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2004-25478 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2004-25478 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND OFFICIALLY ADOPTING THE SOUTH POINTE NEIGHBORHOOD BASIS OF DESIGN REPORT (BODR), WHICH IDENTIFIES AND DESCRIBES RDA-FUNDED STREETSCAPE, WATER, AND STORMWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH PHASE II OF THE SOUTH POINTE NEGHBORHOOD RIGHT OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, FURTHER ADOPTING SAID BODR, AS AMENDED, TO PROVIDE FOR EIGHT FOOT SIDEWALKS AND SEVEN FOOT PARKING LANES ON 4TH AND 2ND STREETS, AND TO IMPLEMENT STREETSCAPE ALTERNATE II ON JEFFERSON AVENUE. WHEREAS, on September 25, 2002, Wolfberg Alvarez, Inc. was contracted by the City to undertake the planning and design of RDA-funded streetscape, water, and stormwater improvements to be implemented through Phase II of the South Pointe Neighborhood Right of Way (ROW) Improvement Project, which includes Michigan Avenue, between 5th and 2nd Streets; Jefferson Avenue, between 5th and 2nd Streets; Meridian Avenue, between 5th and 2nd Streets; Euclid Avenue, between 5th and 3rd Streets; 2nd Street, between Washington and Michigan Avenues; and 4th Street, between Alton Road and Washington Avenue (the Project); and WHEREAS, Wolfberg Alvarez and City staff have completed a rigorous planning process which included input from and review by residents, all applicable City Departments, the Design Review Board, the Historic Preservation Board, the Neighborhoods Committee, and the Finance and Citywide Projects Committees; and WHEREAS, the Basis of Design Report (BODR) which identifies Project improvements has been completed and submitted by Wolfberg Alvarez, Inc. and is hereby incorporated and made a part of this Resolution by reference; and WHEREAS, construction funding for the Project, totaling $6,266,778, is available from South Pointe RDA funds; and WHEREAS, the next step in implementing the Project is for the City Commission to approve the BODR which will then serve as a basis for the preparation of construction drawings for recommended improvements; and WHEREAS, the CilJ' Commission desires to amend the section of the BODR governing 4th Street and 2" Street to provide for an eight foot wide sidewalk and a seven foot wide parking lane; and WHEREAS, the City Commission prefers the Alternate " streetscape plan as described in the BODR for Jefferson Avenue. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the South Pointe Neighborhood BODR, which has been submitted to the Mayor and Commission and is hereby made a part of and incorporated to this Resolution by reference, and which identifies water, stormwater, and streetscape improvements to be implemented through Phase" of the South Pointe Neighborhood Right of Way Improvement Project, is hereby approved and adopted, as amended by the Cit~ Commission to provide for eight foot sidewalks and seven foot parking lanes on 4 and 2nd Streets, and to implement streetscape Alternate" on Jefferson Avenue. PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROV MAYOR: A~~~~ CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE . FOR EXECUTION A11~~.t(J-O/ CIty ate T:\AGENDAI2004\Feb0404\Regular\SouthPointePhasellreso.doc CITY OF MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY m Condensed Title: A Resolution Of The Mayor And City Commission Approving And Officially Adopting the South Pointe Neighborhood Phase II Basis of Design Report (BODR) Which Identifies And Describes South Pointe RDA Funded Streetscape, Water, And Stormwater Capital Improvements To Be Implemented Through Phase II of the South Pointe Nei hborhood Ri ht of Wa 1m rovement Pro'ect. Issue: Should the City adopt the South Pointe Neighborhood Phase II BODR prepared by Wolfberg Alvarez, Inc. and City staff as the officially approved description of capital improvements to be designed and constructed through Phase II of the South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Imorovement Proiect? Item Summary/Recommendation: On September 25, 2002 Wolfberg Alvarez, Inc. was contracted by the City to undertake the planning and design of RDA funded streetscape, water, and stormwater improvements to be implemented through Phase II of the South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project. The project planning process has followed the standard neighborhood ROW improvement project sequence, from Kick-off meeting to Site Reconnaissance Visit to Visioning Session. Plans were then developed to a level required for presentation at a Community Design Workshop (CDW) on March 4, 2003. Improvements described at the CDW included: milling and resurfacing of all roadways; installation of new curb, gutter, and sidewalk; new lighting installation as required; comprehensive stormwater and water improvements; and installation of new street trees and landscaping. Resident comments and input from CDW 1 were analyzed and plans were modified as appropriate and presented again at a second CDW on May 1, 2003. Since part of the neighborhood lies within the Ocean Beach Historic District, the plans were presented to the Historic Preservation Board on July 8,2003 and August 12, 2003. In addition, street layout and parking plans for Jefferson Avenue were presented to the Design Review Board on July 15, 2003, Review of the BODR was completed by all City Departments on October 10, 2003. In addition, a joint meeting of the Neighborhoods Committee and the Citywide Projects and Finance Committee was held on January28, 2004 at South Pointe Elementary School to hear resident input and provide direction on the project. Community consensus in regard to the BODR has been achieved on most components of the project with the exception of three issues: the proposed curbside angle parking on Jefferson Avenue; the proposed six foot sidewalk width on the north/south streets in the project; and the proposed seven foot wide sidewalk and eight foot wide parking spaces on Fourth Street. The Administration recommends approval of the South Pointe Neighborhood Phase II BODR as oresented. Advisory Board Recommendation: I NA Financial Information: Amount to be expended: Source of Funds: AGENDA ITEM _f(7A DATE~ CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139 lNW'N,miamibeachfl.gov COMMISSION MEMORANDUM To: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission Date: February 4, 2004 From: J"'lle M. Goo",lez ....---:?'c,.. f. ;- , ~ City Manager L.> ~ <.. e T -- A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CIT OMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND OFFICIALLY ADOPTING THE SOUTH POINTE NEIGHBORHOOD BASIS OF DESIGN REPORT, WHICH IDENTIFIES AND DESCRIBES RDA-FUNDED STREETSCAPE, WATER, AND STORMWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH PHASE II OF THE SOUTH POINTE NEGHBORHOOD RIGHT OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Subject: ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION Adopt the Resolution ANALYSIS The Basis of Design Report (BOOR) for RDA funded streetscape, water, and stormwater improvements to be implemented through Phase " of the South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement has been completed and submitted by Wolfberg Alvarez, Inc., the consultant contracted by the City to plan and design the improvements. This BOOR is the culmination of a comprehensive planning effort that has included input from and review by residents, all City Departments, the Design Review Board, the Historic Preservation Board, and a joint meeting of the Neighborhoods and Finance and Citywide Projects Committees. The next step is for the City Commission to approve the BOOR which will then serve as a basis for the preparation of construction drawings for recommended improvements. Project Description The South Pointe Neighborhood Right of Way Improvement Project is a comprehensive multi-phase street and infrastructure improvement project based on the South Pointe Master Plan developed and approved by the City in 1999. The South Pointe Master Plan includes all of the area of the City south of Fifth Street. The Master Plan identified comprehensive improvements at a conceptual level and outlined a schedule of five implementation phases. Construction of Phase I of the Project addressed Third Street from Ocean Drive to Michigan Avenue and Washington Avenue from 5th Street to South Pointe Drive; construction of Phase I improvements was completed in 2002. South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project Phase /I BOOR February 4, 2004 Page 2 of 8 On September 25, 2002 Wolfberg Alvarez, Inc. was contracted by the City to undertake the planning and design of RDA funded streetscape, water, and stormwater improvements to be implemented through Phase II of the South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project. The Phase II project area includes Michigan Avenue between 5th and 2nd Streets, Jefferson Avenue between 5th and 2nd Streets, Meridian Avenue between 5th and 2nd Streets, Euclid Avenue between 5th and 3rd Streets, 2nd Street between Washington and Michigan Avenues, and 4th Street between Alton Road and Washington Avenue. The scope of work for Phase II includes roadway, drainage, landscaping, streetscape, irrigation, water, electrical, and street lighting improvements. A Request for Qualifications for the remaining Phases III, IV, and V of the project was issued by the City in January 2004 and planning of this portion of the project is expected to begin this spring. At the conclusion ofthis portion, all ofthe infrastructure on every street south of Fifth Street will have been comprehensively improved. The Phase II project planning process has followed the standard neighborhood ROW improvement project sequence, from Kick-off meeting to Site Reconnaissance Visit to Visioning Session. Plans were then developed to a level required for presentation at a Community Design Workshop (CDW) on March 4,2003. Improvements described at the CDW included: milling and resurfacing of all roadways; installation of new curb, gutter, and sidewalk; new lighting installation as required; comprehensive stormwater and water improvements; and installation of new street trees and landscaping. Residents were generally supportive of the plans presented, but they did express a desire to have parking on Jefferson Avenue increased. Resident comments and input from CDW 1 were analyzed and plans were modified as appropriate and presented again at a second CDW on May 1, 2003. Since part of the neighborhood lies within the Ocean Beach Historic District, the plans were presented to the Historic Preservation Board on July 8, 2003 and August 12, 2003. In addition, street layout and parking plans for Jefferson Avenue were presented to the Design Review Board on July 15, 2003. Review of the BODR was completed by all City Departments on October 10,2003. In addition, a joint meeting of the Neighborhoods Committee and the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee was held on January 28, 2004 at South Pointe Elementary School to hear resident input and provide direction on the project. Community consensus in regard to the BODR has been achieved on all components of the project. However, members of the Historic Preservation Board expressed a desire to examine a plan that provides for a median with parallel parking along the side of the road and the median, thereby achieving the additional parking requested by the community while avoiding angled parking. The latter concept would likely not be permitted by the City's Fire and Public Works Departments or by Miami-Dade County because of safety and emergency access considerations. Therefore, the Administration recommends approval of the South Pointe Neighborhood Phase II BODR as presented. South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project Phase /I BOOR February 4, 2004 Page 3 of 8 Background On September 25, 2002, the Mayor and City Commission approved a professional services agreement, pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 57-00/01, with Wolfberg Alvarez, Inc. for the planning, design, and construction administration services required to implement Phase II of the South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project. The agreement provided for a fee in the not to exceed amount of $469,634, comprised of $80,040 for planning services, $264,668 for design services, $8,378 for bidding and award services, $60,048 for construction administration services, and $56,500 for reimburseable costs. These costs are all funded with South Pointe RDA funding. Wolfberg Alvarez was given a Notice to Proceed on November 5, 2002, and the Project Kick-off Meeting was held on the same date. The official site reconnaissance meeting with City staff and representatives of the project Program Manager, Hazen and Sawyer, was held on November 12, 2002. Using information gathered from these meetings, as well as resident input collected from previous planning and community meetings held in the neighborhood, the Consultant developed an initial program of recommended improvements. On January 9, 2003, the project Visioning Session was held at which the Consultant presented the improvements program to City staff for comment and further development. On March 4, 2003, the revised program of improvements was presented at a Community Design Workshop I (CDW I) held at South Pointe Elementary School. In general, residents in attendance were pleased with the proposed improvements. However, residents expressed a desire to see more parking throughout the neighborhood, especially on Jefferson Avenue, where cars have been parking in a perpendicular format on the east side of the street for some time. Input from meeting attendees was recorded and plans were later adjusted accordingly. At a second CDW held on May 1, 2003, three alternative parking schemes were presented for Jefferson Avenue: (D1) parallel parking on both sides of the street; (D2) angle parking on one side ofthe street and parallel on the other; and (D3) angle parking in a median with parallel parking on one side of the street. Attendees were advised that Option D3 would require approval from the City's Fire Department, since medians affect the Fire Department's ability to properly stage life safety equipment, and that such approval might be difficult to obtain. The consensus of the residents in attendance was to implement Option D2, which did not present inherent concerns about emergency vehicle staging, yet addressed the need for additional parking in the area. Based on the consensus achieved, a draft BODR was prepared and submitted in June 2003 for circulation to City Departments for review. Because part of the project lies within the Ocean Beach Historic District, Cl P staff presented the draft BODR, including the three Jefferson Avenue parking options that had been considered, as a discussion item to the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) on July 8, 2003. Board members expressed varying reactions to the concept plan with general support being evident except on two issues: parking along Jefferson Avenue and utilization of the outermost two feet of right of way on South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project Phase II BOOR February 4, 2004 Page 4 of 8 each side of all of the streets within the project area. The Board requested that the median parking alternatives, including median parallel parking, be explored further with the various regulatory agencies, and that the City reconsider reclamation of the 2-ft strip of right of way for incorporation in the project. While doing the research needed to respond to the Historic Preservation Board's requests, the project team also made a presentation to the City's Design Review Board, as the Planning Department had determined that the introduction of angle parking would require that Board's approval for the 200 block of Jefferson Avenue which lies outside the Ocean Beach Historic District. On July 15th, street layout and parking plans for Jefferson Avenue were presented to the Design Review Board. The Board was supportive of the plans presented and the introduction of angle parking in the 200 block of Jefferson Avenue. Previous direction obtained by the CIP Office from the Fire Department indicated their position that they would only approve of new medians where mid-block "breaks" of approximately 40-ft in length are included. These "breaks" were deemed necessary because Fire Department ladder trucks require 18-ft clear pavement widths to deploy their stabilizer arms. This need is usually met by utilizing the combined travel lanes of a two-lane street, a space that is typically 20 to 26-feet wide. However, the construction of a new median on a two-lane street narrows available travel lane space to approximately 11 feet, which is insufficient for Fire Department vehicle deployment. In addition, an 11 foot travel lane flanked on both sides by parallel parking spaces creates a potential for both emergency vehicles and regular traffic to be blocked by a vehicle, such as a delivery truck, that temporarily stops in the travel lane. CIP staff again met with Fire Department representatives to discuss the Jefferson Avenue median parking concept and the Department stated that they would only support the median parking if it included breaks like the ones specified for similar improvements. However, the project design consultant estimated that the inclusion ofthese breaks in the Jefferson Avenue design would result in only a marginal increase in the number of parking spaces under this plan as compared to the number created by implementing the curbside angled parking plan. For the pedestrian median proposed on Drexel Avenue through the Flamingo neighborhood project, the Fire Department agreed to accept the proposed continuous median contingent upon the tree planting scheme being altered to create a number of breaks with adjacent dedicated bump outs to allow for the staging of ladder truck outriggers. For pedestrians, the median parking treatment creates a safety issue by having them exit their parked vehicle and cross the street in the middle of the block. This can be partially resolved by including a walkway in the median that would lead them to the crosswalk at the nearest intersection. However, the inclusion of a sidewalk of adequate width to meet this need would limit or prevent the installation of trees and landscaping in the median and is therefore not supported. Additionally, it has been determined that there are underground pipes in the area of the median, which would preclude the planting of trees in the median. South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project Phase II BOOR February 4, 2004 Page 5 of 8 In response to the concerns expressed by the Historic Preservation Board regarding utilizing the full width of the existing right of way, the CIP Office and Wolfberg Alvarez believe that the design goals of the project have been achieved without utilizing the additional 4 feet of right of way that is currently encroached on by a number of private fences, walls, landscaping, etc. In regard to the proposed median angle parking, the utilization of these 4 feet would add only 2 feet to each travel lane which still does not meet the Fire Department's ladder truck width requirements, nor would it resolve the problem of the travel lanes being blocked by temporarily stopped vehicles. In general, the CIP Office has been attempting in the right of way improvement program to use only that portion of the right of way that is required to meet the project's design goals. If the design goals can be met without using the full right of way, then the City can avoid the contentious and lengthy process of removing encroachments from the right of way. The general design concept for Phase II of the Project has been to focus planned improvements within the right of way currently used while implementing all desired improvements. This design approach developed as a result of the bitterly critical and extremely vocal public outcry opposing the Phase I design concept, which completely redesigned the streets utilizing the full right-of-way width, and thus, called for the removal of many existing encroachments. At that time, there was extensive discussion by the community and the City Commission advising staff that this was an extremely inappropriate and insensitive approach that was damaging to the historic character and fabric of the neighborhood. The project design was subsequently modified during construction, which created a great deal of disruption, to limit the improvements to the existing area of the right of way in use. This modified design was well received by the community and therefore was adopted as a starting point for planning Phase II of the project. This general approach does not preclude the City from using the full right of way at a future time if so required. As requested, CIP and consultant staff presented all of the above information related to median parking options and utilization of right of way in summary form to the Historic Preservation Board as a discussion item at their meeting on August 12, 2003. The presentation included several versions of a median parallel parking option that had not been previously considered and is not recommended by the Project designers or the CIP Office for the same reasons identified above. Despite the staff recommendation, the Board again requested that this option be further explored on Jefferson Avenue, with the understanding that there would still be a forty foot long break in the middle of each block and that the implementation of the scheme would likely require the use of all 70 feet of right of way, necessitating the removal of a number of documented encroachments. All of the safety concerns discussed above remain to be addressed if this option is implemented. This design has been analyzed and considered but has not been supported for a variety of reasons by a number of other entities, including the Fire Department and Public Works Department, whose input into the project design is very important. Various versions of the design have been considered, including those that would require use of the full right of way and others that could be South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project Phase 1/ BOOR February 4, 2004 Page 6 of 8 implemented in the existing area of use. While the City would like to avoid the problems experienced in Phase I of the project with utilization of the full right of way, this is not the primary reason that the median parking design is not supported at this time. The main objections to the design stem instead from concerns about public safety, traffic flow, and emergency access. Therefore, CIP and consultant staff are unable to support any of the median parking options. At the joint meeting of the Citywide Projects and Finance Committee and the Neighborhoods Committee meeting held on January 28th at South Pointe Elementary School, residents expressed general support for the proposed improvements although differing opinions were expressed on the following issues: (1) the proposed parking scheme for Jefferson Avenue; (2) on north/south streets in the project, increasing the proposed sidewalk width of six feet to eight feet which can only be achieved by reclaiming the outer two feet on both sides of the right of way; and (3) the proposed 7 foot sidewalk width and 8 foot parking width on Fourth Street as compared to the 8 foot sidewalk and 7 foot parking spaces which were implemented on Third Street in Phase I ofthe project. The project team proposed the seven foot sidewalk/eight foot parking lane to address safety concerns regarding the interaction between parked cars and moving vehicles on the street. The Committee members listened to all of the resident, staff, and consultant input but deferred taking a vote on the issues. They expressed a preference to have the issues heard and voted on by the full City Commission at the February 4th Commission meeting. Project Funding Project funding at this time totals $6,266,778, all of which will be funded through the South Pointe RDA. This total includes items identified in the 1999 Master Plan - $2,291,297 for streetscape improvements, $1,175,440 for stormwater improvements, and $303,340 for water line improvements - as well as $1,646,700 in supplemental funding for all improvements to reflect cost increase since estimates were originally made in the Master Plan in 1999; and $850,000 in contingency funding for enhanced lighting and water main improvements beyond what was called for in the Master Plan. Water Distribution System Improvements All of the water line improvements called for the 1994 Water System Master Plan have been included in the project. Some additional water line upgrades will also be made including the extension of two lines across 5th Street. New fire hydrants will also be added as required. Stormwater Drainage Improvements Only part of the project area covered by the BOOR was identified as a priority basin for stormwater drainage in the 1997 City of Miami Beach Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. However, comprehensive drainage improvements will be made throughout the project area in recognition of the stormwater needs created by the intensity of development in the area. Drainage improvements will include new catch basins, new South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project Phase /I BODR February 4, 2004 Page 7 of 8 transmission mains, gravity disposal wells, and connectors to existing outfalls. Street milling and resurfacing will also improve conveyance to curbs. Streetscape Improvements In general, proposed project streetscape improvements effort are focused on the enhancement of pedestrian connections, the provision of street trees for shade and beautification, and a retention or increase in street parking spaces, in addition to the basic improvement of resurfacing for smoother traffic flow. Eight typical streetscape treatments were developed to address the varying conditions, restrictions, and opportunities within the project area. In general, sidewalks will be widened to 6 feet, canopy street trees will be installed, and the number of parking spaces will be maximized to the extent possible. The total number of on street parking spaces to be provided is approximately 380 spaces, an increase from the 335 existing spaces, not all of which are in compliance with parking safety standards. The eight treatments include the following: (A) Bulb-outs will be installed at the intersections of 5th Street and Lenox, Michigan, Jefferson, Meridian, and Euclid Avenues to improve east west pedestrian flow along 5th Street and to reflect similar neighborhood entrance treatments being design for the north side of 5th Street through the Flamingo Neighborhood Project. On Michigan Avenue, the bulb out will be reduced to provide for school bus access. (B) On Euclid Avenue. angle parking will be introduced on the east side of the street consistent with the commercial nature of properties on that side of the street; parallel parking will be retained on the west side. (C) On Meridian Avenue, parallel parking will be retained, sidewalks widened, and the existing callophylum shade tree treatment will be enhanced with infill tree planting. (D) On Jefferson Avenue, sidewalks will be widened to 6 feet, canopy trees will be planted, parallel parking will be retained on the east side of the street, and angle parking will be constructed on the west side of the street. (E) On Michigan Avenue, sidewalks will be widened to 6 feet and canopy trees will be installed. In the 400 block, there will be parallel parking at the curb. In the 300 block, a bus drop off zone will service the elementary school during the day and be used for parking at night. In the 200 block, angle parking will be created on the west side ofthe street adjacent to school playing fields. (F) On 4th Street, sidewalks will be widened to 7 feet which will include tree planting wells for small palms; the need to maintain 8 foot wide parking spaces prevents further widening of the tree planting spaces. (G) On the north side of 2nd Street, sidewalks will be widened to 7 feet, canopy trees will be planted, and curbside parallel parking will be provided. The existing improvements on South Pointe Neighborhood ROW Improvement Project Phase 11 BODR February 4, 2004 Page 8 of 8 the south side of the street made recently by the adjacent private developments will be retained. (H) Intersection crosswalk treatments will match those installed in Phase I of the project. For the residential areas, there will be raised corners with two separate crosswalks ramps and corner landscaping as appropriate. For the commercial areas of the project, which in this phase are limited to intersection of 4th Street and Washington, there will be one corner curb cut which matches the treatments installed on Washington Avenue and on Third Street from Washington Avenue to Ocean Drive. Lighting New acorn light fixtures which meet the City's latest glare and light distribution standards retrofitted to provide additional light that meets these same standards, and new infill lighting will be added as needed. New cobra lights will be installed in alleys. Project Implementation Schedule The BOOR includes the following project implementation schedule: Task 1 Planning Task 2 Design and Permitting Task 3 Bid / Award Task 4 Construction November 2002 - February 2004 February 2004 - February 2005 February 2005 - June 2005 July 2005 - December 2006 CONCLUSION The Administration recommends approval of the BOOR for Phase II of the South Pointe Neighborhood Right of Way Improvement Project. By approving the BOOR, the City will officially end the planning process for this neighborhood and finalize the design concept. No added input on the concept will be solicited nor changes made unless formal construction design e s uncover flaws or errors.