Res No 206-16-14761RESOLUTION NO.:206~1 6~1 4761
A Resolution urging municipalities within Miami-Dade County to partner
with the county to secure state and federal funding to assist with eliminating
septic systems and converting to sewer system connections.
WHEREAS,onsitesewage treatment anddisposalsystems,commonly referredtoas
septicsystems,areatype of onsitesewagefacility;and
WHEREAS,akeycomponentofasepticsystemisthesignificanttreatment of
wastewater inan underground drainfield;and
WHEREAS,someportions of theCounty,particularly ruraland suburban areas,lack
publicsanitarysewersystemsandthereforerelyonsepticsystemstotreatanddispose of
wastewater from toilets,showers,sinks,and dishwashers;and
WHEREAS,within some municipalities in Miami-Dade County,residents alsorelyon
septic systems;and
WHEREAS,wherever located,septic systems may present environmental concerns and
are potentially vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise;and
WHEREAS,on July 6,2016,Governor Rick Scott announced that hewill propose
additional funding inhis State Fiscal Year 2017-2018 recommended budget fora voluntary
matching program to encourage residents to convert fromseptic tanks tosewer systems tohelp
curb pollution that is currently entering intotheIndian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River;
and
WHEREAS,Governor Rick Scottstatedina press release that M[s]eptic tank runoff isa
major contributor tothe pollution inthesewaterbodiesandIlookforwardtoworkingwiththe
Legislature to fund efforts to curb it";and
WHEREAS,the Governor's proposal wouldalso provide financialsupporttolocal
communities tohelp them build wastewater systemsto meet the increaseddemand for
wastewater services;and
WHEREAS,astheGovernorexplained,"PR isuptoall of us—thestate,Florida'slocal
communitiesandthefederalgovernment—toworktogetheronlongtermsolutionstoimprove
thequality of ourwater,"and"[tJhatiswhyIamgoingtocommitstatefundingandmatchit
withlocalcontributionssowecanworktogetheroneffortstocleanupourwaters";and
WHEREAS,ina companion item,theCity of South Miami isurgingthe Florida
Legislaturetoprovidestatefundingtoassistlocalcommunitiesineliminatingsepticsystemsand
convertingtosewersystemconnections,asproposedbytheGovernor;and
Res.No.206-16-14761
WHEREAS,theimportanceofeliminatingsepticsystemsandconvertingtosewer
systemconnectionsextendsbeyondthelocalandstatelevel,withthefederalgovernmentplaying
an active rolein water quality issues;and
WHEREAS,theMayorandtheCityCommissionwouldliketopartnerwith
municipalities within Miami-Dade Countyto eliminate septic systems forthebettermentofour
environmentandwaterquality,andtoseekfundingfromthestateandfederallevelstoassist
with such endeavors.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA THAT:
Section1.MunicipalitieswithinMiami-DadeCountyareurgedto join theCity of South
MiamiandtopartnerwiththeCountytosecurestateandfederalfundingtoassistwith
eliminating septicsystemsand converting tosewersystem connections.
Section 2.TheClerkis hereby instructed to transmit copies of this resolution tothe
MayororManager of eachmunicipalityinMiami-DadeCounty,theCouncilorCommissionof
eachmunicipalityinMiami-DadeCounty,andtheExecutiveDirector of theMiami-Dade
County League of Cities.
Section 3.Severability.If any section clause,sentence,or phrase of this resolution isfor
anyreasonheld invalid or unconstitutional byacourt of competent jurisdiction,the holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 4.Effective Date.This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of November 2016.
READ AND APPROVED ASTO FORM:
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W&J4J
COMMISSION VOTE:5-0
Mayor Stoddard:yea
Vice Mayor Welsh:Yea
Commissioner Edmond:Yea
Commissioner Liebman:Yea
Commissioner Harris:Yea