Resolution 2021-31910RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31910
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS AND THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR THE SABRINA COHEN FOUNDATION ADAPTIVE PARK
AND RECREATION CENTER PROJECT; AFFIRMING THE FULL
SUPPORT OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH FOR THE PROJECT; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE
CITY ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT
AS PART OF THE CITY'S FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach, in collaboration with Sabrina Co
Foundation, Inc. (the "Foundation") and Miami -Dade County (the "County"), is in
process of developing the Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Cente
5301 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, which will consist of a building for comms
wellness and recreation programs, focusing on persons with various disability ne
along with associated public, outdoor facilities and amenities (collectively, the "Proje
and
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WHEREAS, the Foundation is a 501 c3 not-for-profit Florida corporation, dedicated
to developing adaptive fitness and recreational programs that provide a better quality of
life for individuals living with paralysis and various disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Project will be open to, and serve, all residents and visitors; will
be unique in the United States; and will provide both access to the beach and a fully
accessible state-of-the-art health and wellness facility (the "Center") for Miami Beach and
Miami -Dade County residents and visitors living with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the City's beaches and coastlines are some of the most beautiful in
the whole country, and both residents and visitors from all over the world flock to enjoy
the City's beaches and exciting activities with their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, however, for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility aid d
the shifting surface can be treacherous or impossible to navigate; and
WHEREAS, since 2016, the Foundation has hosted Adaptive Beach Days twice a
month to provide access to the beach and ocean for disabled individuals, veterans,
children with special needs, and the elderly; and j
WHEREAS, the Project will allow people with disabilities to fully enjoy and use the
City's most valuable natural resource on the regular basis rather than waiting for special
bi-monthly events; and
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WHEREAS, the Project will be developed in two phases, with the outdoor public
access space and amenities being developed as Phase 1, to allow for year-round access
to the beach, and the Center being developed as Phase 2; and
WHEREAS, the Center and outdoor public access space will be equipped
adaptable playgrounds, picnic areas, accessible walkways, and exercise equipment,
additional quality of life improvements for the community at large; and
WHEREAS, the Center and surrounding outdoor public space will spotlight t
City, Miami -Dade County, and more generally, the state of Florida, as a welcoming a
accommodating destination for those with disabilities and their families; will make t
County an accessible place for its residents and visitors; and will improve the quality
life for persons living with a disability; and
WHEREAS, most importantly, the Project will be an invaluable amenity and servi
to residents and visitors who are physically disabled, allowing them to enjoy the bea
and recreational facilities; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2021, the Miami -Dade Board of County Commission
approved Resolution No. R-257-21, allocating County General Obligation Bond funds, in
the amount of $577,000, to the City of Miami Beach for the design and construction of te
public infrastructure improvements associated with the Project; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2021, the Miami Beach City Commission appro
Resolution No. 2021-3.1751, allocating up to $2.5 million to match future donations to
Foundation for the design and construction of the Center; and
WHEREAS, on September 13, 2021, the Miami Beach City Commission adol
Resolution No. 2021-31835, approving the submittal of an appropriations request to
Florida Legislature, in the amount of $750,000 for the Project; and
WHEREAS, to -date, the Foundation has raised nearly $700,000 in individual
donations and continues to aggressively fundraise; and
WHEREAS, the design and construction of the Center, during Phase 2 of the
Project, is projected to cost approximately $10.5 million; as such, the success of this
unique Project is contingent upon securing additional funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND Cli Y
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby urge the United States Congress and the Florida Legislature to
provide funding for the Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Center; affirm the
full support of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach for the Project;
2
and further, direct the City Administration to add the funding for the Project as part of the
City's federal and state legislative priorities. I
PASSED and ADOPTED this 97 day of 04'be" 2021.
ATTEST:
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140V 0 12021
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Dan Gelber)
Dan Gelber, Mayor
3
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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City Attomey .,/ Dati
Resolutions - C7 C
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: October 27, 2021
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
AND THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE
SABRINA COHEN FOUNDATION ADAPTIVE PARK AND RECREATION
CENTER, AND AFFIRMING THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE MAYOR AND
CITYCOMMISSION OF THE CITYOF MIAMI BEACH FOR THE PROJECT.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
The City of Miami Beach, in collaboration with the Sabrina Cohen Foundation and Miami -Dade
County, is in the process of developing the Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation
Center at 5301 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140, which will consist of a building for
community wellness and recreation programs focusing on persons of all abilities, along with
associated public, outdoor facilities and amenities.
The Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Center will be unique in Florida and ;the
United States as it will provide access to the beach as well as a state-of-the-art health and
wellness facility for City residents, tourists worldwide and visitors living with disabilities and
mobility challenges.
ANALYSIS
The Sabrina Cohen Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing
adaptive fitness and recreational programs that provide a better quality of life for individuals
living with paralysis and various disabilities since 2016. The Foundation has hosted Adaptive
Beach Days twice a month to provide access to the beach and ocean for the public, including
disabled individuals, veterans, children with special needs, and the elderly. The project will be
developed in two. phases, consisting of the outdoor public access space and amenities as
Phase 1 to allow for year-round access to the beach, and the Center as Phase 2. The Center
and outdoor public access space will be equipped with adaptable playgrounds, picnic areas,
accessible walkways, exercise equipment and additional quality of life improvements for the
community at large. The Center and surrounding outdoor public space will put Miami Beach,
Miami -Dade County, South Florida, and Florida on the map as a welcoming and
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accommodating destination for those with disabilities and their families. The goal is to improve
the quality of life and make the County an accessible place for residents and visitors. The
project will, most importantly, be an invaluable amenity and service to County residents and
Visitors that are physically disabled and will allow them to enjoy the beach.
On April 20, 2021, this Miami -Dade County Board of County Commission approved Resolution
No. R-257-21 allocating $577,000 to the City for the design and construction of the public
infrastructure improvements associated with Phase 1 of the project. On June 23, 2021, the City
Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-31751 allocating up to $2.5 million to match future
donations for the design and construction of the Center in phase 2. On September 13, 2021
the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-31853 approving the submittal of an
Appropriations Request to the State for the project. To date, the Foundation has raised nearly
$700,000 in individual donations and continues to aggressively fundraise. The design and
construction of the Center in phase 2 is projected to cost $10.5 million; and the success of the
project is contingent on securing additional funding.
The Miami Beach City Commission urges the United States Congress as well as the. Florida
Legislature to provide funding for the Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Park and Recreation
Center. The Miami Beach Commission has adopted this Resolution in full support of the
project, which will be an invaluable amenity to residents and tourists.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
The percentage of residents who would recommend the city as a place to live increased 10%
from 2016.
CONCLUSION
Based on the aforestated Analysis, the Administration recommends that the Mayor and City
Commission adopt this Resolution urging the United States Congress and the Florida
Legislature to provide funding for the Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Park and Recreation
Center and affirm their full support for the project.
Applicable Area
Middle Beach
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
No
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No
Strategic Connection
Neighborhoods - Evolve parks and green spaces to meet the changing needs of the community.
Legislative Tracking
Legislative and External Affairs
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