Directors/Alternates Present
T. Sinclair (Tory) Jacobs/Brickell 25
Jorge Iglesias/Brickell Mar
Bruce Cotten/2000 Brickell
Robert Ryder, Alfredo Bared/Brickell Harbour
Chris Allen/Brickell Key II
Mac Seligman/Brickell Townhouse
Gloria Konsler, Berdie Archer, Oscar D. Canas/One Tequesta Point
Sheila Zemsky/Brickell Key I
Herbert J. Bailey/Brickell Forest
Yvonne Oppenheim/25 Bay Tower
Carlos M. Perez/Albert Killigan/Villa Regina
Ronald K. Smith, Esq./Deputy General Counsel
Natalie Brown/ BHA Communications Director
Associate Members Present
Danny Ponce/Brickell Key Master Association
Richard Basila/St. Jude Catholic Church
Miami-Dade County Present
Alex Penelas/Mayor
Alejandra Castro Nunez/Mayor’s Staff
Mario G. Garcia/Chief Systems Development Division, Miami-Dade Transit
City of Miami Present
Officer Jeffrey Giordano, Commander Frank Fernandez/Miami Police Department
Tony Wagner/Coral Way NET Administraton
Also Present
Jesus Galvez/Postmaster Miami
Peter Dechelle/US Postal Service
Dr. Fran Bohnsack/Brickell Neighborhood PAC
Marilyn Golhaber/Brickell Townhouse
Natalia Granado, Juan Pablo Esteban/Brickell Key II
Lourdes Castroverde/Point View Assn.
Meeting called to order 6:20 p.m.
Berdie Archer moved and Ron Smith seconded that the reading of the September Minutes be waived and the Minutes accepted as published. The motion was approved unanimously.
NET Report: Officer Jeff Giordano and Commander Frank Fernandez, Miami Police
One robbery on Brickell, at 1550 Brickell, a purse snatching. So far this year an increase in robberies. Residents were advised to keep in mind the holidays are approaching and that’s when crime rates go up. The Miami Police are giving special attention to Brickell this year. 24 hours/day officers for expanded Police presence.
Question was raised about problems on the water near Villa Regina. Boaters come to the marina even though its private, sharing the channel that serves Villa Regina and other buildings. Commander Fernandez and Villa Regina to discuss further.
Airplane Noise Abatement: Captain Patrick McCoy
Environmental assessment is in a holding mode pending trip to Atlanta by MDAD and NATF members to meet with the FAA. FAA says the soonest anything might happen is Summer 2003. This is not acceptable.
Mayor Alex Penelas, The People’s Transportation Plan
Accompanied by Mario Garcia, Chief Systems Development Division, with Miami-Dade Transit Dept.
County question: Should the People’s Transportation plan be approved?
“We all know that transportation is a serious issue…a quality of life issue, a business issue. Our ability to compete as the Gateway of the Americas is dependent on transportation. When global companies sit down to look at where to locate and see it takes 1-1/2 hours to go from the Seaport to the Airport, it’s a problem.”
The last attempt to establish a dedicated tax for transit (in 1999) failed because the county made too many mistakes in bringing the plan forth…they were well intentioned but didn’t have time to explain it. This time it’s supported by 80 community meetings; live talk radio shows; community council summits, www.trafficrelief.com available in 3 languages.
The Mayor explained the highlights of the plan and answered questions about how it will benefit the Brickell and Downtown areas. His comments to be covered in feature story in BHA News, Vol. 12 No. 3 Fall 2003, distribution slated Oct. 30.
Miami Post Master General Jesus Galvez
Gave an overview of his position and responsibility to the public, and highlighted current issues:
- Going to full automation.
Automated Forwarding system coming within a short period of time.
Technology has taken a lot of first class business. 2% of First Class mail lost.
Question about how to get off mailing lists.
A. Mailing lists are provided to mailers. Postal Service is obligated to deliver every piece of mail. Advised residents to contact the P.O. and they will contact the mailers. Some take you off right away; some take a while.
Question: Graffiti on mailboxes…why does it take so long to cover?
A. By Nov. 15th having a survey of all collection boxes, which is thousands. The graffiti part…law enforcement helps. If there’s a box that continues to get grafitti he’ll know by Nov. 15th, and he’ll work to replace those. Due to security issues, the blue boxes have to be in a visible location, which makes them graffiti-prone. And, to fix, they can’t just go and paint them where they stand due to environmental concerns. Must be replaced.
Q. What’s the strategic plan for competing?
A. “We are the only universal service provider. Every rural home, even the Grand Canyon. To provide anyone everywhere, equally. The long range planning is to ensure that we provide consistency and reliability. We’re not laying off employees (due to technology), attrition only. 5,000 employees in Miami (#1 employer in City of Miami) Operationally, what are the right hours? We’re in malls now, in places more convenient. We deliver every day. What our competitors deliver in one year, we do in one day. Universal service.”
“We want to make sure we serve all 750,000 customers evenly and consistently every day.”
Brickell Avenue Repaving Plans
FDOT is planning to repave Brickell. “Checkerboard square” memories from 1995-96 when we got mismatched concrete instead of asphalt…no filler in between so it’s noisy. Most people prefer asphalt. Nov. 20 Director of FDOT planning will be at BHA meeting.
Election on Nov. 5th
Learned from Commissioner Winton that a proposal for City Commissioners to be paid 60% of mayor’s salary will be on the ballot. Winton is for it as he feels it will attract better candidates.
Meeting adjourned 7:50 p.m.
Next meeting: Wednesday, November 20, 6:00 p.m., Brickell Bay Club, 2333 Brickell Ave.
