FYI Miami: February 20, 2014

HEADS-UP ON REPAIRS: After being surprised by repairs that suddenly became a $30 million-plus emergency on two bridges linking the mainland with Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade commissioners are seeking to know promptly when reports find deficiencies in county infrastructure. With no discussion last week, the commission’s Infrastructure and Capital Improvements Committee unanimously recommended that the full commission on March 4 approve a measure by commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa that would require the mayor to tell the commission of any deficiency findings from any state or federal agency and report them to the commission within 60 days along with a feasibility study analyzing needed repairs and a timeline for making them.

HELSINKI A GO-GO: Miami International Airport continues to ramp up its European carrier service. International carrier Finnair will begin service twice a week between MIA and Finland’s capital Helsinki in December. The direct service will be the airport’s 16th European destination and the only way to get from the Southeast US to Finland in one shot. On Jan. 3, 2015, Finnair is to increase service to three times a week through March 21, when the season concludes. Next winter, expect more Finnish spoken on South Beach.

LOBBYING FEES: Representing dozens of clients with interests in Tallahassee, at least four firms topped $1 million in legislative lobbying fees during the final three months of 2013, according to new disclosure reports. Those firms were Ballard Partners, Capital City Consulting, Ronald L. Book PA and Southern Strategy Group. All but Capital City have Miami offices. Another eight firms collected $500,000 to $999,999 in legislative fees during the quarter, while 18 firms collected $250,000 to $499,999.

BONDS FOR GULLIVER: Miami-Dade commissioners are being asked to approve issuance of $19.25 million in Industrial Development Authority bonds to refund bonds issued to finance improvements by Gulliver Schools Inc. The bonds would pay for acquisitions of facilities, furnishings and equipment at Gulliver Preparatory School, 6575 N Kendall Drive in Pinecrest, Gulliver Academy at 12595 Red Road in Coral Gables and Gulliver Montgomery Campus at 7500 SW 20th St. in Pinecrest. Gulliver alone would be responsible for repayment of the bonds. The county’s Finance Committee recommended 4-0 last week that commissioners approve the bond issuance.