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11-20-01 SpecialSPECIAL CITY COMMISSION AGENDA City Commission Meeting Meeting dater November 20, 2001 6130 Sunset Drive, South Miami, EL Next Regular Meeting Date: December 4, 2001 Phone: (305) 663 -6340 Time: 6.30 PM City of South Miami Ordinance No 10 -00 -1712 requires all lobbyists before engaging in any lobbying activities to register with the City Clerk and pay an annual fee of $125.00. This applies to all persons who are retained (whether paid or not) to represent a business entity or organization to influence "City" action. "City" action is broadly described to include the ranking and selection of professional consultants, and virtually all - legislative, quasi- judicial and administrative action. It does not apply to not-for- profit organizations, local chamber and merchant groups, homeowner associations, or trade associations' and unions. CALL TO ORDER: A. Roll Call: B. Invocation• C. Pledge of Allegiance: ITEM FOR THE COMMISSION'S CONSIDERATION RESOLUTION SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION 1 AGENDA - November 20, 2001 South Miami .rfi�ly} rf S.v t :✓ SS Afl Wcaft SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION AGENDA City Commission Meeting Meeting dater November 20, 2001 6130 Sunset Drive, South Miami, EL Next Regular Meeting Date: December 4, 2001 Phone: (305) 663 -6340 Time: 6.30 PM City of South Miami Ordinance No 10 -00 -1712 requires all lobbyists before engaging in any lobbying activities to register with the City Clerk and pay an annual fee of $125.00. This applies to all persons who are retained (whether paid or not) to represent a business entity or organization to influence "City" action. "City" action is broadly described to include the ranking and selection of professional consultants, and virtually all - legislative, quasi- judicial and administrative action. It does not apply to not-for- profit organizations, local chamber and merchant groups, homeowner associations, or trade associations' and unions. CALL TO ORDER: A. Roll Call: B. Invocation• C. Pledge of Allegiance: ITEM FOR THE COMMISSION'S CONSIDERATION RESOLUTION SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION 1 AGENDA - November 20, 2001 1. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA,; RELATING TO 2`002 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; APPROVING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES DIRECTING CITY MANAGER TO FORWARD LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES TO APPROPRIATE ENTITIES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 3/5 2. Adjournment. SPEAKERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT SECTION 2-2.1(k)(2) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PROVIDES THAT "ANY PERSON MAKING PERSONAL IMPERTINENT, OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WHO SHALL BECOME BOISTEROUS WHILE ADDRESSING THE COMMISSION SHALL BE FORTHWITH BARRED FROM FURTHER AUDIENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER, UNLESS PERMISSION TO CONTINUE BE GRANTED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COMMISSION. ff PURSUANT: TO FLA STATUTES 286.0105, "THE'' CITY HEREBY ADVISES THE PUBLIC THAT IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THIS BOARD, AGENCY OR COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT ITS MEETING OR HEARING, HE OR SHE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND THAT FOR SUCH PURPOSE, AFFECTED PERSON MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTES CONSENT BY THE CITY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OR ADMISSION OR OTHERWISE INADMISSIBLE OR IRRELEVANT EVIDENCE, NOR DOES IT AUTHORIZE CHALLENGES OR APPEALS NOT OTHERWISE ALLOWED BY LAW. SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION 2 AGENDA - November 20, 2001 7M 1 771 my CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI INTER - OFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Commission From: Charles D. Scurr' City Manager REQUEST Date: November 16, 2001 Subject: Agenda Item # Special Public Hearing 11/20/01 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO 2002 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; APPROVING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; DIRECTING CITY .MANAGER TO FORWARD LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES TO APPROPRIATE ENTITIES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS A new Florida Statute requires that all agencies submitting funding requests to the Florida Legislature hold a public hearing to discuss its legislative and funding priorities for the Legislative Session. Our funding priorities for the upcoming session are as follows: Stormwater Drainage Improvements, Water Distribution System Improvements, Dante Fascell Park Improvements, Acquisition of the Hammock House Property, Continued funding for the PARE Program, Senior Citizen Services, Acquisition of an Emergency Mobile Command Center and Renovations to the Emergency Operations Center; and the US 1 Pedestrian Overpass. RECOMMENDATION Your approval is recommended. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12' 13 14 15 16 17 18 19'. 20 21' 22' 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO 2002 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; APPROVING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; DIRECTING: CITY MANAGER TO FORWARD LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES TO APPROPRIATE ENTITIES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami have identified Stormwater Drainage Improvements, Water Distribution System Improvements, Dante Fascell Park Improvements, Acquisition of the Hammock House Property, Continued funding for the PARE Program, Senior Citizen Services, Acquisition of an Emergency Mobile Command Center and Renovations to the Emergency Operations Center, and the US 1 Pedestrian Overpass as priorities for the current year; and WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature will be meeting shortly to prepare the State's budget; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission desire to seek funding through the Legislative process to accomplish the identified improvements; and WHEREAS, Florida statute requires that all entities requesting State funding hold a public hearing before a body of duly elected public officials before a funding request can be submitted to the Legislature. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA; Section 1. The following legislative priorities have been approved for forwarding to the Florida Legislature: Stormwater Drainage Improvements, Water Distribution System Improvements, Dante Fascell Park Improvements, Acquisition of the Hammock House Property, Continued funding for the PARE Program, Senior Citizen Services, Acquisition of an Emergency Mobile Command Center and Renovations to the Emergency Operations Center, and the US 1 Pedestrian Overpass. Section 2. The City Manager's office is hereby directed to forward Legislative Priorities attached as Exhibit "A" to appropriate entities. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval. PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of ATTEST: CITY CLERK READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY ATTORNEY APPROVED: MAYOR 2001. Commission Vote: Mayor Robaina: Vice Mayor Feliu: Commissioner Wiscombe: Commissioner Bethel: Commissioner Russell: Additions shown by underlining and deletions shown by eking. South Miami AN -fter aCiEy s;� ,. 3 2001 Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: General Government / Capital Improvements Program: Stormwater Drainage Improvements Amount: $1,700,000 Background and justification The purpose of this appropriations request is to receive the necessary funding to upgrade the City of South Miami's stormwater drainage system in order to eliminate or significantly reduce pollutant loading to water bodies from the direct discharge of stormwater runoff and prevent local flooding events by provide drainage system citywide. Recent requirements mandated by the Federal and State Government have affected the environmental and flood protection responsibilities of all municipal and local governments, including the City of South Miami. The most critical of these recent requirements is the Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program and Florida's implementation of this program via Section 403.0885 of Florida Statutes. In order to evaluate the City's compliance with these requirements, the City of South Miami commissioned a comprehensive engineering study to identify and detail priority stormwater drainage projects. The comprehensive engineering study, the basis for the City of South Miami Stormwater Capital Improvements Program, found that the City contains 32 municipally- owned stormwater outfalls which discharge untreated stormwater into waterways that flow into Biscayne Bay and do not comply with NPDES program standards; and localized flooding events occur in the City at significant expense to citizens. The study prioritized the projects necessary to upgrade the City's stormwater drainage system to comply with all applicable Federal, State and local law and estimated the total capital cost of the upgrade at $1,700,000. Appropriation Request The funding of these additional critical components of this environmental project is clearly beyond the City's financial ability and will require assistance from the State. With $1,700,000, the City will be able to perform the much - needed service for the project. South Miami ar s 2001 Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: General Government / Capital Improvements Program: Water Distribution System Improvements Amount: $2,000,000 Background and justification The City of South Miami is an established community in the heart of urban Miami -Dade County. The majority of the City was developed prior to the 1960s, when surrounding commercial and residential densities were low and inhabitants relied upon their own property to provide drinking water through shallow wells and to filter wastewater through septic tanks, often located next to each other. Since that time, however, the surrounding landscape; has dramatically changed. The City of South Miami is now the center of a very dense and populated urban core. Higher density and the presence of more intensive land uses have severely taxed the natural environment's ability to provide clean drinking water and filter wastewater. As a result, inhabitants now turn to local government for the provision of drinking water and wastewater collection to ensure public health and to safeguard the environment. In addition, these parts of the City of South Miami do not have fire hydrants. Without fire protection, it is very difficult for the local Fire Department to save lives and protect properties during routine fire calls. The majority of the City of South Miami was developed prior to the construction of Miami -Dade County's water and sewer system. Consequently, many of the City's residential neighborhoods still rely upon wells to provide for drinking water needs. Unfortunately; the significant stress put on the aquifer by urbanization has resulted in deteriorating water quality. Providing high - quality municipal water and fire protection are of utmost importance for our residents. Appropriation Request Potable drinking water and fire protection continue to be the City's most pressing needs. Our recent citywide study showed that we could bring our residential areas on -line with County water for approximately $2,000,000. South Miami AN-Am ficaCthr a . 2001 Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: Parks and Recreation Program: Dante Fascell "Park Improvements Amount: $112,500 Background and Justification The City of South Miami has made a significant commitment to preserving and enhancing its recreational resources. The City, with assistance from several funding sources, is renovating each of its parks, which had suffered from neglect for several decades. Substantial improvements are planned for Fuchs Park, which because of its location along Red Road (SW 57`x' Avenue) near Kendall Drive — serves thousands of residents and visitors each week. This legislative request would allow for substantial renovations to take place, including improving the inadequate drainage system in the park's parking lot and tennis courts; purchasing ADA- accessible playground equipment and picnic tables; resurfacing" the tennis and handball courts; demolishing the existing substandard restrooms and constructing new ones; making the playground equipment and pavilions wheelchair - accessible; resurfacing the exercise path /walkway that travels throughout the park, and replacing or repairing the individual exercise stations along the path. This appropriations request has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection for ranking in the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. Appropriation Request Legislative Funding Request $112,500 ' City Match (Cash and /or In -kind Services) $37,500 Total Project Cost $150,000 I I South Miami All -lit dca0v 2001 Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: Parks and Recreation Program: Park Land Acquisition - Hammock House Amount: $275,250 Background and Justification The City of South Miami has made a significant commitment to preserving and enhancing its recreational resources. In order to expand recreational opportunities for our residents, the City intends to purchase a 1 1/4 acre parcel located at 7800 SW 59th Avenue. The parcel - known as Hammock House - is lushly landscaped and is located in a growing urban area. Hammock House is a natural wooded area with dozens of fruit trees and exotic plants. The purpose of this project is to purchase the property and recreate a natural hardwood hammock. The property contains a small building that the City intends to use as a Nature Center. The property is registered with the National Audubon Society as a wildlife refuge, and the owner of the property receives frequent visitors. A geologist /biologist has studied the property and has determined that it contains a total of about 300 native tropical hardwood trees and shrubs of 96 different species. There are also approximately 50 native species of vines, wildflowers, palms, cycads, and ferns. Residents of the refuge include raccoons, opossums, squirrels, snakes, various species of birds and butterflies. The purchase of this parcel will serve several important functions, including: • providing recreational opportunities to thousands of residents and visitors; • allowing the development of nature trails for nature study, a butterfly farm, a dwarf fruit -tree demonstration area, and wildlife display rooms; • preserving one of the few natural areas in the center of Miami -Dade County, and • enhancing the liveability and character of an area where residents and visitors can experience an attractive and functional mix of living, working, shopping, and recreational activities. Appropriation Request Legislative Funding Request $275,250 Cash Match by City $91,750 Total Project Cost $367,000 I The City has applied for a grant from the Florida Communities Trust for $275,250. We urge you to support this request, since Florida's urban communities tend to be a disadvantage when applying for these funds. j Should the grant not be awarded, we urge you to support this project via a Legislative appropriation. ,: -r , South Miami er%aGlty 2001 .Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: Juvenile Justice Program: PARE (Prevention through Academic and Recreational Excellence) Amount: $ 200,000 Background and justification The City of South Miami has long been committed to juvenile crime prevention through its operation of its after school program, a tutoring and mentoring program which has invaluably served the schoolchildren of the City of South Miami since 1970. During this time, the program's tutors, mentors and volunteers have enabled thousands of at -risk children to achieve positive self- expression, interpersonal skills and academic competence and avoid criminal behavior. In 1998, the City of South Miami expanded its juvenile crime prevention efforts by creating the Prevention through Academic and Recreational Excellence (PARE) program. PARE strives to "pare" the number of South Miami children entering the juvenile justice system by (1) increasing the number of schoolchildren served by The After School Horse and (2) reaching additional schoolchildren through formal recreation programs. With help from a 2000 State Legislative appropriation, PARE was able to expand to 3 locations and serve approximately 250 South Miami schoolchildren. A great majority of the children reside in an area of the City known as Lee Park. Lee Park is an urban residential neighborhood comprised of a predominantly minority population which experiences many of the socioeconomic problems associated with the urban /inner -city environment, including crime, drugs, single- parent families, truancy and a high drop -out rate. As a result, PARE serves the highest category of at -risk children. Ninety percent (90 %) of the enrolled children live in Federally- assisted and HUD housing. Eighty- five percent (85 %) have a learning disability, reading deficit or attention disorder. What's more, earlier this summer, the City of South Miami was awarded the prestigious All - America City Award by the National Civic League. This honor is bestowed upon only 10 cities each year, and is based on a community's ability to unite the efforts of its staff, elected leaders, nonprofits, business community and residents in order to overcome major challenges. PARE was singled out by the National Civic League judging panel as a program that other communities should emulate; the success of PARE is one of the primary reasons why South Miami is an All- America City. PARE has significantly reduced the number of children entering the juvenile justice system, but unfortunately, the program did not receive funding during the State 2001 Legislative Session. Personnel cuts have had to be made. The City hopes that the program can once again help great �'y. FT'_+.,"- il:i'^ ,.r ','t.xy^'°"'_:'+.a •fs- 7£F �- ^- �r^nmcF' °= 1'- '°`�"`,°m'�.,. numbers of children in need, modernize programming and provide a broader array of services. The City has made a significant commitment to realize this hope. The Legislative Request would enable PARE to (1) serve an additional 200 students; (2) modernize programming; and (3) provide a'broader array of services. Most juveniles are adjudicated through the State system at great expense to Florida taxpayers. PARE has demonstrated its ability to significantly reduce the number of South Miami schoolchildren entering the juvenile justice' system. State funding will enable a greater number of children to be served and will enhance the overall quality of service, thereby further reducing the number of children entering the State system and the associated costs. Appropriation Request The City is requesting a $200,000 appropriation to continue to provide critically needed staffing and programming for its Prevention through Academic and Recreational Excellence (PARE) Program. The appropriation would provide for continued funding of the following positions: • PARE Director • Physical Education Teacher • Social Worker • Art /Music Teacher • Recreation Specialist • Teacher • Teacher's Aide ® 7 Recreation Leaders South Miami A l -Anfica CHY V 2001 Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: Social Services Program Senior Citizen Services Amount: $250,000 Background and Justification Our Senior Center houses 96 low- income, predominantly- minority seniors, and hundreds more live in the City of South Miami. All seniors benefit from a variety of activities that address their special physical and emotional needs. Unfortunately, the City has not been able to provide a number of programs crucial to seniors' needs. With this funding, the City would be able to offer seniors several crucial components. • Lunch is currently offered to them each Monday - Friday. For many seniors, this is the only meal they receive during the day. The City also would like to be able to offer them a healthy breakfast. • Additionally, a full-time Social Worker can help seniors cope with their emotional needs. • The acquisition of a 24- passenger bus and the services of a licensed bus driver will facilitate the transfer of seniors to the Senior Center and will allow us to be able to take the elderly to do their groceries and see their doctors. • Exercise classes and assistance with personal grooming and haircuts are essentials that we can be provide to the seniors at little cost. Idle seniors often lose the will to live, and these important basics would help the City to help our seniors continue their days with health and dignity. Appropriation Request The City is requesting a $250,000 appropriation to provide critically needed staffing, transportation, and., programming for its Senior Citizens Center. The provision of these services ultimately yields large savings in Medicare, Medicaid, welfare and food stamps. 2001 Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: General Government / Emergency Services Program: Emergency Mobile Command Center / Emergency Operations Center Amount: $418,905 Background and Justification The City of South Miami has limited access in borrowing emergency equipment for catastrophic events. Therefore, we are asking for approval for projects that we believe will overall assist the City of South Miami to better respond to emergencies and /or catastrophic events. This response will assist not only the residents of South Miami but also the residents in surrounding communities such as unincorporated Miami -Dade County, West 1Vliami, Coral Gables, the University of Miami, and Sweetwater. This also would assist us in responding to disasters in other areas of the State of Florida that request our help. Since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Miami -Dade County has experienced numerous hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depressions, unnamed storms, and several situations involving civil unrest. The western and southern portions of this County have experienced heavy to severe flooding, heavy wind damage, and numerous power' outages ranging from 10 minutes to as long as 48 hours. Often, the City of South Miami has been called on to aid our neighboring communities in times of natural and man -made distress. From a logistical and geographic point of view, the South Miami City Hall/Police Complex is centrally located as far as Miami -Dade County is concerned. This allows our Police Department to respond effectively and efficiently during emergency situations. As much as we would like to rely on assistance from Miami -Dade County, it is apparent that when multiple catastrophic events occur each year, the City of South Miami has a responsibility to its residents and to neighboring communities to be well prepared and provide the best service available. 412ropriation Request The City of South Miami is proposing the purchase of an Emergency Mobile Command Center. This will address the issue of having an on -site incident command center available to immediately assess affected areas during catastrophic events. The Emergency Mobile Command Center is a converted' mobile home set to standard specifications of the police department. The outside of the unit will be clearly marked and include full emergency response lighting, equipment, and generators. The interior will have a command /meeting area, full communications systems which includes police and public works radio systems, a satellite dish communications system, a copy machine, a fax machine, a television /VCR, a computer, telephone 'service, an AM /FM radio, office supplies and supplies for a protracted event. In addition, to better facilitate and expedite the handling of emergency situations, the City of South Miami proposes upgrading the Emergency Operations Center housed in the City Hall Complex by enhancing its communications and security capabilities.' The proposed upgrades include a power generator; a crisis hotline link -up; additional telephones and telephone lines; TVs; computers; and concommitant electrical upgrades. Legislative Funding request $418,905` Cash Match by the City S 18,699 Total Project Cost $437,604 South Miami AN-fteftft ti 2001 Legislative Request 2002 Legislative Session Area: Safety / Transportation Program: US1 Pedestrian Overpass Amount: $1,614,177 Background and Justification The City of South Miami's commercial district, once a small, mostly retail sector catering primarily to its residents, has become a vibrant, youthful, mixed -use downtown attracting both locals and visitors. Replete with entertainment venues, restaurants, and specialty shops, this rejuvenated downtown promises to sustain its growth into the foreseeable fixture. This popularity, however, has placed a`strain on the City's ability to accommodate the increase in pedestrian and vehicular activity. Accordingly, the City of South Miami has focused attention on alleviating vehicular congestion within the downtown and neighboring residential districts by promoting mass transportation and convenient pedestrian movement as viable alternatives. The South Miami Metrorail Station is an existing mass transportation hub including access to Metrorail and Miami -Dade buses. This transportation terminal also contains a five- level parking garage. The garage is currently underutilized and could be tapped as an additional source of parking for the overburdened downtown. Unfortunately, Dixie Highway's six -lane north /south roadway impedes the City from fully utilizing both the station and the parking garage. Pedestrians are forced to quickly negotiate a lengthy crosswalk. The City of South Miami believes that a pedestrian overpass will safely and effectively mitigate the physical and psychological barrier created bySR5 /US1. Additionally, the City hopes to increase accessibility to the Metrorail, making this mode of public transportation a safe and convenient alternative to driving. Mpropriation Request To address this issue, the City commissioned a local architecture firm to prepare a study in conjunction with the Metro -Dade Transit Agency (NIDTA), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The study shows that the entire project can be completed for approximately - $6,228,355. The City has been successful in obtaining $1.5 million from MDTA and $3,115,178 from the County Incentive Grant Program (CIGP) administered by FDOT. We respectfully request that the Legislature support the funding assigned to us via the County Incentive Grant Program and that the Legislature allocate $1,614,177, thereby bringing this much - needed project to fruition. Legislative Funding Request $1,614,177 City Match (via NIDTA) $1,500,000 City Match (via CIGP) S1114,178 Total Project Cost $6,228,355