July 15 – Nuclear Regulatory Commission Meeting about two additional nuclear reactors

July 13 – Waterfront Advisory Board – Virginia Key

July 15 – Parks Advisory Board – Virginia Key

July 21 – Planning Zoning and Appeals Board – Virginia Key

July 22 – City Commission Meeting – Virginia Key

July 29 – UEL Candidate’s Forum/Debate (State District 36 and 117)

August 3 – UEL Candidate’s Forum/Debate (State District 36 and 107)

August 11 – Election Meeting for UEL Members

August 12 – UEL Candidate’s Forum/Debate (County District

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Thursday, July 15

The NRC and the Army Corps will host public meetings at the Homestead YMCA, Harris Center, 1034 NE 8^th Street, Homestead, FL  33030.  There will be two sessions, running from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., respectively.  During these meetings, the two agencies will make the same presentations on the process, answer questions, and then collect comments on the scope of the environmental review from the public.  Each meeting will be preceded by a 1-hour open house (noon to 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) to allow members of the public to talk to the agencies’ staff members one-on-one.

Tuesday, July 13

The Waterfront Advisory Board at 6:30 regarding Virginia Key Master Plan. The Waterfront Advisory Board is the first opportunity to see the completed PowerPoint by the UEL coalition made to present to the various boards.

Thursday, July 15

Parks Advisory Board at 6:30 pm regarding Virginia Key Master Plan.

Wednesday, July 21

Planning Zoning and Appeals Board at 7:00 pm regarding Virginia Key Master Plan.

Thursday, July 22

City Commission meeting [time uncertain] regarding Virginia Key Master Plan

At the Commission meeting, we anticipate discussion by City staff comparing the Community plan with the EDSA plan. The UEL supports the Community plan. Please let your voice be heard, commissioners need to hear all sides to make a reasoned decision.

Thursday, July 29th

Candidates Forum

Sponsors: URBAN ENVIRONMENT LEAGUE & TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

FL State Senate District 36 & FL State Representative District 117

Moderator: Oscar Musibay, Award Winning Reporter for the Florida Business Journal

South Miami City Hall

6130 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33143

7:00—9:00 Free Program, Doors open at 6:30

Invited Candidates:

State Senate District 36: Luisa Artiles, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Alberto E. Fortes, J. Nillo, Julio Robaina

State Represenatative District 117: Ana Alliegro, Michael Bileca, Lisa Lesperance, Ernie Martinez, Jose Pazos, Marcus Rivchin, Juan Carlos Robaina, Ralph Rosado

Tuesday, August 3rd

Candidates Forum

Sponsors: THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT LEAGUE and MIAMI NEIGHBORHOODS UNITED

FL State Senate District 36 & FL State Representative District 107

Moderator: Roger Carlton – Former City Manager of Miami Beach, Former Acting

City Manager of South Miami

Simpson Park

55 SW 17th Road, Miami, Florida 33129

7:00—9:00 Free Program

Light refreshments will be served, Doors open at 6:30

Invited Candidates:

State Senate District 36: Luisa Artiles, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Alberto E. Fortes, J. Nillo, Julio Robaina,

State Repesentative District 107: Gustavo Barriero, Tony Japour, Luis Garcia

Wednesday, August 11 – (For UEL Members only)

The Urban Environment League will hold its election meeting for Officers for the coming year. The event will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club.  At this meeting we must ratify our slate of Board Members and elect Officers, so your presence is important.  Please try to attend. The Coconut Grove Sailing Club is located at 2990 South Bayshore Drive.  We will be upstairs, either inside or out, depending on the weather.  In either case, come in casual comfort.  Also, individuals can order sandwiches and drinks from the Bar as long as they pay with a credit card.  So keep that as an option in case it makes for a long day for you.

Board: Proposed Slate

Fran Bohnsack, Erika Brigham, Greg Bush, Roger Carlton, Barbara Falsey, Anthony Garcia, Jennifer M. Garcia, Jeremy Glazer, Ruth Jacobs, Albert Harum-Alvarez, Jorge Hernandez, Nancy Liebman, Ernie Martin, Michele Markovits, Enid Pinkney, Benjamin Powers, Alberto Ruder, Sonia Succar-Ferre, Paul Schwiep, Violette Sproul, John Van Leer, Emilie Young

Thursday, August 12th

Candidates Forum

Sponsors: URBAN ENVIRONMENT LEAGUE & TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

County Commissioner District 8 Candidate’s Forum – We hosted the first District 8 Forum. We are anxious to see how the candidates have grown.

Moderator: Matthew Haggman, Award Winning Reporter for the Miami Herald

Thursday, August 12th

At Pinecrest Library Meeting Room

5835 SW 111th St, Miami, FL 33156

7:00—9:00 Free Program, Doors open at 6:30

Invited Candidates: Lynda G. Bell, Eugene Flinn, Albert Harum-Alvarez, Danny Marmorstein, Obdulio Piedra, Annette Taddeo

Know your candidates when you vote on August 24th in the Primary Election!

Here are the questions the candidates were given (there wasn’t time for them all):

Questions may include:

1. Many planning studies have recommended that development – including higher density development – be concentrated along transit corridors. What is your approach to this issue and how would you balance local concerns with the demand for higher density? (Some of these studies can be found on the Department of Planning and Zoning web site.

2. Miami Dade has a long and proud history of agriculture – providing fresh produce to the nation during the winter. What do you think is the future of agriculture in the County? What policies would you recommend?

3. Despite the amount of rainfall we receive, the County is facing real problems with assuring potable water in the future. What do you perceive as the biggest problem with water supply? What policies would you support?

4. Many see redevelopment and higher density development as incompatible with neighborhood preservation and community identity. Do you agree? What policies would you support to move your ideas forward?

5. Miami Dade is sometimes viewed as an aggregate of fragmented communities and cities – rather than as a region with a common vision and goal. How do you see the relationship of cities and the County? What – if any – policies or programs would you support to overcome fragmentation?

6. At the moment, the County is facing serious fiscal challenges. Often governments respond by cutting vulnerable services such as park and recreation budgets and funding for maintenance of natural areas. What principles would you use to prioritize revenues and expenditures in the face of declining property tax revenues?

7. There is increased discussion of governance issues such as term limits, whether or not to retain a strong mayor – or to strengthen the role of the mayor; the need for additional commission districts – possibly including some at-large districts, the role – and independence – of advisory boards. What is your opinion of these issues?

County Commissioner Katy Sorenson, This dinner is for you!

Orchid and Onions Award Dinner

The Urban Environment League is hosting our Annual Award Dinner/Annual Meeting in honor of

County Commissioner Katy Sorenson

Masters of Ceremony:

Jim DeFede and UEL President Fran Bohnsack

Commissioner Sorenson will be leaving office this Fall to pursue a new and exciting chapter in her life.

Those of us who want to thank her will “Roast” with an Onion or “Toast” with an Orchid.

Please join us in saying goodbye to ‘Katy’:

Wednesday – June 16th

6pm Cocktails (Cash Bar) & 7pm Dinner

At the Rusty Pelican Restaurant

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway

Key Biscayne

3 Course Dinner $50

Your Payment is your reservation. No payment at the door!

Check/Paypal by June 11th – Space Limited Indicate whether you want to speak at the event.

Use Paypal at: www.uel.org

Send a check (made out to UEL) to:

Urban Environment League – Suite 114

1000 N.W. North River Drive

Miami, FL 33136

Questions? uelinfo@bellsouth.net – Phone: 786-472-0011

Ask about being featured in our keepsake program!

Include your email or phone number for reservation confirmation.

Forum 3: Health Care Reform

We will discuss the key elements of the recently enacted health care reform legislation,
the arguments for and against it and the remaining problems with our health care system.

Speaker: Linda S. Quick, President, South Florida Hospital and Healthcare
Association

Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
6:00-8:30 pm. Doors open 6:00 pm; program 7:00-8:30
Location: CubaOcho Art and Research Center, 1465 SW 8th St., Miami, 33135,
www.cubaocho.com

Cash bar and food available starting at 6 pm.

Free and open to the public. For further information on the event, call 305-331-9938. The
Miami Public Policy Forum is a service of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.

County Commissioner Katy Sorenson
This dinner is for you!

Orchid and Onions Award Dinner
The Urban Environment League is hosting our Annual Award Dinner/Annual Meeting
in honor of:
County Commissioner Katy Sorenson

Masters of Ceremony:
Jim DeFede and UEL President Fran Bohnsack

Commissioner Sorenson will be leaving office this Fall to pursue a new and exciting chapter in her life. Those of us who want to thank her will “Roast” with an Onion or “Toast” with an Orchid.
Please join us in saying goodbye to ‘Katy’:

Wednesday – June 16th

6pm Cocktails (Cash Bar) & 7pm Dinner
At the Rusty Pelican Restaurant
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne

3 Course Dinner $50

Your Payment is your reservation. No payment at the door!

Check/Paypal by June 11th – Space Limited Indicate whether you want to speak at the event.

Use Paypal at: button on right side of page
or
Send a check (made out to UEL) to:

Urban Environment League – Suite 114
1000 N.W. North River Drive
Miami, FL 33136

Questions? uelinfo@bellsouth.net – Phone: 786-472-0011
Ask about being featured in our keepsake program!
Include your email or phone number for reservation confirmation.

The Urban Environment League invites you to a Dinner Program:

Miami Dade County Commission

District 8 Candidate’s Forum

Invited Candidates Include: Lynda Bell, Jason Culler,
Eugene Flinn,  Pamela Gray,
Albert Harum Alvarez, Obdulio Piedra,  Annette Taddeo
Moderator: Dr. Barbara Falsey

This is  an important District Election. Commissioner Katy Sorenson has always balanced serving her district  and serving the entire County. She was able to think long term and regionally. It is critical to all of us to get the right person in this seat. We urge you to come meet the candidates and hear them speak on issues important to all.

Wednesday, May 19th
at the Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key
$25 – 3 Course Dinner (tax & tip included)
$20 For Students – 7:30 Program Only FREE!

• 6 pm
Cocktail Meet-Up
With Cash Bar
• 6:30 pm
3 Course Dinner
• 7:30 Program free*

Use Paypal at: www. uel. org or
www.urbanenvironmentleague.blogspot.com or
Bring a check (made out to UEL) or cash (no credit card at the door)
RSVP a must ASAP**: uelinfo@bellsouth.net – Phone: 786-472-0011

*Please wait for program to begin before entering banquet room
**We have an 18 hour cancellation policy on dinners.

Be careful, monsters coming to devour electronic urban aesthetics of Miami.

They come dressed as cherubs and promise paradise. But if we open the doors to bring their families and our identity – and security – jeopardized.

Monsters are two giant electronic billboards and bright advertising more than 20 stories high on a seven-story garage adjacent to the Arsht Center in downtown Miami, which not only dull the majestic architecture of the theaters, but also become to the city in a bad copy of Las Vegas.

What Happens in Vegas better stay there.

The towers have been presented with a tempting incentive: a large covered parking for those attending the theater that now must pay $ 20 valet parking”or “ $ 10 and $ 15 outdoor parking spaces nearby.

By the way, luckily this cultural institution, built with public funds was made to enjoy ALL the Miami culture. Yes, the poor too, who at these exorbitant prices Metromover have to come in and sit so high in the audience that the dancers look like ants. But that is another matter.

Mayor Tomas Regalado wrote a letter in January in favor of this project developer Mark Siffin. If he is wise, will change his mind. Otherwise it is placed at the side of the lobbyists and power groups.

Here are some reasons to consider.

In principle, the City of Miami has no power to pass whatever the colossal structures in 1985 and Miami-Dade County established an ordinance known as the Code of Miami-Dade Banners, whose regulations must also be respected by municipal governments.

The ordinance specifies that fences are not permitted on the roofs of the buildings by the hazard if it were to lash a powerful hurricane. In addition, to install an automatic electronic fence, the property must have at least 10 acres of land. The content of advertisements must be limited to services and products offered in the building, and believe that these towers are not going to announce “ park”to be seen from miles away.

Moreover, it is prohibited for messages on and off intermittently, and expand from a central point to the rest of the screen, which should be up to 750 square feet and 20 stories tall.

The codes were updated in 1994 and 2000, to cope with a flood of illegal ads began to pollute the urban landscape. Municipal governments like Miami a pact alliances with billboard companies, which produce millions of dollars in ads.

These provisions were designed by leaders accountable and aware that excessive installation of fences along roads, as well as murals on buildings, destroyed the distinctive character of a community appearance.

There is full evidence that confirms that the digital billboards, especially those that seem huge announcement televisions and change every six seconds, represent an unnecessary risk to drivers. Therefore, in various parts of the country, local governments have chosen to protect public safety by banning or restriction of these banners.

Siffin argues that his project will benefit the City because they generate more revenue, and the Arsht Center by attracting an audience that does not attend because you can not find parking spots. The glow of the towers also serve to illuminate the neighborhood preventing crime (where is the police?) And promote a cosmopolitan flavor to the area, with the exception of the theaters and residential towers, is not pleasant for pedestrians.

However, the towers digitized clash aesthetically with the historic and architectural elements at great distances, and will become the dominant visual element should be the Arsht Can not say that this was the Miami equivalent of the Sydney Opera House?

I do not object to build a multilevel parking, because that should be included when the theaters were designed. What I find incongruous is the mega advertising structures since it does not harmonize with the rest of the city. Even in South Beach, which is our tourist Mecca, are permitted.

It is very easy to want to be what is not. The downtown Miami is not – nor wants to be – the strip of Las Vegas or Times Square. Give green light to the construction of the towers of advertising to invite other developers want to do the same. So many lights shine, we only lack the light itself.

Putting labor in the boardroom only worsens the accountability problem and muddies the issue of financial responsibility.

She instead recommends that the Board be “an independent body distanced from the power plays of special interests, including county officials…”

The Urban Environment League has a seat on the Independent Transportation Trust nominating committee and we have found that it is a struggle to get qualified people on the Trust because the Commissioners have the final say on who is appointed. The nominating committee narrows down the choice from a field of candidates for the Commissioners but the Commissioner can reject the candidates submitted by the committee.