Commission taking ‘proactive action’ to safeguard and improve city
By Bari Auerbach
While Sunny Isles Beach is in the midst of booming growth and development, the City Commission is passing ordinances and resolutions to ensure all the progress is balanced with the philosophy “proceed with caution.” Here are just some of the proactive precautions and actions recently considered or approved:

‘Fair Representation’
With the intent to ensure that future municipal elections ensure citizens of Sunny Isles Beach are fairly represented, the City Commission is endorsing the concept of redrawing voting districts. If a charter amendment is passed in the November election, the city’s three voting districts would be redrawn into four districts (195th Street to 178th Street; 178th Street to 172nd Street; 172nd to 167th Street; and 167th Street to Bayview Drive).

The population boom in Sunny Isles Beach prompted the initiative to redraw the city’s voting districts along with the goal to avoid having a majority of future elected officials residing within one area of the city. If the charter amendment passes, the “at-large” commission seat would be turned into a district seat. Commission candidates would have to live in each of the four respective districts – but the Mayor would still be able to reside in any district. Every resident would also continue to have the right to cast their vote for all four Commission candidates and the Mayor.

‘Water Conservation’
The City Commission recently passed an ordinance to help protect the city’s water supply in keeping with restrictions mandated by the South Florida Water Management District. The ordinance, drafted to heighten awareness, outlines established penalties for not complying with water conservation guidelines.
While the Water Management District advocates fines for residents who violate the restrictions, the City of Sunny Isles Beach plans to issue warnings for first-time violations. Subsequently, fines will escalate from $75 for a second violation to $500 for a third violation – and then further violations could result in arrest and as much as a 60 day sentence.

To help keep citizens informed about watering restrictions, guidelines are being posted on the city’s channel 77 cable TV information station and on the city’s website www.sibfl.net as follows:
In Florida, rainfall supplies most of the water we use for drinking, bathing, cooking and performing all sorts of activities. There are seasonal and geographic variations in rainfall, and sometimes these variations lead to water shortages.

About half of the water used in all homes is used outdoors, often wastefully, by over-watering lawns and gardens. Ironically, the demand for water tends to be highest during the cooler months of the seven-month dry season (November - May) when rainfall is most scarce.

Although rainfall levels have improved in Miami-Dade County for 2007, water levels in Lake Okeechobee, our emergency water supply, have been falling to record lows. The result: water shortages continue throughout the region. Because of this continuing shortage, new, stricter Water Restrictions have been put in place for Miami-Dade, to ensure we continue to use this precious natural resource efficiently.

Important Points:

• The South Florida Water Management District issued the Modified Phase III Water Restrictions effective January 15, 2008.
• Residents with odd-numbered addresses will be restricted to watering their lawns on Mondays only from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Residents with even-numbered addresses will be restricted to watering their lawns on Thursdays only from 4 a.m. to 8 am or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.
• Miami-Dade County is enforcing these restrictions. No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).
• As a utility, WASD will be asked to reduce water pressure throughout its system, but not to unsafe levels. In addition to the modified water use restrictions where applicable, residents in all areas of Miami-Dade County are encouraged to voluntarily save water both inside and outside the home.

Additional information may be obtained by calling the South Florida Water Management District, Miami-Dade Service Center at 305-377-7274, the District's toll-free Water Conservation Hotline at 800-662-8876 or the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department Water-Use Efficiency number at 786-552-8974.

‘Development Extensions’
To help protect the future of development in Sunny Isles Beach in light of current real estate market conditions, the City Commission passed an ordinance on first reading to permit a voluntary program for the extension of time for unexpired development approvals and transfer of development rights (TDR’s). Developers voluntarily participating in the extension program would be required to comply with a monetary compensation plan outlined in the ordinance.

Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, “We’re being responsive…An [extension of time to build is] justified to solve a problem that may not be short term…Developers will start projects when the economic climate produces a positive impact for them…A four year extension is very reasonable - but hopefully it won’t even get out to that.”

Also endorsing the extension, Commissioner Roslyn Brezin stated, “Builders have the land - they’re anxious to build - they have their site plans and everything’s ready to go. But they’re unable to do what could have been done if [market] conditions were better.”

‘Competitive Police Pay’
To ensure Sunny Isles Beach police officers are being fairly compensated for keeping citizens safe, the City Commission passed a resolution approving an increased pay plan. According to City Manager John Szerlag, the pay plan is now comparable to the pay plans of other police departments in neighboring municipalities including Aventura, Hallandale Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside.

“To maintain a first-class Police Department serving and protecting residents, visitors and businesses and to maintain a culture of professionalism, we need to offer competitive pay and benefits compared to surrounding communities,” Szerlag said.

Commissioner George “Bud” Scholl noted, “I’m happy to know we’re now on par with surrounding communities.” Commissioner Roslyn Brezen added “We want to feel our policemen are paid in a fair manner.” Commissioner Gerry Goodman concurred, stating, “I congratulate [all those who worked on] negotiating the best deal for the best Police Department in all of South Florida “

Mayor Norman Edelcup said, “It’s an honor to be the Mayor of a city that has such a great police force. Thanks goes out to Police Chief Fred Maas who has worked diligently to build this Police Department…I’m happy to see this [compensation issue] has been resolved and we’ll be [periodically] reviewing this [pay plan].”
Police Chief Fred Maas emphasized, “We’ve made a commitment to find the very best officers…Sunny Isles Beach has thrived as a result of the safety of the community and reputation of safety the city offers…[This pay plan will help] guarantee our officers will be here for a long time.”

‘Flood Prevention’
To keep Sunny Isles Beach roads “high and dry,” the City Commission has approved plans for a major central island stormwater project as well as an aesthetically enhanced streetscape system that will solve drainage problems and beautify a large portion of the community.

The city has retained the reputable firms of Beiswenger, Hoch & Associates and Southeastern Engineering Contractors to provide project management, construction, engineering testing and quality control services. “Our goal is to do the job quickly and smoothly with a minimum amount of complications,” City Manager John Szerlag said.
Focusing on the importance of keeping citizens informed during construction phases, Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, “It’s important we communicate with the community about [anticipated] time frames and what alternative [routes] will be suggested to help them navigate to and from where they live…We will be inconvenienced – but everyone will enjoy the end result.”

‘Emergency Preparedness’
In the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster, Sunny Isles Beach can be eligible to receive funds from FEMA thanks to a resolution recently passed by the City Commission retaining experts to help ensure the city can receive available FEMA funds. “The city should know exactly what we’re going to do in the event of an emergency,” said City Manager John Szerlag. “[The FEMA philosophy is] if you’ve got a plan and you stick to it – then you’re covered if something happens.”

During the Feb. 21 City Commission meeting, building official Clay Parker also outlined a plan conceived with assistance from Vice Mayor Lewis Thaler to create an incentive plan encouraging the installation of generators in key retail establishments throughout the city (gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores). The plan calls for business owners and the city to split the cost of installation for the necessary equipment. Parker also noted there is a possibility that police forfeiture funds could help fund the city’s investment.

‘More Proactive Precautions’
From adopting a resolution to hire additional code enforcement personnel – and applying for a grant to repair a dock at Bella Vista Bay Park (coming to 500 Sunny Isles Boulevard) – to entering into an agreement with Luke’s-Sawgrass Landscaping to help keep the city green and pristine – the City Commission is always instituting “better safe…” proactive precautions to ensure Sunny Isles Beach lives up to its reputation for being Florida’s Riviera.
And now that Sunny Isles Beach is planning to host an offshore powerboat race in June coordinated by OSS (Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association) the Cultural and Human Services Department is making sure the city won’t be financially liable for any exorbitant costs…another sure sign of “smooth sailing” when it comes to fiscal responsibility combined with creating the highest quality of life.