2002-25090 Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-25090
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING
AND OFFICIALLY ADOPTING THE BASIS OF DESIGN
REPORT, INCLUDING ADDENDUM #2, DEFINING AND
DESCRIBING 1999 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND, SERIES
2000 STORMWATER REVENUE BOND, AND SERIES 2000
WATER AND SEWER BOND FUNDED CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE
LA GORCE RIGHT .oF-WAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the City has issued General Obligation (GO) Bonds and Water and
Sewer Bonds and Stormwater Revenue Bonds, to provide funding for a numberof needed
capital projects to be constructed in various areas of the City to upgrade and improve the
infrastructure for the purpose of providing better service to residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, construction funding allocated for these improvements for the La Gorce
Neighborhood includes $993,066 in Series 2000 Water and Sewer Bond funds; $1,811,705 in
2000 Stormwater Revenue Bond funds, $141,932 in 1999 GO Bond funds for Streetscape,
$31,934 in 1999 GO Bond Funds for the Cherokee Avenue Street-end and seawall; and
WHEREAS, on September 5,2001, the Mayor and City Commission authorized the
execution of a contract, pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 10-00/01, with
Reynolds, Smith & Hills, Inc. (the Consultant) for Planning Phase services for the La Gorce
ROW Improvement Project; and
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2001, the Mayor and City Commission adopted
Resolution 2001-24682 authorizing the Amendment No.1 to this contract, which added
additional portions of Orchard Park to the scope of services; and
WHEREAS, the total fee for the Planning Phase was $185,291, with $61,702 from
1999 General Obligation Bonds and $123,589 from Series 2000 Stormwater Revenue
Bonds; and
WHEREAS, Reynolds, Smith & Hills, Inc. and City staff have undertaken a
professional and comprehensive planning effort to identify and describe improvements in
the Basis of Design Report (BODR); and
WHEREAS, on December 18, 2001 and January 22, 2002, community design
workshops were held to obtain input from residents with regard to the proposed
improvements, and general consensus in support of the proposed improvements was
obtained; and
WHEREAS, on September 9, 2002, the BODR was substantially approved by the
GO Bond Oversight Committee, excluding improvements North of 63rd Street; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, October 15, and November 21, 2002, a series of
public meetings was held to obtain consensus for improvements that are North of 63rd
Street; and
WHEREAS, on December 2, 2002, the remaining portion of the La Gorce BODR,
including Addendum #2, was approved by the GO Bond Oversight Committee; and
WHEREAS, upon City Commission adoption of the BODR, Reynolds, Smith & Hills,
Inc. will-commence production of construction documents based on the improvements
recommended in the BODR.
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 approving and officially adopting the Basis of Design Report, including
Addendum #2, defining and describing 1999 General Obligation Bond, Series 2000
Stormwater Revenue Bond, and Series 2000 Water and Sewer bond funded capital
improvements to be implemented through the La Gorce Right-of-Way improvement project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of December 2002.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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PORM a LANGUAGI
a FOR EXECUTION
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
ADDENDUM
DECEMBER 5. 2002
RIGHT-OF-WAY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
LA GORCE
FINAL BASIS OF DESIGN REPORT (August 26, 2002)
Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc.
Savino & Miller Design Studio
RJ Behar & Company
TO ALL FINAL BODR RECIPIENTS
The following changes have been issued to the Final Basis of Design Report (BODR) dated
August 26, 2002. These changes were requested by the General Obligation Bond Oversight
Committee on December 2, 2002 and shall be in effect as of that date:
All BODR recipients shall incorporate this addendum into the report.
1. Page ES-4: Add the following text and graphic to Section D.1. GO BOND
(STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS) at the end of the first paragraph.
Based on various meetings held with community members of the la Gorce Park
(North la Gorce) area and input received, the following improvements are proposed for
this area and are shown in the attached exhibit.
La Gorce Right-of-Way Infrastructure Improvements
Basis of Design Report - Addendum 2
Page AD2-1
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
~
-
Condensed Title:
APPROVING AND OFFICIALLY ADOPTING THE LA GORCE NEIGHBORHOOD BASIS OF DESIGN
REPORT (BOOR) AND ADDENDUM #1, WHICH DEFINES AND DESCRIBES G.O. BOND,
STORMWATER BOND AND WATER AND SEWER BOND FUNDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE
IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE LA GORCE RIGHT OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
Issue:
Should the City adopt the La Gorce Basis of Design Report (BODR) and Addendum #1 prepared by
Reynolds, Smith, and Hills, and City staff, as the officially approved description of capital improvements to
be desi ned and constructed throu h the La Gorce Ri ht of Wa 1m rovement Pro'ect?
Item Summa 'Recommendation:
On September 5,2001, the City entered into an agreement with Reynolds, Smith and Hills (the Consultant) to
provide for Planning Phase services of the La Gorce ROW Right of Way Improvement Project. The
Consultant and City staff initiated a comprehensive planning process that included a review of historic
information, neighborhood site visits, and inter-departmental staff and consultant visioning sessions.
The Consultant then developed an initial program of recommended improvements presented at a Community
Design Workshop (CDW #1) on December 18, 2001 at the Miami Heart Institute. Public comment and
feedback from this forum was analyzed and incorporated where appropriate in a revised plan, which was
presented at a second Community Design Workshop (CDW #2) on January 22,2002 at the Miami Heart
Institute. At CDW #2, a substantial consensus among residents on the proposed program of improvements
was achieved. However, additional meetings were held on September 24th, October 15th, and November 21St,
2002 to resolve local issues in the La Gorce Park neighborhood. These meetings were mostly related to traffic
issues. Options 1,2 and 1A, attached, represent the different discussions resulting from these meetings.
Option 1A was selected at the last meeting but was further revised at the December 2, 2002 GO Bond
Oversight Committee meeting, by the Committee. A proposed traffic circle was omitted in favor of stops signs
on the provision that if the signs do not meet County approval, the circle will be added back.
The Consultant has finalized the program of improvements in the BODR, including an addendum addressing
issues in the La Gorce Park Neighborhood. The BODR was carefully reviewed by all applicable City
Departments and refined as necessary. The next step is for the City Commission to approve the BODR,
which will then serve as a basis for the re aration of construction drawin s for recommended im rovements.
Adviso Board Recommendation:
On September 9, 2002, the BODR was substantially approved by the GO Bond Oversight Committee,
excluding the improvements North of 63rd Street for further refinement. The Committee also opposed the
CIP staff recommendation for a sidewalk extension, within current pavement, from Lakeview Drive to the
Cherokee Avenue street end. On December 2, 2002, the remaining portion of the La Gorce BODR and
Addendum #1 were a roved b the GO Bond Oversi ht Committee.
Financial Information:
Amount to be expended:
Source of
Funds:
D
Finance Dept.
. Ci Clerk's Office Le Islative Trackin :
Stacy Kilroy, Senior Capital Projects Planner, CIP Office
AGENDA ITEM f(7C
DATE/:2-1/-()2..
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH. FLORIDA 33139
www.ci.miami-beach.f1.us
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
From:
Mayor David Dermer and Date: December 11, 2002
Members of the City commiSSion?
Jorge M. Gonzalez ~ N f'I
City Manager 'IF .. /'
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND OFFICIALLY ADOPTING
THE BASIS OF DESIGN REPORT, INCLUDING ADDENDUM #1, DEFINING
AND DESCRIBING 1999 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND, SERIES 2000
STORMWATER REVENUE BOND, AND SERIES 2000 WATER AND
SEWER BOND FUNDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE
IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE LA GORCE RIGHT OF WAY
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
To:
Subject:
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
The La Gorce Neighborhood consists of City owned Rights of Way (ROW) that are North of
the Surprise Waterway and Surprise Lake, West of the Indian Creek Waterway and South
of La Gorce Island. The neighborhood is single family residential with most development
either circling the outer edge of the La Gorce Golf Course or residing adjacent to one of
three bodies of water in the Neighborhood: the Indian Creek Waterway, Lake Surprise or
Biscayne Bay. The ROW Program's definition of the neighborhood does not include La
Gorce Island or Allison Island, both of which had GO Bond funds set aside for specific
community projects.
On September 5, 2001, the Mayor and City Commission authorized the execution of a
contract, pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) NO.1 0-00/01, with Reynolds, Smith
& Hills, Inc. (the Consultant) for Planning Phase services for the La Gorce ROW
Improvement Project. The total fee for the Planning Phase was $185,291, with $61,702
from 1999 General Obligation Bonds and $123,589 from Series 2000 Stormwater Revenue
Bonds.
The Consultant's Notice to Proceed was given on September 24, 2001 and the Project
Kick-off Meeting was held on September 29, 2001. The official onsite reconnaissance
meeting with City staff and Program Managers, Hazen and Sawyer, was held on October 1,
2001. Using information gathered from these meetings as well as resident input collected
at La Gorce GO Bond meetings held previously on March 21, 2000 and May 31,2000, the
Consultant developed an initial program of recommended Stormwater and above ground
G.O. Bond improvements. On November 15, 2001, the Consultant presented this program
to City staff for comment and further development.
La Gorce BOOR Commission Memorandum
December 11, 2002
Page 2 of 7
On December 18, 2001, a revised program was presented at Community Design Workshop
(CDW) #1 held at Miami Heart Institute. Public comment and feedback from this forum was
analyzed and incorporated, where appropriate, into a revised plan. This revised program
was presented at Community Design Workshop #2 on January 22, 2002 at the Miami Heart
Institute. At this meeting, a substantial consensus among residents on the proposed
improvements was achieved. Additionally, the Consultant has worked to coordinate drainage
improvements in the La Gorce Neighborhood with significant improvements currently being
planned by the Florida Department of Transportation for Alton Road, which is a State Right of
Way. This coordination effort is, in part, responsible for the amount oftime elapsed between
the final CDW and the initial submission of the Basis of Design Report (BOOR). The effort
has required some changes to the stormwater system to accommodate the Alton Road
runoff. The goal is an upgraded and integrated drainage system with landscape
enhancements in the Alton Road medians that is commensurate to surrounding City ROW.
On May 19, 2002, the Consultant submitted a draft BODR, the culmination of planning
efforts. On July 9, 2002, a review meeting was held to address comments by City staff and
Program Managers, Hazen and Sawyer. On August 27,2002, the Consultant submitted
the final BODR. On September 9th, the GO Bond Oversight Committee approved the
BODR with the following provisions. First, the CIP Office recommended a sidewalk
extension from Lakeview Drive tuming south to the Cherokee Avenue street end. The
sidewalk would be five feet in width and placed in the current pavement. However, the GO
Bond Committee did not recommend this improvement. Secondly, the Committee
recommended that CIP staff hold additional meetings with concerned residents about the
specific improvements north of 63rd Street. Therefore, this portion of the BODR was
excerpted for that purpose.
CIP staff held meetings with residents to further refine alternatives for the North of 63rd
Street area on September 24th, October 15th, and November 21St, 2002. Residents of La
Gorce Park and La Gorce Island were notified of the meetings via newspaper, web site
postings and on Cable Channel 20. All of the meetings were attended by residents of La
Gorce Park and La Gorce Island, which is outside the project limits but adjacent to the
neighborhood planning area. The September 24th meeting was well attended by La Gorce
Island residents who vehemently opposed any construction proposal that included a street
closure, conversion of a street to one-way travel, and/or narrowing of travel lanes. As a
result, it was determined that alternatives that considered these traffic calming possibilities
generally would not be pursued. Although CIP staff stated that the funding for this area
makes this project primarily a beautification effort, attendees emphasized that cut-through
traffic, speeding, and beautification were all community concerns. It was also determined
that CIP staff would hold an additional meeting to refine the design concepts for this area
that would attempt to address those issues. However, the project remains primarily a
beautification effort and is not a major traffic calming or concurrency type project.
The second meeting was held on October 15th and general design concepts were
discussed. There was considerable discussion concerning the role of the City and of
Miami-Dade County as they pertain to addressing traffic congestion and patterns. One of
the recommendations of those present at this meeting was for the City to request that the
La Gorce BODR Commission Memorandum
December 11, 2002
Page 3 of 7
County not permit left turns at the South-bound intersections of La Gorce and 63rd and
Pine Tree and 63rd from 4 PM to 7 PM Monday through Friday. In response, the City has
sent a request to the County to evaluate the "rush hour" traffic patterns in the area
including, but not limited to, the proposal above. It is important to understand, however,
that the improvements under the Right-Of-Way program in this area are primarily
beautification in nature and are not meant to resolve major traffic issues.
After considerable discussion concerning several alternative approaches for the area, staff
agreed to take the input and schedule another meeting with alternatives that encapsulated
the concepts discussed in this meeting.
On November 21, 2002, two options that included the input of the previous meetings were
presented to the community. In addition to La Gorce Park residents, representatives of the
Executive Board of the La Gorce Island Homeowner's Association were also in attendance.
Both options presented included: palm tree entrances on La Gorce Drive and Pine Tree
Drive north of Alton Road and additional tree infill, the positioning of a traffic circle at either
one of two intersections, some extensions of green-space to improve the geometry of
intersections, and the extension of the green-space at the northern most section of North
Bay Road. The main differences between Option 1 and Option 2 are the location of the
proposed traffic circle and the treatment of the intersection of North Bay Road and La
Gorce Drive.
Option 1 locates the traffic circle on La Gorce Drive just south of La Gorce Park and
reconfigures the intersection of North Bay Road and La Gorce Drive. In this proposal, the
intersection would be redesigned to make North Bay Road one-way southbound for the
northernmost block. Northbound traffic on North Bay Road for this final block would
intersect La Gorce Drive at a 90 degree intersection and have to turn left onto La Gorce
Drive to continue north. The primary purpose of this is to improve the operation of the
intersection and to deter the North Bay Road to Pine Tree Drive cut-through traffic pattern.
The other elements of palm tree entrances, infill street trees, and the improvement of
intersections remain relatively the same as Option 2.
Option 2 locates the traffic circle on Pine Tree Drive just north of La Gorce Park and makes
only minor improvements to the intersection of North Bay Road and La Gorce Drive. In this
proposal, the intersection would be modified to move it slightly north of the Pine Tree
Drive/La Gorce Drive intersection in order to deter the North Bay Road to Pine Tree Drive
cut-through traffic pattern that occurs during rush hour. The other elements of palm tree
entrances, infill street trees, and the improvement of intersections remain relatively the
same as Option 1.
Discussion on the options was lengthy and contentious at times. The issues of traffic
calming and cut-through traffic are not easily solved and are not issues that can be fully
addressed by this project with the current budget. Within the current budget, however,
there are ways to address minor portions of the traffic issue, some more aggressive than
others. As a result, it was difficult to come to a consensus on the project elements as
some residents support more aggressive approaches than do others. An example of a
La Gorce BOOR Commission Memorandum
December 11, 2002
Page 4 of7
more aggressive approach is a street closure or conversion of a street, or portion of a
street, to one-way.
There were several objections to the Option 1 approach to the North Bay Road/La Gorce
Drive intersection because of the conversion of the northern most block to one-way
southbound traffic. However, in one of the early consensus votes on the options, this
option was supported by the majority of residents present at the meeting. Due to the
strong objections by some, the option was reconsidered and an amendment proposed that
essentially adopted the Option 2 approach to the west side of the intersection. Option 2
was not strongly pursued by those present at the meeting due to a strong preference to
have the traffic circle on La Gorce Drive. The project budget will not support more than
one traffic circle and it is unlikely that more than one circle will be permitted by the County.
After another lengthy discussion that included several votes on each of the options and
amendments to the options, consensus of those present at the end of the meeting was
reached to adopt Option One with an amendment that utilizes the Option 2 approach to the
North Bay Road/La Gorce Drive intersection on the west side of La Gorce Drive. All other
elements of Option 1 remain the same. This option is referred to as Option 1A. It should
be noted that, due to the length of the meeting, attendance dropped during the course of
the meeting and some residents who were present as the consensus voting process began
left before the process finished. An addendum will be added to the BODR that
encompasses this change.
On December 2, 2002, the La Gorce Park section of the BODR was presented to the GO
Bond Oversight Committee. After public comments, the Committee proposed certain
revisions to Option 1 A in order to evoke a compromise that satisfied most residents in the
La Gorce Park neighborhood. The proposed traffic circle was deleted and it was agreed
that the City would continue working with Miami-Dade County to consider traffic calming
improvements within the La Gorce Park area, including the addition of stop signs at various
intersections. Depending on the results of these inquiries, a traffic circle may be added
back into the design. Funding in the amount of $1 0,000 will be set aside in the event that
this occurs. If this does not occur, the funds will be used for enhancing proposed
landscaping in the area.
Other improvements remain as proposed. It was also noted that inadvertently the graphic
of Option 1 A in the GO Bond Agenda packet showed a proposed narrowing of Alton Road,
which is not an element of Option 1 A. Concept drawings of Options 1 and 2, as well as the
combined Option 1A, as described, are attached for reference.
Upon approval by the City Commission, the BODR will serve as a basis for the preparation
of construction drawings for all recommended improvements.
BODR HIGHLIGHTS
The proposed improvements include improving Stormwater drainage in two Priority
La Gorce BODR Commission Memorandum
December 11, 2002
Page 5 of 7
Drainage basins, upgrading all Priority Two water lines (there are no Priority One lines ),and
implementing above ground enhancements along 5151 Street, Cherokee Avenue and North
ofW. 63rd Street. The project elements are summarized in the following tables.
LA GORCE NEIGHBORHOOD
ROW IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Estimated Construction Fundina bv Source
ITEM FUNDING SOURCE AMOUNT
Stormwater Stormwater Revenue $1,811,705
Priority Basins No. 103, 117/118 Bonds
Waterline Upgrade Water & Sewer Bonds $993,066
Streetscape G.O. Bonds $141,932
Seawall: Cherokee Street-end Improvement G.O. Bonds $31,934
Total Construction $ $2,978,637
STORMWATER Description of Elements
IMPROVEMENTS
BASIN 103 Gravity Alternative
Bounded by Cherokee Ave on East; Surprise . New pipes, ranging from 18 inch to 60 inch
Waterway on South; North Bay Road on . New 60 inch outfall
West; between W 52nd Street and W 51st . Gravity wells
Street on North. 22.68 acres of drainage area . Coordination with FDOT/Alton Road project
. 3 three year storm event protection
. y" inch water quality treatment
BASIN 117 Gravity Svstem with French Drain
Bounded by Indian Creek on the East, W 63rd . 215 linear feet of French Drain
Street on the South, Biscayne Bay on the . New 48 inch Outfall
West, and the boundary of Basin 118 to the . Pipe system for French Drain and
North, (which exists east to west between Conveyance
Biscayne Bay and Indian Creek at the . Low elevation excludes gravity alt. with
intersection of North Bay Road, La Gorce wells
Drive and Pine Tree Drive.) . 2 year storm event protection
12 acres of drainage area. . y" inch water quality treatment
BASIN 118 Gravity Svstem with French Drain
Bounded by Indian Creek on the East, South, . 135 linear feet of French Drain
Biscayne Bay on the West, La Gorce Canal . New 36 inch Outfall
the North, and the boundary of Basin 117 to . 2 year storm event protection
the South (which exists east to west between . y" inch water quality treatment
and Indian Creek and Biscayne Bay at the
intersection of North Bay Road, La Gorce
Drive and Pine Tree Drive)
3.97 acres of drainage area.
La Gorce BODR Commission Memorandum
December 11, 2002
Page 60f7
WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS Description of Elements
Priority One (P1) Lines, None within City ROW
Effect "fire flow" or the water pressure
needed in the event of a major fire.
Priority Two (2) Lines Replacement
Galvanized water lines do not meet County . Rear Easement to City ROW
code and may be tuberculated with mineral . Hand Trench
deposits. (Locations: W 51st Terrace, Pine . landscape Restoration
Tree Drive Circle, South Lake View Court, la
Gorce Drive between Pine Tree Drive Circle
and W 63rd Street, and various ROW Street-
ends abutting the La Gorce Golf Course.
Priority Three (3) Lines Not funded
STREETSCAPE Description of Elements
51st Street Traffic Calming
Aiton Road to Pine Tree Drive Bump outs, narrow street, special paving, eliminate
turning curve @ 51st and la Gorce, and install stop
signs. All traffic calming measures pending Miami-
Dade County authorization.
Beautification
landscaping and swale improvements
Pedestrian
milling and resurfacing, sidewalk extensions
North of Traffic Calming
W. 63rd Street Possible landscaped traffic circle at juncture of
Alton Rd and la Gorce Drive if stop signs are not
approved by Miami-Dade County.
Landscaping
Royal Palms lining Pine Tree and La Gorce Drives,
spot asphalt removal to increase green space
Cherokee Avenue Pedestrian
From Lake View Drive to Lake Surprise Public Sidewalk extensions recommended by CIP;
Street End GO Bond Committee does not recommend;
Beautification
Remove invasive tree at street-end
Add minimal ground cover and specimen
landscape
Environmental Conservation
Ecological stabilization/repair of existing seawall
La Gorce BOOR Commission Memorandum
December 11. 2002
Page 7 of 7
The above proposed improvements have been and are also being coordinated with other
planned City projects including:
Allison Island Landscaping
Allison Island Utility Upgrades
La Gorce Island Streetscape
Alton Road Improvements
La Gorce and Fisher Parks
La Gorce/Pine Tree Drive Traffic Calming
$205,606
$990,000
$200,000
$250,000
$200,000
$510,000
Upon approval of the BODR, the remaining Project sequence includes nine months of
design and permitting, four months of bidding and award, and twelve months of
construction. Within the citywide schedule of capital construction, the estimated design
start date is October 2002 and the projected finish of construction is July 2005. This time
period takes into consideration specific citywide scheduling issues that may add up to two
months of time to the Project sequence. Further, this schedule is preliminary and may be
adjusted.
CONCLUSION
City staff and the Project Consultant have successfully responded to the challenge of
developing a program of improvements that maximizes the limited funding available,
achieves basic infrastructure improvement goals, and enjoys the support of a majority of
residents. The process of planning these improvements included extensive input from
residents and the subsequent modification of initial plans to respond to that input. In
addition, the process of identifying and prioritizing improvement needs has created a
valuable record, which can be used to program further improvements if additional funding
becomes available in the future.
By approving the BOOR, the Commission will officially end the planning process for this
neighborhood and finalize the design concept. Formal construction drawings will
commence. An important feature of the BODR approval is that no added input on the
concept will be solicited nor changes made unless formal construction design efforts
uncover flaws or errors in concept.
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
www.ci.miami-beach.fl.us
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Telephone 30"5 6'13'.7010
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Office of the City Manager
Jorge M. Gonzalez
December 2, 2002
Mr. Aristides Rivera, P.E., P.L.S.
Director, Public Works Department
Miami-Dade County Public Works Dept. Highway Division
111 N.W.1stStreet, Suite 1610
Miami, Florida 33128-1970
Dea~a: A-ri
In a series of recent neighborhood meetings regarding capital improvements being
undertaken by the City of Miami Beach, residents have made the City aware of traffic
conditions which affect their neighborhood and specifically their quality of life.
The problem as observed by residents and described to the City is severe peak hour
congestion on strictly neighborhood/residential streets. In many instances, traffic
congestion is so severe that residents can not enter or exit their driveways or their
neighborhood in general. The congestion also places heavy traffic volumes adjacent to a
recently renovated neighborhood park.
The affected area is generally north of the northern portion of the Alton corridor as it turns
east to west as 63rd Street to intersect with Indian Creek and Collins Avenue. The roads
which seem to be most heavily impacted are North Bay Road from 56th to its termination at
Pine Tree Drive as well as the portions of Pine Tree Drive and La Gorce Drive which are
north of Alton Road.
While there are several traffic controls in place within this corridor at the present time, and
others which are anticipated in the near future, the City would ask that the County
undertake an analysis of all of the traffic controls in place now or anticipated in the future to
determine at a holistic level how each of the controls interact with each other and if there is
a method which can be devised to reduce the severe neighborhood congestion which is
experienced. I have enclosed a map for your reference that indicates the area which is
impacted and a letter from one of the residents in the affected area.
The traffic problem is caused by pass through traffic from commuters primarily to the north
of Miami Beach. Apparently, this traffic movement was used as a detour route during the
construction of 1-95 and many have chosen to continue to use this route even upon the
completion of the interstate system . To the extent your analysis requires a larger view and
greater area, we would encourage you to undertake such an analysis in order to resolve
this problem.
The City has recently undertaken and can make available traffic counts on North Bay Road
and Pine Tree Drive within the affected area. If this information or any other resources of
the City are useful in your analysis, please don't hesitate to ask for our assistance.
Thank you for your consideration of this neighborhood traffic issue.
Si~IY, , L
L/L-{.,X-"'?J
Robert C. Mi aaugh
Assistant City Manager
ReM/sam
riveralagorcetrafltr.doc
Enclosure
c: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
Fred Beckmann, Director of Public Works
Tim Hemstreet, Director of Capital Improvements
.~-~
ISLE or NORMANDY
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iO/1~/02 WED 18:28 FAX 30S8S~0812 OSWALDO J MORA PA
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Oswaldo J. Mora
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October] 6, 2002
Sent Via Fax Transmission (305) 673-7782
City of Miami Beach
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Dr.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Attn: Robert Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Re: La Gorce Park Neil!hborhood
Traftic Congestion Solution
Dear Mr. Middaugh:
Over the past several weeks at lhe two past GO Bond Oversight Committee hearings
(September 7, 2002 and October 4, 2002) and at two community input conferences involving the
La Gorce Park immediate neighborhood residents (September 24,2002 and October 15. 2002)
numerous interested neighborhood residents clamored to the City to react and implement a traffic
solution to the Monday through Friday 4-7 P.M neighborhood traffic congestion. As you are
aware, this traffic congestion emanates from North bound Alton Road commuter traffic taking
the side streels to avoid the cars queing up East bound on 63rd slreet as traffic backs up on Alton
Road. Commuters attempt to gain time by turning East bound to 63ld street from Pine Tree Drive
and La Gorce Drive. It's a simple strategy- subject 10 a simple counterstrategy!
On numerous occasions, interested neighborhood residents have recommended that no
left turn (East bound) 4.7 P.M. Monday through Friday signs be posted at each of these two
traffic lights (Pine Tree and La Gorce Drive) in order to discentivizc commuter traffic from
taking these side streets. Although this wont solve the traffic problem East bOWld on 63ld street,
it should decongest the immediate La Gorce neighborhood park streets during the Monday
through Friday 4-7 P.M. rush traffic hours. A CMB police officer temporarily posted at these
two intersections for transition enforcement should make this alternative a viable solution. It is
an idea who's time has come!!
I would recommend that this suggestion/request be submiued through the appropriate
channels. whether that be the City and/or the County and/or the Florida Department of
Transportation in order make the appropriate evaluation of this particular problem and
implement a prompt solution.
Please call me to advise me as to appropriate contacts at County and/or State agencies to
further advance this suggestion.
10/18/02 "~D 18:28 FAX 3058540812 OSWALDO J MORA PA
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III 003
Robert Middaugh
October 16, 2002
Page 2 of 2
Although further complimentary features may enhance the decongestion of this area, the
aforementioned suggestion IS a consensus approach that should provide immediate traffic
congestion relicfto the afflicted La Gorce Park neighborhood residents. They deserve no less!
The no left turn signs as aforementioned seems to be a "slam dunk" panacea requiring minimal
dollar expenditure.
I welcome your suggestions as to ways in which I can expand and advance input as to
this suggestion in order to expedite a solution. Please call me and let me know so that I can
assist in this matter.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.