Message from the Town Manager
TOWN of
SURFSIDE
GAZETTE
By the time you read this, we will be in 2013. On behalf of the Town Commission and employees of the Town of Surfside best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Following is a report on my 2012 New Year’s Resolutions: 1. Continue to manage this community in an efficient and effective manner with full transparency encouraging citizen involvement. Please draw your own conclusion, however, we finished the year with more than $5 million in reserves in the General Fund and all the Enterprise Funds have robust reserves. Our Pension Plan is also well funded and does not create a burden on our taxpayers. 2. Complete the Water/Sewer/Storm Drainage project quickly and with minimal disruption. The Water/Sewer/Storm Drainage project is nearly complete and should be finished by mid-February 2013. Kudos to Public Works Director Bill Evans and Capital Improvements Project Manager Randy Stokes for their hard work. If you have any concerns call Randy at (954) 494-7497. 3. Expand programming in the Community Center with particular emphasis on cultural events and more activities for teens. There are nearly 90 on-going programs in the Community Center with more to come. With the resources provided by the Surf Club and the Chateau (if approved by the Town Commission on January 24, 2013), we will have $700,000 toward a second story or other Parks and Recreations capital projects. 4. Expand the Five Year Financial and Strategic Plan to ensure that we continue to build reserves in all funds. An updated version of the Five Year Financial and Strategic Plan is being prepared. Bottom line, Vice Mayor Karukin’s desire to have $5 million reserves in the General Fund has been met in less than three years and all other funds are healthy. 5. Implement the Downtown Vision Advisory Committee recommendations after full community and Town Commission discussion while making sure that the character of Surfside remains in its laid-back family state. Lots happening here. We have $650,000 available from the Surf Club and Chateau, projects to improve downtown. The new CVS has been completed. The facades of a number of stores including JGB Bank and soon Amtrust (in conjunction with the new signs) have created a new face to the entrance to downtown. A Business Improvement District study will soon begin and much more. Watch for news on a Starbucks next month. Downtown is on the move! 6. Ensure that the repaving by FDOT of the Collins and Harding corridors minimizes traffic impact. FDOT has completed the repaving on Collins and Harding Avenues. The new crosswalks have been installed and a few details remain. Thanks for your patience and tolerance for the significant traffic impacts. 7. Upgrade the hard pack, walking path, beach and dune maintenance. The maintenance of the hard pack, walking path, beach and dune was greatly increased. Now we have to meet the challenge of beach renourishment due to the significant impact of Hurricane Sandy. 8. Review modernization of our solid waste and recycling programs to
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Don’t miss
Family Fun Day!
JANUARY 2013 1
Sunday Jan. 20, 2013 96th St. Park, 1-4 pm
Surfside residents only - no cost
Surfside Gazette
• JANUARY 2013