City Commission Meeting Commission - City of Miami Beach

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Afteraction September 8, 2005 City of Miami BeachThe Parking Department was +directing traffic after the storm. He also mentioned Code Compliance,Fleet, and Capital Improvement. He stated that when this organization is challenged with a majorevent weekend or an event such as a hurricane, this organization works effectively as a team. Thiscan be seen in the level of service provided, the confidence they have in one another, and in thewillingness to cooperate and take on responsibilities to make sure that the City is cared for.Mayor Dermer stated that everyone should be very proud and that the entire staff did an excellent job,everybody from Police, Fire, Public Works, Sanitation, and Property Management. He emphasized theimportance of evacuating when a mandatory evacuation is issued. He appreciates the patience of allthe residents that live here during this time.Commissioner Cruz stated that if there are any lessons to be learned from New Orleans is that one hasto be prepared. The City has a Hurricane Preparedness Plan, but at some point the plan should bepresented to the Commission. He stated that it will be good to know how the City of Miami Beach isprepared for a similar type of catastrophe and what can be done in terms of communication. Herequested an update on the City’s plan. Robert Middaugh to handle.Vice-Mayor Bower stated that it is very hard to change the mindset of people that have always stayedduring a hurricane and that refuse to evacuate. She stated that the power outages occurred eventhough it was a mild storm (Category I), and it was mainly due to trees that had not been trimmed. Shestated that for next year there should be a plan in place to address this problem and to give incentivesto homeowners to trim the trees before the hurricane season. She also suggested that when CodeCompliance is visiting neighborhoods, they should look at the trees, and the City could write a letter tothe owners advising them of the need to trim the trees. She suggested working together with FloridaPower & Light proactively in regards to tree trimming and would like to be involved in that project. FredBeckmann to handle.Commissioner Gross stated that trimming the trees is a good project but, unfortunately, many of thepower outages are not due to trees and FPL has not been responsive in the past. There are poweroutages now in the Venetian Islands and two of the islands that are not under grounded. He addedthat FPL has not been forthcoming; the City requested their five year capital plan to upgrade theirequipments, and they have not responded. FPL feels that they answer to the state and localmunicipalities should not interfere. The City has an obligation to the residents to keep pushing FPL foranswers.Commissioner Smith agreed with Commissioner Gross regarding FPL and tree trimmings; he alsostated that he saw a number of broken poles that had nothing to do with trees and transformers thatwere blown out. He stated that in the 60’s the City experienced two or three hurricanes and did notexperience the type of power outages experienced now. He stated that it has been at least fifty yearssince a lot of these poles and lines were put in.Commissioner Garcia apologized for being late. He complimented Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, andhis staff for setting up the EOC, and stated that the center ran smoothly and there was great team workas compared to others in the past.Commissioner Steinberg asked on the status of under grounding of the Venetian Islands.Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, stated that the problem with the under grounding of the power lines inthe islands has to do with FPL corporate policy, which requires the transformer boxes be placed onprivate property with an easement being provided to FPL. The citizens and the City have been activein trying to convince FPL that they can achieve the same goals by the City providing an easement andplacing those boxes in the swale area instead of on private property. FPL has agreed to under groundthe cables in the right-of-way, but the issue today is the transformer boxes. The City has been activate38Prepared by the City Clerk’s OfficeM:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2005\Afteractions\090805\aa090805.doc
Afteraction September 8, 2005 City of Miami Beachand very adamant in telling FPL to place those boxes on the rights-of-way, that there is enough roomand they will not have to be relocated again and if they have to be relocated it will be at City’s cost.The pressure on FPL is mounting, on a statewide basis, for under grounding.Commissioner Steinberg asked what the City Commission can do as a governing body.Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, stated that a resolution to FPL endorsing and guaranteeing that thecapital infrastructure plan in the Venetian Islands will not require future removal for the next 20 years,and if so, the City has agreed to bear the cost. Fred Beckmann to handle.Commissioner Steinberg requested that this resolution be placed on the next City Commissionmeeting.Commissioner Cruz stated that at the Venetian Islands Homeowners Association meeting, theresidents feel neglected and are very angry at the Administration and at the City Commission, becausethey feel no one is listening in terms of under grounding, police patrolling, and even from the MarineAuthority. He suggested that the Administration contact the head of the Homeowners Association andbring them up to date.Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, stated that he is disappointed that they feel neglected since theAdministration has done everything they can do even calling and yelling at FPL. There is only so muchthat the City can do, and the City has done a lot of work on that front. Although unsuccessful, it has notbeen due to lack of effort or neglect. He will call Matt Leibowitz to clarify the situation.Commissioner Steinberg stated that under grounding makes a lot sense because the areas that haveunder grounding did not loose power.Commissioner Gross commended Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, and the Administration on goingthrough the neighborhoods and picking up the debris. Also the residents cooperated by not puttingother items among the debris.Vice-Mayor Bower will work with the City Administration to come up with a plan for the tree trimmingefforts for next year and will report back to the City Commission. Hilda Fernandez to handle.Commissioner Gross stated that he remembers an ordinance being proposed that Code Complianceget involved in regulating the size of the trees, hedges, etc. He also suggested that FPL educate thepeople as to which lines supply the power, and; therefore needs to be free of tree branches.Commissioner Garcia suggested that electric poles should be regulated the same way other codeviolations are regulated, and perhaps an inventory can be taken of all poles that look damaged andreport them to FPL. Vivian Guzman to research.Commissioner Smith stated that if there is a violation of state law, the City should report it to the PublicService Commission so that they can take action.39Prepared by the City Clerk’s OfficeM:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2005\Afteractions\090805\aa090805.doc
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City Commission Meeting Commission - City of Miami Beach

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