Do not pour fats, oils and grease down the drain. The Problem Grease hardens when cooled, and along with fats and oils, forms globs that stick to walls inside sewer pipes. This restricts wastewater flow and can clog the pipes leading to sewer overflows into parking lots and streets. Foods that float in the dish water should not go down the …
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Sunny Isles Beach Elevates City Services by Embracing Technological Initiatives
By Christopher J. Russo, Former City Manager (Friday, November 1, 2019) – For the last several years, the City of Sunny Isles Beach has been breaking barriers and driving technological advancements to the forefront of our agenda. In late 2015, Mayor George “Bud” Scholl launched the Mayor’s Technology Initiative, challenging city staff to develop ideas to keep our city on …
Read More »Behind the Scenes with Special Events
(Wednesday, October 30, 2019) – Many of you have been to one of our spectacular special events throughout the year. From last month’s Halloween celebration, Booogie by the Beach, to twice-monthly Bingo sessions, to live performances at Gateway Park, the special events division is behind each and every event you see on our calendar. This past year they hosted 108 …
Read More »Behind the Scenes with the Building Department
(Saturday, October 5, 2019) – The City of Sunny Isles Beach is particularly susceptible to flooding from major rain events and storm surge. SIB lies close to sea level and its underground water supply is just below the ground surface. Therefore, major rain events sometimes leave rainwater nowhere to drain, causing occasional flooding. Your property may be high enough that …
Read More »Renew Your Short-Term Vacation Rental License
(Thursday, September 5, 2019) – Beginning September 2, you can renew your short-term vacation rental license with the Planning and Zoning Department. All licenses expire on September 30, 2019, and owners or responsible parties must submit renewal applications. Licenses can be renewed online through your portal account. The license renewal fee is $400 each, which includes the Short- Term Vacation …
Read More »Sunny Isles Beach: Then and Now
By Christopher J. Russo, Former City Manager (Tuesday, July 30, 2019) – If you held up a snapshot of Sunny Isles Beach 22 years ago next to one taken today, the City would almost be unrecognizable. From the replacement of run-down motels with modern high-rises on the east side, to the development of City parks and public facilities on the …
Read More »Legislative Success
By Alex Lama, Commissioner (Tuesday, July 30, 2019) – Recent legislative action, which falls into the win column for local government, was the defeat of SB 824 (Diaz) and CS/CS/HB 987, Short-Term Rentals. This bill would have taken away the right of local municipalities, including Sunny Isles Beach, to regulate short-term rentals in their communities. With this bill, the state …
Read More »Unflushable Items Cause Major Problems for our Pump Station
By Christopher J. Russo, Former City Manager (Friday, May 24, 2019) – We take showers, wash our clothes and flush toilets multiple times a day with little to no thought about where our wastewater goes. It only crosses our mind when something doesn’t work, as we have recently experienced this past February. Many of you may have heard about the …
Read More »The Mayor’s Technology Challenge Continues with Launch of SIBAlert
By George “Bud” Scholl, Mayor (Thursday, August 23, 2018) – We live in a world where staying connected is extremely simple. Computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart watches all place information at your fingertips. We established the “Mayor’s Technology Challenge” in 2016 to improve our residents’ and visitors’ quality of life and communication through innovative technologies. During the fall, we plan …
Read More »The IT Department: Providing Information & Technology Services in Sunny Isles Beach
By: Christopher J. Russo, Former City Manager (Friday, January 26, 2018) – One of the least acknowledged, but quite important, departments in the City of Sunny Isles Beach is the Information Technology Department. Leading the IT Department is Chief Information Officer, Derrick Arias, who boasts more than 25 years of experience in this industry, starting with IBM and later founding his …
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