LTC 189-2003
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.-1.Jj-~
m
From:
Mayor David Dermer and Date: August 13, 2003
Members of the City co. mmissi~on
Jorge M. Gonzalez '\ ~
City Manager ()
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2003-2004 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY
To:
Subject:
Today, I met with County Manager George Burgess and his assistant Susanne M.
Torriente to discuss several County issues affecting Miami Beach. In summary, the issues
addressed during our meeting are detailed in the attached memorandum dated August 13,
2003 and include the following substantive issues:
1 . Transportation
2. Community Redevelopment
3. Proposed County-wide General Obligation Bond
4. Convention Development Tax
5. Major Events Assistance Policy
6. Social Services
7. Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness Funding
8. Beach Renourishment and Maintenance
9. Regional Library Opening and South Shore Library Relocation
If you have any questions or desire any of the attachments listed in the attached
memorandum, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
JMG\CMtC\rar
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c: Executive Staff
City Attorney
George M. Burgess, County Manager
Commissioner Bruno Barreiro
Commissioner Sally Heyman
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Interoffice Memorandum
lQ
From:
George M. Burgess Date: August 13, 2003
Miami-Dade County Manager
Jorge M. Gonzalez ~. /~
City Manager ,0./ J
CITY OF MIAMI (B ACH 2003-2004 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
To:
Subject:
Below and attached are a summary of the priority issues to address with Miami-Dade
Cou nty:
1. Transportation
2. Community Redevelopment
3. Proposed County-wide General Obligation Bond
4. Convention Development Tax
5. Major Events Assistance Policy
6. Social Services
7. Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness Funding
8. Beach Renourishment and Maintenance
9. Regional Library Opening and South Shore Library Relocation
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 2of9
1. Transportation
Transit Tax:
The City of Miami Beach would like to forge a better working relationship with OPTM to
ensure that the City's needs are addressed within the County-wide transportation plan.
Interlocal to Operate Local Circulator:
A Resolution is included in the September 9, 2003 Board of County Commissioners
agenda to execute an Interlocal Agreement providing for the City of Miami Beach to
continue operating its local circulator service. As part of the transit tax, the City and MDT
discussed MDT assuming this responsibility effective October 2003. To date, the City has
received no response to the request to OPTM to address Electowave funding and the
suggestion of OPTM Director Alvarez to coordinate the service with the MDT service and to
incorporate the Electrowave operation into MDT.
Bavlink:
On September 8, 2003, the City of Miami Beach Commission will meet to finalize its
decision on the preferred transit option for the City. The City has engaged HDR to analyze
and recommend the preferred transit options. The results of the September 8th special
commission meeting will be reported at the MPO meeting later in September.
As part of the Baylink discussion, on March 11,2003 the County Manager was directed to
study the feasibility of using Metromover technology as the Baylink component between
Downtown Miami and South Beach and to report its findings to the Board of County
Commissioners within 60 days. To date, the City has not yet received any indication ofthe
results of said study.
Intermodal Facilitv:
As part of the City Center Redevelopment Plan and the planned City Hall Expansion
Garage, the City of Miami Beach will utilize federal funds in the County's possession that
are earmarked for Intermodal facilities within the City. Additionally, transportation needs in
the City of Miami Beach should be considered during the development of the County's
requests for federal transportation funds, as well as inclusion in any coalition agreements
that target these funds.
Impact Fees:
In 1999-2000, Commissioner Barreiro sponsored an amendment to the County Road
Impact Fees legislation to allow expenditure offunds on local roads. However, it appears
the legislation only allows such expenditure after all County road projects have been
performed, thereby restricting the intended flexibility of the amendment. The City would
like to address changes that may be required, if any, to allow implementation of the
amendment's intended flexibility and the acceleration ofthe expenditure ofthese funds as
part of the City's Municipal Mobility Plan.
Public Works:
The City has continued to receive a slow response to requests of County Public Works.
When a response is received, all too often the result is not acceptable to the City or the
affected citizen.
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 30f9
The City would propose discussing the following:
. The County assignment of complete responsibility for all road and traffic issues
for local roads to the City which would include at a minimum;
o Existing sign maintenance and installation
o New traffic sign and signal review and approval
o Traffic calming review and approval
o Road maintenance and construction review and approval
It is recognized that some parameters would need to be established, such as,
review and approvals having no adverse impacts to County, State or Federal
roadways.
With the transfer of the current County responsibility for these items to the City, an
annual allocation offunds to support the maintenance and construction items would
also be requested. As the County has the responsibility for the work now and
should be funding the work accordingly, the transfer of funds together with the
responsibility should be neutral to the County and will allow the City to directly
address our local roads.
. Currently the County does not proactively pursue the maintenance of County ROW
within the City. Sidewalk maintenance in particular is very problematic. At present,
temporary repairs are made with asphalt until a large enough quantity of work can
be undertaken by the County for permanent concrete repair. While intended for
efficiency, the result in the best case is very long delays in permanent repair of the
sidewalk and in the worst permanent repairs may not be made and the asphalt
becomes the only repair made.
Attachments:
. September 9,2003 Resolution for Interlocal for Local Circulator
. March 11, 2003 Resolution to study metromover technology
. May 24, 2002 Resolution # 2000-23943 adopting City's revised list of project
priorities for Road Impact Fee (RIF) program.
2. Community Redevelopment
On September 9,2003, the Board of County Commissioners will consider for approval the
adoption of the FY 2003 budgets for South Pointe and City Center and amendments to
both Redevelopment Plans to allow the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency and the
Miami Beach Police Department to fund enhanced community policing initiatives for South
Pointe and City Center.
Administrative Fee:
At the August 4, 2003 TIF Committee meeting, County staff advised that each CRA is
requested to include a 1.5% Administrative fee in FY 03/04 budget. The City of Miami
Beach staff requested the following information: 1) if this fee was based on a cost
allocation plan based on the level of service provided to each of the CRAs and 2) how the
fee impacts administrative fee caps that are imposed on the CRA and not reflected as a
percentage of increment collected but as an absolute dollar number.
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 4of9
In the case of City Center, a $500,000 administrative fee cap was imposed which currently
represents 2.5% of total increment and the County is requesting a 1 .5% fee. In the very
near future it is conceivable that the County's Administrative fee will exceed the City's
Administrative cap without a commensurate level of effort.
Children's Trust:
The County, on behalf of the Children's Trust has requested that the City, at its sole
discretion, exempt the Children's Trust additional % mill recently approved by the voters.
On August 4, 2003 at the County TIF Committee meeting the County Attorney stated that
there would be no formal request for the exemption from the Trust but that alternatively, the
City should exempt the special district at its sole discretion and based upon the Board of
County Commissioners anticipated action on September 17, 2003 to adopt an ordinance
establishing a policy whereby future requests from CRAs will not be considered if
exemptions to the special district have not previously been granted. The City is currently
consulting with outside Bond Counsel as to the City's legal ability to grant such exemption
in light of existing bond covenants which pledge all current and future increment and
provide for no specific exclusions or exemptions for special districts.
Additionally, in your budget message for FY 2003/2004 you discuss establishment of a
Children's Budget and state that you will "include only County programs as a first effort in
this regard." While the City is supportive ifthe Children's Trust effort and will demonstrate
same, if legally permissible, the City has identified key programs and capital improvements
in Miami Beach necessary to promote children's health, development and safety and
requests the City funding be earmarked towards these initiatives as provided by the
referendum. Additionally, I have attached the City of Fort Lauderdale's Procedure for
Consideration of Requests for Exemption to Appropriate Annual Tax Increment, which may
be similarly considered by the City of Miami Beach if bond counsel opines the City's
participation is permitted.
Attachments:
. County Resolution for South Pointe FY 2002/2003 budget for September 9,
2003 agenda
. County Resolution for City Center FY 2002/2003 budget for September 9,2003
agenda
. County Resolution for South Pointe Plan Amendment for Community Policing for
September 9, 2003 agenda
. County Resolution for City Center Plan Amendment for Community Policing for
September 9, 2003 agenda
. County Ordinance on Children's Trust
. Agenda of August 4, 2003 of Miami-Dade County Tax Increment Financing
Committee
. State of Florida Attorney General Opinion 2003-07
. City of Fort Lauderdale Procedure for Consideration of Requests for Exemption
to Appropriate Annual Tax Increment
3. Proposed County-wide General ObliQation Bond (March or AUQust 2004)
Miami-Dade County is considering authorizing a referendum in March or August 2004 for
the approval of a $1.2-1.6 billion General Obligation Bond. It is the City's desire that
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 5 0'9
municipal projects be included in the development of the Program's prioritized project lists
and that the City receive its fair share of funding from this Program. City projects that are
proposed for inclusion in the County GOB program are:
. Neighborhood Improvement Projects
. Citywide Improvement Projects
. Internal Projects
. Parking Improvement Projects
. Parks and Recreation Improvement Projects
. Public Facilities Projects
. Public Safety Projects
. Transportation Projects
In the County's prior years' efforts to consider inclusion of a GOB program, the only Miami
Beach project specifically listed in the $6.5 billion list of unfunded capital needs was the
renovation or replacement of the County's beach maintenance facility at 72nd Street and
Collins Avenue.
Additionally, prior memorandum to the Board of County Commissioners stated: "Fire
Rescue, Library and unincorporated municipal service area projects have been excluded
since funding for these projects should be provided only from within their respective
jurisdictions and not through a countywide GOB initiative. However, the Board could
include these projects in this GOB program, but would then need to include municipal
projects as well, similar to how the Safe Neighborhood Park Program was structured."
However, based upon a commitment to maintain level funding consistent with the current
debt service millage, with a proposed debt service rate of 0.285, the City of Miami Beach
residents, based on January 2003 Assessed values, will contribute a minimum of
approximately $3.5 million towards the County Debt Service millage (9.3% of total debt
service millage collected countywide), in addition to a contribution of a minimum of
approximately $1.3 million each year, forthe next eight (8) years, (based on January 2003
assessed values) toward the proposed Emergency Contingency Fund. Based upon this
percentage, GOB improvements totaling anywhere between $111 million - $148 million
could be supported from the City contributions, before accounting for a future growth rate
in Miami Beach's assessment role value higher than the Countywide projection of 5%-
6.5%, which is consistent with historical growth experience.
Attachments:
. June 3, 2003 Resolution directing County Manager to develop a Countywide
G.O. Bond Program.
. August 7,2003 Miami Today Article
. Supplemental Information - List of City of Miami Beach projects to be
considered for inclusion in Miami-Dade County G. O. Bond Issue
4. Convention Development Tax
Amendment One to the Interlocal Cooperation Aqreement dated 4/21/2001:
The City desires acknowledgement and clarification from the County Administration that to
the County's $50 million commitment to the City and information on the current COT
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 60'9
capacity to generate the additional $50 million. In your budget message for FY 2003/2004
you propose to support $5 million of funding for Children's Museum, previously committed
from COT, to be financed from general fund allocations to the Capital Outlay Reserve. To
the extent COT pledges to the City are insufficient in the same regard, the City seeks a
similar arrangement consistent with this recommendation or a multi-year payout option.
Convention Center Proiects:
The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau commissioned a Convention Center
needs assessment study for the Miami-Dade County area. The report is titled "Analysis of
the Potential Expansion of Convention Facilities in Greater Miami and the Beaches" and
was conducted by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International (CSL). The report
recommends that the addition of a 50,000 s.f. Multipurpose general assembly banquet hall
would increase the marketability ofthe Miami Beach Convention Center, focusing on large
exhibit space users and not for stand-alone events.
GMCVB
City staff has been coordinating with Cathy Jackson regarding the ongoing studies being
performed of the GMCVB as to their performance and recommended operating structure
and performance measurements.
Attachments:
. Various Articles re: Marlins Stadium
. Lincoln Institute Land Policy Working Paper "Identifying the Real Costs and
Benefits of Sports Facilities", 2002.
. Amendment One to Interlocal Cooperation Agreement
. Addendum to Amendment One to Interlocal Cooperation Agreement
. "Analysis of the Potential Expansion of Convention Facilities in Greater Miami
and the Beaches", conducted by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International
(CSL) dated November 5, 2001.
. Various Articles re: PACT
5. Maior Events Assistance Policy
I
The City of Miami Beach is a regional resource, attracting over seven (7) of Greater
Miami's 10 million tourists annually, and has become a Major Events Destination. Miami
Beach is home to many high-profile events that attract large crowds and international
attention, and holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and New Year's Eve
have become events in themselves. The County has been integral component in the City's
success in handling major events.
Given the positive impact that large events in Miami Beach bring to the region's economy,
the City requests Miami-Dade County's ongoing partnership in the Major Events Policy,
and continued participation in planning for and provide service to these events. As the
County has done for Memorial Day Weekend 2002 and 2003, the County provided
assistance with Public Safety Beach Maintenance, Police, Fire and Emergency Response
services and participation with the Goodwill Ambassador Program. During the FY 2003
County budget hearings, the Mayor and I attended and requested inclusion of the City's
annual request for assistance during Memorial Day in the respective department budgets.
Again as FY 2003-2004 approaches and as directed during the FY 2003 Economic
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002,PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 70'9
Development and Human Services Committee meeting, the members of the Board of
County Commissioners recommended the annual request for assistance during Memorial
Day be included in the budget proposal and determined these in-kind costs are needed to
ensure the health, welfare and safety of the region's residents and visitors during major
events.
Other Reoional Events:
Art Basel 2003
As you know, during December 2002, the City hosted the first ever sister event to Art
Basel, the world's largest contemporary Art Show. This event not only attracted over
30,000 local and international visitors, but also provided Miami-Dade County with
unprecedented worldwide media exposure cementing our identity as a pre-eminent Cultural
Community. During this inaugural event, Art Basel incurred significant costs beyond its
approved budget. To ensure its continued commitment to stage their sister show in our
community, Art Basel has undergone significant cost containments efforts and pursued
several sponsorship opportunities. To assist in this process and in recognition of the
positive economic impact, the City has committed to waive certain municipal related costs
and assist in seeking funding support from the GMCVB, VCA and TDC. Initial discussions
with Michael Spring have indicated that funding in the amount of approximately $7,500 may
be provided from the TDC, short of the anticipated $25,000 grant request. Additionally, a
request for a waiver of fees in connection with the use of Vizcaya and the provisioning of
MOTA assistance for transportation related needs is vital to the Fair's success.
FTAA:
Pursuant to the County's lead, the City has executed the Memorandum of Understanding
and provided a $45,000 financial contribution in addition to the provisioning of public safety
assistance to support the upcoming FT AA meeting. The County's assistance to seek
reimbursements for in excess of $800,000 in public safety costs is appreciated.
Attachments:
. County Resolution March 11, 2003 approving in-kind services
. August 5, 2003 email to Michael Spring, Javier Soto and Alfredo Gonzalez
. June 24, 2003 City of Miami Beach Police Department Memorandum on FTAA
6. Social Services
Homeless Proorams:
The City's homeless population is predominantly from other cities and states, rather than
our own residents. In a recent two (2) month survey of 152 homeless persons served, only
10% identified Miami Beach as their place of residence while 90% identified other cities
and States. As such, added bed availability or resources from the Homeless Trust to help
deal with this more regional problem is appropriate and needed. Specifically,
. Added beds are needed especially for peak demands, such as at the time of
an encampment closure.
. Added Homeless Trust outreach assistance, coordinated by the City, would
also be appropriate and beneficial to addressing the regional homeless
issues.
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 80(9
Additionally, in the past, the City has established a favorable and cooperative relationship
with the Homeless Trust. With the recent personnel transition within the Trust, the
County's commitment to continue and enhance this level of cooperation from a technical
and programmatic support perspective are critical.
7. Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness Fundina
The City of Miami Beach requests that Miami-Dade County consider the City's needs as
they continue to pursue and receive Federal and State funds and provide assistance to the
City in accessing funds that become available. It is the City's understanding that Miami
Dade County is a recipient of Federal and State funding which are eligible to be passed
through to the municipalities. There needs to be a clear coordinated agreement that
ensures that the City receives its fair share of these funds that are intended for
municipalities and first responders. The Governor has already received over $211 million
from HHS and Homeland Security for first respondertraining, equipment and facility needs.
The City proposes to establish a methodology to allocate these funds to address the City's
priority needs. Last year, the City identified needs in the following amounts which are still
largely unmet:
. Police: $638,000
. Fire: $2,073,406
. Information Technology: $200,000
. Neighborhood Services: $100,000
. Property Management: $89,600
Additionally, there are other block grants for the states that automatically go to Miami-Dade
County, from which the City of Miami Beach does not receive significant support, especially
in the criminal justice arena (Byrne Law Enforcement, Juvenile Justice Assistance).
EmerQency Communications Bill:
During the 2002 Legislation Session, the Governor vetoed a bill that provides for the
$12.50 surcharge collected from traffic violations to be remitted to municipalities that
support their own independent 800 MHZ radio communications program and directed the
Counties to work on a distribution agreement with the respective municipalities. On March
18, 2003, the County held a meeting advising of the proposed procedure for distribution
and no follow-up occurred to date.
Attachment:
. Civil Penalties Bill and June 5, 2003 Governor Veto Message
. E-mail to David Morris dated April 29, 2003
8. Beach Renourishment and Maintenance
The City would like to explore a different relationship with the County for managing the
beach erosion control and renourishment program. While the County is currently the lead
agency in the beach erosion control and renourishment program, the City would like to
explore the benefits of a cooperative relationship with the County that would have the City
enter into direct relationships with the State and Federal governments for beach erosion
control and renourishment project planning and implementation. Other communities that
have pursued direct funding relationships have been able to substantially reduce the time
. '
August 13, 2003
George M. Burgess - Miami-Dade County Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2002 PRIORITIES FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Page 9 of 9
associated with project development and implementation. The County's continued funding
for erosion control and renourishment programs combined with the City's willingness to
take the lead in project planning and implementation, may ultimately result in cost savings
to the County by alleviating staff resource requirements and a reduced local share for
projects by increasing federal participation.
The City would like the County's support to establish the new beach erosion control and
renourishment relationships and to pursue a master plan. A master planning effort would
need to be undertaken in order to quantify an appropriate contribution for necessary beach
projects.
Beyond the capital construction necessary to maintain the beaches, the City would like to
emphasize the importance of full funding and commitment to the County beach cleaning
operations. Further, County consideration of support for the Beach Life Guard program
would be appropriate given the international appeal and attraction of Miami Beach and its
importance in the South Florida economy.
The Florida Department of Environmental Projection 2002-03 Funding Request for the
Florida Beach Erosion control Program prioritized a $1 ,117,500 request from Miami-Dade
County for the Dade County Beach Erosion Control. These funds will be used for the 65th
Street innovative hotspot remediation design and construction and project-wide monitoring.
Your 2003/2004 Budget message indicates this project will be administered by the Army
Corps of Engineers and proceed as planned.
9. ReQional Library Openinq and South Shore Library Relocation
As the Regional Library in the Collins Park Cultural Campus nears completion, the City has
requested the committed $15 million in COT funding for which the City in turn will remit $2
million for library books. During construction the City has deferred addressing minor issues
such as parking costs for employees until the Library's completion, but would like to
apprise you of the implementation of this longstanding policy.
Additionally, the City of Miami Beach has exercised its option to acquire a facility within
South Pointe for the proposed relocation for the South Shore Library. Both the grand
opening of the Regional Library and the proposed relocation of the South Shore facility are
not reflected in the FY 2003/2004 budget message.
Attachments:
. May 28,2003 Correspondence regarding $15 million COT payment
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