The Mayor and City Commission confirmed the move of the Property Management Facilities and Parking out of Flamingo Park

At its meeting on Wednesday, the City Commission overwhelmingly confirmed the balanced plan adopted five years ago that has already limited towing operations in the Sunset Harbour Neighborhood, that has already funded the acquisition of property and construction of a garage with retail space in the Sunset Harbour Neighborhood, with a continued commitment to redevelop City property in the Neighborhood and permit the removal of Property Maintenance Facilities from Flamingo Park.

Denis Russ expressed the following remarks on behalf of The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association: 

Kudos, Bravo, and many thanks to the Mayor and City Commission for their action in confirming the full program, adopted in 2008 -- to decrease towing operations by purchase of Tremont property, to invest in parking garage and retail serving Sunset Harbour residents and businesses, to redevelop City property in the vicinity, and to remove the Property Management facilities from Flamingo Park for the benefit of park land, trees, landscaping, and all God's children.  Thank you so much! 

Our item was called sometime after 11pm.  A hearty band of Flamingos and WAvNA and Biscayne supporters stayed the course -- including Jack Johnson, Tammy Tibbles, Paul Janas, Gayle Durham, Christine Florez and more.  Because of the late hour there was limited public testimony, but Tammy very well articulate the case and Jack was at the podium when the Commission overwhelmingly supported the motion by Deede Weithorn to confirm......and seal the original deal.

Based upon the superb job that Aaron Sugarman did in ferreting out information from the public record, we were able to submit the following messages prior to the Commission meeting:

March 9, 2013  -- Dear Mayor Bower and Commissioners:

At its meeting on March 4, 2013 the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to oppose any change in plans adopted by the City Commission some five years ago that would delay removal of the Property Management Facility from Flamingo Park. We understand that this matter will be considered by the Commission at its meeting this Wednesday, as Item R7K, Commission Memorandum Attached .

The matter was heard and we thought recommended for discussion by the Commission Neighborhood’s Committee, Committee Memorandum Attached. Removal of these facilities from the Park has been a very high priority of our Association for many years. It makes no sense for these facilities to be located in our city’s central park.

Substantial discussions and analysis were undertaken in 2007 and 2008, involving both how to remove Property Management from Flamingo Park and also how to improve traffic, parking, congestion and the impact of towing operations in the Sunset Harbor Neighborhood. A carefully balanced solution was adopted with near unanimous agreement by both neighborhoods and by the City Commission in July 2008, as reflected in the Report from the Special City-wide Projects and Finance Committee, attached of June 18, 2007. Proposed resolution involved purchase of Tremont Towing property, construction of a building for parking and retail and construction of an additional building for operation of the Property Maintenance Department, which would meet the needs of department operations, employee and department vehicle parking, reduced adverse towing operation impact, and importantly for Flaming removal of the Property Maintenance facilities from Flamingo Park.

Now, after almost five years of program implementation, after the City allocated and spent considerable funds in developing all required plans and having accomplished probably seventy-five percent of the adopted program, with the Tremont property purchased and towing operations reduced, with the parking and retail building number one having already been built, and with us on the threshold of the removal of Property Management Facilities from Flamingo Park……now, it is suggested that these facilities be relocated elsewhere, perhaps behind the Dade Boulevard Fire Station, perhaps in the Forty-First Street Neighborhood.

Clearly, this proposed re-re-location will entail substantial delay in the removal of Property Management facilities from Flamingo Park. Accordingly, we oppose this proposed change and urge the Mayor and Commissioners to oppose it as well.

March 12, 2013 -- Dear Mayor Bower and Commissioners:

This will reiterate our request that no change be made in plans adopted by the City Commission some five years ago that would delay removal of the Property Management Facility from Flamingo Park.

As noted in the 2008 Commission memo, three important benefits were cited in the Administration’s recommendation as adopted by the Commission:

To facilitate relocation of the property Management Facility and
redeveloping of a city-owned property; To encourage neighborhood
revitalization by increasing public parking and providing an opportunity to better serve neighborhood retail demand; and To remove and relocate a non-conforming use from the Tremont Towing site.

In supporting the project at the time, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association noted

It is our understanding that, with the City’s approval and partnership, this project would perfectly serve the needs of Flamingo Park and Sunset Harbor neighborhoods, and would increase the usefulness of property already owned by the City, located across the street from the proposed site. The planned structure would bring much-needed parking to Sunset Harbor businesses, and would house the City’s fleet of Property Management and employee vehicles.

The Townhomes at Sunset Harbour Condominium Association also noted at the time:

Our Board feels that this project will be a catalyst to the future redevelopment of the Sunset Harbour Neighborhood and will provide much-needed additional parking for the existing businesses and restaurants in this area. The parking structure will enable potential development of future projects in that it may provide the necessary parking to meet their requirements, thus avoiding massive parking pedestals for these projects. Another great advantage to this project is the ability of the City to relocate Property Management out of Flamingo Park which will provide much needed additional grant space for all residents and visitors to enjoy.

We urge that there be no delay in the removal of Property Management facilities from Flamingo Park.

The Final Result: 

We won this one.  No change in plans.  The Commission voted to confirm the program, without change.  The Property Management facilities will be moved from Flamingo Park to the new Sunset Harbour garage and the City property across the Street from there.

Relocation of Property Management Facilities in Peril

March 9, 2013


Mayor Matti Bower and Members of the
City of Miami Beach Commission
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Item R7K – Relocation of Property Management Facility

Dear Mayor Bower and Commissioners:

At its meeting on March 4, 2013 the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to oppose any change in plans adopted by the City Commission some five years ago that would delay removal of the Property Management Facility from Flamingo Park. We understand that this matter will be considered by the Commission at its meeting this Wednesday, as Item R7K, Commission Memorandum Attached .

The matter was heard and we thought recommended for discussion by the Commission Neighborhood’s Committee, Committee Memorandum Attached. Removal of these facilities from the Park has been a very high priority of our Association for many years. It makes no sense for these facilities to be located in our city’s central park.

Substantial discussions and analysis were undertaken in 2007 and 2008, involving both how to remove Property Management from Flamingo Park and also how to improve traffic, parking, congestion and the impact of towing operations in the Sunset Harbor Neighborhood. A carefully balanced solution was adopted with near unanimous agreement by both neighborhoods and by the City Commission in July 2008, as reflected in the Report from the Special City-wide Projects and Finance Committee, attached, of June 18, 2007. Proposed resolution involved purchase of Tremont Towing property, construction of a building for parking and retail and construction of an additional building for operation of the Property Maintenance Department, which would meet the needs of department operations, employee and department vehicle parking, reduced adverse towing operation impact, and importantly for Flaming removal of the Property Maintenance facilities from Flamingo Park.

Now, after almost five years of program implementation, after the City allocated and spent considerable funds in developing all required plans and having accomplished probably seventy-five percent of the adopted program, with the Tremont property purchased and towing operations reduced, with the parking and retail building number one having already been built, and with us on the threshold of the removal of Property Management Facilities from Flamingo Park……now, it is suggested that these facilities be relocated elsewhere, perhaps behind the Dade Boulevard Fire Station, perhaps in the Forty-First Street Neighborhood.

Clearly, this proposed re-re-location will entail substantial delay in the removal of Property Management facilities from Flamingo Park. Accordingly, we oppose this proposed change and urge the Mayor and Commissioners to oppose it as well.

Sincerely,

s/ Denis A. Russ

Denis A. Russ
For the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association

Denis Russ -- 305-672-4782 -- Denis@MiamiBeachCDC.org
Miami Beach Community Development Corporation
Since 1981 -- Building & Sustaining Community -- Unique, Vibrant, Diverse

Flamingo Neighborhood Meeting -- Monday, March 4, 2013, 5:30pm

--  MEETING NOTICE  --
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association

Monday, March 4, 2013, 5:30 pm

at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue

Historic, Urban Residential Neighborhood in South Beach
All residents, property-owners, and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate

AGENDA

1. Short Term Rental – Status Report -- active, fair, and effective enforcement of the City's ordinance passed in June 2010 prohibiting rentals of less than six months in the Flamingo neighborhood.
2. Flamingo Park – Removal of Property Management Facilities -- Possible delay in removal of Property Management from Flamingo Park.  Sunset Islands and  Sunset Harbor Neighborhoods are pushing back on relocation of facilities into their neighborhood. Proposed relocations: Dade Blvd Fire Station Property; 41st Street Garage. To be considered at City Commission Meeting – March13, 2013.
3. Garage Parking for residents at low / reduced costs -- At the Neighborhood / City Affairs Committee meeting on Feb 19th, they indicated an interest in making no cost / reduced cost garage parking available to City residents – which would be useful in the Flamingo Neighborhood, perhaps West Avenue and other Neighborhoods as well.
4. Other Matters:

Report from Miami Beach United – Mark Needle
CIP Projects – Sixth Street; Sixteenth Street
Florida DOT: Alton Road Reconstruction Project

  

Earth Day / Arbor Day in the City of Miami Beach -- Saturday, April 27, 2013

Fly Your Flags at Earth & Arbor Day Miami Beach


Saturday, April 27, 2013
Lummus Park, 10 - 9 Street Beach, Noon - 4PM

The City of Miami Beach invites individuals and organizations to participate in the Native Flag Eco-Art Project in celebration of Earth Day.

This project, designed by Xavier Cortado (FIU Artist-in-Residence), gives participants an opportunity to create a flag that depicts an eco-action they pledge to engage in to support the environment. The participant will then plant their flag in a parade line on the shoreline and proclaim, "I hereby reclaim myself for nature."

If you are interested in participating and/or sponsoring, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 305.673.7730. Event Facebook page.

Flamingo Calls for Corrective Action on FDOT Alton Road Plan

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association is opposed to the FDOT plan for the reconstruction of Alton Road and seeks your support and assistance to require the Florida Department of Transportation to adequately address concerns of surrounding neighborhoods with the project. Alton Road reconstruction is a once in 50 year event to properly address the multiple needs of all user groups – multi modal mobility options for pedestrians, bikers, autos, and transit users, contribute to a functional environment for business and with trees, landscaping and street furniture foster an attractive and safe neighborhood for our residents and visitors.


Concerns with FDOT Plan

The Process of adoption failed to provide community input, discussion and participation in the final decision-making;

The South Beach neighborhoods adjoining Alton Road are characterized by a pedestrian oriented urban design fabric that serves an outstanding amenity for local residents and a major attraction for visitors. The maintenance of such character is a high priority in one of Florida's most highly dense and highly neighborhoods. The proposed Alton Road plan does irreparable damage to the character of our adjoining neighborhoods.

Creation of 13’ wide outside traffic lane, fosters an unacceptable high rate of speed along the Road; This condition would also require that pedestrians cross an unacceptably wide roadway; The crossing width must be shortened to limit the amount of time pedestrians take to cross the “kill zone”;

Additional safety measures must be incorporated into the program: The speed limits on Alton must be reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph; No-turn-on-red restrictions should be incorporated at intersections with heavy foot traffic;

The current plan provides inadequate pedestrian amenities and lack of support for local businesses; All intersections should provide crosswalks and traffic controls to meet pedestrian needs; Meager sized sidewalk and planting area: Narrowing the sidewalks and swales limit the landscaping and makes the street less friendly to pedestrians, shoppers, neighborhood businesses and sidewalk cafes;

The highly pedestrian environment requires automatic pedestrian Walk signalization as the lights change rather than requiring push buttons. Many people either don't know to press the button or arrive at the crosswalk at or near the time the signal changes. It is unacceptable to force those pedestrians to wait another vehicle cycle.

The current “solution” for Alton Road is worse and more auto-oriented than it is today; In fighting to remove the bike lane, nothing was gained that the removal of the bike lane was supposed to create;

Our proposal for a shared-use pedestrian/bike path would satisfy the need and statutory requirement for biking facilities, and in our high-density urban corridor this is far safer for both bikes and pedestrian safety than a sharrow on a widened street with faster-moving traffic.

Linkage to --
Complete Statement with Images and Community Reflections

Knight Foundation hosts economic development initiative -- Start-Up City: Miami,

Start-Up City: MiamiWednesday, February 13, 2013, 9am to 4pm
at The New World Center, Miami Beach
Information and Reservations:
http://startupcitymiami-eorg.eventbrite.com/#

A Collaborative Economic Development Initiative among
The Atlantic, The Atlantic Cities, the Creative Class Group, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for discussions about different aspects of the city’s innovation ecosystem, emerging models of “urban tech” and a focus upon how to attract tech, talent, and innovation to the Miami community.

Program Highlights
Opening Remarks – Matthew Haggman, Knight Foundation
Framing: Miami: Entrepreneurial Mecca of the Future – Mayor Manny Diaz
Framing: Urban Tech Revolution – Richard Florida
Keynote: The City as Start-Up – Tony Hsieh, CEO Zappos
Other Contributors: Neisen Kasdin, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Susan Amat

Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, New Start-Up Geography, Urban Tech Shift – Lessons from New York and London, Transcontinental Hub, Sparking Success

On February 13, The Atlantic and The Atlantic Cities will launch Start-Up City: Miami, gathering leading entrepreneurs and tech experts from London, New York, California, Kansas City, and more at the New World Center in Miami for a day of discussions about different aspects of the city’s innovation ecosystem. In partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and in association with the Creative Class Group, the inaugural program will explore the emerging models of "urban tech" taking root in cities around the world.

In recent years, Miami has seen a surge in entrepreneurship and creative ventures. After a decade of rapid growth and urbanization, much work remains to be done if Miami is to become a hub for the global creative class. What short-term and long-term strategies will do the most to attract entrepreneurs and start-ups to the city? Featuring roundtables, panels, and interviews on tech, design, start-up incubators, audience Q&A, a networking lunch and more, this daylong program will give participants a 360-degree view of how to attract tech, talent, and innovation to the Miami community.

Land Use Committee to address Side Walk Cafes

CMB Land Use and Development Committee Wed, Feb 13th, 3pm, City Manager's Conference Room The sidewalk café ordinance will be discussed at the CMB Land Use and Development Committee Meeting, Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 3:00 pm, in the City Manager’s Large Conference Room, City Hall. An engaged coalition of residents, concerned business leaders, and city administration has emerged with the mission to correct the prevalent abuse of good practices for sidewalk cafes. Miami Beach United, SoFi leadership, Ocean Drive Association, and the Planning Director urge community attendance and support for corrective action.

Flamingo – the historic, urban residential neighborhood in South Beach. from Washington Avenue to Alton Road, from 5th Street to Lincoln Road All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.    Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association Monday, February 4, 2013, 5:30 pm at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue AGENDA 1. Update on Flamingo Park improvement projects, Matilde Reyes / Kevin Smith 2. Status Report on 6th St + 16th St Design/Build, Rick Saltrick      BODR Amendment for No / So Street Narrowing 3. Redevelopment of Alton Road Street Corridor, Jose Gonzalez /Josiel Ferrer-Diaz 4. Alton Road Historic District Buffer Zoning / Parking Ordinances, Mark Needle Other Matters   5.1 Miami Beach United – Neighborhood Intrusions, Mark Needle 5.2 Short Term Rental, Enforcement of Prohibition, Jeff Donnelly 5.3 Discussion of Neighborhood Challenges with Andres Duany, Denis Russ        Andres is willing to meet with us;  Next Steps

City of Miami Beach to host Community Input Meetins for Convention Center Redevelopment

CONVENTION CENTER REDEVELOPMENT MEETINGS


We want to hear from you! Miami Beach is in the process of developing the 52-acre Miami Beach Convention Center District and we need your help.

Phase I of the project was the selection of qualified development teams. Two top qualified teams have been short-listed to continue on to phase II, which will entail the development of proposed plans for the convention center by each of the two teams.

Community input is essential and will be collected at several public meetings and workshops. Mark your calendars and we look forward to seeing you there.

• January 29, 6PM: Public Community Meeting, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall A101/105
• February 27, 6PM: Public Community Meeting, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C, Flamingo Ballroom
• February 28, 6PM: City Commission Workshop, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C, Flamingo Ballroom
• March 27, 6PM: Commission Workshop & Public Community Meeting, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C, Flamingo Ballroom
• May 13, 6PM: Public Community Meeting
• May 15, 6PM: City Commission Workshop
• June 5, TBA: City Commission Meeting, Commission Chambers

For updates on meeting locations and more information, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov or call 305.673.7010.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofmiamibeach/events#!/events/521008751252938/

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.