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By Bari Auerbach
From intelligent technological innovations improving municipal efficiency and communications – to bight ideas for creating an ideal community, wise planning for the future and savvy marketing campaigns – Sunny Isles Beach is earning accolades for being a “smart city.”
Here are just some of the highly intelligent initiatives being spearheaded by the City Commission and members of city staff:
‘Smart Technology’
Caught on Camera
How many times have you seen someone run a red light – when there weren’t any police officers around to give them a ticket? Now, thanks to the City Commission’s smart decision to approve the installation of cameras along Collins Avenue, red light runners can be “caught red-handed.”
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.
Updated Website
Beyond taking advantage of technological advances to create safer conditions on the road - online, the city’s website www.sibfl.net has recently been updated to provide modernized links to city news and information plus “quick answers” to individual questions.
To create even more effective communication between residents, visitors, business owners and Sunny Isles Beach government, the city’s website now has 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.”
Parks Go WiFi
Even more “smart” city projects have been planned to improve the city’s infrastructure and aesthetics including the undergrounding of phone lines, upgrading of stormwater drainage systems and now, according to Hanson, “Sunny Isles Beach residents and visitors can ‘catch the waves’ by surfing not just in the ocean - but in all city parks. The ‘waves’ are free unlimited internet waves - and ‘surfing’ will be on the computer with a wireless card.”
As of July 14, all city parks became WiFi hotspots where Internet connectivity is free, wireless and commercial-free. The infrastructure utilizes the network standard 802.11 – the current standard for wireless network connectivity.
The city parks include Bella Vista Bay Park, Pier Park, Samson Oceanfront Park, Town Center Park, Senator Gwen Margolis Park, Golden Shores Community Park, Pelican Community Park and Heritage Park.
‘Smart Savings’
On a Budget
The City Commission recently focused on implementing smart cost efficient strategies while studying the city’s proposed $30.7 million budget seeking to cut costs and make the most of budgetary dollars in all city departments.
While Sunny Isles Beach has ample budget reserve funds, the theme has been “conserve and reserve” wherever possible due to a reduction in city revenue forecasts, mostly from property taxes. In order to help balance the ‘08/’09 budget, the new proposed tax rate is rising from $2.398 to $2.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value – lower than it was two years ago and still one of the lowest property tax rates in Miami-Dade County.
Consolidating Elections
Cost efficiency is also the catalyst for the city’s goal to consolidate elections with Miami-Dade County. A representative from the office of Miami-Dade County’s Supervisor of Elections explained 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.”
The City Commission has endorsed amending the city’s charter by changing the dates of the city’s general and runoff elections to coincide with the county – necessitating terms of office to be extended by one year for one time only. A special election regarding charter amendments will be held Nov. 4, 2008.
‘Smart Recognition’
Going Green
Sunny Isles Beach smart “Going Green” initiatives are already receiving high praise and recognition. In May, the Florida League of Cities announced the publication of its 2008 City Innovations Showcase which included “Government Center Goes Green” - a detailed description of the recycling at the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center.
According to the city’s Public Works Department, the maintenance staff in the Government Center is doing its part to save money and energy by continuing with a new larger scale recycling policy. New recycle bins are just the start of the City’s conscious effort to help preserve the environment. The city is also recycling dry-cell batteries and inkjet cartridges and has implemented a computerized system to control the lights and air conditioning usage throughout the entire Government Center.
In keeping with the smart trend to “go green – and save green” the City Commission recently 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.
Raising the Bar
Even more recognition was bestowed upon Sunny Isles Beach when “smart” City Attorney Hans Ottinot was selected as one of “Florida’s Top Government Attorneys” by Florida Trend Business Magazine (“Florida Legal Elite”).
“I share this honor with the City Commission and staff because a ‘good’ client makes an attorney’s job a little bit less difficult,” Ottinot said.
‘Smart Thinking Ahead’
“Thinking ahead” is one of the City Commission’s smartest strategies to help ensure the continuation of positive progress as Sunny Isles Beach continues to flourish with new luxurious new developments and booming population growth..
Vote of Confidence
With the intent to ensure that future municipal elections ensure citizens of Sunny Isles Beach are fairly represented, the City Commission has endorsed 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.
Emergency Preparedness
I
n keeping with the City Commission’s smart mission to safeguard the community and plan ahead for emergency evacuations, a resolution has been passed authorizing City Manager John Szerlag to proceed with obtaining a design scheme for a pedestrian/emergency vehicle bridge on North Bay Road.
Szerlag explained a gate would be installed only allowing vehicles to go through in the event of an emergency. 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.
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.”
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.”
Earlier this year, building official Clay Parker 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.
Thinking ahead to project how active hurricane seasons can affect beach erosion, the City Commission is also taking smart steps to preserving city beaches. The city recently entered into an agreement with Coastal Systems International for consulting services aimed at devising optimal solutions for beach renourishment.
Flood Prevention
To help 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.”
More Smart 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.
Planning for the future has also prompted the city to partner in restoring the historic Newport fishing pier; and create a traffic management system to help alleviate congestion and backups in neighborhoods near the new Sunny Isles Beach Community School during drop off and pickup times.
‘Smart Community Amenities’
First Class School, Parks and Events
Realizing the demographics of Sunny Isles Beach were rapidly changing as more and more families with children became year-round residents, the City Commission wisely decided to pursue the acquisition of land to build a school. According to the Beacon Council, working to support the business climate in Miami-Dade County, relocating executives place “good schools” at the top of their site selection list.
Even before the Sunny Isles Beach public school officially opened in August, it was also a smart idea for principal Dr. Annette Weissman to begin writing columns for the city’s newspaper and website to educate the community about curriculum and learning innovations.
Making “smart moves” to create community unity, more city enhancements include the new Pelican Community Park that recently opened adjacent to the school; the “Bone Zone” gathering place for resident dog owners at Sen. Gwen Margolis Park; and an exciting calendar of special events garnering international notoriety like thrilling off-shore power boat races and the upcoming Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Festival.
Along with having the smart foresight to purchase park lands and create neighborhood parks, city planners saw the need to create various types of parking areas for its residents including open street parking, resident-only street parking and commercial vehicle/recreational equipment parking. Each of these parking areas has its own uses, rules and fees. For more information, phone: 305-947-0606.
‘Smart Library’
The library branch located at Sunny Isles Beach Government Center is participating in the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s S.M.A.R.T. (Science Math and Reading Tutoring) Program for the 2008-2009 school year. Tutoring sessions begin on Saturday, Oct. 4 and will continue through May 16, 2009.
S.M.A.R.T. offers free homework assistance help for students in grades K-12. Tutoring sessions are offered on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in one-hour sessions Tutoring is done in small groups by carefully screened and experienced educators. To learn more about the S.M.A.R.T. Program, phone 305-375-3563 or log on to
www.mdpls.org and click S.M.A.R.T. under Outreach and Literacy.
‘Smart Purchases’
*Twelve handheld P71S0 police radios and associated accessories
Explaining the need to purchase the police radios, Police Chief Fred Maas reported, “The Sunny Isles Beach Police Department has only replaced approximately 20 of our handheld police radios over the past nine years. With the increasing number of malfunctions and repair cost of these original radios and to assure the safety and reliability of this important lifeline equipment issued to our officers, these twelve radios would be used to replace several of the older and malfunctioning radios.
“Purchasing these radios through the Miami-Dade County Enterprise Technology Services Department would be the most cost effective method [considering] Miami-Dade County purchases directly through MIA Com, Inc. GE Ericsson, Inc. and receives a 37 percent discount. Miami-Dade County also provides the programming for all radios on their system. Funding for the above radios and associated equipment were budgeted and are available under General Fund Capital Expenditures.”
*Computer equipment and associated software for phase two of the Disaster Recovery Plan
The City Commission authorized Police Chief Fred Maas, in accordance with the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, to expend $75,000 from the Federal forfeiture DOJ funds for this purchase.
Maas reported, “It is recommended that the City Commission approve the expenditure of partial Federal DOJ forfeiture funds previously awarded to the Police Department as the results of investigative participation in forfeiture and seizure cases. These funds are permissible by law to be spent for the purchases of police equipment and other law enforcement activities.
“The Information Technology (IT) Department has developed a multi phase disaster recovery plan for the city’s current infrastructure. Phase two of this plan will develop and prepare the Police Department’s infrastructure for compatibility with the city s overall Disaster Recovery Plan to provide for virtualization and off-site data storage…The project will begin the second week in May 2008 and will be completed by August 2008.”
*Purchase of software support and maintenance for a three year period
Doug Haag, Assistant City Manager, Finance and Edel Fonseca, Information Technology Director, reported, “The following is our yearly maintenance agreement with New World Systems…Currently this software manages the Finance Department…New World has outlined the cost for the next three years in their proposal as follows:
5/1/2008-4/30/2009: $14, 861; 5/1/2009- 4/30/ 2010: $16,347; 5/1/2010-4/30/2011: $17,982: Total: $49,190. Funding is available in the current fiscal year budget for this item.”
‘Smart Proactive Actions’
The City of Sunny Isles Beach is committed to implementing smart plans and programs designed to generate revenue and create “win-win” situations.
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 to permit a voluntary program for the extension of time for unexpired development approvals and transfer of development rights (TDR’s). Participating developers will comply with a monetary compensation plan outlined in the ordinance.
Mayor Norman S. Edelcup said, “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.”
Police Compensation
Making a smart decision to ensure Sunny Isles Beach police officers are being fairly compensated for keeping citizens safe, the City Commission also recently 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 Brezin 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].”
‘Smart Marketing’
Always focusing on smart ways to promote Sunny Isles Beach as “Florida’s Riviera,” the City Commission works closely in conjunction with the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association.
To facilitate “free publicity” in the form of worldwide marketing exposure, the City Commission recently appointed volunteer Elena Baronoff (who works with the Dezer family of the Trump developments) a “Sunny Isles Beach International Ambassador.” Baronoff will be assisting in efforts to promote Sunny Isles Beach while on international travel excursions.
Members of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association also recently attended the 2008 “Las Vegas Pow-Wow” – the travel industry's premier international marketplace and largest generator of Visit USA travel. The three day event included intensive pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments with more than 1,000 U.S. travel organizations and 1,500 International and Domestic Buyers from 70 countries.
Sunny Isles Beach had over 45 appointments during the three days and hosted a dinner for 120 buyers at the Four Seasons in Las Vegas.
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