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97-22344 RESO RESOLUTION NO. 97-22344 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE 1998 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach must avail itself of all potential sources of funds; an .1 WHEREAS, Federal legislation may need to be enacted to protect and enhance the Ctys interests; and WHEREAS, it is imperative that our legislative consultant is aware of and have a list of Cit ( priorities; and WHEREAS, the Administration has prepared a list of concerns and legislative issues of' th ,~ various departments of the City; and WHEREAS, the Administration has met with the City's legislative consultant and, with th,~ input of the departments, has prepared a Legislative Agenda. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND C]T~lr COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the recommended andlcr amended legislative agenda for the 1998 Legislative Session be approved. PASSED and ADOPTED this 2nd day of April, 1997. ATTEST: 11:..- APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGiE & FOR EXECUTION \~6 ~O r aA~ City Clerk QLf -5 /tl.:l:). Tj)ai8 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139 COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. ~ 7 TO: Mayor Seymour Gelber and Members of the City Commission DATE: March 19, 19~ 7 FROM: J... GaO'CIa-Pedro.. ,!. 'jJ City Manager V" A RESOLUTIoJN OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF 1U!le CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE 1998 FEDEHAl, LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution. BACKGROUND: On January 22, 1997, the City Commission approved the administrative recommendation to acceI t the ranking of proposals and authorize the Administration to negotiate with respect to the term s ( f the contract with the number one ranked firm, Jorden Burt Berenson and Johnson LLP to pro'lid.~ consulting and lobbying services on the City's behalf, and representation of the City befon: a I agencies in Washington, D.C. The contract was approved at the City Commission meeting c f February 19, 1997. Immediately, the consultants began working with the Administration (In 1 preliminary draft of the 1998 Federal Legislative Agenda. The consultant also had meetings wit 1 Commissioners, Mayor's staff and City departments. Copies of the draft Agenda were providej t) the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. ANALYSIS: As with the State Legislative Priorities, it is helpful to the consultant and the Administration to hav ,~ an approved and prioritized Legislative Agenda. The draft agenda is attached for Commis::io 1 review and comment. CONCLUSION: The Administration recommends that the City Commission review the proposed legislative packlg( , establish priorities, and adopt the attached Resolution. JGP:Hl1RM/jph Agenda ItemJ'~ Date .it::2::1:L Attachments 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BURT BERE ~092 JORDEN BURT BERENSON & JOHNSON LLP SUITE 4ClO ~ IDZS THO"'A8 .I1i:"l"lE:qeON STRE!i;T, Now. WASHI".rn-ON, D_C.2.CCI07-0805 C2Cm) 1I1l!l-&tOO ~eo~IER (~11l_10& AFF'IUA'T1I:1) ,;OUi lL!IEL.: 6UITIl :l00 777 aRICKELL JIIVltNUE MIAMI, f"l.oRIOA:l3131-<!e03 130S1971-2.800 IN WAStfINC"roN D.C_ JONES III aUJIJCH L-L..P. Outline of the FY 1998 Federal Agenda for the City of Miami Be~h INMIAWI.J'1..olidM CANmR Ik MOII!IlN""., P.A. I. Transportation Infrastrudurellntermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act A. Intermodal Transfer StadonIPhase n of the Electric Shuttle Demonstration B. Bridge & Waterway Restoration/Rehabilitation Program II. Beach Reuourislmu'!nt & Erosion Control Initiati'Ve5 A. Beaeh Renourishment ,B. Erosion Control C. Water and Sewer m. Historic RehabilitationlHistoric Homeownership Tax Cndit Legislation IV. Law Enforcement/Crime Prevention Issues .c~ . Universal HiringlCommunity Policing Program, and the MORE/COPS ProgramlDepartment of Justice . Local Law Enforcement Block Grant . Punuit of Federal D~retionary Grant Programs v. Investments in the Development of the Arts VI. Legallmmigrants Eligibility for Public Benefits r ..x~ 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BURT BERE ~003 -. ".. "r-? FYlttl FEDERAL AGENDA CITY OF MIAMI BEACB~ FLORIDA .,c? "c.? .,. 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BURT BERE IIJ004 L:? I. TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTUREJINTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACI' A. l111ermodal TrlZl'lSfer StationIPhase H of the Electric Shuttle DemoMtration The City of Miami Beach is requesting support fat Phase II of its Elec1.ric ShutJli!. Park and Rith DmwnstraJion project which will include the design and construction of a multi-modal center_ The proposed project would provide a transportation center/terminal that would centralize area transportation services, while simultaneously providing convenient, and safe access to parking and other services that would potentially reduce traffic congestion, parking shortages7 and improve the environment. The City proposes a transportation hub that would include: a multi-modal center that will also incorporate parking, an electric bus shuttle terminal with a charging facility and maintenance area, small shops, a transportation store, a visitor information center, and a communication center. One of the primary objectives of the project is to reduce the demanding parking and traffic problems in the south and middle beacMfteas - where the problems already greatly exceed the existing parking and roadway system - through the development of this comprehensive park and ride system. The center will serve as a connector for the future east west corridor that will link together the Palmetto Expressway, State Road 836, the Miami Intermodal Center at Miami International Airport, downtown Miami, the seaport, and the island City of Miami Beach. In sum, the City hopes to achieve the following results: 1). Reduce traffic congestion on major arterial roadways; 2)_ Create a safe, convenient multi-modal facility that supports a park and ride program - utilizing the shuttle system for movement in the core project area; 3). Reduce the demand for on-street pm:k:ing; 4). Reduce the deterioration oflocal, state and iederal roadways in the core area; 5). Reduce wear on existing bridges (many of which are in severe condition); 6). Preserve the historic significance of the Art Deco District; 7). SUpport carJvan pooling in the multi-modal center; 8)_ Provide access to charging facilities for alternative fueled vehicles; and 9). Improve air quality and reduce noise pollution in the busiest area. of Miami Beach. .c::~? ObjectivJ;: To secure $6,317,000 in Fiscal Year 1998 appropriations support, as part of a multi-year authorization within ISTEA as an IntermodaI Demonstration Project of $21 million. ill ;,;.. 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BURT BERE IaJ 005 B. Bridge &: WaterwllJ' RestlJratWnlRehabilittdio" Progra", Beginning in 1980, the City of Miami Beach began experiencing a turn-around with steady growth in tourism activity, an unprecedented influx of foreign visitors, and a renewed interest in the South Beach Art Deco Historic District. Other examples of growth and construction included the development of an established art colony, and the headquarters of the New World Symphony Orchestr~ the Miami City Ballet, and MTV Latino and Sony Disco. Recent construction projects planned and/or underway include the Lowes Miami Beach Convention Hotel, the Royal Crown Plaza (the first African American owned hotel in Miami Beach), and an SOO-car parking garage on 16th Street and Collins Avenue. Along with this rapid growth, however, i~tp.e necessity to expand hotels and accommodations, along with restaurants and mgbtclubs, etc. Unfortunately, along with the growth came an influx of cars and delivery vehicles, with no room to expand or construct new roadways. With all of the above coming together, we now have the formula for a transportation and parking crisis. At the same time, the City of Miami Beach has a network of aging bridges, seawalls and waterway connections, making the City virtually unique in the nation for an intermodal transportation approach. While other coastal cities may have some of these same elements, no other city has the population influx and intensity of utilization of these same kinds of bridges, waterways and seawalls as does the City of Miami Beach. Their potential and age combine to present Miami Beach and the State of Florida with a significant challenge and opportunity. We envision a two-part waterway transportation initiative. Bridl!e$: The City of Miami Beach is a barrier island with a total area of approximately 7.5 square miles. It is bounded on the west by Biscayne Bay, On the north by the City of Surfside, On the east by the Atlantic Ocean and On the south by Government Cut with an estimated population of approximately 93,000 (not including seasonal population). Additionally, ~ City's image of sun. sea, sand, beaches, boating, fishing and' fim attract tourists from allover the world. The City contains 24 individual islands, eleven of which are man-made islands in Biscayne Bay west of the main island. The City's islands are connected through a network of bridges which provide the vital link for transportation within the City. Furthennore, vehicular access is provided to the City from the mainland via four separate Causeways. A total of 44 vehicular bridges and 4 footbridges comprise the bridge network within the City. The State systematically schedules and funds the replacement of bridges (not including footbridges) at a cost of approximately $1.2 million per bridge. One IV 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BURT BERE 1dI006 bridge is under construction. three bridges are scheduled for replacement and one bridge is closed but not scheduled for replacement. Additionally, the 12 bridges of the Venetian Causeway are undergoing structural rehabilitation and historic restoration by the State, at the approximate cost of $30 milliOIL The City is responsible for maintaining the footbri~s and 28 of the 44 vehicular bridges. The rem8ining bridges are maintained by either the County or the State. There are 24 bridges not currently closed or scheduled for replacement, over half of which were constructed between 1926 and 1955. The bridges which are not scheduled to be replaced within the next two years require maintenance at an approximate cost of$ 1 ,240,000. In several cases, the loss of a bridge could constitute the complete isolation of an entire island neighborhood. For example, in one case approximately 321 homes would be severely impacted. Additionally, the following services to the community would be affected: emergency vehicle~ construction, equipment, garbage pickup and public transportation. Seawal1s/Waterwavs: TIu:: City of Miami Beach has approximately 39 miles of waterfront properties with seawalls. The seawalls act asa barrier which protects properties from tidal action. Loss of seawalls can result in loss of property and pose a danger to waterway navigation. Also an unsafe seawall. which may collapse into the navigable waterway, should be an obstacle to other governmental agencies which have jurisdiction within the waterways such as Dade County Environmental Resources Management Departrnenk,U.8- Coast Guard, State of Florida Department of Enviromnental Resources and U.S. Corps of Engineers. Individual property owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of seawalls. However~ the City is required to protect property and life and, therefore. maintains the responsibility for ensuring that the seawalls are adequately repaired or replaced. In many cases, the property owners may not immediately pay the required expenses and, therefore, the City must fund the improvement until such I time as they are reimbursed. There are approximately 2,300 properties on the Biscayne Bay side of the City of Miami Beach with frontage on the water. An estimated 36% of these properties (826 properties) have seawalls which require upgrading at an approximate cost of $30 million. A schedule for the required seawall improvements will be established once a funding source has been identified. Objective: To secure a multi year $32.5 million (approximate) authorization within ISTEA, and FY1998 appropriations support v ~~ 03/14/97 10:53 FAX I JORDEN BURT BERE IdJ007 .&? ll. BEACH RENOURISHMENT & EROSION CONTROL INITIATIVES A. Beach Renou1'ishment Beaches are Florida's number one tourist "attraction". Last year~ beach tourism generated more than $16 billion dollars for Florida's economy and more touristS visited Miami Beach than visited the three largest national parks combined. In addition to their vital economic importance, beaches are the front line defense for our multi-billion dollar coastal infrastructure during hurricanes and storms. When beaches are allowed to erode away, the likelihood that the Federal government will be struck with astronomical stonn recovery costs is significantly increased. The Army Corps of Engineers estimated that more than 70% of the damage caused to upland properties in Panama City Beach by Hurricane Opal would have been prevented if their pending beach renourisbment project had been completed before the storm. L::? lb.e Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimates that at least 276 miles (35%) of Florida' s 787 miles of sandy beach are currently at a critical state of erosion. This includes the entire six miles of Miami Beach. Our beaches must be maintained to ensure that our residents and coastal properties are afforded the best stonn protection possible. Our beaches must also be Illaint.ained to ensure that beach tourism, our number one industry is protected and nurtured. In 1981, the Army Corps of Engineers and Metropolitan Dade County entered into a fifty year agreement to jointly manage restoration and maintenance of Dade County's sandy beaches. Since then, Metropolitan Dade County has been responsible for coordinating and funding the local share of the cost for the periodic renourishmcnt of our beaches. In order to ensure that adequate funding will continue to be available. the City of Miami Beach supports and endorses the legislative priorities and appropriation requests of Metropolitan Dade County. as they relate to the restoration and maintenance of Dade County's sandy beaches. Objective: To support fully the request ofMetr~litan Dade County for a $3.5 million FY98 appropriation for the restoration of Dade County beaches. . V1 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BURT BERE 1(lJ008 B. Erosion Control The City of Miami Beach exists primarily as an island surrounded either by beaches or a system of canals. An integral part of the canal system are its seawalls which are curre.ntly in a great state of disrepair. In order to address the problem, the City would like to remove the existing seawalls at the water line and rebuild the wall at a 45 degree angle with rocks. Backing up to this rock embankment would be a landscaped area with native indigenous species of plants. Immediately following this landscaping would be a bikepathlsidewalk, complete with benches, streetlights, etc. Regarding the beaches, the City would like to agaitffutroduce grasses, trees and other native vegetation for the purpose of preventing erosion. Objective: To secure $1.5 million as a FY98 EP A Demonstration project that would utilize the unique natural environments of Miami Beach including its vegetation, to demonstrate erosion control both in the City's beaches and through the existing canal and seawall system that incotporates so much of the City_ c. Water and St!We1' The existing drinking water system is owned, operated, and maintained by the City of Miami Beach serving customers within the city limits. The potable water facilities include a water distnoution system extending throughout the City, five existing water booster pump stations, and four welded steel.ground storage tanks. Plans exist for a sixth water booster pump station. The City's potable water is supplied exclusively by the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Depart:rnent (W ASD), the department of the County that oversees operation of the County's water and sewer system. L"? The water distribution system has approximately 157 miles of water mains ranging from 6 inches to 36 inches in diameter. The water distribution system currently serves approximately 11,123 retail customers along with 958 fire hydrants and 622 :fire lines, encompassing 23,000 valves of various sizes. The system has 11,415 service connections. The existing sewer system is also owned, operated and maintained by the City (fie. serves all customers within the corporate limits. All land usage must connect to the sanitary sewer system as a manner of City policy, and there are no septic tankl; in operation within the City. The system consists of 152 miles oflines, including both gravity sewers and pressurized force mains, and 23 wastewater pump vu 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BlffiT BERE lilJ009 stations. The wastewater system currently serves approximately 9,636 retail customers. All wastewater generated within the City is sent to the W ASD Central District wastewater treatment plant on Virginia Key for treatment and disposal The 54- inch force main which conveys the wastewater to the plant is a subaqueous force main running from South Pointe under Govemmerrt"Cut to Virginia Key. This force main is owned and maintained by W ASD. The County's wastewater collection, transmission and treatment system is divided into three districts referred to as the North, Central and South Districts, each served by its own wastewater treannent plant.. Five-year Capita/Improvement Program The City is preparing a five-year Capital Improvement Program cont31ning those projects needed in order to replace and upgrade components of the Water and Sewer Utility and to provide fOf the demands to be placed upon the Water and. Sewer Utility by projected growth. In connection with the water system portion of the five-year Capital Improvement Program, all four of the Water and Sewer Utility's existing storage tanks will be replaced, all five of the existing water booster pump stations will be renovated and upgraded and most of the water mains throughout the System will be either cleaned. and lined, or replaced and/or extended. The wastewater components of the five- Year Capital Improvement Program emphasi2e: (1) improvements to the wastewater p~ stations, and (2) improvements to the gravity collection system to reduce the amount of infiltration and inflow into the wastewater system.. The cost of the projects included within the Five-Year Capit1ll Improvement Program is estimated at $105,208,000. Obiective: The City is seeking a 900/0-10% locallFederal split of the total cost through the wastewater account within the EP A. The total Federal share for this project is approximately $10.1 million. ffi. mSTORIC REHABILITATIONIHISTORIC HOMEOWNERSHIP TAX CREDIT LEGISLATION Targeted tax legislation recognizing critical importance of historic properties - . ownership and rehabilitation. viii ~ ,. 03/14/97. 10:53 FAX JORDEN BURT BERE ~010 While Congress may consider a wide-range of tax issues cIiUing the course of the l05th Congress, at this time the City would reite:rate its support for targeted tax provisions that recognize the importance of historic rehabilitation and historic ownership issues. . The City of Miami Beach sttongly supports legislation known as the Historic RehabilitationlHistoric Homeownersmp Home Tax Credit. This legislation is suppOlted nationally by the National Historic Trost and would reinforce the City's commitment to historic properties. . Second, the City of Miami Beach is long and well committed to the rehabilitation of certa.in major beach properties in connection with the Convention Center development. Accordingly, we need to ensure federal agreement and approval of the utilization of existing tax code provisions. Le., the Rehabilitation Tax Credit, to these critical initiatives. . IV. LAW ENFORCEMENT/CRIME PREVENTION ISSUES The City ofMianli Beach has been a successful participant in several federally-supported crime preventio~ polieing, and law enforcement programs - including the Community Policing Universal Hiring and MORE programs, the Local Law Enforcemeai: Block Grant, and Gang Prevention_ Nonetheless, the City is committed to further enhancing and increasing its commitments and involvements in this arena. and accordingly, seeks to pursue several of the following objectives: . Universal Elling/Community Policing p,.o1P'~ "nd the MORElCOPS Progmm/Department of Justice.. The City of Miami Beach has submitted its request for its FY1997 allocation ofUniversa:~ Hiring funds to enable to City to further expand its crime prevention and law enforccmen: manpower. We seek to secure:final approval of the FY97 award, and continued support as we submit our FYl998 proposaL . Local Law Enforcement BIodc GranL The City of Miami Beach. is also a strong supporter of the new Local Law Enforcement Block Grant to local governments. Annually we receive approximately $360,000, supplemented by a local participatory match, that enables us to support the critical equipment, training and resource development needS of our local forces. This is a fed.eraJ. program actually conceived and authored by our Florida C..Q!)gressional Delegation, i.e., the Honorable Bill McCollum. We were distressed to learn that the Administration has not .requested FY98 fimdine;, and had called. for the elimination of the program. We seek assistance to: ix 03/14/97 10:53 FAX JORDEN BlffiT BERE ~Oll Ensure that the program is continued in FY98 - both authorized and funded through the appropriations process_ Ensure that the statistics and data being utilized by the Department of Justice are indeed accurate, and reflect the true needs of the City of Miami Beach. . Pursuit of Federal Discrmomuy GTtmtprograms. . Congress also provided for significant funding of a wide range of criminal.justice law enforcement and crime prevention initiatives in FY1997. We are undertaking a complete and thorough review of all opportunities - from expanded Gang Prevention programs, to the Victims of Crime, and other Violence Prevention initiatives provided. for in the Crime Bill and in the FY1997 appropriations bill for the Department of Justice. We do plan to pursue a number of these new initiatives, as appropriate, ani( will be seeking your support on a new targeted campaign to expand the City's participation in these programs. Similarly, B. number of the Federal crime prevention programs are allocated to the State government leveL Participation at the substate/local government level has not always been possible_ We are also embarking on a. more targeted, in-depth initiative to en.sure that more of these federal funds reach us at the city leveL We hope to secure support of this effort with the Sta:te, where and when appropriate. v. INVESTMENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS Given the critical importance of the arts to the quality of life, economic development, and social structure of the City of Miami Beach, the City is exploring a major dedication of new resources into the development and promotion of the arts. The City is therefore committed. to the followinJ ~ objectives: . To secure the successful reauthorization and refunding of the NEA in FY98 at a level of $136.5 million, including funds that reward local governments for a demonstration of extraordinary :financial commitment to the arts. -C? . To secure Congressional Delegation support for a potential series of grant applications to the'NEA that would recognize the extraordinary commitment of the City_ VI. LEGAL IMMIGRANTS ELIGmILITY FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS The City of Miami Beach hopes to work with the Congressional Delegation to secure the best possible outcome for the City's elderly non-citizen immigrant population under any potential amendments to the newly enacted Welfare law. x