The Year in Headlines
By Bari Auerbach


With only a little more to 2004, it’s time to reflect on the past year of headline making news and events covered in ’04 issues of your Sunny Isles Beach Sun. Community Newspapers wishes the City of Sunny Isles Beach a Happy New Year and will strive in 2005 to continue printing “positive news for positive people.”

Norman Edelcup City’s new Mayor
Following the death of the late Mayor David Samson, then Vice Mayor Edelcup was appointed interim Mayor until he was elected to the seat unopposed on January 8, 2004. Commissioner Roslyn Brezin was appointed to fill Edelcup’s vacant seat. Other elected officials on the City Commission include Commissioner Danny Iglesias, Commissioner Gerry Goodman and Vice Mayor Lewis Thaler.

City plans capital improvements for ’04 and beyond
In January 2004, the City Commission passed resolutions to facilitate beautification projects and capital improvements in keeping with goals to promote the “new and improved” upscale image of Sunny Isles Beach throughout 2004 and beyond.
The resolutions passed provided for enhancements including new median enclosures; road repairs; new bathroom fixtures at the Samson Oceanfront Park; new streetlight poles and trees for 159th and 174th Streets, lower parking meter rates on North Bay Road and 174th Street; improvements for Sunny Isles Boulevard; and stormwater projects. A resolution was also adopted endorsing efforts to bring a public school to Sunny Isles Beach.

Commission amends ‘TDR ordinance’
During 2004 the City Commission amended the transfers of development rights (TDR) ordinance contained in the city’s Land Development Regulations with the goal to ensure fair and equitable administration for all parties concerned.

Defining TDR’s, Commissioner Danny Iglesias explained, “If a developer has a piece of land and doesn’t have any interest in building on that site – he has the option of picking up the TDR’s on that property and transferring them over to another site upon approval of the City Commission.”

Following numerous discussions and workshops, on Oct. 14, 2004 the City Commission passed an ordinance amending a section of the city’s land development regulations relating to TDR’s.

“ We’re defining the ‘sender site’ – the site that gives up the land – as a site the city will be able to use as a park or open space,” Mayor Norman Edelcup explained. “The other item we’re [amending pertains to] the sender site…If there are TDR’s involved, they need to be identified at the time the site plan is being reviewed.”

There are four city-owned sites creating a “bank” of transferable development rights: Golden Shores Park (205-191 Terrace), the active park (18115 N. Bay Road); Sen. Gwen Margolis Park (17815 N. Bay Road); and Gilbert Samson Oceanfront Park (17425 Collins Avenue). Main TDR “receiver sites” in the city are the east side of Collins Avenue and the town center district on the west side of Collins Avenue from 172nd Street to and inclusive of Sunny Isles Boulevard.

'Town Center of attention’
What will the west side of Collins Avenue and Sunny Isles Boulevard look like in the future? Issues being discussed during 2004 at “Town Center” workshop meetings influenced the shape of residential and commercial development to come in Sunny Isles Beach as the City Commission, planning consultants, developers and citizens worked together to formulate zoning regulations paving the way for revitalization and economic prosperity.

Shelly Eichner of the city’s planning and consulting firm Calvin Giordano & Associates, helped consolidate feedback from the Town Center meetings as well as comments from commissioners and developers. Subsequently, a Town Center ordinance was approved by the City Commission outlining zoning regulations pertaining to issues including height, density, floor area ratio and permitted uses. According to Mayor Norman Edelcup, the Town Center ordinance was ultimately adopted following “a process of compromise.”

Sen. Margolis celebrates 30 years of service
Sen. Gwen Margolis, often recognized for helping the City of Sunny Isles Beach incorporate, celebrated 30 years of service to the community in 2004. During a gathering of Concerned Citizens of Northeast Dade, Sen. Margolis thanked constituents for electing her to office and for the accolades they have given her over the years.
“ You have all been a guiding light,” Margolis said. “There was never a time when I was in Tallahassee that I didn’t know what you thought. Thirty years is a long time to deal with the kinds of issues I have. I look forward to continuing to work for children and the elderly of this community.”

‘Police success stories’
In 2004, Police Chief Fred Maas celebrated his fifth anniversary of leadership with the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department along with more award-winning accomplishments for “best in blue” officers.
In May, at the “Officer of the Year” program presented during the annual Police Benevolent Association’s Gala, Sunny Isles Beach made history - becoming the only municipal police agency to ever win the “Officer of the Year” award twice when Officer Javier Estevez received the prestigious award for his heroic rescue of a drowning victim and a lifeguard who was in trouble himself.
In February, the Police Department received more accolades at the annual Law Enforcement Awards Gala with four officers up for awards and three who won trophies or medals. Also in February, Sunny Isles Beach Police Chief Fred Maas recognized Officer Rob Ostrov and K-9 “Zaro” for receiving commendation from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Unit for their contribution to the agency by local law enforcement.

‘City becoming park place’
From a 12,000 square foot recreation center and a 10,000 square foot indoor gymnasium -to a little league baseball field for a big population of youths, plans for a two-acre active park soon to come at North Bay Road and 181st Drive grew along with the City of Sunny Isles Beach in 2004.

In 2004, the City Commission also passed resolutions to acquire property by the Golden Shores Park as part of a comprehensive plan to assemble parcels; and to accept conveyance of the “Casino” property to the city - this made it possible for The Related Group to obtain transfers of development rights {TDR’s); and for the city to transform the site, located on the west side of Collins Avenue at 172nd Street, into a 3.46 acre public park.

On the east side of the City, the oceanfront park on Collins Avenue and 174th Street was renamed the “Samson Oceanfront Park” in honor of the late Mayor David Samson and his family.

City’s website celebrates first anniversary
In February of 2004, the city marked the first anniversary of its official website: www.sibfl.net. The website is a result of a cooperative effort between Miami-Dade County’s award-winning Online Services Department for miami-dade.gov, and the city of Sunny Isles Beach, Administrative Services Department.

”The website is a source of information for year-round residents as well as for part-time residents when they are here and when they are in other parts of the world,” explained Alyce Hanson, Administrative Services Director.

City establishes ‘Mayor’s Advisory Council’
The year 2004 also marked the advent of the “Mayor’s Advisory Council” established by resolution of the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission.

“I promised the city that when I became Mayor, we would form a Mayor’s Advisory Council which would bring the citizens into the loop [regarding] major areas of the future growth of this city whether it be in education, transportation, long range planning, tourism, development, etc,” Edelcup said. “These will be open meetings advertised to the public and hopefully more than those people named to the committees will show up and give their input to the Advisory Council.”

New City shuttle buses debut
In 2004, Sunny Isles Beach residents were invited to “Catch the Wave” as new spacious city shuttle buses debuted featuring plush, comfortable seating, safety belts and cool air conditioning. Convenient new bus routes were also introduced to make it easier to get around town seven days a week.

Sunny Isles Beach honors Holocaust survivors
In April 2004, the first event of its kind in Sunny Isles Beach was held to honor hundreds of Holocaust survivors residing in the city. The concept for the day of remembrance was conceived by Mayor Norman Edelcup with assistance provided by City Historian Richard C. Schulman and many dedicated volunteers.

‘Ethical City’
Taking ethics to an even higher level in 2004, The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission approved an ordinance requiring lobbyists to register at City Hall in order to disclose issues they may be lobbying for and how much they are being compensated. The ordinance also requires lobbyists to file a form with the City Clerk for clients and topics being lobbied along with a registration fee and application.
In 2004, a section of the Code of Ethics pertaining to members of the City Commission was also amended to provide for “a prohibition against interests in conflict with official duties.” Per the amendment, the Code of Ethics no longer permits such an interest – even if it is disclosed.

‘Sister City relationship’
In keeping with the international flavor of Sunny Isles Beach, 2004 marked the establishment of a sister city relationship with the coastal resort community of Netanya, Israel through Sister Cities International. 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
Happy anniversary Sunny Isles Beach!
In the summer of 2004, the City of Sunny Isles Beach marked its seventh anniversary since incorporating on June 16, 1997; and celebrated the progress achieved toward the goal of creating the highest quality of life for residents.

‘New heights of luxury’
At a June 3, 2004 City Commission meeting, zoning requests were approved for Ocean Four condominium slated for 172nd Street and Collins Avenue being developed by The Related Group of Florida; as well as for Trump Royale, the final condominium phase of Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences (18101-18225 Collins Avenue) – a joint venture between Donald J. Trump and the Dezer family. These are just two of the multi-million dollar luxury developments soon to rise in Sunny Isles Beach – joining the multitude of other premier properties turning old “motel row” into “millionaire’s row.”

Clay Parker ‘Building Official of the Year’
At the Association of Florida’s 2004 conference, Clayton L. Parker, Building Official/ Administrator for the City of Sunny Isles Beach, was named Florida’s Building Official of the Year. City leaders agree Parker’s award reflects the high-level of professionalism and dedication members of the city staff bring to the community at large.

New lifeguard stands enhance beach safety
In 2004, the City Commission took steps to enhance the ocean’s beauty with safety. A resolution was approved to construct three lifeguard stands that will be manned. The stands were slated for the Ellen Wynne beach access (192nd Street); Samson Oceanfront Park; and the Turnberry South beach access point. The existing lifeguard stand at Samson Park was relocated to the Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort beach access point.

‘We like no tax hike’
During a budget workshop held at City Hall on August 10, Sunny Isles Beach City Manager Christopher Russo announced the tax rate for the 2004-05 fiscal year would remain one of the lowest in Miami-Dade County - $3.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value. While Russo said the Sunny Isles Beach tax rate will remain “in the lowest 25 or 30 percentile of [Miami-Dade County]” – the city is still at the height of growth and development evidenced by an impressive rise in property values.

City, police and businesses team for ‘National Night Out’
On August 3, 2004, several divisions of Sunny Isles Beach City government teamed up with local businesses to present “National Night Out” - a national campaign for crime prevention, awareness and child protection services. “Amidst the threatening skies and already soggy terrain from daily rains, employees and residents alike teamed up to show support for this anti-crime campaign,” said Police Chief Fred Maas.

Sunny Isles Beach Weathers Storms
The 2004 Hurricane season was unusually active – but fortunately, Sunny Isles Beach was spared from the worst of the storms. When hurricane Ivan was still posing a threat to South Florida, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission went on with its Sept. 9, 2004 meeting – taking care of important business while keeping a close watch on the hurricane’s projected path.

“The [hurricane preparations] were made easier by the cooperation of the entire city staff and the inter-municipal cooperation of other communities and vendors the city works with,” said City Manager Christopher Russo said. 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 Endorses Public School
At a Sept. 22, 2004 Sunny Isles Beach City Commission meeting, a resolution was adopted to approve the concept of building a K-8 public school in Sunny Isles Beach as per recommendation of the Education/Schools Committee of the Mayor’s Advisory Council. The resolution also gave City Manager Christopher Russo authority to initiate an agreement with Miami-Dade County Public Schools that will come back before the City Commission for review.

‘Beach Walk talk’
The issue of whether or not an oceanfront Beach Walk would be a desirable community amenity was one of the most intensely debated issues of 2004 in the City of Sunny Isles Beach. At a Nov. 18 City Commission meeting, a resolution was approved establishing a “Beachwalk Fact-Finding Committee” to help ascertain additional information before a substantive decision is made on the initiative. The Commission requested the Beachwalk Fact-Finding Committee provide information to the City Commission no later than six months from the date of appointments made on Nov. 18, 2004.

City cultivates culture and community unity
In 2004, the city’s Cultural and Human Services Department planned yet another great calendar of enriching events and activities for the whole community to enjoy ranging from cultural excursions and holiday celebrations - to favorite “Sunny Serenade” concerts and an annual Summer Camp program that keeps getting bigger and better every year.

Government Center on the rise
Throughout 2004, residents watched in anticipation as the city’s new state-of-the-art Sunny Isles Beach Government Center was being constructed at 180th Street and Collins Avenue. Set to open in February 2005 with gala festivities, Government Center will also be home to the Police Department and Commission Chambers dedicated to the late Mayor David P. Samson.

Commission to be compensated
On Nov. 2, 2004, a majority of Sunny Isles Beach residents voted to approve a charter amendment providing City Commissioners with a monthly compensation of $1,000 for their services on the Commission and the Mayor with a monthly compensation of $1,250. Formerly, the Charter provided that the Mayor and City Commissioners shall serve without compensation. Other charter amendments were also passed relating to filling a vacancy in the office of Mayor and Commissioner; revision of the general election date for Mayor and Commission; and term limits for members of the Commission.

‘ Quote of the Year’

Mayor Norman Edelcup: “I am thankful for the 2004 hurricanes sparing South Florida and in particular Sunny Isles Beach; the continued economic boom which has made Sunny Isles Beach the destination of choice for its new residents who have come from all parts of the world; and a forward thinking Commission and City Staff, working diligently to improve the quality of life in Sunny Isles Beach.”

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