Current Temp
Feels Like
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Charles W. Burkett, Mayor
Term 2024-2026
Dayana Benmergui, Vice Mayor
Term 2026-2028
Andrea Travani, Commissioner
Gerardo Vildostegui, Commissioner
David Weingot, Commissioner
The Town of Surfside, Florida is a Commission-Manager form of government. Article II of the Town of Surfside Charter provides a detailed explanation of the associated rights, responsibilities and prohibitions governing the Commission.
The Legislative Department consists of the Mayor, Vice Mayor and three Town Commissioners. They are identified by name and title on the title page of this document. Collectively, the legislative body is responsible principally for setting the general policy direction of the town. The Town Commission makes four critically important appointments on behalf of the Town and provides oversight to those appointments. The appointments are: 1) the Town Attorney, 2) Town Board members, 3) the Town Manager, and 4) the Town’s external auditor.
The powers and responsibilities of the Town Commission designated in the Town Charter include, among others: 1) appointments, 2) establishing administrative departments through the adopted budget, 3) levying taxes and assessments, 4) authorizing bond issuance, 5) adopting and modifying the official Town map, 6) regulating development consistent with governing laws, 7) addressing neighborhood development, 8) granting public utility franchises, 9) providing for an employee pension plan, 10) monitoring administrative services through the Town Manager, 11) appointing interim Commissioners in the event of a vacancy of office, and 12) providing Town ceremonies.
(from Mayor Burkett:)
I was born at St. Francis Hospital (which is now Aqua, on 63rd Street) and raised in Miami Beach. I moved to Surfside in 1996 to take advantage of the unparalleled lifestyle and have lived here, in the same home, ever since. Julia and I are the proud parents of William Michael Burkett (now 20). I enjoy skiing, diving, flying, boating & ...good food :)
Education:Pre-school: The Cushman School, MiamiGrammar: St. Patrick's School, Miami BeachHigh: Archbishop Curley High School, MiamiCollege: University of Miami, BS, Finance
Work:After I graduated from college, I used my savings from working as a construction site laborer to buy my first property in 1983. It was a home in Miami Beach that I renovated, with help from friends I hired, and then leased. I then purchased my first building in Miami Beach's budding Art Deco District with the remainder of my savings. I renovated that building, was able to get a loan on the equity I created in the property, and bought my next property.
I did this over and over throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
I subsequently went on to expand on a national basis into an additional seven states.
I currently operate a national management and investment company, which I own 100% of, which oversees those investments.
For the record, with the exception of my home in Surfside, I do not own any property or have any financial interests in Town. My family did own property in Surfside's commercial district, but it was sold in the 80s.
Civic:When I lived in Miami Beach, I was:A board member and chairman of the Miami Beach Housing Authority for nine years, A board member of the Nuisance Abatement Board,Member of the Code Enforcement Board, Member of the Community Development Block Grant Board, A Police Academy member, A board member of the Miami Beach Chamber, The President of the North Beach Development Corporation,
A board member of my neighborhood association, the La Gorce-Pinetree Homeowners Association,
I have also participated in many blue ribbon & ad hoc committees in Miami Beach over my 35 years living there.
Surfside Civic:In 2004, I ran for Mayor of Surfside and lost my first election by only a handful of votes. In 2006, I was first elected Mayor of Surfside.In 2008, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.In 2020, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.In 2024, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
I'm proud of my record of service in Surfside to protect our town and its residents from exploitive predators interested only in financial gain at the cost of our precious small town way of life.
Biography coming soon
Andrea Travani serves as a Commissioner for the Town of Surfside. He is the Director of Engineering and Business Development at Prince Contracting, where he oversees design processes for major infrastructure projects ranging from $30 million to over $1 billion and helps guide the company’s strategic growth.
Andrea holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering, as well as a Master’s in Project Management, from the Università degli Studi di Trieste in Italy. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Florida, Georgia, New York, and Ontario (Canada), and is a DBIA Professional. With nearly 20 years of experience, his expertise includes infrastructure development, project delivery, and technical leadership across complex construction projects in the United States and the Middle East.
A Surfside resident since 2015, Andrea has been actively involved in the community for several years. He previously served as Chair of the Sustainability and Resiliency Board and as Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Board. His public service reflects a strong commitment to thoughtful growth, resilience, and long-term community planning.
Andrea is also the founder of Yoga4Meditation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental resilience and physical well-being. He speaks Italian, Spanish, French, and Friulian, and enjoys playing the guitar and piano, as well as soccer and basketball.