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Resolution 2019-30725 RESOLUTION NO: 2019=30725 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S 2019 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT A. WHEREAS, each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's funding and legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Washington D.C. during the annual Congressional session; and WHEREAS, it is important that the City of Miami Beach work with its representatives in Washington D.C. to secure funding for City projects, to implement and change legislation that is in the best interest of the City, and to liaison with federal agencies on issues that impact the City; and WHEREAS, it is imperative that the City's legislative consultant is aware of, and has a list of, City priorities; and WHEREAS, the proposed priorities include project, authorization, and policy requests which will continue to evolve as the Congressional process continues. 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 approve the City's 2019 Federal Legislative Agenda, as attached in Exhibit "A" to this Resolution. PASSED and ADOPTED this /3 day of rdt— 2019. Dan Gelber, Mayor ATTEST: r 3zf19 Rafael E. Granado, Ci Cle ' — B ' --�� �0 4.4ig� APPROVED AS TO ��`.••' ' •0 'FORM & LANGUAGE '• � ��i & FO E ECUTION 3 is t9 *• 1:INCORP ORATED, ; City Attorney V" Date Exhibit A 2019 FEDERAL PRIORITIES Legislative Priorities 1. Coastal Flooding & Erosion The City of Miami Beach continues to face a threat due to the hazards of coastal and rainfall flooding and erosion. It is essential that the federal government recognizes the urgency and severity brought on by these conditions. The City continues to request funding for public and private infrastructure improvements that can mitigate the impact of flooding. The City proposes being designated as.a "demonstration city" to serve as a nationwide model on how to adapt to changing environmental conditions as part of a comprehensive federal strategy. 2. Transportation Local Transit Projects a. Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) & Smart Parking System (SPS) The City seeks to deploy ITS to help relieve traffic congestion in the City by automating street lights, so they can adjust to dynamic traffic patterns in real- time. The City also seeks to install SPS to reduce the impact of congestion caused by vehicles attempting to find on-street and garage parking. Installing ITS and SPS would also serve to strengthen homeland security by monitoring heavily trafficked roadways and city facilities. The City seeks assistance in identifying and applying for federal grant opportunities to fund these systems. b. 41st Street Intermodal Facility/ Interceptor Garage The City plans to build an intermodal facility near the eastern end of 1-195 that would intercept cars and encourage commuters to use public transportation in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles traveling on Miami Beach's roadways. The City seeks assistance in identifying and applying for federal grant opportunities to fund this project. Regional Transportation Projects a. Bus Express Rapid Transit The City supports the efforts of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to create a Bus Express Rapid Transit (BERT) network, which would connect Miami and Miami Beach along the MacArthur Causeway and the Julia Tuttle Causeway via dedicated bus lanes. b. Light Rail/ Modern Streetcar System The City supports the efforts of.the Miami-Dade TPO to design and build the Beach Corridor transit connection portion of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, which would connect Miami and Miami Beach via a light rail or modern streetcar system. c. Julia Tuttle Causeway Shared-Use Path The City supports the efforts of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six to create a safe and protected shared-used path for pedestrians and cyclists along the Julia Tuttle Causeway. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) classifies the causeway as a limited access facility, which presents some challenges in terms of pedestrian and cyclist use along the facility. The City seeks assistance in removing the limited'access facility designation from the causeway. 3. Emergency Management Public Health Disasters The City supports adding the categories of public health endemics, epidemics, and pandemics as part of the definition of a "major disaster" under Section 102 (2) of the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The City also seeks to add public health emergencies as a category for local governments to receive federal assistance by FEMA through its grant and community disaster loan programs. Predisaster Hazard Mitigation The City also supports adding sea-level rise as part of the definition of a "natural disaster hazard" under Section 203 (c) of the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The City also supports making funds available prior to natural disasters, to promote investments in resilient public and private infrastructure for areas at risk of hazard. Flood Insurance The City strongly supports the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The City opposes any flood insurance changes inordinately affecting Miami Beach residents, primary/ secondary home-owners, and real estate markets under the reauthorization. Furthermore, the City seeks assistance from the Office of Federal Insurance to gain protections from private insurance rating companies that downgrade the financial stability ratings of property insurance companies in Florida. 4. Environmental Protection Miami-Dade County Beach Erosion Control & Hurricane Protection Project The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is involved in the Miami-Dade County Beach Erosion Control & Hurricane Protection Project, authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1968. The project is aimed at mitigating the effects of beach erosion through the renourishment of our beaches. The project is set to sunset in 2027. The City seeks to extend the period of federal participation beyond 2027 and obtain federal funding to help cover the burden of cost sharing for erosion control efforts. Beach Renourishment using Foreign Sources The City supports removing language from Section 935 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 and the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill of 1999,which prevents USACE from using non-domestic sources of sand on beach renourishment projects. The City also supports an exemption under Section 935 of the WRDA, explicitly for Southeast Florida from West Palm to Miami-Dade County or for counties that have exhausted their beach quality sand resources. Reef Ball Breakwater Project Section 2038 (b) of the 2007 WRDA reauthorized the National Shoreline Erosion Control Development and Demonstration Program, which was designed to promote innovative methods to mitigate coastal erosion. The USAGE approved the Reef Ball Breakwater Project for Miami Beach to address coastal erosion near the 63rd St beach site. USAGE completed all permitting for the project, responded to public input, and is now awaiting implementation guidance for Section 2038 (b) of the 2007 WRDA. The implementation guidance language would clarify whether the local sponsor (Miami-Dade County) can opt out of the cost-sharing provision. The City seeks assistance in finalizing the implementation guidance language for the USAGE and gaining assurance that the local cost-sharing provision is optional and minimal for projects that were developed and approved via Section 227 of the 1996 WRDA. Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Proiect The City seeks to expedite the planning of Phase II of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project. The. project was authorized as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to improve the ecological health of Biscayne Bay by adjusting the distribution of freshwater entering Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park. The USAGE, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the • South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) are collaborating on this project. 5. Municipal Bonds The City supports the current tax exemption for municipal bonds and opposes its elimination. The City further opposes any measure that places an income cap on the tax exemption. 6. Local Funding Programs The City opposes funding reductions to programs such as the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Housing Partnerships, Energy Efficiency Block Grant, Urban Area Security Initiative, Hazard Mitigation, and Pre-Disaster Mitigation programs. The City will monitor, report, and advocate for full funding of budget allocations, which fund social services and other programs provided by Miami Beach organizations. The City strongly encourages and supports the direct allocation of federal funding to local governments, without state and/or county pass through. The City plans to pursue funding through grants administered from the following agencies: 1) Department of Commerce, 2) Environmental Protection Agency, and 3) Department of Homeland Security. 73/4/2019. Education The City seeks to identify funds for educational programs through a coordinated grant development campaign to include funding and legislation. The City will place and emphasis on STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). 8. Economic Development The City seeks grant opportunities from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to sustain job and community growth in the commercial areas of the City such as Town Center, Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue, and Lincoln Road. The City opposes the defunding or dissolution of the EDA. 9. infrastructure Plan The City supports the development of an -infrastructure program to repair, rebuild, and modernize America's physical infrastructure. 10. Medical Marijuana The City urges the United States Congress to recognize and support States' Rights with regard to the legalization of medical marijuana. 11. Citizenship The City urges the United States Congress to enact laws and take any and all such other lawful actions that would expressly eliminate a citizenship question on the decennial census in the interest of the proper allocation of political representation and the appropriate distribution of federal, state, and local funds. Resolutions -C7 E MIAMI BEIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager DATE: March 13, 2019 SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S FEDERAL AGENDA. RECOMMENDATION Approve the City's Federal Legislative Agenda. ANALYSIS • Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's federal legislative agenda and funding priorities for the City. The City's federal consultants then advocate for the priorities in Washington, D.C. As such, the City's 2019 Federal Agenda is presented below for review and approval by the City Commission. Legislative Priorities 1. Coastal Flooding&Erosion The City of Miami Beach continues to face a threat due to the hazards of coastal and rainfall flooding and erosion. It is essential that the federal government recognizes the urgency and severity brought on by these conditions. The City continues to request funding for public and private infrastructure improvements that can mitigate the impact of flooding. The City proposes being designated as a "Demonstration City" to serve as a nationwide model on how to adapt to changing environmental conditions as part of a comprehensive federal strategy. 2. Transportation Local Transit Projects Intelligent Transportation System(ITS) &Smart Parking System(SPS) The City seeks to deploy ITS to help relieve traffic congestion in the City by automating street lights, so they can adjust to dynamic traffic patterns in real-time. The City also seeks to install SPS to reduce the impact of congestion caused by vehicles attempting to find on-street and garage parking. Installing ITS and SPS would also serve to strengthen homeland security by monitoring heavily Page 544 of 1418 trafficked roadways and city facilities. The ,City seeks assistance in identifying and applying for federal grant opportunities to fund these systems. 4151 Street Intermodal Facility/ Interceptor Garage The City plans to build an intermodal facility near the eastern end of 1-195 that would intercept cars and encourage commuters to use public transportation in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles traveling on Miami Beach's roadways. The City seeks assistance in identifying and applying for federal grant opportunities to fund this project. Regional Transportation Projects Bus Express Rapid Transit The City supports the efforts of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to create a Bus Express Rapid Transit (BERT) network, which would connect Miami and Miami Beach along the MacArthur Causeway and the Julia Tuttle Causeway via dedicated bus lanes. Light Rail/ Modern Streetcar System The City supports the efforts of the Miami-Dade TPO to design and build the Beach Corridor transit connection portion of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, which would connect Miami and Miami Beach via a light rail or modem streetcar system. Julia Tuttle Causeway Shared-Use Path The City supports the efforts of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six to create a safe and protected shared-used path for pedestrians and cyclists along the Julia Tuttle Causeway. The United States Department of Transportation classifies the causeway as a limited access facility, which presents some challenges in terms of pedestrian and cyclist use along the facility. The City seeks assistance in removing the limited access facility designation from the causeway. 3. Emergency Management Public Health Disasters The City supports adding the categories of public health endemics, epidemics, and pandemics as part of the definition of a "major disaster" under Section 102 (2) of the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The City also seeks to add public health emergencies as a category for local govemments to receive federal assistance by FEMA through its grant and community disaster loan programs. Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation The City supports adding sea-level rise as part of the definition of a "natural disaster hazard" under Section 203 (c) of the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The City also supports making funds available prior to natural disasters, to promote investments in resilient public and private infrastructure for areas at-risk of hazard. Flood Insurance The City strongly supports the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFI P). The City opposes any flood insurance changes inordinately affecting Miami Beach residents, Page 545 of 1418 primary/ secondary home-owners, and real estate markets under the reauthorization. Furthermore, the City seeks assistance from the Office of Federal Insurance to gain protections from private insurance rating companies that downgrade the financial stability ratings of property insurance companies in Florida. 4. Environmental Protection Miami-Dade County Beach Erosion Control &.Hurricane Protection Project The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is involved in the Miami-Dade County Beach Erosion Control & Hurricane Protection Project, authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1968. The project is aimed at mitigating the effects of beach erosion through the renourishment of our beaches. The project is set to sunset in 2027. The City seeks to extend the period of federal participation beyond 2027 and obtain federal funding to help cover the burden of cost sharing for erosion control efforts. Beach Renourishment using Foreign Sources The City supports removing language from Section 935 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 and the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill of 1999, which prevents USACE from using non-domestic sources of sand on beach renourishment projects. The City also supports an exemption under Section 935 of the WRDA, explicitly for Southeast Florida from West Palm to Miami-Dade County or for counties that have exhausted their beach quality sand resources. Reef Ball Breakwater Project Section 2038 (b) of the 2007 WRDA reauthorized the National Shoreline Erosion Control Development and Demonstration Program, which was designed to promote innovative methods to mitigate coastal erosion. The USACE approved the Reef Ball Breakwater Project for Miami Beach to address coastal erosion near the 63rd St beach site. USACE completed all permitting for the project, responded.to public input, and is now awaiting implementation guidance for, Section 2038 (b) of the 2007 WRDA. The implementation guidance language would clarify whether the local sponsor(Miami-Dade County)can opt out of the cost-sharing provision. The City seeks assistance in finalizing the implementation guidance language for the USACE and gaining assurance that the local cost-sharing provision is optional and minimal for projects that were developed and approved via Section 227 of the 1996 WRDA. Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project The City seeks to expedite the planning of Phase II of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project. The project was authorized as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to improve the ecological health of Biscayne Bay by adjusting the distribution of freshwater entering Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park. The USACE, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) are collaborating on this project. 5. Municipal Bonds Page 546 of 1418 The City supports the current tax exemption for municipal bonds and opposes its elimination. The City further opposes any measure that places an income cap on the tax exemption. 6. Local Funding Programs The City opposes funding reductions to programs such as the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Housing Partnerships, Energy Efficiency Block Grant, Urban Area Security Initiative, Hazard Mitigation, and Pre-Disaster Mitigation programs. The City will monitor, report, and advocate for full funding of budget allocations, which fund social services and other programs provided by Miami Beach organizations. The City strongly encourages and supports the direct allocation of federal funding to local governments, without state and/or county pass through. The City plans to pursue funding through grants administered from the following agencies: 1) Department of Commerce, 2) Environmental Protection Agency, and 3) Department of Homeland Security. 7. Education The City seeks to identify funds for educational programs through a coordinated grant development campaign to include funding and legislation. The City will place and emphasis on STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). 8. Economic Development The City seeks grant opportunities from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to sustain job and community growth in the commercial areas of the City such as Town Center, Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue, and Lincoln Road. The City opposes the defunding or dissolution of the EDA. 9. Infrastructure Plan The City supports the development of an infrastructure program to repair, rebuild, and modernize America's physical infrastructure. 10. Medical Marijuana The City urges the United States Congress to recognize and support States' Rights with regard to the legalization of medical marijuana. 11. Citizenship The City urges the United States Congress to enact laws and take any and all such other lawful actions that would expressly eliminate a citizenship question on the decennial census in the interest of the proper allocation of political representation and the appropriate distribution of federal, state, and local funds. CONCLUSION It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the City's federal legislative Page 547 of 1418 agenda. Legislative Tracking Office of the City Manager Page 548 of 1418