December 8, 2006

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz Hosts Green Building Forum   

City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz joined by Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo Padron, hosted the Mayor’s Green Building Forum to discuss the vision of implementing energy-efficient, Green Building standards into the city building code.  The event took place Friday, December 8th, 2006 at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus.

This event was organized in partnership with the Earth Ethics Institute at Miami Dade College, and the South Florida Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.  The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a federally recognized organization of experts in energy efficient and environmental development techniques which maintains and accredits buildings with the Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) standard, a certification for green development measures.

 

September 26, 2006

MAYORS FROM THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS PARTICIPATE IN FIRST EVER HEMISPHERIC FORUM   

The first ever Mayors Hemispheric Forum, hosted by City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, has drawn to a successful close.  Eighteen Mayors from key international cities attended the two day forum, held on September 27 and 28 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami. The forum brought together an accomplished group of officials to share best practices, regional insight and the opportunity to engage in pressing issues of mutual interest. Caribbean and Latin American  participants included the Mayors of Santiago, Lima, Asuncion, Chacao (Caracas), Guayaquil, Kingston, Port au Prince, San Juan, Quito, San Jose (Costa Rica) and Santo Domingo.  The Mayors of Chicago, Tampa, Wichita, Columbus and Memphis also represented the United States. Structured by five learning sessions pertaining to issues of crucial important to urban cities, the participants discussed the public safety of urban residents, the latest developments in urban design, energy diversity and environmental initiatives, and both the opportunities and challenges faced by cities in new global economies. The Mayors Hemispheric Forum was developed by Mayor Diaz as an opportunity for regional leaders to build stronger ties and exchange the first hand experience that only Mayors can provide.  Additional special guests were Mr. Daniel Scioli, Vice-President of the Republic of Argentina, Mr. Jaime Lerner, architect, urban planner and former Governor of Parana, Brazil, Mr. Hugo Acero Velazquez, former Deputy of Security for the City of Bogota, columnist and author Andres Oppenheimer and author Charles Landry.  Representatives of multilateral financial institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) leant their expertise in funding economic, social and institutional development projects in Latin America and abroad, setting the course for sustainable urban growth through trade and regional integration programs. A list of renowned think tanks facilitated the various forum discussions, including the US Conference of Mayors, the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, CEOs for Cities and the Police Executive Research Forum.

September 6, 2006

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Brickell Streetscape and Lighting Project   

The project location is Brickell Avenue between SE 15 RD and SE 25 Road. The project will involve a number of improvements including decorative overhead street lighting, crosswalks, ADA ramps, two decorative fountains and limited landscaping along Brickell Avenue between SE 15 Road and SE 25 Road. Construction work will take place between the off-peak hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. The estimated construction cost for both the street lighting and streetscape projects is $2,299,836 with funding provided by Parking Surcharge Funds, Homeland Defense Neighborhood Improvements Bond, Transit Half Cent Surtax, FDOT Funds and General Funds.The lighting portion of the work is estimated to be completed by end of October 2006 and the streetscape.

June 29, 2006

Mayor Manny Diaz Announces “Green” Partnerships   

At a press conference held at Miami’s first “Green Building”, City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz joined University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala and EcoZone Founder Paul Polizotto to announce further implementation steps in his environmental policy agenda – a plan to make Miami one of the cleanest, greenest and environmentally conscious cities in the world. 

June 6, 2006

MAYOR MANNY DIAZ ELECTED TO LEAD   

Mayor Manny Diaz of Miami has been elected to lead the U.S. Conference of Mayors - the official nonpartisan organization of the nation's 1183 cities with populations over 30,000 – during the 74th annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, held in Las Vegas.

“I am humbled and honored by this vote of confidence that the nation’s mayors have given me,” said Diaz.  “I will continue to be a strong voice, representing the needs of our cities, promoting the role of mayors as leaders in responsive government, closest to the people’s needs.”

May 19, 2006

HURRICANE PRESS CONFERENCE   

Governor Jeb Bush joined Mayor Manny Diaz on Friday, May 19th for a press conference at Miami City Hall, urging residents to begin their preparations for hurricane season.  The Mayor announced new preparation and response measures being implemented this year, including a new public awareness campaign, "For 72, Help Us Help You", that stresses individual sustainability for the three days following a hurricane.  Governor Bush highlighted the upcoming hurricane sales tax holiday week as an incentive for residents to being their preparations.  The Atlantic storm season officially begins on June 1st.

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April 19, 2006

State of the City 2006   

Mayor Manny Diaz delivered his fifth State of the City Address on April 19th, 2006 at the Coconut Grove Exposition Center.  Entitled "The New Face of America", the Mayor's speech highlighted many of his administration's most recent accomplishments and set forth an ambitious agenda for continued success. 

The Mayor shared with the audience how Miami has been newly recognized as a national leader in the development of innovative urban policies, further demonstrating government's commitment to finding solutions to the challenges that face cities.  Among the topics that he discussed in specific include tax relief, poverty, disaster response, law enforcement, education, affordable housing and environmental protection.

State of the City Address

Discurso Sobre El Estado de La Ciudad

State of the City Summary

March 13, 2006

MAYOR DIAZ CELEBRATES AFFORDABLE HOUSING MILESTONE   

City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz gathered with City Commissioners, City Administrators and members of the City’s Housing and Commercial Loan Committee, to discuss the state of affordable housing in the city and highlight notable accomplishments made since 2002. The Mayor shared the City’s latest milestone -- an accumulated investment of over $500 million towards affordable housing since 2002, including both the City’s funding allocation and leverage from private developers. He also discussed a number of important legislative items being considered in Tallahassee: including the lifting of the Sudowski Fund Cap in HB 1363; providing an income approach for affordable housing tax assessments by amending 193; increasing homestead exemptions for seniors; and additional tax relief for affordable projects.

March 7, 2006

Mayor Manny Diaz and City Commissioners Hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony and Announce Citywide Flood Mitigation Projects   

City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz along with Miami City Commissioners held a groundbreaking ceremony  for the Fairlawn Storm Sewer Improvement Project – Phase IIA and also made important announcements about future citywide flood mitigation projects that will impact several Miami neighborhoods by alleviating area flooding.The Flood Mitigation Projects are identified in the City’s Drainage Master Plan and includes projects in various locations throughout the City based on need. The scope of these projects may include, but is not limited to, the following drainage components: deep drainage wells, infiltration trenches (French drain), storm sewer force mains, storm water pump stations, elevating roads, swale blocks, new outfalls, retrofit of existing outfall, and inlets and catch basins. The costs for the CIP Pump Station Upgrades have been estimated at $3,811,450. The project costs for CIP Future Projects are estimated at $57,000,000. Project costs for CIP Projects in Design Phase are estimated at $39,565,600. CIP Projects in the Bid Phase have an estimated cost of $4,184,772. CIP Projects in the Construction Phase are estimated at $9,547,000 and costs for CIP Completed Projects are $2,905,000. A map has been attached for reference and location of these projects. The projects may be funded by one or more of these funding sources including FEMA, State of Florida, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), City funds, Homeland Defense Bonds, and the future Streets Bond Program.

February 13, 2006

City of Miami and Archdioses of Miami Designate Street in Honor of Pope John Paul II   

City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and the Most Reverend John C. Favalora, Archbishop of Miami, will join together on Monday, February 13th, 2006 for a special street co-designation ceremony in honor of the late Pope John Paul II. A portion of NW 2nd Avenue adjacent to the Cathedral of St. Mary will be renamed as Pope John Paul II Avenue.   The Cathedral of St. Mary was the Pontiff’s first stop during his historic visit to south Florida in September 1987.  The ceremony will follow a special mass at the Cathedral in Miami.

January 31, 2006

Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz Launches Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign   

January 31, 2006 – City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz launched the City’s 2006 EITC and free tax preparation campaign at a press conference today at the Corpus Christi Community Service Center, 730 NW 34 Street.
Corpus Christi is one of 15 City-sponsored locations offering free tax preparation services as part of this year’s campaign, with services provided from January 24th through April 8th. Eligible residents could qualify to receive a federal income tax refund of up to $4,400 via the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and up to an additional $1,000 per child via the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

• EITC Kick Off 

January 10, 2006

Mayor Manuel A. Diaz and Drug Czar John Walters   

On Tuesday, January 10, 2006, John Walters, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, joined City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz to release the Miami Comprehensive Drug Strategy, a plan that addresses the multi-dimensional issues related to substance abuse with a coordinated effort involving public and private initiatives.  The plan applies the lessons learned from Miami’s efforts over the past 20 years that changed the City from the Miami Vice days of the 1980s to its leadership position today in reducing drug problems. 

• Cities Without Drugs

• City of Miami Strategy

January 4, 2006

National Anthem Tour   

Senator Bill Nelson and Grammy Award Winner Arturo Sandoval joined Mayor Manny Diaz on Wednesday, January 4th to welcome the National Anthem Project to Miami City Hall during a morning celebration.  The National Anthem Project is beginning a nationwide tour meant to celebrate the “Star Spangled Banner” and restore America’s voice through the teaching and singing of it.

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January 31, 2006

Miami MAYOR MANNY DIAZ LAUNCHES   

City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz launched the City’s 2006 EITC and free tax preparation campaign at a press conference today at the Corpus Christi Community Service Center, 730 NW 34 Street. Corpus Christi is one of 15 City-sponsored locations offering free tax preparation services as part of this year’s campaign, with services provided from January 24th through April 8th. Eligible residents could qualify to receive a federal income tax refund of up to $4,400 via the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and up to an additional $1,000 per child via the Child Tax Credit.