Ord No 07-24-2492ORDINANCE NO. 07-24-2492
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE IV "DANGEROUS
INTERSECTION SAFETY" OF CHAPTER 17 "STREETS
AND SIDEWALKS,, TO CREATE SECTION 17-80 OF THE
CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AUTHORIZE THE
PLACEMENT, INSTALLATION, AND OPERATION OF
SPEED DETECTION SYSTEMS ON ROADWAYS
MAINTAINED AS SCHOOL ZONES, ESTABLISH TRAFFIC
ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES WHEN SPEED
DETECTION SYSTEMS ARE UTILIZED FOR SCHOOL
ZONE SPEED LIMIT VIOLATIONS, AND CREATE
HEARING PROCEDURES RELATING TO SUCH SCHOOL
ZONE SPEED LIMIT VIOLATIONS; PROVIDING FOR
CORRECTIONS; SEVERABILITY; CONFLICTS;
IMPLEMENTATION; CODIFICATION; AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on July I, 2023, House Bill 657, as codified under Chapter 2023-174 of the
Laws of Florida (the "Act") went into effect, authorizing municipalities to use speed detection
systems to enforce school zone speeding violations in excess of IO miles over the posted speed
limit (among other things) during certain times and days (the usOS"); and
WHEREAS, under the Act, prior to utilizing SOS to enforce eligible school zone speeding
violations, municipalities are required to adopt an ordinance authorizing the placement and
installation of SOS and creating traffic enforcement procedures relating to the enforcement of
school zone speed limits through the use ofSDS; and
WHEREAS, the Act also requires the governing body of the municipality to first
determine whether a school zone constitutes a heightened safety risk that warrants additional traffic
enforcement measures based on traffic data collected ("Traffic Report Services") prior to
utilization of the SDS in any particular school zone; and
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2023, the City of South Miami (the "City'') Commission
adopted Resolution No. 165-23-16098, approving an agreement with RedSpeed Florida, LLC
("Redspeed") to provide the Traffic Report Services for the City's school zones, and, contingent
upon full compliance with the requirements of the Bill by the City and Redspeed, install and
operate the SOS on behalf of the City to enforce school zone speeding violations as authorized
under the Bill; aitd
WHEREAS, Redspced has completed its Traffic Report Services and provided the "1)·affic
Studies jbr the City of South Miami" (the "Report'9
) for consideration by the City Commission,
which Report is attached hereto as Exhibit "A"; and
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Ord. No. 07-24-2492
WHEREAS, after consideration of the tratlic data provided in the Report and other
relevant evidence presented at the public hearing held on March 19, 2024, the City Commission
has determined that the following school zones constitute a heighted safety risk that warrant
additional enforcement mea,ures pursuant to Section 316.008(9), Florida Statutes: {I) Ludlam
Elementary School, SW 67tt1 Avenue and SW 74th Street, (2) Somerset Academy South Miami
Charter School, SW 58th Place, (3) South Miami K-8 Center, SW 60th Street, (4) South Miami
Middle School, SW 67th Avenue, and (5) Mandelstam School and Epiphany Catholic School, SW
57th Avenue (collectively, the "School Zones"); and
WHEREAS, in order to mitigate the heightened safety risks at the School Zones, the City
Commission desires to adopt this Ordinance to, among other things, make findings that the School
Zones constitute heightened safety risks that warrant additional enforcement measures pursuant to
Section 316.008(9), Florida Statutes, based on the Report and other relevant evidence presented at
the March 19, 2024, public hearing; authorize the placement, installation, and operation of SOS at
the School Zones; create procedures for the issuance of notice of violations for school zone
speeding violations by duly qualified traffic infraction officers pursuant to Section 316.1896,
Florida Statutes; and establish a hearing framework whereby a local hearing officer will detennine
whether school zone speeding violations have occurred; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance was duly noticed and presented to the City Commission in
two readings, with second reading conducted as the required public hearing on
March 19, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that this Ordinance is in the best interest and
welfare of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:1
Section 1. Recitals. The above-stated recitals are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
Section 2. Amending Cltapter 17 of tile City Code. The City Commission hereby
creates Section 17-80, 'Speed Detection Systems in School Zones," of Article IV of Chapter 17,
"'Streets and Sidewalks," of the City Code of Ordinances as follows:
CHAPTER 17 -STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
ARTICLE IV. D,4~1GeR:OUS ~1T8RSECTIO~I TRAFFIC SAFETY SYSTEMS AND
ENFORCEMENT
1 Coding: SIFilEelht=eugh ·.•,ceffls are deletions to the existing words. Underlined wo1·ds are ndditions to the existing
words. Modifications proposed by the Planning Board are shaded in grey. Changes between first and second reading
are indicated with doulJle striltethrettgh and double underline. Modificntions made at _secJ1od_ reading are shaded in ~-
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Ord. No. 07-24-2492
Section 17-80. Speed Detection Systems in School Zones.
(a) Purpose and J11tent. The City desires to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of
individuals traveling to and from school in the City, especially students and their parents and/or
legal guardians and school employees. Accordingly, the City seeks to enforce School Zone speed
limits by authorizing the placement and installation of speed detection systems on those School
Zone roadways that constitute a heighted safety risk warranting additional enforcement measures
pursuant to Section 316.008(9), Florida Statutes.
(b) Defi11ilio11s. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Section, shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section, except where the context clearly indicates a
different meaning:
ill Local Hearing Offlcer means the City's Special Master or such other qualified
person designated by resolution of the City Commission to conduct hearings
relating to notice of violations issued pursuant to Sections 316.1896 and 316.0083,
Flot·ida Statutes.
ill Perso11 means a natural person, the registered owner or co-owner of a motor
vehicle, or the person identified in an affidavit as having actual care, custody, or
control of the motor vehicle at the time of a Violation.
ill Petitio11er means a person who elects to reguest a hearing before the Local Hearing
Officer for the pumose of detem1ining whether a Violation under Section 316.1896,
Florida Statutes, has occurred.
~ School Zone means a roadway located within the City and established and
maintained as a School Zone pursuant to Section 316.1895, Florida Statutes, that
constitutes a heightened safety risk that warrants additional enforcement measures,
as determined by the City Commission after consideration of traffic data and other
relevant evidence.
ill Speed Detectio11 5),stem means a portable or fixed automated system used to detect
a motor vehicle's speed using radar or LiDAR, and to capture a photograph or video
of the rear of a motor vehicle that exceeds the speed limit in force at the time of the
Violation.
{fil n·afflc J11fi·aclio11 E11forceme11t Offlcer means the police department employee or
employees designated by the City Manager who meets the qualifications set forth
under Section 316.640(5}, and/or any other relevant statute, and is vested with the
authority to enforce Violations.
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Ord No. 07-24-2492
ill Violalio11 means a person that drives a motor vehicle on a roadway designated as a
School Zone at a speed as follows:
{A) In excess of 10 miles per hour over the School Zone speed limit which occurs
within 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after the start of a regularly scheduled
breakfast program in violation of Section 316.1895, Florida Statutes.
(B) In excess of IO miles per hour over the School Zone speed limit which occurs
within 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after the start of a regularly scheduled
school session in violation of Section 316.1895. Florida Statutes.
(C) In excess of 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit during the entirety
of a regularly scheduled school session in violation of Section 316.183, Florida
Statutes.
ID} In excess of 10 miles per hour over the School Zone speed limit which occurs
within 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after the end of a regularly scheduled
school session in violation of Section 316.1895. Flo1ida Statutes.
(c) Fi11di11gs. After consideration of the traffic data provided in the "1h1fflc Studies for the City of
Sout/r Mia1m.,,, prepared by RedSpeed Florida. LLC and other relevant evidence presented at the
public hearing held on March 19, 2024. the City Commission hereby finds that the following
School Zones where Speed Detection Systems are to be placed and installed constitute a heighted
safety risk that wal1'ant additional enforcement measures pursuant to Section 316.008(9). Florida
Statutes:
ill Ludlam Elementary School
6639 SW 74th Street
South Miami. Florida 33143
ill Somerset Academy South Miami Charter School
5876 SW 68th Street
South Miami, Florida 33143
ill South Miami K-8 Center
6800 SW 60th Street
South Miami, Florida 33143
.(41 South Miami Middle School
6750 SW 60th Street
South Miami. Florida 33143
ill Mandelstam School and Epiphany Catholic School
8530 SW 57th Avenue and 5557 SW 84 th Street
South Miami, Florida 33143
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Ord. No. 07-24-2492
(d} P/{lceme11t (Ind J11sttll/(ltio11 of Speed Deteclio11 S,ystems. Consistent with and pursuant to
Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, the City Commission authorizes the placement, installation, and
operation of automated Speed Detection Systems on School Zone roadways, as identified herein
under subsection l 7-80(c), to enforce Violations.
(e} Notice o[Violt1tio11, Desfg,Uttio11 ofLocal Hearing Offlce1; and Hearing Procedures.
ill Within thit1y {30) days after a Violation, a notice of violation shall be sent by first
class mail to the registered owner of the motor vehicle involved in the Violation. The notice of
violation must include:
£
1
The name and address of the vehicle owner;
a photograph, video, or other recorded image showing the license plate of
the motor vehicle;
The make, model, and year of the vehicle;
The date. time, and location of the Violation;
Notice that the infraction charged is pursuant to this section;
The maximum speed at which the motor vehicle was traveling within the
School Zone;
The speed limit within the School Zone at the time of the Violation;
A statement that the owner has a right to review, in person or remotely, the
photograph or video captured by the Speed Detection System{s) and the
evidence of the speed of the motor vehicle detected by the Speed Detection
System{s) that constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the motor vehicle
was used in a Violation;
Inst111ctions as to the time and the place or website at which the photograph
or video and evidence of speed detected captured by the Speed Detection
System{s) may be examined and observed:
Infonnation that advises the Violator on the person's right to request a
hearing and on all costs related thereto and a form used to request a hearing,
or alternatively, a web address to a website that provides such information;
Instructions on all methods of payment of the penalty;
A statement specifying the remedies available under Section 318.14, Florida
Statutes;
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Ord. No. 07-24-2492
!lh A statement that the owner must pay a penalty in the amount provided under
Section 318.18(3 )( d), Florida Statutes, or furnish an affidavit that compiles
with Section 316.1896(8), Florida Statutes, within thirty (30) days in order
to avoid court fees, costs, and the issuance of a unifonn traffic citation
against the owner: and
A signed statement by the Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer that, based
on inspection of recorded photographs or video captured by the Speed
Detection System(s), the vehicle was involved in and was utilized to commit
a Violation.
(2) Except as may be othe1wise provided by resolution of the City Commission, the City
shall utilize its Special Maste1·, as provided in Section 2-24 of the City Code, to serve as the Local
Hearing Officer{s) who shall preside over notice of violation hearings set forth under Section
316.1896, Florida Statutes, as amended.
(3) The City Manager or the City Manager's designee shall designate a Traffic Infraction
Enforcement Officer(s) to implement the authorizations contained under Section 316.1896(6),
Florida Statutes. and the City Commission shall designate a City staff member to serve as the clerk
to the Local Hearing Officer by resolution.
(4) Any Petitioner that elects to request a hearing shall be scheduled for a hearing by the
clerk of the Local Hearing Officer, with notice of the hearing to be sent to the Petitioner by first-
class mail. Upon receipt of the notice, the Petitioner may reschedule the hearing once by submitting
a written request to reschedule to the clerk of the Local Hearing Officer, at least five calendar days
before the day of the originally scheduled hearing. The Petitioner may cancel his or her appearance
before the Local Hearing Officer by paying the penalty assessed by Section 316.1896(2), Florida
Statutes, as amended, plus the administrative costs established under Section 316.0083(5)(c),
Florida Statutes, before the start of the hearing.
{5) All testimony at the hearing shall be under oath and shall be recorded. The Local
Hearing Officer shall take testimony from a Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer and the
Petitioner and may take testimony from others. The Local Hearing Officer must review the
photograph or video captured by the Speed Detection System and the evidence of the speed of the
motor vehicle detected by the Speed Detection System. Formal rules of evidence do not apply, but
due process shall be observed and govern the proceedings.
(6} At the conclusion of the hearing, the Local Hearing Officer must detennine whether a
Violation has occurred, in which case the Local Hearing Officer shall uphold or dismiss the
Violation. The Local Hearing Officer shall issue a final administrative order including the
dete11nination and, if the notice of the violation is upheld, must require the Petitioner to pay the
penalty assessed under Section 316.18(3)(d), Florida Statutes, as amended, and may also require
the Petitione1· to pay the City's costs, not to exceed the amount established under Section
3 l 6.0083(5}(e}. Florida Statutes. The final administrative order shall be mailed to the Petitioner
by first-class mail.
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Ord. No. 07-24-2492
(7) An aggrieved party may appeal a final administrative order consistent with the process
provided under Chapter 162, Florida Statutes.
(f) S11pp/e111e11tct! Authoritv. The provisions of this Section supplement the enforcement of Sections
316.1895 and 316.183, Florida Statutes, by law enforcement officers and does not prohibit law
enforcement officers from issuing unifonn traffic citations for violations of Sections 316.1895 or
316.183.
***
Section 3. Corrections. Conforming language or technical scrivener-type corrections
may be made by the City Attorney for any confonning amendments to be incorporated into the
final Ordinance for signature.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, clause, sentence, or pluase of this Ordinance
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 Ordinance.
Section 5. Conflicts. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances, resolutions or parts
of resolutions, in conflict herewith, are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. Codification. It is the intention of the City Commission, and it is hereby
ordained that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and made a part of the Code of the
City of South Miami; that the sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered or re-lettered to
accomplish such intention; and that the word "Ordinance" shall be changed to "Section" or other
appropriate word.
Section 7. Implementation. The City Manager is hereby authorized to take any and
all necessary action to implement the purposes of this Ordinance.
Section 8. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon
adoption on second reading. Following the adoption of this Ordinance, the City Manager shall
publicly announce its intent to utilize Speed Detection Systems as provided herein and conduct a
thirty (30) day public awareness campaign to inform the public of the provisions ofthis Ordinance.
During the thirty (30) day public awareness campaign, the City shall only issue warnings to a
Person for Violations.
PASSED on first reading on the 5111 day of March, 2024.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading on the 1911, day of March, 2024.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
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Ord. No. 07-24-2492
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
w
& BIERMAN, P.L.
CITY ATTORNEY
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Fernandez:
Vice Mayor Bonich:
Commissioner Calle:
Commissioner Liebman:
3-2
Yea
Nay
Yea
Nay
Conunissioner Corey: Yea
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Agenda Item No:13.
City Commission Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: March 5, 2024
Submitted by: Roger Pou
Submitting Department: City Manager
Item Type: Ordinance
Agenda Section:
Subject:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AMENDING ARTICLE IV “DANGEROUS INTERSECTION SAFETY” OF CHAPTER 17 “STREETS AND
SIDEWALKS” TO CREATE SECTION 17-80 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AUTHORIZE THE
PLACEMENT, INSTALLATION, AND OPERATION OF SPEED DETECTION SYSTEMS ON ROADWAYS
MAINTAINED AS SCHOOL ZONES, ESTABLISH TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES WHEN SPEED
DETECTION SYSTEMS ARE UTILIZED FOR SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT VIOLATIONS, AND CREATE
HEARING PROCEDURES RELATING TO SUCH SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT VIOLATIONS; PROVIDING
FOR CORRECTIONS; SEVERABILITY; CONFLICTS; IMPLEMENTATION; CODIFICATION; AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5 (MAYOR FERNÁNDEZ)
Suggested Action:
Attachments:
Memorandum Ordinance Creating Section 17-80 Relating to Speed Detection Systems.DOCX
First Reading - Ordinance School Speed Detection System.DOCX
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CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:The Honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Members of the City Commission
FROM:Lillian Arango and Tony Recio, City Attorneys
CC:Genaro “Chip” Iglesias
DATE:March 5, 2024 City Commission Meeting
SUBJECT:ANORDINANCEOFTHEMAYORANDCITYCOMMISSIONOFTHECITYOFSOUTH
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE IV “DANGEROUS INTERSECTION
SAFETY”OFCHAPTER17“STREETSANDSIDEWALKS”TOCREATESECTION17-80
OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AUTHORIZE THE PLACEMENT,
INSTALLATION, AND OPERATION OF SPEED DETECTION SYSTEMS ON
ROADWAYS MAINTAINED AS SCHOOL ZONES,ESTABLISH TRAFFIC
ENFORCEMENTPROCEDURESWHENSPEEDDETECTIONSYSTEMSAREUTILIZED
FOR SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT VIOLATIONS, AND CREATE HEARING
PROCEDURES RELATING TO SUCH SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT VIOLATIONS;
PROVIDING FOR CORRECTIONS;SEVERABILITY;CONFLICTS;
IMPLEMENTATION; CODIFICATION; AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE (MAYOR JAVIER
FERNÁNDEZ)
The accompanying Ordinance was prepared and placed on the agenda at the request of Mayor
Javier Fernández.
On July 1, 2023, House Act 657, as codified under Chapter 2023-174 of the Laws of Florida
(the “Act”), went into effect, authorizing municipalities to use speed detection systems (“SDS”)
to enforce certain school zone speeding violations, subject to compliance with various
requirements. The proposed ordinance (the “Ordinance”) accompanying this memorandum was
prepared to ensure that theCity of South Miami(the “City”) can legallyenforce school zone speed
limit violations through the use of SDSs in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the City must adopt the Ordinance to authorize
the placement, installation, and operation of SDSs, establish a traffic enforcement procedure
when SDSs are utilized to enforce school zone speed limit violations, and create hearing
procedures relating to such school zone speed limit violations. Furthermore, the Actrequires the
City to make a determination as to which school zones constitute a heightened safety risk that
warrant additional traffic enforcement measures based on traffic data collected (“Traffic Report
Services”) and other relevant evidence presented at a public hearing prior to approving the
Ordinance.
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CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
On December 5, 2023, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 165-23-16098,
approving an agreement with RedSpeed Florida, LLC (“Redspeed”) for the provision of Traffic
Report Services and the installation, placement, and operation of SDSs in eligible school zones
within the City, contingent on full compliance with the Act’s requirements by the City. The results
of Redspeed’s Traffic Report Services are provided in the “Traffic Studies for the City of South
Miami” attached hereto as Exhibit “A” (the “Report”). Prior to adoption of the Ordinance at
secondreading, the CityCommissionshould consider the results of the Report and other relevant
evidence in making a determination as to which school zones in the City constitute a heightened
safety risk that warrant additional traffic enforcement measures.
Second Reading:If the Ordinance is adopted by Commission on first reading it will be advertised
for second reading and placed on the agenda for the March 19, 2024, Commission Meeting.
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