2009-27170 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2009-2T17o
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP A ONE (1) YEAR "ADOPT-A-
BEACH" PILOT PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL PARAMETERS AND GUIDELINES
SET FORTH IN THE COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION, AND SUBJECT FURTHER
TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT APPROVALS.
WHEREAS, the City wishes to preserve and protect its beaches, waterways and
coastal resources; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Beachfront Management Plan between the City and
the State of Florida (Management Agreement Number 750-0006), the City is the lead
managing agency of its beachfront; and
WHEREAS, the City receives support from Miami-Dade County with regard to
beachfront maintenance issues; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department currently
maintains the cleanliness of the beach, east of the dunes, through mechanical and
manual means of litter removal; and
WHEREAS, the City's Public Works Department, through its Sanitation Division,
currently supplements the County's maintenance with additional sand sifting and other
manual litter removal services; and
WHEREAS, the public has expressed an interest in creating a mechanism to
increase awareness of the effects of litter on the coastal and marine environments, and
also to remove litter from the City's beaches through community participation; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a one (1) year "Adopt-a-Beach" Pilot Program,
pursuant to the program details set forth in the Commission Memorandum, attached as
Exhibit "A" hereto, will enhance beach cleanliness and discourage littering through
community stewardship of coastal resources; and
WHEREAS, the City Administration requests that the City Commission hereby
authorize it to establish the aforestated Pilot Program, subject to the terms and
limitations set forth in the attached Commission Memorandum, and subject further to
obtaining any and all necessary governmental approvals.
T:WGENDA\2009\September 9\RegularWdopt-a-Beach Reso-Amended 10.02.09.doc
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 authorize the Administration to develop a one (1) year "Adopt-a-
Beach" Pilot Program subject to all general parameters and guidelines set forth in the
Commission Memorandum attached as Exhibit "A" hereto, and subject further to
applicable federal, state, and local government approvals, and the administration is to
bring back recommendations for signage.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 9th dayof September, 2009.
EST:
~A.C.~~---~
obert Parcher t errera we
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE '~:
FOR CUTION
gyp- ~-u~
ome~p_ Date
T:WGEfVDA12009\September 9lRegularWdopt-a-Beach Reso-Amended 70.02.09.doc
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution recommending that the Mayor and City Commission approving and authorizing the establishment of the
Ado t-a-Beach Pilot Pro ram fora eriod not to exceed one 1 ear within the Ci of Miami Beach.
Ke Intended Outcome Su orted:
Im rove cleanliness of Miami Beach rights of way, especially in business areas.
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): In FY 07/08, 85% of cleanliness assessments for the
portion of the beach serviced by the County and 86% of cleanliness assessments for the portion of the beach
serviced by the City rated the beach as clean or very clean.
Issue:
Shall the Ma or and Cit Commission a rove the resolution?
item Summa iKecommenaation:
The possibility of developing an Adopt-a-Beach program in Miami Beach to further supplement City and County efforts was
raised by interested parties at the May 13, 2009 City Commission meeting. The idea was then referred to the
Neighborhoods Committee by Commissioner Libbin for discussion. On June 5, 2009, City staff met with Commissioner
Libbin, members of Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department, and other community representatives and
stakeholders to discuss the feasibility of creating an Adopt-a-Beach program in the City of Miami Beach. After the
Neighborhoods Committee meeting on June 11, 2009, Adopt-a-Beach program was referred for further discussion to the
City Commission at its next meeting. At the July 15th Neighborhood committee meeting the proposal for a pilot Adopt-a-
Beach program was referred for the September 9, 2009 Commission meeting.
Through the Adopt-a-Beach program, various groups such as local businesses, volunteer groups, ornon-profits may adopt
a specific section of beach to clean on a regular basis. The main goals of an Adopt-a-Beach program is to create awareness
about the importance of keeping the beaches and ocean free of litter and to support the preservation of a clean, safe, and
healthy beach environment through the removal of litter. Clean-up events bring attention to the negative effects of marine
debris on human and wildlife health and safety. Communities and individual groups that participate in Adopt-a-Beach
programs foster a sense of individual pride and stewardship through the restoration and preservation of a common natural
resource. The program also helps supplement the City and County's existing efforts to maintain a clean beach and serves
as an educational and outreach tool for volunteers and beachgoers alike. Many successful examples of Adopt-a-Beach
Programs exist throughout the nation; components of these programs have been reviewed by staff in the development of
concepts for use in a pilot program within Miami Beach.
The Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department currently maintains the cleanliness of the City's beaches on a
daily basis with sand sifters and other machinery. Litter and garbage disposal of approximately 536 cans is carried out daily
by the County. In addition, sand sifting is performed throughout the entire beach on a quarterly basis and this activity is soon
to be supplemented by additional sifting on the beaches between 5`h-36th Streets as new equipment becomes available.
In addition to the County's efforts, the City's Public Works Department, Sanitation Division also provides beach sand sifting
services on a rotating basis and during special events, holidays, and other times of increased litter accumulation. The
Sanitation Division also has a permit from FDEP to perform this mechanical cleaning during the turtle nesting season, which
runs from April 151 to November 15t in Miami Beach.
The Administration recommends policies and procedures be implemented for the Adopt-a-Beach Pilot Program. Open
enrollment, pre-defined clean-up areas, a frequency of four clean-ups per year, and the development of City- branded
signage as program recognition are some of the proposed program features.
THE ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
r~-aviso esoara rcecommenaation:
Nei hborhoods /Communit Affairs Committee meetin son June 11, 2009 and Jul 15, 2009.
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account
Funds: 1
2
OBPI Total
Financial Impact S ummary: N/A
Ci Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin
Fernando Vaz uez, Cit En ineer ext 6399
Si n-Offs•
De artment Direct Assistan i na er Ci Mana er
FHB TH JMG
WGENDA\2009\Se e e egularWdopt-a-Beach Summary.doc
m MIAMIBEACH
AGENDA ITEM C7r
DATE 9 q-V 9
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: September 9, 2009
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
ADOPT-A-BEACH PILOT PROGRAM FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED ONE (1)
YEAR WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
The City's seven miles of white sandy beach draw people from all over the world to live, work and
play in our vibrant tropical community. Approximately seven (7) million beachgoers frequent Miami
Beach annually and benefit from its exceptional beauty and water-related activities. The Cites beach
environment also serves a vital role in our regional ecosystem by providing habitat and nesting
grounds for many coastal species such as marine birds, native dune vegetation, and endangered
and threatened sea turtles. A combination of City, County, and state cooperation, in conjunction with
community-level efforts is integral to keeping our beaches clean and the ecosystem healthy. The
development of anAdopt-a-Beach program that will supplement existing maintenance services is in
great part attributed to Commissioner Llbbin's work in the area of beach cleanliness and his referral
of the issue to Commission for discussion.
ANALYSIS
The Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department currently maintains the cleanliness of
the City's beaches on a daily basis with sand sifters and other machinery. Litter and garbage
disposal of approximately 536 cans is carried out daily by the County. In addition, sand sifting is
performed throughout the entire beach on a quarterly basis and this activity is soon to be
supplemented by additional sifting on the beaches between 5th-36th Streets as new equipment
becomes available. The County also provides year round removal services of drums, boats, and
other heavy debris. Five days a week the County performs seaweed maintenance using two tractors
with blades to fold the naturally occurring material back into the shoreline. All sifting and mechanical
removal of debris on the beaches is done through a permit issued by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP), the agency which is charged with ensuring the integrity of the
beach as nesting habitat for endangered sea turtle species.
In addition to the County's efforts, the City's Public Works Department, Sanitation Division also
provides beach sand sifting services on a rotating basis and during special events, holidays, and
other times of increased litter accumulation. The Sanitation Division also has a permit from FDEP to
perform this mechanics( cleaning during the turtle nesting season, which runs from April 1St to
November 1 St in Miami Beach. This cleaning takes place Monday through Friday and as needed on
Commission Memorandum-Adopt-A-Beach
September 09, 2009
Page 2 of 5
the weekends. The cleaning encompasses the beach from 5th Street to 79th Street. The Sanitation
Division works together with the County to provide support during major events, including providing
supplemental manual cleaning with pick-sticks and other hand-held equipment.
Community members and local non-profits such as ECOMB and Surfrider also help keep the
beaches clean by periodically hosting community beach clean-up events to supplement City and
County efforts. These events also serve to raise public awareness about the importance of beach
cleanliness in our community and draw together many stakeholder groups as participants.
The possibility ofdeveloping anAdopt-a-Beach program in Miami Beach to further supplement City
and County efforts was raised by interested parties at the May 13, 2009 City Commission meeting.
The idea was then referred to the Neighborhoods Committee by Commissioner Libbin for
discussion. On June 5, 2009, City staff met with Commissioner Libbin, members of Miami-Dade
County Parks and Recreation Department, and other community representatives and stakeholders
to discuss the feasibility ofcreating anAdopt-a-Beach program in the City of Miami Beach. Afterthe
Neighborhoods Committee meeting on June 11, 2009, Adopt-a-Beach program was referred for
further discussion to the City Commission at its next meeting. At the July 15~' Neighborhoods
committee meeting the proposal for a pilot Adopt-a-Beach program was referred for the September
9, 2009 Commission meeting.
Through the Adopt-a-Beach program, various groups such as local businesses, volunteer groups, or
non-profits may adopt a specific section of beach to clean on a regular basis. The main goals of an
Adopt-a-Beach program are to create awareness about the importance of keeping the beaches and
ocean free of litter and to support the preservation of a clean, safe, and healthy beach environment
through the removal of litter. Clean-up events bring attention to the negative effects of marine debris
on human and wildlife health and safety. Communities and individual groups that participate in
Adopt-a-Beach programs foster a sense of individual pride and stewardship through the restoration
and preservation of a common natural resource. The program also helps supplement the City and
County's existing efforts to maintain a clean beach and serves as an educational and outreach tool
for volunteers and beachgoers alike. Many successful examples of Adopt-a-Beach Programs exist
throughout the nation; components of these programs have been reviewed by staff in the
development of concepts for use in a pilot program within Miami Beach.
The Administration recommends the following policies and procedures be implemented for the
Adopt-a-Beach Pilot Program.
Adopt-A-Beach Pilot Program Policies and Procedures
Overview
The Administration proposes to create an Adopt-a-Beach Pilot Program within the City of Miami
Beach. The pilot program will be based upon community interest and generally have the following
organization structures, policies and procedures.
Proqram Management
The Public Works Department, Environmental Division would have the responsibility for running the
program administration, including the dedication of staff hours to manage its various aspects, which
are anticipated to require between 10 to 20 staff hours per week depending on the level of interest
expressed by the community during the pilot program. The Environmental Division would manage
the Adopt-a-Beach program including the processing of permit applications, coordinating the
schedule of clean-up events and distributing materials such as trash bags and gloves. In addition,
the Division would maintain records such as the sponsor information, the date and time of clean-
Commission Memorandum-Adopt-A-Beach
September 09, 2009
Page 3 of 5
ups, the number of volunteers participating, and the amount/number of trash bags collected during
each clean-up. One alternative is to utilize the established relationship between community
organizations and the Community Outreach Coordinators as a foundation for the program
management. Our Community Outreach Coordinators have been coordinating successful events
including beach and shoreline clean-ups for several years. Another alternative is to utilize the
existing relationships between the Office of Real Estate Housing and Community Development and
oceanfront owners to aid in the organization of the program.
Enrollment
The Administration recommends anopen-enrollment structure for the Adopt-a-Beach Pilot Program.
Under this system, beach sections would be pre-defined and open for adoption at all times.
Interested parties would browse the available locations advertised on the Cites website and
inquiries directed to Environmental Division. A permit application would be submitted and reviewed
by staff to help coordinate and organize the program and provide instructions regarding participation
in the program (see Attachment A -Adopt-a-Beach Permit Application). The adopting entity would
also have to provide proof of insurance releasing the City from liability in order to participate in the
program.
Clean-up Areas
A potential breakdown of 17 beaches that could be adopted under the pilot program is as follows:
1. Government Cut to South Pointe Drive
2. South Pointe Drive to Stn Street
3. Stn Street to 14tH Lane (Lummus Park)
4. 14tH Lane -15tH Street
5. 15tH-16tH Street
6. 16tH-17tH Street
7. 17tH-18tH Street
8. 18tH-19tH Street
9 19tH-20tH Street
10. 21St -22"d Street (Collins Park)
11. 22"d-23`~ Street
12 29tH-32"d Street
13. 46tH Street (Indian Beach Park)
14. 53`~ Street Beach (Ocean Beach)
15. 64tH Street Beach (Allison Park).
16. 73rd_75tn (Ocean Terrace)
17 79tH-87tH Terrace (North Shore Open Space Park)
*These sites were chosen based on highly utilized public access areas.
Frequency of Clean-up Events
Many existing Adopt-a-Beach programs require at least four (4) beach clean-up events per year to
participate in the program. It is recommended that at least one (1) of the beach clean-up days be
predetermined by the City of Miami Beach to unify all adopting entities at a single event. Such a
community event would result in an organized large-scale outreach effort that would bring attention
to the program's benefits and unify its participants. International Coastal Cleanup Day, Earth Day, or
World Oceans Day are all potential days that could be identified as the universal clean-up dayfor all
Adopt-a-Beach program participants; however, alternate days could be determined. The adopting
entities will be required to clean-up their section of beach an additional three (3) times within the one
(1) year of the adoption agreement in order to meet the beach cleaning requirement. Adopting
entities would be required to contact the City of Miami Beach's Environmental Division to record the
Commission Memorandum-Adopt-A-Beach
September 09, 2009
Page 4 of 5
event and schedule aclean-up, so that the City may provide trash bags, gloves and apick-up
service once the event is completed. The Division would also provide adopting entities with
environmental information and safety guidelines to considerwhen performing litter removal from the
beaches (see Attachment B - "FRIENDLY REMINDER FOR BEACH CLEAN-UP VOLUNTEERS").
Adopters would also be required to inform the City how many volunteers attended the clean-up, how
many bags of trash were collected during the cleanup, and the main sources of trash.
Fees
The adopting entity could be required to pay an annual participation fee in order to support the
operational component of the program including garbage bag and glove materials and signage. A
suggested amount that would cover the cost ofdeveloping astand-alone sign and providing gloves
and trash bags is approximately $200.00 per group. This fee could be applied to private businesses
and for-profit entities and waived for non-profit organizations. However, if the adopting entity
upholds all the obligations of the permit the first year, the renewal fee could be reduced to $50.00
dollars in subsequent years. If the adopting entity did not uphold their cleaning obligations outlined
in the permit agreement, their initial permit would be voided and the group would have to reapply to
the program as a new applicant. All fees recovered from this program would be used to offset the
cost of materials and signage.
In addition, the Environmental Division would apply for any applicable grant funds to assist in
covering the cost of materials.
Si na e
The Administration recommends that a program logo and educational signage be developed with
City of Miami Beach branding that acknowledges the sponsor's participation. This signage can be
placed at selected beach entrances or dune crossovers in such as way as to minimize the
proliferation of sign pollution, while still providing the outreach and recognition that is inherent to the
program.
A standard "Adopt-a-Beach sign could be created and designed so that one main sign would have
the flexibility to be modified to include the names of multiple adopting entities as they join or exit the
program (see Attachment C - "Miami Beach Adopt-a-Beach Sign Prototype"). This set up would
allow multiple groups to adopt the same section of beach to clean and promote more cleaning
activity throughout the year. City staffwouid help schedule and coordinate clean-up events to ensure
they do not overlap and that participants are provided with the materials and litter removal service
needed.
Recognition
Recognition for participation in the Adopt-a-Beach program varies across the nation, usually
depending on size of the sponsoring local government and available funding. Some cities that
maintain Adopt-a-Beach programs simply provide a list of participants on their website who have
completed three clean-up events during one year. Other municipalities and local governments
create signage such as in Santa Cruz County, California where aluminum signs and inexpensive
vinyl decal stickers are combined to recognize the sponsor. In this instance, the signs are either
placed on new wooden posts or added to existing beach signage. In the Santa Cruz County
example, the County installs County-branded Adopt-a Beach signs and provides a large space on
the sign where vinyl stickers with the names/logos of the adopting entity can be displayed. The
sticker is difficult to remove without the proper tools, but can be removed when the adopting entity is
no longer active in the program.
Commission Memorandum-Adopt-A-Beach
September 09, 2009
Page 5 of 5
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution
approving and authorizing the Mayor and City Commission to establish the Adopt-a-Beach Pilot
Program for a period not to exceed one (1) year within the City of Miami Beach.
Attachments:
A. Adopt-a-Beach Permit Application
B. Friendly reminder for Beach Clean-up Volunteers
C. Miami Beach Adopt-a-Beach sign prototype
JMGlTH/FHB/FAV
T:WGENDA\2009\September 9\RegularWdopt-a-Beach-Memo.doc
' i
i
Attachment A
i
i
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Ftorida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DIVISION i
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Te1:305-673-7080, Fax: 305-673-7028
.r j
Adopt-A-Beach Permit Application
-- -
Thank you for your participation in the Adopt-A-Beach program. Please review this packet, then fill out and
sign the application. When the application has been approved, you will receive written confirmation.
AppticanU Contact Person:
Organization Name (if applicable):
Address
City State Zip Code
Day Phone ~) Cell Phone ~}
Email Address Fax ~)
Requested beach or beach access location(s):
Requested beach clean-up date(s) and times:
Requested materials and quantity needed for beach clean-up (trash and/or recycle bags, gloves, etc.):
Please return the following documentation to the .Facilities office after the beach clean-up:
Adopt-A-Beach Group Participation Agreement and Indemnification Form (if applicable)
_ Adopt-A-Beach Waiver of Liability and Express Assumption of Risk
(to be signed by all participants, or parent/guardian if under 18)
Permittee Signature
Date
Department Use Only
Approval
Confirmed Date
Contract #
Attachment B
m N1IAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DIVISION
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Tel: 305-673-7080, Fax: 305-673-7028
Friendly Reminders for
Beach Clean-up Volunteers
• Remind everyone to keep organic material on the beach jseaweed, plants, and seeds) and
to clean carefully around dune and vegetation. Organic items provide food for beach
wildlife and can help trap windblown sand! Remember that cleaning up small pieces of
trash is just as important as the big stuff!
• Give one glove per volunteer to use during the clean-up. Suggest that volunteers put the
glove in their pocket to use for really dirty stuff; otherwise their gloves may be uncomfortable to
wear the entire time.
• If you have any beach issues call Beach Patrol at 305.673.7714. This includes if you
find any sea turtles, birds, marine mammals or other dead, sick or injured animals on the
beach. Never put a washed in (or stranded) animal back into the water!!
• Please let staff know how your clean-up went in the week following your event. You can
call (305.673.7080) or e-mail staff (ibotero@miamibeachfl.gov or
ewheaton@miamibeachfl.gov) with the number of people who participated, the length of time
and the approximate number of baas of trash removed off the beach.
THANKS FOR HELPING TO KEEP OUR BEACHES CLEAN AND OUR WILDLIFE SAFE!!
Visit www.miamibeachfl.aov for more program or beach information.
Attachment C FIXED
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MIAMIBEACH
• • • •
ADOPTER'S
LOGO
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MiAMi BEACH - "ADOPT-A-BEACH"
SIGN P ROTOTYP E