By Mayor Norman S. Edelcup

Dear Citizens of Sunny Isles Beach

The Charter of our City provides that the Mayor presents a “State of the City” message on an annual basis in January. The state of the City message provides me with an opportunity to pass on important information to the citizens of our City, and an explanation of issues that came before your City Commission during the past year.

It is my pleasure and privilege as Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach to report to you, the Citizens of this wonderful City, that the state of the City’s financial condition is very secure and strong. We have been able to maintain our funding on scheduled capital improvements this past year; and at the same time maintaining a healthy general fund reserve balance of 17 million dollars.

During the past year, the financial well being of our City held steady. Over 350 million dollars of new construction was added while existing property values decreased by 350 million. This left our total property values in the City at 6.3 billion dollars. As a result of the tax reform mandate from the State Legislature, since 2006, we dropped our millage rate from 2.95 per $1000.00 to 2.48 per $1000.00 of assessed value, a reduction of nearly 16%. Simply put, property tax rates were reduced significantly.

In February of 2008, the City of Sunny Isles Beach and Shopping Center Developer Raanan Katz agreed to settle an eminent domain case for $7 million dollars. This settlement finalized the taking of property located at 18080 Collins Avenue, just north of the Government Center. The City is currently using half of the property as a municipal parking lot for vehicles owned by the city and leasing the other half to Alamo Rental Car.

The City made a commitment to create more open space and parks on the Westside of the City. The City purchased two properties on Sunny Isles Boulevard. They were formally owned by Joseph Milton and Associates and Phyllis Goldman. The City is also in the process of creating a parking area for the Samson Oceanfront Park. We have closed on a contract to purchase a vacant lot located behind Walgreens owned by the Avila North Condo Association.

On Sunday June 22, the City of Sunny Isles Beach celebrated the 11th Anniversary of Incorporation. Over 3,000 citizens attended the fun filled festivities in Samson Oceanfront Park. In addition to our Birthday Celebration, Sunny Isles Beach sponsored the first annual Don Aronow Memorial offshore Boat Races off the coast of Sunny Isles Beach with over 30 turbine and super-charged speed boats participating. This event generated world wide attention and attracted many visitors from across the nation. We look forward to the sponsorship of these races as an annual presentation in the future.

The Sunny Isles Beach Community School opened it doors, to approximately 1,100 eager K-8 grade students on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008.  The School will eventually accommodate 1,600 students. Grade seven will open in 2009 and grade eight will begin classes in 2010. Presently, there are forty-eight classrooms in use with a total capacity of sixty-five classrooms by 2010. This beautiful new school is 4 stories high and covers 150, 000 square feet of space. The response of the school opening by the new students, parents and teachers has been outstanding.

The City of Sunny Isles Beach opened the “Pelican Community Park” on Saturday, August 23, 2008.  Approximately, 1,000 citizens attended the festivities during the day, which included basketball competition, a Bridge Tournament, Yoga Classes, and a Tot-Lot playground for the children. Traditional ribbon cutting ceremonies took place by our city officials. The 12 million dollar park covers 2 acres and includes a little league baseball field, a 10,000 square foot basketball sports center named for developers Phyllis and Raanan Katz for their $525,000 charitable commitment to the City. Additionally the park contains a 2 story 6,000 square foot community and cultural center for various adult and children’s activities held throughout the year.

The City of Sunny Isles Beach honored the late Irving M. Diamond on August 25, 2008 by opening a beach access in his name located at 171st and Collins Avenue. Members of his family, City officials, and approximately 100 invited guests, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Irving, one of the founding fathers of the City of Sunny Isles Beach, was a member of the Educational and Schools Committee and President of the Concerned Citizens of N.E. Miami-Dade County.

The City of Sunny Isles Beach’s first Annual Jazz Festival took place on October 17th thru October 19th. The Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association under the direction of Ibis Romero promoted the Jazz Festival which we expect will become an annual tradition. In addition to local talent, Grammy award winner saxophonist David Sandborn headlined the Saturday festival at the Samson Oceanfront Park, the event was attended by approximately 1000 jazz lovers.  A portion of the proceeds went to benefit “Best Buddies” organization which pairs disabled children with able-bodied kids from the schools for friendship and outings.

At the November City Commission meeting, the City introduced a 20 minute historical film based on the 88 year history of Sunny Isles/Sunny Isles Beach. The film entitled “From Sandbar to Sophistication” the story of Sunny Isles Beach was a film review of the book by the same name authored by Seth M. Bramson. The film was authorized and produced by the Sunny Isles Beach Historic Preservation Board.  This impressive historic film will be used in the future in marketing Sunny Isles Beach both locally and internationally as a top tourist destination in the world.

On Friday, November 21st, the Florida League of Cities, with a State wide membership of 411 cities, honored the City of Sunny Isles Beach and its Mayor as finalists in the Florida League of Cities Excellence Awards Luncheon in Orlando, Florida.  The City Excellence Award recognizes overall excellence in a City Government and the Mayor of the Year Award is given for outstanding display of civic commitment, leadership, public outreach and service to their City. Both of these awards are a reflection of the dedication and loyal service of our Commissioners, and staff of the City of Sunny Isle Beach.

            My fellow citizens, as we enter the New Year 2009 and on behalf of your City Commission, Police Department, City Staff and myself, we pledge our continued loyalty and dedication to the citizens of Sunny Isles Beach. By working together, we will continue to raise the quality of life for the residents in our community and to make our City known throughout the world as Sunny Isles Beach – Florida’s Riviera.

            In conclusion, we wish everyone in our community a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Thank you…God Bless You…and God Bless America.