Resolution 2019-30938 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-30938
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING GOVERNOR RONALD DESANTIS, THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ("DEP"),
AND OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AGENCIES TO ISSUE THE
EXPEDITED APPROVAL OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S REQUEST FOR A
ONE-TIME EXTENDED PERMIT THAT WOULD RUN CONTINUOUSLY
THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2019, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE
OVERABUNDANCE OF SEAWEED BEING DEPOSITED ON THE
BEACHES OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach (the "City") is comprised of a number of islands with
approximately 70 miles of shoreline along numerous canals and waterways, the Atlantic Ocean,
and Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, all of which support a wide variety of flora and fauna; and
WHEREAS, the City hosts approximately 15 million visitors each year, and is considered
one of the world's most popular tourist destinations because of its beaches, crystal-clear blue
water, and amazing tropical environment; and
WHEREAS, the City, as well as the entirety of Miami-Dade County (the "County"), are
battling massive amounts of sargassum seaweed, a type of floating algae, being deposited onto
its beaches; and
WHEREAS, the massive amounts of seaweed, combined with accompanying intoxicating
odor, create an unsightly appearance and unsanitary conditions, and prevent beachgoers from
enjoying the sandy beaches and the ocean, and expose citizens and tourists to tremendous risk
to their welfare and health, and the tourism industry of both the County and the City; and
WHEREAS, the County's Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department ("PROS") is
responsible for maintaining clean beaches throughout the City;
WHEREAS, the County is required to work collaboratively with the Department of
Environmental Protection ("DEP") and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission ("FWC") to follow all
regulations and obtain those required permits for mechanized beach cleaning; and
WHEREAS, the County must re-apply for a permit with the DEP every two weeks in order
to utilize heavy equipment to address the extraordinary unsanitary condition that stems directly
from massive amounts of seaweed washing up on the City's beaches; and
WHEREAS, County Resolution adopted on July 23, 2019, and sponsored by Miami-Dade
County Commissioner, Eileen Higgins, urged Governor Ronald DeSantis, the DEP, and other
applicable state agencies to expedite and immediately issue a one-time extended permit for the
removal of the dangerous seaweed in Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission fully support, and hereby expressly request,
the expedited and immediate approval of the County's request for a one-time extended "special
condition" permit which would run continuously through October 31, 2019, in order to efficiently
address the unprecedented levels of seaweed being deposited onto the City's beaches, without
the necessity of re-applying for a permit every two weeks; and
WHEREAS, this urgent and essential request will permit the County to more effectively
maintain its treasured beaches and preserve Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach's tourism,
and beachfront property values.
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 urge Governor Ronald DeSantis, the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection ("DEP"), and other applicable state agencies to issue the expedited approval of Miami-
Dade County's request for a one-time extended permit that would run continuously through
October 31, 2019, in order to address the overabundance of seaweed being deposited on the
beaches of Miami-Dade County and the City.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 31st day of July, 2019.
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
Raf el E. ranado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Dan Gelber) r
(Co-Sponsored by Commissioners Michael Gongora and Mark Samuelian.)
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MIAMI BEAH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J.Aguila, City Attorney
DATE: July 31, 2019
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING GOVERNOR RONALD DESANTIS, THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ("DEP"),
AND OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AGENCIES TO ISSUE THE EXPEDITED
APPROVAL OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S REQUEST FOR A ONE-TIME
EXTENDED PERMIT THAT WOULD RUN CONTINUOUSLY THROUGH
OCTOBER 31, 2019, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE OVERABUNDANCE OF
SEAWEED BEING DEPOSITED ON THE BEACHES OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTYAND THE CITY.
RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the request of Mayor Dan Gelber, the above-reference Resolution is submitted for
consideration by the City Commission at the July 31, 2019 Commission meeting.
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Mayor Dan Gelber
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Urge FDEP Grant MD-C One-Time Permit Removal of Seaweed.
o Mayor Gimenz: Expansion of Sargassum Seaweed Working Group
o Miami-Dade County Resolution to Governor DeSantis
Page 1257 of 1288
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING GOVERNOR RONALD DESANTIS, THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ("DEP"),
AND OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AGENCIES TO ISSUE THE
EXPEDITED APPROVAL OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S REQUEST FOR A
ONE-TIME EXTENDED PERMIT THAT WOULD RUN CONTINUOUSLY
THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2019, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE
OVERABUNDANCE OF SEAWEED BEING DEPOSITED ON THE
BEACHES OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach (the "City") is comprised of a number of islands with
approximately 70 miles of shoreline along numerous canals and waterways, the Atlantic Ocean,
and Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, all of which support a wide variety of flora and fauna; and
WHEREAS, the City hosts approximately 15 million visitors each year, and is considered
one of the world's most popular tourist destinations because of its beaches, crystal-clear blue
water, and amazing tropical environment; and
WHEREAS, the City, as well as the entirety of Miami-Dade County (the "County"), are
battling massive amounts of sargassum seaweed, a type of floating algae, being deposited onto
its beaches; and
WHEREAS, the massive amounts of seaweed, combined with accompanying intoxicating
odor, create an unsightly appearance and unsanitary conditions, and prevent beachgoers from
enjoying the sandy beaches and the ocean, and expose citizens and tourists to tremendous risk
to their welfare and health, and the tourism industry of both the County and the City; and
WHEREAS, the County's Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department ("PROS") is
responsible for maintaining clean beaches throughout the City;
WHEREAS, the County is required to work collaboratively with the Department of
Environmental Protection ("DEP") and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission ("FWC")to follow all
regulations and obtain those required permits for mechanized beach cleaning; and
WHEREAS, the County must re-apply for a permit with the DEP every two weeks in order
to utilize heavy equipment to address the extraordinary unsanitary condition that stems directly
from massive amounts of seaweed washing up on the City's beaches; and
WHEREAS, County Resolution adopted on July 23, 2019, and sponsored by Miami-Dade
County Commissioner, Eileen Higgins, urged Governor Ronald DeSantis, the DEP, and other
applicable state agencies to expedite and immediately issue a one-time extended permit for the
removal of the dangerous seaweed in Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission fully support, and hereby expressly request,
the expedited and immediate approval of the County's request for a one-time extended "special
condition" permit which would run continuously through October 31, 2019, in order to efficiently
Page 1258 of 1288
address the unprecedented levels of seaweed being deposited onto the City's beaches, without
the necessity of re-applying for a permit every two weeks; and
WHEREAS, this urgent and essential request will permit the County to more effectively
maintain its treasured beaches and preserve Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach's tourism,
and beachfront property values.
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 urge Governor Ronald DeSantis, the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection ("DEP"), and other applicable state agencies to issue the expedited approval of Miami-
Dade County's request for a one-time extended permit that would run continuously through
October 31., 2019, in order to address the overabundance of seaweed being deposited on the
beaches of Miami-Dade County and the City.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 31st day of July, 2019.
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Dan Gelber)
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Page 1259 of 1288
M IAM I•DADE
Memorandum COUNTY
Date: July 23, 2019
To: Honorable Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson
And Members, Board of my Commissioners
From: Carlos A. Gimen- 41111.
Mayor
Subject: Expansion of Sargassum (Sea,14 ) Working Group
•
Recently, the topic of sargassum (seaweed) accumulating on Miami-Dade County beaches was
discussed at the July 17 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee meeting with
Commissioner Higgins taking the lead, and at two recent City of Miami Beach (City) Commission
meetings. I share the concerns expressed by City of Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber,
Commissioner Higgins, Commissioner Heyman and the City Commissioners during these
discussions, and I am committed to developing solutions now.
In consultation with Mayor Gelber and Commissioner Higgins, I am expanding the existing working
group of representatives from the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Department, the
Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER), and the Florida Department of Health that
has been working with Commissioner Higgins, the City of Miami Beach, the County and State for the
past several months, to also include Bal Harbour and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors
Bureau. We are encouraging participation by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as
well. We must work together closely so that we stay coordinated and focused on this important task.
As you know, we have record amounts of seaweed on our beaches that is washing ashore. This is
particularly critical at "hot spots" where jetties and breakwaters cause large amounts of sargassum to
accumulate without our ability to substantially mitigate it.
I am authorizing PROS to work with the ,Internal Services Department to contract immediately to
remove seaweed from these hot spots. We will use other municipal contracts and emergency
authorization to do this right now. I intend to bring you the agreements and the budget authorization
retroactively in September so that we can get to work without delay. The focus of our efforts will be
the hot spot areas characterized by man-made interventions to protect our beaches at three locations:
the Bal Harbour and Haulover jetties; the Miami Beach breakwaters from 26-32 street; and the South
Pointe jetty.
In addition, I strongly support the leadership of Commissioner Higgins, along with the advocacy of
Commission Heyman, on this pressing issue. In particular, I support our efforts to have the State
authorize a long-term permit for immediate work to get this crisis under control. Pulling State permits
every two weeks simply does not recognize the "new normal." Keeping our beaches clean from
sargassum is a month-to-month, continuous process.
I have instructed our legislative team to work with the State to make this happen. I urge Governor
DeSantis to intervene today and to authorize an extended permit through the end of October,
specifically to remove seaweed from these hot spots.
I will continue to keep you informed of our progress in the coming months. Should you require
additional information, please contact Michael Spring, Senior Advisor, at 305-375-3710 or me
directly.
Page 1260 of 1288
Honorable Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson
And Members, Board of County Commissioners
Page 2
c: The Honorable Governor Ron DeSantis
The Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber, City of Miami Beach
The Honorable Mayor Gabriel Groisman, Bal Harbour Village
William D. Talbert III, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Miami Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Yesenia D. Villalta, APRN, DNP, MSN, Administrator/ Health Officer, Florida Department of
Health in Miami-Dade
Samir Elmir, Division Director, Environmental Health and Engineering, Florida Department of
Health in Miami-Dade County
Tony D. McNeal, Program Administrator, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Jenna Caderas, Environmental Specialist, Southeast District, Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
Carol A. Knox, Section Leader, Imperiled Species Management Section, Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission
Abigail Price-Williams, County Attorney
Geri Bonzon-Keenan, First Assistant County Attorney
Jess McCarty, Assistant County Attorney
Michael Spring, Senior Advisor, Office of the Mayor
Jack Osterholt, Deputy Mayor and Director of the Department of Regulatory and Economic
Resources, Office of the Mayor
Office of the Mayor Senior Staff
Maria I. Nardi, Director, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
Tara C. Smith, Director, Internal Services Department
Jim Murley, Chief Resilience Officer, Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
Department Directors
Page 1261 of 1288
MEMORANDUM
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(11)
TO: Honorable Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson DATE: July 23, 2019
and Members,Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Abigail Price-Williams SUBJECT: Resolution urging Governor
County Attorney Ron DeSantis,the Florida
f Department of Environmental
Protection and other applicable
state agencies to issue a one-time
extended permit for the removal
of seaweed on beaches located
in Miami-Dade County
The accompanying resolution was prepared and placed on the agenda at the request of Prime Sponsor
Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
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Page 1252 of 1288 .
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TO: Honorable Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson DATE: July 23, 2019
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
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FRO : tigail 'rice-X11 lams SUBJECT: Agenda Item No. 11(A)(11)
unty Attorney
Please note any items checked.
"3-Day Rule" for committees applicable if raised
6 weeks required between first reading and public hearing
4 weeks notification to municipal officials required prior to public
hearing
Decreases revenues or increases expenditures without balancing budget
Budget required
Statement of fiscal impact required
Statement of social equity required
Ordinance creating a new board requires detailed County Mayor's
report for public hearing
1/
No committee review
Applicable legislation requires more than a majority vote (i.e.,2/3's
present ,2/3 membership , 3/5's , unanimous , CDMP
7 vote requirement per 2-116.1(3)(h) or (4)(c) , CDMP 2/3 vote
requirement per 2-116.1(3)(h) or (4)(c) , or CDMP 9 vote
requirement per 2-116.1(4)(c)(2) ) to approve
Current information regarding funding source, index code and available
balance,and available capacity(if debt is contemplated) required
Page 12e3of 1288
Approved Agenda Item No. 11(A)(11)
Veto 7-23-19
Override
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION URGING GOVERNOR RON DES ANTIS, THE
FLORIDA. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AND OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AGENCIES
TO ISSUE A ONE-TIME EXTENDED PERMIT FOR THE
REMOVAL OF SEAWEED ON BEACHES LOCATED IN
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
WHEREAS,tourism is Miami-Dade County's largest industry; and
WHEREAS, the beaches in Miami-Dade County are the centerpiece of the County's
tourist attractions; and
WHEREAS, sargassum seaweed, a type of floating algae has invaded some County
beaches, including the popular tourist destinations on Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the presence of sargassum seaweed can have a deleterious effect on the
tourist industry and impede resident's enjoyment of the natural beauty of our beaches; and
WHEREAS, the Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department (PROS) is responsible
for maintaining 17 miles of County beaches; and
WHEREAS, PROS works collaboratively with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to follow all regulations
and obtain required permits for beach cleaning; and
WHEREAS, the permits issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
to allow PROS to conduct environmental clean-up work such as the removal of seaweed are issued
for only a two-week period; and
Page 1261 of 1288
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(11)
Page No. 2
WHEREAS, an extended permit would allow PROS to maintain the current and approved
practices for addressing the seaweed issue without the necessity of reapplying for a permit every
two weeks,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,FLORIDA,that this Board:
Section 1. Urges Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, and other applicable state agencies to issue a one-time permit to PROS for the
continuous use of heavy equipment in accordance with current approved practices for seaweed
removal to run continuously through October 31, 2019.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to send a certified copy of this Resolution to
the Governor,the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation,and the Chair
and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the action described in
section 1, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2019
State Legislative Package to include this item in the 2019 State Legislative Package.
The Prime Sponsor of the foregoing resolution is Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
It was offered by Commissioner ,who moved its adoption. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner and upon being put to a vote,the vote
was as follows:
Audrey M. Edmonson, Chairwoman
Rebeca Sosa,Vice Chairwoman
Esteban L. Bovo, Jr. Daniella Levine Cava
Jose"Pepe"Diaz Sally A. Heyman
Eileen Higgins Barbara J. Jordan
Joe A. Martinez Jean Monestime
Dennis C. Moss Sen. Javier D. Souto
Xavier L. Suarez
Page 125of 1288
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(11)
Page No. 3
The Chairperson thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 23`d day
of July,2019. This resolution shall become effective upon the earlier.of(1) 10 days after the date
of its adoption unless vetoed by the County Mayor,and if vetoed,shall become effective only upon
an override by this Board, or (2) approval by the County Mayor of this Resolution and the filing
of this approval with the Clerk of the Board.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY ITS BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HARVEY RUVIN, CLERK
By:
Deputy Clerk
Approved by County Attorney as 1,015
to form and legal sufficiency.
Melanie J. Spencer
•
Page 1266 of 1288