Resolution 2024-33248 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-33248
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE
COMMITTEE,AT ITS JULY 10, 2024 MEETING,AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO INCREASE THE VISIBILITY OF CROSSWALKS IN
SCHOOL ZONES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE STUDENT SAFETY, SUBJECT
TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY.
WHEREAS, at the June 26, 2024 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Joseph
Magazine sponsored a referral item (C4 Al)to the July 10, 2024 Public Safety and Neighborhood
Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC") meeting to discuss and act on increasing visibility for
crosswalks in school zones to enhance student safety; and
WHEREAS, in late 2023, the Transportation and Mobility Department ("Transportation
Department") completed a City of Miami Beach School Zone Speed Study ("Traffic Study") to
evaluate the current vehicular speeds within seventeen (17) school zones associated with eight
(8)schools in the City; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Traffic Study, the study team assessed the existing conditions
and physical characteristics of the striping and pavement markings within the seventeen (17)
school zones evaluated, including all of the pedestrian crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, based upon observations made during their multiple field visits, the study
team determined that several crosswalk pavement markings were in poor condition and require
restriping to enhance the safety of students (and others) crossing; and
WHEREAS, in January 2024, to improve pedestrian safety in the vicinity of Biscayne
Beach Elementary School, the Transportation Department completed the striping of a high
emphasis crosswalk, replaced faded school zone signage, and replaced damaged delineators
within the school zone; and
WHEREAS, raised crosswalks are primarily intended to elevate pedestrians in order to
create greater visibility and driver awareness of their presence and, as a result, increase
pedestrian safety; and
WHEREAS, raised crosswalks also provide the collateral benefit of reducing vehicular
speeds in a manner similar to traffic calming devices; and
WHEREAS, approval from the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and
Public Works ("DTPW") is required to install a raised pedestrian crosswalk; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the "Miami-Dade County Traffic Flow Modification(s)/Street
Closure(s) Procedure Manual", raised crosswalks are evaluated by DTPW on a case-by-case
basis, and to be eligible to implement a raised crosswalk, the street must not be located along an
emergency response route, regional transit route, or school bus route; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Department is currently managing several projects
intended to improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists within school zones in the City; and
WHEREAS, Transportation Department staff will continue to explore opportunities to
enhance school zone safety in the City through the installation of appropriate signage and
enhanced crosswalks, as well as working with DTPW to upgrade school zone flashing beacons,
as necessary; and
WHEREAS, Transportation Department staff conducted multiple on-site assessments of
the current conditions at all existing pedestrian crosswalks in City school zones; and
WHEREAS, the assessment of the Transportation Department staff included performing
site visits, documenting observations, and taking photographs of all school zone crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Department is in the process of preparing a report with its
findings and recommendations based upon the staff assessments; and
WHEREAS, at the July 10, 2024 PSNQLC meeting, the Committee discussed this item
and passed a motion recommending that the City Administration move forward with increasing
visibility for crosswalks in school zones to enhance student safety and return to the September
11, 2024 City Commission meeting with a Resolution accepting the Committee's
recommendation.
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 hereby accept the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality
of Life Committee, at its July 10, 2024 meeting, and direct the City Administration to increase the
visibility of crosswalks in school zones in order to enhance student safety, subject to funding
availability. /-
PASSED AND ADOPTED this // day of re4 P 2024.
Steven Meiner, Mayor
ATTEST: SEP 1 7 2024
7,„yi
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk '-` y\
IN[ORPORATED
(Sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine) ',, •., y�g, /1
, APPROVED AS TO
FORM &LANGUAGE
&FOR EXECUTION
6? egy/Loz.4-
City Attorney Dote
Resolutions -C7.X
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE: September 11, 2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE,AT ITS
JULY 10, 2024 MEETING, SUBJECT TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY, TO INCREASE
VISIBILITY FOR CROSSWALKS IN SCHOOL ZONES TO INCREASE STUDENT
SAFETY.
•
RECOMMENDATION
The City Administration ("Administration") recommends that the Mayor and City Commission
("City Commission")adopt the Resolution (Attachment A) pursuant to the recommendation of the
Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC"or"Committee").
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
At the June 26, 2024 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Joseph Magazine sponsored a
referral item (C4 Al) to the July 10; 2024 PSNQLC meeting to discuss and take action on
increasing visibility for crosswalks in school zones to increase student safety.
In late 2023,the Transportation and Mobility Department completed a City of Miami Beach ("City") •
School Zone Speed Study ("Traffic Study") to evaluate the current vehicular speeds within
seventeen (17) school zones associated with eight (8) schools in the City. Following is the list of
schools evaluated in the Traffic Study:
1. South Pointe Elementary School
2. Miami Beach Feinberg Fisher K-8 Center
3. Miami Beach Senior High School
4. North Beach Elementary School
5. Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School
6. Biscayne Beach Elementary School
•
7. Mater Beach Academy
8. Hebrew Academy
As part of the Traffic Study, the study team assessed the existing conditions and physical
characteristics of the striping and pavement markings within the 17 school zones evaluated,
including pedestrian crosswalks. Based on the multiple field visits conducted, the study team
identified that several crosswalk pavement markings were in poor condition and require restriping
to enhance the safety of students crossing.
In January 2024, to improve pedestrian_ safety in the vicinity of Biscayne Beach Elementary
School, the Transportation and Mobility Department completed the striping of a high emphasis
(i.e. zebra)crosswalk, replaced faded school zone signs, and replaced the damaged delineators
within the school zone.
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ANALYSIS
It is important to note that while raised crosswalks are intended to elevate pedestrians to increase
greater driver awareness and pedestrian safety, raised crosswalks also have the effect of
reducing vehicle speeds similar to traffic calming devices.As such,approval from the Miami-Dade
County Department of Transportation and Public Works ("DTPW") is required to install a raised
pedestrian crosswalk. Pursuant to the "Miami-Dade County Traffic Flow Modifications)/Street
Closure(s)-Procedure Manual", raised crosswalks are evaluated by DTPW on a case-by-case
basis, and to be eligible to implement a raised crosswalk, the street must not be located along an
emergency response route, regional transit route, or school bus route.
The Transportation and Mobility Department is currently managing several projects intended to
improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists within school zones in the City, including, but not
limited to:
1. Miami Beach Senior High School Pedestrian Enhancements Project
The scope of this "Safe Routes To School" project is to design and install upgraded
crosswalks at the intersections of Meridian Avenue and Dade Boulevard, and Prairie
Avenue/Convention Center Drive and Dade Boulevard adjacent to Miami Beach Senior
High School. Design is underway and anticipated to be completed in early
2025.Construction is anticipated to begin by summer 2025, pending approval from the
Florida Department of Transportation ("FDOT') and DTPW.
2. Miami Beach Senior High School Pick-up/Drop-off Lane
This project will construct a pick-up and drop-off lane along Dade Boulevard in front of
Miami Beach Senior High School and upgrade the intersection of Washington Avenue and
Dade Boulevard with high emphasis pedestrian crosswalks. Design is underway and
anticipated to be completed in late 2024. Construction is anticipated to begin by summer
2025, pending DTPW approval.
3. South Beach Pedestrian Priority Zone
This project will construct raised crosswalks or enhanced crosswalks with high emphasis
pavement markings, clear sidewalk paths, signage, and curb ramp improvements to meet
the Americans with Disabilities Act("ADA")standards at multiple intersections in the South
of Fifth, Flamingo Park, and Entertainment District neighborhoods. Design is anticipated
to begin in late 2024. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2025, pending FDOT and
DTPW approval.
Transportation and Mobility Department staff will continue to explore opportunities to enhance
school zones in the City through the installation of appropriate signage and enhanced crosswalks,
as well as working with DTPW to upgrade school zone flashing beacons as necessary.
In preparation for the July 10, 2024 PSNQLC discussion on this item, Transportation and Mobility
Department staff conducted multiple on-site assessments of the current condition of all existing
pedestrian crosswalks within school zones in the City. Staffs assessment included performing
site visits, documenting observations, and taking photographs of all school zone crosswalks. Staff
is in the process of preparing a report with the findings and recommendations of the assessment.
At the July 10, 2024 PSNQLC meeting, the Committee discussed this item and passed a motion
recommending that the Administration move forward with increasing visibility for crosswalks in
school zones to increase student safety and return to the September 11, 2024 City Commission
meeting with a Resolution accepting the Committee's recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The fiscal impact is yet to be determined.
Page 545 of 1377
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE)was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meetinq-notices)
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
CONCLUSION
The Transportation and Mobility Department is preparing a report with findings based on staffs
recent condition survey of all existing pedestrian crosswalks in school zones within the City as
well as recommendations on how to improve the safety and visibility of crosswalks.
Should the City Commission adopt this Resolution accepting the recommendation of the PSNQLC
and directing the Administration to increase visibility for crosswalks in school zones to increase
student safety, the Administration will proceed to formulate a work plan, based on staffs recent
assessment survey, including identifying priority locations and a phasing plan, developing cost
estimates for design and construction, obtaining regulatory approval by DTPW or FDOT as
needed, and identifying any future funding needs. The Administration will provide updates on the
status of the action plan via Letter to Commission ("LTC"). Should a funding allocation be required,
the Administration will bring forward a request to the City Commission, as necessary.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Project?
No No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): N/A
Department
Transportation and Mobility
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Joseph Magazine
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Accept Recommendation, Increase Visibility for Crosswalks in School Zones. (Magazine) TR
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