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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #07 - Discussion ItemW CITY OP MIAMI. PLOWbA 1NttA-0F r1ct MtMORANbUM TO Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission rROM Sergio Perei ` City Manager DATE September 16, 1985 t,Lt SUBJECT Special Parks Management Initiative, Action Plan RErERENCES ENCLOSURES On July 1, 1985, the Special Parks Management Initiative was established to address the City Commission's concerns related to Miami's parks and recreation system. After an intensive and detailed review of parks management, the administration has developed an action plan to implement tangible and measurable improvements. In summary, the Parks Management Initiative has recommended a two -phased approach to the revitalization of the City's parks system. Phase 1 will include the development of solutions to short-term problems through the programmed expenditure of budgeted funds for building and grounds maintenance during FY186. Phase II will include intensive capital and infrastructure - related financing over a greater fiscal period. Improvements in Grounds Maintenance Functions The most prominent potential improvement area evident in the parks and recreation system is related to grounds maintenance functions. Currently, parks grounds maintenance is completely performed by 9 mobile maintenance crews with the exception of 3 permanently -manned parks. To effectively improve current grounds maintenance service levels, a detailed and extensive analysis was conducted to determine optimum grounds maintenance methods and staffing requirements throughout the parks system. More specifically, a tri-level maintenance strategy composed of 34 permanently stationed employees dedicated to 26 major -use parks, increased coordination of 4 mobile crews assigned to 31 parks, and the extensive utilization of private maintenance contracts proposed for 41 small park facilities and the City's fire stations was concluded to be the most effective mechanism to improve the condition of Miami's parks. The net effect of this program will be a substantial increase in general maintenance activity throughout the parks system. To summarize, the current mobile crew maintenance operation will be converted to an operation composed of 60.5 percent station -manned, 30.5 percent mobile crew -manned and 9.0 percent contractually maintained parks facilities. As a result of this program, maintenance frequencies at the City's park facilities will be dramatically increased. For example, litter collection and restroom maintenance will be performed on an average of five days per week at Hadley Park --a dramatic increase to current conditions now experienced by Miami's residents. Improvements in Safety -related Issues and Physical Appearance In addition to improvements in grounds maintenance activities, safety -related issues in the parks system and the physical appearance of community buildings n Honorable Mayor and Mr of the City Commission Parks Management Initiative September 16, 1985 Page 2 of 2 were also addressed by the management initiative. As a result, funds will be programmed to repair swimming pool perimeter fences, recondition ballfields, provide increased site lighting, remove exposed electric wiring, and furnish sand around playground equipment. In this regard, the effective coordination of the Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Building and Vehicle Maintenance Departments will ensure the greatest benefit to Miami residents. Establishment of Private Sector Involvement in the City's Park System In addition to these internal initiatives, other initiatives such as private sector involvement in the City's "Adopt=a-Park" Program and the negotiation of an interlocal maintenance agreement with the Dade County School Board will create additional capacity to improve the condition of the City's parks. Both of these developments will create an innovative and beneficial partnership between the City and numerous local businesses and institutions. The Formal Integration of Recreation and Grounds Maintenance Functions The organization of the Parks and Recreation Department has been addressed by the initiative through a formal integration of recreation and grounds maintenance functions. More specifically, a system of decentralized management at the district and park level will be implemented with an emphasis upon management responsibility and control at the park level. Essentially, the City's parks system will be divided into four geophysical management districts supervised by a Parks District Supervisor responsible for both grounds maintenance and recreation -related activities. In addition, the management of a manned park facility will be the singular responsibility of the assigned Park Manager. Enhancements to Recreational Programming To maximize the value of the City's resources, recreation personnel will be effectively distributed throughout the parks and recreation system to yield the greatest programming benefit to the park participant. In addition, the findings of the City of Miami Recreation Needs Assessment will be implemented on a neighborhood basis at each park center based upon a central planning strategy. CONCLUSION It is my intention to implement the various facets of the Special Parks Management Initiative immediately. Detailed funding schedules are being developed to effectively allocate the $1.0 million budget reserve that the City Commission established on September 12, 1985. In addition, I expect that the operations of the Special Parks Management Initiative will continue in the implementation and monitoring phases to ensure that our expected return on the taxpayers investment is effectively accomplished. I will submit formal management reports to you to apprise you of the implementation progress of this project.