Resolution 2022-32373 •
RESOLUTION NO: 2022-32373
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY (THE "COUNTY")
TO EVALUATE THE COUNTY'S CURRENT CONFIGURATION OF THE BELLE
ISLE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON VENETIAN WAY, AT THE
INTERSECTION OF CENTURY LANE AND ISLAND AVENUE, AND TO
IDENTIFY FUNDING TO ACCOMPLISH THE RE-CONFIGURATION OF THE
RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TRAFFIC INTERSECTION AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS
POSSIBLE, AND THEREBY IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND TRAFFIC
FLOW AT THIS INTERSECTION; FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY'S
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY ON POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR THE RE-CONFIGURATION
OF THE INTERSECTION; AND FURTHER, REFERRING THIS ITEM TO THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE FOR
AN UPDATE ON DISCUSSIONS WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND ANY
ISSUES RELATED THERETO WHICH MAY REQUIRE CITY COMMISSION
ACTION.
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2022, the Belle Isle Residents Association adopted a
resolution requesting that the. City work with Miami-Dade County (the "County") to address a
problematic County right-of-way and traffic signal on Venetian Way, at the intersection of Century
Lane and Island Avenue; and
WHEREAS, currently, there are frequent vehicle traffic backups along Venetian Way from
the East Bascule Bridge into Sunset Harbour and South Beach; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the frequent delays and backups caused by the East Bascule
Bridge opening, there is a problematic traffic signal and right-of-way configuration on Venetian
Way, at the intersection of Century Lane and Island Avenue, adding to the buildup of traffic not
only on the Venetian Way but also entering and exiting the west end of Island Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the current configuration involves four separate lights at one intersection and
an awkward right-of-way design, causing confusion for motorists, especially the many visitors to
the Standard Hotel who are not accustomed to the intersection; and
WHEREAS, vehicles often use the incorrect incoming/outgoing lanes of the intersection
to and from Venetian Way to Island Avenue, presenting a potential safety hazard for motorists;
and
WHEREAS, in addition, the "long" left turn from Island Ave/Century Lane to eastbound
Venetian Way causes confusion for many drivers when they see the separate traffic light on
Venetian Way, which is intended for Venetian Way traffic and not Island Ave/Century Lane traffic,
resulting in left-turning vehicles often stopping in the middle of the intersection under the mistaken
belief that it is the traffic light designated for their lane; and
WHEREAS, such confusion often creates potentially unsafe conditions for motorists and
pedestrians,with drivers deviating from the intended path, unknowingly running through red lights,
or creating roadblocks and delays for other vehicles; and
WHEREAS, re-configuring the Venetian Way intersection will not only solve the safety
issues caused by the current intersection configuration, but also improve traffic flow on the
Venetian Way and reduce the backup traffic for residents trying to reach their homes on Belle
Isle, traffic which will only be exacerbated once the two large residential projects at 31 Venetian
Way are completed; and
WHEREAS, further adding to the confusion is a large grassy area/island (the "Island") in
front of the Standard Hotel containing an overhead streetlight and two (2)traffic signs, with vehicle
traffic passing on both sides; and
WHEREAS, the Island can be eliminated or easily be reduced in size, creating additional
space for traffic engineers to devise a potential reconfiguration and better alignment with the street
on the west side of the Island and sidewalk in front of the "Vistas" property at 1 Century Lane, all
in an effort to improve traffic flow; and
WHEREAS, for the following reasons, the Mayor and City Commission respectfully urge
Miami-Dade County to prioritize this important traffic safety issue and identify funding for a re-
configuration of the intersection, and further direct the City's Transportation and Mobility
Department to work with the County to identify potential solutions for the County's consideration,
in an effort to collaboratively address the traffic safety and traffic flow issues caused by the
County's existing configuration; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission also desire for this matter to be referred to
the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, for a progress update on
discussions with the County, as well as any issues related thereto which may require City
Commission input or action.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby urge
Miami-Dade County ("County") to evaluate the County's current configuration of the right-of-way
and traffic signals on Venetian Way, at the intersection of Century Lane and Island Avenue on
Belle Isle, and to identify funding to accomplish the re-configuration of the right-of-way and traffic
intersection as expeditiously as possible, and thereby improve traffic safety and traffic flow at this
intersection; further, direct the City's Transportation and Mobility Department to work with Miami-
Dade County on potential options for the re-configuration of the intersection; and further, refer this
item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee for an update on
discussions with Miami-Dade County, and any issues related thereto which may require City
Commission action.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 0Z day of OCAOP✓ 2022.
ATTEST:
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OCT 2 7 2022 Dan Gelber, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk FORM&LANGUAGE
(Sponsored by Commissioner Steven Meiner) &FOR EXECUTION
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t City Attorney Date
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Resolutions-C7 AD
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney
DATE: October 26, 2022
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY (THE
"COUNTY") TO EVALUATE THE COUNTY'S CURRENT CONFIGURATION
OF THE BELLE ISLE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON
VENETIAN WAY, AT THE INTERSECTION OF CENTURY LANE AND
ISLAND AVENUE, AND TO IDENTIFY FUNDING TO ACCOMPLISH THE
RE-CONFIGURATION OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TRAFFIC
INTERSECTION AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE, AND THEREBY
IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND TRAFFIC FLOW AT THIS
INTERSECTION; FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY'S TRANSPORTATION
AND MOBILITY DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ON
POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR THE RE-CONFIGURATION OF THE
INTERSECTION; AND FURTHER, REFERRING THIS ITEM TO THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE
FOR AN UPDATE ON DISCUSSIONS WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND
ANY ISSUES RELATED THERETO WHICH MAY REQUIRE CITY
COMMISSION ACTION.
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Steven Meiner, the above-referenced Resolution is
submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission at the October 26, 2022
Commission meeting.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item.pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
Page 581 of 1166
Yes No
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Commissioner Steven Meiner
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Resolution
Page 582 of 1166