2006 City Innovations Showcase
Public Works and Transportation
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Inner-City Transit –
City of Margate
Created in 1993, the Margate Inner-City Transit (MIT) now averages 165 miles per day and carries approximately 175,000 passengers per year. The MIT runs seven buses on five fixed routes. It also services all residential areas in the city, as well as all major byways. Each bus includes an elevator lift for handicapped passengers. The MIT is on one of the most heavily traveled routes in Broward County. In fall 2006, five buses on the transit system will be replaced with 2006 models.
Contact: Mark Porier
Transit Coordinator
City of Margate
102 Rock Island Road
Margate, FL 33063
Phone: (954) 972-8126
E-mail: transit@margatefl.com
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Building Instant Permitting –
City of Palm Bay
The Building Instant Permitting Program provides building permits at the front counter of the Building Division while the customer waits. A plans examiner reviews and immediately approves building permits for window and door replacements; garage door replacements and re-sidings; plumbing permits for changes from well water to city water and septic tank to city sewer; electrical permits for upgrades or service changes; and demolition permits.
Contact: Cathy Spafford
Chief Building Official
City of Palm Bay Building Division
City of Palm Bay
5240 Babcock Street N.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32905
Phone: (321) 953-8922
E-mail: spaffc@palmbayflorida.org
Citizen Advisory Program –
City of Palm Bay
The Citizen Advisory Program sends postcards notifying citizens of code violations. The postcard identifies the violation, and provides contact information to the city. The postcards are a non-threatening method of improving code compliance. The procedure is quicker and less expensive than certified letters. Further action involves a site compliance visit to close out the case. This method is chosen for cases that typically have a higher compliance rate. This program has streamlined paperwork and is convenient for citizens.
Contact: Carl Clausen
Community Standards Coordinator
City of Palm Bay
5240 Babcock Street N.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32905
Phone: (321) 952-3431
E-mail: clausc@palmbayflorida.org
Highway Interdiction Program –
City of Palm Bay
The Highway Interdiction Program was created to curb the illegal transportation of drugs along major roadways, such as Interstate 95. The City of Palm Bay Police Department paired a drug dog with a former K-9 handler on the city’s traffic unit. This team works with the city’s crime analyst and uniformed service division to provide enforcement measures throughout the city. By doing so, the city’s roadways, interstates and highways will be safer.
Contact: Douglas F. Muldoon
Deputy Chief of Police
City of Palm Bay
130 Malabar Road S.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 952-3460
E-mail: muldod@pbfl.org
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Master Architectural Plans Program –
City of Palm Bay
The Master Architectural Plans (MAPS) Program streamlines the building plans review process for single-family homes and pools. A set of architectural drawings for a home are approved by the chief building official through the full plans-review process. This assures compliance with the Florida Building Code. Upon approval, the master set of drawings is kept on file for each style of home. When somebody applies for individual permits, the style of home is compared to the master set, and permits are granted. This program improves service by freeing up plans reviewers for non-master permit submittals, and reducing review time for the builders.
Contact: Cathy Spafford
Chief Building Official
City of Palm Bay Building Division
5240 Babcock Street N.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32905
Phone: (321) 953-8922
E-mail: spaffc@palmbayflorida.org
Public Works Outreach Tool –
City of Palm Bay
Public Works staff built a large trailer-mounted grill and smoker, complete with heating oven and burners. The design and construction was done entirely by staff members, who volunteered to create this valuable tool. It was built from donations and surplus metal at no cost to the city from donations and surplus metal. This cooker has become a community-outreach tool for all departments. It is used for groundbreaking events, grand openings and other civic functions. Most notably, it also is used as a neighborhood icebreaker to reach out to citizens and homeowner groups. It is an outstanding public involvement tool that yields great benefits to the community.
Contact: Jim Proce
Public Works Director
Public Works Department
City of Palm Bay
1050 Malabar Road S.W.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 953-8996
E-mail: procej@palmbayflorida.org
Surplus Property Disposal Made Easy –
City of Palm Bay
The City of Palm Bay’s Purchasing Division has found an effective and efficient way to dispose of surplus property. The city uses an online surplus property disposal firm that regularly picks up its surplus. The firm bar codes, inspects, cleans, repairs and photographs the property, and posts the information to its Web site. The company deals with the sale of the merchandise, and sends the city a record of the sale and payment. The disposal firm handles all issues and conflicts with the buyer.
Contact: Bobby Marsala
Purchasing and Contract Manager
City of Palm Bay
120 Malabar Road S.E.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 952-3424
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Streamlining the Approval Process –
City of Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens recently amended codes to streamline the review process, increase staff efficiency and save local businesses time and money. Previously, 78 conditional uses – from allowing continuing educational classes to be held in an office building to large-scale land-development projects – had to be approved by the City Council. A new ordinance in 2005 established major/minor uses, outlined procedures for applicants, streamlined the review process and updated the city code to be more responsive to local businesses and citizens. Minor conditional-use changes are now a three-step process, and may be approved through the development-review committee.
Contact: Talal Benothman
Planning Manager
Growth Management
City of Palm Beach Gardens
10500 N. Military Trail
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: (561) 799-4233
E-mail: tbenothman@pbgfl.com
Targeted Expedited Permitting Program –
City of Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens has developed the Targeted Expedited Permitting Program. The program, adopted as an ordinance, allows for the prioritization of economic-development projects while still maintaining the integrity of the comprehensive plan. It sets forth program qualifications, defines value-added employment and gives direct benefits to companies. By doing so, citizens receive employment opportunities, and the city enjoys financial security.
Contact: Dolores Key
Economic Development and Marketing
City of Palm Beach Gardens
10500 N. Military Trail
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: (561) 799-4136
E-mail: dkey@pbgfl.com
Ten Years After –
City of Ormond Beach
Ten years after the City of Ormond Beach privatized its grounds maintenance and rights-of-way mowing services, it is still a success. The private contractors provide all the necessary labor, vehicles, equipment, materials and insurance to meet the contract specifications. This process has saved the city more than $1 million. The contractors and the city monitor the quality of service.
Contact: John L. Miskell
Department of Public Works
City of Ormond Beach
P.O. Box 277
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Phone: (386) 676-3580
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