City striving to maximize efficiency, savings and public safety

By: Bari Auerbach

In an effort to fast-track projects, promote cost efficiency and heighten public safety, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission and members of city staff have been spearheading initiatives focused on saving “time, money and lives.”

‘Saving Money’

Beyond endorsing a bidding process to ensure city beautification and capital improvement projects are completed by the most reputable contractors providing the highest quality of service for the fairest price, the City Commission recently focused on “consolidating elections” - yet another cost efficient strategy. By scheduling a city election to coincide with county elections, Sunny Isles Beach could save at least $38,000.

At the June 19 City Commission meeting, an ordinance was approved on first reading that could serve to amend the city charter by changing the dates of the city’s general and runoff elections. The ordinance also addresses related extensions of terms of office [for Commission members] and allowed length of service plus the scheduling of a special election regarding the charter amendments to be held Nov. 4, 2008.

A representative from the office of Miami-Dade County’s Supervisor of Elections emphasized that sharing the same election date is “feasible and desirable for the city and county process; greatly reduces costs incurred by the city; and can significantly improve voter turnout.” It was also noted that Aventura and other neighboring cities have already adopted similar election consolidation legislation. 

Voting in favor of more “cost-cutting” concepts, the City Commission approved a reduction in the monthly fee for a resident only parking permit from $75 to $50.

The Commission also endorsed “free publicity” in the form of worldwide marketing exposure that will be provided by volunteer Elena Baronoff, appointed a “Sunny Isles Beach International Ambassador.” Baronoff, who works with the Dezer family of the Trump developments, will be assisting in efforts to promote Sunny Isles Beach as “Florida’s Riviera” while on international travel excursions.  
 
Helping families in need save money, the Sunflower Society, founded by the late Connie Morrow, presented a $2,500 donation to the city (matched by the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department) enabling 39 children to attend the city’s summer camp program.

In keeping with the trend to “go green – and save green” the city also authorized the purchase of two GEM Model EL electric pickup trucks for the Public Works Department. The cost of the trucks, not to exceed $21,000,  represents a savings of approximately $10,000 when compared to the purchase of gasoline vehicles and the elimination of expenses for gasoline and oil. The goal is to ultimately replace other city vehicles with similar more cost-efficient models.

‘Saving Time’

With the goal to expedite projects that will improve the infrastructure and aesthetics of Sunny Isles Beach, the City Commission has authorized City Manager John Szerlag to “fast-track” the undergrounding of phone lines; upgrading stormwater drainage systems; and installation of fencing along Collins Avenue medians to preserve landscaping and deter jaywalkers.

Since “quick answers” are vital to facilitating effective communication between residents, visitors, business owners and Sunny Isles Beach government, the city’s website www.sibfl.net has been updated with an “Ask City Hall” feature. Director of Administrative Services Alyce Hanson explained, “On the website’s home page, you can click on “Ask City Hall” and be directed to a screen where you can choose to find answers to questions already posted and also be able to ask your own questions, make  requests or report concerns…then, the system will automatically respond.”

Understanding “time is of the essence” when it comes to preserving the city’s beaches, the Commission has also approved an agreement with Coastal Systems International for consulting services aimed at devising the best strategies for beach renourishment.  

‘Saving Lives’
                                     
From working on initiatives making it safer to cross the street – to slowing down speeding motorists and creating an alternate route for traffic flow in case of emergency situations, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission has been focusing on life/safety issues.

By the end of the year, the city expects to complete installation of cameras along Collins Avenue serving to help enforce red light infractions. According to City Manager John Szerlag, the city will receive a percentage of fines collected and will not incur any capital outlay costs for the cameras supplied by the vendor.

Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, “I think [the cameras] will give us more of a traffic calming effect and hopefully also reduce the number of intersection accidents that have occurred.” If successful, the Commission agreed it would be beneficial to expand the presence of cameras to other high-traffic areas such as Sunny Isles Boulevard.

In an effort to create safer streets before the August opening of the Sunny Isles Beach Community School at Atlantic Boulevard and 183rd Street, the City Commission is also striving to get a traffic light installed at the primary entrance to the RK Shopping Center just south of 183rd Street.

The City Commission agreed to proceed with drafting a “signal warrant analysis variance request” to present to the Florida Department of Transportation.  The variance request will emphasize “strong reasons” as to why the light is needed - plus the city plans to include letters of support from school board and elected officials.

Based on time estimates that it could take up to a year for a traffic light to be installed (if approved by FDOT), the City Commission noted a police vehicle would be placed at the intersection to help safeguard pedestrians and motorists.

The opening of the city’s new school also created the need for a traffic management plan to help avoid congestion and backups on neighborhood roads during drop off and pick up times.

According to the plan, there will initially be as many as nine police officers to help manage vehicular traffic as well as at least a dozen crossing guards at designated locations that will be determined by the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department based on emerging traffic/pedestrian patterns. The crossing guards will be at their posts two hours prior to the start of school and two hours following afternoon recess.

In keeping with the City Commission’s mission to safeguard the community, a resolution was passed authorizing City Manager John Szerlag to proceed with obtaining a design scheme for a pedestrian/emergency vehicle bridge on North Bay Road.

“The city’s Comprehensive Plan [adopted in 2000] indicates a full time pedestrian bridge with emergency vehicular access [to be in compliance with state regulatory agencies],” Szerlag said.  “[Having an alternative route to Collins Avenue] for entering and leaving the city is a life/safety issue.”

Szerlag explained a gate would be installed only allowing vehicles to go through in the event of an emergency; and that it would not be possible to build a two-lane bridge unless additional right-of-way was acquired. He also noted that prior to being constructed, the bridge (estimated to cost $3.5 million) would have to go through a permitting processing requiring oversight by agencies including the Department of Environmental Resource Management and the South Florida Water Management District.

Before voting to approve the resolution to begin designing the bridge, the Commission agreed to make schematic plans available for review two weeks prior to another public forum scheduled for September.