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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #01 - Discussion ItemA000* Joseph R. Grassie I1: 7 April 1980 REL 3-1 City Manager Update of Coconut Grove Activity Report tCtc'wti G ((/CVM oo Cr ER i:fl!1 F: F. Kenneth I. Harms Chief of Police Since March 26, 1980, the Department has continued its efforts in the Coconut Grove area. As I stated in my March 25th memorandum, we have committed personnel from all operational units of the department. In an attempt to bring the police and community closer to each other, the Department held a meeting between police, community and civic leaders on March 31, 1980. A broad range of issues was discussed. These included enforcement, prevention and matters relevant to general city services. Another meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8th, that will allow community representatives to provide their input to problem resolution and help establish long- term goals. On Thursday, April 3, 1980, I chaired a meeting between representatives of many City Departments that impact on the Coconut Grove area. Also in attendance were Assistant City Manager Howard Gary and Dick Fosmoen. Many problems which affect the quality of life in Coconut Grove were discussed and evaluated. These included sanitation issues, building and zoning violations, street lights, abandoned vehicles, empty lots, parks and recreation and housing needs. As a result of this meeting, I shall be distributing; to the participants my proposal for a special intra-city task force which will consist of designated Departments and personnel that will be mobilized to meet the problems of any given community in the City, Upon receipt of comments and suggestions, I shall be forwarding to you my recommendations. Since March 17th, police personnel have made two to three hundred public contacts, filed numerous vehicle and field interrogation cards, and made several arrests and warnings. /'R Joseph R. Grassie City Manager 7 April 1980 Page 2 The most noteworthy event was the accidental shooting of Officer Grady Beall by his partner. Both officers were assigned to the special task force in the Grove. Due to many of the inroads we have made in the area, a volatile situation was contained. Commissioner Gibson was on the scene and helped to minimize the threat of any potential disturbance. He accompanied Assistant Chief Breslow to the hospital to see Officer Beall. His visit the next day to the afternoon shift roll call was well timed and appreciated. The Department shall be looking forward to continuing its close relationship with the residents of Coconut Grove. We believe we have begun to impact upon the problem by incorporating into our efforts the commitments of other City agencies and the input of the community itself. KIH:mec Attachments: 1. Eight (8) Patrol Activity Reports covering period from 26 March through 3 April 1980. Z. Meeting of Department Heads regarding Coconut Grove area. 3. Meeting - Coconut Grove Merchants/Residents and Police representatives. 4. Six (6) Crime Prevention Unit Activity Reports covering period from 21 March through 31 ;March 1980. 5. Six (6) Investigator Activity Reports covering period from 16 -March through 5 April 1980. 6. One Coconut Grove Area Activity Robbery Unit Report. CITY OF MIAM1. FLORIDA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO Kenneth I. Harms DATE April 4, 1980 FILE; REL 3-1 Chief of Police (Through Channels) BUf,Ec, Meeting - Coconut Grove Area FROM Major Clarence Dickson p orr"ENCES Commander Community Relations Section ENCLasuREs. On April 3, 1980, at 9:00 A.M. a meeting was scheduled by Chief Harms in his office in order to develop a coordinated effort to establish resources that can alleviate existing problems and concerns emanating from the black Coconut Grove area. In attendance were: Chief Kenneth Harms Asst. Chief H. Breslow Major Clarence Dickson Lt. Robert Alba Mr. Jack Stark Mr. Dick Fosmocn, Asst. City Manager for Maintaining Quality Economic Environment Ms. Dena Spillman Mr. G. Salman Chief H. W. Brice Mr. Erno Rose Mr. Carl Kern Mr. Bar.ry Friedman Mr. Stephan Tellechea Mr. Clarence Patterson Mr. Howard Gary, Asst. City Manager for Increased Citizen Parti- cipation M.P.D. 6565 M.P.D. 6426 M.P.D. 6492 M.P.D. 6620 Public Works - Street Lighting 6865 6040 Citizens Services Dept. 6853 Building and Zoning 6800 M.F.D. 6300 Public Works 6889 Parks Department 6900 Leisure Services Recreation 6916 Leisure Services Recreation 6916 Solid Waste Department 6782 6040 The following is a synopsis with reference to this meeting. Chief Harms gave the introduction and discussed the concerns in the Grove area and advised this discussion was needed in order to address the resources required to deal with the problem. An attempt will 0 Chief Harms( SUBJECT: J-leeti.ncf Coconut Grove Area Page 2 April 4, 1980 be made to resolve the existing problems in the Grove with the assistance of other City services and agencies. Chief Harms also discussed a community meeting which took place on Monday, March 31, 1980. Some of the problems brought up by the community consisted of poor lighting in area, such as Elizabeth Virrick Park and Grand and Douglas. They also discussed problems emanating from loca- tions such as the Tiki Club, and problems of waste collection throughout the Grove.' Miss Spillman stated that they have a board with a mailing list of involved people at the Grove community that might be of some. value to us. The question was proposed to Mr. Kern with reference to lighting in the parks and that it curtailed any type of evening, programs in the park due to poor lighting. Mr. Kerns stated that better lighting could exist throughout the whole block surrounding the park, and that the problem oxisting was also in security of the park in that most parks are fenced in and police do not have access in order to cruise the park. lie m.ide a suggestion that a method of entry might exist such as a key card opener for gate, so as to allow police cruisers to enter the park after closing hours. Iie also made the staterient that the mushroom shelters within the park create a hiding spot for kids. Mr. Kerns also stated that the Community Center is not being utilized for recrea- tional programs, and that this should be developed to create programs for children and elderly. Chief Harm; made a statement to the fact that there is a concern for existing ml-inpower not only in the police department, but within all. City functions and that a coordinated effort might in fact benefit all concern. Mr. Kern asked for 11.P.D. assistance on Crime Prevention ideas for building of new parks and structures. Chief Harms agreed and advised that the same service is being implemented for all new construction, referred Mr. kern to Major Dickson for further input. Chief Harms gave an crimple of African Square Park w:iich was poorly managed and problems developed because of design of the park. Mr. Kern, referring to street lighting in the parks, stated that light being shot out by guns (B.B. and pellet) and suggested that possibly effective shields around the lights would prevent this. • Chaie3 Chief Harms SUBJECTt Meet�i - Coconut Grove Area. Page - April 4, 1980 Mr. Starks from Public Works stated that he would look into the possibility of high intensity lights on 30' poles and also some form of shields to protect the lights. Chief harms stated that a lighting problem also existed in the area of Grand and Douglas. It was further suggested by the representative from Leisure City that many functions are available in parks that cannot be used because of insufficient lighting, for example, baseball field. Mr. Salman from the .Building Department showed concern reference to abandoned lots that are not taken care of. Mrs. Spillman from Community Services stated that they are in the process of purchasing many lots in that area to develop low income housing and that she will notify the proper agency involved so that they will be aware that these lots do not have to be addressed, that in a short period of time construction will begin. Mr. Gary directed himself to the same problem with reference to lots and abandoned vehicles. Mr. Salman from the Building Department stated that it was diffi- cult to develop any type of enforcement on property owners. Mr. Patterson stated that problems do exist reference lots with over-groi.,n vegetation but it is being addressed and at the time, it is Somewhat of an existing problem but they have dealt with 37 lots in the recent future and have picked up 27 abandoned vehicles. 14r. Patterson also staged that there were some difficulties in locating a place to put abandoned vehicles. Chief harms stated that we personally have no facilities to handle abandoned cars and that the Auto Pound is operating at maximum; however, consideration should be given to requiring each towing company to maintain storage of vehicles until they can be legally disposed of. 'r;r. Patterson also showed a concern reference enfocement of building code violations. Chief Il.arn1:; stated that cor-imunity should set standards that are reasonable and that these should be supported by the service agencies of: the City. Mr. Patterson stated that an attempt was made to develop County- wide lot clt-ari.ny and abandoned vehicles pick up, but Dade County incurred a law :;uit acid is of this date are not performing that function until SUCK tiIU as they' process a new ordinance. Mr. Patterson feel:, t':at: we can continue to operate without changing existing ordinance. tie stated that one of the problems that exists is that we must be able to determine that the vehicle 0 Chief harms - SUIIIJECT: MectinCA Coconut- Grove Area • Page 4 April 4, 1980 to be towed in has only salvage values and that an effort must be made to contact the owner. Miss Spillman stated that with reference to development and improve- ment of home and property, that low cost improvement loans at 3% interest are available to create housing and poor building appearance. Mr. Patterson stated that certain problems with reference to trash can be dealt with through violation. lie advised Mr. Salman that certain building codes requirements placed trash receptocles in such a location so as to make it difficult for City facilities to get to the receptacle for removal purposes. Mr. Salman stated that they were addressing this problem and they were allowing construction to hide the receptacle by means of a large hedge. Chief Brice stated that many of our services overlap and require communication and cooperation of all concern, that possibly central- izing some functions might be in order. Mr. Gary asked what is being done to eliminate the Grove trash problem. Mr. Patterson stated that the effort has been doubled. Miss Spillman states that environmental SWAT team is available in her department to identify corununity problems. Mr. Gary asked how can we address building code problems in the Grove. Mr. Salman stated that they are hitting important target areas but an attempt will be glade to place in the Grove. Mr. Stark stated that they :rill addr,_,ss the lighting problem and will work with the Parks and that the Parks should consider contracting for additional services, possibly a combination approach with the City and Florida Pot•:er and Light. One of the problems that was brought up at the meeting was in reference to the City planting trees along business areas in that the pot uti li zed to hold the tree were becoming a source of trash receptacle. Mrs. Spillman stated that possibly better planning should be considered and these considerations should be dealt with. Mr. Patterson discussed the problem with mechanical street sweepers being able to clean the street of trash and debris, and also discussed the possibility of paving many of the dedicated streets in the Grove area. Lt. Alba discussed the problem that existed in the Grove at one time with mechancial street cleaners in that the community was not informed as to the schedule utilized to clean the streets, therefore, • Chief 5Harms SUBJECT: Me�irig - Coconut Grove Inca g April 4, 1980 when the street cleaners came into the area, they found too many parked vehicles along the curb to allow them to properly clean the streets. This problem was resolved then by informing the public as to what days they came into the area to clean up. Chief harms stated that a consideration might be that on certain days they will only clean one side of the street, therefore, allowing parking on the opposite side. Miss Spillman stated that she presently has $80,000 funding for a work program to deal with funding and requested MPD input. Chief Harms referred this to Major Dickson. Chief Harms also suggested that they might consider a store front operation to determine the need in the area. Mr. Stark made a suggestion that if a system could be developed for informing them of lighting that was out, that the problem could be addressed much quicker. It was considered that through the assistance of Miss Spillman and the M.P.D. that this could be accomplished. Chief harms agreed and also suggested that we involve the community in order to get them to identify their lighting problems. At the culmination of this meeting, Mr. Gary suggested that each Department, Plaster, Building, Police submit individual reports with reference to problems and solutions, and that also a complete report with reference to this meeting be developed. Meeting wa- journed at 10:40 A.M. PROBLEMS 1. Lighting, Parks and also Grand and Douglas - to be addressed by Mr. Starks. 2. Utilization of Parks, Poor Lighting - to be addressed by Mr. Kern and Mr.. Starks. 3. Security of Parks, patrolling by M.P.D. and access to parks because of fencing to be addressed by M.P.D. and Mr. Kern. 4. Input by Police on Security Construction - to be addressed by Major Dickson, M.P.D. S. Vacant Lots, clearing overgrown vegetation and abandoned vehicles - to be addressed by Mr. Patterson. I • .Chief Ilarms SUBJECT: Fleeting Coconut Grove Area Page 6 April 4, 1980 6. Overlapping of City function, communication and possibly centralization - to be addressed as a committee project. 7. Task Force approach to addressing hazard such as Tiki Club, etc. - memo by Chief Harms. U) W Joseph R. Grassie City Manager DA _ April 4, 1980 rrt-f. Response to complaints in Coconut Grove area CC�4 4 r,C- Clarance Patterson, Director Department of Solid Waste The following type of complaints have been voiced to this department by Commissioner Gibson and other concerned cit- izens in the Coconut Grove area within the past six months. 1. Overgrown vacant lots 2. Abandoned vehicles 3. Lack of litter containers on Grand Avenue 4. Removal of garbage dumpsters on Grand Avenue 5. Whitewing street sweeping To date all of these complaints have been addressed in part or total. All vacant lots have been cleared of overgrowth. We will continue to monitor these lots and clean them when they again become overgrown. Most of the abandoned vehicles that were decaled by complaint or observation have been removed. At the present time we do not have the ability to remove abandoned vehicles since Dade County discontinued this service to the municipalities. We are in the process of securing bids with towing companies; this will enable the City to continue this vital service to our citizens. Several litter containers have been placed at strategic lo- cations along Grand Avenue as requested; however, there is a need for additional containers on Grand Avenue and as soon as our new shipment is received they will be installed. Complaints were received about the two -yard garbage containers situated on Grand Avenue. These containers have been removed off the street back onto private property; this will improve the appearance of Grand Avenue. There were numberous complaints about trash accumulations in the curb and gutter along Grand Avenue. Due to budget Page 1 r ' Joseph R. Grassie April 4, 1980 limitations, mechanical street sweeping has been reduced substantially. Areas such as Grand Avenue are only swept on a weekly basis throughout the City. There is one white - wing that is assigned regularly to the Grove area who sweeps the curb and gutter by hand on a daily basis; however, through investigation we find that the entire area could not be completed by one employee each day. Therefore we have assigned an additional employee to duty in the area which enables us to complete the entire area on a daily basis. ■ Page 2 CITY OF '•tIt-Nll. FL k.)W i', INTER -OFFICE N#Eh10HAr,10W-A TO Joseph R. Grassie °.'IF. April 8, 1980 FILE city Manager Coconut Grove Inspections cl - lti FROM G. Salman, /Director REFERENCLS Building & Zoning Inspection Department ENCLOSURES Information regarding this Department's action on the above referenced matters is attached for your information. Reinspection of the first group of violations for which letters were sent will be April 9, 1980. Notices will be delivered to the second group of violations on April 8, 1980 and letters will be sent soon thereafter. Follow-ups will be continued to obtain compliance. Those items which are not Building or Zoning violations have been referred to the proper departments for action. GS:g Enclosure cc: Director's file Reading file Zoning Division VIOLATIONS: COCONUT GROVE TOUR 3/25/80 CQ�_PLATIT ACTT_0?� i rgSP09!5.r ACTIOt i RFSPaycc. ACTION RES"O1tS$ Phone call 3/31 3530 Grand Avenue Dumpsters in R/W Letter iLetter 4/4/80 3475 Grand Avenue " `;Phone 3/31 & 4/1 3600 Grand Avenue Air cond. over R/W " Deli phoned 3/31 Letter to new Hall phoned 3/; !owner 31 - new owner 3685 Grand Avenue :Junk Cars Letter ;Certified receipt 3344 Douglas Road Ice Box in R/iJ ! i i Service Counter I .A/C No Cert of Use Sent letter to Pinkney Foods, 3606 Grand Avenue Ice Box " 3375 Grand Avenue Dumpster in R/W Attorney wrote !letter to Rev. Gibson 3452 Thomas Avenue Carport Bldg. Code " 1Wrong address - !Violation ;man came in 3/31 3560 Grand Avenue Dumpster "' ,Certified receipt 3425 Plaza Street No C. U. " ;Phone call: ;wrong address i 3584 Grand Avenue 'Violating C.U. i ! 1 ;Owner appeared:' ;no violation 35$4 Grand Avenue- Lawnmower: Shop No C. U. . z r t I } r i f f r i f F t i ! f 1 f r f r l ir�lE a Violations: Coconut Grove Tour 4/3/80 l,o a • c +�nrt�•r•.C� ACTIQ't RESPONSE ACTION I RESPTeSE r ACTION 3415 Franklin Aoeaoe Basketball net M $ { light pole 3596h Franklin (aeross from) Boat & junk oft corner i 3626 Franklin 'Abandoned car i t (vacant lot to crest) ' `• 3787 Thomas (west of) ! E 1 i E t , Trash pile Olt f it furniture Douglas & Washington Illegal Parkin; r (NW corner of Rear of 37-- Grand { y iMF t 3669 Thomas y 9"}stor in frame r 3641 Thomas Abandoned cat► 3615 Thomas Dumpster - D%M Plaza (south of 69004) Dumpster i Hibiscus & 6rasd Illegal Offstreet y Parking, abandoned CAW* k trash, junk 1 3551 Thomas Dumpster in R/W Williams & PUS* Cars, truck abandoned } trucks, repair 3624 Charles Tow Truck. i 1 3657 Charles Doors, furniture,., i junk, front & rear i 3659 Charles Trash n.e VIOLATIONS: COCONUT GROVE TOUR 4/3/80 Page Two C0XlPLAZ1.r ACTION RESPONSE ACTI01 R'_:SPO.\*SE AC"_'T_O1 RESPONSE (continued) 3420 Douglas Road TV, Wash machine, j r junk in front yard 112 Florida Boat, truck junk ! t Florida & Jefferson A-1 Fargo Van, Abandoned (across from 145) car, unk 1 209 Florida Abandoned house 238, 236, 234 Florida (Florida & South Dixie) Abandoned houses 3750, 3710 Frow Trash, weeds, junk (between ) vacant lot J j Hibiscus, Florida, Grand Illegal parking lot ! } 3400 Florida Dumpster R/W Frow & Margaret Abandoned car -vacant i lot 3410 Frow Junk car 3545 Frow (across from) Addition? ! t 3615 Frow (2 lots west of) Cars, blocks, junk ` ? trash, construction r I materials j i t 3265 Hibiscus Treehouse, junk, trash, I furniture (yard full- behind fence) PtaiaF°yak `NE corner) Trash, junk, ? I i 3545 Frow (east of) Trucks, abandoned car, + , barrels i 11 NI=� VIOLATIONS: COCONUT GROVE TOUR 4/3/80 3215 Oak Avenue McFarland Road (rear) 3452 Margaret Margaret & Grand (southwest corner) Dumpster Oak Feed Store — Dumpster Carport junk Vending Booth