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RESOLUTION NO.: _____ _
3 A Resolution of the City of South Miami in support of public land acquisition for
4 the Ludlam Trail Corridor from Miller Road to SW 80th Street; and authorizing
5 the City Manager to negotiate with the landowner for the purchase and to
6 discuss with stakeholders.
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8 WHEREAS, the Ludlum Trail is a 6.2-mile linear track of land stretching from Miami
9 International Airport at its northern terminus to Downtown Kendall at its southernmost point;
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12 WHEREAS, recreational amenities, such as bike trails, have been shown to improve
13 health outcomes for residents living within half a mile; and
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15 WHEREAS, 980 homes in South Miami are located within half a mile ofthe Ludlam Trail;
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18 WHEREAS, it has been determined that the Ludlam Trail can connect more than 32,000
19 people to five greenways, five schools, four parks, and two transit hubs; and
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21 WHEREAS, according to a study conducted by the National Complete Streets Coalition,
22 Miami-Dade County is the fourth most dangerous in the country among large metro areas for
23 pedestrians; and
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25 WHEREAS, the Ludlam Trail can provide a safe passageway for cyclists and pedestrians,
26 including 3,700 students, to travel to schools, work, and shopping locations; and
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28 WHEREAS, it has been determined that the Ludlam Trail may eliminate 860,000 vehicle
29 trips annually from Miami-Dade County streets; and
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31 WHEREAS, in February of 2015, the City of South Miami adopted the South Miami
32 Intermodal Transportation Plan (SMITP) to serve as a tool to guide short and long term
33 transportation improvements; and
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35 WHEREAS, the FEC Ludlam Corridor was identified as a key opportunity in the SMITP to
36 connect neighboring municipalities as well as to the regional system of planned and existing
37 greenways; and
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39 WHEREAS, the entire Ludlam Trail can provide approximately 40 acres of green space,
40 connections to four existing parks, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 10,000 tons over
41 25 years, increase local property values, and create positive economic impact of more than
42 $540 million over a 25-year period; and
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1 Whereas, the adopted 2015-2016 City of South Miami budget created the City Parks
2 Acquisition Development Operations and Maintenance Fund (Reserve Fund) for the purpose of
3 acquiring, developing, and restoring green spaces.
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5 Whereas, an established objective of the City's Parks and Recreation Department is to
6 cooperate with public and' private entities to encourage shared use of recreational facilities
7 owned by the city.
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9 WHEREAS, funding the Ludlam Trail project will improve biking and walking safety and
10 increase mobility and recreation alternatives for residents of the City of South Miami and
11 visitors, enhance economic prosperity, enrich residents' quality of life, and reflect responsible
12 environmental stewardship; and
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14 WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has already committed over $2.9 million through a
15 Florida Department of Transportation grant towards acquisition of the trail; and
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17 WHEREAS, The City of Miami has committed an initial contribution of $1 million for the
18 purpose of acquiring a portion of the FEC right-of-way between West Flagler Street and
19 Southwest gth Street; and
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21 Whereas, the Florida Legislature allocated $1 million in the 2015 legislative session to
22 the City of South Miami to assist with acquisition of the Ludlam Trail; and
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24 WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation may be supporting an appropriation
25 for acquisition of the Trail during the 2016 legislative session and
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27 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of South Miami to commit to identifying
28 and seeking additional funding for the acquisition of certain portions of the Ludlam Trail, similar
29 to Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami, to ensure the interests of the City of South Miami
30 and its residents are included in all future acquisition and management decisions.
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33 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
34 SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
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36 Section 1. The City of South Miami supports the public land acquisition of the Ludlam
37 Trail Corridor from SW 4gth Street to SW goth Street.
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39 Section 2. The City Manager is authorized to enter into discussions with all stakeholders
40 on the establishment of a conservancy or trust to acquire, construct, improve, manage, and
41 operate and maintain the Ludlam Trail.
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43 Section 3. The City Manager is hereby authorized to negotiate with the other
44 stakeholders for land acquisition, contingent upon availability of funding through legislative
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1 allotment, grants, and the City Parks Acquisition Development Operations and Maintenance
2 Fund as special monies may come available.
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4 Section 4. The City will only commit funds to the project by separate resolution of the
5 City Commission.
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7 Section 3. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
8 any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding
9 shall not affect the validity ofthe remaining portions ofthis resolution.
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11 Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
12 adoption by vote of the City Commission.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this __ day of _____ -', 2015.
ATIEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
CITY ATIORNEY
APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Harris:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Liebman:
Commissioner Welsh:
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