Discover the many initiatives and projects accomplished during my initial term in office. CHAMPLAIN TOWERS • Prioritized needs of Champlain Towers by establishing a special meeting to address outstanding tasks • Established and Chair Champlain Towers Memorial Committee comprised of family members to guide memorial initiatives • Designed and installed banners with names of 98 lost around ground zero site • Established temporary memorial at veterans park until permanent memorial will be built • Coordinated and arranged weekend-long private event for families and first responders for first-year anniversary • Coordinated and arranged international scale memorial event for first-year anniversary • Coordinated and arranged second year anniversary event, establishing a template to be followed annually • Approved $2 million insurance payout for the families • Established Surfside Heroes Appreciation Month for the Month of June to commemorate the efforts of the first responders after CTS • Established June 24 as Surfside Champlain Towers South Remembrance Day • Negotiated with developer after sale of the property to allow for memorial banner to remain on private property (until construction began) • Negotiated with developer to obtain private land to be incorporated into 88th Street memorial park at the request of family members • Planned, coordinated, and executed the second year anniversary event and created a template for manageable continuity • Lobbied and received $500,000 towards expense for the independent investigation conducted by Allyn Kilsheimer • Adopted the renaming of a portion of Collins Ave 87th-88th Street as "98 Points of Light Way" TOWN IMPROVEMENTS • Repainted and beautified Town Seal on Town Hall building • Redesigned Town Hall lobby to be warm and inviting to residents seeking assistance • Beautified Veterans Park • Allowed for homeowners to maintain their lawns on Sunday (previously not allowed) during reduced hours. Does not apply to commercial vendors. • Initiated resort-class beach chair service free for residents • Started design on a new Resident gym and rooftop pickle ball center on 88th Street • Funded and executed the construction of 96th Street Park • Redesigned Hawthorn Tot Log with rubber mats, new equipment, added shade structures, and exercise equipment • Installed turtle friendly solar lights along beach path for added safety and accessibility • Amended town ordinance on beach chairs to apply equal access for condo residents • Created resident only parking spaces in Abbot parking lot • New and enhanced community events and the addition of 47 new parks programs • Funded and initiated work towards undergrounding of the utilities • Created ordinance requiring all future utility providers install their infrastructure utilizing undergrounding methods in Surfside • Initiated downtown improvement and beautification project • ADA beach mats to provide beach access to elderly and disabled • Installed outdoor exercise equipment to promote healthy lifestyle for residents • Approved new decorative street signs (to be incorporated into the undergrounding project) • Working on Smart Parking initiative for municipal lots • Streamlined permitting and approval processes and created online permitting portal • Obtained a new in-house street sweeper to deliver services and increase street cleanliness • Obtained new Freebee on-demand transportation service free for residents • Pursued and received Better City for Pets Certification which will allow us to qualify for grants for pet /animal friendly initiatives • Enhanced Town's annual July 4th Celebration with addition of modern and captivating drone show • Initiated the procurement of a new utility vehicle dedicated to in-house beach raking services for more frequent cleaning • Updated Town Website to conform to ADA compatibility requirements • Allowed homeowners to install eco-friendly artificial turf • Allowed for fences and gates to be installed by right, subject to review by the Town Planner • Increased tennis morning hours starting 1 hour earlier COMMUNITY SAFETY • Cleared hedges and beautified on 95th & Abbott which was creating a hazardous visibility issue • Initiated comprehensive traffic study to facilitate walkability and pedestrian safety initiative • Implemented a Town-wide vulnerability and CAT5 assessment & feasibility study adaptation action plan • Secured approval and funding for pedestrian crosswalks at 90th & Harding, 89th & Harding, and Collins • Added smart-technology security cameras in public areas in town • Addressing ADA issues in high traffic areas throughout town • Fixed vehicular visibility issues in locations throughout the residential neighborhood • Installed barricades at dead end streets • Added traffic mitigation solutions including stop signs speed bumps, and pedestrian crossings throughout town • Coordinated with FDOT for more efficient traffic signalization • Initiated special joint operation w/ Bal /Bay Harbour to address speeding • Created full time Community Service Aide positions to address double parking and enforce beach ordinances • Installed automatic radar detection to act as speed deterrent • Conducted multiple online Q&A workshops for residents for various safety topics • Approved the acquisition of Ford F150 Police utility vehicles to enhance police accessibility in challenging terrain, including flooded areas and beach access • Prioritized officer and resident safety by replacing and upgrading antiquated police radios and dispatch system • Enacted legislation to protect residents and address the homeless crisis • Procurement of beach safety vehicles for police to enhance their access and presence on the beach. • Changed tobacco and vape shops from as of right to require commission approval COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT • Funded Nurse initiative at Ruth K Broad K-8 • Funded extra Security at Ruth K Broad K-8 with additional School Resource Officer • Made donation of supplies for Culinary arts class at Ruth K Broad K-8 • Donated $10,000 to Ruth K Broad K-8 for new Library • Established new standards by creating bi-monthly emails from mayors office with updates on new legislation and projects • Established new standards by creating frequent virtual Q&A webinars for residents on important topics and issues • Began discussions for the establishment of a new high-school for the 33154 area • Initiated the inceptions of a Surfside Youth Council • Created Sister City with Shomron Israel • Created Sister City with Hialeah Florida PRIORITIZING SAFE & RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT • Allowed for understory designs to create more flood resilient homes, creating more light and air, additional permeable area, while maintaining 30-foot height limitation • Clarified 24" projections in the code allowing for ornamental features for homes and buildings, encouraging variety & more beautiful designs • Isolated and fixed zoning ambiguities in zoning code to ensure clear laws and directions for homeowners • Fixed previous commission limitation on docks to 10 feet, reverting back to 30 feet or 10% as previously allowed • Enforce new safety regulations and requirements for development and construction of new projects • Negotiated with developers on the implementation of a Luffing Crane for the construction of 93 Ocean, ensuring that no elements would swing over the Community Center during the building process. • Initiated reduced permit fees to mitigate costs for condos going through recertification and special assessments • Protected older homes by requiring new elevated homes must include retaining walls to manage on-site stormwater runoff • Encouraged future development of smaller homes by allowing for 50% lot coverage on 1-story homes (not applicable and must be cured for 2 story homes) • Opposing and actively resisting the Live Local Act, as well as addressing the unintended consequences associated with it • Allowed more easier process for garage conversions • Optimized non-critical permitting process • Allowed for minor roof repair without permitting • Required outdoor lighting to be shielded to protect from overspill onto neighbors property • Required all new residential development to self retain their on-site stormwater runoff to protect neighboring properties FINANCE • Established a Fund Balance Policy to improve fiscal responsibility • Established updated weekend parking rates for Surfside municipal lots • Lowered the town millage rate for the first time in 3 years • Lowered Town's fiscal 2024 budget compared to fiscal year 2023 • Worked with State Legislature to obtain over $6.2M in grants and appropriations • Enacted policies which balanced the water and solid waste funds previously projected to take 5 years • Established a Capital Improvement Projects department, saving millions in future project management costs. RESILIENCE & INFRASTRUCTURE • Dune resiliency and restoration and removal of invasive species • Increased height requirement of seawalls to protect from flooding • Allowed for non-habitable understories to promote more resilient homes • Rolled out "eyes on the water" smart water metering systems to allow residents to form better water conservation habits • Converted all town property irrigation to "smart irrigation" to monitor watering patterns and rain events for more efficient water usage • Redesigned Collins Avenue water main • Manhole rehabilitation project, which stops rainwater from entering sewer treatment, saving the town over $750 a day • Initiated a stormwater master plan to identify and address weak points and devise solutions • Attempted to onboard utility providers in order to mitigate cost of undergrounding for residents • Purchased backup stormwater pumps to prevent gap in service if pump goes down • Initiated dune restoration project to protect from storm-water surges • Incorporated sustainability and resiliency into Town Planning TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT • Established a Town Social Media channel • Established a new level of transparency and communication with residents by creating and sending frequent email newsletters • Initiated an email from the Mayor's office entitled; A Day in the Life of the mayor, summarizing every phone call and meeting conducted through the week • Established the first ever State of the Town Address to inform residents of town projects and upcoming initiatives UPHOLDING CIVILITY & DIGNITY IN OFFICE • Brought decorum back to our Town meetings through enforcement of our rules and regulations • Restored dignity back to the Surfside Gazette by eliminating the Town Commission section from the publication