Resolution 2019-30870 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-30870
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH TO TRANSMIT A LETTER TO THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
("DEP"), REQUESTING AN EXTENSION OF THE DEP'S "SPECIAL
CONDITION" PERMIT TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY THROUGH
OCTOBER 31, 2019, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE
OVERABUNDANCE OF SEAWEED BEING DEPOSITED ON THE
CITY'S BEACHES.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach (the "City") is comprised of a number of
islands with approximately 70 miles of shoreline along numerous canals and waterways,
the Atlantic Ocean, and Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, all of which support a wide
variety of flora and fauna; and
WHEREAS, the City hosts approximately 15 million visitors each year, and is
considered one of the world's most popular tourist destinations because of its beaches,
crystal-clear blue water, and amazing tropical environment; and
WHEREAS, currently, the City, as well as the entirety of Miami-Dade County, are
battling massive amounts of seaweed being deposited onto its beaches; and
WHEREAS, the massive amounts of seaweed and its accompanying odor create
an unsightly appearance and unsanitary conditions, and prevent beachgoers from
enjoying the sandy beaches and the ocean, posing a risk to the public's welfare and
health, and the City's tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, the City works collaboratively with the Department of Environmental
Protection ("DEP") and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission ("FWC") to follow all
regulations and obtain required permits for mechanized beach cleaning; and
WHEREAS, currently, the City must re-apply for a permit every two weeks in order
to continue using heavy equipment to address an extreme situation characterized by
massive amounts of seaweed washing up on the beaches; and
WHEREAS, the City is respectfully requesting an extension of the DEP's "special
condition" permit to run continuously through October 31, 2019, in order to efficiently
address the unprecedented levels of seaweed being deposited onto the beaches, without
the necessity of re-applying for a permit every two weeks; and
WHEREAS, in a letter dated June 14, 2019, Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos
Gimenez, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Eileen Higgins, also requested
Governor DeSantis' assistance in securing the "special condition" permit for the
aforestated purpose (see Exhibit A); and
WHEREAS,the requested extension will allow the City to more effectively maintain
its treasured beaches and preserve Miami-Dade County's tourism, and beachfront
property values; and
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 Mayor of the City of Miami Beach to transmit a letter to
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP"), requesting an extension of
the DEP"s "special condition" permit to run continuously through October 31, 2019, in
order to address the overabundance of seaweed being deposited on the City's beaches.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 26th day of June, 2019. Air
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
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Raf el E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Gelber)
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APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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City Attorney Date
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June 14, 2019
The Honorable Ron DeSantis
Office of the Governor
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Governor DeSantis:
Thank you for your service to the people of South Florida. This letter serves to respectfully
request your assistance in extending the Department of Environmental Protection's "special
condition" permit period to run continuously through October 31, 2019. The purpose of this
request is to address the overabundance of seaweed being deposited on Miami-Dade County
beaches. This "special condition" permit would give us the ability to maintain our current and
approved practices for addressing the now-continuous seaweed issue without the necessity of
re-applying for a permit every two weeks.
In Miami-Dade County, we continuously strive to restore, protect and maintain our community's
natural environment, balancing the needs of our ecosystem with the need to preserve tourism,
our county's number-one industry. Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces
Department (PROS) is responsible for maintaining 17 miles of county beaches and works
collaboratively with the Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission to follow all regulations and obtain required permits for mechanized beach
cleaning. Having said that, and with the understanding that all required procedures associated
with the requested permitting will be followed, we must balance the need to protect our
shorelines' natural habitats with that of the $26 billion-dollar annual tourism trade, with our
beaches as the centerpiece of tourist attractions.
This special request for your assistance in securing the one-time "special condition" permit for
continuous use of heavy equipment is made to address an extreme situation characterized by
unprecedented levels of seaweed and the rising concern in our community of its potential
effects on Miami-Dade County's tourism and beachfront property values. We appreciate your
consideration of this important request to help maintain our treasured beaches.
Sincerely,
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40
Carlos A. Gimene Eileen Higgins
Mayor, Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 5
c: Secretary Noah Valenstein, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Maria Nardi, Director, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreations and Open Spaces Department
STEPHEN P.CLARK CENTER • 111 N.W.FIRST STREET • MIAMI,FLORIDA 33128-1963
Resolutions - R7 E
MIAMI BEA H
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Mayor Dan Gelber
DATE: June 26, 2019
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH TO TRANSMIT A LETTER TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ("DEP"), REQUESTING AN EXTENSION
OF THE DEP'S "SPECIAL CONDITION" PERMIT TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY
THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2019, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE
OVERABUNDANCE OF SEAWEED BEING DEPOSITED ON THE CITY'S
BEACHES.
Legislative Tracking
Mayor Dan Gelber
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Letter to Governor DeSantis from Mayor Gimenez and Commissioner Higgins
❑ Resolution
Page 427 of 496
- •O
sir 'M
COUNTY
tP
June 14, 2019
The Honorable Ron DeSantis
Office of the Governor
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Governor DeSantis:
Thank you for your service to the people of South Florida. This letter serves to respectfully
request your assistance in extending the Department of Environmental Protection's "special
condition" permit period to run continuously through October 31, 2019. The purpose of this
request is to address the overabundance of seaweed being deposited on Miami-Dade County
beaches. This "special condition" permit would give us the ability to maintain our current and
approved practices for addressing the now-continuous seaweed issue without the necessity of
re-applying for a permit every two weeks.
In Miami-Dade County, we continuously strive to restore, protect and maintain our community's
natural environment, balancing the needs of our ecosystem with the need to preserve tourism,
our county's number-one industry. Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces
Department (PROS) is responsible for maintaining 17 miles of county beaches and works
collaboratively with the Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission to follow all regulations and obtain required permits for mechanized beach
cleaning. Having said that, and with the understanding that all required procedures associated
with the requested permitting will be followed, we must balance the need to protect our
shorelines' natural habitats with that of the $26 billion-dollar annual tourism trade, with our
beaches as the centerpiece of tourist attractions.
This special request for your assistance in securing the one-time "special condition" permit for
continuous use of heavy equipment is made to address an extreme situation characterized by
unprecedented levels of seaweed and the rising concern in our community of its potential
effects on Miami-Dade County's tourism and beachfront property values. We appreciate your
consideration of this important request to help maintain our treasured beaches.
Sincerely,
Carlos A. Gimene Eileen Higgins
Mayor, Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 5
c: Secretary Noah Valenstein, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Maria Nardi, Director, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreations and Open Spaces Department
Page 428 of 496
STEPHEN P.CLARK CENTER • 111 N.W.FIRST STREET • MIAMI,FLORIDA 33128-1963