'City's drive to revitalize continues in '09

By Bari Auerbach

From initiatives to complete roadwork and streetscape beautification plans – to giving the green light to create more green space, Sunny Isles Beach is cruising along the “road to riches” with capital improvements plus a plethora of services and amenities fueling public good and welfare in 2009 and beyond.

‘Easy Street’

When Mayor Norman S. Edelcup recently delivered the annual State of the City Address, he emphasized, “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 maintain a healthy general fund reserve balance of  $17 million. During the past year the financial well being of our city held steady…[and since 2006] property tax rates were reduced significantly.”

If tradition continues, Sunny Isles Beach residents will keep enjoying the highest quality of life along with one of the lowest tax rates in Miami-Dade County (2.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value).
The city’s ‘08/’09 budget includes funding for a plethora of capital improvements and services including: Pelican Community Park operations; phased replacement of police and public service vehicles; completing a computer backup system for disaster recovery; Government Center modifications; park upgrades; landscaping work; Sunny Isles Boulevard improvements; undergrounding utilities; enhanced signage; and construction projects including restoration of the Newport Fishing Pier.
Future budget goals include creating a “land bank” enabling the city to purchase properties for pubic purposes that can be developed to enhance Sunny Isles Beach; acquiring new parks; constructing parking garages; and beautifying the streetscape along the west side of Collins Avenue.

‘Paving the way for progress’

To help expedite smooth traffic flow on Sunny Isles Boulevard leading to Collins Avenue, the City Commission has advocated incurring the cost of installing an underground conduit and repaving the southern portion of the road.

Florida Power & Light has been working to underground utilities on Sunny Isles Boulevard – but due to unforeseen project delays, the City Commission plans to proceed with repaving the road as soon as possible to help alleviate traffic gridlock.

In keeping with the city’s goal to beautify and revitalize Sunny Isles Boulevard – a gateway to the city - road improvements including rebuilding curbs, driveways and gutters on the edge of both sides of the street were planned and funded in part by a $3 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Sunny Isles Boulevard is part of the city’s vision for an upscale, vibrant Town Center district featuring shops, restaurants, green open space and luxurious developments such as St. Tropez currently being constructed by J. Milton & Associates.

‘Taking the high road’

The City of Sunny Isles Beach and former City Manager John Szerlag have agreed to part ways amicably. Following Szerlag’s resignation, Public Works Director Rick Conner has been appointed interim City Manager. For the next few months, Szerlag will serve as a consultant to the city, available to provide assistance with capital projects.

The City Commission also recently reversed its position on installing cameras at Collins Avenue intersections to catch red light runners after being advised the state of Florida bans traffic cameras on state property. Considering the option of receiving permission from private property owners to install cameras on their land, the Commission agreed that despite the potential revenue, installation of camera poles would be too unsightly.

‘Full speed ahead’

On the road to being globally renowned as “Florida’s Riviera,” Sunny Isles Beach will be welcoming back highly successful special events steering international media attention to the city.

For the second year, Sunny Isles Beach will be the exciting site of offshore powerboat races attracting teams and fans from all over the world June 12-14.

In 2008, Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association president Ron Polli noted, “This race site was originally made famous back in the ‘70s by racers such as Don Aronow and we are thrilled that the City of Sunny Isles Beach and the Miami-Dade County Parks Department have entrusted OSS to rejuvenate this great race site. We hope to return for many years to come and make this a bigger and better event every year.”

The city also plans to continue hosting its annual gala anniversary celebrations and the acclaimed Jazz Fest presented for the first time in October of 2008 with support from the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association and many illustrious sponsors.

To keep up with all the proactive action going on in Sunny Isles Beach as the city continues on the “road to riches,” visit the website www.sibfl.net.

“We’re now offering a subscription service to city information,” explained Alyce Hanson, director of administrative services. “Sign up on the home page of www.sibfl.net by clicking on eSIBi (electronic Sunny Isles Beach information). Then the city will send you information by e-mail. The available list of categories include Adult and Senior Activities, Youth Activities, Traffic Alerts, City Events and Concerts.”