Resolution 2021-31866RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31866
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, IN CONNECTION
WITH THE BETTER BUS PROJECT, TO: 1) PROVIDE RELIABLE TRANSIT
SERVICE IN THE AREA SOUTH OF FIFTH STREET; 2) PROVIDE ON -
DEMAND TRANSIT SERVICE IN LIEU OF BUS ROUTE 115; AND 3) CLOSELY
COORDINATE WITH THE CITY OFFICIALS ANY CONSOLIDATION OF THE
BUS STOPS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, according to the 2019 Miami Beach Resident Survey, 75% of residents are
satisfied with the City's trolley service; however, 63% of residents are using their personal
automobiles for trips within Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Miami Beach Business Survey rates transportation as one of the,
four most significant challenges for the future growth and stability of businesses; and
WHEREAS, according to the same survey, 48% of businesses are satisfied with the
effectiveness of public transit for employee commuting; and
WHEREAS, the Better Bus Project is an advocacy -led and community -driven bus system
redesign, led by Transit Alliance Miami and the Miami -Dade County Department of Transportation
and Public Works; and
WHEREAS, Transit Alliance is a local, non-profit organization advocating for walkable
streets, bikeable neighborhoods, and better public transit in Miami -Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the Better Bus Project effort began in June of 2019 and it was an intensive
two-year project; and
WHEREAS, a goal of the redesign is to position the system for ridership growth by
creating a more effective service; and
WHEREAS, an overall network stands to benefit from several key system -wide
improvements such as the increase in high -frequency routes, creating more viable connections,
better serving high population/employment centers, resolving low productivity and circuitous
routes, and integrating key municipal trolley services; and
WHEREAS, "Design a Better Bus Network" is action item 13 in Resilient 305; and
WHEREAS, on October 30, 2019, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2019-
31073 accepting the recommendations of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee
(NCAC) and approving conceptually the ridership concept of the Better Bus Network, provided
that the South Beach Trolley Service to Belle Isle is retained; and
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2020, the Miami -Dade County (County) project team
presented a Draft Plan of the new network to the public; and
WHEREAS, following a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County is currently in
the final stage of stakeholder engagement and public outreach, and presented the final Better
Bus Network to the County's Transportation, Mobility and Planning Committee on September 13,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the final plan will be voted on by the Board of County Commissioners in
October of 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Administration supports changes to the County bus service that would
maximize access to jobs, increase ridership, and establish more frequent service for the
residents, workforce, and visitors of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Administration does not support elimination of transit service in South of
Fifth neighborhood, and
WHEREAS, the Administration requests that the County implement on -demand transit
service in lieu of the Route 115; and
WHEREAS, the Administration also requests that the County closely coordinate
consolidation of any bus stops in Miami Beach with City officials.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby urge
Miami -Dade County, in connection with the Better Bus Project, to: 1) provide reliable transit
service in the area South of Fifth Street; 2) provide on -demand transit service in lieu of bus route
115; and 3) closely coordinate with the City officials any consolidation of the bus stops in the City
of Miami Beach.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 17th day of September 2021.
Dan Gelber, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rafael E. Granado, City ClerkZ1 t_ 20A
;AD. 1�
TMgenda12021109 September 1�717ranspoesoa- et Bus Project.docx
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
1-2.3--?-)
City Attomey Date
MIAMI BEACH
New Business and Commission Requests - R9 AH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Michael Gongora
DATE: September 17, 2021
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE SENIOR AFFAIRS MOTION OF THE
BETTER BUS PROGRAM.
ANALYSIS
Please place on the September 17 Commission agenda a discussion item regarding the Senior
Affairs Committee motion of the Better Bus Program. Please find LTC attached. Please feel
free to contact Diana Fontani should you need any additional information.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A ,
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item. pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes
Legislative Tracking
Commissioner Michael Gongora
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ LTC 373-2021
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
IM
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MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 373-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber anq Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manag r`
DATE: September 8, 2021
SUBJECT: SENIOR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MOTION
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to inform the Mayor and Commission of the
motion that was passed at the Senior Affairs Committee meeting that was held on July 26, 2021.
MOTION 1
The Senior Affairs Committee motions to pause any action or consideration of the Better Bus
Program based on the lack of senior community input. Dade County Bus System is primary source
of transportation for senior and those with disabilities. All buses are equipped with a low floor easy
access ramp and disability seating at front of bus. This Committee is very concerned that no
outreach was done to local community to find out how it would affect them to remove over 100+
bus sites across Miami Beach, Please know that across entire City there is large population of
seniors with disabilities and walking impairments that are physically unable to walk more than 2
blocks. Committee strongly urges Commission to delay and say "NO" to any decision on Better
Bus Project. This will provide additional time for further investigation and analysis and staff
presentation on the impact on our senior community and those with walking impairments and
disabilities.
Motion Made by: Magui Benitez
Motion Seconded by: Carolina Cuadros
Motion Passes Unanimously
ATH/DF
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