LTC 101-2021 City of Lauderhill Resolution No. 21R-02-31MIAMI B E A C H
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
No.
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Dan Gelber and Member~of the Cit~ Commission
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
\
March 11, 2021
CITY OF LAUDERHILL RESOLUTION NO. 21R-02-31
Attached for your information is Resolution No. 21 R-02-31, adopted by the Mayor and City
Commission of City of North Lauderdale on March 8, 2021.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, URGING THE BAHAMIAN GOVERNMENT TO
STOP ANY OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING EXPLORATION THAT MAY
ALREADY BE UNDERWAY AND PERMANENTLY BANNING OFFSHORE
OIL DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN THE BAHAMAS; PROVIDING FOR
TRANSMITTAL; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED
BY CO M M IS S IO N E R SA RA I "RA Y " MARTIN .
The City of North Lauderdale Clerk has requested that a copy of this Resolution be provided to
the Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 305.673. 7 411.
REG/le
Attachment
F:\CLER\$ALL\LILIA\L TC's - Transmittal's\Lauderhill\Resolution 21 R-02-31 City of Lauderhill.docx
RE S O L U T IO N N O . 2 1 R-0 2 -3 1
A R E S O L U T I O N O F T H E C IT Y C O M M I S S IO N O F T H E C IT Y O F
L A U D E R H I L L , F L O R I D A , UR GI N G TH E B A H AM IA N G O VE R N ME N T T O
S T O P A N Y O F F S H O R E OI L D RI L LI N G E XP L OR A TI O N T H A T M A Y
A L R E A D Y B E U N D E R W A Y A N D P E R M A N E N T L Y B A N N IN G
O F F SH O R E O I L D RI LL I N G A C T IVI TI E S IN TH E B AH A M A S; PR O VI D IN G
F O R T R A N S MI T T AL ; P R O VI DI N G F O R A N E F F E C T IV E D A T E
(R E Q U E S T E D B Y C O M M I S S IO N E R S A R A I "R A Y " M A R T I N >
WHEREAS, the Bahamas Petroleum Company ("BPC") has been
granted an offshore oil drilling exploration license by the Bahamian
government that allows them to construct exploratory offshore oil
drilling wells 150 miles off the coast of Florida; and
WHEREAS, exploratory and commercial drilling, extraction, and
transportation of offshore oi l and gas resources by BPC poses a
significant risk of oil spil ls and chronic leakage that may adversely
impact the Bahamas and coastal communities in the Caribbean and
Florida; and
WHEREAS, offshore drilling activities pose threats to treasured
vacation destinations in the Caribbean and along Fl or i d a's Coasts, which
are of intrinsic economic value for numerous industries and countries,
provide essential nursery habitats for recreational and commercially
important fisheries, and act as natural buffers from storm surge and
hurricanes; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Congress of the United States have
expressed their concern that the offshore drilling project agreement
directly conflicts with the urgent call made at the United Nations just
last year to protect and address devastating impacts to island nations
such as the Bahamas; any continued drilling may put the Atlantic coast
as risk of severe and even catastrophic impacts from any spills that may
occur (See attached Exhibit "A"); and
WHEREAS, the City of Lauderhill "City") is one of numerous
communities in Florida and in the Caribbean whose local or nearby
marine habitats, industries, and public health may be devastated by
offshore drilling oil spills originating in the Bahamas; and
WHEREAS, the City endeavors to protect the environmental
health of all marine habitats, and, particularly, Biscayne Bay; and
WHEREAS, exploration and development of oil and gas resources
off the Bahamian coast may not effectively address the long-term
Resolution No. 21R-02-31
Page 1 0 f 3
e c on o m ic d iv er si fic a tio n g o al s o f th e B ah am a s, an d w o ul d likel y
sub s ta n tial ly d am a g e th e to u ri sm se cto r o f th e B a h am ia n e c on om y,
wh ich m a k e s u p six ty p er c e n t o f th e co u n try's ec on om y; a n d
W H ER E A S , th e Ci ty u rg e s th e B ah a m ian g o v er nm en t to sto p a n y
o ffsh o re o il d rilli n g e xp l or a ti on th a t m a y al re ad y b e un d er w ay an d to
p e rm an e n tl y b a n o ffsh or e o il drilling activities in the Bahamas, and
further urges Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida to oppose
such offshore oil drilling and work with the Bahamian government in
such efforts;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LAUD ERHILL, FLO RIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are ratified and
confirmed as being true and correct and are made a specific part of
this Resolution and incorporates the exhibits herein.
Section 2. The City Commission respectfully urges the Bahamian
government to stop any offshore oi l drilling exploration that may
already be under way and further urges the Bahamian government
to permanently ban all offshore oi l drilling activities in the Bahamas.
The City Commission further urges Miami-Dade County and the state
Of Florida to oppose such offshore oil drilling and to work wi th the
Bahamian government in such efforts.
Section 3. The City Commission hereby directs the City Clerk to
transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Bahamian Prime Minister
Hubert Minnis, the Bahamian Ambassador to the U.S. Sidney S. Collie,
the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, Governor
Ron Desantis on behalf of the State of Florida, all municipalities in
Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Broward County, Florida, the Miami-
Dade County League of Cities, the Broward County League of Cities,
the Broward Delegation, U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings, U.S. Senator
Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, the media, and all other interested persons.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately
upon its passage and adoption.
DATED this s day of March ,2021.
e o
PASSED AND ADOPTED on first reading this
March , 2021.
8 day of
Re sol u ti on No . 21R-0 2-31
Pag e 2 0f 3
A T TES T:
ht n lad
C ITY C LER K ,
M O TIO N M. Dunn
SEC O N D s. Martin
M .D U N N Yes
D . GR A N T Yes "e 3%i L. M A R TIN Yes
S. M A R TIN Yes
K. TH U R ST O N Yes W. Earl Hall
City Attorney
C ity o f L a u d e r h ill Attend via Computer.
https://www.colvcm.com
File Details
City Commission
Chambers at City Hall
5581 W. Oakland Park
Blvd.
Lauderhill, FL, 33313
www.lauderhill-fl.gov
File Number: 21R-3973
File ID: 21R-3973
Version:
Type: Resolution
Reference:
File Name: Object to future offshore oil drilling
Status: Agenda Ready
In Control: City Commission
Meeting
File Created: 01/26/2021
Final Action:
Title: R E S O LU T IO N N O . 21R -02-31: A R E S O LU TIO N O F TH E C ITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, URGING THE
BAHAMIAN GOVERNMENT TO STOP ANY OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING
EXPLORATION THAT MAY ALREADY BE UNDER WAY AND
PERMANENTLY BANNING OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN
THE BAHAMAS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER SARAI
"RAY" MARTIN).
Notes:
Sponsors:
Attachments: RES-21R-02-31-Ban Oil Drilling.pdf,
hastings_fights_to_put_a_stop_to_imminent_offshore_
drilling_project.pdf
Contact:
Drafter: apetti@lauderhill-fl.gov
Related Files:
Enactment Date:
Enactment Number:
Hearing Date:
Effective Date:
History of Legisla tive File
Ver- A cti ng B o dy:
sion:
Date: A ction: Sent To: Due Date: Return Result:
Date:
Text of Legislative File 21R-3973
R E S O LU T IO N N O . 21R-02-31: A R E S O L U T IO N O F TH E C ITY CO M M IS S IO N OF
T H E C ITY O F LA U D E R H ILL , FLO R ID A , U R G IN G TH E BAHAMIAN GO V E RNM ENT
T O ST O P A N Y O F FS H O R E O IL D R IL LIN G EX P LO RA TIO N TH A T M A Y A LR E A DY
City of Lauderhill Page 1 Printed on 3/1/2021
Fi te D etails C on tin u ed 2 1R -3 973)
BE UNDER WAY AND PERMANENTLY BANNING OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING
ACTIVITIES IN THE BAHAMAS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER SARAI "RAY"
MARTIN).
Request Action:
Pass a Resolution to stop any exploratory drilling and permanently ban future offshore oíl drilling
activities in the Bahamas.
Need:
To ban offshore oil drilling in the Bahamas.
Summary Explanation/ Background:
Commissioner Ray Martin has requested a Resolution to request that the Bahamian
Government ban any further offshore oil drillling in the Bahamas.
Attachments:
Letter from U.S. Congress
Cost Summary/ Fiscal Impact:
Include projected cost, approved budget amount and account number, source of funds, and any
future funding requirements
Estimated Time for Presentation:
Master Plan:
Goal 1: Clean, Green Sustainable Environment
[ ] Increase mass transit ridership [ ) Reduce City energy consumption
[ ] Reduce water consumption
Goal 2: Safe and Secure City of Lauderhill
[ ) Crime in lower 50% in Broward [ ) Residents feel safe in neighborhood
[ ] Reduce emergency fatalities
Goal 3: Open Spaces and Active Lifestyle for all ages
[ ] Increase participation in youth sports [ J Add new park land and amenities
[ ] Increase attendance at cultural programs and classes
Goal 4: Growing Local Economy, Employment and Quality of Commercial Areas
[ ] Increase commercial tax base [ ) Increase employment in Lauderhill businesses
[ ] Decrease noxious and blighted uses in commercial areas
Goal 5: Quality Housing at all Price Ranges and Attractive Communities
[ ] Neighborhood signs and active HOAs [ ) Housing & streets improved, litter reduced
[ ] Increase proportion of single family homes and owner occupied housing
City of Lauderhill Page 2 Printed on 3/1/2021
Fi lo D etails C on tin u ed 2 1R-3973)
Goal 6: Efficient and Effective City Government, Customer Focused & Values Diversity
[ ] Improves City efficiency [ ] Increase use of Information Technology
[ ] Increases residents perception of Lauderhill as an excellent place to live
City of La u d erh ill Pago 3 Prin ted on 3/1/2021
D ecem b er 17 , 20 2 0
Th e H o n o rab le D r. H u b er t A le x an d e r Mi nni s, ON, M.P.
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Office of the Prime Minister
Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield Centre
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
The Honorable Romauld Sotario Ferreira
Minister of the Environment and Housing
Charlotte House, Second Floor
Shirley & Charlotte St.
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Vi a electronic corresp ondence.
Dear Prime Minister Minnis and Minister Ferreira,
We write regarding the Bahamas Petroleum Company's (BPC) offshore drilling project,
the Perseverance No. 1 oil well, off the coast of The Bahamas. We believe you should reconsider
the agreement established between your government and BPC to protect the beauty and
longevity of our fragile and shared ecosystems, the economies that depend on them, and the
future of our planet.
As coastal and near-coastal Members of Congress, we have long fought to prevent oil
spills, but the success of this work is directly dependent on the cooperation of other states, our
federal government, and nearby nations. We and countless Americans remember the devastation
and loss of life caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill,' for which Florida continues to
require restoration funding.I That well, similar to that which BPC plans to bore, claimed 11
lives and spewed more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, destroying whole
ecosystems and halting tourism and fisheries across the region. It has become clear that oil
companies such as BPC have every intention to plow ahead despite red flags, which warn of the
grave health, natural disaster, and environmental risks of drilling.
Should BPC's project move forward, we will be justified in fearing that the Atlantic coast
is at risk of severe, even catastrophic, impact from any spills that might occur - essentially
undermining the recent offshore drilling ban extension from President Trump, and future
offshore drilling restrictions. It is unclear whether BPC has the capacity to help mitigate a serious
IN p ecp W at er H orizon . D am age A ssessm ent, R em edi ation , and R estorat ion Progr am. N ation al O ceanic an d
A tm ospheric A dmi n istr at ion (N O A A ). Up dat ed: A ugust 17, 2020.
N Florida receives additional $73 million from Deepwater Horizon settlement, K arl Schn ei der. N apl es Daily N ew s.
U pdated : O ctober 29, 2020.
disaster, let alone prevent one in the first place. Should a calamitous event occur, the Bahamian
government and BPC's clean-up efforts will undoubtedly require financial assistance from
neighbors, including the United States, to address any spill that would spread throughout
domestic and international waters. For perspective, Deepwater Horizon cost an estimated $65
billion to clean up and the effects have yet to be fully alleviated."I What's worse, the ship that is
set to begin drilling has a track record of safety issues on previous jobs, including incidents in
March 2016,/ September 2016,°l and October 2017./6)
Unfortunately, we believe the agreement reached between BPC and the Bahamian
government is directly contrary to the urgent call made at the United Nations just last year."I In
that speech, Prime Minister, you cited the contribution carbon emissions have made to the
climate crisis and the devastating impacts this crisis continues to have on island nations like The
Bahamas,"l including those wrought by Hurricane Dorian, rising sea levels, and natural barrier
degradation. These events are felt deeply by Americans and communities around the world, and
expanding offshore drilling is fundamentally against their interests.
We stand ready to work with your government to fight the climate crisis, a looming mass-
extinction event, and oil and gas interests that seek only to profit off activities that truly put our
respective communities at great risk. The health of our constituencies, oceans, and planet hinges
on what actions we take here and now.
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress
//s//
Kathy Castor
Member of Congress
/Isl/
Darren Soto
Member of Congress
lis/I
Charlie Crist
Member of Congress
Ils//
Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress
3) BP Takes $1.7 Billion Charge on Deepwater Horizon; Costs Now Ton $65B. Alex Lard ieri. U.S. N ew s & W orld
R eport . Ja nuary 16, 2018.
) Shell of/shore team loses Srofoam pipe floats at sea. Brett R uskin. C B C. M ar ch 22, 2016.
5 Shell Canada o//shore drill [ell within 12 metres oy oil exploration well. Mic hal Tutton. C BC. Sep temb er 29,
2016 .
(6l Scottish oil worker Colin Gillespie dies in Gran Canaria, B B C N ew s. O cto ber 23, 2017.
7) Teat climate crisis with 'greatest urgency' _Bahamas leader tells UN Assemb]. Th e U ni ted N atio ns. Septem ber
27, 2019.
(8) N atio nal Statem en t at the 74th Session of th e United N ations' G eneral A ssem bl y. Th e M ost H on . D r. H uber t
M innis P rim e M inister of th e C om m onw ealth of The B aham as. Septem ber 27, 2019.
//sii
D ebbie W assenn an Schultz
M em ber of C ongress
I/sii
Lois Fra nkel
M em ber of Congress
I/sii
N ydia M . V elázquez
M em ber of Congress
//sii
Ted D eutch
M em ber of Congress
//sii
A. D onald M cEachin
M em ber of C ongress
I/sii
A l Law son
M em ber of Congress
lis/I
A lan Low enth al
M em ber of Congress
Ils//
A bigail D . Spanberger
M em ber of Congress
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C helli e Pingr ee
M em ber of Congress
//sii
D ebbie M ucarsel-Pow ell
M em ber of Congress
Ils//
D avid Scott
M em ber of C ongress
I/sii
Donna E. Sh al al a
M em ber of Congress
C C : Secretary M ike Pompeo
U .S . D epart m ent of State
2201 C Street, N W
W ashington, D C 20520
M s. Stephanie Bow ers
C har g é d' A ffaires
U .S . Em bassy in The B ah am as
42 Q ueen St.
N assau, T he B aham as