Loading...
93-20974 Reso RESOLUTION No. 93- 20974 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE WITH TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. , ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS, FOR A SHUTTLE SERVICE IN THE SOUTH BEACH AREA THAT WILL OPERATE AS A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR SIX (6) MONTHS FROM APPROVAL. WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach are proceeding with plans to alleviate the traffic congestion in the South Beach area; and WHEREAS, there is a severe parking shortage in the area south of Lincoln Road; and, WHEREAS, the City is aggressively moving toward improving the parking conditions for residents, businesses and visitors to the City; and, WHEREAS, there is available parking space that remains under- utilized in the late evening hours in the Convention Center area; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a shuttle service that permits patrons to use the under-utilized space. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission herein authorize the City Manager to negotiate with Transportation Management Services, Inc . , on an emergency basis, for a shuttle service in the South Beac• area that will operate as a demonstration project for six (6) m• s from approval . n PASSED and ADOPTED this 17th d. of November, 1993 . Attest by: MAYOR E-C6v1NA.----- CITY CLERK FORM APPROVED aq: 11/12/93 LEGAL DEPT. BY L9 Date /l !2•- '13 . CITY OF MIAMI BEACH Cc:i____ CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139 ii OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER TELEPHONE: (305) 673-7010 FAX: (305) 673-7782 COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. _4_ ! 9 3 TO: Mayor Seymour Gelber and DATE: November 17 , 1993 Members of the City Commission FROM: • Roger M. Cadqjkat. City Manager SUBJECT: SHUTTLE SERVICE - PILOT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION . The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission authorize the City Manager to negotiate with Transportation Management Services, Inc. on an emergency basis, in order to initiate a six (6) month demonstration prr►ject that will provide shuttle services within the South Beach area. BACKGROUND Miami Beach has experienced significant demographic changes over the last several years. Additionally, a restaurant/entertainment district has evolved in South Beach. The results of these changes has produced an increased number of vehicles; thereby creating traffic congestion south of Dade Boulevard/23rd Street and a critical parking shortage in the area south of Lincoln Road. These changes have also caused an imbalance between demand and roadway capacity. In particular, the Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue corridors are extremely busy during the evening hours and weekends. - Yet, there is available parking space that remains underutilized in the late evening hours in the Convention Center area. The five-story garage located across from City Hall is able to accommodate much of the demand existent in the South Beach corridor. South Beach patrons are unwilling to walk the distance to the restaurants, clubs and facilities nearby which creates the demand. ANALYSIS In support of a comprehensive strategic transportation plan for Miami Beach and the ongoing Parking Management Master Plan, the Parking Department has recommended to initiate a demonstration project that creates a shuttle system within the City. This shuttle will link the underutilized parking areas throughout the City to the South Beach area. With the increased foreseen demand of the upcoming winter season the Parking Department is prepared to implement a program within eight(8) weeks from approval. A shuttle service between the Lincoln Road Mall/Convention Center area to the Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue corridors is the foundation of this strategy. 174 AGENDA R /-7. ITEM DATE / 1—n- ! 3 This project is intended to alleviate the immediate and acute parking needs of the above mentioned corridors. The shuttle service is expected to increase the mobility of people, make the area more accessible, alleviate traffic and Improve the air quality. The shuttle will consist of three(3) handicap accessible vehicles and will originate from the five-story garage. A tentative suggested route will be the following: vehicles will pick up passengers in the garage and travel east to Washington Avenue,south on Washington Avenue to Fifth Street, east on Fifth Street to Ocean Drive - looping around using Fourth Street and returning north on Washington. The shuttle will make stops at each odd numbered block. Hours of operation will be on Friday and Saturday evening between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The reason the shuttle will not utilize Ocean Drive is congestion. The headways (time between trams) will be 8 to 10 minutes at peak use. The vehicles, drivers, schedules as well as bus and directional signage will be provided by the Contractor. Financing for the project is contemplated to be made available through mixed-sources and with the participation of all interested parties. These parties include,but are not limited to the City, hotel/restaurant owners, employees In the South Beach area as well as other business associations. A minimum fare paid by the shuttle riders and advertisement sales will also assist in the financing. The projected budget as well as the City's contribution will be an intrinsic component of the negotiation process. The demonstration project will operate for six (6) months. JUSTIFICATION FOR DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE WITH TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES The concept of a shuttle system is not only timely but urgent for South Beach, with the season upon us already. If we were to go the normal bid process, we would miss the season and the primary demand completely. The result and added congestion will cause more problems and negative publicity for the area. Also,before going through an elaborate bid process,an experimental demonstration project like this will help set the parameters for a future bid. The City can learn from mistakes made in routing, timing, etc. The firm selected,Transportation Management Services, Inc. has done business with the City. They have, an excellent track record of reliability and honesty, in the operations of parking facilities and valet services. • CONCLUSION Traffic congestion and lack of adequate parking in the Ocean Drive,Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue corridors has created a need for alternative modes of transportation. The unprecedented influx of vehicles looking for parking spaces has led tot he development of a comprehensive strategic transportation plan that includes a demonstration project 'involving a shuttle service. Should the Mayor and City Commission authorize the project, Input and guidance will be obtained from numerous citizens and merchant groups before final operational procedures are determined. • 115