues for cable TV and government access.anything computer generated [as well as] all of our maintenance agreements, consultant assistance on systems and any special supplies or equipment. The [purchase of] video cameras may be kicked into the '04 budget [in order to televise City Commission meetings]."

Cultural and Human Services
"Noteworthy increases [in the budget for the Cultural and Human Services department pertain to] special events and the summer camp program," Russo said. "We're trying to plan more and better special events like concerts, family fun days and holiday [programs].and there will be expenses associated with our proposed sister city program with Netanya, Israel.

"The Day Camp [program is seeking] a portable [facility] and we want to add a 13-16 year-old teen camp; expand our tot lot for 3-5 year-olds and provide for a lifeguard camp focusing on water safety out on the beach for 10-15 year-olds.We also have some equipment budgeted for [the Cultural and Human Services department] in the new Government Center, where their offices will be based.

"Also included in this department is the expansion of the 'seven days a week' city shuttle bus service [with routes] to the Intracoastal Mall and Aventura Mall scheduled [to start in] October. Our two new buses are here.we're putting burglar alarm systems in them as well as a GIS tracking system.We also have some increases reflecting one new bus driver position; two part time intermittent bus drivers - and total lifeguard services are also budgeted for. There is also $100,000 [budgeted] for additional lifeguard equipment including a new vehicle."

Capital Budget
"Plans for the active park (North Bay Road and 181st Drive) have been reviewed and we should be going out to bid on that by the end of the year or early into next year at the latest," Russo said. "The Samson Oceanfront Park is getting enhanced lighting; and at the Sen. Gwen Margolis Park, bid specifications are almost complete for replacement of the field. We're still looking at park land in the Golden Shores area; and we have our Florida Communities Trust application [submitted] for this additional park land.

"[Although we have not budgeted a specific amount] the concept of a beachwalk is something the city is looking into with the Sunny Isles Trust.We're analyzing this and gathering facts for public discussion."

Streetscape Issues
"We're trying to keep moving ahead with issues such as street lighting," Russo said. "We're a step behind because of the storms that have come through Florida.We're trying to get our new entryway signs activated and powered up.We have the contract that will be ratified in terms of installing street lights on 159th and 174th Streets; and we've ordered street lights for North Bay Road.

"I believe we will have some delays in getting the FPL portion of the work done. We've achieved some easements we needed to go forward with at least the first section of getting undergrounded that we're responsible for on the north end of Collins. I think we'll have the installation of the decorative poles going on - so we'll start to see some results by the end of the calendar year."

Sunny Isles Boulevard
"Regarding street improvements [on Sunny Isles Boulevard] we had a big breakthrough earlier this week.I had a meeting with the property owners of Sunny Isles Boulevard and [planning consultants] regarding closing many driveways that were grand fathered-in back in the mid '80's when the bridge was replaced. [The meeting] was very successful and the entire plan has been accepted with one modification.Two points come into play: Everyone has to have access - and in the end, there will be redevelopment there so developers will have to make adjustments and restorations.

"The one compromise was the 32 foot opening between Thee Doll House and Madame's which is the only opening for that property.All along there, it will be narrowed to a 24 foot opening for two-lane traffic.Everything else that Marlin Engineering proposed to close and adjust has been accepted on both sides of the street.This is a good result and we'll be moving forward to complete the plans on this."

Seawall Repairs/Stormwater Project
"Seawall repairs are well underway," Russo said. "The caps have been poured and they'll be backfilling at the end of Atlantic Isle - then they'll work on the bridge abutments; and then 183rd Street. The drainage work will start and proceed on Atlantic Isle at the end of Atlantic Avenue right through to about the lagoons where that project is ending. The North Miami Beach water company is coming in there to do the work simultaneously with us.

"[Regarding] the storm drainage project, there are a few modifications we want to make in the plans to provide for a bike path in the finished pavement of that area along North Bay Road to meet the goal of our Comprehensive Plan.We're waiting on the County bond issue [to be determined] in February or March."

New Government Center
"The Government Center is two or three months away from being completed," Russo said. "It weathered the last storm fine.We're [seeking to install a video projection system] for Government Center [budgeted for] $100,000.and we've made more progress on [installing a] security system."

Looking to the Future
Following the conclusion of Russo's budget presentation, Commissioner Lewis Thaler asked, "Can we ascertain figures so we know five to ten years out where our money will be spent and whether or not we can truly afford what we're doing?" Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, "This is an excellent suggestion.We'd like to see that report developed early in the fiscal year."

Following the Commission's unanimous approval of the budget on first reading, it was announced the second reading would take place on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. before the next regular City Commission meeting.







 

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