Resolution 2024-33333 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-33333
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ISSUE
REFUNDS FOR UNUSED FARES TO RESIDENTS WHO PROVIDE PROOF OF
PURCHASE OF WEEKLY OR MONTHLY PASSES FOR RIDES ON THE
WATER TAXI BETWEEN PURDY DOCK AND SEA ISLE MARINA WHO WERE
UNABLE TO USE THEIR PASSES DUE TO REPEATED INTERRUPTIONS AND
SUSPENSIONS OF SERVICE BY POSEIDON FERRY, LLC; AND FURTHER,
DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY A SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR
THIS PURPOSE.
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2023, the Mayor and City Commission ("City
Commission") adopted Resolution No. 2023-32644, waiving, by 5/7th vote, the formal
competitive bidding requirement and accepting the recommendation of the Finance and
Economic Resiliency Committee ("FERC") to direct the City Administration
("Administration") to negotiate a one (1) year Agreement with Poseidon Ferry LLC
("Poseidon") for the operation of a water taxi service between Miami Beach and Miami;
and
WHEREAS, on September 13, 2023, the City Commission adopted Resolution No.
2023-32746, approving the term sheet for a one (1) year pilot program for water taxi
service, and authorizing the Administration to negotiate and execute an Agreement with
Poseidon; and
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2024, the Agreement between the City and Poseidon
was executed, providing for a one-year pilot program at a cost to the City of $600,000,
with the service operating between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park in Miami Beach and the
Venetian Marina & Yacht Club, also known as Sea Isle Marina, in Miami; and
WHEREAS, the ferry service commenced on June 30, 2024, but experienced
multiple service interruptions due to mechanical failures and adverse weather conditions,
including prolonged suspensions of service on various occasions in July and August
2024; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these repeated interruptions and suspensions of service,
many residents who had purchased weekly (10 trips for $30.00) or monthly (40 trips for
$120.00) passes for water taxi rides were unable to fully utilize their purchased trips; and
WHEREAS, at the September 11, 2024 City Commission meeting, pursuant to
Resolution 2024-33247, the City Commission directed the Administration to terminate the
concession agreement dated March 14, 2024 with Poseidon for the operation of a water
taxi pilot program; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission recognizes the need to refund residents for any
unused fares purchased due to service disruptions and suspensions caused by Poseidon
Ferry, LLC; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to direct the City Administration to issue
refunds to affected residents who provide proof of purchase of the weekly or monthly ferry
passes and proof that they were unable to utilize their passes due to the service
interruptions; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission further directs the Administration to identify a
source of funds for the purpose of issuing these refunds to the affected residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the City Commission
directs the City Administration to issue refunds for unused fares to residents who provide
proof of purchase of weekly or monthly passes for rides on the water taxi between Purdy
Dock and Sea Isle Marina who demonstrate they were unable to use their passes due to
repeated interruptions and suspensions of service by Poseidon Ferry, LLC; and further,
direct the Administration to identify a source of funds for this purpose.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 30 day of 00‘.61°r• , 2024.
ATTEST:
NOV 0 5 2024
ayor Steven Meiner
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) = '' �` f 'n'': -,
111LORP'ttORATED
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J.Fernandez
H
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine """
APPROVED AS TO
FORM &LANGUAGE
&FOR EXECUTION •
ty mey Date
2
•
Resolutions - C7 AE
MIAMIBEACH ..
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner David Suarez
DATE: October 30, 2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ISSUE
REFUNDS FOR UNUSED FARES TO RESIDENTS WHO PROVIDE PROOF OF
PURCHASE OF WEEKLY OR MONTHLY PASSES FOR RIDES ON THE WATER
TAXI BETWEEN PURDY DOCK AND SEA ISLE MARINA WHO WERE UNABLE TO
USE THEIR PASSES DUE TO REPEATED INTERRUPTIONS AND
SUSPENSIONS OF SERVICE BY POSEIDON FERRY, LLC; AND FURTHER,
DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY A SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR
THIS PURPOSE.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner David
Suarez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
•
The fiscal impact of this measure is less than $500.
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.mi.amibeachfl.gov/city-hail/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Page 736 of 2497
,
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" items 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):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner David Suarez
Co-sponsor(s)
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Condensed Title
Issue Refunds for Unused Fares, Poseiden Ferry Water Taxi Rides. (Suarez/Fernandez) CA
Page 737 of 2497