This is no small task, but it is the right thing to do.  Then we can ask the voters of this generation if they wouldn’t prefer a park that faces downtown or a transit hub where any development helps pay for and implement the Baylink to Miami Beach.  Miami Today wrote an article on the subject and my decision. I welcome support for this action.  The Special Commission Meeting regarding Flagstone Development at Watson Island, Tuesday, May 30, 10am at City Hall.

Another subject that is very important to residents involves club noise in Downtown and Brickell. I regularly receive complaints, emails, and calls about violations of our noise ordinance. I have been meeting internally with city staff on potential solutions.  We are implementing new technology to better monitor and regulate the clubs.  In the meantime, I have asked the city manager to take all necessary measures to enforce the existing noise ordinance. Enforcement is a critical piece of balancing the needs of residents and businesses and I will be following up on this issue. 

Finally, As chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, I’m proud to announce a positive step in the issue of homelessness.  Camillus House shelter had lost significant funding which meant the end of the daytime services program.  The program offers showers, meals, mailboxes, and other services to homeless.  The City of Miami and the DDA have stepped up to provide a combined $110,000 to help fill the funding gap and keep that program open. This will be an opportunity for many homeless to leave the streets and begin interacting with Camillus House and the many services they provide.

Thanks for staying informed and active,

Your City Commissioner,

Ken Russell