HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo-City ManagerCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Honorable City Commission
Pedro G Hernandez, P.E.
City Manager
DATE
SUBJECT:
REFERENCES:
ENCLOSURES:
July 22, 2009
FILE:
Expanded Graffiti Eradication Initiative
Summer 2009
Agenda Item D2.2
July 23rd, 2009 City Commission Meeting7.0
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The Expanded Graffiti Eradication Initiative has been enacted. since. July.6th, 2009. Enhanced graffiti
removal efforts have been carried out both Citywide and by each of our thirteen (13) Neighborhood
Enhancement Team (NET) offices. Since its inception, over 280 incidences of graffiti have been
removed from public right of way and private properties.
The volume of work is being driven by a graffiti survey/assessment spearheaded by the NET
Administrator as . complimented by 311 . reports . and _residents' reports directly provided . to the.. NET
offices. The work of removing graffiti has increased from a previous average of 80 per week to about.
140 per week. The number of staff involved in this initiative has increased from two (2) to ten (10) and
being deployed daily according to the need.
As per the Manager's directive, this initiative also includes the removal of graffiti from private properties.
However we are currently working through a number of challenges associated with this effort, as listed
below_
a_. Proactive remedial action cures the violation on any open Code Enforcement
violation.
b_ Until further legislation is enacted to permit the City to timely intercede on private
property for graffiti incidents and collect the associated costs, NET must seek
and obtain the permission of the property owner to remove in order to avoid
liability_ (Commissioner Samoff recently proposed supporting changes to the
City's current graffiti ordinance language that will shorten the time frame the
owner has to comply and protect the city's lien rights amongst other
modifications. I support these modifications and passage of this language and its
intent to expedite compliance.)
c. Matching the color/quality of the paint to that of the existing surface.
Prompt remediation positively affects our community's image and stops the "broken window cycle. Our
enhanced efforts in graffiti removal will eventually tax our resources, including budget, and other areas
of work that will invariably suffer due to the shift in focus. Although not enough time has lapsed to
completely assess the effectiveness of this strategy, we are receiving positive informal feedback. We
will continue to pursue all avenues available to us in ensuring we keep the city clean and free from
graffiti.
09 0 00I 1- e► vino- C rOcona gey
Expanded Graffiti Eradication lniiative
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In the event you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 1 will ensure that
the NET Director is available at the scheduled discussion at tomorrow's Commission meeting or at a
later date if so desired to respond to your questions
C:
Honorable Mayor Manuel A. Diaz
Julie 0_ Bru, City Attorney
Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk
Roger Hemstadt, Assistant City Manager
David Rosemond, Director, NET