South Miami Avenue Homeowners Association

Happening this Week

 

Mercedez-Benz Corporate Run

Congestion in the Brickell area

Thursday, April 29th runners will take to the streets of downtown Miami for the 22nd Mercedez-Benz Corporate run.

Although the route does not involve South Miami Avenue, expect congestion given traffic tie-ups on Brickell.

 

Sidewalk Repairs to Begin

Contractor hired, work to start

In the upcoming week, residents on the side-streets off South Miami Avenue between 17th Road and 25th Road will notice crews start work on repairing broken side-walks. 

Please check the attached work list to check the work scheduled on your block.  Click here!

 

Sidewalk Repairs to Begin             

Project focuses on side-street sidewalks 

Come November 2009 the City of Miami’s Public Works Department will begin to replace damaged sidewalks in the neighborhood, specifically the side-streets between 15th and 25th Road off South Miami Avenue.

Inspectors from the City began indentifying damaged sidewalks and marking them with a white “X” mark last year, and once again August 2009.  In the next few weeks neighbors on the side-streets will be receiving letters from Public Works with specific dates on when the work will commence on their block.

Halloween Crawl and Party a Success

Saturday, Oct 31st sees great turnout

The tradition (and now 8th annual Halloween Party) hosted by the Association was a success as a number of homes in the neighborhood joined in to provide kids with an fun twist to the normal "trick or treat" fun.

The Halloween "crawl" began at the Dagostini's home with arts and crafts, followed by hide and seek at the De la Pena's, Frankenstein at the Ramos' home, cupcakes and drinks at the Olloqui's and mummy games (with a bonfire) at the Gonzalez's.  The block party on 18th Terrace provided a fueling stop for hungry and thirsty kids (and parents).

All this fun was done safely with the Association providing security as the children were escorted by a City of Miami police officer.  So consider joining us next year and start planning on how to make next year even better!

 

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Security Decision

Patrols come to an end

In response to neighborhood security and safety-related meetings earlier in the year, the Association sent letters to homeowners outlining a proposal which calls on neighbors to participate in a special program.  The plan proposes that neighbors continue the off-duty safety and security patrols by City of Miami police officers for a minimum of 20 hours per week by funding the program. It means $100 per month from a minimum of 25 neighbors; the more neighbors that participate, the lower the monthly fee.   

The premise of the request is to be pro-active against crime and to continue the patrols which ended August 2009; the Association had funded the patrol since April 2006.  We need you to consider joining the program since more participants will lower the monthly cost per household, and we all benefit. 

If you have questions or would like to learn more details regarding the security proposal, please contact Colin Veater at colinveater@yahoo.com or 305.322.0319.

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Median Despair

Weeds, County budget woes impact mowing schedule

Ever since cuts in the County’s budget forced a reduced mowing schedule at the start of May 2009 the median on SMA has become overgrown by weeds. Lack of mowing combined with rains over the summer exacerbated the problem.

The 2010 budget for the County does not allocated more funds towards mowing the median (still once per

month) but the Association has begun conversations with the County and City to address the long-term problem which is the poor quality sod initially used by the contractor during the SMA Improvement Program.  Basically the grass has been taken over by weeds and replacement of the median grass is required.

The Association will review all available options to landscape the median and insure its proper maintenance going forward.

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 Police Pay a Visit

More neighborhood patrols by Police

Many of you have returned home to find a postcard on your front door or mailbox from the City of Miami Police Department. The visit to your home, and comments on the card, is part of an effort by the police to be pro-active and improve its visibility in the neighborhood and contact with residents.  If you have question, call the number on the card.

City of Miami Police Reminders

• Be observant!
• Get to know your neighbors and their cars, exchange phone numbers for emergencies.
• Get to know the house keepers, gardeners’, and other domestic workers on your block.
• If you notice an unfamiliar person near your house or car, and you feel uneasy and threatened, do not hesitate and call 911

The City of Miami Police prefers that residents act if they are suspicious rather than waiting for “something” to happen.

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Water Restrictions Remain

Despite rains, restrictions remain in place

Although we are coming out of the rainy season, water restrictions remain in effect for the neighborhood, as well as all of Miami-Dade.

These water restrictions apply to both public and well-water sources.  Penalties apply if you do not follow the schedule which depends on your home address:

Odd-Number Addresses             2 days, Wed and Sat

Even-Number Addresses           2 days, Thu and Sun

If you water by hand, the permitted time is 5 - 7pm; if you have an irrigation system, the allowed time is 4 -8 am. 

For more information, visit www.sfwmd.gov.

Please do your part – conserve and observe!  

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 Side Streets Project

Curbs and road resurfacing

The Association hopes to begin the “Side-Street” Improvement project in 2010.  The project will focus on the nine (9) side-streets off South Miami Avenue (between 15^th and 25^th) and seeks to address damaged curbs as well as road resurfacing.  Uneven sidewalks have already been identified with white arrows for repair/removal and their replacement will begin November 2009.  The Association will provide residents with a better idea of the potential construction schedule once funds are allocated towards this project by Public Works.  The Association had expected funds from the City in 2009 for the Side-Street Project but it was pushed into the new budget year 2010. 

 

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City Budget – What Now?

Details of the City of Miami’s budget impact not clear

On September 30^th commissioners approved Miami’s $512.7MM budget on the third try.  Nonetheless, the City’s finances are very tight since it voted to leave the property tax rate flat at $7.67 for every $1,000 of taxable property. This means that commissioners balanced the budget after agreements with three of its main unions in addition to cutting certain services, like reducing the NET budget.  So, the real question is what services will be cut and when?  Residents still do not have an answer but it is most important that neighbors and residents of the City of Miami become more involved and demand a response from its public officials.  We need to learn exactly where our tax dollars go.

If you have questions, call our commissioner, Marc Sarnoff, and ask him and/or staff at 305.250.5333.

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Candidate Forum

Association sponsors Candidate Forum

On October 8th residents were able to attend BHA’s 18th Candidate Forum held at the Miami Museum of Science.  The Forum provided candidates for Mayor, as well as District 3 and District 4 commission races, the opportunity to present their platforms and respond to questions from the audience.  Mr. Gustavo Godoy served as moderator.

Your Association, one of three organizations hosting the event, continues the traditional of supporting this important format which permits residents to learn more about the candidates and ask questions of their soon to be public officials.

Our commissioner, Marc Sarnoff – District 2, is not up for reelection but please VOTE on November 3rd for your candidate for Mayor.  You count!