Resolution 2023-325301
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-32530
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, AT ITS FEBRUARY
17, 2023 MEETING, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
PROCEED WITH DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
LANE AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AT AN ESTIMATED COST
OF $160,000.
WHEREAS, Miami Beach Senior High School (MBSH or the School) and the streets in
the vicinity of the school grounds experience traffic congestion during morning drop-off and
afternoon pick-up periods; and
WHEREAS, the critical period for most high schools in Miami -Dade County is the morning
drop-off period, as the afternoon pick-up period tends to produce less traffic congestion around
the perimeter of a school due to its staggered nature and multiple extracurricular activities
requiring many students to remain in school; and
WHEREAS, over the years, the City has worked closely with the Committee for Quality of
Education (QEC), MBSH Administration, and residents of the area to discuss traffic concerns,
review traffic conditions along adjacent roadways during drop-off and pick-up periods, explore
solutions to mitigate the impacts to traffic and improve safety; and
WHEREAS, the City has implemented various safety improvements to enhance safety
and reduce congestion, including installation of a pedestrian crosswalk with rapid rectangular
flashing beacons on Prairie Avenue north of 23rd Street; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the City completed the installation of school zone flashing beacons
on Prairie Avenue to replace older static signs, and installed new pavement markings and signage
along Prairie Avenue including re -striping school zone markings; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the City conducted observations during morning drop-off period and
discovered that some parents were dropping -off students along eastbound Dade Boulevard
forcing students to cross Dade Boulevard at unsignalized mid -block locations (i.e. jaywalking);
and
WHEREAS, as a result, the City commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of creating
a dedicated pick-up/drop-off lane adjacent to Dade Boulevard to discourage the illegal drop-offs;
and
WHEREAS, the study was completed in 2020 and recommended the implementation of a
one-way westbound pick-up/drop-off lane between the existing bus lane in front of the School and
Dade Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the study was forwarded to Miami -Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS)
and Miami -Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for
programming of the recommended improvements; and
WHEREAS, however, MDCPS expressed some safety concerns with the pick-up/drop-
off lane as proposed by the City, and advised that it did not have funding identified for the
implementation of the improvements; and
WHEREAS, in the immediate term, MDCPS decided to move forward with the installation
of a fence along the back of the north sidewalk in front of the school to deter students from
jaywalking across Dade Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, given MDCPS' safety concerns and lack of funding, the City's proposed pick-
up/drop-off lane concept was not supported and did not move forward at that time; and
WHEREAS, on October 26, 2021, the QEC passed a motion urging the Transportation
and Mobility Department to develop a working plan prioritizing student safety during drop-off and
pick-up at MBSH. The motion was transmitted to the Mayor and City Commission on October 28,
2021 via LTC # 463-2021; and
WHEREAS, at the December 8, 2021 City Commission meeting, Commissioner David
Richardson sponsored the referral of this item to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee
(FERC) for discussion; and
WHEREAS, at the March 30, 2022 FERC meeting, the City presented the pick-up/drop-
off lane concept; and
WHEREAS, at the meeting, FERC supported the City's proposed concept and
recommended that City staff meet with DTPW and MDCPS to propose that each agency,
including the City, fund one-third of the total cost of the pick-up/drop-off lane in order to fully fund
the proposed improvement; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to FERC's recommendation, the City's Transportation and Mobility
Department met with both DTPW and MDCPS, however, MDCPS continued to express safety
concerns with the proposed pick-up/drop-off lane, and advocated for the installation of a fence as
an immediate solution; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2022, QEC discussed this item and passed a motion
supporting the City's recommended alternative; and
WHEREAS, given QEC's motion, in December 2022, the City's Transportation and
Mobility Department met with DTPW and MDCPS to discuss potential modifications to the City's
proposed pick-up/drop-off lane concept in an effort to address the MDCPS' safety concerns; and
WHEREAS, both DTPW and MDCPS have expressed a desire to collaborate with the City
through the design development process; and
WHEREAS, to advance the pick-up and drop-off lane concept through the design
development phase, the Transportation and Mobility Department has reached out to a traffic
engineering consultant and received a draft scope of services and price proposal to develop
engineering design drawings for the implementation of the proposed pick-up/drop-off lane; and
WHEREAS, the design will address the safety and traffic concerns raised by MDCPS and
DTPW; and
2
WHEREAS, the consultant's design fee is approximately $160,000 and funding for design
has been identified .at this time; and
WHEREAS, ,the scope is based on a. seven (7) month duration for completion of final
design plans, including DTPW review and permit approval; and
WHEREAS, ultimately, approval from both MDCPS and DTPW will be required to move .
forward with the implementation of the proposed pick-up and drop-off lane, if'determined to be
feasible.
NOW; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND.CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby accept
the recommendation of the. Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee, at its February 17, 2023
meeting, and, authorize the City Administration to proceed with design of the proposed pick-up
and -drop-off lane at Miami Beach Senior High School at an estimated cost of $160,000.
PASSED and ADOPTED this a7 day of March 2023.
ATTEST:.
Dan Gelber, Mayor
BAR 3 1 20?_3
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk ; `E
1IHLOR4 RAiED•'
Resolutions - C7 N
MIAMI BEA
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: March 27, 2023 ,
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE FINANCE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, AT ITS FEBRUARY
17, 2023 MEETING, TO PROCEED WITH DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED
PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LANE AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AT
AN ESTIMATED COST OF $160,000.
RECOMMENDATION
The administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the resolution.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Similar to most schools within Miami -.Dade County, Miami Beach Senior High School (MBSH)
and the streets in the vicinity experience traffic congestion during morning drop-off and
afternoon pick-up periods. The critical period for most high schools in the County is the morning
drop-off period. The afternoon pick-up period tends to produce less traffic congestion around
the perimeter of a school due to its staggered nature and multiple extracurricular activities
requiring many students to remain in school.
MBSH is bounded by Prairie Avenue to the west, Dade Boulevard to the south, the City's Public
Works operation yard to the east, and Bayshore Park to the north. Dade Boulevard is a
collector roadway under the jurisdiction of Miami -Dade County.
Over the years, the City has worked closely with the Committee for Quality Education (QEC),
MBSH Administration, and residents of the area to discuss traffic concerns, review traffic
conditions along adjacent roadways during drop-off and pick-up periods, explore solutions to
mitigate the impacts to traffic, and improve safety. As a result, the City has implemented various
safety improvements to enhance safety and reduce congestion, including installation of a
pedestrian crosswalk with rapid rectangular flashing beacons on Prairie Avenue north of 231d
Street. In 2018, the City completed the installation of school zone flashing, beacons on Prairie
Avenue to replace older static signs. Furthermore, the City installed new pavement markings
and signage along Prairie Avenue including re -striping school zone markings.
'In addition to these improvements, the City applied and was awarded funding through the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Transportation Alternatives Grant Program to
Page 499 of 1292
design and implement various pedestrian safety improvements in the vicinity of MBSH. The
project scope includes pedestrian ramp upgrades, new crosswalks, new school zone beacons
on Prairie Avenue and Dade Boulevard, signalization improvements, and other pedestrian
accessibility improvements. The project is currently in the design development phase and
scheduled for construction in Fiscal Year 2024.
n 2019, the City conducted observations during morning drop-off period and discovered that
some parents were dropping -off students 'along eastbound Dade Boulevard forcing students to
cross Dade Boulevard at unsignalized mid -block locations (i.e. jaywalking). As a result, the City
commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of creating a dedicated pick-up/drop-off lane
adjacent to Dade Boulevard to discourage drop-offs and crossings at mid -block. The study was
completed in 2020 and recommended the implementation of a one-way westbound pick-
up/drop-off lane between the existing bus lane in front of the school and Dade Boulevard
(Attachment A). The study was forwarded to Miami -Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS)
and Miami -Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for
programming of the recommended improvements. However, MDCPS expressed some safety
concerns with the pick-up/drop-off lane as proposed by the City and advised that it did not have
funding identified for the implementation of the improvements. In the immediate term, MDCPS
decided to move forward with the installation of a fence along the back of the north sidewalk in
front of the school to deter students from jaywalking across Dade Boulevard. Given MDCPS'
safety concerns and lack of funding, the City's proposed pick-up/drop-off lane concept was not
supported and did not move forward at that time.
On October 26, 2021, the QEC passed a motion urging the Transportation and Mobility
Department to develop a working plan prioritizing student safety during drop-off and pick-up at
MBSH. The motion was transmitted to the Mayor and City Commission on October 28, 2021 via
LTC # 463-2021.
At the December 8, 2021, City, Commission meeting, Commissioner David Richardson
sponsored the referral of this item to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC)
for discussion.
At the March 30, 2022, FERC meeting, the City presented the pick-up/drop-off lane concept. At the
meeting, FERC supported the City's proposed concept and 'recommended that City staff meet with
DTPW and MDCPS to propose that each agency, including the City, fund one-third of the total cost
of the pick-up/drop-off lane in order to fully fund the proposed improvement. Pursuant to FERC's
recommendation, the City's Transportation and Mobility Department met with both, DTPW and
MDCPS, however, MDCPS continued to express safety concerns with the proposed pick-up/drop-off
lane.
On November 15, 2022, QEC discussed this item and passed a motion supporting the City's
recommended alternative. Given QEC's motion, in December 2022, the City's Transportation and
Mobility Department met with DTPW and MDCPS again to discuss potential modifications to the
City's proposed pick-up/drop-off lane concept in an effort to address the County's safety concerns.
Both DTPW and MDCPS have expressed a desire to collaborate with the City through the design
development process.
ANALYSIS
To advance the pick-up and drop-off lane concept through the design development phase, the
Transportation and Mobility Department has reached out to a traffic engineering consultant and
Page 500 of 1292
received a draft scope of services and price proposal to develop engineering design drawings for the
implementation of the proposed pick-up/drop-off lane. The design will address the safety and traffic
concerns raised by MDCPS and DTPW. The consultant's design fee is approximately $160,000
and funding for design has been identified at this time. The scope is based on a seven (7) month
duration for completion of final design plans, including DTPW review and permit approval.
Ultimately, approval from both MDCPS and DTPW will be required to move forward with
the implementation of the proposed pick-up and drop-off lane, if determined to be feasible.
At the February 17, 2023 FERC meeting, the Administration discussed this item and provided an
update on the recommended design. At the meeting, the Committee made a recommendation to
proceed with the design of the proposed pick-up and drop-off lane at MESH.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
According to the 2022 City of Miami Beach Resident Survey, 81 % of respondents expressed
that they are most concemed/dissatisfied with pedestrian safety (vehicles not yielding to
pedestrians) when crossing an intersection. In addition, 51 % of residents responded that at
least one person in their household regularly rides a bike and 37% of residents consider
bicycling the most viable alternative to using cars for trips within Miami Beach. Based on the
same survey, while 56% of residents feel somewhat safe when riding their bicycle in the City,
44% of residents feel unsafe.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The estimated cost of the design phase is approximately $160,000. The Transportation and
Mobility Department has identified funds in its Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget for this
purpose. The preliminary construction cost is estimated at $600,000, pending further refinement
during design development. DTPW and MDCPS have not yet committed to funding
construction costs, as costs are not yet determined. Grants may also be pursued to provide
funding for the project.
Am o u nt(s)/Accou nt(s) :
$160,000 / 106-9615-000312-30-403-529-00-00-00-
CONCLUSION
Given the documented student and pedestrian safety concerns associated with MBSH drop-off
and pick-up operations, the Transportation and Mobility Department completed a safety study
which recommended the implementation of a dedicated pick-up and drop-off lane in front of
MBSH between the existing bus lane and Dade Boulevard. MDCPS initially expressed some
safety concerns with the City's recommended alternative. To address the County's concerns,
the Transportation and Mobility Department is in the process of engaging a traffic engineering
consultant to develop final engineering design plans for the proposed pick=up and drop-off lane.
The City will continue to work with the MDCPS and DTPW through the design development
process with the goal of securing approval of the proposed pick-up/drop-off lane. Once the
design is complete and approved by the County, an opinion of probable cost for construction will
be developed as well as an equitable funding plan in collaboration with. MDCPS and DTPW.
Applicable Area
Middle Beach
Page 501 of 1292
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
No
Strategic Connection
Non -Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Transportation and Mobility
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No
o Attachment A - Preferred Alternative for Drop-off on Dade Boulevard
Page 502 of 1292
7 7' 14' 17'
FENCE ONE WAY MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL _.
Q� •`iy' �r
EXIST. NATURAL
SIDEWALK GROUND 'V * o 10 40
EXIST. CURB SIDEWALK ,tw
AND GUTTER Feet
CURB AND GUTTER
r.
CURB AND GUTTER
TYPICAL SECTION B-B
ALTERNATIVE IB
G ra
F �
•
°; `'t' a k,�' •
,r, � i —
ri l ALTERNATIVE 113
iG
MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL HNTB
TUK CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN AT DADE BLVD.
Updated: OS/16/19