FLAMINGO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSN -- MEETING NOTICE

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, August 5^th, 5:30 pm
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue

AGENDA will include

• Status of Amendment to BODR CIP Projects
• Sixteenth Street Roadway / Streetscape Improvements
• Sixth Street Roadway / Streetscape Improvements

• Stormwater Masterplan
• Flamingo Park Projects

Also Marking Transitions……
Farewell to Rick Saltrick

Welcoming
Eric Carpenter, Public Works Director
David Martinez, Acting CIP Director

Alton Road Construction Update from FDOT

As a way of keeping the community informed about the overall progress on the Alton Road construction project, below is a summary of the work within active zones, the tasks that have been completed and the upcoming project milestones. This project, which began in April 2013, is scheduled through the summer of 2015 and has an estimated cost of $32 million. These overall updates, in addition to the weekly emails, will continue to be sent throughout the project. Please let us know what additional information would be helpful during this time as we continue to look for new ways of keeping the lines of communication open.

Ongoing/Completed Work:

·        Flyover bridge

o   Work remains on schedule

o   Contractor has demolished and removed the traffic railing on either side of the bridge

o   Contractor has started forming the framework for the new traffic railing

o   Coordination continues with the City of Miami Beach Police Department to support the signalization operations on 5 Street from Alton Road to the east

·        New water main

o   From north of 20 Street to 13 Street: The water main has been installed, tested and the final section is being prepared to be placed into service. The contractor has also installed new fire hydrants in this area.

o   From 13 Street to 6 Street: The contractor is scheduled to continue with water main installation along the southbound right lane and parking lane of Alton Road by mid-August

§  A traffic shift will be used to provide room for the contractor to work. The on-street parking on the east side of the street will be temporarily removed. On-street parking on the west side will be maintained where possible – a white bag over a meter means the parking space is available.

·        Work zone from 17 Street to Michigan Avenue

o   From Dade Boulevard to Michigan Avenue: The contractor continues installing drainage structures and pipe, as well as installing the foundations for new traffic signals and street lights. Within the next month, the contractor will begin rebuilding the roadway and then sidewalk.

o   From 17 Street to Dade Boulevard: The contractor has demolished the roadway. Within the next week, the contractor will begin installing drainage structures and pipe.

o   Once the work is complete on the east side of the roadway, the contractor will switch to the west side in the same area. The detour route will remain in place until both sides of the road are complete.

Next Steps:

·        Restriping West Avenue

o   The contractor is currently scheduled to restripe West Avenue in early September. The restriping would provide two southbound lanes on and one northbound lane on West Avenue.

·        Implementing the new roadway alternative

o   The Department will continue the process of revising the plans to include wider sidewalks.

o   A Public Hearing is being scheduled for October to present the raised center median concept to the community and allow for feedback.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER OR UNEXPECTED CONDITIONS.

The Department will continue its coordination with the public, City of Miami Beach staff and elected officials. We welcome your feedback and thank you for your patience during this construction project. Additional information is available on the project page of the Department's website. You may also contact Construction Public Information Specialist Heather Leslie at 305-905-5876 or email her at Heather@hmlpublicoutreach.com. Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log onto www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.

Alton Road Construction Update

For your safety please walk, drive and ride cautiously around construction zones and do not enter any closed work zones.

Hours of Operation
Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with daytime lane closure hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Nighttime work may be conducted for specific operations on the flyover and certain drainage activities.

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:

The contractor is scheduled to resume the installation of the new underground water main along southbound Alton Road between 13 Street and 6 Street in mid-August. This work will require a traffic shift and the temporary removal of on-street parking. Once this shift is established, motorists will not be able to park on the east side of the street in this area. White bags will be used at the meters on the west side where parking may be maintained.

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:

Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2
Alton Road between Dade Boulevard and 17 Street

Daytime Work

Construction Activity

• Installing an underground fire line and restoring the roadway

Lane Closures/Detours

• One southbound lane may be closed during the day between Dade Boulevard and 17 Street. One lane will remain open at all times.

Alton Road at 16 Street

Nighttime Work

Construction Activity

·        Installing water main pipe at 16 Street

Lane Closures/Detours

• One lane may be closed at night on southbound Alton Road at 16 Street. One lane will remain open at all times.

Through mid-August 2013

Eastbound MacArthur Causeway flyover to northbound Alton Road

Daytime and Nighttime Work

Construction Activity

·        The flyover bridge from eastbound MacArthur Causeway to northbound Alton Road will continue to be closed while the contractor rebuilds the bridge approaches and replaces the bridge railing on the flyover.

·        This work is scheduled through mid-August 2013.

Lane Closures/Detours

·        A detour will be established along Alton Road and 5 Street in order to guide drivers around the work. The project team will continue to work with Miami-Dade County to optimize the timing of the traffic signals and is coordinating the use of off-duty police officers to manage traffic as needed.

·        Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes.

·        Bus service, business access and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

·        Motorists traveling east on the MacArthur Causeway who wish to travel north on Alton Road will have to:

1.      Continue east on 5 Street

2.      Turn north on Alton Road

·        Motorists traveling south on Alton Road who wish to travel east on 5 Street will have to:

1.      Turn east on 8 Street

2.      Turn south on Lenox Avenue

3.      Turn east on 5 Street

·          Southbound Alton Road remains open for motorists who want to access westbound MacArthur Causeway.

·        Motorists south of 5 Street who are traveling north on Alton Road and wish to continue north will have to:

1.      Turn east on 4 Street

2.      Turn north on Lenox, Michigan, Jefferson, Meridian, Euclid or Washington Avenues

3.      Turn west on 5 Street

4.      Turn north on Alton Road

·        Motorists south of 5 Street who are traveling north on Alton Road and wish to travel west on the MacArthur Causeway will have to:

1.      Turn east on 4 Street

2.      Turn north on Lenox Avenue

3.      Turn west on 5 Street

4.      Continue west on 5 Street to MacArthur Causeway

·        Motorists and pedestrians will not be able to cross east or west on Alton Road at 6 Street.

Through September 2013
Northbound Alton Road will be closed and detoured from north of 17 Street to Michigan Avenue (north of 20 Street). Motorists must follow the established detour route.

Construction Activity

• Excavating the roadway, installing new drainage, sidewalks, driveways, pedestrian ramps, lighting, signals and rebuilding this section of roadway

Lane Closures/Detours

• Alton Road will serve southbound traffic only in this area during this time.
• Northbound Alton Road traffic will be detoured as follows:

1. Turn east on 17 Street
2. Turn north on Meridian Avenue
3. Turn west on Dade Boulevard
4. Turn north on Michigan Avenue
5. Continue north on Alton Road

Pedestrian and business access will be maintained at all times. The construction team will coordinate the closure of driveways; however, at least one entrance will be maintained at all times.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS:

White bags will continue to be used on the west side of Alton Road in this area while the contractor continues to test and place into service the new water main. Motorists will continue to be allowed to park at spaces within the work zone where a white bag covers the meter. White bags will be removed approximately 48 hours before work takes place in order to indicate that parking is no longer permitted in the immediate area.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER OR UNEXPECTED CONDITIONS.

Additional information is available on the project page of the department's website. You may also contact Construction Public Information Specialist Heather Leslie at 305-905-5876 or email her at Heather@hmlpublicoutreach.com. Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log onto www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.

Collins Avenue Construction Update

For your safety please walk, drive and ride cautiously around construction zones and do not enter any closed work zones.

Hours of Operation
Work hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sections of on-street parking will be temporarily closed, as needed, to provide space for work. Area parking garages will remain open during the work.

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

The contractor is currently scheduled to move into the next work zone on Collins Avenue between 10 Street and Lincoln Road by mid-August. Once the new work zone is established, the current work zone on Collins Avenue between 5 Street and 10 Street will be restored and on-street parking reopened in this area.

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2
East side of Collins Avenue from 5 Street to 10 Street

Construction Activity

·       Continue excavating for and installing drainage structures from 5 Street to 7 Street

·       Continue removing and replacing sidewalk on the east side of Collins Avenue from 5 Street to 7 Street

·       Begin excavating for and installing drainage structures from 7 Street to 9 Street

·       Begin removing and replacing sidewalk on the east side of Collins Avenue from 7 Street to 9 Street

Traffic Flow/Restrictions

• Southbound left turns on Collins Avenue may be eliminated at the following locations:

1. 9 Street
2. 7 Street – Access to 7 Street will remain open to northbound traffic and through Washington Avenue.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS
On-street parking will be temporarily closed in this area in order to provide space for work. Valet parking stations have been relocated to side streets within the work zone as follows:

·        Shoe Freak, Ithaca Hotel and Metropole Hotel: valet station is located on 100 block of 6 Street

·        The Hotel of South Beach: valet parking station is located on the 100 block of 8 Street

·        Whitelaw Hotel, Chesterfield Hotel, Hotel Shelley and Lily Hotel: valet station is located on 100 block of 9 Street

·        Blue Moon: valet station is located on 100 block of 10 Street

ONGOING PERMIT WORK:

Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2
In front of 1400 Collins Avenue

Construction Activity

• The developer for the Walgreens will be closing the sidewalk and parking lane in front of the property to conduct work on the new store.

Lane Closures/Detours

• A pedestrian walk path will be established within the parking lane.
• No travel lanes will be closed for this work.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER OR UNEXPECTED CONDITIONS.

Additional information is available on the project page of the department's website. You may also contact Construction Public Information Specialist Heather Leslie at 305-905-5876 or email her at Heather@hmlpublicoutreach.com. Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log onto www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.

Follow us on Twitter @MyFDOT_Miami

The Miami Herald: Miami-Miami Beach rail link to be studied

[There appears to be emerging consensus on the desirability of improved transit linkage between Miami and Miami Beach.  The Gr Miami Chamber of Commerce is putting together a forum on the program and in outreach was informed that Mayor Matti Bower and likely all Mayor candidates favor Miami-Dade Mayor Gimenez' planning initiative now approved by the MPO.] 

› It is the first time since 2004 — when the Bay Link proposal died — that official interest has been revived in the project.

BY ALFONSO CHARDY ACHARDY@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM

Almost a decade after a project to build a rail line between Miami and Miami Beach stalled, the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization on Thursday unanimously approved funding for a study that could revive the plan.

The MPO, the transportation planning panel that includes county commissioners and other elected officials, acted after Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez urged approval of the study as a way to ease traffic on roads linking Miami and Miami Beach.

“If we don’t do something about traffic in Miami Beach, it’s going to kill the tourism industry,” Gimenez told MPO members during their monthly meeting at County Hall.

The vote marked the first time since 2004 — when the old Bay Link proposal died — that official interest has been revived in the project. Bay Link would have connected South Beach to downtown Miami via a light-rail system over the MacArthur Causeway.

The cost of the nine-month, $325,000 study will be covered by six partners — $150,000 from the MPO, $75,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation, and $25,000 each from Miami-Dade Transit, the city of Miami, the city of Miami Beach, and the Downtown Development Authority.

The goal of the report, titled “Beach Corridor Transit Connection Study”, is to “update and refine past studies” that examined possible transit links between Miami and Miami Beach, according to documents released by the MPO.

The MPO documents refer to the previous Bay Link proposal, noting that it was derailed because of concerns about funding and whether other transit corridors should be given higher priority.

During debate Thursday on the new study, some commissioners said that although they supported the request, they wanted to revive interest in studying anew the option of building the so-called North Corridor rail line along Northwest 27th Avenue to Sun Life Stadium and the Broward County line, where it becomes University Drive.

“I would like to bring back the North Corridor,” said County Commissioner Barbara Jordan.

As outlined in the MPO documents, a consultant selected to conduct the study will review several rail options, including so-called “catenary-free technologies” that do not require overhead electricity lines for streetcars or light rail.

Late last year, employees of the Spanish railway company FEVE met with Miami Beach representatives to review the option of an electric streetcar free of overhead lines, or catenaries, as they are formally called.

The company runs such a service in Seville, Spain. The MPO documents released Thursday refer to the Seville system.

The desire of operating a rail system between Miami and Miami Beach has been around for a long time. Currently, , all of the rail systems are on the mainland.

Miami-Dade Transit operates Metrorail, which has two lines, including one to Miami International Airport, as well as Metromover, which has loops linking downtown Miami to business areas to the north and south of downtown.

‘If we don’t do something about traffic in Miami Beach, it’s going to kill the tourism industry.’
— Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, in a speech to the Metropolitan Planning Organization

Alton Road Construction Update

Please note the following and attached Alton Road project information, including the Alton Road Construction update and Alton Road flyover alert. 

At the City Commission meeting, this Wednesday, July 17, 2013, the City Commission will consider three alternative proposals from FDOT for the Alton Road project.  It is important that the community is united in advocacy on this matter. 

Useful links:

Alton Road FDOT Project Information

Alton Road -- Register Now for FDOT e-mail updates

Alton Road Reconstruction Coalition

  

For your safety please walk, drive and ride cautiously around construction zones and do not enter any closed work zones.

Hours of Operation
Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with daytime lane closure hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Nighttime work will be performed when underground drainage or water main activities cross a side street or intersection.

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:

Sunday, July 14 through mid-August 2013

Eastbound MacArthur Causeway flyover to northbound Alton Road

Construction Activity

·        Starting the night of Sunday, July 14, the flyover bridge from eastbound MacArthur Causeway to northbound Alton Road will be closed continuously while the contractor rebuilds the bridge approaches and replaces the bridge railing on the flyover.

·        This work is scheduled through mid-August 2013.

·        This closure will allow the contractor to accelerate the schedule of bridge work from six months to approximately 30 days.

Lane Closures/Detours

·        A detour will be established along Alton Road and 5 Street in order to guide drivers around the work.

·        Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes.

·        Bus service, business access and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

·        Motorists traveling east on the MacArthur Causeway who wish to travel north on Alton Road will have to:

1.      Continue east on 5 Street

2.      Turn north on Alton Road

·        Motorists traveling south on Alton Road who wish to travel east on 5 Street will have to:

1.      Turn east on 8 Street

2.      Turn south on Lenox Avenue

3.      Turn east on 5 Street

·        Motorists will be able to travel south on Alton Road to access westbound MacArthur Causeway.

·        Motorists south of 5 Street who are traveling north on Alton Road and wish to continue north will have to:

1.      Turn east on 4 Street

2.      Turn north on Lenox Avenue

3.      Turn west on 5 Street

4.      Turn north on Alton Road

·        Motorists south of 5 Street who are traveling north on Alton Road and wish to travel west on the MacArthur Causeway will have to:

1.      Turn east on 4 Street

2.      Turn north on Lenox Avenue

3.      Turn west on 5 Street

4.      Continue west on 5 Street to MacArthur Causeway

·        Motorists will not be able to cross east or west on Alton Road at 6 Street.

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:

Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19
Alton Road from 13 Street to Michigan Avenue (north of 20 Street) Daytime and Nighttime Work

Construction Activity

• Testing and connecting the new water main between 16 Street and 13 Street.

Lane Closures/Detours

• One lane may be closed at night on southbound Alton Road between 16 Street and 13 Street. One lane will remain open at all times.

Through September 2013
Northbound Alton Road will be closed and detoured from north of 17 Street to Michigan Avenue (north of 20 Street). Motorists must follow the established detour route.

Construction Activity

• Excavating the roadway, installing new drainage, sidewalks, driveways, pedestrian ramps, lighting, signals and rebuilding this section of roadway

Lane Closures/Detours

• Alton Road will serve southbound traffic only in this area during this time.
• Northbound Alton Road traffic will be detoured as follows:

1. Turn east on 17 Street
2. Turn north on Meridian Avenue
3. Turn west on Dade Boulevard
4. Turn north on Michigan Avenue
5. Continue north on Alton Road

Pedestrian and business access will be maintained at all times. The construction team will coordinate the closure of driveways; however, at least one entrance will be maintained at all times.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS:

On-street parking has been reopened on the east side of Alton Road from 12 Street to 16 Street. This area has been restriped and placed in its original configuration. The contractor will return to this area at a later time in order to continue roadway and drainage construction activities.

White bags will continue to be used on the west side of Alton Road in this area while the contractor continues to test and place into service the new water main. Motorists will continue to be allowed to park at spaces within the work zone where a white bag covers the meter. White bags will be removed approximately 48 hours before work takes place in order to indicate that parking is no longer permitted in the immediate area.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER OR UNEXPECTED CONDITIONS.

Additional information is available on the project page of the department's website. You may also contact Construction Public Information Specialist Heather Leslie at 305-905-5876 or email her at Heather@hmlpublicoutreach.com. Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log onto www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.

Follow us on Twitter @MyFDOT_Miami

FLAMINGO Meeting Schedule


All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.

• Tues, May 7th, 5:30 pm --Flamingo Park Neighborhood Assn Meeting
• Tues, May 7th, 6:00 pm – CMB CIP / Football Field & Track Progress Meeting
• Wed, May 8th, 6:30 pm – Alton Road Coalition Meeting – Alton Road for Everyone
• Thurs, Jun 6th, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm -- Transportation Summit, MDC Wolfson Campus.

 Because the City asked us to host the CIP Community Meeting, we have re-scheduled a brief FPNA Meeting immediately preceding, on Tues, 5:30pm, to be followed at 6:00 pm by introduction and report from CIP Project Manager and General Contractor regarding the Football Field & Track, prior to Groundbreaking and Construction..

  [FPNA will NOT meet on Mon, May 6th, as originally scheduled.]

Mark it on your Calendar: 2013 Transportation Summit, Thurs, June 6th

Save the Date!
2013 Transportation Summit
Visioning the future of Miami-Dade Public Transportation

Thursday, June 6, 2013, 8:30 am to 6:30 pmMiami Dade College -- Wolfson Campus -- Chapman Center
300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132

Sponsored by Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez,
the Board of County Commissioners, and
the Citizens Independent Transporation Trust

Includes breakout sessions on Innovative Financing, Mode Technology, Public-Private Partnerships, Corridor Development, and culminating with an interactive Community Visioning Forum.  Join Miami-Dade County officials and fellow citizens in building momentum toward a comprehensive and coordinated public transit system.

To register for the summit or for additional information call 305-779-7875 or visit www.miamidade.gov/citt/ or email citt@miamidade.gov.

Taking transit to the meeting?  Go to: www.miamidade.gov/transit or call 305-770-3131 for route information.

Renewed Effort Underway to Address Alton Road For Everyone!

Tammy has energized a renewed effort to address Alton Road.  Two meetings have already been held and the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th, 6:00 pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Please join us on Wednesday if you want to participate in this advocacy coalition -- Alton Road for Everyone!!

We are blessed with creative and energized neighbors who also include trained Urban Planners, very knowledgable in this work.  Matthew Lambert, Jason King, Pam Stacy, Wanda Mouzon have joined in this effort with Tammy Tibbles, Aaron Sugarman, Jeff Donnelly, Mark Needle, Ron Starkman (from SoFNA) and others in re-energizing this effort.

Attached is the flyer describing our position --Alton Road for Everyone

You can also find Meeting Notes for our earlier meetings
Meeting Notes -- Apr 20, 2013
Meeting Notes -- Apr 24, 2013

Alton Road Reconstruction Coalition is on Facebook.  To connect with Alton Road Reconstruction Coalition, sign up for Facebook today.

https://www.facebook.com/AltonRoadReconstructionCoalition

Flamingo Meeting Adopts Resolution calling for the naming of the Flamingo Park Tennis Center

Based upon action taken at the most recent meeting of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association, the following letter and Resolution was sent to the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Miami Beach:

Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:


At its meeting of April 1, 2013, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association returned to the matter of the naming of the Tennis Center in Flamingo Park. Following substantial review and discussion, by motion properly made and seconded, the attached Resolution was unanimously adopted, calling for the following:

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association hereby request that the Neighborhoods Committee consider our proposal for naming/renaming the new publicly funded tennis center in Flamingo Park as “The Flamingo Park Tennis Center” at its next available committee meeting, per City Code Section 802-503 (a)2.

We also request, to avoid any public embarrassment over this naming process to the Holtz Family or any other individuals that Staff please refrain from installing any new “name” signage on the tennis center until the City Commission has approved of and ratified a name for the new facility, per the procedures outlined in our City Code.

Attached:
Adopted Resolution
Naming -- Timeline

Additional Background Information:

In early 2012, this matter was brought to our attention by Gayle Durham and then by Aaron Sugarman. It was fully discussed at our January 2012 meeting when we adopted and forwarded the following position to the Mayor and City Commissioners:

Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:

At its meeting on January 9, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association unanimously voted in support of a proposal, pursuant to City Code section 82-503, to name the new Flamingo Park Tennis Center "The Flamingo Park Tennis Center". We request that the Neighborhood's Committee add this proposal to their agenda at their earliest convenience, pursuant to city code section 82-503 (2).

Background:

It came to the attention of FPNA that a sign was posted outside of the existing tennis center with a rendering of the new tennis center that reads Future Home of Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center. We feel that it is inappropriate to both re-name the tennis center without following a public process, and to move the Holtz name from the demolished stadium to a new tennis center funded wholly with public monies (not Holtz money).

City Code Section 82-503 states that "public facilities and plazas should not be named, or renamed, for living persons unless such persons are over 100 years of age unless the naming or renaming is in exchange for a monetary donation pursuant to Section 82-505."

Since the existing Flamingo Park Tennis Center was not named for Holtz in prior years, and since the new Tennis Center has not been funded by Holtz, it seems inappropriate if not in violation of the City Code to name our new tennis Center after Holtz. It may be appropriate to post a photo of the former Holtz Stadium within the tennis center on a wall, or affix a plaque to a bench on the site of the former stadium bearing his name, if the Commission wishes to continue to honor the Capital Bank funding of the original Stadium.

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

Flamingo Meeting, Monday, April 1st, 5:30 pm -- About the Naming of Flamingo Park Tennis Center

Meeting Notice
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Monday, April 1, 2013, 5:30 pm
At The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue

Flamingo, the historic, urban residential neighborhood in South Beach from Fifth to Lincoln Road, from Washington Av to Alton Rd.  All Residents, Property Owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.

  At 5:30 pm -- Naming of Flamingo Park Tennis Center.

This matter returns for consideration. Following, please note Miami Beach Tennis Players Association request, Background Information on previous FPNA action, and response regarding the naming. Aaron Sugarman has prepared the attached timeline, as well. He is organizing additional material for distribution and will lead the discussion. We hope that this matter can be presented, discussed and resolved within one hour.

Thereafter  --  Other Matters

Naming of Flamingo Park Tennis Center -- Background Information:

In early 2012, this matter was brought to our attention by Gayle Durham and then by Aaron Sugarman. It was fully discussed at our January 2012 meeting when we adopted and forwarded the following position to the City:

Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:

At its meeting on January 9, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association unanimously voted in support of a proposal, pursuant to City Code section 82-503, to name the new Flamingo Park Tennis Center "The Flamingo Park Tennis Center". We request that the Neighborhood's Committee add this proposal to their agenda at their earliest convenience, pursuant to city code section 82-503 (2).

Background:

It came to the attention of FPNA that a sign was posted outside of the existing tennis center with a rendering of the new tennis center that reads Future Home of Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center. We feel that it is inappropriate to both re-name the tennis center without following a public process, and to move the Holtz name from the demolished stadium to a new tennis center funded wholly with public monies (not Holtz money).

City Code Section 82-503 states that "public facilities and plazas should not be named, or renamed, for living persons unless such persons are over 100 years of age unless the naming or renaming is in exchange for a monetary donation pursuant to Section 82-505."

Since the existing Flamingo Park Tennis Center was not named for Holtz in prior years, and since the new Tennis Center has not been funded by Holtz, it seems inappropriate if not in violation of the City Code to name our new tennis Center after Holtz. It may be appropriate to post a photo of the former Holtz Stadium within the tennis center on a wall, or affix a plaque to a bench on the site of the former stadium bearing his name, if the Commission wishes to continue to honor the Capital Bank funding of the original Stadium.

Subsequently in March, 2012 we wrote to Kevin Smith –

Kevin –

I want to thank again for joining us at the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Meeting on March 5th. I have been asked to draw your attention to an additional matter that did not come up at the March meeting but was substantially discussed at our January meeting, where the following action was unanimously taken:

Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:

At its meeting on January 9, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association unanimously voted in support of a proposal, pursuant to City Code section 82-503, to name the new Flamingo Park Tennis Center “The Flamingo Park Tennis Center". We request that the Neighborhood's Committee add this proposal to their agenda at their earliest convenience, pursuant to city code section 82-503 (2).

Later in March 2012, we received the following opinion from Raul Aguilar:

In response to Dennis Russ’s e-mail to you (which also copied the Mayor and City Commissioners), below is the opinion that we provided Ms. Gayle Durham, regarding the history behind the naming of the Tennis Center. As you know, this is not a new issue. We have previously opined on this matter to you, as well as members of the public, on several occasions.

To summarize, the current City Naming Ordinance was not in effect in 1983, when the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 83-17343 which, in exchange for a monetary donation from Mr. Holtz, agreed to name the tennis stadium facilities—in perpetuity- the “Abel Holtz Tennis Stadium.” In 2000, at the request of Mayor Gelber, Mr. Holtz voluntarily agreed to change the name to the “Flamingo Park/Holtz Tennis Center.”

Proposed Resolution -- Draft 3/28/2013
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association (FPNA)

Whereas, “the City Commission wishes to insure that citizens of the City of Miami Beach and other concerned members of the public be afforded an opportunity to participate in the process of selecting names for public facilities and streets located in the City of Miami Beach” (Ord. 89-2655); and

Whereas, “the City Commission deems it in the best interests of the general welfare of the City of Miami Beach and its citizens to adopt procedures for the naming of public facilities and streets located in the City of Miami Beach” (Ord. 89-2655); and

Whereas, City Code Section 82-501(a), states that “No public facility located in or owned by the city shall be named except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article.”

Whereas, City Code Section 802-503 (a)1 provides that “any person, organization, association, corporation or other entity… may propose a name for a new public facility, or may propose renaming an existing public facility, at any time by submitting a proposed name in writing to the committee”; and

Whereas, City Code Section 802-503(a)2 provides that “within a reasonable time after receipt of the proposal, the committee shall meet to consider and review same for the naming, or renaming, of the public facility…”; and

Whereas, on March 20th, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association by unanimous resolution submitted a proposal to the Neighborhoods Committee to name or rename the new 100% publicly funded tennis center - the “Flamingo Park Tennis Center”; and

Whereas, a year later, on April 1st, 2013, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association recognized that “a reasonable time after receipt of the proposal” has already passed; and

Whereas, time is clearly of the essence, and the tennis center is nearing completion; and

Whereas, the present name proposed by Staff for the tennis center, “Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center”, was not ratified or approved of by the City Commission as required by City Code; and

Whereas, the original 1983 naming agreement for the Abel Holtz Stadium and Flamingo Park Capital Bank Tennis Center was between Capital Bank Corp. and the City of Miami Beach, with name changes subject to approval by both Capital Bank and the City of Miami Beach; and

Whereas, in December 1994, City Attorney Feingold stated that any contract limiting the City’s absolute sovereignty over public property, particularly parks, could be void, and that it might be necessary for the City to “disclaim the [1983 naming] contract and reassume its authority inherent in the City’s sovereign power”; and.

Whereas, in March 1995, correspondence from Daniel Holtz, President of Capital Bank, indicated that it was the Capital Bank Board of Directors that voted to approve name changes, not Abel Holtz; and

Whereas, in March 1995, Mayor Seymour Gelber indicated to both Daniel Holtz and City Manager Roger Carlton that any name change proposed by Capital Bank, even at the request of Mayor Gelber, had to be approved and ratified by the City Commission; and

Whereas, in June 1995, by Ord 95-2998, the City Code was amended to prohibit naming or renaming public facilities for living persons unless they were over 100 years old; and

Whereas, in 1997, Capital Bank Corp. was sold to Union Planters Corp. in a stock swap deal, the Capital Bank Board of Directors was dissolved, and the Holtz family could no longer negotiate contracts on behalf of Capital Bank; and

Whereas, on August 8th, 2000, when Abel Holtz and City Manager Jorge Gonzalez (appointed 8/21/2000) signed an agreement naming a new proposed publicly funded “Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center”, such agreement ignored the fact that the 1983 naming contract between Capital Bank and the City could no longer be re-negotiated by Abel Holtz on behalf of Capital Bank, and the City Manager could not approve of naming or renaming the tennis center without Commission approval; and

Whereas, the City Commission never approved the name “The Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center”; and

Whereas, Section 82-503 of our City Code, as amended in September 2000, states "public facilities and plazas should not be named, or renamed, for living persons unless such persons are over 100 years of age unless the naming or renaming is in exchange for a monetary donation pursuant to Section 82-505"; and

Whereas, neither Abel Holtz or the Holtz family has donated to the construction of the new publicly funded tennis center in Flamingo Park.

Therefore, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association hereby request that the Neighborhoods Committee consider our proposal for naming/renaming the new publicly funded tennis center in Flamingo Park as “The Flamingo Park Tennis Center” at its next available committee meeting, per City Code Section 802-503 (a)2.

We also request, to avoid any public embarrassment over this naming process to the Holtz Family or any other individuals, that Staff please refrain from installing any new “name” signage on the tennis center until the City Commission has approved of and ratified a name for the new facility, per the procedures outlined in our City Code.

DRAFT 3/28/13

FDOT will convene Alton Road Project Meetings

South Beach Meeting, Thurs, Mar 21, 6pm, PAL Building in Flamingo Park at Jefferson Ave

Middle Beach Meeting, Tues, Mar 19, 6pm, at the Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road

The Florida Department of Transportation will host these two identical Public Information Meetings about the Alton Road Construction Project, from 5th Street, through Dade Boulevard, and up to Michigan Avenue; Project Schedule: April 1, 2013 to Summer of 2015; at an estimated Project Cost of $32 Million. These meetings are intended to describe both the work to be undertaken and the necessary Lane Closure and Detour Information.

We expect this meeting to be highly structured by the Florida Department of Transportation, without providing opportunity for significant input into the project. It does not appear that this is a forum for discussion about the project.

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association has expressed significant opposed to the FDOT plan for the reconstruction of Alton Road and sought support and assistance from our public officials to require the Florida Department of Transportation to more adequately address concerns of surrounding neighborhoods with the project. Of course, 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.

We can do better!

Attached is a copy of the FDOT Fact Sheet describing the Project.

We also attached a copy of our Statement in Opposition to the plan for your information. We urge your attendance at one of these meetings to become fully informed about FDOT’s adopted plans. We regret we were not able to achieve fuller discussions with FDOT and a better plan for Alton Road.

The next meeting of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will be Monday, April 1, 2013, 5:30pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue, Miami Beach.
All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate. Flamingo – our historic, urban residential Neighborhood in South Beach – from Fifth Street to Lincoln Road, from Washington Avenue to Alton Road.

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