Resolution 2020-31511 RESOLUTION NO, 2020-31511
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S 2021 FEDERAL AGENDA AS SET
FORTH IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT TO THIS RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City of Miami Beach's
federal agenda which includes funding and legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's
representatives in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, in addition, throughout the rest of the year, additional priorities are presented
by the Mayor and City Commissioners for full City Commission approval via resolutions, which,
once adopted, are added to the City's agenda and provided to the City's federal consultants; and
WHEREAS, it is important that the City works 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's federal agenda priorities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed priorities include project, authorization, and policy requests
which will continue to evolve as the Congressional process continues; and
WHEREAS, the City's 2021 Federal Agenda, attached to this Resolution as an Exhibit, is
presented for approval by the Mayor and City Commission.
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 2021 Federal Agenda, as set forth in the attached Exhibit
to this Resolution.
PASSED and ADOPTED this f day of D '6.61-4€K- , 2020.
Dan Gelber, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Rafael . Granado, City Clerk
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MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: December 9, 2020
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S 2021 FEDERAL
AGENDA AS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT TO THIS
RESOLUTION.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
This item presents the City's annual Federal Agenda and priorities. The list will be provided to
our federal consultants, to advocate for the priorities in Washington, D.C.
ANALYSIS
Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's Federal Agenda which includes
funding and legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Washington
D.C. Then, throughout the rest of the year, additional priorities are presented by the Mayor and
Commissioners for full Commission approval. Once the Resolutions are adopted, the new
priorities are added to the City's Agenda and provided to the City's federal consultants.
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. It is imperative
that the City's legislative consultant is aware of, and has a list of City priorities. The proposed
priorities include project, authorization, and policy requests that will continue to evolve as the
Congressional process continues.
The City's 2021 Federal Agenda is presented in Exhibit A, attached, for approval by the City
Commission.
Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.Q.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Page 99 of 1707
Legislative Trackina
Grants and Intergovernmental Affairs
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
D Resolution
D 2021 Federal Agenda Exhibit A
Page 100 of 1707
Exhibit A
2021 Federal 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 traffic
signals on major thoroughfares, 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 arterial
roadways, including I-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway and I-395/MacArthur Causeway, and
city parking facilities. The City seeks assistance in identifying and applying for federal
grant opportunities to fund these systems.
3. Transportation -Regional Transportation Projects
Bus Express Rapid Transit-The City supports the efforts of Miami-Dade County, the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Miami-Dade Transportation
Planning Organization (TPO) to create a Bus Express Rapid Transit (BERT) network,
a key component of the Miami-Dade County Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit
(SMART) Plan, which would connect Miami and Miami Beach along the 1-
395/MacArthur Causeway and the I-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway via dedicated bus
lanes.
Beach Corridor Rapid Transit Connection-The City supports the efforts of Miami-Dade
County and the Miami-Dade TPO to design and build the Beach Corridor of the
Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit(SMART)Plan,which would establish a rapid mass
transit connection between Downtown Miami and South Beach via an elevated rubber-
tire technology along I-395/MacArthur Causeway and to the Miami Beach Convention
Center via dedicated bus lanes on Washington Avenue.
I-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway Off-Road 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 I-195/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.
Page 102 of 1707
•
', BEACH
Exhibit A
2021 Federal Priorities
1-95 Express Lanes Access to I-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway — The City supports the
long-term efforts of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to design and
build new access ramps from the existing 1-95 express (managed) lanes to I-195/Julia
Tuttle Causeway. This improvement will not only establish direct connectivity between
two limited access facilities on the federal interstate system but will also alleviate traffic
congestion on I-395/MacArthur Causeway.
4. 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.
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 opposes any flood insurance changes inordinately affecting
Miami Beach residents, primary/secondary homeowners, and real estate markets.
The City requests that FEMA share information on NFIP changes like Risk Rating 2.0
with communities in advance to help the city, residents and businesses understand
how changes will impact on the flood insurance policies and costs.
5. 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.
Page 103 of 1707
Exhibit A
2021 Federal Priorities
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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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).
Page 104 of 1707
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Exhibit A
2021 Federal Priorities
9. 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.
10. Infrastructure Plan
The City supports the development of an infrastructure program to repair, rebuild, and
modernize America's physical infrastructure.
11. Medical Marijuana
The City urges the United States Congress to recognize and support States' Rights
with regard to the legalization of medical marijuana.
12. Transgender Members of the Armed Forces
The City opposes President Trump's discriminatory ban on transgender members of
the armed forces and urges the U.S. Department of Defense to not reinstate the ban
on transgender members of the armed forces and to maintain an inclusive policy
allowing qualified transgender Americans to enlist and serve in the armed forces.
13. Temporary Protective Status for the Venezuelan Community
The City supports temporary protective status for the Venezuelan community and
supports the efforts of Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaido to bring
humanitarian relief to the people of Venezuela and diplomatic efforts to promote
democracy in Venezuela against the Maduro regime.
14. The Equality Act
The City urges the United States Senate to approve Senate Bill S. 788, also known as
"The Equality Act,"which will serve to extend federal anti-discrimination protections to
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ("LGBT") Americans, by providing them with
equal protection under the law.
15. National Museum of American Latino Act
The City expresses its support for House of Representatives Bill, H.R. 2420 and its
companion, Senate Bill, S. 1267, both entitled the "National Museum of the American
Latino Act," which will establish the National Museum of the American Latino in the
Smithsonian Institution; and urges the United States Congress to pass these
companion bills.
16. Federal Payroll Taxes Relief for individuals impacted by COVID-19
The City urges President Trump and the United States Congress to abate Federal
Payroll taxes to provide relief to individuals impacted by COVID-19.
Page 105 of 1707
B E 1-4
Exhibit A
2021 Federal Priorities
17. Coronavirus Community Relief Act
The City strongly urges President Trump and U.S. Congressional Leaders to support
and enact U.S. House of Representatives Bill H.R. 6467, titled "Coronavirus
Community Relief Act," which would provide $250 Billion in COVID-19 stabilization
funds for counties and cities with a population under 500,000.
18. Plasma and Blood Donations
The City urges the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to repeal its
prohibition on men who have had sex with men ("MSM") within 12 months from
donating blood and allow MSM who are otherwise healthy to donate plasma and blood.
19. City of Miami Beach COVID-19 Relief Funding
The City urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation providing direct funding
assistance to all cities to help mitigate expenditures and current and future losses as
a result of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic.
20. National Flood Insurance Program
The City supports House Bill H.R. 3872 and its related bill, Senate Bill S.2187 and
urges the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, and
further urges Congress to provide additional resources to FEMA to utilize the best
technology and methods available to improve the Flood Mapping Process.
21. Biscayne Bay
The City joins Miami-Dade County in requesting urgent assistance from the
State of Florida and federal government for a coordinated and united
commitment and funding to restore and protect Biscayne Bay.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES TO BE MONITORED
• Historic Preservation Funds to safeguard aging districts.
Page 106 of 1707