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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #40 - Discussion ItemCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO ` Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM : AL, EAa Oarqgu�ez City Manager DATE : F8 13 07 SUBJECT Annual Report of City Boards/Committees REFERENCES: ENCLOSURES: FILE : Pursuant to City Code Sec. 2-436, please accept the reports submitted by the chairpersons of the following boards: • Urban Development Review Board • Latin Quarter Review Board • Off -Street Parking Board • Nuisance Abatement Board The following boards have not submitted the Annual Reports as required by City Code Sec. 2-436: • Commission on the Status of Women • Coconut Grove Parking Advisory Committee • Audit Advisory Committee The chairperson of each committee is required to deliver an oral presentation at the March 1997 Commission Meeting. Following the presentations, the City Commission may wish to form a Special Purpose Board (SPB) to evaluate the reports in order to determine whether a specific board being reviewed shall continue in its present form. m r BERMELLO • AJAMIL & PARTNERS • INC .1 PC ARCHITECTURE •ENGINEERING •PLANNING INTERIOR DESIGN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE January 13, 1997 Edward Marquez City Manager City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive, Dinner Key Miami, Fl, 33133 re: ANNUAL REPORT - URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD (UDRB) Dear Mr. Marquez: The Urban Development Review Board is pleased to present this annual report in satisfaction of City Code Section 2-434, specifically responding to the following questions: a. Whether the Urban Development Review Board is serving the purpose for which it was created. The Urban Development Review Board is a special review board, which assists the Director of the Department of Community Planning and Revitalization by making informed professional recommendations on the architectural, landscape and urban design aspects of highly visible buildings/projects, principally in the Downtown, Brickell, Bayshore and Omni areas. The quality of the projects reviewed by the board benefits greatly from the insightful input received from its members; as does the Planning Department by incorporating the comments made by the board into the necessary analyses presented to other boards and the City Commission. b. Whether the Urban Development Review Board is serving current community needs. The Urban Development Review Board is serving current community needs by being responsive to new developments and changing conditions in Miami, by making professional recommendations, prior to issuance of Class II Special Permits by the planning director and also as part of the analysis process for Major Use Special Permits and occasionally Special Exception Permits. 2601 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE • MIAMI FL 33133 • 305 859 2050 C. A Pest of the Urban Development Review Board's major accomplishments During 1996, nine (9) meetings were held. The board made recommendations on thirty one (31) projects, including the following six (6) major projects:, I 1. Sth Street &Miami Avenue Plaza (Shopping Center) 2. Silver Bluff Harbor (Apartment Building) 3. New Hope Overtown (Residential Development) MUSP 4. Mutiny Apartment Building (Restoration) 5. SW 28th Street Hotel (New Construction) 6. Northwestern Estates (Residential Development) MUSP d. Whether there is any other board, whether public or private, which would better serve the functions of the UDRB. 1. At its meeting of December 16, 1993, the City Commission passed Resolution 93-166, establishing the City Boards and Committees Review onunittee (CBCRC) to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of cacti existing City Board and Committee and to make recommendations regarding the continuation, )olishment or consolidation of these Boards and Committees. 2. The CBCRC presented their report, which among other recommendations, recommended that the Urban Development Review Board (UDRB) id Historic Environmental Preservation Board (HEPB) be merged. 3. At its meeting of March 24, 1994, the City Commission passed a Resolution 94-129 asking the City Attorney's Office to conduct a careful review 'the Ordinances creating the UDRB and the HEPB in order to accomplish the merger of both boards. 4. At the City Commission meeting of September 22,1994, the study evaluating pros and cons of the proposed merger of the UDRB and the HEPB, epared jointly by the City Attorney's Office and the Planning, Building and Zoning Department, was presented along with the necessary legislation to create a merged board combining the purposes, powers and duties of both boards. The study was discussed and the proposed merger denied unanimously by Motion 94-712. 5. Thus, after careful consideration the City Commission has concluded that it is in the best interest of the community to maintain the UDRB and HEPB as separate entities. e. Whether the Ordinance creating the Board should be amended to better enable the board to serve the purpose for which it was created. It is proposed that the Zoning Ordinance be amended in the current year enabling the board to review a broader range of projects and increasing the scope depth of such reviews. 2601 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE • MIAMI FL 33133 9 305 859 2050 0 Lr Ei e E Whether the boards membership requirements should be modified. There appears to be no reason to modify membership requirements, since the current composition of the board results in a very well balanced range considerations and ensuing analysis. g. The cost both direct and indirect of maintaining the board. There are no direct costs. Indirect costs arise because of staff assigned to the Board. This staff is not assigned exclusively to the Board but also has other responsibilities. Indirect costs are estimated at $4,709.83 (see alrachment A) This report will be submitted to the Urban Development Review Board on January 28, 1997 for approval. If there are any amendments at that time, I trust that courtesy will be extended to include said amendments after January 15, 1997. Thank you for this opportunity to present this report. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact rne. Sincerely, s l Willy A. Bermello, A.I.A. Chairperson - Urban Development Review Board Enclosure cc: Jack Luft, Director - Dept. Of Community Planning and Revitalization 2601 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE • MIAMI FL 33133 • 305 859 2050 ATTACHMENT A URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD INDIRECT COST INTAKE Principal Land Development Specialist Francisco Garcia 3 hrs. x $16.42 x 11 mo. _ $ 541.96 Planning Aide Josie Guerra 3 hrs. x $ 10.00 x 1 I mo. _ $ 330.00 $ 871.86 Fringe benefits = 30% estimated = $ 261.55 Subtotal 1 = $1,133.41 MEETING Principal Land Development Specialist Francisco Garcia 3 hrs. x $16.42 x I I mo. _ $ 541.86 Planning Aide Josie Guerra 3 hrs. x $ 10.00 x I I mo. _ $ 330.00 Deputy City Attorney Joel Edward Maxwell 3 hrs. x $46.00 x 1 I mo. _ $1,518.00 $2, 389.86 Fringe benefits = 30% estimated = $ 716.95 Subtotal 2 = $3,106.81 FOLLOW-UP Principal Land Development Specialist Francisco Garcia 2 hrs. x $16.42 x I 1 mo. _ $ 361.24 Fringe benefits = 30% estimated = $ 108.37 Subtotal = $ 469.61 TOTAL = $4,709.83 ur CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO . Edward Marquez DATE . January 15, 1997 FILE City Manager SUBJECT: Annual Report; Latin Quarter Review Board =ROM : Jack L. Luft, D4ng& REFERENCES: Community PIa izationENCLOSURES: Department Inasmuch the Board unll not meet until February 12, 1997, I have taken the liberty of forwarding the attached annual report for the Latin Quarter Review Board. The chairperson will sign this report with the approval of, or as amended by, the Board so that a signed original will be forwarded after February 12. JRC/jw 1996 ANNUAL REPORT LATIN QUARTER REVIEW BOARD JANUARY 1997 City of Miami Latin Quarter Review Board c/o Jack L. Luft, Director Department of Community Planning and Revitalization 444 S.W. tad Avenue, 3Td Mr. Miami, Florida 33130 January 15, 1997 Edward Marquez City Manager City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive, Dinner Key Miami, Florida 33133 RE: Annual Report: Latin Quarter Review Board (LQRB) Dear Mr. Marquez: The Latin Quarter Review Board is pleased to present this annual report in satisfaction of the City Code Section 2-434 , specifically responding to the following questions: a) Is the Board serving the purpose for which it was created? Yes, the Latin Quarter Review Board is serving the purpose for which it was created. It was "established for the purpose of recommending whether the design of developments and/or improvements within the Latin Quarter districts are in conformance with the Latin Quarter Design Guidelines and Standards and the intent of the Latin Quarter Special District In making the determination on Class 11 Special Permits for projects over $25,000, the director of the Department of Community and Revitalization obtains the advice and recommendations of the Latin Quarter Review Board. b) Is the Board serving current community needs? Yes. There is a need to revitalize the Latin Quarter District within the Little Havana area, to improve the physical and visual conditions of the neighborhood, to reinforce the Hispanic culture and to provide architecture that is sensitive to these needs. These needs are met when the Board reviews new commercial and residential projects, as well as renovation to existing buildings. Thus, by improving the district's physical and visual conditions and reinforcing the Hispanic culture through the provision of Spanish Mediterranean architecture, the Board is helping to revitalize the lneighborhood. , 4 f c) Board Major Accomplishment? The board reviewed projects consisting of 23 new residential units in several apartment buildings, one new commercial structure and one commercial addition/facade renovation with an estimate of cost $2,600,000. These projects serve to eradicate slum and blighted conditions and improve the environment of the commercial and residential areas. d) Is there any other board, either public or private, which would better serve the function of the Latin Quarter Review Board? No e) Should the ordinance creating the Board be amended to better enable the Board to serve the purpose for which it is created? - Yes, see "P below. f) Should the board's membership requirements in the ordinance be modified? j Yes. The following are the recommended changes to the Board's membership: three (3) members shall be registered architects; and one (1) member shall be registered landscape architect; one (1) member shall be interior designer, landscape architect or architect and the remaining four (4) public members shall be merchants, residents, property owners, or contractors and shall have their principal place of business in the City. According to the present ordinance, architects are not required to be part of this board. The work of the Board consists of the review of architectural drawings, consisting of site plans, floor plans, building elevations, wall sections, architectural details, decorative finishes, landscaping and exterior lighting, prepared mostly by professional architects and engineers. Therefore the greatest burden in the review process falls on the architects. At the same time participation of other design professions, as well as area merchants, residents and community representatives is also valuable. 12 g) What are the costs, both direct and indirect, of maintaining the board? There are no direct costs. Indirect costs are $2,682. Indirect costs arise because the Board has three (3) of the city staff assigned. These staff members are not assigned exclusively to this board, but have other city responsibilities as well. .�= 105.1 The following City staff are assigned to the Latin quarter Review Board: Jose R. Casanova, Jr. Latin Quarter Officer and Planner Department of Community Planning and Revitalization Irma Abella, Legal Counsel Assistant City Attorney Law Department Javier Carbonell, Zoning Inspector II Building and Zoning Department This report will be submitted to the Latin Quarter Review Board on February 12, 1997 for approval. If there are any amendments at that time, I trust that courtesy will be extended to include said amendments after January 15, 1997. Thank you for this opportunity to present this report. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Tessi J. Garcia -Smith Chairperson Jw 0 I TO: Edward Marquez DATE: December 17, 1996 City Manager FROM: Michael Kosnitzky SUBJECT: Annual Report Chairman, Off --Street Parking Board As required by City Code Sec. 2-434, I am providing you with the 1995/1996 Annual Report of the Off -Street Parking Board. In summary, this Board successfully performs the functions for which it was created and no modifications are necessary. MK:gtc Enclosure Off -Street Parking Board 1995/1996 Annual Report The Off -Street Parking Board of the City of Miami, established by the Florida State Legislature in 1955 and chartered by City ordinance in the same year, continues to serve the purpose for which it was created. During the past year, emphasis was placed on upgrading some of our older facilities and preparing for major capital projects scheduled to begin in fiscal year 96/97. Comprehensive deck repair was completed at Garage No. 2 which is approximately 25 years old. Also at this garage, all elevator cabs were modernized and brought into compliance with ADA standards. The gates and ticket spitters in Garage Nos. 3 and 4, which have been having increasing problems, were replaced with new equipment. Downtown surface lots were resealed, restriped and fenced. Not only did this improve their appearance, but also provided increased security and prevented vagrants from using them at night. Approximately 2000 electronic meters were installed in the downtown, Coconut Grove, and Civic Center areas. These meters are more tamper resistant than the previous mechanical devices and provide more operational flexibility. Discussions continued with the Dade County School Board, Miami -Dade Community College, and the Performing Arts Center Trust regarding their parking needs. Major accomplishments in recent years are as follows: e Opened Lot No. 25 • Opened Lot No. 47 _ 0 Opened Lot No. 48 0 Provide season parking for Florida Panthers e Provide season parking for Miami Heat 0 Negotiated and managed redevelopment of Olympia Building • Purchased property in Coconut Grove for new parking lot • Assumed operation of Orange Bowl parking • Opened Lot No. 70 • Opened S.W. 27th Street curbside parking project O Assumed operation of Coconut Grove Convention Center parking The Off -Street Parking Board continues to successfully direct the operations of the Department of Off -Street Parking of the City of Miami and no other board could better serve this purpose. Furthermore, no amendments to the ordinance creating the board or modification to board membership requirements are necessary. The cost of maintaining the board is approximately d$2,000 annually which is paid solely from parking revenue�$ 6 CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO Edward Marquez DATE January 21, 1997 FIE City Manager SUEJECT Annual Report due January 1997 FROM Teresita L. Fernandez REFERENCES Chief, Office of Hearing Boards ENCLOSURES. Please find attached the following annual reports pursuant to City Code Section 2-434: 1) Code Enforcement Board 2) Nuisance Abatement Board 3) Planning Advisory Board 4) Zoning Board Pursuant to City Code Section 2-436, Planning Advisory Board and Zoning Board reports should be further reviewed in the manner set forth in your memorandum dated November 13, 1996. Therefore, by copy of this memorandum, I am transmitting them to the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the Agenda Coordinator. Should you need additional information, please advise. cc: Aaron Weeks Chief of Staff A. Quinn Jones City Attorney Walter J. Foeman City Clerk Elvi Gallastegui Agenda Coordinator Carlos F. Smith Assistant City Manager 10 :1104 �` 3NVei `0 NUISANCE ABATEMENT BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 1996 IS THE BOARD SERVING THE PURPOSE FOR WHICII IT WAS CREATED? The Nuisance Abatement Board (NAB) was created in 1991 as a "quasi-judicial forum to resolve controversies over the existence of public nuisances, such as violative use of property in Miami, where crimes, crime related conduct, annoying an/or injurious use of property flourish" and as specifically defined in Ordinance No. 10883, 10966, 10990, 11130 Code Section 45.5-2, 11189, Code Section 2-425. The NAB is dutiRilly serving its purpose by alleviating public nuisances and addressing community complaints within the City of Miami. The NAB during the past year has heard a total of 18 cases. IS THE BOARD SERVING CURRENT COMMUNITY NEEDS? The NAB strives to maintain an open door policy with the various communities and residents within the city of Miami, as these citizens and professionals are vital to the successful operations of the Board. The Board offers five (5) conduits for citizens and business persons to express their needs, concerns, suggestions and complaints: 1) Community Call -In: This Call -In segment is conducted during the monthly hearing at City Hall. The telephone number is displayed on the television screen and allows city residents to call -in and ask questions and address issues about Nuisance Abatement procedures. These questions are then answered at the end of the televised segment by the Board chairman. The interaction has been extremely successful in bringing government to the people. 2) Community Concerns: This portion is similar to the call -in segment. Residents who attend the monthly hearing at City Hall may express their concerns in person. 3) Information Flyers: These flyers provide citizens with a brief overview of Nuisance Abatement proceedings. They were distributed to the thirteen (13) Neighborhood Enhancement Teams (NET) and other departments within the City who work closely with Nuisance Abatement operations. 4) Neighborhood Enhancement Team/Nuisance Abatement Board: The clerk of the NAB works with NET during numerous community meetings sponsored by the NET centers. The clerk of the NAB also visits these centers to discuss NAB procedures with residents. 5) Agenda/Cable Channel 9: The NAB displays its monthly agenda on Cable Channel 9 for residents to view. c A LIST OF THE BOARD'S MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT The NAB has made significant and numerous accomplishments since its inception not only in Dade County but statewide and nationally: Volume of cases: The NAB (since February 1992), has heard a total of seventy (70) cases over the three year period. Of the seventy cases ---- seventeen (17) were heard in 1992; twenty-eight (28) were heard in 1993; twenty-five (25) were heard in 1994 and nine (9) were heard in 1995. IS THERE ANY OTHER BOARD, EITHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, WHICH WOULD BETTER SERVE THE FUNCTION OF THE BOARD? The NAB serves as a leader and a model for numerous Boards, therefore, it is believed that there are no existing boards, public or private that would better serve the function of the NAB. SHOULD THE ORDINANCE CREATING THE BOARD BE AMENDED TO BETTER ENABLE THE BOARD TO SERVE THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS CREATED? The Office of Hearing Boards is coordinating its efforts with the Law Department to address this issue. SHOULD THE BOARD'S MEMBERSHIP RE UIREMENTS BE MODIFIED? The NAB and staff recommends that each member be required to attend NAB training sessions before serving on the Board. The Board also suggests that any new member be appointed six (6) months prior to the departure of that commissioner's previous appointee. THE COST, BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT, OF MAINTAINING THE BOARD. DIRECT COST * Attorney Douglas Broeker (NAB) 100% $30,000.00 * Resolution No. 96-730 approved by the City Commission on October 10,1996 reduced this cost not to exceed $18,000.00 FY 96-97. 4 22 The NAB operates annually with a $137,828.00 budget, which included the above direct cost.. Due to Merrett R. Stierheim's Strategic Financial Recovery Plan approved by the City Commission. on December 30, 1996 as part of the Financial Recovery Plan, the NAB is now operating with a budget of $89,870.00 and all the functions have been taken over by the Office of Hearing Boards. This report was submitted to the NAB and approved on January 15, 1997. If you need further information, please contact me. Sincerely, arolyn ope(IN Chairperson PS 6U 5 9 7-.J4„+..