HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 087-2022 - Hurricane Preparedness 5.18.22BAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 087-2022
To: Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manage
Date: May 27, 2022
Subject: Bal Harbour Village Critical Incidenf"Operations, Hurricane Preparation,
Response and Recovery Efforts
The purpose of this Letter to the Council (LTC) is to inform you of the Bal Harbour Village's
critical incident management and severe weather response efforts.
Our Administration is preparing for the 2022 Hurricane Season beginning June 1 and
ending November 30. Essential to my responsibilities as Manager is the direction of
emergency management functions for the Village. Working with my staff, we are ensuring
the Administration is prepared to provide the most effective public safety response to
residents and visitors.
The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season is forecast as the 7th straight above average storm
activity year, with a higher probability of major hurricanes making landfall along the eastern
coastline of the United States. The pre -seasonal forecasts from Colorado State University
led by meteorologist Dr. Phil Klotzbach projects 19 named tropical systems, with 9
hurricanes, 4 of which could be major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111-129 mph.
Supplemental to our on -going review and revision of the Village's Critical Incident
Operations Plan (CIOP), Department Directors have taken the following initiatives:
• The Parks and Open Spaces Department continues planning and construction
activities to repair and upgrade the Village stormwater conveyance system, while
performing continuous system cleaning and maintenance to effectively mitigate
flooding due to heavy rains. Prior the start of the storm season, the Department has
conducted its annual employee chainsaw safety training, ordered the necessary
supplies and spare parts to respond in the event of a Critical Incident and obtained
regulatory approval of a Debris Management site. During hurricane season PPS staff
will be maintaining Village fuel, water and other supplies at enhanced levels and
maintaining a heightened readiness operational state to respond as needed.
Depending on the dynamics of a hurricane, the PPS main office on 1840 NE 144 St.
in North Miami is fully functional and can be utilized as a satellite Emergency
Operations Center.
• The Bal Harbour Police Department will continue to coordinate with the adjacent
coastal police agencies in our response to pre and post hurricanes and critical
incidents. To ensure close coordination and cooperation among adjacent
jurisdictions, there are regular meetings with the Chiefs of Miami -Dade County
coastal police agencies. These meeting provide a forum to discuss planning logistics
and mutual support during a crisis. Further, Command Staff continue to maintain
close coordination with the Miami -Dade County Emergency Operations Center the
primary coordination center for fire and police agencies in Miami -Dade County.
• The Building Department has established a new procedure to facilitate contractor's
capability to secure construction sites in preparation for hurricane conditions and
landfall. Beginning on June 1, 2022, this new process will begin as soon as
contractors apply for building permits. If a hurricane is tracking towards South
Florida, Building Department staff will check all open construction sites to ensure all
construction items are secure. Should a storm strike Bal Harbour Village, the Building
Departmentteam will assess property damage. In addition, the Building Department
staff has contacted all condominium managers and concerned personnel ensuring
that all the buildings meet re -certification standards, leading to a safer structure.
• The Tourism Department Director has facilitated bi-weekly telephone conference
meetings with condominium managers to discuss matters of mutual concern as well
as preparations for hurricane season. Tourism Department staff, are the primary point
for distributing information to residents and visitors on behalf of the Village. These
notifications will involve online website information daily calls, group text messages
and alerts via the Wireless Emergency Notification System.
As the Administration continues emergency preparations for implementing the Village's
Critical Incident Operations Plan, there will be continual monitoring of National Weather
Service weather forecasts, in addition to teleconference calls with their staff meteorologists.
The Bal Harbour Police Department staff will liaison with the North Miami Police
Department's Divisional Emergency center and Miami Dade Emergency Operations Center.
With the assistance of my experienced staff, we are committed to providing effective public
safety to Village residents, business owners and visitors during the response to hurricanes,
and other disasters.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me or Chief Flowers at 305-
866-5000.
JMG/RMF/ME/DM