Flamingo Association Meeting Notes -- December 3, 2012

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association -- Monday, December 3, 2012, 5:30 pm -- at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue

MEETING NOTES

1. Short Term Rentals  -- Status Report on City Enforcement Program;  Exploration of Spin-off as Separate Entity

Jeff Donnelly and Eric Harari reviewed the efforts of the Code Enforcement Division to address enforcement and the difficulties encountered by rulings of the Special Master on the burden of proof required to successfully prosecute. At the last meeting Flamingo reiterated its support for the swift, fair and effective enforcement of the prohibition of short term rentals.

The memo submitted by Jack Johnson and his suggestion to move forward with the spin-off of Flamingo as a separate incorporated entity was presented and discussed. The consensus of the body was that it would not be prudent to separately spin-off as a separate entity at this time for this single issue.

Upon further discussion of how to proceed on advancing enforcement, it was moved, seconded and passed to establish a small group to more vigorously establish an advocacy effort by reaching out to other Neighborhood Organizations, potential hotel industry allies, and other stakeholders to achieve swift, effective and fair enforcement.

The following persons agreed to undertake the effort – Eric, Jeff, Tammy, and Adam.

2. 16th Street Reconstruction -- Results of Community Design Workshop

The Report of the Sixteenth Street Community Design Workshop Results was distributed and discussed. In the absence of members of the Planning Team to present the Report, it was agreed to encourage comment and suggestion to the Report in order to finalize and submit to the City in order to be used to advance the project.  You may access the document at the following links:

Hi Res (33MB):  https://dl.dropbox.com/u/40996341/16th%20Street%20Report%2011-21-12%20Revised.pdf

Lo Res (3MB):  https://dl.dropbox.com/u/40996341/16th%20Street%20Report%2011-21-12%20Revised_sm.pdf


Submit suggestions regarding the report to Denis@MiamiBeachCDC.org. 

Other Matters

3. Creating Florida’s Most Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhood -- Next Steps

The matter was deferred to our next meeting.

4. FDOT Alton Road Project -- Status Report

Christine Florez and Mark Needle reported on recent meeting at WAvNa in which Florida Department of Transportation and City Transportation Staff presented the revised plan for the Alton Road reconstruction project and traffic mitigation plan.

While changes were made in response to community and City Commission advocacy, the plan does not meet the standards requested by the Community.

It was agreed to invite City staff to next meeting to advocate on further improvements.

Best wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year !!

Some Thoughtful Response to the FDOT plan for Alton Road Reconstruction

From: Matthew Lambert [mailto:matt@dpz.com]

Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2012 9:43 AM
To: WAvNA (West Avenue Corridor Neighborhood Association)
Cc: Karja Hansen; Denis Russ

Subject: Re: Thanks & Followup: FDOT meeting

I would have liked to attend but I had another meeting that conflicted. Please share the FDOT presentation information, I'm quite interested in seeing their design choices. They should be using Chapter 19 of the Florida Greenbook rather than the normal Greenbook chapters. Chapter 19 includes alternative standards for DOT roadways in urban areas, like South Beach, where pedestrian and bicycle traffic is much greater than in the majority of the areas FDOT operates which are rural. Their normal operating procedure is to apply rural design standards to urban roadways.

On a related note, I will soon be circulating, through our CNU+MIA organization, draft legislation to push for the adoption of Chapter 19 for Miami-Dade County DOT. FDOT has already adopted this chapter, we need the County to do the same. I've had great interaction with CMB transportation and CIP, who are supportive of pedestrian-centric design for roadways, but the county standards are still in the way. These are why we can't have additional stop signs in many places, on 11th Street and Flamingo Park as an example. I hope we can have the support of WAvNA in pushing these standards to the county; we will be contacting many other citizen and activist organizations for support on this matter.

Regarding the temporary funneling of traffic onto West, which is a horrible idea, you may reference Carmageddon in Los Angeles. Carmageddon was twice cited as a threat when LA had to shut down a few freeways for roadwork, the assumption being that without those roadways the city would absolutely choke in traffic. It didn't happen. Traffic went down. No modifications to flow are needed to deal with construction on Alton. People have the choice of taking the Venetian or 195 if 395 is too difficult, and vice versa. Alton needs not to be thought of as a long-distance thoroughfare or part of the highway system, as it is currently considered, but rather a road serving the City of Miami Beach residents and businesses. And finally on this point I have observed through our many flooding incidents that Alton can operate well with only two lanes. Very often it is reduced to this width between 9th and 11th, sure theres some backup but thats okay. Level of service D through F is appropriate in urban areas like South Beach. Level of service A through C are not. Level of service is the indicator DOT uses to determine the vehicular flow through intersections to make design decisions.

____________________

Matthew Lambert
matt@dpz.com

A Message from WaNA @ FDOT Alton Road Redevelopment Project

Hi flamingomb,

Thanks to everyone who attended the FDOT meeting - we had a great turnout. Everyone had good questions plus many concerns. We are pulling together our notes and will send an update shortly.    We asked the City to hold a workshop, topics are below, and we are contacting other neighborhood associations to schedule the meeting.   

1) Updated FDOT presentation w/contractor details, public information officer responsibilities, traffic officer head counts and specific answers to engineering questions about flood control, handling of storm interruption and adding penalties for delays and cost overruns. Also, how the FDOT project is being coordinated w/other City projects. 

 2) CMB Public Works/Traffic/Police presentations about how CMB will handle resident and local businesses concerns during the construction  

3) CMB Public Works presentation about Stormwater Master Plan and how the FDOT project will integrate with SWMP
   
4) 10th Street sea wall and streetscape   

One MAJOR concern is that the traffic studies were done without a true understanding of our neighborhood's residential and largely pedestrian character. The City/FDOT should think about funneling traffic entering and leaving the Beach via other streets to exit onto 5th Street or Dade Boulevard rather than funneling all traffic onto West Avenue.   

We will keep you updated. Thank you again.   
Christine Florez ; Gayle Durham, Co-Chairs

WAvNA will host meeting with FDOT to discuss Alton Road Reconstruction Project

The WAvNA (West Avenue Corridor Neighborhood Association) will host a meeting with the Florida Department of Transportation to discuss the Alton Road Reconstruction Project on Tuesday, Nov 27th, 6-8 pm, at VFW, 650 West Avenue.


The Alton Road Construction project is going to have BIG impacts on our communtiy. Alton Road will be closed at some places and traffic will be detoured onto West Avenue. WAvNA has invited the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Alton Road construction project team to discuss this project and its impacts.

The Alton Road Construction project is going to have BIG impacts on our communtiy. Alton Road will be closed at some places and traffic will be detoured onto West Avenue. WAvNA has invited the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Alton Roa...

What: Alton Road Construction Project

Where: VFW Ground Floor Conference Room

650 West Avenue, The Floridian Condominium in the VFW's Ground Floor Conference Room. Valet and Street Parking is available

When: November 27th, 2012, 6pm - 8pm

Flamingo to WAvNA: Flamingo's own, Ben Batchelder Presents Pedestrian-friendly Initiative to West Avenue Neighborhood Association

South Beach is already Florida’s most pedestrian-intensive neighborhood, now it just needs to become its most pedestrian-friendly one!

 

Several years ago, I volunteered to lead the FPNA through a brainstorming process that resulted in our Pedestrian Safety Initiative. In it, we describe the many shortcomings of a traffic system, laid down by county Public Works decades ago, that continues to favor autos over pedestrians. Literally. One of our most disturbing findings, with the help of the supportive MB Police Dept., is that auto-on-pedestrian accidents are up a whopping 80% in South Beach over the last six years, with almost all the growth in our residential neighborhoods.

 

The goals of our initiative are to bring public attention to this situation, to engage concerned residents, and to sensitize public officials, both City and County, to the importance of protecting pedestrians.

 

This is where neighborhood associations such as WAvNA come in. The more neighborhoods which formally adopt this initiative, the more likely that public officials will respond. So I heartily recommended that WAvNA do so.

 

What can you do on an individual level? Get involved!

 

1. On a basic level, when you view aggressive driving (including cars which don’t stop for people in crosswalks) call the non-emergency # 305-673-7901 (24/7) and report it. Even if you don’t get the plate #, car color, make, and state, plus, say, number of occupants can do the trick. Just last weekend, Capt. Causey emphasized their eagerness to stop aggressive drivers. He also reminded that east/west/south/north travel direction is critical after citing the intersection.
2. When you notice the (often) deplorable condition of crosswalks, or dangers caused by speeding cars and/or inadequate signage, report it at the city’s Ask it, Report it page http://web.miamibeachfl.gov/residentsportal/csc.aspx Years ago I complained that among the scores of options there is no Pedestrian or Crosswalk category to ease reporting, to no avail. The closest thing I can find is the Traffic Hazard tab, which captures the outdated attitude perfectly: pedestrians are hazards to traffic.
3. Attend some of the many public meetings which impact on the issue and let your views be known to elected and unelected public officials. FDOT will revamp Alton Road shortly. In my opinion, their preliminary proposal earlier in the year was more anti-pedestrian than the actual deplorable conditions. Public meetings were held earlier this year on a Bike Masterplan. (Watch out! Insisting on a designated bike lane often locks in current unsafe pedestrian conditions. In my opinion, a tree corridor along a narrower auto travel lane signed for joint bike & auto use (a ‘sharrow’) is not only the safest bike solution, but allows for wider, safer, and more shaded pedestrian sidewalks.) The Neighborhoods Committee, whose staff rejected our Initiative, may be addressing the issue in the coming months.

Several years of advocacy has brought some limited success. The Police Dept. has reacted favorably, by providing critical data and with the recent acquisition of 40 stand-alone Crosswalk warning signs, which are helping to educate aggressive drivers (many from the Wild West that is Miami). Also, persistent pressure from Denis Russ and Tammy Tibbles (who also spearheads our initiative and has followed-up frequently with public officials) has resulted in the County finally initiating Traffic Studies and agreeing to install All-way stop signs at nearly a dozen of our neighborhood’s most dangerous intersections.

 

So patience and persistence can bring results. The more help from concerned citizens, the better.

 

Ben Batchelder -- www.benbatchelder.com

CMB Police Dept Special Incident Notice

Information provided by Aaron Sugarman and Commissioner Ed Tobin

INCIDENT: Armed Robbery Firearm / Shot Fired Area 1 Sector 2


DATE: October 13th, 2012, TIME: 02:39

CASE NUMBER: 2012-107470
LOCATION: Flamingo Park near 11th Street & Jefferson Avenue

COMMANDER: Lieutenant P. Acosta
SUPERVISOR: Sergeant D. Dozier
LEAD OFFICER: Officer A. Rodriguez
LEAD DETECTIVE: Sergeant S. Feldman

WHO WAS NOTIFIED: The Police Command Staff and PIO were notified via this document. Sergeant S. Feldman of the Robbery Squad. Lieutenant Charles London notified. SDO Captain D. De la Espriella and Captain M. Causey.

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Sergeant T. Payne was flagged down at the intersection of 11th Street and Jefferson Avenue by the victim. The victim reported that he was sitting at a bench just inside Flamingo Park along the pedestrian walkway; waiting for his father to pick him up by car. He heard two males approach from behind, hit him in the back of his left ear with a cold hard object and told him to lie on the ground. The victim states he was hit again on the forehead noticing that the object was a firearm. The two subjects stole his wallet and cell phone. The subjects told him to remain on the ground and not move. As the subjects fled in an unknown direction, the victim states he heard (1) gunshot. The victim was injured only from being struck with the firearm behind the left ear. BOLO issued. Officers canvassed the area; negative results. Lieutenant Acosta spoke with a Security Alliance Officer who reported that he did hear (1) gunshot while he was near the middle of the park on patrol. Crime scene responded. Sergeant S. Feldman responded to the scene and interviewed the victim who cannot ID. The investigation is on-going.

SUBJECT(S): 2 B/M’s; one LSW a grey hooded sweatshirt
CHARGE(S): N/A
MEDIA INQUIRIES: None

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association, Meeting Schedule

Be sure to vote on Tuesday, November 6th !!


Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Meeting Schedule

FPNA will not meet on Mon, Nov 5th, and will instead meet as follows:

Mon, October 29th, 5:30 pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Ave.
for the primary purpose of reviewing the status of the Alton Road Zoning and Parking Ordinances.
The City Commission Land Use and Development Committee is scheduled to hear these items at their meeting on Monday, November 5th, 4:00 pm, in the City Manager’s Large Conference Room.

Mon, November 12th, 5:30pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Ave.
for the primary purpose of further considering action in response to lack of enforcement of the City’s prohibition on Short Term Rentals.

Please Note: Other Matters may be on the Agenda for these meetings as well, including update report on Sixteenth Street Community Design Workshop, request for short presentation by Flamingo N’hood CERT Team, etc., etc., etc.

Flamingo Association invites participation in 16th Street Community Design Workshop

Sixteenth Street Community Design Workshop
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 1:00 pm
Hice Hall, Miami Beach Community Church,
1620 Drexel Avenue, just south of Lincoln Road

Residents of 16th Street, the surrounding neighborhood, and the entire City as well as all other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will host a Community Design Workshop to focus on city plans for infrastructure and streetscape improvements for Sixteenth Street, on Saturday, October 13, 2012, 1;00 to 4:00 pm, at Hice Hall, Miami Beach Community Church, 1620 Drexel Avenue, just south of Lincoln Road. All members of the community – from the street, neighborhood, and city and other community stakeholders – are invited to attend and participate.

The City of Miami Beach Public Works and Capital Improvement Projects Departments are undertaking a major upgrade of the streetscape, storm water system, and related projects. The FPNA in partnership with these Departments and the Miami Beach CDC are reaching out for input on a broad range of issues – width of the auto travel lanes, parking lanes, green space and sidewalks, pedestrian amenities and bicycle access, and the impact upon adjacent properties and overall contribution of the initiative to the attractiveness of the street, neighborhood and City. 

In announcing the Community Design Workshop, Flamingo spokesman Denis Russ said, "This is a multi-million dollar investment in our neighborhood.  Everyone wants it to yield maximum benefit and value."

All residents of Sixteenth Street, the surrounding neighborhood, and the city are invited to attend and participate in the exercises and discussions that will lead to an upgraded streetscape.

A preview of relevant Workshop materials may be accessed at the following links:

Basis of Design Report, Sep 2007 
Currenth Survey Information 
Project Preliminary Plans at 30%
Preliminary Typical Sections

Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club to Highlight Flamingo Park Improvement Projects

Tues, Sep 11th, 8:30am, David's Cafe One
at the corner of Collins Avenue & Eleventh Street

Topic:  Flamingo Park CIP Projects

Fernando Vasquez, Director of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for the City of Miami Beach will be the guest speaker at the September 11th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. The topic will be Flamingo Park. Mr. Vasquez will be giving an overview of the renovations planned for Flamingo Park, with emphasis on the renovations now underway for the tennis facility. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator

CMB Transportation & Parking Committee to discuss Sixteenth Street Project -- Mon, Sep 10th, 3:30 pm

The CMB Transportation and Parking Committee has included an update report on the Sixteenth Street Corridor Project, on its Meeting Agenda, Monday, September 10, 2012, 3:30pm, held at the Parking Dept Conf Room, 1755 Meridian Avenue, Suite 200.\

Jose Gonzalez & Josiel Ferrer from the Public Works Department have been asked to present.  You will remember that Mark Weithorn mentioned to us that he asked that the item be included on the Committee Agenda and he has invited us to attend on behalf of FPNA and also Fred Sake on behalf of the Bikeways Committee.

This should be an excellent opportunity for us to invite interested stakeholder to attend and participate in the Sixteenth Street Community Design Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2012, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, at Hice Hall, Miami Beach Community Church, 1620 Drexel Avenue, just south of Lincoln Road.

Flamingo Association will meet Wed, Sep 5th, 5:30 pm

Because of the Labor Day Holiday, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association has re-scheduled its meeting and will convene on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 5:30 pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue. 
Meeting Highlights will include:

• Pedestrian Amenity Proposal for Euclid at Lincoln Road
• Update on Plans for the Sixteenth Street Roadway Improvement Project
• Other Matters

All residents, property owners and other stakeholders of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood are invited to attend and participate.

Flamingo -- our historic, urban, residential neighborhood, from Washington Avenue to Alton Road,  from Fifth Street to Lincoln Road.

16th Street Community Design Workshop, Rescheduled Oct, Sep 13, 1 to 5 pm, Hice Hall, Mia Bch Community Church

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
City of Miami Beach – Capital Improvement Projects
Sixteenth Street Improvement Program
Community Design Workshop Meeting

Saturday, September 15, 2012, 10:00 am
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 1:00-5:00 pm,
Hice Hall, Miami Beach Community Church
1620 Drexel Avenue, South of Lincoln Road

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association announces that it will host a Community Design Workshop Meeting to consider community input regarding the design of the Sixteenth Street Improvement Program, to be held on Saturday, September 15, 2012, 10:00 am, at Hice Hall, Miami Beach Community Church, 1620 Drexel Avenue, just south of Lincoln Road.

The purpose of this Design Workshop Session is to review, discuss, and develop community consensus on the further Design Development of the 16th Street Improvement Project.  Issues to be addressed include: 

• Goal and Objectives of the Sixteenth Street Improvement Program
• Review of Existing 30% Plans; Review Survey of Existing Conditions
• Assure the narrowing of the street width of North / South Avenues
• Encroachments [Policy; Contributing vs. Diminishing]
• Configuration of the Right of Way -- sidewalk, swale, parking, bike lane, travel lane street furniture zone
• Green space
•  Landscaping, Lighting, and Signage
• Inquiry into the difference between area north of Espanola and south of Espanola

 Target Participants -- invited to attend and participate include --

Residents, Property Owners and other Stakeholders of Sixteenth Street
Residents, Property Owens and other Stakeholders of the Neighborhood
Residents, Property Owens and other Stakeholders of the City
Representatives of CIP Department, Public Works Department, and Other City Staff

 

 

Just how does Sea Level Rise impact Storm Water System plans??

City of Miami Beach, Public Works Department, Environmental Division announces: 

Sea Level Rise Public Meeting & Discussion, Friday, August 17, 2012, 10:00 AM, 1755 Meridian Avenue Building, 3rd Floor Training Room

You are invited to join this important public discussion regarding the City’s proposed Stormwater Master Plan. Representatives from the City’s Public Works Department, CDM Smith, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be available to provide information and answer questions about the sea level rise projection methodology used to prepare the Stormwater Master Plan.

Contact: Betsy Wheaton, Environmental Resources Manager, Telephone 305-673-7080, e-mail address:  elizabethwheaton@miamibeachfl.gov

Commissioner Weithorn announces Budget Workshops -- second week in July.

It is my sincerely pleasure to send you summer greetings on behalf of Commissioner Deede Weithorn. As you may know, among Commissioner Weithorn’s top priorities is the municipal budget. For the past four-and-a-half years, Commissioner Weithorn has advocated that items and projects presented at Commission or Committees, which have not been budgeted for the current fiscal year, be deferred to budget season for consideration.

This year, our budget workshops for FY 2012/13 have been scheduled to take place during the second week of July. These workshops present an opportunity to analyze available monies, determine which projects will be funded, and set a tentative mileage rate for the coming fiscal year. To that end, July 9th will be Capital Day – when the Commission will consider pending and proposed capital improvement projects for budgetary allocations.

Below, please find the agenda for this year’s workshops; it is Commissioner Weithorn’s hope to have public participation.

July 9, 2012
Budget Briefing: Capital Projects;
Budget Briefing: Proposed Information and Communications Technology Fund Projects


July 10, 2012
Budget Briefing: Status Update on FY 2012/13 General Fund Operating Budget;
• July 1 Preliminary Property Tax Values;
• Status of General Fund “Gap”;
• Items Previously Referred for Discussion

July 11, 2012
Budget Briefing: Potential Efficiencies, Outsourcing, Service Reductions and Service Enhancements / Potential Revenue Enhancements

July 12, 2012
Budget Briefing: Other Issues


Should you have any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Commissioner Weithorn’s office at 305.673.7105.


Thanks,  Alex J. Fernandez
On behalf of Commissioner Deede Weithorn,
City of Miami Beach

Flamingo Park Tennis Center -- Construction Schedule

Flamingo Park Tennis Center Construction Update

In order to expedite the construction schedule, FPNA has agreed to support Saturday construction activity.  The hours of construction are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

From CMB Police Department: Two Recent Incidence Reports within Flamingo Neighborhood

INCIDENT: Armed Robbery - Knife (Sector 4)
DATE REPORTED: 6.9.2012
TIME OCCURRED: 0220 hrs
CASE NUMBER: 2012- 59149
LOCATION: 1617 Jefferson
COMMANDER: Lieutenant Madison
SUPERVISOR: Sergeant Wirth
LEAD OFFICER: Officer Bolduc
LEAD DETECTIVE: TBD

WHO WAS NOTIFIED: Robbery Detective Holbrook notified via dispatch. Command Staff notified via this document.

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: The victim reported that while walking in the 1600 block of Jefferson Avenue she was robbed. The subject approached the victim from behind. The victim turned to face the subject. The subject brandished a knife and mumbled a few words. The victim threw her belongings on the ground. The subject grabbed her iPhone worth $400 and fled as a passenger in a dark car. There were no injuries. The victim can identify the subject.

SUBJECT: B/M; 501.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: None at this time.

=======================================================

INCIDENT: Strong Arm Robbery (Sector 1)

DATE: June 09, 2012
TIME: 0445 hours
CASE NUMBER: 2012-59208
LOCATION: 5 Street & Michigan
COMMANDER: Lieutenant Madison
SUPERVISOR: Sergeant Dohler
LEAD OFFICER: Officer Anderson
LEAD DETECTIVE: Pending

WHO WAS NOTIFIED: Detective Holbrook was notified via dispatch. Command Staff and PIO were notified via this form.

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: The victim reported that while walking in the area of 5 Street & Michigan Avenue she was robbed. The subject approached the victim from behind and pushed her down to the ground. The victim turned to face the subject. The subject snatched her iPhone worth $400. The subject ran around the corner. The victim heard a car door slam and drive away. There were no injuries. The victim can identify the subject.

SUBJECT(S): W/L/M; 506; khaki bottom
CHARGE(S): Pending
MEDIA INQUIRIES: None

Flamingo Tennis Center -- Weekly Construction Update

Flamingo Park Tennis Center Construction Update Monday, June 4 – Friday, June 8, 2012 Upcoming Improvements Tennis Pro-Shop



The Tennis Pro-Shop and its staff will be relocated temporarily to the trailer on June 5.



Please remove all items from the bathroom lockers located within the pro-shop building. All items must be cleared from the bathrooms by the end of the day on Tuesday.



A general use bathroom will be provided within the pro-shop. The bathrooms at the softball field will also be available for use between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.



Demolition of the pro-shop building is scheduled for the week of June 11. Ongoing Improvements North Courts



The contractor will continue drainage activities. These activities will continue for approximately one week. The construction schedule is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. The City of Miami Beach invites the residents and the users of Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center to join us for a groundbreaking ceremony at the tennis courts on Friday, June 8 at 10 a.m. **NOTE: All users of the facility must enter the south battery of tennis courts from the southern side of the park, near 11 Street. Pedestrian Flow & Hours of Operation



Construction hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.



Tennis Pro-Shop hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.



Please observe the Maintenance of Pedestrian Signs placed throughout the facility. Access will be provided at all times to the tennis courts and pro-shop.



Please use caution when traveling through the area and obey all roadway signs. We thank you for your cooperation. For more information, or to report events or special accommodations, contact the Project Public Information Officer, Maria Palacios at 305.673.7071 or via email at MariaPalacios@Miamibeachfl.gov.

Meetings & Events -- Flamingo Meeting, Tennis Center Groundbreaking, Bicycle Summit

Flamingo Neighborhood Meeting -- June 4th, 5:30pm
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will meet on Monday, June 4th, 2012, 5:30pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue.  All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.  Flamingo -- from Washington Avenue to Alton Road, from Sixth Street to Lincoln Road -- our historic, urban residential neighborhood in South Beach.

Tennis Center Groundbreaking -- June 8th, 10am
Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, the Miami Beach City Commission & City Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez cordially invite you to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center Project Friday, June 8, 2012, 10 a.m., 1100 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, Fl 33139 -- 305.673.7071 for more information


MIAMI BEACH Bicycle Summit Atlantic Greenway Network Master Plan

The City of Miami Beach will host two (2) public summits to update the Atlantic Greenway Network (AGN) Master Plan. The summits will obtain input from Miami Beach residents on the bicycle component of the adopted AGN Master Plan in order to assist the City in updating the plan.
Summit 1 
Tuesday, June 5, 2012, 6:00 p.m. -- 9:00 p.m., North Shore Park and Youth Center,  501 72 Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33141
Summit 2 
 Thursday, June 7, 2012, 5:00 p.m. -- 8:00 p.m., 1755 Meridian Ave., Third Floor Conference Room, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Summit 3
The City anticipates hosting a third citywide public summit in summer 2012 to present the findings and recommendations of the June summits and a draft of the City’s AGN Master Plan update.  Contact: Jose R. Gonzalez, P.E., transportation manager, 305.673.7080 1755 Meridian Avenue Building, third floor conference room

Finally, A Chance for Input on Bicycle Policy in the City of Miami Beach -- Don't Miss the Summits

You’re Invited to MIAMIBEACH’s Bicycle Summits Atlantic Greenway Network Master Plan Update
The City of Miami Beach will be hosting two (2) public summits to discuss efforts to update the adopted Atlantic Greenway Network (AGN) Master Plan. The summits will focus on obtaining input from Miami Beach residents on the bicycle component of the adopted AGN Master Plan in order to assist the City in updating the plan.

Summit 1
Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 Time: 6:00 p.m. -- 9:00 p.m. Place:
501 72 Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33141 North Shore Park and Youth Center,

Summit 2
Date: Thursday, June 7, 2012 Time: 5:00 p.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Place:
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

The City anticipates hosting a third citywide public summit in summer 2012 to present the findings and recommendations of the June summits and a draft of the City’s AGN Master Plan update.
Contact: Jose R. Gonzalez, P.E., transportation manager, 305.673.7080 1755 Meridian Avenue Building, third floor conference room

THINGS TO KNOW FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2012: EXPECT HEAVY TRAFFIC CONGESTION

The Miami Beach Police Department has announced  procedures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike over the Memorial Day Weekend.



The following roads will be altered or closed from 7p m Friday-7am Tuesday:

Ocean Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic 24 hours a day from 5th-15th Street from Friday 7:00a.m to Tuesday 7:00a.m.


Collins Avenue will be northbound traffic only between 5th-15th Street 24 hours a day Friday 7:00a.m. to Tuesday 7:00a.m.


From 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights), Washington Avenue will be southbound only from 5th-15th Street.


Proof of residency will be required to enter the following residential areas: 1) North of 5th Street to Lincoln Road from Washington Avenue west to Alton Road. 2) South of 5th Street to Government Cut. 3) Dade Blvd to 41st Street and Pine Tree Drive.

DUI Check Point:


MacArthur Causeway (east bound) starting Friday, May 25, 8:00 p.m. and continue through Saturday, May 26, 2012 ending at 5:00 a.m.


DUI saturation and enforcement throughout Saturday and Sunday. Enforcement will take place on all major streets in Miami Beach.


License Plate Readers will be activated on the MacArthur Causeway causing traffic to be reduced to one lane. Plan for a high volume of traffic on the MacArthur Causeway and Julia Tuttle. The Venetian Causeway will be used as an entry point for residents.


For more information call the answer center 305-604-CITY (305-604-2489),tune in to MB Radio 1670 AM or http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/residentsportal/

Flamingo Neighborhood Meeting Notes -- Monday, May 7th

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association

Monday, May 7, 2012, 5:30 pm
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Ave

MEETING NOTES

Plans for Memorial Day Weekend

Asst City Manager Hilda Fernandez, Chief Raymond Martinez, Deputy Chief M. Overton, Capt Mark Causey, Other Members of the Police Department and Max Sklar presented the City’s plans for Memorial Day Weekend. The Police Department and the administration have put together a special plan to deal with the crowds of people and traffic that come into Miami Beach during this weekend to help mitigate the impact on neighborhood residents.  A number of observations and questions were raised by member of FPNA and City and MBPD personnel responded to those observations and questions.


Commissioner Deede Weithorn will be holding an informative community meeting regarding Memorial Day weekend. This will be another opportunity to get the most up to date information and ask questions. The meeting will take place on Friday, May 11th at 8:30 am at Smith & Wollensky.


Flamingo Neighborhood Capital Improvement Projects


Flamingo Park Tennis Center – Construction Groundbreaking Beginning Wednesday, May 9


Construction activities commence on the north half of the courts at the Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center Facility Project. Work includes demolishing and replacing the existing tennis courts, installing new lighting and drainage.  The north courts will be closed through fall 2012. The south courts will remain open during construction of the north courts.  The work and the contractor's staging area will be contained and fenced off on the courts being reconstructed. Safe pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the area.  Please note that this schedule may change due to extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. For more information, please contact Alicia Cuervo, E.I., at 954.797.0410 or via email at Alicia@Pirtleconstruction.com.


Sixth Street Corridor – Improvement Project


We briefly discussed the Sixth Street Corridor Improvement Project. Jack made the observation that it would be important for the project scope to include from seventh to sixth streets.


It was M/S/P that FPNA recommend and advocate that the scope of the Sixth Street Corridor Improvement Project include Meridian, Euclid and Pennsylvania from Seventh to Sixth Streets.


Sixteenth Street Corridor – Improvement Project


Residents from Sixteenth Street called for the following considerations:

Preserve green space; do not widen the sidewalk toward residences:
Reduce Commercial Traffic in this residential neighborhood;
Address Noise issues at Four-Way Stops
No Bumpouts as it provides additional space for noisy crowd gathering;
No commercial outdoor uses on 16th St & intersections, ie, sidewalk cafes

It is expected that the Neighborhood Workshop will be able to address these issues and other issues involving final designs on the project.


Alton Road, 6th to 8th Streets -- Design Competition


Gabrielle Redfern reported on the most recent design workshop session regarding the project. It is anticipated that next steps include selection of the architectural design team, further development of plans & designs, consultation with FDOT, continued community input and a further evolution of the project.  Gabrielle will continue to keep us informed.


Other Matters


Parking Enforcement / Towing in Neighborhood Enforcement Zones


A discussion ensued concerning the lack of effective enforcement on prohibited parking in South Beach Neighborhood Restricted Parking Zones. It has been observed that there has been a great increase in illegally parked cars, towing has been replaced by ticketing, and an even greater negative impact upon residents has resulted.  A Parking Department Memo from the Parking Director to Parking Enforcement Personnel of March 26, 2012 appears to excessively burden towing enforcement with layers of supervisory bureaucratic procedures.


Upon substantial discussion and consideration


It was M/S/P to forward to the Parking Department, City Manager, Mayor and Commission the substantial concern of Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association with the recent excessive procedural steps that are being required to remove illegally parked vehicles from Resident Restricted Parking Zones and request corrective action. Parking enforcement officers should be authorized to enforce parking regulations, including towing cars illegally parked in Resident Restricted Parking Zones.


In a separate action


It was M/S/P to recommend to the Parking Department, City Manager, Mayor and Commission that consideration be given to updating the restricted parking provisions to make them more helpful to area residents, including possibilities of increased ticket fines, preservation of on street parking spaces, strictly limiting resident permits to those without dedicated private building parking spaces, and similar matters that would further improve the resident parking restriction program.

Congratulations: The Flamingo Park Tennis Center Project is Underway

Construction Alert!

Flamingo Park Tennis Center Project

Starting Wednesday, May 9, 2012, the contractor building the Flamingo Park  Tennis Center Facility Project will commence construction activities on the north half of the courts. The north courts will be closed through Fall 2012. The project aims to improve the former home of the Junior Orange Bowl Tournament.

The projects includes:


* Demolishing and replacing the existing Tennis Center and 17 tennis courts
* Installing new lighting
* Installing new drainage


This project is expected to be completed in about 12 months.


The work and the contractor's staging area will be contained and fenced off on the courts being reconstructed. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the area at all times. Construction work and road closures will occur during daytime hours, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any extended work hours, weekends and/or holidays are subject to City approval and HOA notification.


Large machinery and equipment will be hauled in to the area, any impact to roadways adjacent to the park will be notified to the surrounding neighborhood.


Please note that this schedule may change due to extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.


For more information, please contact Alicia Cuervo, EI, at 954-797-0410 or via email at Alicia@Pirtleconstruction.com


305.673.7730
recreation@miamibeachfl.gov
www.miamibeachparks.com

Flamingo Meetings and Information

Thursday, April 26, 1PM-5PM, Shelborne Hotel
South Beach/Alton Road Charrette:
Miami Beach developer, Russell Galbut, and his company, Crescent Heights, will present a design Charrette at the Shelborne Hotel, 1801 Collins. Mr. Galbut, who will soon be a South of Fifth neighbor with a private home along First Street, has retained three prominent architecture firms to submit competing designs for a proposed retail outlet mall that he hopes to build from the west side of 5th and Alton through 7th and Alton. The Charrette will be moderated by Adam Drisin, Associate Dean of FIU’s College of Architecture.


THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012, 6:00 P.M., 1755 MERIDIAN AVENUE /3 FLOOR
Flamingo Park Tennis Center
Please join City staff and the contractor, Pirtle Construction, for a community pre-construction meeting for the new Flamingo Park Tennis Center. (This is the building that is part of the City Hall Parking Garage).


Monday, May 7, 2012, 5:30 pm, The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association meets regularly on the first Monday of each month, at The Seymour. Flamingo….our historic urban residential neighborhood of South Beach – from Washington to Alton, from Sixth to Lincoln Road. All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.
________________________________________

Please note the following Flamingo input discussed at our meeting and just shared with Russell Galbut in connection with his properties.

Russell –

While I thought I would be able to attend Thursday’s conclusion of the design competition Charrette, I find that I must attend to matters on deadline for our organization. I have sent reminder notice to our organization.

I do want to make you aware of discussions about your property development that I hope you will find useful. At our meeting of March 9, 2012, the group discussed the following suggestions regarding the property development and expressed the need to again consider further recommendatins as your design program evolved.

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Proposed Recommendations for Galbut Property Designs

Under Consideration as of Mar 9, 2012

• Continuous pedestrian oriented frontage along West Ave to within 100' of 5th st/MacArthur Causeway

 ** pedestrian oriented means store fronts glazed in clear glass for at least 80% of their width, pedestrian enhances to upper floor functions including office, residential, and hotel. Shading from sun and rain over sidewalks through the use of awnings, cantilevers, galleries and similar devices. Shading of paved areas using tree cover. Sidewalks should be paved for the majority of their widths, trees and planters compact and adapted to high intensity use and soil compaction

• buildings must be scaled to the street, stepping back above 5 stories.

• all existing street connections must remain. The trajectory of these may be altered but connectivity may not be impacted.

• *Alton between 7th and 8th should maintain a pedestrian character.

• *frontage on 395 and Alton between 5th St and 7th St may be automobile oriented.

• *6th Street should be configured as the main pedestrian and bicycle connection east to the beach. Vehicular traffic may be restricted along this trajectory.

• *the intersection of 6th Street and West should be configured as a plaza of no less than 1/4 acre.

• *any pedestrian overpass over 395 must originated from the sidewalk or plaza, sloping gently to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, returning to grade gently adjacent to the harbor. 24 hour access must be permitted

• *vehicular entries to parking along west Ave may be no wider than 24 ft and no more than once per block. Vehicular and service entries along 5th and Alton 6th to 5th are unrestricted. Vehicular access to parking along 6th and 7th should be no more than 30ft in width and no more than once per block, per side.

• *all above grade uses must be directly accessible by stair and elevator from the street, I. E. not through elevator to parking garage as in the existing 5th and Alton retail development.

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association -- Meeting Notes -- March 5, 2012

Check out our progress on
Flamingo Park Projects
Neighborhood Improvement Projects
Preservation and Planning Projects and
Other Projects

                 Meeting Notes -- March 5, 2012

Good News: On the Installation of Four Way Stop Controls and Pedestrian Crosswalks at Meridian Avenue Intersections

We have received very encouraging news on the installation of four way Stop Controls and the positive resolution of ramps and crosswalks at Meridian Avenue Intersections.  Many thanks for the steadfast advancement of this project goes to FPNA advocates --  Tammy Young, Ben Batchelder, Jeff Donnelly, Adam Shedroff, Judy Robinson and Jack Johnson!

Stop signs and crosswalks are planned to be installed on Meridian Avenue at Seventh and Ninth Streets within the next four weeks.  The City will also address the correction of intersection ramps at the bump-outs.

Further the City and County will continue the effort to tally traffic counts, review and analyze the data, and determine the appropriateness of four way stops at seven other intersections in the neighborhood.  The results of this review are expected by the end of February.

We appreciate the continued focus of City and County personnel on this project, including -- Rick Saltrick, Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, Jose Gonzalez, Fred Beckman, and Duncan Ballantyne  from the City of Miami Beach  and Ayman Elbermawy, Pedro Cueto, Joan Shen and Esther Calas from Miami-Dade County.  Thank you so much for your attention to this issue as we strive to make Flamingo the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in Florida!

From: Saltrick, Richard

Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 4:15 PM
To: Denis Russ
Subject: Installation of Stop Control at Meridian Avenue Intersections

Denis,
Hope all is well with you. Thought you might like some good news. The warrant studies on Meridian Avenue at 7th and 9th have determined that multi-way stops are needed. The County will be installing the stop signs in a month or so. We will also address the ramps and crosswalks.  The analyses of the remaining intersections should be completed by the end of February.


Richard SaltrickI
MIAMI BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

From: Ferrer, Josiel
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 11:42 AM
To: Saltrick, Richard
Subject: Installation of Stop Control at Meridian Avenue Intersections

FYI

Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, Civil Engineer Engineering/Transportation Division
MIAMI BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT,




From: Calas, Esther (PWWM) 
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 11:36 AM
To: Gonzalez, Jose
Cc: Denis@miamibeachcdc.org;
Subject: Installation of Stop Control at Meridian Avenue Intersections

Good Morning Jose,

In response to the subject request, Miami-Dade County Public Works Department (PWWM) staff conducted a traffic study to evaluate the existing traffic conditions and physical characteristics of these locations. As a result, it was determined that both locations warrant “Multi-Way” stop controls. Therefore, these controls will be installed by our Traffic Signals and Signs Division within the next four (4) weeks.

Furthermore, PWWM staff is currently studying the remaining seven (7) locations within the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association for “Multi-Way” stop controls, with results expected by the end of February 2012. These locations include:


Pennsylvania Avenue and 10 Street; Euclid Avenue and 9 Street; Jefferson Avenue and 9 Street; Michigan Avenue and 9 Street; Lenox Avenue and 9 Street; Michigan Avenue and 6 Street; Michigan Avenue and 8 Street


Furthermore, if the City wishes to collect traffic counts at these seven locations, we will review and analyze the data and provide a written response. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Dr. Joan Shen, P.E., PTOE, Assistant Chief, Traffic Engineering Division, at (305) 375-2030.

Thank you,
Esther L. Calas, P.E., Chief County Engineer
Public Works and Waste Management Department

INFORMATION ABOUT CASINOS --

From: Amy [mailto:amy@miamibeachnative.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 11:13 PM
Subject: Tell Our Representatives That You Oppose Mega Casinos

The House bill to expand gambling will be voted on in the Business and Consumer Affairs committee next week.  Please call each of the Representatives listed below to let them know that you oppose the bill, that you do not want mega casinos in your hometown.

Ana Rivas Logan (R) -- (850) 488-2831
Jeanette Nunez (R) -- (850) 488-7897
Cynthia Stafford (D) -- (850) 488-0625
Carlos Trujillo (R) -- (850) 488-5047

Please forward this to others you know who oppose the bill.  I have been told that phone calls have the most impact on members (emails don't get noticed). The more calls, the better our chances are to keep the bill from reaching the House floor.  Total call time is less than 5 minutes.

Thank you in advance. Amy

Police Department Walkabout -- on Thurs, Jan 26th, PAL Parking Lot; FPNA Meets on Mon, Feb 6th, 5:30pm, at The Seymour

• Miami Beach Police Department – Captain’s Walkabout – Thurs, Jan 26th, 5:00 pm – PAL Parking Lot on 11th Street at Jefferson Avenue. Captain Mark Causey, other Police Department Officers, Code Enforcement Officers, and other City representatives – including Lynn Bernstein -- will lead a walkabout to identify crime prevention requirements, unsafe conditions, and other neighborhood problems that need to be addressed.

• The next regular meeting of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will be held on Monday, February 6th, 5:30 pm, at the Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue. All residents of the Flamingo Neighborhood are invited to attend and to participate. Flamingo – the historic, residential urban neighborhood in South Beach – dedicated to developing and preserving our quality of life for those who live, work and own property in the neighborhood.

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association

Monday, January 9, 2012, 5:30 pm
At The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue

AGENDA

1. Flamingo Park Masterplan and Project Implementation – Wanda Mouzon

• Status Report – Matti Reyes, CMB CIP Department

2. Crime Prevention and Safety – Ben Batchelder, Aaron Sugarman

Discussion with Captain Mark Causey, Miami Beach Police Department


Scheduling the Police Captain’s Neighborhood Safety Walk


Other Neighborhood Crime and Safety Issues


(including request for discussion of Memorial Day Weekend)

3. Flamingo Family Priorities – Adam Shedroff

Health consequences of current street cleaning methods by the City and the impact upon plants, pets, property and people – Dr. Paul Gannon

4. Preservation and Planning Programs -- Jeff Donnelly & Mark Needle

South Florida Climate Change Action Plan -- Jeff Donnelly


Short Term Rental / Status Report


[Development Projects – Galbut Alton Road at Fifth Street (Feb Meeting)]

5. Flamingo Park Neighborhood Capital Improvement Projects – Denis Russ & Judy Robertson

• Meridian Avenue – Bulbouts at 7th & 9th Streets
• Next Stage CIP Projects – Sixteenth Street Neighborhood Planning Charrette

6. Communications and Outreach – Tammy Tipples

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will begin the year with an Important Meeting

Monday, January 9, 2012, 5:30 pm
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue

Flamingo Park Neighborhood, our historic urban residential neighborhood in South Beach invites all residents to attend and participate


Resetting the Agenda for the Flamingo Park Neighborhood— 

• Preservation and Planning Programs -- Jeff Donnelly & Mark Needle
• Flamingo Park Masterplan and Project Implementation – Wanda Mouzon
• Flamingo Neighborhood Capital Improvement Projects – Denis Russ & Judy Robertson
• Flamingo Family Priorities – Adam Shedroff
• Crime Prevention and Safety – Ben Batchelder, Aaron Sugarman
• Communications and Outreach – Tammy Young