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Category: 2024 Press Releases
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May 6, 2024
- The city ranks among the very best of 38,000 public fleets in North America -
Miami Beach, FL – The National Association of Fleet Administrators has named the City of Miami Beach to its NAFA 100 Best Fleets in the Americas for the third year in a row. The honor was announced at the organization’s 2024 Institute & Expo in San Antonio on April 23.
“Our Facilities and Fleet Management Department is responsible for nearly 1,400 vehicles and other equipment,” explained Miami Beach Interim City Manager Rickelle Williams. “I am proud of the dedicated team of professionals who worked hard every day to earn this well-deserved honor.”
Miami Beach is on target to achieve an ambitious goal of converting half of the entire municipal fleet to a combination of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles by 2025. The Miami Beach City Commission previously adopted a resolution declaring climate change to be caused by “human activity” and pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The NAFA 100 Best Fleets program recognizes peak-performing fleet operations among the 38,000 public fleets in North America based on “12 criteria of excellence,” including accountability, collaboration and doing it right the first time. NAFA members control more than 4.8 million vehicles that are driven an estimated 84 billion miles each year and they manage more than $122 billion in assets.
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May 4, 2024
- The city will host the first Top Gun Beach Olympics on Saturday, May 11 -
Miami Beach, FL – Thousands of military personnel from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will drop anchor in Miami Beach when Norwegian Cruise Line Fleet Week Miami comes ashore on May 5-12 with free tours of naval ships at nearby PortMiami and the first Top Gun Beach Olympics in South Beach.
“Miami Beach has a long tradition of honoring the brave men and women who proudly serve the United States anywhere they are needed around the world at a moment’s notice,” explained Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez. “I know our Miami Beach residents will join me in welcoming these servicemen and servicewomen to our historic coastal city, which served as one of the largest military training centers during World War II.”
Naval ship tours will be offered daily during Fleet Week at PortMiami via complimentary tickets that will only be valid at specified times. Tickets can be requested online at www.fleetweekmiami.org or via the Fleet Week Miami Facebook page approximately 24-48 hours in advance. This marks the first time the Navy is holding the premiere community outreach event in Miami-Dade County previously being held at Port Everglades in Broward County.
“The Fleet Week Miami Beach Top Gun Beach Olympics is going to be one of the most high-profile and engaging events of the entire week,” predicted Alex Kruger-Dobrota, who is the founder of Badger: Operation Gamify and Marine Veteran Sr. Vice Commander of Miami Beach VFW Post 3559. “It will be an athletic competition among the military services, local law enforcement agencies and veteran organizations. We’re using an athletic competition as a way to engage the community and build camaraderie in a fun and meaningful way.”
The Top Gun Beach Olympics in South Beach will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Muscle Beach between 8-9 Streets in Lummus Park just off Ocean Drive. The event is free to the public—with the award ceremony taking place at 11 a.m.
The massive Nimitz-class USS Harry S. Truman nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is expected to be anchored off Miami Beach during the week-long festivities. Service members will participate in community relations projects, visits to South Florida schools and community centers, military ceremonies and social engagements while soaking up the South Florida vibe.
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April 30, 2024
- A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. -
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of renovations on a 74-year-old lodge at Flamingo Park on Thursday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. The 1,730-square-foot structure in South Beach will be used for community and recreational programs as well as a possible concession space once the work is complete.
“This building originally served as a residence for the park’s groundskeeper, but in recent years it had fallen into disrepair and sat vacant,” explained Miami Beach Interim City Manager Rickelle Williams. “We plan to restore the structure for an adaptive reuse.”
The City of Miami Beach purchased the land for Flamingo Park in 1929 with the intent of creating a public park. Flamingo Park now spans more than 36 acres in the middle of South Beach at 11 Street and Jefferson Avenue. The lodge is located in the center of the park.
Funded by the city’s 2018 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond, the $1 million lodge renovation will include demolition work, a new interior layout in addition to new interior and exterior finishes, stucco repairs, and new mechanical and electrical enhancements. The renovations will also include new exterior doors, windows and roofing, exterior concrete walkways, pedestrian LED lighting, landscaping and irrigation. The project also incorporates accessibility improvements consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A related project is underway to relocate two Florida Power & Light electrical panels for a future service point within Flamingo Park. Crews are working to reroute an underground electrical conduit to better serve the park and surrounding area. None of the work is expected to interfere with regular park programming.
The city will continue to update park amenities and other improvements within its master plan as part of $15 million made available through the G.O. Bond. Future improvements will include updated baseball and softball fields, the addition of a butterfly garden and a central art piece.
The lodge project is anticipated to be completed just after the new year in 2025. The schedule is subject to change in the case of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
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April 15, 2024
- The $3.15 million project will create a new intimate performing arts space -
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach will host a groundbreaking ceremony in Collins Park on Tuesday, April 16 at 6 p.m. to mark the start of construction on a $3.15 million performing arts space at the Collins Park Rotunda steps away from The Bass Museum of Art (2100 Collins Ave).
“Once completed, the reimagined Collins Park Rotunda will host various types of creative expression for the enjoyment of residents and visitors of all ages,” shared Interim City Manager Rickelle Williams. “The new space will be better suited for more intimate cultural gatherings and performances than many of our larger venues.”
Wrapped in an intricate sand-cast concrete relief depicting the story of man, the existing 1,960-square-foot rotunda will receive extensive renovations, including an 895-square-foot addition that will house an entrance lobby and restrooms, new exterior glazing and doors, new interior finishes as well as new roofing, upgrades to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems along with improvements related to ADA compliance. Outside, the renovations will feature new exterior pedestrian LED lighting, exterior-accessible concrete walkways, additional landscaping and irrigation improvements.
The project is funded by the city’s Arts and Culture General Obligation Bond along with a substantial grant from the Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture. A few parking spaces near the Collins Park work zone may be restricted at times, but no traffic impacts are expected as a result of the estimated year-long construction.
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April 10, 2024
Miami Beach, FL – A major replacement and upgrade of a more than 60-year-old water main in the city’s Mid Beach neighborhood is scheduled to get underway later this month with temporary traffic patterns in effect through at least Sept. 16 along the 41 Street corridor. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project will take place on Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. at Henry Liebman Square, located at 3180 W 41 Street, Miami Beach, FL 33140.
"It is crucial that we prioritize the often-unseen infrastructure that forms the backbone of our city,” explained Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “Upgrading aging infrastructure is an essential component of public safety that is critical to our daily lives, and the new water main is expected to have a lifespan of 70-100 years.”
Once installation is completed later this year, the new 20-inch pipe will be able to meet the city’s water needs for the foreseeable future. The installation, which will span from Pine Tree Drive to Collins Avenue, will replace a 16-inch pipe that was installed in 1963.
The Florida Department of Transportation requested that the city remove the existing aerial water main over the Indian Creek Waterway as part of a state-funded repair project to State Road 112/West 41 Street. The $3.3 million water main improvement will be paid for by the city.
The city will employ a horizontal directional drill for the work, which is a trenchless method used to install underground pipes that causes only minimal disruption along the surface.
The following temporary traffic changes will be in effect from April 22 - May 22.
- 41 Street westbound between Pine Tree Drive and Indian Creek Drive will be reduced to one lane.
- 41 Street westbound between Indian Creek Drive and Collins Avenue will be closed to westbound traffic. A detour will be in effect.
- 41 Street from Collins Avenue to east street-end (Beachwalk) will be open only to local traffic.
- Indian Creek Drive southbound from 41 to 44 streets will be reduced to two lanes — one right turn only lane and one straight/left turn lane.
The following temporary traffic changes will be in effect from May 22 - 24:
- 41 Street westbound between Pine Tree Drive and Indian Creek Drive will be reduced to one lane.
- 41 Street from Indian Creek Drive to the east street-end (Beachwalk) will be closed to all traffic.
- Collins Avenue at the 41 Street intersection will be closed to all traffic.
- Indian Creek Drive from 40-41 streets will be reduced to one lane northbound and one lane southbound.
- Indian Creek Drive southbound from 41 to 44 streets will be reduced to two lanes — one right turn only lane and one lane for motorists going straight.
The following temporary traffic change will be in effect from May 28 - Sept. 16:
- 41 Street westbound will be reduced to one lane between Pine Tree Drive and Indian Creek Drive.
- 41 Street westbound will be closed to westbound traffic between Indian Creek Drive and Collins Avenue.
- 41 Street from Collins Avenue east to the street-end (Beachwalk) will be open to local traffic only.
- Indian Creek Drive southbound from 41 to 44 streets will be reduced to a single lane where motorists can either go straight or turn.
Work schedules are subject to change.
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April 10, 2024
- The city aims to discourage placard fraud -
Miami Beach, FL – Complimentary disabled parking registration began this month on Miami Beach. The registration program is offered to residents and visitors who already possess a disabled parking placard or disabled license plate and wish to continue receiving special parking privileges next month when a planned enforcement change takes effect.
“We want to discourage people from knowingly breaking the law by using fraudulently obtained placards in Miami Beach,” explained Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who sponsored the legislation. “Fraud creates an additional hardship for everyone who is already touched by disability. Our new registration requirement will help ensure the integrity of disabled parking placards by allowing our enforcement officers to aggressively pursue and punish those who selfishly exploit for personal gain parking resources that should be respected and reserved for individuals with disabilities.”
The voluntary Miami Beach registration program applies exclusively to municipal parking spaces. Registrants must appear in person at the Miami Beach Customer Service Center, 1755 Meridian Avenue (first floor). An application and consent form must be completed, signed and notarized. The consent form authorizes the city to verify information provided by the registrant with respect to the medical practitioner who approved the issuance of a disabled permit.
People who have a disabled veteran license plate, Florida toll exemption permit or a vehicle equipped with specialized equipment, such as ramps, lifts and foot or hand controls need not participate in the program to retain their free parking benefits for municipal garages, lots, facilities or on-street parking.
Disabled placard or disabled license plate holders who choose not to participate in the voluntary registration program will have to pay standard parking rates in municipal garages, lots and facilities. They will receive four hours of free on-street parking unless they exceed the maximum time in those on-street parking areas in which a maximum allowable parking time has been established and posted.
To apply for the voluntary registration program, applicants must bring the following documentation to the Miami Beach Customer Service Center:
- Disabled placard and registration.
- Vehicle registration.
- Driver’s license or state identification.
- Medical practitioner information, including the practitioner’s license number.
A notary public will be available at the Miami Beach Customer Service Center, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a daily closure between 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
For additional information, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/disabled-parking-program.
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April 9, 2024
- Ricardo J. Dopico will oversee all of the city’s legal affairs -
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday, April 3 to appoint Harvard Law graduate Ricardo J. Dopico to succeed City Attorney Rafael A. Paz, who plans to return to private practice next month. Dopico will serve as acting city attorney until Paz’s departure on May 3.
“I’m honored that the commission has selected me to serve as the next city attorney,” Dopico said. “Rafael has been an incredible mentor and I look forward to advising the city on its most pressing legal issues going forward. I vow to do everything I can to ensure our exceptional team of attorneys and legal staff continues to provide the same excellent legal service the city has grown accustomed to.”
The City Attorney is responsible for all legal affairs of the city and provides legal counsel to the mayor, city commission, all of the city’s administrative departments and some 40 boards, agencies and advisory committees.
“Our City Attorney’s Office consistently exceeds expectations,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “I want to express my gratitude to Rafael Paz, who leaves behind a strong legacy. I look forward to working closely with Ric Dopico and his team on important legislation.”
Dopico joined the City Attorney’s Office in December 2021 and has handled transactional, real property and general business matters for various city departments, including Economic Development, Procurement, Tourism and Culture as well as the Office of Capital Improvements and the Finance Department.
Prior to joining the city, Dopico was vice president and general counsel for multimedia entertainment company Estefan Enterprises Inc., which is owned by famed Miami Beach residents Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Prior to that, Dopico was vice president of Latin Music at the Recording Industry Association of America, the trade group that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of major music companies in the United States.
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April 4, 2024
- Motorists have the option of paying with the two most popular parking apps in South Florida -
Miami Beach, FL – Residents and visitors now have a choice of using either PayByPhone or ParkMobile to pay for parking when their plans take them to and within global travel destination Miami Beach.
“The addition of PayByPhone as an accepted form of payment is making parking in Miami Beach a no-hassle experience at our 66 surface lots and dozens of on-street parking meters,” explained Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who urged parking officials to expand available payment options. “In the near future, motorists will also be able to use PayByPhone in the 12 city-operated garages as customers are already able to do so via the ParkMobile app.”
PayByPhone and ParkMobile are the two most widely used mobile parking apps in South Florida. In addition to Miami Beach, PayByPhone is accepted at all Miami-Dade County parks as well as nearby municipalities like Miami, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale and the Town of Surfside.
Both parking apps will share the same location numbers in Miami Beach to ensure a seamless extension of the city’s payment options for motorists accustomed to using ParkMobile throughout the city. The PayByPhone app and service soft launched in Miami Beach on April 1 as it undergoes testing and the installation of new signage to reflect the addition of PayByPhone.
Available on both iOS and Android platforms, PayByPhone allows motorists to park without registering for a free account though registered users are able to access a greater number of features. App features include text message reminders prior to parking expiration, the ability to extend parking sessions remotely within the specified time limit and emailed receipts after each app transaction.
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April 4, 2024
- Rickelle Williams will temporarily assume the city’s top job as officials begin a national search -
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach City Commission voted on Wednesday, April 3 to appoint Assistant City Manager Rickelle Williams to become interim city manager as officials prepare to launch a national search to find a permanent replacement for Alina T. Hudak, who resigned on March 28. Hudak became the first woman to serve in the city’s top administrative job when she was appointed three years ago after serving as an assistant city manager and holding senior leadership positions in Miami-Dade County government for more than three decades.
“I want to thank the Miami Beach City Commission for the recognition and the trust they placed in me, and I particularly want to thank City Manager Hudak for being a great leader and role model,” shared Williams, who was promoted to the role of Assistant City Manager in 2022 after joining the administration two years earlier as director of economic development.
In her role as assistant city manager, Williams’ portfolio of departments included Economic Development, Housing and Community Services, Parking, Planning, Transportation and Mobility, and Tourism and Culture. She has also been responsible for oversight of the City’s two community redevelopment agencies, Miami Beach Convention Center operations, and providing leadership to the City’s partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Prior to joining the city, she also served as executive director at the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and as the economic development manager with the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust, a county agency devoted to developing and implementing initiatives that promote individual and business success. In addition, Williams has worked as a project development analyst at the Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County and as a capital improvement projects coordinator with the City of Miami Gardens.
“For me, it’s very important that the city have clear leadership on major decisions and initiatives that will be coming up,” noted Hudak, who will stay on in an advisory capacity through the conclusion of her service. “I have complete confidence in Rickelle’s leadership abilities, judgement and her capacity to make informed decisions.”
Since coming to Miami Beach, Williams played key roles in various projects aimed at strengthening the local economy and diversifying the city’s business footprint. She helped bring the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to life and administered multiple grant programs to assist local businesses in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also negotiated multiple public-private partnerships to promote workforce housing, Class A office and cultural facility development.
Last year, Williams was honored with the biennial 40 Under 40 in Economic Development Award, which recognizes rising stars under 40 in the economic development field. Williams holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and graduate certificate in Community Development from Florida International University (FIU) and a Master of Arts (MA) in Mass Communication from the University of Florida. She is active with the Miami-Dade City and County Management Association, is a proud Miami-Dade County resident and enjoys volunteering and spending time with her husband and two children.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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April 3, 2024
- The Vista Breeze development will feature 119 affordable rental units -
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach Office of Housing and Community Services in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach and Atlantic Pacific Companies will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. at 280 South Shore Drive to mark the start of construction on the island’s largest affordable housing community for seniors in 45 years.
Located in the Normandy Isles neighborhood of the city’s North Beach area, the development includes two, four-story buildings at 280 South Shore Drive and 185 South Shore Drive, a short walk away from the Normandy Shores Golf Course. The project will be constructed on vacant land with courtyard style housing. One building will be called Vista and the other Breeze.
The new studio units will be available to people 62 years of age or older who meet financial eligibility requirements based on 80% of the area median income. The 2023 area median income for Miami-Dade County is $74,700. Monthly rents will range per year as determined by tenant income.
“It is nearly impossible to build affordable housing in a luxury real estate market like Miami Beach, but we are committed to creating housing for everyone,” shared Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez who also chairs the City’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. “Most seniors are on fixed incomes and cannot afford to pay market rents. This project offers an opportunity for seniors to focus on living their lives and aging gracefully in a home they can be proud of.”
In 2023, Miami Beach broke ground on the first-of-its kind Collins Park Artist Workforce Housing Project in the Collins Park Cultural District at 23 Street and Collins Avenue — steps away from the Miami City Ballet School and performance studio. The eight-story facility will include six dormitories on the second floor that can house as many as 30 ballet dancers and 80 apartments on higher floors that will be prioritized for Miami Beach artists, educators and employees who meet the building’s financial eligibility requirements at 120% area median income.
“The city has allocated more than $1 million of our federal entitlement funds to alleviate a critical affordable housing shortage for seniors through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program,” explained Miami Beach City Manager Alina Hudak.
News organizations wishing to cover the groundbreaking should RSVP via email to events@apcompanies.com.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
