A Message from the Mayor – March 2022

By Dana Robin Goldman, Mayor

(Friday, March 4, 2022) – Civic engagement is necessary for any municipality to succeed. Input from the community helps bring about meaningful change. That is why I am delighted our city is establishing several advisory committees to work in conjunction with the City Commission and bring forth ideas and suggestions for innovations in pedestrian safety, sustainability, public art, and historic preservation.

It is no secret that pedestrian safety is my top priority. We must do everything we can to keep those on and off the streets alive and safe. The Mobility and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee (MAPSAC) is just one step forward in that pursuit. Consisting of five members who were appointed at the January Commission Meeting, the MAPSAC will be a guiding force in brainstorming new ways to enhance pedestrian safety in our community. Pavel Stoev chairs the MAPSAC, and he comes to us as a professional engineer with over 15 years of experience in intelligent transportation and safety systems development. The other members of the committee have experience in engineering, construction, education, corporate executives, and health services.

We also appointed five members to the Environment Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC) in January. Just as important as safety, sustainability is an ongoing concern for our city. As a coastal community we are most at risk of the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and flooding. With the establishment of the ESAC we have a dedicated group of individuals who will evaluate innovative solutions for green initiatives and sustainable growth and development; protect and preserve our natural resources to support our resilient community; and promote the overall protection of the environment. Christina Miskis serves as the ESAC chair with a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and experience with vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning for sea level rise, compound flooding, and improved resilience. Other ESAC members have experience in coastal residence management, engineering, and the private and non-profit sectors with an emphasis on sustainability initiatives.

The first meetings for both the MAPSAC and ESAC will be a joint workshop with the Commission to determine priorities and are scheduled for Friday, March 4, 2022 at 9 a.m.

We will also be opening applications for two other committees: the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) and the Historic Preservation Board; and the deadline to apply is March 11, 2022. The PAAC is an excellent opportunity for our more artistic residents to collaborate and define the future of public art in our city. Members of the Historic Preservation Board consult on an as-needed basis on our historical landmarks.

As a Commission, we value input from our residents and want to see more of it across these important issues. By cultivating open forums for collaboration, we are better preparing ourselves and our city for success moving forward.

Contact Mayor Dana Robin Goldman at mayor@sibfl.net or 305.792.1753. Mayor Goldman’s open office hours are Fridays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.