By Bari Auerbach

Making public safety a top priority, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission recently approved resolutions and ordinances designed to promote crime prevention and save lives. Despite the state of the economy, the city also was declared “safe and sound” in the annual audit report highlighting municipal prosperity.

‘Safety in Numbers’
At the Feb. 19 City Commission meeting, Jerry Chiocca of the accounting firm Rachlin, LLP, presented a report based on an audit of the city’s financial status for fiscal year 2007/2008 (ending Sept. 30, 2008).

Chiocca emphasized, “There are healthy balances throughout all balance sheets…Positive numbers in all categories show the mark of an excellent city…this is a very healthy position to be in…[The city] has used money wisely…this is a balanced budget with no material weaknesses…a very ‘clean audit.’”

A memo regarding the city’s annual audit report sent to the City Commission by Douglas Haag, Sunny Isles Beach Assistant City Manager-Finance, provides the following comparison:

Key Budget and Financial Information for
FY2006-2007 vs. FY 2007-2008:
Population:  18,747 vs. 20,171
Taxable Valuation: $4,877,231,660 vs. $6,287,016,157
Millage Rate: $2.9500 vs. $2.3979
Property Tax Revenues:  $13,668.441 vs. $14,321.854
General Fund:
Original Budget: $24,051,527 vs. $26,981,170
Amended Budget: $24,107, 677 vs. $27,434,629
Total Actual Revenues: $26,725,531 vs. $27,418,578
Total Actual Expenditures: $20,711,320 vs. $26,369,767
Fund Balance Surplus: $17,329,906 vs. $18,378,717
Cash Investments $15,952,475 vs. $16,972,268
Total Budgeted Funds:
Original Budget: $56,046,073 vs. $61,499,529
Amended Budget: $24,107,677 vs. $66,748,420
Total Actual Revenues: $40,117,941 vs. $40,301,385
Total Actual Expenditures: $34,781,133 vs. $44,897,957
Fund Balance Surplus: $46,998,024 vs. $42,401,451
Cash Investments: $45,138,947 vs. $38,746,905

To inquire about obtaining a complete copy of the Sunny Isles Beach audit report for fiscal year 2007/2008, phone Government Center: 305-947-0606.
 
‘Safer Parking Lots’

To help ensure the safety of Sunny Isles Beach residents and visitors, the City Commission approved an ordinance on Feb.19 requiring commercial/retail establishments, apartments and condominiums with 20 or more off-street surface parking spaces to provide security lighting. The lighting must provide adequate illumination to identify the presence of any person on the premises during the hours of darkness including 11 p.m. to sunrise.

City Attorney Hans Ottinot reported, “At a City Commission workshop held on October 16, 2008 the Police Department identified certain measures to help deter the incidence of crime. The Police Department specifically identified the need for increased security in commercial/retail, apartment and condominium parking lot areas - determining parking lot areas of retail/commercial establishments, apartments and condominiums may expose people to increased risk of abductions, robberies and other similar criminal acts.

“The security lighting requirements shall be based upon established criteria including but not limited to the type of area in which the development is located; its hours of operation; and a review of past crime in the area. Review and approval of the security lighting requirements will be made by the Police Department and the City Manager or designee.

“The Ordinance imposes compliance dates and penalties for noncompliance. Specifically, commercial/retail establishments, apartments and condominiums with 20 or more off street surface parking spaces are required to comply within 120 days of enactment and failure to comply will result in a fine of $500 per violation.”

It was noted the city’s Code Enforcement department will be sending out notices to affected properties including details about the ordinance and compliance procedures.

‘Public Safety and Community Outreach’

The City Commission recently approved a request by the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department for the expenditure of partial forfeiture funds to establish a Tactical Firearms Program as well as to fund charitable contributions, community policing and crime prevention programs.
 
Police Chief Fred Maas reported, “It is recommended that the City Commission approve the expenditure of partial 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 purchases of police equipment and other law enforcement activities.  It is requested that we be permitted to utilize $130,000 of
said funds on deposit for such purpose.”

Maas explained the Police Department’s purchase of 50 Colt Commando M4 rifles, vehicle mounting racks and related equipment accessories will facilitate the implementation of a Special Purpose Tactical Firearms Program to respond to the “ever increasing threat of heavily armed criminals in South Florida.”

“Assault weapons have become the weapon of choice for today’s criminal - giving them the ability to out-gun most road patrol officers,” Maas said. “With the purchase of the above rifles our officers would be able to respond more effectively to calls for service involving assault type weapons. After much research by our training unit, the Colt Commando M4 Rifle was selected as the most reliable and functional firearm for our needs.”

The City Commission also authorized the purchase of ten handheld police radios and associated accessories. “The Police Department has only replaced a portion of our handheld police radios over the past ten years,” explained Police Captain Michael Grandinetti. “With the increasing number of malfunctions and repair cost of
original radios - and to assure the safety and reliability of this important lifeline equipment issued to our officers, these ten radios would be used to replace several of the older and malfunctioning radios.”

‘Beach Safety’
Following approval at the  Feb. 19 City Commission meeting, a “Beach Safety” video will be shown on Sunny Isles Beach cable Channel 77 in addition to already airing on as many as 25 area hotel television welcome page channels.

The video highlights proactive measures for beach safety including proper sun block protection, what to do if you’re caught in a riptide, awareness of color coded flag warnings and consulting with Sunny Isles Beach expert lifeguards, who can provide helpful information about daily conditions and possible hazards. For more information, phone the Cultural and Human Services Department: 305-947-0606.