By Harvey Busch, Chairman

The June meeting of the City advisory Committee  was attended by Mayor Norman Edelcup, Vice-Mayor Lewis Thaler, Commissioners Roslyn Brezin, Gerry Goodman, Bud Scholl and City Manager Rick Conner and many of our Sunny Isles Beach residents.

Bob Welsh, Chairman of the Long Range Planning and Technical Sub-committee received an answer from the Mayor to his question regarding the published 6% City budget reduction, that there will be budget workshops that will determine which services might be curtailed.

Tony LoCastro of the Ethics Sub-committee reported that the e-mail address for ethics complains is ethicssib@sibfl.net and that any complains would be processed by Office of the City Attorney and forwarded to the proper agency. Manny Klein, a member of the Ethics Sub-committee, reported on complaint regarding the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue mishandling of a situation at Oceania Tower I, which was forwarded to the proper authorities for resolution.

Isaac Aelion, Chairman of the Capital Projects Sub-committee, asked the City staff to look into the feasibility of using urinals to conserve water supplies in our City’s “green” endeavors.

Loretta Mufson, Chairwoman of the Youth Advocacy Group, reported that she had met with Police Chief Fred Maas, Captain Snyder and Detective Sgt. Mulvey, regarding the SIB Police Department’s focus regarding sexual offenders living in and around our City. Detective Mulvey reported that these sexual offenders are prohibited from living within a certain distance of a school, daycare facility or playground or any place where children may congregate. She also reported on her meeting with Cultural and Human Services Director Susan Simpson and Assistant Director Sylvia Flores about providing a room at Pelican Community Center for an entertainment/game room for the City’s children.

Steve Trattner, chairman of the Traffic and Safety Sub-committee, reported on his meeting with City Manager Rick Conner, concerning problems at crosswalk at 189 Street and Collins Avenue and would continue exploring the options in resolving this problem.

Clair Lipson, Chairwoman of the Tourism and Development Sub-committee, reported that her group is planning an International Festival, which would include music and art from around the world planned for March/April 2010.

Ann Kaul, Chairwoman of the Senior Citizen Welfare Sub-committee, will be submitting a plan at the July meeting for the proposed special discounted Carnival Cruise Line event for our senior citizens as well as senior citizens discounts around the City on special days.

Ron Starkman, a Sub-committee member, asked City Manager Rick Conner about the status of the painting of the overpass on Collins Avenue and Sunny Isles Boulevard and was advised that it is scheduled to begin in early August 2009. City Manager, Rick Conner, also responded to a second question from Mr. Starkman that the beach will be partially re-nourished this year with a complete re-nourishment scheduled for 2011.

Natasha Reinhard, Chairwoman of the Procurement Sub-committee and Bob Mincow, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning and Beautification Sub-committee reported on their meeting with City Manager Rick Conner where they discussed how their sub-committees can assist the City.

The next City Advisory Committee Meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2009 at 6:30 PM and I welcome all interested residents to attend and participate.