2009-27062 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2009-27062
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE APPROVAL TO
SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING AMERICAN RECOVERY AND
REINVESTMENT ACT APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING: 1)
EDWARD BYRNE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR
POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,904,474; AND, 2) EDWARD BYRNE COMPETITIVE
GRANT PROGRAM, FOR FUNDING TO REDUCE CRIME
RELATED TO VACANT PROPERTIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$415,366; AND REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SUBMIT THE
FOLLOWING NON-ARRA GRANT: 3) FLORIDA URBAN
AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT FOR FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $20,000, FOR A WATER TANK
VEHICLE; FURTHER APPROPRIATING THE ABOVE
FUNDS, IF APPROVED AND ACCEPTED BY THE CITY;
AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THESE
APPLICATIONS BY THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS
DESIGNEE.
WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery
Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The purpose of the
Recovery Act is to create and save jobs, jumpstart the economy, and lay the foundation
for a robust and sustainable 21St century economy, and the Act includes measures to
modernize the nation's infrastructure, enhance America's energy independence, expand
educational opportunities, increase access to health care, provide tax relief, and protect
those in greatest need; and
WHEREAS, federal stimulus funds are being distributed through existing funding
programs through the following three categories:
1. Funds allocated as formula grants directly to local or regional entities;
2. Funds allocated to the states for discretionary pass-through or competitive
grants;
3. Funds to be distributed at the Federal level through a grant competitive process.
WHEREAS, the Administration has acted quickly to apply for funding as
announcements are made by the different federal agencies and departments; and
WHEREAS, the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant
Program provides resources to improve the capacity of state and local criminal justice
systems with a focus on job creation and retention in support of evidence-based and
data-driven programs; and
WHEREAS, the program will support projects in the following areas: 1)
preventing and reducing violent crime; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based
probation and parole officers, as a compliment to the COPS program; 3) reducing
mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support
personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing
forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims
of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical
assistance partnerships; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach Police Department has applied for funding
under this grant to be used for the City's Law Enforcement Support Initiative which is
designed to utilize and deploy civilian support personnel in key areas, ensure effective
results-oriented public safety and law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, this project supports the key intended outcome: increase resident
ratings of public safety services; and
WHEREAS, the Administration requests approval to apply to the US Department
of Justice, Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Grant program for the City's Law
Enforcement support Initiative in the amount of $2,904,474; and
WHEREAS, the City Administration has also applied for funding to address
program area number 3 (above): reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant
properties, under the. Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program
to address crime in abandoned buildings; and
WHEREAS, this application seeks funding to cover the costs related to this
project, including a Vacant Properties Officer dedicated to vacant properties to increase
the City's monitoring capacity, signage, GIS Management, and the cost of hiring
contractors to mow grass and paint graffiti, in order to prevent these properties from
appearing vacant; and
WHEREAS, this project supports the key intended outcome: maintain crime rates
at or below national trends; and
WHEREAS, neither of the two Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial grants
requires matching funds from the City; and
WHEREAS, the Administration requests approval to apply to the US Department
of Justice, Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Grant program to reduce crime related
to vacant properties in the amount of $415,366; and
WHEREAS, during the past two years the city has planted over 4,000 trees and
thousands more trees will be planted in the coming years, many of these trees are
planted in dry sites with sandy soil and strong ocean winds, so need supplemental water
to survive and become established and the city does not presently have the capability of
delivering water to many of these locations, even when trees are observed to be in
stressed condition; and
WHEREAS, as such, the City of Miami Beach has requesting $20,000 to
purchase a Ford F450 equipped with a 750-gallon water tank unit to be used to provide
supplemental watering to stressed young trees, thereby increasing tree survival,
protecting the city's large investment in reforestation, and furthering the city's goal of
increasing tree cover within the city limits; and
WHEREAS, this project supports the key intended outcome: maintain Miami
Beach public areas and rights-of-way citywide; and
WHEREAS, this grant requires a $1:$1 match. If awarded, it is anticipated that
matching funds will be reallocated from salary savings in the Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, the Administration requests approval to apply to the Florida Urban
and Community Forestry Grant For Funds in the amount of $20,000, for a water tank
vehicle.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH hereby approve and authorize the City
Manager or his designee to submit the following three (3) grants, to wit: American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act applications for funding as necessary: 1) Edward
Byrne Competitive Grant Program for Police Department staffing in the amount of
$2,904,474; and, 2) Edward Byrne Competitive Grant Program, for funding to reduce
crime related to vacant properties, in the amount of $415,366; and requesting approval
to submit the following non-ARRA grant: 3) Florida Urban and Community Forestry
Grant for funds in the amount of $20,000, for a water tank vehicle ;further appropriating
the above funds, if approved and accepted by the City; and authorizing the execution of
all necessary documents related to these applications by the city manager or his
designee.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 13th
ATTEST:
~~
CITY CLERK
Robert Parcher
day of MaY , 2009
JMG/KGB/JMH
T:\AGENDA\2009\May 13\Consent\Grants Reso stim.doc
OR
Matti Herrera Bower
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
ts< FOR CUTION
mey~ D e
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for and accept two American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds and regular grant funds from one program and execute all related
documents.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
1) Increase resident ratings of public safety services; 2) Maintain crime rates at or below national trends; 3)
Maintain Miami Beach ublic areas and ri hts-of-wa ci ide.
Supporting Data - 2007 Survey: 1) 78% of residents and 79% of businesses rated the overall quality of
city police as either excellent or good; 2) Safety across the city appeared as the most important area for
residents regarding quality of life in the City, Police in neighborhoods was rated as one of the two most
areas that the city can address with regards to public safety; 3) 77% of residents and 75% of businesses
rated landscape maintenance in rights-of-way and public areas as either excellent or good and landscape
maintenance appeared as a key positive driver for business perceptions of city services for tax dollars paid.
Issue: Shall the City support the following funding requests and execute the related agreements?
Item Summary/Recommendation: Approval to submit the following American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 applications: 1) US Department of Justice, Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program
for the City's Law Enforcement Support Initiative; 2) US Department of Justice, Recovery Act Edward Byrne
Memorial Grant Program to reduce crime related to vacant property; and 3) Florida Urban and Community
Forestry Grant for funds for a water tank vehicle.
Adviso Board Recommendation: N/A
Financial Information:
Source of # Grant NametProject Match Match Source
funds Amount
1 Recovery Act Funds: Department No match N/A
of Justice
2 Recovery Act Funds: Department No match N/A
of Justice
3 Florida Urban and Community $20,000 To be reallocated from salary
Forestry Grant savings in Parks Department
4
Financial Im act Summa
City Clerk's Office Legislative Tracking:
Judy Hoanshelt, Grants Manager, Office of Budget and Performance Improvement
n-Offs:
Department Director ~ Assistant City Manager ~ City Manager _
m MIAMIBEACH
AGENDA ITEM ~7iq-
DATE
m MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: May 13, 2009
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS
DESIGNEE APPROVAL TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING AMERICAN
RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING: 1)
EDWARD BYRNE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR POLICE
DEPARTMENT STAFFING IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,904,474; AND, 2) EDWARD
BYRNE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM, FOR FUNDING TO REDUCE
CRIME RELATED TO VACANT PROPERTIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $415,366;
AND REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING NON-ARRA
GRANT: 3) FLORIDA URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT FOR
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000, FOR A WATER TANK VEHICLE;
FURTHER APPROPRIATING THE ABOVE FUNDS, IF APPROVED AND
ACCEPTED BY THE CITY; AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THESE APPLICATIONS BY THE
CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law
by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The purpose of the Recovery Act is to create
and save jobs, jumpstart the economy, and lay the foundation for a robust and sustainable
21 Sc century economy. The Act includes measures to modernize the nation's infrastructure,
enhance America's energy independence, expand educational opportunities, increase
access to health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
Federal Stimulus funds are being distributed through existing funding programs through the
following three categories:
1. Funds allocated as formula grants directly to local or regional entities;
2. Funds allocated to the states for discretionary pass-through or competitive grants;
3. Funds to be distributed at the Federal level through a grant competitive process.
The Administration has acted quickly to apply for funding as announcements are made by
the different federal agencies and departments. Funding announcements and guidelines will
continue to be released over the next few months, and the Administration will continue to
pursue additional programs under the Recovery Act. At this time, the Administration has
identified and is in the process of applying for the following Recovery Act funds:
Commission Memorandum
Page 2
1. US Department of Justice, Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program for
the City's Law Enforcement Support Initiative in the amount of $2,904,474
The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program provides resources
to improve the capacity of state and local criminal justice systems with a focus on job
creation and retention in support of evidence-based and data-driven programs.
The program will support projects in the following areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent
crime; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers, as a
compliment to the COPS program; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant
properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts,
dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving
resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8)
national training and technical assistance partnerships.
The City of Miami Beach Police Department has applied for funding under this grant. The
funds will be used for the City's Law Enforcement Support Initiative which is designed to
utilize and deploy civilian support personnel in key areas, ensure effective results-oriented
public safety and law enforcement. The goal of this project is increase criminal justice
capacity to reduce crime. The City has requested funding for 22 key civilian positions, which
represents 13% of the total number of budgeted civilian positions in the Police Department.
This project supports the key intended outcome: increase resident ratings of public safety
services.
2. US Department of Justice. Recovery Act Edward Bvrne Memorial Grant Program to
reduce crime related to vacant property in the amount of $415.366.
The City Administration has also applied for funding to address program area number 3
(above): reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties, under the.
Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program. During this economic
crisis, we expect the number of abandoned properties in the City will increase further. As a
result, the City has assembled a working group comprised of representatives from the Code
Compliance, Police, Fire, Housing, Planning and Building to better coordinate our response
and resources to address crime in abandoned buildings.
More specifically, the team
• Identified the extent of the problem with abandoned properties in the City
• Defined the criteria for abandoned properties
• Details the City's existing powers and authority
• Provides recommended administrative improvements to current operations
• Proposes legislative recommendations
• Identifies current funding and funding requirements and options to address this issue
This grant seeks funding to cover the costs related to this project, including a Vacant
Properties Officer dedicated to vacant properties to increase the City's monitoring capacity,
signage (ie "No Trespassing" signs), GIS Management (additional GIS database to more
effectively share information and respond to crime concerns), and the cost of hiring
contractors to mow grass and paint graffiti, in order to prevent these properties from
appearing vacant.
Commission Memorandum
Page 3
This project supports the key intended outcome: maintain crime rates at or below national
trends.
Neither of the two Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial grants requires matching funds
from the City.
3. Florida Urban and Community Forestry Grant For Funds in the amount of $20.000.
for a water tank vehicle
In July of 2005, the City of Miami Beach hired its first Urban Forester, demonstrating the
city's commitment to developing and supporting an urban forestry program. In response to
the massive storm-related tree losses of 2005, the city developed amulti-year reforestation
plan, which was unanimously approved by the City Commission. The reforestation plan not
only funded tree planting, but by stressing proper species selection and proper tree
maintenance, set citywide policy with regard to tree management, and will provide the
foundation for a future comprehensive urban forestry management plan.
During the past two years the city has planted over 4,000 trees: Thousands more trees will
be planted in the coming years. Many of these trees are planted in dry sites with sandy soil
and strong ocean winds, so need supplemental water to survive and become established.
The city does not presently have the capability of delivering water to many of these locations,
even when trees are observed to be in stressed condition,
As such, the City of Miami Beach has requesting $20,000 to purchase a Ford F450 equipped
with a 750-gallon water tank unit. This vehicle will be used to provide supplemental watering
to stressed young trees, thereby increasing tree survival, protecting the city's large
investment in reforestation, and furthering the city's goal of increasing tree cover within the
city limits.
This project supports the key intended outcome: maintain Miami Beach public areas and
rights-of-way citywide,
The grant requires a $1:$1 match. If awarded, it is anticipated that matching funds will be
reallocated from salary savings in the Parks Department.
Conclusion
The Administration requests approval to authorize the City Manager or his designee
approval to submit the following two American Recovery and Reinvestment Act applications
and one non-ARRA application for funding as necessary:; further appropriating the above
funds, if approved and accepted by the city; and authorizing the execution of all necessary
documents related to these applications by the city manager or his designee.
JMG/KGB/JMH