Resolution 2020-31451 RESOLUTION NO. 2020-31451
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE,AT ITS SEPTEMBER
23, 2020 MEETING, TO INSTALL REGULATORY AND ADVISORY SIGNS ON
THE BEACHWALK TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR ALL USERS.
WHEREAS, at its December 11, 2019 meeting,,the Mayor and City Commission, per
Commissioner Steinberg's request, referred a discussion regarding beachwalk safety to the
Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee ("NQLC")for discussion; and
WHEREAS, the item was discussed at the March 4, 2020 NQLC meeting, wherein the
Committee recommended that the Administration pursue strategies to improve pedestrian safety
on the beachwalk and return to the September Neighborhood and Quality of Life meeting with
an update; and
WHEREAS, given the high amount of activity on the beachwalk, some residents have
expressed safety concerns due to conflicts with bicyclists, roller-skaters, skate boarders, and
motorized devices; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2012-
3780, prohibiting the use of personal electric assistive mobility devices (i.e. Segways)and other
motorized means of transportation on the beachwalk, baywalk, cutwalk, and interior paths of
certain parks; and
WHEREAS, at the September 23, 2020 NQLC meeting, the Transportation and Mobility
Team and Police Departments presented the signage plan consisting of regulatory signs to be
installed at the access points and advisory signs throughout the Beachwalk to advise all users
that this area is pedestrian friendly and therefore caution must be used; and
WHEREAS, the NQLC recommended that Administration proceed with the production
and installation of the regulatory signs and advance the installation of the advisory signs on the
beachwalk.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life
Committee, at its September 23, 2020 meeting, to install regulatory and advisory signs on the
beachwalk to improve safety for all users
PASSED and ADOPTED this 14th day October, 2020.
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
a/2 Zstd
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO
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MIAM1BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: October 14, 2020
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 MEETING, TO INSTALL REGULATORY AND
ADVISORY SIGNS ON THE BEACHWALK TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR ALL
USERS.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt a resolution
accepting the recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) at
its September 23, 2020 meeting, to proceed with the installation of regulatory signs and
community-friendly advisory signs at entrances to and along the beachwalk and baywalk to
enforce the prohibition of electric/motorized devices and improve pedestrian safety.
Furthermore, the Committee requested that the Administration provide an update at the
December 2020 NQLC meeting.
UPDATE AT THE SEPTEMBER 23.2020 NQLC MEETING
At the September 23, 2020 NQLC meeting, the Transportation and Mobility and Police
departments presented the proposed signage plan. The signage plan consists of regulatory
signs to be installed at all entrances to and along the beachwalk and baywalk (Attachment 1).
The proposed regulatory signs are similar to the ones currently posted along Lincoln Road
which have proven effective in deterring motorized scooters from entering upon the pedestrian
mall. The signs depict specific electric/motorized mobility devices which are not permitted on
the beachwalk or baywalk and reference the applicable section of the City Code (70-67).
Additionally, community friendly advisory signs will be posted along the beachwalk and baywalk
to advise users that the area is a pedestrian-friendly zone where users of permitted/non-
motorized devices such as bicycles, skates, and skateboards, must slow down and yield to
pedestrians(Attachment 2).
At the meeting, the NQLC recommended that staff proceed with the production and installation
of the regulatory signs and the community-friendly advisory signs on the beachwalk and
baywalk. Pursuant to the Committee's request, once the proposed signs are installed, staff will
track enforcement statistics and observe user behavior to gauge effectiveness of the signs and
if further action is warranted. Staff will provide an update to the NQLC at its December 2020
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meeting.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
This item is sponsored by Commissioner Micky Steinberg and was referred by the City
Commission on December 11, 2019 to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee
(NQLC)for discussion. The item was discussed at the March 4, 2020 NQLC meeting wherein
the Committee recommended that the Administration pursue strategies to improve pedestrian
safety on the beachwalk and return to the September NQLC meeting with an update.
Given the high amount of activity on the beachwalk, some residents have expressed concerns
with safety due to conflicts with bicyclists, roller-skaters, skate boarders, and motorized
devices. As such, at the December 11, 2019 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Micky
Steinberg referred a discussion item regarding pedestrian safety on the beachwalk to the
Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee.
The Miami Beach beachwalk is one of the most popular shared-use paths in Miami-Dade
County, generally located between abutting private properties on the west and the coastal dune
system on the east and extending from South Pointe Park on the south to the city limit on the
north. The beachwalk is used daily by thousands of pedestrians, bicyclists, roller-skaters, and
skate boarders for recreational and work-related trips. The width of the beachwalk varies from
12 feet to 23 feet; however, most of the segments are limited to about 15 feet or less in width.
In 2012, via Ordinance No. 2012-3780,the City prohibited the use of personal electric assistive
mobility devices (i.e. Segways) and other motorized means of transportation on the beachwalk,
baywalk, cutwalk, and interior paths of certain parks. The current rules and regulations on the
beachwalk are enforced by the City's police officers and park rangers.
The beachwalk has been constructed in segments over several years with funding provided by
the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT)Transportation Alternatives grant program, a
federally funded discretionary grant program. Pursuant to the joint funding agreements
executed between the City and FDOT for the construction of the beachwalk, the City cannot
legally prohibit non-motorized vehicles, including bicycles,from using the shared-use facility.
ANALYSIS
To mitigate the safety concerns of pedestrians using the beachwalk and baywalk, the City's
Transportation and Mobility Department staff explored delineating separate lanes for
pedestrians and other uses. Based on the existing beachwalk width, however, delineating lanes
is not feasible as it would not meet the minimum width required by FDOT for either use. For
example, to delineate a two-way bike path, a minimum width of 10 feet for bicycles would be
required. With the high number of pedestrians using the beachwalk, a desired width of 12 feet
would be desirable to delineate a two-way path for pedestrians. Thus, a minimum width of 22
feet is desired to safely segregate pedestrians and bicyclists on the beachwalk. Additionally,
given the decorative pattern of the beachwalk pavers, pavement markings were considered but
found to not be context-sensitive and,thus, are not recommended.
Pursuant to the NQLC's recommendation at its March 4, 2020 meeting, various city
departments, including Police, Communications, and Transportation and Mobility, coordinated to
develop an approach to address the pedestrian safety concern on the beachwalk. City staff
visited the beachwalk during March and April 2020 to survey the existing signage and determine
potential locations for additional signs and markings. Based on staff's field reviews, it was
determined that additional signage was warranted. An inventory of the existing signage was
mapped to assist in the development of a comprehensive signage plan for the area. The
design of the community-friendly signs was shared with the Middle Beach Neighborhood
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Association at its June and July 2020 meetings.
Prior to the September 23, 2020 NQLC meeting, various City departments including Police,
Communications, Property Management, and Transportation and Mobility met to discuss
enforcement and the signage plan for the beachwalk and baywalk entrances and paths.
Revisions were made to the signage plan focusing on strengthening the messaging on the
regulatory signage to help deter electric/motorized mobility devices from accessing the
beachwalk and baywalk.
For maximum sign effectiveness while minimizing sign pollution, staff determined that the signs
along the beachwalk/baywalk should be intermixed and spaced about every quarter mile. The
Administration is also exploring a safety/educational campaign in collaboration with hotels and
condominiums along the beachwalk and baywalk.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Funding for the fabrication of the new beachwalk/baywalk signs is included in the Transportation
and Mobility Department's FY 2020/21 Operating Budget. Installation of the signs is being
accomplished through the Property Management Department/Beach Maintenance Division's in-
house forces.
CONCLUSION
The City's beachwalk is a highly utilized shared-use path that serves recreational and work trips
throughout the City; however, its popularity coupled with its constrained width contributes to
frequent conflicts among pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users. Due to FDOT requirements
governing shared-use paths constructed with federal grant funds, the City cannot legally prohibit
bicycles and other non-motorized means of transportation on the beachwalk. Recently,
however, motorized devices, including electric bicycles, e-scooters, and powered skateboards,
have been reported on the beachwalk and baywalk although these devices are not permitted by
City Code.
To help mitigate the safety concerns, staff developed a signage plan consisting of regulatory
signs intended to deter electric/motorized vehicles from entering the facilities, and community-
friendly signs to advise lawful users toslow down and yield to pedestrians. 'The production of
60 new signs has been completed, and the signs will be installed at the locations identified in
the proposed signage plan.
At its September 23, 2020 meeting, the NQLC recommended that staff proceed with the
production and installation of the regulatory signs and the community-friendly signs at entrances
to and along the beachwalk and baywalk. Staff will provide an update on the effectiveness of
the new signs and enforcement statistics at the December NQLC meeting.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Strategic Connection
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Mobility-Improve the walking and biking experience.
Legislative Tracking
Transportation and Mobility
Sponsor
Commissioner Micky Steinberg
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
D Attachment 1 - Regulatory Signs
o Attachment 2 -Yield to Pedestrian Signs
o Resolution
Page 461 of 1576
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