Flooding
TO: Members of the City Commission
FROM: Philip Levine, Mayor
th
DATE: January 6, 2014
SUBJECT: Blue Ribbon Panel on Flooding Mitigation
Attached please find the Mission Statement, Membership, and Powers and Duties of
the newly created Blue Ribbon Panel on Flooding Mitigation.
The membership of the Panel will consist of the following qualified Miami Beach
residents:
Mr. Scott Robins, Chairman
Dr. Dwight Kraai
Dr. Michael Phang
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Alex
Miranda directly.
Mission Statement
The Blue Ribbon Panel on Flooding Mitigation (Panel) is created pursuant
to the authority to establish blue ribbon panels under Section 2-23(b) of the
City Code. The Panel shall have the purpose of overseeing the City's response to
flooding, including storm water and the effects of sea level rise, and assisting with
the implementation of a comprehensive flood management plan for the City of Miami
Beach.
Membership
The Panel shall initially consist of three (3) members, all of whom shall be
appointed by the Mayor to serve for a term of one (1) year.
The membership of the Panel may be increased to five (5) total members, at the
discretion of the Mayor.
Powers and Duties
The Panel shall:
Report directly to the Mayor;
Provide a written report to the Mayor and City Commission (via placement in the
City Commission meeting agenda packet) no less than monthly, detailing the
activities and recommendations;
Have authority to meet directly with City Staff, as required;
provided with secretarial and such other staff support as the Panel may
Be
require. The City Manager shall designate such person from the City
Administration (who shall also have the responsibility of working with the Panel
and whose duties shall include, without limitation, providing assistance, noticing
and preparing meeting agendas; keeping of minutes; etc.);
Initially, make recommendations to the Mayor and City Commission regarding
the hiring of a consulting firm (Consultant), which will be retained by the
City for the express purpose of working with the Panel in assisting it to fulfill its
mission statement and formulating its findings and recommendations. The
Consultant shall have expertise in design and engineering and, at the
recommendation of the Panel, may be the City Engineer;
Focus on short, medium, and long-term solutions to flooding, including the effects
of sea level rise and storm water management;
Recommend a necessary course of action to mitigate flooding including
immediate action (emergency basis) projects;
Recommend changes to planning, zoning, and building design guidelines to be
implemented in future projects;
Develop comprehensive budgets, short and long term, and help identify various
funding sources;
Oversee (in an advisory capacity) flood mitigation projects, from design through
construction;
Evaluate and recommend all necessary consultants; and
Evaluate and recommend all necessary contractors.
Legal Counsel
The City office shall provide legal services to the Panel as may be
necessary or as requested by the Panel.