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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-03-0745CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA 13 INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: e Hono le Mayor el Di and DATE: JUN 16 GUV� FILE: tubers f e ity C mmissi U SUBJECT: gond Oversight Board Annual Report RJ�)e ArriolaFROM: Manager REFERENCES ENCLOSURES: The Homeland Defense / Neighborhood Improvement Bond Oversight Board is scheduled to present its Annual Report at the commission meeting on June 26, 2003. Mr. Robert Flanders, Chairperson of the Homeland Defense / Neighborhood Improvement Bond Oversight Board, will be in attendance to present said report. IN-OPIR 03- 745 City of Miami Homeland Defense/Neighborhood Improvement Bond Oversight Board MEMO To: Joe Arriola, Chief Administrator From: Robert A. Flanders, Chairman Date: May 30, 2003 Re: Homeland Defense/Neighborhood Improvement Bond Oversight Board (BOB) Annual Report for The Year 2002 as Per Sec. 2-890 of The City Code Pursuant to City Code Section 2-890 (Annual Report of City Boards and Committees), please accept this memorandum as the annual report of the BOB for the year 2002 in the manner and format prescribed in the City Code as follows: City Code Question No. 1: Whether the board is serving the purpose for which it was created? BOB Response: Miami's first ever BOB was created by the City Commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the City to oversee and monitor the implementation of the proceeds of the $255 Million in Bond Funds for Miami's Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). With the input and vision from the Mayor's office and the City Commissioners, and with the extensive assistance and education from the City Manager's office and the CIP Department, the BOB is diligently fulfilling its purpose. City Code Question No. 2: Whether the board is serving current community needs? BOB Response: The City Administration estimates that the current unmet capital needs of the City of Miami total roughly $1.5 Billion. The Bond proceeds and other monies currently available for Miami's CIPs total $520 Million, approximately 1/3 of the total needed. Therefore, and in view of this $1 Billion shortfall, to serve in the best interests of the community, the BOB has established prudent guidelines for all CIPs brought before us for approval. They are: A.) Is the project and its budget on the list specifically identified by the City Administration and set forth in informational pamphlets and media releases prior to the November 2002 election, or in the City Ordinance (as amended) creating the BOB, or one of the Commissioner's prioritized personal district projects or been sent to us by the City Commission as an item approved by their resolution and thereby recommendation? 03- 745 BOB Annual Report for The Year 2002 Page 2 B.) Have all available matching grants been applied for and the funds secured? C.) Has the CIP and its budget been approved by the CII' Department and secured the approval of the City's Boards having an interest and by the BOB Audit Committee? D.) Will the CIP be purchased, implemented and/or constructed within the timeframe that the BOB has established? E.) What is the actual cost of operation and maintenance and has a line item been established in the City's Budget for the following year to reflect the cost of operation and maintenance of the new item and/or facility? City Code Question No. 3: A list of the board's major accomplishments. BOB Response: The Commission's creation of the Homeland Defense/Neighborhood Improvement Bond Oversight Board was a historical first for Miami. The new board members fully appreciate their responsibilities which include restoration of the public's trust in the City's ability to raise general obligation bond funds and to insure that they are spent wisely on the intended improvements, with no waste, fraud or abuse. Pursuing a broad collaborative effort, the BOB has actively engaged with each City Commissioner and with the Mayor so that we may operate capably, and with their objectives and goals in mind. Our prime responsibility is to monitor the integrity of the process, protecting the best interests of all Miamians. Our secondary objective is to encourage our fellow taxpayers to continue the City's newly disciplined approach to its capital improvements program until all of Miami is systematically rebuilt. To swiftly pursue our goals, we created an Audit Sub -Committee and a Communications Sub -Committee. The BOB recognizes that "communication is king", and therefore all methods of effectively increasing the communication of the CIP improvements to the public are being examined. With the proficient technical assistance of City staff, the BOB has created an attractive, user-friendly website within the City's Official Website so that Miami's citizens may easily understand when, where, and how their CII' funds are spent. WEBSITE ADDRESS: httn://www.ci.miami.fl.us/bondoversieht/ 03- 74-0 BOB Annual Report for The Year 2002 Page 3 The BOB's first of many informational meetings was held on May 21, 2002. On October 22, 2002 we approved our first three Bond CIP projects: $25,000 to match the $100,000 grant awarded to the Miami River Commission to construct the Greenway adjacent to the Miami River Circle, $931,496.42 for the Miami Police Department for Homeland Defense equipment and $1,500,000 to the Miami Fire Department for Homeland Defense Preparedness Initiative. Since then we have recommended for approval many of the city-wide and district projects that you have identified as important to you. We share your sense of urgency to get shovels in the ground. City Code Question No. 4: Whether there is My other board, either public or private, which would better serve the functions of this board? BOB Response: To our knowledge — no other board — either public or private — has been created and educated to specifically address Miami's Capital Improvement Projects program. City Code Question No. 5: Whether the ordinance creating the board should be amended to better be able to serve the Moose for which it was created? BOB Response: The Ordinance was amended by the City Commission unanimously so that it may better serve the purpose for which it was created. , City Code Question No. 6: Whether the board's membership requirements should be modified? BOB Response: In our opinion, no condition exists that would warrant any change at this time. City Code Question No. 7: The cost, both direct and indirect, of maintaining the Board? BOB Response: Since most of the city staffs time in 2002 was voluntary, the annual cost of maintaining the Board from May through December 2002 cannot be estimated until we have served out our first full year with all of the paid city staff in place. The portion of staff salaries attributed to the Board will include those employees from the City Manager's office, the CIP Department, Law, Media Relations, and any other city staff that may be required to assist in the function of the Board. The total cost will include both personnel and other indirect City expenses. CC: Board Members, Jorge Cano, Director CIP, Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk, Rafael Diaz, Asst. City Attorney 03- '745