_Add-on FAdd-on item f) 11/6/14 Commission Meeting
Sponsored by Commissioner Edmond
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RESOLUTION NO. _________________ 1
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A Resolution of the City of South Miami (“City”) calling for a South Florida 3
Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Congress that will include local, state, 4
and federal elected officials meeting to propose constructive solutions to sea 5
level rise and climate change. 6
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WHEREAS, numerous studies have established that South Florida is comprised of some 8
of the world’s most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change as the warming Earth’s 9
melting ice caps push the sea level higher; and 10
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WHEREAS, scientists believe that the rising sea level will threaten some of the region's 12
most vital facilities; and 13
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WHEREAS, South Florida’s sea level rose about 8 inches during the past century, and is 15
projected to increase by as much as 2 feet as early as 2048 and could go up to 3 feet by 2063; and 16
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WHEREAS, South Florida is exceptionally vulnerable to climate change due to its 18
unique geology that is built on porous limestone which is slowly filling up as the sea level rises, 19
making the land, streets and neighborhoods more likely to flood and causes sewer systems to 20
back up into homes and gardens; and 21
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WHEREAS, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development lists Miami 23
as the number-one most vulnerable city worldwide in terms of property damage, with more than 24
$416 billion in assets at risk to storm-related flooding and sea-level rise; and 25
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WHEREAS, rising sea level will also flood land, streets and neighborhoods; and 27
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WHEREAS, there is little land in South Florida that is more than six feet above sea 29
level. Many condos and apartment blocks are at the edge of the sea; and 30
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WHEREAS, of the total of 4.2 million US citizens who live at an elevation of four feet 32
or less, 2.4 million of them live in South Florida; and 33
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WHEREAS, 38.01 billion dollars’ worth of property, 71 thousand homes, and 73 35
hazardous waste sites located in Miami-Dade County sit lower than 3 feet above sea level, 36
leaving them exposed to increasingly dangerous flooding and extreme weather events; and 37
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WHEREAS, southeast Florida’s roads, bridges and businesses already are facing 39
flooding because of higher sea levels, and the water is only expected to rise higher during the 40
next 50 years; and 41
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WHEREAS, rising sea level threatens all of South Florida’s popular coastal areas and 43
could alter the freshwater supply that feeds our cities and agriculture; and 44
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Add-on item f) 11/6/14 Commission Meeting
Sponsored by Commissioner Edmond
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, three major sewage plants in South Florida could be reduced to shrinking 1
islands in less than 50 years due to climate change; and 2
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WHEREAS, potential threats include more saltwater seeping in and fouling drinking 4
water supplies, and stronger, more frequent hurricanes; and 5
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WHEREAS, even areas and resources that are far from the coast, such as Florida’s 7
Biscayne Aquifer, are already experiencing saltwater intrusion, which is exacerbated by sea-level 8
rise; and 9
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WHEREAS, with sea level rise of only 3-9 inches, southeast Florida could lose 70 11
percent of its drainage capacity in the 28 control structures that protect the region from flooding 12
and saltwater intrusion; and 13
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WHEREAS, future warming will only increase the risk of more frequent and severe 15
impacts to the area’s economy, infrastructure, and communities; and 16
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WHEREAS, a Southeast Regional Climate Compact exists to address climate change in 18
Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach counties; and 19
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WHEREAS, in moments of crisis special congresses have been convened to address 21
serious problems; and 22
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WHEREAS, too many elected officials not only refuse to address climate change, they 24
won’t even acknowledge it as a legitimate threat; and 25
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WHEREAS, South Florida’s coastal communities need all levels of government—local 27
elected officials, state elected officials, and the state’s full Congressional delegation—to 28
mobilize resources for wide-ranging adaptation and mitigation measures. By acting as leaders on 29
climate action, Florida’s decision-makers can not only protect the state’s vulnerable citizens 30
from the dangers of climate change—they can inspire communities across the United States to 31
follow suit; and 32
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WHEREAS, we need comprehensive action now; and 34
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WHEREAS, we call for a South Florida Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Congress to 36
address these issues. This special Congress would include all local, state, federal elected officials 37
in the four Southeast Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach); and 38
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WHEREAS, the southeast Florida climate change plan seeks to help local communities 40
take a regional approach to preparing for everything from sea level rise to protecting drinking 41
water supplies; and 42
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WHEREAS, we call for a South Florida Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Congress 44
be held in the Fall of 2015. 45
Add-on item f) 11/6/14 Commission Meeting
Sponsored by Commissioner Edmond
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY 2
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA: 3
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Section 1
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. The Mayor and the City Commission hereby call for a South Florida Sea 5
Level Rise and Climate Change Congress to be held in the Fall of 2015 that will include local, 6
state, and federal elected officials meeting to propose constructive solutions to sea level rise and 7
climate change. We, the City Commission for the City of South Miami, invite: all local elected 8
officials of all the 108 municipalities of Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach 9
counties; the Mayor of Miami Dade County and all local elected officials at the county level in 10
Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach counties; the Governor of Florida and all 11
elected Florida Legislature representatives in the Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm 12
Beach counties; all members of the U.S. Congressional delegation that represents Miami-Dade, 13
Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach counties; the President of the United States; and the 2016 14
leading Presidential candidates in both political parties. 15
Section 2.
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The City Clerk is hereby instructed to forward this resolution to all of the 17
elected officials listed in Section 1, above. 18
Section 3.
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Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for 20
any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall 21
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution. 22
Section 4.
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Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon 24
adoption by vote of the City Commission. 25
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ____ day of _____________, 2014. 27
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ATTEST: APPROVED: 29
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_____________________ ______________________ 32
CITY CLERK MAYOR 33
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READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM, COMMISSION VOTE: 35
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND Mayor Stoddard: 36
EXECUTION THEREOF Vice Mayor Harris: 37
Commissioner Edmond: 38
_____________________________ Commissioner Liebman: 39
CITY ATTORNEY Commissioner Welsh: 40
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