By Harvey Busch, Chairman

The August 19, 2009 meeting of the City Advisory Committee was very productive and stimulating.  In attendance were Mayor Norman Edelcup, Chief Fred Maas, Commissioner Gerry Goodman, City Manager Rick Conner and assistant City Clerk Mauricio Betancur.

City Manager Rick Conner announced that the City is moving forward with installation of artificial grass on the infield portion of baseball field at Pelican Community Park.  He also reported that he will soon have a staff member trained to become a specialized liaison to the Miami Senior Operation Office in order to help create our own Senior Citizen’s Assistance Office.  In response to answering a question from our previous meeting he also stated that the striping on 183 Street will be completed within the next few weeks.  Also he reported that the Florida Department of Traffic will be holding a public meeting at City Hall to discuss the major renovation of the flyover bridge at Sunny Isles Boulevard and Collins Avenue, for which the City has been pleading for more than two years.

In response from a question from Sub-committee member Ron Starkman, the City Manager advised him that all condominium buildings on the east side of Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach will receive easement agreements to allow the City to proceed with plans for underground power lines.  He also informed John Napolitano that the lights on Atlantic Boulevard will be turned on within the next few weeks.

Bob Mincow, chairman of the Planning and Beautification Sub-committee announced that his group will be focusing on getting information on producing and storing power from wind and sun as alternative energy sources for our City’s government buildings, parks and vehicles.  He expects to present a detailed study at our next City Advisory Committee public meeting.

Tony LoCastro stated that he will be replacing his Ethic Sub-Committee and instead will Chair a new important Sub-Committee that will focus on condominium issues.  Emanuel Pine will join him on this project.

Claire Lipson, Chairwoman of the Tourism and Development Sub-Committee introduced the city residents Bob and Sheila Kaplan.  They presented their goal of establishing a facility within the City to house a Museum and Cultural Center. They envisioned that funds for this endeavor would be raised by an annual destination event.  To pursue their plan they joined her Sub-Committee and will present a detailed plan at our September meeting.

Police Chief, Fred Maas, made an eloquent presentation regarding the best procedure to respond to a Police Officer’s request in order to avoid a situation that brought national attention to Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He then detailed how his department handles the many sensitive issues in our city.  Andy Brose, a long time resident of Sunny Isles Beach, requested that Chief Maas step up night patrols of the City’s beach because of an illegal sexual activities occurring at night, specifically in front of the Oceania’s buildings.  The Chief promised that this would be looked into and addressed.

The next meeting of the City Advisory Committee will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30 P.M.