Resolution 2020-31313 RESOLUTION NO. 2020-31313
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER
TO REMOVE THE BARRICADES AND CLOSE THE NORTHBOUND
LANE ON OCEAN DRIVE FROM 5th STREET TO 15th STREET TO
TRAFFIC, AND REQUIRING ANY POTENTIAL NEW PILOT MOBILITY
PROGRAMS ON OCEAN DRIVE, OR OTHER MAJOR STREETS IN THE
CITY, BE FULLY VETTED BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING
RESIDENTS, AND DISCUSSED BY THE CITY COMMISSION, PRIOR TO
TAKING ANY ACTION.
WHEREAS, Ocean Drive is a globally recognized destination; however, there is a
strong and growing community consensus that real and much-needed change is required;
and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the
rapidly spreading novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") a pandemic, acknowledging what has
seemed clear for some time — the virus will likely spread to all countries on the globe;
and
WHEREAS, the rate of infection throughout the world and in the US has
accelerated rapidly, grinding most markets and businesses around the globe to a halt;
and
WHEREAS, in order to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"),
subsequently, both Miami-Dade County and the City issued various Emergency Orders
temporarily.closing public and private facilities, including the temporary closure of all non-
essential retail and commercial establishments, and the closure of all restaurants for in-
person dining; and
WHEREAS, the foregoing closures have greatly limited economic activity in the
City of Miami Beach, and continue to adversely impact City businesses, including
restaurants; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2020, the Mayor and City Commission of Miami Beach
adopted Resolution No. 2020-31276, establishing the Restaurant Recovery Outdoor
Seating Pilot Program, to temporarily allow restaurants to expand sidewalk cafe seating
areas onto public rights-of-way, or other outdoor seating areas on private property in order
for patrons to dine while safely social distancing; and
WHEREAS, in order to aid businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic, the
City Administration, strongly supported by the Mayor and City Commission, sought to
close some streets to traffic, allowing for more outdoor seating and creating de-facto
pedestrian malls, subject to Miami-Dade County's approval; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, Miami-Dade County approved the City's plan to close
several streets to vehicles to enable restaurants to expand outdoor seating, including the
closure of Ocean Drive from 5th Street to 15th Street, thus allowing pedestrians, cyclists,
and skaters to use the open street and practice social distancing; and
WHEREAS, on July 4, 2020 the City Administration reopened the northbound lane
on Ocean Drive to cars, while the southbound traffic and parking lanes remained reserved
for pedestrians and open-air restaurant seating; and
WHEREAS, while such action is permitted under the City Manager's emergency
powers, multiple City Commissioners have publicly expressed surprise and concerns with
the process and the overturning of the City Commission's clear direction; and
WHEREAS, the Transit Alliance, a non-profit organization advocating for walkable
streets and better public transit in Miami-Dade County, deemed the closure of Ocean
Drive to be a resounding success loved by the City's residents, opining that the City's
decision to re-open the northbound lane to cars is a regression back to an unsafe
environment; and
WHEREAS, in the wake of accelerating spread of COVID-19, it is more important
than ever to grant residents and tourists more space and the opportunity to safely practice
social distancing, as well as provide Miami Beach businesses with an ability to make ends
meet; and
WHEREAS, the current one-lane configuration on Ocean Drive created a bumper-
to-bumper northbound traffic, with none of the drivers being able to park or pay a quick
visit to a local business, and thus no real clear destination; and
WHEREAS, moreover, concerns about crowding and debauched behavior on
Ocean Drive during nighttime have been negated by a 10:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m.
countywide curfew announced on July 2, 2020 by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos
Gimenez, which went into effect on July 3, 2020, and will remain in effect indefinitely; and
WHEREAS, some local Miami Beach businesses expressed disappointment with,
the return of cars, stating the increased foot traffic brought more business at a time when
COVID-19 has battered the hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the unattractive barricades including set-up and removal
was $66,000 for 2 weeks; and
WHEREAS, accordingly, the Mayor and City Commission direct the City Manager
to remove the barricades and close the northbound lane on Ocean Drive from 5th Street
to 15t" Street to traffic; and
WHEREAS, furthermore, from now on, any potential new pilot mobility programs
on Ocean Drive or other major streets in the City shall be fully vetted by all stakeholders,
including residents, and discussed by the City Commission, prior to taking any action.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and the City
Commission hereby direct the City Manager to remove the barricades and close the
northbound lane on Ocean Drive from 5th Street to 15th Street to traffic, and require any
potential new pilot mobility programs on Ocean Drive, or other major streets in the City,
be fully vetted by all stakeholders, including residents, and discussed by the City
Commission, prior to taking any action.
•
PASSED and ADOPTED this /7 day of it, , 2020. .
Dan Gelber, Mayor
ATTEST;
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Rafael . Granado, `City Clerk 4 -„, \
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(sponsored by Commissioner Mark Samuelian) '',,,;�'-... 1- ...,� `_=�
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COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J.Aguila, City Attorney
DATE: July 17, 2020
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
REMOVE THE BARRICADES AND CLOSE THE NORTHBOUND LANE ON
OCEAN DRIVE FROM 5TH STREET TO 15TH STREET TO TRAFFIC, AND
REQUIRING ANY POTENTIAL NEW PILOT MOBILITY PROGRAMS ON
OCEAN DRIVE, OR OTHER MAJOR STREETS IN THE CITY, BE FULLY
VETTED BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING RESIDENTS, AND
DISCUSSED BY THE CITY COMMISSION, PRIOR TO TAKING ANY
ACTION.
RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the request of Vice-Mayor Mark Samuelian, the above-referenced Resolution is
submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission at the July 17, 2020 Special
City Commission meeting.
Applicable Area
South Beach
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item, pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Vice-Mayor Mark Samuelian
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Resolution
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