City parking and code enforcement departments have been unified and placed now directly under the responsibility of South Miami Police Department, according to City Manager Hector Mirabile in a report to City Commissioners January 4.
The new structure places more focus on reducing crime and improving code compliance in what once unattended areas, he explained.
In addition, South Miami’s new Pay-by- Space stations which began operation January 7 after meter heads were removed and replaced with signs directing parkers to remember space numbers and pay fees at the station.
“Signs will be up to educate the public for a period of 30 days,” before being removed altogether, he added.
In a separate statement, Mirabile reported that disinformation being spread in the community resulted from “Ms. Sharon McCain personally attacking certain elected officials and me… (making) accusations and assumptions that it is my desire to begin charging residents for their civic duty of reporting violations of the code or law.”
Such accusations are totally false, he stated, and were taken out of context from an email sent by Mirabile. Under no circumstances will officials begin charging citizens for doing their civic duty, he noted.
In his report to Commissioners, Mirabile expressed special appreciation towards the Public Works Department, noting “They are the unsung heroes, behind the scenes, making things happen.”
Concerning the recent resignation of Public Works Director Armand Fritz, replaced by newly-appointed Interim Director Rudy de la Torre, Mirabile declared: “Rudy, you’ve got big shoes to fill.”
