20170111 AM2MIAMIBEACH
City Gommission Meeting
ADDENDUM MATERTAL 2 (1t9t20171
City Hal!, Commission Chambers, 3'd Floor, 1700 Convention Center Drive
January 11,2017
Mayor Philip Levine
Commissioner John Elizabeth Alem6n
Commissioner Ricky Arriola
Commissioner Michael Grieco
Comm issioner Joy Malakoff
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
Commissioner Micky Steinberg
City Manager Jimmy L. Morales
City Attorney Raul J. Aguila
City Clerk Rafael E. Granado
Vrsff us at www.miamibeachfl.gov for agendas and video "streaming" of City Commission Meetings.
ATTENTION ALL LOBBYISTS
Chapter 2, Article Vll, Division 3 of the City Code of Miami Beach entitled "Lobbyists" requires the
registration of all lobbyists with the City Clerk prior to engaging in any Iobbying activity with the City
Commission, any Gity Board or Committee, or any perconnel as defined in the subject Code
sections. Copies of the City Code sections on Iobbyists laws are available in the City Clerk's office.
Questions regarding the provisions of the Ordinance should be directed to the Office of the City
Attorney.
ADDENDUM AGENDA
C7 - Resolutions
C7 T A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND CITYWIDE
PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO AMEND THE CITY'S TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS SET
FORTH IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT'3'.
Human Resources
Addendum added on 11912017
R9 - New Business and Gommission Requests
R9 AA DISCUSS PLACING ''THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING'' SIGNS AT EVERY PUBLIC BEACH.
Vice-Mayor Joy Malakoff
Addendum added on 11912017
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Resolutions - C7 T
MIAMI BEACH
GOMMISS ION ME IT'IORAN DU M
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jinrny L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: January 11,2017
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE I\4AYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CIry OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
FINANCE AND CITY1ruIDE PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO AMEND THE CITYS
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMAS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT
"3".
RECOMMENDATION
We still believe that a Tuition Assisiance Program is a valuable tool in enabling our employees to
reach their personal goals, while also creating a pool of qualified staff to contribute to the City.
Therefore, the administration is recomrnending a nrore streamlined, simplistic procedure for
approving course work and applying the tuition assistance reimbursernent.
Areas of clarification are recomnended as follows and will reflect in the Administrative Procedure No.
HR.20.'1 (Elhibit 3 - Revised Draft Procedure):
. All coursework must be related to a City of Miami Beach career path
. Six (6) credit hour limit per senester; eighteen (18) credit hours per year
. No reimbursernent for PhD's
. The tuition per credit hour rate for classes taken at Miami-Dade College is $118.22 (this rate will be
updated by the Hunan Resources Department, as needed)
. Reimbursenent will be at the following levels, with the per credit hour rate (tuition only, exclusive of
fees) not to exceed the FIU rate, for traditional Undergraduate and Graduate prograrrs, published
each July in the State University System of Florida, Tuition and Required Fees
(www.fl bog. edu/abouUbudgeUcu rrent. php):
o 90% reimbursernent for courses in which employees eam an "A'
? lncludes a "passing" grade on a pass/fail basis
o 80% reimbursement for courses in which employees earn a "B"
o 60% reimbursenent for courses in which employees earn a "C"
. Corporate/Executive prograns (ie. MPA, MBA) will be reimbursed at the sane grading scale above,
al$714 per credit hour (including on-line courses and courses at private schools)
. Maximum allowable reimbursernent for each employee, regardless of the educational program they
are enrolled in is $5,250 per year (federal governnent cap for exemption from withholding tax)
. Approved, non-degree, work-related courses shall be reimbursed at 70o/o of the course cost,
exclusive of books and other fees
Page 352 o1775
3
' Approved, certification courses, directly related to a City of Miami Beach career path, will be
reimbursed at70% on a pass/fail basis. (bemples of certification prograrns: Film, Hurnan Resources,
Finance)
Using the recomnrended changes proposed above, we are proposing a $300,000 budget allocation
using the following participation scenarios:
Undergraduate Program
.40 enrolled employees
' Each of the 40 employees takes 6 credit hours per senester for a total of 18 senrester hours per
year at $162.61 per credit hour (using FIU per credit hour rate)
.40yo eam an "A' which results in a cost of $42,148
. 40o/o eam a "B" which results in a cost of $37,465
.20o/o earn a "C" which results in a cost of $14,050, for a total ependiture of $93,663
Graduate Program (traditional)
. 10 enrolled employees
' Each of the 10 employees takes 6 credit hours per sernester for a total of 18 senrester hours per
year at $398 per credit hour (nuxi mum allowable per year $5,250)
. Aloh earn an "A' which results in a cost of $21,000
. 49o/o earn a "8" which results in a cost of $21,000
.2oo/o earn a "C" which results in a cost of $8,617, for a total ependiture of $50,617
Executive/Corporaie Program
. 10 enrolled employees
' Each of the 10 employees takes 6 credit hours per semester for a total of 18 senester hours per
year at $714 per credit hour (neximum allowable per year $5,250)
. 40o/o earn an "A' which results in a cost of $21,000
. 40o/o earn a "B" which results in a cost of $21,000
.20o/o earn a "C" which results in a cost of $10,500, for a total expenditure of $52,500
Certification Prograns (City of Miami Beach career path)
. 50 employees at an average of three (3) courses at $500 per course = $1,500
. Completion of courses on a Pass/Fail basis, reimbursed at70% for a "Pass"
. Estimated annual cost for certifications is $52,500
Non-degree Prograns (City of Miami Beach career path)
. 25 employees at an average of three (3) courses at $250 per course = $750
. Completion of courses on a Pass/Fail basis, reimbursed atTAo/o for a "Pass"
. Estineted annual cost for certifications is $13,125
With the recomnended changes, the Administration intends to make Tuition Assistance a srnooth
process for those ernployees wishing to eryand their knowledge and skills by obtaining a degree or
certification in a career-related path at the City. These arnendrnents will also improve the process for
the Hunran Resources staff that is responsible for processing the tuition assistance reimbursement
Page 353 of775
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request.
ANALYSIS
Beginning in January 2A15, the program utilization was as follows: twenty-nine (29)
undergraduate enrollees, fifteen (15) graduate enrollees, and twelve (12) non-degree seeking
enrollees. With a total of fifty-six (56) employees utilizing the program, to date, approximately
$67,000 has been reimbursed, that is 21.96% of the cunent budget.The majority of our
employees attended Miami-Dade College (21.4o/o), Florida lntemational University (19.6%), and
Barry (19.6%). We have determined that some aspects of the current program are vague and
somewhat confusing to the user, as well as the Human Resources staff that is calculating the
reimbursement. Several employees voiced their concem about the way tuition assistance is
being applied when compared to the illustration used in the January 14,2015, Commission
memo (Exhibit 1). For example, the information provided to the FCWPC and Commission
includes executive degree programs at colleges such as Barry, Nova, and FlU, in which the City
has partnered with these schools to offer varying prefened tuition rates, costing as much as
$760, exclusive of application and lab fees, books and other related expenditures. The cost
analysis used for the two-year pilot program was based on the following assumptions for an
Undergraduate student at FIU and a Graduate student in a corporate lvlaster of Business
Administration program at $760 per credit hour. The tuition assistance budget allocation for the
two-year pilot program is $305,000. This budget was anived by using the following
assumptions:
Undergraduate Program
.56 enrolled employees
. Each of the 56 employees takes 6 credit hours per semester for a total of 1B semester hours
per year at $203.59 per credit hour
. 40o/o eam an "A" which results in a cost of $66,000
.30o/o eam a "B" which results in a cost of $37,000;
. 30oh eam a "C" which results in a cost of $25,000, for a total expenditure of $128,000
Corpo rate Grad uate Prog ram (Business Ad ministration)
. 18 enrolled employees
. Each of the 18 employees takes 6 credit hours per semester for a total of 18 semester hours
per year at $760 per credit hour
. 60% earn an "A" which results in a cost of $118,000; and
.40o/o eam a "B" which results in a cost of $59,000;
. 30o/o earn a "C" which results in a cost of $25,000, for a total expenditure of $177,000
However, as we near the end of the two-year pilot program, and look back at past practices, we
believe that the program was not used to its full potential due to the conflicting class approval
process and the misunderstanding of the reimbursement process, especially as it relates to the
Corporate/Executive Graduate programs. Additionally, we received a letter from the Director,
Master of Public Administration ("MPA") at FIU regarding their program structure for the
Executive MPA and how the tuition is determined. An MPA program cost is $32,000, with $2,000
of those dollars used for books and food, resulting in a $714 per credit hour tuition rate. The
Director also states that the MPA program has been very successful since its inception in 1978,
with 2800 graduates (Exhibit 2).
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CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends adopting the Resolution.
Legislative Tracking
Human Resources
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Exhibit 1
u exhibit 2
o Exhibit 3
Page 355 ot775
6
EXHIBIT # 1
RESOLUTION HO.20r$388$r
A RESOLUTIO},I OF THE i,AYOR AI.ID CITY GgTlIitrfSSIOH AF THE CITY OF MIAtIi'
BEACH, FLORIDA' ACCEPTI'HG THE RECOMIIENDATIOIIS OF THE FINAiICE ANO
CITYWIDE PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO AI}TEHO T}IE CITY'S TUITISH ASSISTAHCE
PROBRAIII As FoLLows: TUlrloN A$sxsTANcE SHALL BE BA$ED oN, Bur Nor
EXCEEO, THE TSTABLISHED CREDIT HOUE TUTTION RATE IH THE $TATTS
UNIVERSITY SYSTE$ AT THE Tl,UtE OF EHROLLftllEttT; ASSISTANSf SHALL BE
BASEO OI{ A SLIO}HG SCALE OIRECTLY RELATED TO THE EMPLOYEE'$
PEBFORITIANCE IN APPROYEB COURSEWORK FROTTI ACCREU.|TSO IilSTITUTIONS
OF HIGHER LEAfiHING wlTH A Slx CREDIT HOUR Lllt lf PEE SEITIESTER;
ASSISTANCE SHALL BE LI[iffTO TO fiO PERCENT OF TilE TUITTOH CO$T$ FOR
GOURSES IN W}IICH EMPLOYEE$ EARH AN "A,'' 60 PERCEHT WHEN THEY EARN A,'8," AND i10 PERCENT WHEH THEy EARN A ,,C," EXGEPT GRADUATE COUR$E$
FOR WHICH ASSI$TA}.ICE RESUIRES EA,RNING NO LE$S THAN A UB'r. A
REPAYMENT REOUIREMENT IF THE EMPLOYEE SEPAR,ATES FROTil EMFLOYIIIE'{T
EY THE CITY WTHIH T$'O YEARS OF HAVING RECEMED AS$ISTANCE, WT}I AN
EXGEPTION FSR EMPLOYEES tlfH0 ARE l*lD OFF OR OIE; ANn AFFROVING It{E
RSVISEO CIW OF nillAllll BEACI{ EIiIPLOYEE TUITION A,SSISTAI,ICE PROGRA|I SET
FORTH IH THE ATTACHED EXHIEIT A.
WHEREAS, there Cily of Miami Beach {City} has a lcng.standing tradition of
encouraging employees to furlher their education by offering e tuiiion assistance prcaram; and
ItIHEREAS, the tuition assisiance progrem has not been revised since 300{; and
WHf;REAS, costs ,or a post-secondary educalion have risen considerably in the
intervening years; and
WHEREAS, tuition assistance is available only to full'time City of Miarni Beach ctassified
emptoyees who have completed their prohationary periods, or for unclassified employees who
have a minimum of six t6) rnonths of continuous service. (TimE s*rved in a
Provisional/Temporary status is excluded); and
WHEREAS, the Finance and Sitywide Projects FCWP) Committee membqrs revieumd
the status of the prograrn and recommend*d the following changes at the Decernber 12, ?014
meeting: tuition assislance shall be basect on, but not exceed, the established credit hour tuition
rate in lhe State's University System at lhe time of enrollment: assistance shall be based on a
sliding ssale directly retated to the employee's performance in approved coursework from
accrediled institutions of higher learning with a six credit hour limit por sernester; assistance
shsll be limited tu 80 percent of the tuiUon c+sts for courses in which ernployees eam sn *4,'60
percent when they eam a "8,' and 40 percent wten they eaffi a "C," except graduate courses
for which assistance requires earning no less lhan a "B'; and a repayrnent requirement if the
employee $rparated within two years of havhg received as$istance, with an exception for
employees who are laid olf or diei and
WHEREAS, a revised City of Miami Eeach Employre Tuition Assistance Program lhat
incorporales lhe recommeldalions of the FGWP Cornmitte€, snd olher ctean-up revisions, is
etteched as Exhibrt A: ancl
Page 356 of775
7
IIUfiEREAS, the applicability ol the revrsed City of Mianri Baach Employee Tuition
Assistence Program, as set forth in Exhibit A, to employees covered by * collective bargaining
unit will be subiect to negotiations when the cunent mllectivs bargaining agreements expiie.
NOW, THEREFORE, 8E tT OULY RESOLVEO By THE MAYOR ANO C|TY
COIbllSSlOll OF ?tlE CITY Of MlAltll EEACH, FLORIBI, that the Mayor and the City
Commission hereby accept the recornmendations of the Finance and Citywide Projecti
Gcmmittea to Emend the City's Tuilion Assistance Program as follows; tuition assistarrco shall
be based on, butt not exceed, the established credit hour tu,tiorr rate in the Etate's University
System at the lime of enrollment; assistance shall be based on a sliding scale directty retated tcthe Employeel performance in approved coursework from accreditad institutioni of high*r
leaming with a six credit hsur jimit per semaster; assistance shatl be limited to 80 perceot of tfre
tuition costs for cours€s in which empbyee'g earn an "A,' 60 percent when lhey eam a "8,* and
40 percent when they earn fl "C," except graduate courses for which assislance requires
eaming no less than a '8"; efid a repayment requirement if the employee separatad lrom
employrnent by the City of Miami Beach within two years of having received assistance, with an
exception for employBes who are laid off or die, wlthin trivq years of having received assislance;
and approve lhe revised City of Miami Beach Employee Tuition Aesistance Prograrn set forth in
the attEched Exhibit A .
FAssED ANo AOoprED rhis tLaay os {*arrOry _ , 2010.,(
ATTEST:
APFROVED AS TO
FORM & IANGUAGI
& FOI?EXTCUTION- Reso.doi:r
lrk
Dof€
Page 357 of775
8
lntended Outeome
lhat a universal culture of high quality customer-seryice is driving the conduct of the City
COMNAISSION ITTM SUMMARY
Condensed Tltle:
A resolution of lhe Mayor and Crly Comrnission of the City of Miarni Beach, Florida, accepting the
recommendation of the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee to approye changes to the tuitron
assislance
Item SummrrylRecommendatlon :
The Tuitjon Assistance Program rs an emptoyment benetil, s0 long-tem that the last time ii was reviewed
was ten years ago in October 2004. The purpGe of lhe program b lo encourage employees to fuilher
their education by taking approved or accrediled counieB which rrill irnprove their performance in sle
services they were hired to perform or would be relevant to the empbyees' career development and
potentisl adyancement within the city.
After significant discl,rssion, the FCWPC recornmended that the tuition assistant program be modihed as
foltows. upon Cily Ccmmission approyal, for ernployees in lhe uflclessified and "othets" salary groups.
. Assistance based on a sliding scale directly relaled to the employee's performance in school, for
approved coursework from accredit€d institutions of higher learning. Six credit hour limit on the flumber eligible for tuition assistance per semester. A repayment requirement if the employee separates within lwo years of having received assistance,
with an exception far employees who are laid off or die
undergraduate Programs. 80% reimbursement lor eourses in which employees earn an "A'. 60Yo reimbursement for courses in which employees earn a 'B'. 40o/o reimbursement fqr coulggg in which ernployees earn a 'C''
Graduate Programs. 80o/o reimbursement for courses in which employees earn an 'A". 60% reimbursemeni for courses in which employees earn a 'B'
Applicabitity of these changes to employees covered by a mtlective Dsrgainiog unrl will be a sub]ecl t0
negotiations with representatives from the American Federation of Stale County and Municipal
Emptoyees (AFSCME), Cornmunicatiorts Workers of America (C1AIA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP),
Government Supervisors Association of Floride (GSAF) and the lntemalionat Association of Firefqhtets
IAFF) when current collective
Advisorv Soard Rgsommandatlon :
ffiimousry l
i yoted to continug sppr-oye changs_ijg-UElCl!9!--asgstanffigsgem aq set liolh herein. I
Flnanclal lnlormation:
Amounl Account
0t 1-s5s&00'0367
Flnanclal lrnpact SummarY:
Crespo-T Human Resources Director
I
AGEirDr fiEn . cl. i1MIAMIBEACH
Page 358 of775
oxe -!.:.{.(:/ t
9
&\l=r MIAMIBEACH
Chy ol lticrnl icoth, l7O0 ConwDti'co C.rr|er Drivo, Miomi Booch, Florido 13 I 39. wivr.miomibemhi,go.
CoMlvrtl SS ION MEiiORAMDUM
IO:
fROM:
DATE:
Mayor Philip Levine and Members of the Cig
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
January 14. 2015
SUBjECI: RESCILUTIOH ACCEPTING THE FINAIICE AND CITYWDE PROJECT$
COiJ|i,IITTEE'S RECOiTTUENOATIOHS REGAROING THE CITY OF iIIIA!U!
BEAGH TUITION ASSISTAI{CE PROGRAM
BACKGNOUND
At the November 19, 2014, City Cornmission meeting. the subject program wes referred
to the FinEnce and Citywide Projocts Committee {FCWPC) for its review and
recommendations and the matter was addres$d at the December 12, 2014, meeting.
The Tuilion Assistance Program is an employment benafit, so long.terrn that lhe last
time it was reviewed was ten years ago, in October 2004. Budgetary allocaiions during
the same period of time have fluctuated between $30,000 and the currenl $20,000 per
year. Expenditures in t0O4 r#ere over budget by almost $8,000 but every year since
then, except for 2010. expenditures were significantly below allocated amounls. ln fiscal
yeet 2013114, 34 employees made use of the benefit for a total expenditure of slightly
over $19,000. Based on the amounts reimbursed, six of the 34 amployees who filed for
reimbursernent are enrolled in poslgraduata programs.
The purpose of the program is to encourage employees to further their education by
taking approved or accredited courses which will improve their parformance in the
services they w€re hired to perlorm or would be relevant lo the employees' career
development and potential advancernent within the city, The city relmburses tuition
only for one course per semester for a total of t 2 credit hours per calendar year.
To h eligible for reimburs€ment, ernployees rnust successfully complete each course
taken, which rneans earning a grade of 'C" or beter and I "pass" if the course is graded
on a passlfail basis. Reimbursement rates are as follows:
. Appraved undergraduate comrnqtity college and non-srediUcertificate courses -
$158.25;r Approved undergraduate university courses - $251.16; and. Approved graduate courses - $531.15.
prscusslo$
At the December 12, 2014. meeting, Committee members were infonned that in addiiion
Page 359 of775
10
FCWPC RECOMMEHDATIONS REGARDING THE CITY OF MIAMI SEACH TUITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
January .l4,2015
Fage 2
lo the tuition assistance prograrn, the City of Miami Beach has partnered with Barry
University, Carlos Albizu University, Florida lnternational University and Novi
$outheastern Universily to offer employees prefened luilion rates for a number of
programs. Offerings vary, yet despite significant discounts, post€raduate credit hours
may cost as much as $760, exclusive of application and lab fees, books and other
relaled expenditures.
ln April 2014, staff underlook iln informal survey regarding tuition assislance and
received eight responses lrom municipalities in Miami-Dade and Brsward Counties.
One did not offer any assislance, another offered it to selecl bargaining unit employees
and a third suspended its program due to budgetary constraints.
The different approaches among the entilies that responded were striking. Two entities
allocated a certain amount to the program and reimbursed at the State tuition credit hour
rate until the allssalions were exhausted. Since there were no limits on the number of
credit hours eligible for assistance. reimbursement was based on available funding. lf
an employee delayed submitting the requirsd information, he or she ran the risk of losing
out on the benetit due to budgetary constreiflts.
Twe rnunicipalities. the Village of Key Biscayne and the City of Doral, based their
reimbursements on employee achievarnent. An "A" was reirnbursed at '1000/0. a'B' and
75% and I ^Cn at 50o/o 2l both organlzations, The Village of Key Biscayne reimbursed
an employee up to $4,000 pr fiscal year and the City of Doral reimbursed up to 18
credits per fiscal year.
MiamlDade Coun$ reimburses up to 500/o cf tuition costs to any employee uvho earns a
'C" in an approved course afrer financral and other assrstance hes been applied-
ANALYSIS I'-RES Er.lTEO TO THr qCWpC
Should the City alect to make changes to the Tuilion Assistance Program, the metler wili
have to be negotialed with labor representativ*s as part of the collective bargaining
process. Changes, if adopted, may apply to employees in lhe undassified or'olhers"
salary groups upon ado$ion.
The atlached revised program procrdures incorporate lhe following:
r Assistance hased on a sliding ssale directly related to the emplcyee's
performance in school. No limit on the number of credit hours eligible for tuition a$$istance
' A repayment requirement if lhe employee separales wilhin two years of heving
received assistance, with an axception for employees who are lad off or die
Tha Administration recommends a two'year pilot program beoause it is difficult to
anticipate how much interest the prograrn will generate and whether the City wi,l be abte
to aflord to offer euch an employment benefit. The cost analysis is bated on the
following assumptions and the undengraduate tuition cost at Florida lnternational
University and 5760.00 per credit hour fsr the Corporate Master of Business
Page 360 of775
11
FCWPC RECOMMENDANONS REGARDING THE CITY OF MIAMI BEAI]H TUIIJON ASSISIANCE
PBOGRAM
January 1{. ?0!5
Page 3
Administration also at Florida lnternational University.
U n dergrpd u a ts. P rogr.qln
r lnstead of 28 employees, 56 enroll in an undergraduate program (a twofold
increase)t. Each of the 56 Lakes 6 credit hours per semester for a lotat of 18 semester hours
pe? yeat at $203.59 per credit hourl. 4Ao/o earn an "A" which resulls in a cost ol $6s,000;. 30% earn a '8" which result* in a cost of S37,0S0; and. 3006 eern a "C" which r$ults in a cost of $25,000 for a total expenditure ol
$128,000
Corporcte Ma$Jgl.g. ! Bu siness Adminislratio n
. lnstead of 6 employees, 18 enroll in ihis graduate program;. Each of the 18 takes 6 credit hours for a total of 18 semester hours Fer year at
$760 per credit hours;. 60% esrn an "A" which results in a cost of $1 18,000; and, 4AoA earn e "B' which results in a cost of $59,000 for a tqtal expendrture of
$177,000
Consequenlly, based on the €bove assunlptions. this pilot program could run al
5305,000.
SESOMI6ENDAT!ON
Afler significant di*cussion, the FCWPC recommended that the tuition assistant program
be modified as follows, upon Gity Commission approval, for employees in the
unclassified and others salary groups.
. Assislance based on a sliding scale directly related to the employee's
perfomance in school. for approved coursework from accredited institutions of
higher learning
r Six credrt hour lirnit on the number eligible for tuition assislance per setneiter
r A repayment requirement if the employ€s s€parat€s within two years of having
received assistance, with an exceptiofl for employees who are laid off or die
Underoraduale Proorams
. B0% reimbursernent for cources in which employees earn an ''A"
. 60% reimbursement for courses in which employees earn a '8"
. 40Yo reimbtrrsement for courses in which employees earn a "C"
Page 361 of775
12
FCIVFC RECOMMENOATIONS REGAROING THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH TUITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
January 1{,2015
Pag€ 4
Graduate Proofems
. 80% reimbursement for courses in which emptroyees earn an "A". 60% reirnbursemerfi for coursss in which €mptoyees €am a "B'
Applicability of lhese changes to employees covered by a collective bargaining unit will
be a subiec,t of negotiations with repres*tatives from lhe American Federalion of Sl,ale
County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Communications Workers of America
(CWA), Fralernal Order of Police (FOP), Govemment $upervisors Association of Florida
{GSAF} and the lntemational Association ol Firelighterc (IAFF} when current collective
bargaining ag reernenls expire.
The Administration reCornmends adoption of the FCWPC's recommendation and further
recammends that beganning with the 2016/17 liscal year budget. program costs be re-
evalualed during the budget allocation process
Attschment
JLM/KGB/SC.T
T:IAGENDA|€Ol3Uan!ary\Human Resources\Tuition filembursomEnt Rates al CMB Mamo,ducr
Page 362 of775
13
CITY OF tUlArUl BEAGH EITIPLOYEE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAITi
The City of Miami Beach Employee Tuition Assistance Program ("Program") is
established to provide financial assistance to eligible employees voluntarily
participating in training or educational programs from accredited irrstitutions of
higher learning designed to improve their effectiveness which directly
benefits City operations, activities and objectives; provide professional
developmenl; and help prepare employees for other opportunities within
the City's service.
fuition is the fee for instruction and lab fms on[, and does not include
textbooks, exams. audit Ges, or any olher expenses.
Tuition assistance is available lo full{ime City of Miami Beach classified
employees who have completed their respectrve probationary periods and to
unclassified employees who have no less than six months of continuous
service. Time served in provisional/temporary status is not included when
determining eligibility.
An accredited institution of higher learning, as defined in the Higher Education
Act, ir an educational institution that award* a bachelor's degree or provides
nol less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit towards a
degree; is legally authorized within such $tate lo provide a program of
education beyond secondary education; and is accredited by a nationally
recognized accrediting agency or association, or if not so accredited, is an
institution that has been granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or
association that has been recognized by the Secretary of Education,
QUALIFICATIO}IS:
The tuition assistance shall be based upon and not exceed the established
credit hour tuition rate in the $tate university system at the time of enroilmenl
and shall be limited to six credit hours per semester- Upon successful
completion of approved coursework, the assistance schedule is based on the
following levels of achievernenl:
1, Grade A . 80o/o reimbursemenl
2. Grade B = 600/o reimbursement
3. Grade C = 40% reimbursement; except for graduate level courses which
are not eligible for reimbursement at this level of perforrnance
4- A passing grade on a passlfailbasis * 80% reimbursement
Employees receiving financial assistance including scholarships, fellowships,
grants, specialdiscounts and/or Veteran's benefits, will be eligible for tuition
assistance after the financial assistance has been applied to the luition costs
Exhibh A
Page 363 of775
14
The Ctty reserves the right to deterrnine and amend the numher of courses, the
number of credit hourc, and the level of tuition assistance prior lo the beginning
of a schcolsemesler.
EIIIIPLOYEE ELIG lBlLlW :
Tuition assistance is available to futl-tirne City of Miami Beach chssifbd
employees who have completed tneir respective probationary periods and to
unclassified employees who haue no less than slx months of continuous
service. Time served in provisionalltemporary status is not included wh*n
deterrni n ing el igibility.
{a) For classified employees, an overall evaluation of "rileets
expectations" or higher on the tatest employee perfonrrance
evaluation preceding the beginning of classes.
Exception: A classified emptoyee whose latest averall evaluation isless than "meets expectations" may be eligibte for tuition
assistance for coursework related to specific areas of perforrnance
that have a requirement to take coursr$ as a part of their job
performance. upon approval of the Human Resources Department.
(b) unclassified empfoyees must receive lhe approval of his or her
supervisor to participate in the Prograrn.
COURSEWOFK ELIGIBILITY:
Guidelines for establishing eligible coursework are as follows:
(a) Degree and certificatrofl prograrns at accredited institutions whiuh
relate directty to care€r opportunities within the City of Miami Beach
are eligible fm approval.
(bl For those employees who have been approved for a degree
program, all general educatian courses specifically required by the
school will be approved"
{c} All other coursework will be considered on a course by course
basis.
(d) All courses must be taken outside af working hours unless lhe
empfoyee's department director approve$ the u*e of annual leave. lf
administrative leaye is gra:nted ts tske a course during Working
hours, which requires City Manager approvat, no tuition assistance will
be granied.
Page 2 of ,l
Page 364 of775
15
(e) Online lnternet courses and programs provided by accredited Florida-
based educatlonal institutions are eligible for luition reimbursement
DEPARTMENT DIREGTOR:
The department directors shall be responsible for verifying that all approved
cour$ework is in cornpliance wilh this administrative procedure, as well as
all other aspects of lhe program. Department directors shall approve or
disapprove all reimbursements for degrees, programs, and courserarork for
employees within their departments.
EMPLOYEE OSLIGATIONS:
In order to be eligible for tuition assistanee, employees receiving tuition
assistance under this Program must remain in the Cig's employ for a minimum
of two years following the last tuition assistance payment. Employees
separating from City service prior to the expiration of this period will reimburse
the Ci$ for the assistance received during the final year of employment through
deductions from their final payroll check. lf the final paycheck is insufficienl, the
employee will still be responsible for making arrangements to reimburse the
City or their separation papers shall be coded as not having lett the City in good
standing and the employee shall remain responsible for any remaining
reimbursement.
ln the event the employee fails to reimburse the City, the services of an
attorney required to cotlect such debl shall be sought and such attorney's fees
and court costs shall be added lo the amount owed the City.
No reimbursement will be required of those employees who have been laid ofi.
lf the employee dies while in the City's service, no reimbursement will be
sought from the employee's estate,
APPLICATIOH PROCEDURE:
Employees wishing to participate in the Program shall subrnit to
departrnent directors an application for courseworUdegree approval no
than thirty days prior to the start of classes.
COURSEWORK, I}E6REE REVIEW AI-ID APPROVAL:
The department direclor shall spprove or disapprove the employee's requesl
after verifyirrg the employee's etigibility for participation in the Program.
@)Appmval
After the department director approves the request. a copy of the original
application is returned to the employee advising them of the approval.
l'age 3 of {
[heir
later
Page 365 of775
16
(b) Disapproval
lf the department director disapproves the application, he or she shall advise
the employee of the reason for the rejection no later than 30 days from the
date of the receipt of the applicalian.
REMSURSEMENT;
All approved applicants will submit a request for reimbursernent, elong with
tuition receipts, officia! grade notifications, and all supporting
documentation, to their department directors no later than thirty days from
receipt of their grades. The departments shall submit all applications to the
Human Resources Department, whether approved or disapproved, with the
supporting documents for final review and reimbursernent approval.
PENALTIES:
Should an employee submit docurnentation which the employee knows is false
or inteniionally misleading in order to receive benefits to which the employee is
not entitled, the employee shall be deemed ineligible to continue to participale
in the Program and shall repay City of Miami Beach for any tuition assistance
received while in tile City's employ. The employee may be subject to
disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, dismissalfrom the City service,
Page { of4
Page 366 of 775
17
rffiiffi'
l l uman Ilcsourcrs l)cpannrcnt
City of Mianri Bcach
NIiani Bcaclr, Florida
Dr:ar SisMme:
ll hiri conrc to nry attcntion t.tral tlrcrr; ars tluesti*ns ubrrut trrilirrn chargcd b5' rhc
fixecutive N{astcr of Public Adnrinistration Prr)gronl{ltlPA), ln this letter" I hopc to
clari t-v thcsc qucstions.
'l'he FIti lllP;\ Ilrograrn is ollbrcd by thc only public rese.arch university in Miami.
Thc program has bccn oft'crcd coutinuousty sincc I 978" and has ovcr 2,t100 gr*duatcs.
Thc program is supportcd by l{ thculty rncn:burs rrlro arc dcdicatcd to public scn'icc
rcsearch - rvith ovcr 400 publiciltions in the fitrld of putrlic adnrinistration. AII our
laculty arc ccrtified as graduale thcrrlty. and thc lbrv adjuncts thal *,e hir,"' arc
crcdcntialed accurding to our acercditation staudards * i.e. l0 yr'ars of expericnce at
thc l*,ri of director or highcr.
'l'hc []lU iVIPA prograrn is the only NASPAA-Accreditcd progranr in 14iarri-Dadc
County. NASPAA accrcditation is a quality flssirrilncc for curriculunr. students and
faculty of thc program. While othcr institutit:ns in thc rcgir"rn ott'cr non-acsrcdited
grirduatc dcgrces in public aclr"rrinistratirrn, thr.'y tcntl to tsach corxscs using ntln-
qualificd thcultl.', Our averagc inconting MPA student has a J.6 out of .1 undcrgraduatc
CPA. ln short. lhc f'lu MPA is a qualitv prograln dclivcring qualirS' curriculum by
quality faculty to qualit!' studsntr,.
'lhe Executi';c cohort t'rf our MPA ;trogrunr is dcsigncd firr u,orkinu prclcssionals t,ith
expcricncc of 5- l0 ycars ot'puhlic sr:r'viccr r.,xpcriencc. 'l'hc cuniculum is dr,.signcd to
mect the nceds of prof'essionals - n'ith c()rr- courscs in budgcting, finance. human
rcsourcc milnagement. policy making and lcadcrxhip. ..\dditionally, the progranr offers
clcctivc courscrvork in stratLrqi$ plannirrg. public privatc partncrships. nrcdia rclations.
and cxecutivc leadcrship. 'l"lrr"'program lras cxccll*nt rctention rales hecausLl lL'{-'are
vcry sclcctivc in admission and rvc arc v*f/ carcthl rvith curriculunr tlcsign.
Brcausc \\,c are a putrlic institution irnd cur stuclrrnB arc public and non-protit studcnts-
thr. F.MPA is pricr:rlto barely'recover its ccst.s. Thc HtUP,\ tlucs nol gcncrfllc protjt
and evcry dollar gcncrrated from thc ctlhofl is rcinvcstcd in thc progranr, '[hc prograr]l
clocs inclurlc thc cosi ol'books antl lbotl rvhieh arnouttts to lcss than $1.000 of the
S32,000 tuirion chargcd by rhc prc,gram. -l"hcrutbrc. ihc cosr pcr crrdit tirr our [:lv.IPA.
cxcluding r'trst ol'books and tixrd. is S7l4 per crcdit hour. I warlt to cmphasizc that tltis
amount is the actual cosi amounl - thc revenucs gcncrated by dris progrr{m harely
EXHIBIT # 2
Departmcnt ot Public Admanirralion, Stevan J. Green Srhool of lnterna:ronal and Publis
Affairc
11100 l.W Bth Srre€r, pCA 2S7 . Miami, FL 13199 . Tet: (305) 348-SggO. rex: {BDS) 348-584E
Floridaloternational UniveriityisanEqualOpportunity€mployerandlnstrtrltion - TDDviaFRS 1-800-955-
8771
Page 367 of775
18
p,2
rcc0vcr rts c!(pcnscs.
Oft-ering an arcrcditcd pnrgran: is expensive -- for exanrplc, the cosl of a rcscarch
faculty is alnrost l0 tinrcs thc cost olan ad.jmrct lhctrlty mcmbcr. Qualit.v.. and
accr*ditatiort rcquircn:cnts unfbrtunately havc coslt asslrciatsd rvitlr thcrr:. Hrlrvcvcr.
accrcditirtion assuru$ thal your crnplol'ecs nnr in lire t rccuivinu lhc propcr cclucatiort
antl nrc not.iust rcceiving a dcgrec.
lf you havc qucstiot'rs. or 10 chat abrrul this mattcr, plcase cont.lct mc at (105) 34tt-
433t1 (u'ork) or at (J05) 903-S990 (home). I ma;- also hr: rcachcd by e-mail at
nmlkadrr'(alfiu.gdu-
Sinccrcly Yours
Llohanrad A Ikadry. Ph.D.
Dircctor, ['lastcr oI Public Adruinistration
Pro f'cssor. Dcpartmcnt o f Public Arlnrin istration
Page 368 of775
19
t bbhf
SEQUENCE
NUMBER:
HR.20.01
DATE ISSUED:
MAY, 2015
DATE UPDATED:
DECEMBER.2Ol6
ir,I iAf,"fl !t3ffi,r\il h"i
CITYW1DE PROCEDURE
SUBJECT:
EMPLOYEE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT:
HUMAN RESOURCES
PURPOSE:
The City of Miami Beach Employee Tuition Assistance Program ('Program"i, which was revised in 2015
per Resolution 2015-28891, is established to provide financial assistance to eligible employees
voluntarily participating in training or educational programs from accredited institutions of higher learning
designed io improve their effectiveness which directly benefits City operations, activities and
objeltives; provide professional development; and help prepare employees for other
opportunities within the City's service.
Tuition is the fee for instruc'tion and lab fees only, and does not include textbooks, exams, audit
fees, or any other expenses except for those executive degree programs where the tuition is inclusive
of fees for books and other expenses.
an eduoationalAn accredite&tAqjitUtion of highqgQslrung, as defined ln"he Higher I
institutioninat.ai a bache[9f$'ti60i-da.-or provides:fiifFlessthan
acceptable$or fuli Ctedi!.towards a degreefis legally authorized within
of educatiOn bevond se6onaarY*,gducatiori;;, and is affiEdit6! by a r
-fuli Credit.towards a degree*is legally authoriz-ed within :
ueyona $tionaary*gduJ.tion;rlanJ ii affi'editg! Uy a n
;ociation, or,;if not 6b; accreditHd, as an ins#tuttfi that hat
r an agend'tir assoCiation tnat-ifras beenl!$.iog&ed by th
','!e6. :, ii ti.,'.:!::' lirl#, ,..i1 -,,,, ,.;,:i',':, :' ,ffi'
of education beyoncl sEdondaryBpducatlofiilallo ls aqEoFPg oy e
agency or-qssociation, orrif not bblaccreditt$d, is an insfitutftffi that I
rGtrr oy *,$$ "n
asenryiiir r.roln,::_:,lli*r'ueeni#sos&.ed uv
PROCEDURES: ." {:'; i. ,"' :"'' . W:,i,,,,... '.*:..
:.tt:11:!. _;j::,1€i:.-,1:'' :.r-s.-ld:+tl:i: ;#:*j!n, t'*
-.-*,-r+. iI- i:
1. fuitiOn assistarlE= ror undergradugs cours%s taken at:Mia
co rfr-rn un --rty c.pil&-b) wil I 6if re i m bu r$d( u p rtbl$ t t a. ze peF, ped it
ovtii'b'FitffiiREsourcesr[epartmeefrsn#ded. Y:,,
: College {o69 similar
This rate will Bffupdated
tuiti#I[ssi*l
:ij .,': :?I .i.l:f],r':r
nce shall be basedrUPon and2. F;F
not exceed the Florida tnternational University (FlU) established credit hour tuition rate in the
pubtished State University System at the time of enrollment. This rate is updated each July and
posted on the web at http:/www.flboq.edu/aboqubudqeucunent.n_hp. . .
S. For nontraditional graduate programs, (Corporate/Executive) tuition assistance shall be
reimbursed up to $7i4 per credit hour. This includes Executive programs at FIU, Barry, Nova,
etc.
4. There is no reimbursement for PhD's.
S. Approved non-degree, work-related courses shall be reimbursed at 70% of the course cost,
exclusive of fees for a "Pass' grade.
6. Approved certification coursei shall be reimbursed alTOo/o of the course cost, exclusive of fees
for a "Pass'grade.
Tuition assistance shall be limited to six (6) credit hours per semester, and eighteen (18) credit hours
p"iv".i. At no time shall the annual tuitioh assistance for each employee exceed $5,250, the federal
!ou*.n**nt cap for withholding tax exemption. (This amount is subiect to change based on updates to
the federalguidline.)
a nd sr5ililaiEto urses,
Page 369 of775
Page I of4
20
MiAMIffifu\ilh*
CITYWIDE PROCEDURE
DATE ISSUED:
MAY,2O15
DATE UPDATED:
DECEMBER,20,I6
Page:
2ot4
SEQUENCE
NUMBER:
HR.20.01
SUBJECT:
EMPLOYEE TU ]TION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT:
HUMAN RESOURCES
Upon successful completion of approved coursework, the assistance schedule is based on the following
levels of achievement:
e Grade A = 90% reimbursement. Grade B = 80% reimbursement. Grade C = 60% reimbursement; except for graduate level courses which are not eligible for
reimbursement at this level of performancer f,, passing grade on a pass/fail basis = 90% reimbursement
Employees receiving financial assistance including scholarships, fellowships, grants, special
discounts and/or Veteran's benefits, will be eligible for tuition assistanoe after the financial assistance
has been applied to the tuition costs,
Coursework Eliqibilitv
Guidelines for establishing eligible coursework are as follows:
a) Degree programs al accredited institutions which relate directly to career
opportunities within the City of Miami Beach are eligible for approval.b) For those employees who have been approved for a degree program, all general
education courses specifically required by the school will be approved.c) All courses must be taken outside of working hours unless the employee's
Department Director approves the use of annual leave.d) Non-degree, work related courses (or City of Miami Beach career path).e) Certification, work related courses (or City of Miami Beach career path)
Denartment Directgt
Department Directors shall be responsible for verifying that all approved coursework is in
compliance with this administratlve procedure, as well as all other aspects of the program.
Tuition
Page 370 of775 Pag6 2 of4
21
i\4 l,&f,ri I*mAi: i-"{
CITYIiVIDE PROCEDURE
DATE ISSUED:
MAY,2015
DATE UPDATED:
DECEMBER, 2016
Page:
3 of 4
SEQUENGE
NUMBER:
HR.20.01
SUBJECT:
EMPLOYEE TU ITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT:
HUMAN RESOURCES
Department Directors shall approve or disapprove all reimbursements for degrees, programs, and
coursework for employees within their departments.
Emplovee Obligations
There is a repayment requirement if the employee separates from employment from the City of Miami
Beach within two years of having received assistance, with the exception for those employees who
have been laid off.
Emplayees separating from City service prior to the expiration of the two (2) year period will reimburse
the City for the assistance received during the final year of employment through deductions from their
final payroll eheck. lf the final paycheck is insufficient, the employee will be responsible for making
arrangements to reimburse the City or their separation papers shall be coded as not having left the City
in good standing.
R.qimbursement
Employees seeking reimbursement shall submit their pre-approved application form along with the
supporting documentation stated in Part I and ll of the application, no laterthan 30 days from receipt of
their grades. Departments shall submit all applications to the Hurnan Resources Department with the
supporting documentation for final review and reimbursement approval.
Penaltv
Should an employee submit documentation which the employee knows is false or intentionally
misleading in order to receive benefits to which the employee is not entitled, the employee shall be
deemed ineligible to continue to participate in the Program and shall repay City of Miami Beach for any
tuition assistance received while in the City's employ. The employee may be subject to disciplinary
action, including, but not limited to, dismissalfrom the City service.
ln the "r"ni'iffiffioloyee faitsffi.ffimo.ur"" the city, tffierrice" "f diti.,eth*t.r#C
such debt shall be soughl and s#h attoiney$ fees and courtjcosts shalF& added to the
the City. i:,jlc iir;:.; $:1r . rii ,ii: ini*6 i:=:+the City. i:,1, r,,..,. 1 t;' . 'i, ,,,: i* ;:i; ;tilri . -^ *r" :r.,,,, l; 1Wi ':ii ffiApolic?tioii,Procedure :i-,, .E*: .,j.,:.; j' it::.i i'-*{;i ffr,'i;r;Iri *:;ii:l:,i ::lr'j ..''.:,i., ].r:,i-E il,'ri;:' '''i'''"'"''''' " 1;i: ':ij :'' ' ' ''-''i'" ^- ' l' l
Employees wishing to participaiel::ffi,lfib' Program.$att sffiit to theif;:,i1ts-p-Fitment Dire;ffgrs the
attached Tuition Assistance Progfhm A0pllcation Formjalong ffih tne supp-iirlifi$"documentat&]n stated
i* Da* t ^t3k^ a-^liraalar ia l^riiit ^- an-i:.,^ --:^-ri':i.ru-.-l-.ffAi ^t-^^t;;.r ;-'.'i'.
owed
in Part I of the applicationno latq:Jfran 3O.days prior:,to:thqslarf6}classegi; ,,r;,,:':.-g *;; I; -iilr .'t.ri.:.:ii:ffi*;i;is;it ,:l.j; i]8'
Page371 of775 Page 3 of 4
22
ivi lriivl IffifiAilr.t
CIT\AAJIDE PROCEDURE
DATE ISSUED:
MAY, 2015
DATE UPDATED:
DECEMBER. 2016
Page:
4 ol4
SEQUENCE
NUMBER:
HR.20.01
SUBJECT:
EMPLOYEE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RESPONSIBLE PEPARTMENT:
HUMAN RESOURCES
Prepared by:
Revlewed by:
Director, Human Resources Department
lnternalAuditor
Page 372 of 775 Page 4 of 4
23
MIAM;SEACH
Tuition Assistance Frogram
Application Frrm
FOR HR USE ONLY:
Date:
Name:Date Employed:
Cla*sificaticn
City tB #:
Department:
Phone:Course Schedsle Dates:
Name of Edusational lnstitution:
Educational Objectives
Acadernic Degr*e
Major {Area of Concentration):
il Non ilegree X Undergraduate Degree n Graduate Degree
n Non Degree n Assosiate's ff Bachelor's X Master's
Department verification:
Documents provided:
il Approved D Denied, reason:
n Tuition Assistance Application
n Class Schedule
t3 Catalog Dercription(s) fo,r course{s} listed abave
Departrnent Director's $ignatu re Date
Atiach the following supporting documentation and submit to the Human Resources Department no later than 30
days aft*r grades have been posted:
tr $upporling documentation provided with Part IfI Csurse Registratian Statement
C Receipt of Payment in fullil Grade{s} received for course{s} listed above
U lllfi ?0Sr Fo{lE} - €nple}ac Tult&fi As:i$ts1ce Appti€dsn.d**
24
New Business and Commission Requests - R9 AA
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Mce-Mayor Joy Malakoff
DATE: January 11,2017
SUBJECT: DISCUSS PLACING "THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING" SIGNS AT EVERY
PUBLIC BEACH.
ANALYSIS
Please place as a discussion item: I recommend placing signs stating "TFIANK YOU FOR NOT
SMOKING" at every public beach. lt is good that we will have two smoke free beaches, but even
though it is non-enforceable, I think it is a positive message to thank our residents and visitors
for not smoking on all our beautiful beaches.
Legislative Tracking
Vice-Mayor J oy Malakoff
Page 700 o1747
25
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26