Resolution 2025-33552RESOLUTION NO.2025-33552
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 JANUARY 29,2025 MEETING,DIRECTING THE
CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL REMOVAL OF
BULB-OUTS AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS TO INCREASE PARKING
AND/OR MITIGATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION,SUBJECT TO A FISCAL
YEAR 2025 BUDGET AMENDMENT OR CONSIDERED AS A BUDGET
ENHANCEMENT THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET
PROCESS.
WHEREAS,at the July 24,2024 City Commission meeting,at the request of Mayor
Steven Meiner,the City Commission referred an agenda item (C4 R)to the Public Safety
and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC")to discuss the potential removal
of bulb-outs at certain locations to increase parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion;and
WHEREAS,State Road ("SR")112/41 Street is classified as a principal arterial
under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation ("FDOT");and
WHEREAS,this corridor is located in Mid-Beach and provides direct access
to/from I-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway,a limited access federal facility,and SR A1A/Collins
Avenue/Indian Creek Drive (also under FDOT's jurisdiction);and
WHEREAS,the 41 Street corridor regularly experiences heavy traffic congestion
during weekday afternoon peak hours and major special events in the City of Miami Beach
("City");and
WHEREAS,several factors contribute to daily recurring traffic congestion along
the corridor,including increased volumes due to drivers avoiding major ongoing
construction and choke points on I-395/MacArthur Causeway,closely spaced traffic
signals,an extensive school zone,a high number of pedestrian crossings,and heavy
side-street traffic from the connecting north-south avenues which results in vehicles
frequently blocking the intersections and creating gridlock in all directions;and
WHEREAS,based on the FOOT 2022 Level of Service ("LOS")map,the 41 Street
corridor is,and has been,operating at LOS F (failing)based on the annual average daily
traffic volumes and the capacity of the roadway;and
WHEREAS,bulb-outs,often referred to as curb extensions,are physical
extensions of the sidewalk into the parking lane to reduce the effective width of the
roadway and enhance pedestrian visibility,particularly at intersections;and
WHEREAS,the Transportation and Mobility Department engaged Alta Planning &
Design,Inc.("Consultant"),one of the City's pre-qualified rotational transportation
consultants,to conduct a comprehensive Traffic Study to evaluate the feasibility of
creating dedicated left-turn lanes on the north-south avenues (from Chase Avenue on the
west to Sheridan Avenue on the east)approaching 41 Street to more effectively facilitate
vehicular turning movements from those avenues onto 41 Street as well crossing 41
Street (north/south);and
WHEREAS,the Traffic Study includes an analysis of the impacts,if any,to the
existing bulb-outs at the study intersections;and
WHEREAS,based on the preliminary findings in the draft Traffic Study,Chase
Avenue,Prairie Avenue,Royal Palm Avenue,and Sheridan Avenue warrant the creation
of dedicated left-turn lanes,both northbound and southbound,approaching 41 Street;
and
WHEREAS,the recommended dedicated northbound and southbound left-turn
lanes on Chase Avenue,Royal Palm Avenue,and Sheridan Avenue could be
accommodated without impacting the existing bulb-outs;and
WHEREAS,Prairie Avenue would require the removal of existing bulb-outs and
the on-street parking lane,potentially in both directions,in order to accommodate
dedicated northbound and southbound left-turn lanes while maintaining the existing green
bicycle lanes in each direction;and
WHEREAS,the Administration will work with FOOT to determine next steps and
identify funding for the design and construction of the recommended dedicated
northbound and southbound left-turn lanes approaching 41 Street on Chase Avenue,
Royal Palm Avenue,and Sheridan Avenue;and
WHEREAS,at the January 29,2025 PSNQLC meeting,the PSNQLC
recommended that the Transportation and Mobility Department conduct an analysis of all
existing bulb-outs in the City to determine the feasibility of potentially removing bulb-outs
at certain locations to increase parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion through the
creation of dedicated turning lanes;and
WHEREAS,the cost of conducting a Citywide feasibility study to evaluate the
potential removal of existing bulb-outs at certain locations to increase parking and/or
mitigate traffic has not been determined at this time;and
WHEREAS,the Transportation and Mobility Department staff will reach out to one
of the City's rotational transportation consultants to obtain a scope of services and a fee
proposal for this evaluation;and
WHEREAS,funding for this initiative has not been identified,budgeted,or
appropriated;and
WHEREAS,pursuant to the recommendation of the PSNQLC,once a cost for the
feasibility study has been determined,the Administration will seek a Fiscal Year 2024/25
budget amendment or work through the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget process to allocate
funding.
2
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 accept the recommendation the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of
Life Committee,at its January 29,2025 meeting,directing the City Administration to
evaluate the potential removal of bulb-outs at certain locations to increase parking and/or
mitigate traffic congestion,subject to a Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendment or
considered as a budget enhancement through the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 2 day or February
1 2025.
ATTEST:s=cc.
HAR 03 2025 seenwen»er,nay6r
Rafael E.Granado,City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez)
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
APPROVED AS TO
FORM &LANGUAGE
&FOR EXECUTION
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(Cly Attomey DateM
3
Resolutions -R7 {{item.number}}
MIAMI BEACH
Agenda Item R7CC
Date 2l-25
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO :
FRO M :
DATE:
TITLE:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Com m issioncA,adEricCarpenter,City Manager Z.U Cev-f
February 26,2025
A RESO LUTIO N O F THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH,FLO RIDA,ACCEPTING THE RECOM MENDATION OF THE
PUBLI C SAFETY AND NEIG HBO RHO O D QUALITY OF LIFE CO M MITT EE,AT ITS
JANUARY 29,2025 MEETING ,DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRA TION TO
EVALUATE THE PO TENTIAL REM O VAL OF BULB-O UTS AT CERTAIN
LO CATIO NS TO INCREASE PARKING AND/OR MITIGATE TRA FFIC
CO NG ESTIO N.
RECOMMENDATION
The City Adm inistration ("Administration")recomm ends that the Mayor and City Comm ission
("City Com m ission")adopt the resolution.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
At the July 24,2024 City Comm ission meeting,at the request of Mayor Steven Meiner,the City
Com m ission referred an agenda item (C4 R)to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of
Life Com m ittee ("PSNQ LC"or "Com mittee")to discuss the potential rem oval of bulb-outs at
certain locations to increase parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion.This Com mission
M em orandum fo cuses on the existing bulb-outs along the 41 Street corridor,while providing
actionable steps to address the PSNQ LC's recom m endation to conduct an analysis to evaluate
the potential rem oval of bulb-outs at certain locations throughout the City to increase parking
and/or mitigate traffic congestion through the creation of dedicated turn lanes.
State Road ("SR")112/41 Street is classified as a principal arterial under the jurisdiction of the
Florida Departm ent of Transportation ("FDO T").The corridor is located in Mid Beach and provides
direct access to/from 1-195 /Julia Tuttle Causeway,a limited access federal facility,and SR
A1A/Collins Avenue/Indian Creek Drive (also under FDOT's jurisdiction).
The 41 Street corridor regularly experiences heavy traffic congestion during weekday aftern oon
peak hours and major special events in the City of Miam i Beach ("City").Several factors contribute
to daily recurring traffi c congestion along the corridor,including increased volum es due to drivers
avoiding major ongoing construction and choke points on I-395/MacArthur Causeway,closely
spaced traffi c signals,extensive school zones,high num ber of pedestrian cro ssings,and heavy
side street traffic from the connecting north-south avenues which results in vehicles frequently
blocking the intersections and creating gridlock in all directions.Based on the FOOT 2022 Level
of Serv ice ("LO S")map,the 41 Street corridor is and has been operating at LOS F (failing)based
on the annual average daily traffi c volum es and capacity of the roadway.
Bulb-outs (often referred to as curb extensions)are physical extensions of the sidewalk into the
parking lane to re duce the effect ive width of the roadway and enhance pedestrian visibility,
particularly at intersections.Bulb-outs im prove pedestrian safety by shortening pedestrian
cro ssing distances,im proving the ability of pedestrians and motorists to see each other,and
reducing the tim e that pedestrians are exposed while crossing the street.
At the November 13,2024 PSNQLC meeting,the Committee discussed this item and requested
that the Administration return to the January 29,2025 PSNQLC meeting with an update.
At the January 29,2025 PSNQLC meeting,the Committee discussed this item and recommended
that the Transportation and Mobility Department conduct an analysis of all existing bulb-outs
throughout the City to determine the feasibility of potentially removing bulb-outs at certain
locations to increase parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion through the creation of dedicated
turning lanes.Furthermore,the Committee recommended to move this item to the City
Commission for further discussion.
ANALYSIS
The Administration is exploring various strategies to manage the increased vehicular demand on
41 Street and the north-south avenues connecting to 41 Street to help improve traffic flow in the
immediate area.
Creation of Dedicated Left-Turn Lanes on the North-South Avenues Intersecting 41 Street
The Transportation and Mobility Department engaged Alta Planning &Design,Inc.("Consultant"),
one of the City's pre-qualified rotational transportation consultants,to conduct a comprehensive
traffic study (the "Traffic Study")to evaluate the need and feasibility of creating dedicated turn
lanes (either left turn or right turn lanes)on the north-south avenues (from Chase Avenue on the
west to Sheridan Avenue on the east)approaching 41 Street to more effectively facilitate vehicular
turning movements from those avenues onto 41 Street as well as crossing 41 Street (north/south).
The Traffic Study includes an analysis of the impacts,if any,to the existing bulb-outs at the
intersections.The Consultant submitted a Draft Traffic Study to the City in January 2025,and the
draft report is currently being reviewed by Transportation and Mobility Department staff.In
addition,FDOT and Miami-Dade County review and approval of the Traffic Study is required in
order to advance the project to design development phase.
Based on the data collected (i.e.the total volume of left turning and right turning vehicles during
peak periods),the Draft Traffic Study found that Chase Avenue,Prairie Avenue,Royal Palm
Avenue,and Sheridan Avenue warrant the creation of dedicated left-turn lanes,both northbound
and southbound,approaching 41 Street.The recommended dedicated northbound and
southbound left-turn lanes on Chase Avenue,Royal Palm Avenue and Sheridan Avenue
could be accommodated without impacting the existing bulb-outs.Prairie Avenue,
however,would require the removal of existing bulb-outs and the on-street parking lane,
potentially in both directions,to accommodate dedicated northbound and southbound left-
turn lanes while maintaining the existing green bicycle lanes in each direction.
The Transportation and Mobility Department staff will continue to work with FDOT to secure
approval of the Traffic Study and identify funding for the design phase of the recommended
dedicated northbound and southbound left turn lanes on Chase Avenue,Royal Palm Avenue,and
Sheridan Avenue approaching the 41 Street intersection.
It is important to note that the City's 41 Street Corridor Revitalization project,currently at 60%
design development,proposes to enhance the existing bulb-outs along 41 Street in addition to
other pedestrian enhancements.As such,any impacts to the existing bulb-outs to incorporate
dedicated northbound and southbound left-turn lanes along the north-south avenues will need to
be closely coordinated with this project.
Analysis of Existing Bulb-Outs Throughout the City
A traffic engineering analysis is required to determine if turn lanes could be accommodated at
locations where bulb-outs currently exist as well as to identify the associated intersection
modifications required to accommodate the creation of such turn lanes.Should the City
Commission accept by Resolution the recommendation of the PSNQLC at its January 29,2025
meeting directing City staff to evaluate the potential removal of existing bulb-outs at certain
locations to increase parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion through the creation of dedicated
turning lanes,the Transportation and Mobility Department staff will reach out to one of the City's
rotational transportation consultants to obtain a scope of services and a fee proposal for the
required analysis.At this time,the cost and timeline of such analysis has not yet been determined.
41 Street Traffic Re-Circulation Pilot Program
In an effort to improve mobility for residents traveling north and south along Sheridan and Royal
Palm avenues crossing 41 Street,on September 17,2024,the City launched the 41 Street Traffic
Re-Circulation Pilot Program ("Pilot Program")during the weekday afternoon peak hours of 3:30
p.m.to 7 p.m.The Pilot Program maintains the existing two-way traffic flow on Sheridan Avenue
and Royal Palm Avenue.No left turns are allowed onto 41 Street from Sheridan Avenue and
Royal Palm Avenue during the Pilot Program.Police resources are deployed at two (2)
intersections (Sheridan Avenue and 41 Street and Royal Palm Avenue and 41 Street)to ensure
vehicles do not make a left turn onto 41 Street and continue traveling north/south.
The Consultant was engaged to conduct a pre-implementation and post-implementation traffic
study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pilot Program and its impact on the surrounding street
network.Based on field observations conducted by City staff and an analysis of the data
collected by the Consultant between September 2024 and November 2024,the Pilot
Program is performing as intended,and vehicles traveling northbound and southbound
along both Sheridan and Royal Palm avenues are able to clear the 41 Street intersection
during every traffic signal cycle (i.e.no significant back-ups were observed on those
avenues).However,the Consultant observed some vehicles using Sheridan and Royal Palm
avenues to cross 41 Street and then routing through the neighborhood streets to access
westbound 41 Street.Furthermore,the Consultant observed a significant amount of northbound
vehicles along Sheridan Avenue making a left-turn at 40 Street and taking Prairie Avenue or
Chase Avenue to access 41 Street and travel westbound to the Julia Tuttle Causeway.This
particular movement was found to be causing more queuing on westbound 40 Street than prior
to the implementation of the Pilot Program.
It is important to note that if the Pilot Program is ultimately deemed effective and implemented on
a long-term basis,it would conflict with the potential creation of dedicated northbound and
southbound left-turn lanes on Royal Palm and Sheridan avenues.Therefore,further analysis of
the data from both the Traffic Study and the 41 Street Traffic Re-circulation Pilot Program
is required to determine which improvement would provide the greater benefit to traffic
flow in the area -implementing dedicated northbound and southbound left-turn lanes on
Royal Palm and Sheridan Avenues or implementing the Pilot Program on a permanent
basis.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
With regard to the design and construction of the recommended dedicated northbound and
southbound left turn lanes on Chase Avenue,Royal Palm Avenue,and Sheridan Avenue,the
Administration will continue to work with FDOT to determine next steps,identify potential FOOT
funding,and determine whether any City funds will be required to implement the recommended
improvements.
The cost of conducting a cityw ide feasibility analysis to evaluate the potential removal of existing
bulb-outs at certain locations to increase parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion has not been
determined at this time.The Transportation and Mobility Department staff will reach out to one of
the City's rotational transportation consultants to obtain a scope of services and a fee proposal
for the analysis.Funding for the feasibility analysis has not been identified,budgeted,or
appropriated.Once a cost for the feasibility analysis has been determined,the Administration may
propose a budget amendment at a future City Commission meeting or work through the Fiscal
Year 2025/26 budget process to allocate funding for the analysis.
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/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TBD
CONCLUSION
The Administration is committed to finding solutions,both short-term and long-term,to manage
the increased vehicular demand and traffic congestion on and around 41 Street through the
ongoing deployment of the 41 Street Traffic Re-circulation Pilot Program along Royal Palm and
Sheridan avenues as well as the potential creation of dedicated northbound and southbound left-
turn lanes along the north-south avenues approaching 41 Street,as recommended by the Traffic
Study.
As such,the Administration recommends finalizing the Traffic Study and coordinating the findings
and recommendations with FOOT and Miami-Dade County for approval to proceed to design
development.In the interim,the Administration recommends continuing the deployment of the 41
Street Traffic Re-circulation Pilot Program during weekday afternoon peak traffic periods to
improve north-south traffic flow in the area on an immediate basis.
Tangentially,pursuant to the recommendation of the PSNQLC and this Resolution from the City
Commission,and provided funding is identified and allocated,the Transportation and Mobility
Department will engage a traffic consultant to conduct an analysis of all existing bulb-outs in the
City to determine the feasibility of potentially removing bulb-outs at certain locations to increase
parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion through the creation of dedicated turning lanes.
Applicable Area
Cityw ide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know"item,
pursuant to City Code Section 2-172
No
Is this item related to a G.O.Bond
Project?
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
Transportation and Mobility
Sponsor(s)
Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsor(s)
Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Condensed Title
Accept Recomm.Potential Removal of Bulb-outs.(Meiner/Dominguez)TR
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
C om m itt ee Referrals -C4 R
MIAMI BEACH
CO M M ISSIO N MEMO RA ND UM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
TITLE:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
Mayor Steven Meiner
July 24,2024
REFERRAL TO THE PUBLIC SAFE Y AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL REMOVAL OF BULB-OUTS AT
CERTAIN LOCATIONS TO INCREASE PARKING AND/OR MITIGATE TRAFFIC
CONGESTION.
R E C O M M EN D A TIO N
B A C K G R O U N D/HISTO R Y
A N A LY S IS
Please place on the July 24,2024 agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood
Quality of Life Committee to discuss the possibility of evaluating bulb-outs in the City and
identifying certain locations where the bulb-outs can be removed,without compromising
pedestrian safety,in order to increase available parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion by
increasing the flow of traffic,and potentially add a dedicated turn lane to replace the bulb-out.
Bulb-outs,also known as curb extensions,are cesigned to extend the sidewalk into the parking
lane and,in theory,thereby improve pedestrian safety by reducing crossing distances and
enhancing visibility.However,in some locations,bulb-outs can also contribute to reduced parking
availability and increased traffic congestion.As such,identifying and addressing bulb-out
locations with these issues is essential for improving the quality of life for the City's residents and
visitors.
Accordingly,I would request that the City Administration,including the Transportation
Department,Parking Department and Public Works Department,be prepared at Committee to
discuss the possibility of removing bulb-outs at certain locations in order to increase available
parking and/or mitigate traffic congestion.I would further request that the Administration be
prepared to advise the Committee as to the most appropriate means by which bulb-outs in the
City can be analyzed,evaluated,and identified fr possible removal.
FIS CA L IM P A C T ST A TEM ENT
N/A
D oes this O rdinance require a Business Im pact Estim ate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If ap plica ble,the Business Im pact Estim ate (BIE)w as published on .
Resolutions -R7 C
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM:Eric Carpenter,City Manager
DA TE:February 26,2025
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
JANUARY 29,2025 MEETING,DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO
EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL REMOVAL OF BULB-OUTS AT CERTAIN
LOCATIONS TO INCREASE PARKING AND/OR MITIGATE TRAFFIC
CONGESTION.
RECOMMENDATION
Item to be submitted in Supplemental.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
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/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TBD
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Page 929 of 1310
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know"item,
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17?
No
Is this item related to a G.O.Bond
Project?
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
Transportation and Mobility
Sponsor(s)
Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsor(s)
Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Condensed Title
Accept Recomm.Potential Removal of Bulb-outs.(Meiner/Dominguez)TR
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
Page 930 of 1310