Miramar City Beat Newsletter

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City Beat Newsletter

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City Solar Panel Project

Through a grant award from the Department of Energy in the amount of $959,000.00 under the Energy Efficient Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, Miramar has installed solar panels at the Development Building of the Town Center.

On July 6, 2011, the City Commission approved and awarded the Photovoltaic Solar Panel Project to Sunshine Solar Services for nearly $75,000.00. The project calls for installation of a 12 kilowatt solar array on the roof of the Development Building and tie the array into the building’s electrical distribution system thus reducing the Town Center FPL consumption. The work also includes the installation of an educational and informational kiosk in the City Hall lobby. The installation of the kiosk is scheduled to be completed in early January 2012.

With this new solar panel installation, savings of up to $5,500/year are expected over a 20 year period. For more information call Kirk Hobson-Garcia, P.E. at 954-883-5101.

Holiday Lighting

Miramar began the winter holiday season on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. with Mrs. Claus reading holiday stories to all the children. The Town Center Plaza was filled with Strolling Carolers, stilt walking Toy Soldiers, Santa’s elves, and Rudolph and Frosty entertaining everyone. Lines quickly formed at the bounce houses, arts & crafts area, family snow globe, ice skating rink and food trucks.

Holiday Lighting

The City’s Early Childhood Chorus took the stage at 6:00 p.m. to really get the holiday mood going by singing some traditional holiday songs. The entertainment continued as Mayor Lori C. Moseley, the evening’s very special emcee, introduced the City’s resident dance company, “Nest of Living Arts” who performed a mini-dance recital set to holiday favorites on a special stage in front of City Hall.

After the dance, it was back to the main stage for the one man show “Rudolph Unplugged” staring Broadway’s John Tracey Egan, as he brought everyone up to date on the where-a-bouts of all the characters from the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer story.

Before we knew it, it was time to light the Holiday Tree and greet our special guests from the North Pole with snow falling and fireworks. Everyone even had a chance to meet with Santa & Mrs. Claus, take pictures and make their holiday wishes known.

As the music from the ice skating rink faded and the bounce houses came down, people made their way to their cars with sleeping children in their arms and smiles on their faces, and you knew the evening was a success.

Transit Oriented Corridor Public Meetings

The Transit Oriented Corridor (TOC) is a new land use designation that is the result of many years of collaboration with residents, businesses, consultants, city officials and city staff.

Holiday Lighting

The TOC was designed to facilitate pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development with access to bus transit stations along State Road 7, Pembroke Road, Miramar Parkway and County Line Road. The TOC is located east of Southwest 66 Avenue and bound on the north by Pembroke Road, on the east by State Road 7, and on the south by County Line Road. The TOC Land Use designation will allow commercial, office, residential, hotel and park uses. Any proposed development in the TOC, must be designed as an integrated, mixed-use development with shop-fronts at street level, wide pedestrian-friendly and multimodal sidewalks and rear on-site parking. Two meetings are scheduled for the public to comment on the TOC. The meetings will be held: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 and Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Both meetings start at 7:00 PM and will be held at the Multi-Service Complex located at 6700 Miramar Parkway.
For more information: Miramar Planningand you knew the evening was a success.

Pssst! Need A Permit Review Fast?

Did you know that the Building Division has a “Quick Service Permit Review” that provides residents with a quick permit review for residential roofs, fences, slabs, driveways, shutters, etc? The process coordinates a team of permit clerks, zoning examiners and structural plan reviewers. The team reviews all pertinent documents and drawings and is able to issue permits on the spot. It allows customers to receive permits immediately instead of going through the normal process which takes about a week.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SERVICE:
• This service is oriented to homeowner-builder applicants.
• The process takes about 20 minutes per customer.
• Staff helps homeowner-builders understand the complete inspection process after the permit is approved.
• Staff provides technical advice to ensure that work will be in compliance with the current Florida Building Code and City Ordinances.

Quick Service Permit Review is Tuesdays, 7:30 -10:30 AM at the Building Division at 2400 Civic Center Place and Thursdays, 7:30-10:30 AM at the Multi-Service Complex located at 6700 Miramar Parkway.

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A Letter from Commissioner Messam

Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis Photograph

I am humbled and blessed to serve our beautiful city as the newest Commissioner. During my campaign to be Commissioner for Seat 4, I had the opportunity to meet thousands of you and I heard your many wonderful stories of how proud you are to be a Miramar resident and I also listened to your many questions and ideas you have for our city.

Many of you asked, what is next for Miramar? What will be our city’s next chapter and what will be our identity? My answer to that question is simple. Miramar is poised to be the Best Place in America to Live, Work, Visit and Play. I look forward to working with the Mayor, my fellow Commissioners, City Staff and You, our resident, to make this Vision a reality. Together, we can take those next steps to build on the foundation to become a World-Class City. So, what does it mean to be a World-Class City? Well, to be World-Class, Miramar must offer its residents and business community the best there is to offer and do it better than any other city. Can you imagine our city being the home of one of the fastest growing industries in the world providing business to business trade and employment opportunities for our residents? Can you envision our Cultural Arts Center being a must-stop tour destination for the biggest Broadway plays and top-rate local performances? Can you visualize our city as a destination for one of the world’s most anticipated festivals hosted right in Miramar Regional Park? Can you picture our neighborhoods being featured as award winning for its beauty, sustainability and safety? All these ideas, and more, can and will be reality. Together, we can make it happen.

I would like to highlight a recent policy success for our Local and Small Business community. I have been a strong proponent for adopting a local and small business preference plan. I am pleased to announce that the City Commission unanimously adopted a brand new procurement code that allows greater efficiencies for our departments and provides great incentives for Small Disadvantaged Businesses and local preferences for businesses located in Miramar. Your elected officials recognize the value of our local and small business community and our new procurement code makes it easier for you to do business with us.

As your newest Commissioner, I am committed to being forthright, innovative, educated on the issues and fair. I will work tirelessly, along with my colleagues; to ensure the tremendous strides that our city has made continue. In addition, I will challenge myself, the Commission, staff and our community to strive for excellence. In the end, Miramar will benefit. In the end, Miramar remains united. In the end, Miramar will be World-Class! One Miramar,

Commissioner Wayne M. Messam, CGC, LEED AP, BD+C / Seat 4

Planning Month Observed

The City of Miramar hosted several activities to recognize the month of October as Community Planning Month. Each year in October, the American Planning Association (APA), its members, chapters, divisions, and professional institute sponsor National Community Planning Month to raise the visibility of the important role of city planners and planning in communities across the U.S.

A City proclamation was read at the October 5 City Commission meeting at 7:00 PM at the Miramar Commission Chambers located at 2300 Civic Center Place.

The Miramar Planning Department also hosted a table at the Miramar/Pembroke Pines Business Forum and Expo on Thursday, October 13 from 7:30AM-noon at the Miramar Cultural Arts Center.

Planning Month A poster contest was hosted in partnership with KAPOW (Kids and the Power of Work) involving 4th grade students at Silver Lakes Elementary. The contest theme was “Miramar in 10 Years.” Twenty seven Silver Lakes Elementary students created posters of what they hope Miramar will look like when they become adults. The students used pop-up art, collages, markers and colored pencils to design their plans for Miramar. The posters were displayed at the Miramar Planning Department's table at the Miramar/Pembroke Pines Business Forum and Expo on October 13 and visitors had an opportunity to vote to determine the winners. The winnersPlanning Month were 1st Place: Leslie Vargas; 2nd Place: GeànCarlo Izaguirre; and 3rd Place: Freddy Garcia. They received their awards at the October 19th City Commission meeting. All of the entries were displayed in the lobby of City Hall and on the City's website. Currently the posters are on display in the lobby of the Planning and Zoning Division. Articles and pictures of the contest winners with City Officials are on the American Planning Association website and in the November issue of the Pines Miramar Town Times.

Miramar Hosts Business Forum And Expo

Business Forum And ExpoOn October 13th the City hosted its first business forum and expo at the Cultural Arts Center. Together with our event partners - the City of Pembroke Pines and the Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce – the program brought together experts on international trade, small business assistance, workforce resources, government and finance.

The morning started with a panel discussion on the importance of international trade to the region and opportunities for businesses of all sizes to participate. Representatives from the Florida Small Business Development Center, Enterprise Florida, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development shared their knowledge and experiences in international business and were available after the session to answer individual questions.

The panel was followed by breakout sessions featuring eight topics presented in fast paced, 15 minute presentation and Q&A segments. Among the subjects covered during this portion of the program was “Starting and Growing a Small Business”, “Integrating Sustainability into Your Business Brand” and “How to do Business with Broward County and Local Government”. The event concluded with an expo that provided a marketplace of business resources where attendees could have one-on-one consultations. We are pleased that over 120 people participated in this event and feel that the program’s theme - “Decide to Thrive” – was realized.

Miramar Community Garden – Sprouting Activities For Everyone!

A year and a half since its creation in May 2010, the Miramar Community Garden, a 3,150-square-foot micro-urban farm is a living classroom where residents can learn about the sources of fresh produce, receive vocational training in sustainable agriculture, and discover healthy living and the importance of environmental stewardship. “It is inspiring to see how a conceptual vision can come to fruition and be so successful”, says the project’s champion Miramar Mayor Lori C. Moseley. Volunteers who run the program unanimously agree that learning, enjoying and contributing, are the three main reasons why they participate.

The program offers opportunities for everyone: permanent volunteers who participate on an-ongoing basis and partake on the nutritious organic harvest; those wishing to help on special workdays or FOGs (Friends of the Garden); those seeking community volunteer hours; parents wishing to share an outdoor gardening experience with their children; and those who just want to learn and practice at home. Activities in 2012 will include free presentations by gardening experts, FOG Saturday volunteer days, plant sales, general garden volunteer meetings, and more. To learn about what would interest you, please visit the calendar of events at www.ci.miramar.fl.us/green/garden .

QUOTES FROM APPLICANT VOLUNTEERS:
• “I just want to play in the dirt. I've always been interested in gardening but didn’t know where to start. This would a good place to learn by helping my community and myself as well.”
• “I wish to learn more about the environment and care for nature's gifts to us.”
• “My hope is to assist in becoming a sustainable source of healthy food for my children.”
• “I would love to be part of this great movement, to be healthy, work together as a community, and to enjoy the fruits of our labor.”
• “I would like to help people learn how to eat healthier and save money by providing for their families right from their own gardens.”
• “I hope to gain some gardening experience and assist in keeping our city beautiful.”
• “I am extremely interested in nurturing local food supplies, as well as empowering and educating more members of the community about local food systems.”

INTERESTED VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS: Those interested in becoming Miramar Community Garden volunteers or taking advantage of the program’s sponsorship packet can find more information at: www.ci.miramar.fl.us/green/garden

Garden Treasures Video Series

New episodes of Garden Treasures continue to be launched. Ten episodes have been created to date with the latest one titled: “Fostering Children’s Connection with Nature and Playing in the Mud.”

Hosted by Mayor Moseley, Garden Treasures is a video series featuring fresh produce, locally grown at the City’s micro-urban farm… the Miramar Community Garden (MCG)! The programs transport viewers to local restaurants, highlight prominent chefs, and introduce experts who share their knowledge about the importance of sustainable agriculture. Developed in response to the many requests for information about the MCG, Garden Treasures is produced 100% in house by the talented cast of the Marketing Communications Office. In about 5 minutes, each episode covers simple tips and tools on how to enjoy nutritious foods and healthy living!

Current episodes include: Chef Luci from Elle’s Restaurant teaches us how to make: Basil-Infused Oil, Pineapple Foster, and Papaya Relish; Volunteer Liz James explains how to do simple composting in an episode titled “Lunch Bag for Trees”; and three episodes hosted by chefs from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School using garden ingredients.

Miramar Garden Treasure Video Series