Resolution 2019-31043 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-31043
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, JOINING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND URGING
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR SEAWEED
REMOVAL ON BEACHES LOCATED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, TO
STUDY THE CAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN SARGASSUM SEAWEED,
AND DETERMINE ANY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO MINIMIZE ITS
IMPACT ON THE BEACHES OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE CITY;
AND INCORPORATING THIS RESOLUTION AND ANY ITEMS RELATED
TO SARGASSUM WEED REMOVAL THAT ARE NOT YET PART OF THE
CITY'S CURRENT 2020 STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, INTO THE
CITY'S 2020 STATE AGENDA.
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, the City, as well as the entirety of Miami-Dade County (the "County"), are
battling massive amounts of sargassum seaweed, a type of floating algae, being deposited onto
its beaches; and
WHEREAS, the massive amounts of seaweed, combined with accompanying intoxicating
odor, create an unsightly appearance and unsanitary conditions, and prevent beachgoers from
enjoying the sandy beaches and the ocean, and expose citizens and tourists to tremendous risk
to their welfare and health, and the tourism industry of both the County and the City; and
WHEREAS, the County's Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department ("PROS") is
responsible for maintaining clean beaches throughout the City;
WHEREAS, the County is required to work collaboratively with the Department of
Environmental Protection ("DEP") and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission ("FWC") to follow all
regulations and obtain those required permits for mechanized beach cleaning; and •
WHEREAS, PROS anticipates that it will spend approximately $1,042,500.00 in seaweed
removal costs between August 2, 2019 and November 2, 2019; and
WHEREAS, scientific experts believe that the increase may be caused by rising water
temperatures and increased amounts of fertilizers present in the ocean, but additional research
is needed to determine and confirm the cause; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County Resolution adopted on September 4, 2019, and
sponsored by County Commissioner, Eileen Higgins, urged the Florida Legislature to appropriate
funds for seaweed removal on beaches located in Miami-Dade County and to study the cause of
the increase in sargassum seaweed and any possible solutions to minimize its impact(see Exhibit
A); and
WHEREAS, the state and local municipalities working collaboratively to combat the
invasive sargassum seaweed will allow Miami-Dade County to maintain its treasured beaches
and preserve Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach's tourism, and beachfront property values;
and
WHEREAS, as such, the Mayor and City Commission fully support, and hereby expressly
urge the Florida Legislature to appropriate funds for seaweed removal on beaches located in
Miami-Dade County, to study the cause of the increase in sargassum seaweed, and determine
any possible solutions to minimize its impact on the local beaches; and
WHEREAS, furthermore, this Resolution, and any topics or actions related to the
sargassum seaweed removal that are not yet part of the City's current 2020 State Agenda, are
hereby incorporated into the City's 2020 State Legislative Priorities.
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 join Miami-Dade County and urge the Florida Legislature to appropriate funds
for seaweed removal on beaches located in Miami-Dade County, to study the cause of the
increase in sargassum seaweed, and determine any possible solutions to minimize its impact on
the beaches of Miami-Dade County and the City; and incorporate this Resolution and any items
related to sargassum weed removal that are not yet part of the City's current 2020 State
Legislative Priorities, into the City's 2020 State Agenda.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of October, 2019.
ATTEST:
DailLig°"1111111r'n Gelber, Mayor
Rafa-1 E. Granado, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
(Sponsored by Commissioner Mark Samuelian) & FOR EXECUTION
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MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J.Aguila, City Attorney
DATE: October 16,2019
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, JOINING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND URGING
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR SEAWEED
REMOVAL ON BEACHES LOCATED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, TO STUDY
THE CAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN SARGASSUM SEAWEED, AND
DETERMINE ANY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO MINIMIZE ITS IMPACT ON
THE BEACHES OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE CITY; AND
INCORPORATING THIS RESOLUTION AND ANY ITEMS RELATED TO
SARGASSUM WEED REMOVAL THAT ARE NOT YET PART OF THE
CITY'S CURRENT 2020 STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, INTO THE
CITY'S 2020 STATE AGENDA.
RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Mark Samuelian, the above-referenced Resolution is
submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission at the October 16, 2019
Commission meeting.
Applicable Area
Not Applicable
Is this a Resident Right to Does this item utilize G.O.
Know item? Bond Funds?
No No
Legislative Trackino
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Commissioner Mark Samuelian
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Resolution
Page 1005 of 2557
Page 1006 of 2557
MEMORANDUM
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(23)
TO: Honorable Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson DATE: September 4,2019
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Abigail Price-Williams SUBJECT: Resolution urging the Florida
County Attorney Legislature to appropriate funds
for seaweed removal on beaches
located in Miami-Dade County
and to study the cause of the
increase in sargassum seaweed
and any possible solutions to
minimize its impact
The accompanying resolution was prepared and-placed on the agenda at the request of Prime Sponsor
Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
A _ ,ip ' ''ce-"1 jams
Co I ty Attorney
APW/cp
Exhibit "A"
Page 109 of 2557
1
MEMORANDUM
(Revised)
TO: Honorable Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson DATE: September 4, 2019
t and Members,Board of County Commissioners
'i ) IJ . ti ti 1
FRO : I Tail rice-"I i.ms SUBJECT: Agenda Item No. 11(A)(23)
+ <<unty Attorney
Please note any items checked. ,
"3-Day Rule" for committees applicable if raised
6 weeks required between first reading and public hearing
4 weeks notification to municipal officials required prior to public
hearing
Decreases revenues or increases expenditures without balancing budget
Budget required
Statement of fiscal impact required
Statement of social equity required
Ordinance creating a new board requires detailed County Mayor's
' / report for public bearing
`/ No committee review
I
• Applicable legislation requires more than a majority vote(i.e.,2/3's
present , 2/3 membership ,3/5's ,unanimous ,CDMP
7 vote requirement per 2-116.1(3)(h) or(4)(c) ,CDMP 2/3 vote
requirement per 2-116.1(3)(h) or(4)(c) , or CDMP 9 vote
requirement per 2-116.1(4)(c)(2) )to approve
Current information regarding funding source,index code and available
balance,and available capacity(if debt is contemplated) required
Page 1010 f 2557
Approved Agenda Item No. 11(A)(23)
Veto 94-19
Override
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR SEAWEED REMOVAL ON
BEACHES LOCATED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND TO
STUDY THE CAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN SARGASSUM
SEAWEED AND ANY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO MINIMIZE
ITS IMPACT
WHEREAS, tourism is Miami-Dade County's largest industry; and
WHEREAS, the beaches in Miami-Dade County are the centerpiece of the County's
tourist attractions;and
WHEREAS, sargassum seaweed, a type of floating algae, has invaded some County
beaches,including the popular tourist destinations on Miami Beach;and
WHEREAS, the presence of sargassum seaweed on County beaches has dramatically
increased in recent years and 2019 has brought record amounts of the seaweed to the County and
Broward and Palm Beach Counties; and
WHEREAS, the presence of sargassum seaweed can have a deleterious effect on the
tourist industry and impede resident's enjoyment of the natural beauty of our beaches; and
WHEREAS,damage to the tourism industries of Miami-Dade County.the coastal regions,
and the State of Florida as a whole could have a severely negative effect on the state's economy;
and
WHEREAS, the Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department(PROS) is responsible
for maintaining 17 miles of County beaches;and
WHEREAS,PROS works collaboratively with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to follow all regulations
and obtain required permits for beach cleaning;and
Page 1013 2557
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(23)
Page No. 2
WHEREAS,PROS anticipates that it will spend approximately$1,042,500.00 in seaweed
removal costs between August 2, 2019 and November 2,2019; and
WHEREAS, scientific experts believe that the increase may be caused by rising water
temperatures and increased amounts of fertilizers present in the ocean and additional research is
needed to determine the cause; and
WHEREAS,it would benefit not only the County,but the state as a whole to understand
the causes of the increased sargassum seaweed along with any potential solutions,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,FLORIDA,that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to appropriate funds for seaweed removal on
beaches located in Miami-Dade County.
Section 2. Urges the Florida Legislature to study the cause of the increase in sargassum
seaweed,the origin of the bloom,the geochemical composition,and explore any possible solutions
to the increased presence of saragassum seaweed.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution
to the Senate President,House Speaker,and the Chair and the Members of the Miami-Dade County
State Legislative Delegation.
Section 4_ Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the action described in
Section 1,and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item
in the 2020 State Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board.
Page 1012 d 2557
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(23)
Page No. 3
The Prime Sponsor of the foregoing resolution is Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
It was offered by Commissioner ,who moved its adoption. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner and upon being put to a vote, the vote
was as follows:
Audrey M. Edmonson, Chairwoman
Rebeca Sosa,Vice Chairwoman
Esteban L. Bovo,Jr. Daniella Levine Cava
Jose"Pepe"Diaz Sally A. Heyman
Eileen Higgins Barbara J. Jordan
Joe A. Martinez Jean Monestime
Dennis C.Moss Sen. Javier D. Souto
Xavier L. Suarez
The Chairperson thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 4th day of
September, 2019. This resolution shall become effective upon the earlier of(1) 10 days after the
date of its adoption unless vetoed by the County Mayor, and if vetoed,shall become effective only
upon an override by this Board, or (2)approval by the County Mayor of this Resolution and the
filing of this approval with the Clerk of the Board. •
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,FLORIDA
BY ITS BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HARVEY RUVIN;CLERK
By:
Deputy Clerk
Approved by County Attorney as m,)5
to form and legal sufficiency.
Melanie J. Spencer
Page 1 of 2557