‘Back in Action’
By Bari Auerbach

After taking a brief hiatus for the summer, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission was officially “back in action” at the fall’s first regularly scheduled Commission meeting held at Government Center on Sept. 21. Here’s a synopsis of items on the agenda – proving the season’s already getting off to a busy, productive start...

‘Home Run’ for Outreach
When it comes to “giving back,” the City of Sunny Isles Beach scores major league points! At the Sept. 21 Commission meeting, leaders and team players from the North Miami Beach Optimist Little League presented the city with an appreciation plaque in recognition of sponsorship for the sixth year.

The Florida International University Biscayne Bay Society also expressed appreciation to the city for annual sponsorship of cultural and educational programs benefiting residents of Sunny Isles Beach including “Second Tuesdays.”

‘Dedications for Dedication’
In an effort to recognize citizens for their outstanding dedication to the betterment of Sunny Isles Beach, members of the City Commission agreed dedicating beach access points in the name of revered individuals would be a fitting honor. On Sept. 21, the Commission voted in favor of naming the beach access at 189th and Collins after former city resident Cecile Sippin – a long-time civic activist.

“Cecile has always been a true friend,” said Vice Mayor Roslyn Brezin. “Although for family reasons she moved from our city, she still continued to be with us in everything we did and gave us her important input...She was never a person who ran for anything to lift her own ego...If she felt there was something that would benefit the city, she came forth and spoke up for things she believed in.”

The Commission also approved the purchase of 21 beach access signs and posts to be placed along Collins Avenue at a cost of approximately $86,000.

‘Memo Re: Demo’
On Sept. 21, Building Official Clay Parker reported on a recent meeting of the county’s Unsafe Structures Board focusing on the future of La Playa Varadero III (17749 Collins Avenue) - an uninhabited condominium declared unsafe by the city.

“Yesterday [Sept. 20] we met at the Unsafe Structures Board along with City Attorney Hans Ottinot, who was a big help in presenting our case to the Board,” Parker said. “We were there from 11 a.m. to after 4 p.m. The Board did rule - ordering buildings two, four and three to be demolished...[Buildings] two and four are the ‘finger’ parts of the building behind building one - which is the restaurant.

“[The Board ordered] that building number one and the gazebo pavilion in the back be either repaired or demolished and that the application has to come to [the city] within 90 days...It was left to the condo board to make that decision. They’ve already indicated they’re going to opt to demo the building...So I assume we’ll probably get an application for demolition of the entire project but we do have something in place that within 90 days they either have to ‘repair or demolish.’ As far as the ‘repair’ [option] I can’t see any way that [building] can be repaired...We’ll make sure any attempt to apply for a repair permit would be critiqued fully [by city staff].”

Mayor Norman S. Edelcup added, “This is good news...I hope we’re moving closer to the day when derelict buildings will no longer be an unsightly sight in Sunny Isles Beach....We’re sending a strong message to owners that they need to keep properties in tip top shape - or the city will be enforcing its ordinances to make those buildings either come into compliance or come down...[Property owners of derelict buildings] can’t forever stall with the city...I think this is a very good report from our Building Department and I’m glad to hear the county is in total concurrence with where we’re going in trying to improve the [appearance of] Sunny Isles Beach.”

While discussing properties in the city that have yet to apply for permits to fix hurricane damages (some due to delays presented by contractors), the Commission voted to extend waiving fees for emergency repairs required due to Hurricane Wilma through the end of October.

‘Parking Permitted’
The Commission approved an ordinance on first reading offering 24 hour
on-street parking permits for residents and a monthly permit fee arrangement to allow long-term on-street parking. (Commercial vehicles and buses will be prohibited from parking during specified hours in certain designated areas along Atlantic Boulevard).

According to city planners, the need to make parking permits available became necessary so the ever-increasing amount of people moving into Sunny Isles Beach and staying instead of being transient would have a place to park (most condos only have a limited amount of parking spaces for residents). In an effort to address the issue, the city decided to allow 24 hour parking for residents in designated areas.

‘A Day in the Park’
Focusing on “park progress,” the Commission approved allocating approximately $19 million toward the purchase of land designated for a park at 192nd Street and Collins Avenue. City Manager John Szerlag also spoke about expediting construction of the active park planned for 181st Drive and North Bay Road (scheduled to be completed between July and September of 2007.) The neighboring K-8 public school is expected to open by fall of 2008.

On Sept. 21, the Commission also voted to accept a $2,000 donation from Luke’s Landscaping to co-sponsor a Sunny Serenade concert featuring the dedication of the “Rising Horizons” statue at Town Center Park.

‘I Can Hear You Now!’
With the goal to enhance cellular/emergency communications, the City Commission approved service conversion from Cingular to T-Mobile as well as the purchase of 35 cell phones and 28 BlackBerry devices. The city and police department’s cellular services will now be consolidated under a single plan...Conversion to T-Mobile will also result in greater cost efficiency. Previously spending about $4,000 month for cellular service, the city will now be saving over $300 per month while receiving upgraded levels of service.

‘Vast Improvements’
In keeping with the city’s continued quest to advance beautification projects, the Commission approved a uniform sign plan for Malibu Plaza on the Bay (160100 Collins Avenue).

The Commission also endorsed the concept of working with School Board student agricultural projects by purchasing landscaping for retention ponds on Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard for $38,150. “This is a great way to recycle tax dollars that benefit the city as well as student projects,” Mayor Edelcup said. “It’s a wonderful idea enabling our city to work together with the School Board.”

On an even brighter note, the Commission approved the installation of upgraded lighting along 159th Street, 174th Street and North Bay Road at a total cost of approximately $396,000.

‘Don’t talk and drive!’
Agreeing that motorists shouldn’t talk on their cell phones while in school zones, the Commission approved advancing a resolution that could be passed by the Florida Legislature encouraging drivers to be more attentive on the road by not using cellular phones in school zone areas.

‘Great job!’
The Commission voted to retain the Mercer Group, Inc. to complete a city employee compensation market study; review the city’s job classification process; and submit a study evaluating the city’s overall pay plan.

Stay Tuned...
You can always tune into SIB cable TV Channel 77 to watch recorded City Commission meetings – or attend them live in person to keep up with “all the action.” Considering the abundance of items on most meeting agendas, when it comes to continued progress, there’s never a dull moment in Sunny Isles Beach!

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