7a1 RESOLUTION NO.: ________ _
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3 A Resolution urging municipalities within Miami-Dade County to partner
4 with the county to secure state and federal funding to assist with eliminating
5 septic systems and converting to sewer system connections.
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7 WHEREAS, onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, commonly referred to as
8 septic systems, are a type of onsite sewage facility; and
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10 WHEREAS, a key component of a septic system IS the significant treatment of
11 wastewater in an underground drainfield; and
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13 WHEREAS, some portions of the County, particularly rural and suburban areas, lack
14 public sanitary sewer systems and therefore rely on septic systems to treat and dispose of
15 wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks, and dishwashers; and
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17 WHEREAS, within some municipalities in Miami-Dade County, residents also rely on
18 septic systems; and
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20 WHEREAS, wherever located, septic systems may present environmental concerns and
21 are potentially vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise; and
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23 WHEREAS, on July 6, 2016, Governor Rick Scott announced that he will propose
24 additional funding in his State Fiscal Year 2017-2018 recommended budget for a voluntary
25 matching program to encourage residents to convert from septic tanks to sewer systems to help
26 curb pollution that is currently entering into the Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River;
27 and
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29 WHEREAS, Governor Rick Scott stated in a press release that" [s ]eptic tank runoff is a
30 major contributor to the pollution in these water bodies and I look forward to working with the
31 Legislature to fund efforts to curb it"; and
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3 3 WHEREAS, the Governor's proposal would also provide financial support to local
34 communities to help them build wastewater systems to meet the increased demand for
3 5 wastewater services; and
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37 WHEREAS, as the Governor explained, "PR is up to all of us -the state, Florida's local
3 8 communities and the federal government -to work together on long term solutions to improve
39 the quality of our water," and "[tJhat is why I am going to commit state funding and match it
40 with local contributions so we can work together on efforts to clean up our waters"; and
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42 WHEREAS, in a companion item, the City of South Miami is urging the Florida
43 Legislature to provide state funding to assist local communities in eliminating septic systems and
44 converting to sewer system connections, as proposed by the Governor; and
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WHEREAS, the importance of eliminating septic systems and converting to sewer
system connections extends beyond the local and state level, with the federal government playing
an active role in water quality issues; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City Commission would like to partner with
municipalities within Miami-Dade County to eliminate septic systems for the betterment of our
environment and water quality, and to seek funding from the state and federal levels to assist
with such endeavors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. Municipalities within Miami-Dade County are urged to join the City of South
Miami and to partner with the County to secure state and federal funding to assist with
eliminating septic systems and converting to sewer system connections.
Section 2. The Clerk is hereby instructed to transmit copies of this resolution t9 the
Mayor or Manager of each municipality in Miami-Dade County, the Councilor Commission of
each municipality in Miami-Dade County, and the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade
County League of Cities.
Section 3. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court 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 __ day of _______ , 2016.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM:
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
CITY ATTORNEY
Page 2 of2
APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Welsh:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Liebman:
Commissioner Harris: