2008 0320 Regular City Commission Meeting

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Summary Minutes: Regular City Commission Meeting March 20, 2008 City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida Assistant City Manager Haag said that we have already started our budget process which is about two (2) months sooner than last year because we recognize that we have a lot more information and better information that we want to provide to the Commission this year on a more timely basis. Mayor Edelcup asked when he thought they would begin getting the information, and City Manager Szerlag said around June. 12B. A Discussion regarding Sir Winston Cruises as Cultural Events. Action: City Manager Szerlag and Cultural and Human Services Director Susan Simpson reported, noting that the Sir Winston Yacht is located at Belle Vista Bay Park, and we provided a cultural event for Valentine's Day which was very successful, and we subsidized that program. She said that there have been suggestions to continue that subsidy, and dates were thrown out, and we checked with Sir Winston for pricing, and that table is attached, and she noted that it was not budgeted as we did not have the Yacht here last year. She asked direction as to how the Commission would like to continue subsidizing this, if they want to continue, and in what manner, and then we will come back with a budget amendment. Mayor Edelcup said that he would like to continue offering it for the 4th of July and New Year's Eve, and he suggested voting for Option B, which is 50/50. Commissioner Scholl asked if we know that the primary ticket purchasers are residents, and Ms. Simpson said we have a policy when you sign up for a cultural event, each resident has to show ID, and they are allowed to purchase up to four (4) tickets under their name. Mayor Edelcup asked if everyone agreed to go ahead with the other two trips, and Vice Mayor Thaler said that this is the first year, we can see how it works out, and then go back on it early next year to see whether we want the four. Commissioner Brezin said the feedback from the residents has been very positive. It was the consensus of the Commission to continue to subsidize the other two trips. 12C. A Discussion regarding Countdown Pedestrian Signal Heads on Collins Avenue. Action: [City Clerk's Note: Costs and a map were distributed prior to the meeting) City Manager Szerlag and Public Works Director Rick Conner reported, noting that the latest technology is the countdown signal head that shows how much time remains for you to clear the intersection. Public Works Director Conner said they were requested to look at that and that the Police Department and the Engineering Department did an independent analysis that basically came back with the same information. He said the Police Department prioritized their top five (5) choices for placement of the signal heads which, with the new technology, is running about $1,500 a head, and with four corners it is about $7,000. Public Works Director Conner said that at the same time FDOT started a program where they are going to make some major improvements along Collins Avenue to pedestrian facilities, including ramps, indicators, textured improvements, etc., and as part of that process, they are going to take seven (7) locations and either repair and upgrade to the new technology, or install from scratch the countdown heads. He said they are going to start way south on Collins Avenue and hit three major sections, and we are one of them. He said as indicated on 22