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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-34221RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34221 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS MARCH 30, 2026 MEETING, AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, IN A FORM APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, (1) AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE VENETIAN CAUSEWAY TOLL BOOTH; AND (2) AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY INCIDENTS OF A CRITICAL AND TIME -SENSITIVE NATURE. WHEREAS, at the September 3, 2025, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC") to discuss a Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach ("City'), Florida, directing the City Administration to create and deploy a specialized police task force to more proactively address and enforce any violations of law committed by rogue groups of individuals entering the city riding dirt bikes, all -terrain vehicles, bicycles, electric bicycles and other devices in a reckless or unlawful manner, in violation of various traffic laws, and with blatant disregard for other road users and pedestrians; and WHEREAS, the item was subsequently heard at the March 30, 2026, PSNQLC meeting and the Committee unanimously agreed to move the item to the full City Commission with a recommendation to establish an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County and an interagency agreement with the United States Coast Guard ("USGC") for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department ("Department') and the Venetian Causeway toll booth and between the Department and the Venetian Causeway bridge operators on public safety incidents of a critical and time -sensitive nature; and WHEREAS, the City is dedicated to safeguarding its residents, visitors, and businesses by ensuring the safety of its streets, sidewalks, and public spaces; and WHEREAS, rogue groups of individuals have increasingly been observed entering the City, operating dirt bikes, bicycles, and similar devices in reckless disregard of traffic laws and public safety; and WHEREAS, these groups often travel into and out of the City in large numbers via the Venetian Causeway; and WHEREAS the Committee discussed various options to better intercept and deter these rogue groups before, during, and after their presence in the City; and WHEREAS, the USCG has in the past collaborated with the Department on the operation of the bridge during critical and time -sensitive incidents; and WHEREAS, the Committee believes communication between the Department and USCG Venetian Causeway operators could extend to incidents related to the movement of these rogue bicycle groups into and out of the City; and WHEREAS, the proposed agreement with Miami Dade County will provide the Department enhanced capability to monitor and prepare for the arrival of the rogue groups and make the City of Miami Beach safer for residents and visitors. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Public Safety And Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, at its March 30, 2026 meeting, and directing the Administration to negotiate and execute, in a form approved by the City Attorney, (1) an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department and the Venetian Causeway Toll Booth; and (2) an interagency agreement between the Miami Beach Police Department and United States Coast Guard on public safety incidents of a critical and time -sensitive nature. PASSED and ADOPTED this u- day of 2026. ATTEST: Steven Meiner, Mayor APR 2 8 2026 Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk �N'ov ORAIED` (Sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) Co -Sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine Co -Sponsored by Commissioner Monica Mateo -Salinas Co -Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION �Zfo L ( City Attorney Date Resolutions - C7 M MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager DATE: April 22, 2026 TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS MARCH 30, 2026 MEETING, AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, IN A FORM APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, (1) AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE VENETIAN CAUSEWAY TOLL BOOTH; AND (2) AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY INCIDENTS OF A CRITICAL AND TIME -SENSITIVE NATURE. RECOMMENDATION The Administration recommends that the City adopt the Resolution to negotiate and execute, in a form approved by the City Attorney, (1) an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department and the Venetian Causeway Toll Booth; and (2) an interagency agreement between the Miami Beach Police Department and United States Coast Guard on public safety incidents of a critical and time - sensitive nature. BACKGROUND/HISTORY At the September 3, 2025 City Commission Meeting, at the request of Commissioner David Suarez, the Mayor and City Commission considered a Resolution (R7 AA) to create and deploy a specialized task force singularly focused on enforcement of rogue groups of individuals entering the city riding non -street legal bikes and violating city laws. The item was discussed and referred to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC") for further discussion. The item was subsequently heard at the March 30, 2026, PSNQLC meeting where the Committee unanimously agreed to move the item to the full City Commission with a recommendation to direct the Administration to negotiate and execute, in a form approved by the City Attorney, (1) an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department and the Venetian Causeway Toll Booth; and (2) an interagency agreement between the Miami Beach Police Department and United States Coast Guard ("USGC") on public safety incidents of a critical and time -sensitive nature. ANALYSIS Over the past few years, the Department has worked diligently at refining a comprehensive and balanced strategy to address violations committed by rogue groups riding bicycles and other means of motorized transportation and the potential harm posed to Miami Beach visitors and residents. For the past six years, rogue bicycle, dirt bike, and ATV groups have been a recurring challenge for the City and all law enforcement agencies within Miami -Dade County. This behavior was most prevalent between 2019 and 2023, when large groups frequently entered the city with little or no warning. While recent months have shown a decline in the size and frequency of rogue bicycle groups, we have simultaneously experienced an increase in "Wheels Up, Guns Down" motorcycle and ATV riders entering the city from multiple directions. A key complicating factor is the randomness and unpredictability of these groups. They lack organized leadership or structure, making it difficult to forecast activity, assign accountability, or prevent entry into the city. While balancing public safety and the potential risk posed when stopping large groups of individuals on bicycles, the Department has found more favorable outcomes in addressing rogue bicycle groups when enhanced resources and advanced notice are available. The USGC has in the past collaborated with the Department on the operation of the bridge during critical and time -sensitive incidents. To better intercept and deter these rogue groups before, during, and after their presence in the City, the Administration proposes to negotiate and execute, in a form approved by the City Attorney, (1) an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County and (2) an interagency agreement with the United States Coast Guard, to provide the Department enhanced capability to monitor and prepare for the arrival of the rogue groups and make the City of Miami Beach safer for residents and visitors. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT No financial impact has been identified. CONCLUSION Addressing rogue group violators is a complex, ongoing challenge that requires sustained, collaborative effort. The Administration through the Miami Beach Police Department recommends that the City adopt the Resolution to negotiate and execute, in a form approved by the City Attorney, (1) an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department and the Venetian Causeway toll booth and (2) an interagency agreement with the United States Coast Guard, to create a more proactive way in addressing and enforcing violations committed by rogue groups entering the city. Applicable Area Citywide Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? RE Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Project? No Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Department Police Sponsor(s) Commissioner David Suarez Co-sponsor(s) Commissioner Joseph Magazine Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas Commissioner Alex Fernandez Condensed Title Accept Rec/Negotiate and Execute Interlocal Agmt w/ M-DC, and Interagency Agmt w/ USGC - Venetian Cswy. (DS/JM/MMS/AF) PD Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only) Resolutions - C7 M MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager DATE: April 22, 2026 TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS MARCH 30, 2026 MEETING, AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE VENETIAN CAUSEWAY TOLL BOOTH ON PUBLIC SAFETY INCIDENTS OF A CRITICAL AND TIME -SENSITIVE NATURE. RECOMMENDATION The Administration recommends that the City adopt the Resolution to establish an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department and the Venetian Causeway toll booth. BACKGROUND/HISTORY At the September 3, 2025 City Commission Meeting, at the request of Commissioner David Suarez, the Mayor and City Commission considered a Resolution (R7 AA) to create and deploy a specialized task force singularly focused on enforcement of rogue groups of individuals entering the city riding non -street legal bikes and violating city laws. The item was discussed and referred to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC") for further discussion. The item was subsequently heard at the March 30, 2026, PSNQLC meeting where the Committee unanimously agreed to move the item to the full City Commission with a recommendation to direct the Administration to establish an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department ("Department") and the Venetian Causeway toll booth on public safety incidents of a critical and time -sensitive nature. ANALYSIS Over the past few years, the Department has worked diligently at refining a comprehensive and balanced strategy to address violations committed by rogue groups riding bicycles and other means of motorized transportation and the potential harm posed to Miami Beach visitors and residents. For the past six years, rogue bicycle, dirt bike, and ATV groups have been a recurring challenge for the City and all law enforcement agencies within Miami -Dade County. This behavior was most prevalent between 2019 and 2023, when large groups frequently entered the city with little or no warning. While recent months have shown a decline in the size and frequency of rogue bicycle groups, we have simultaneously experienced an increase in Wheels Up, Guns Down" motorcycle and ATV riders entering the city from multiple directions. A key complicating factor is the randomness and unpredictability of these groups. They lack organized leadership or structure, making it difficult to forecast activity, assign accountability, or prevent entry into the city. 506 of 2461 While balancing public safety and the potential risk posed when stopping large groups of individuals on bicycles, the Department has found more favorable outcomes in addressing rogue bicycle groups when enhanced resources and advanced notice are available. To better intercept and deter these rogue groups before, during, and after their presence in the City, the Administration proposes to establish the interlocal agreement to provide the Department enhanced capability to monitor and prepare for the arrival of the rogue groups and make the City of Miami Beach safer for motorists and pedestrians. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT No financial impact has been identified. CONCLUSION Addressing rogue group violators is a complex, ongoing challenge that requires sustained, collaborative effort. The Administration through the Miami Beach Police Department recommends that the City adopt the Resolution to establish an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County for direct communication and coordination between the Miami Beach Police Department and the Venetian Causeway toll booth to create a more proactive way in addressing and enforcing violations committed by rogue groups entering the city. Applicable Area Citywide Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? No Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Project? Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Department Police Sponsor(s) Commissioner David Suarez Co-sponsors) Commissioner Joseph Magazine Condensed Title Accept Rec/Establish Interlocal Agmt w/ M-DC, Coordinate Venetian Cswy Toll Booth. (DS/JM) PD Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only) 507 of 2461