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Resolution 2025-33796 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33796 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISION OF MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS JANUARY 29, 2025 MEETING, APPROVING THE ENHANCEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY AT SENIOR CENTERS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DEDICATED MID-SIZE BUS SERVICE; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE SERVICE, SUBJECT TO FUNDING APPROPRIATION IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PROCESS. WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the City of Miami Beach ("City") launched the Freebee On-Demand Transit Service for Seniors ("Freebee Senior Service"); and WHEREAS, the Freebee Senior Service provides a free shuttle service for senior residents (65 and older) living in affordable housing facilities throughout the City and/or participating in any of the senior programs provided by UNIDAD, Jewish Community Services or Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center; and WHEREAS, the Freebee Senior Service is currently provided to/from approximately 40 senior facilities located in South Beach, Mid-Beach, and North Beach and the closest Publix supermarket or pharmacy; and WHEREAS, the Freebee Senior Service operates seven (7) days a week, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with hvo (2) Gem e6 golf-type electric vehicles; and WHEREAS, at the June 26, 2024 City Commission meeting, at the request of Mayor Steven Meiner ("Mayor Meiner'), the Mayor and City Commission ("City Commission") referred an item (C4 AR) to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC' or "Committee") to discuss enhancing public transportation accessibility and efficiency at seniorcenters with a dedicated mid-size bus service; and WHEREAS, at the November 13, 2024 PSNQLC meeting, the Committee discussed this item and recommended that the Administration continue working with the Mayor's Office to provide further input and refne a plan to enhance public transportation accessibility for senior residents through a dedicated mid-size bus service; and WHEREAS, the Transportation and Mobility Department staff met with the Mayor's Office staff to identify the key parameters for the development of such transportation service for seniors and potential next steps; and WHEREAS, at the January 29, 2025 PSNQLC meeting, the Committee discussed this item and endorsed a dedicated mid-size bus service to enhance public transportation accessibility and efficiency at senior centers. The Commit[ee moved the item to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation; and WHEREAS, a senior bus transportation service could potentially be provided on a once-a-month basis, from/to senior housing facilities in the City, including Rebecca Towers, Stella Maris, Four Freedoms, Council Towers, and Federation Towers, and the Walmart Supercenter located at 1425 NE 163 Street in North Miami Beach; and WHEREAS, the Transportation and Mobility Department could utilize the existing agreement with Limousines of South Florida, Inc. ("LSF") for citywide trolley service; and WHEREAS, under the terms of the current agreement, LSF would provide dedicated, ADA-complianUlow-floor buses, each with a seating capacity of 25 passengers, for monthly recurring round-trips from each participating senior housing facility to the Walmart Supercenter in North Miami Beach. The trips would be coordinated and pre-scheduled with each participating senior housing facility; and WHEREAS, it is anticipated that each round-trip from/to each senior housing facility and Walmart is anticipated to operate for four (4) to eight (8) hours per facility, per month, billed at LSF's current contract rate of$80 per hour, per bus, for special event transportation service; and WHEREAS, based on Ihese parameters, the estimated monthly cost to serve the five (5) senior housing facilities - Rebecca Towers, Stella Maris, Four Freedoms, Council Towers, and Federation Towers -would range from $1,600/month to $3,200/month. This would result in an annual cost ranging from $19,200 to $38,400; and WHEREAS, each participating senior housing facility would be responsible for assigning dedicated personnel to coordinate directly with the City and LSF for trip- scheduling purposes and to serve as an on-site representative to assist and accompany senior residents on each bus trip; and WHEREAS, this new senior transportation service could help address a clearly identified need among senior residents and offer a practical, fiscally responsible solution using existing contractual resources; and WHEREAS, should the City Commission adopt this Resolution, the Transportation and Mobility DepaRment staff would work with senior housing facilities and LSF to develop a schedule that meets the needs of senior residents; and WHEREAS, City staff would assess opportunities for service adjustments and potential expansion of the new senior transportation service based on community response and program performance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission accept the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, at its January 29, 2025 meeting, approving the enhancement of public transportation accessibility and efficiency at senior centers through the implementation of a dedicated mid-size bus service; and further authorizing the City Manager to take all necessary steps to implement the service, subject to funding appropriation in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process. PASSED and ADOPTED this as day of Ju b{ , 2025. ATTEST: G�/� (�C.� S ven Meiner, Ma or JUN 3 0 2025 Y i 19E;'q'ii�„ �in........:e�.. =�r,'' �5�,. -� 3 : �; ���� �' � s ;iNcaev oaniEo; : /. �fae . Granado, City Clerk =,3;, �yr APPROVED AS TO C�+ �€�I� BARBOU ,"^4!$�H;z6,^9- FORM & LANGUAGE (sponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner and "' � '� & FO CUTION co-sponsoredbyCommissionerLauraDominguez � �l�I(�I�Z� and Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez) City ey zz Date CoSpansoretl by CommissionerAlex J.fernandez Resolutians - R7 O MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager DATE: June 25, 2025 TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CIN COMMISSION OF THE CIN Of MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS JANUARY 29, 2025 MEETING, APPROVING THE ENHANCEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY AT SENIOR CENTERS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DEDICATED MID-SIZE BUS SERVICE; AND FURTHER AUTNORIZING THE CITV MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE SERVICE, SUBJECT TO FUNDING APPROPRIATION IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PROCESS. RECOMMENDATION Should ihe Mayor and City Commission ("City Commission") adopt the Resolution, the City Administration ("AtlminisUation") could implemeM a new tletlicated senior bus transportation service from/to vanous senior living facilities in the City and the Walmart Supercenter in North Miami Beach. The Adminisiration recommends ihat while the City Commission evaluates ihe implementation of a new bus transportation service for seniors, it also carefully considers several critical factors that will signifcantly impact the Transportation Fund and General Fund budgets, beginning in Fiscal Year("FY") 2026: 1. The operating costs of a new citywitle transit circulator service and water taxi service,bo[h which are currently in procuremeM; 2. The Ciry's increasing unfunded capital improvement program; 3. Long-term General Fund financial projec[ions indicating a potential shoMall in upcoming fscal years; and 4. The passage of Amendment 5 in November 2024, which increases ihe homestead exempiion and fuAher constrains the growlh of taxable property values. Funding for this service has not been identified, budgeted, or appropriated in ihe Transportation and Mobiliry DepartmenPs FY 2025 Operating Budget The considerations outlinetl above are essential to ensure that decisions regarding this potential transportation resource align with Ihe City's broader long-term fnancial s[ability and strategic prioriiies. If the City Commission recommends funding the new senior transportation service, the Administretion recommends [hal it be considered as part o(ihe FY 2026 budget piocess. BACKGROUNDIHISTORY At the June 26, 2024 City Commission meeting, at the request of Mayor Steven Meiner("Mayor Meiner'), [he Ciry Commission referretl an item (C4 AR) to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Duality of Life Committee("PSNQLC'or"Committee")to discuss enhancing public transportation accessibility and effciency at senior centers with a dedicated mid-size bus service. On November 16, 2020, �he Ciry of Miami Beach ("City") launched lhe Freebee On-Demand 2091 Transit Service for Seniors ("Freebee Senior Service"). The Freebee Senior Service provides a free shuttle service for senior residents (65 and older) living in allordable housing facilities throughout the City and/or participating in any of Ihe senior programs provided by UNIDAD, Jewish Community Services or Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centec The Freebee Senior Service is currentty provided to/from approximately 40 senior facilities located in South Beach, Mid-Beach, and NoAh Beach and ihe closest Publix supermarket or pharmacy. The Freebee Senior Service operates seven (7) days a week, from 7 a.m. to 530 p.m., with hvo (2) Gem e6 golf-type elechic vehides. Senior residents are required to register with Preebee in advance b enroll in the service. Since the inception of the Freebee Senior Service, the ridership data has consistently indicated that the majority (approximately 65%) of all requests citywide originate fmm Rebecca Towers residents. This statistic highlights the high demand for Iransporta[ion services to/from this facility. To address this high demand effectively, Mayor Meiner's proposal indudes expbring the implementation of a dedicated mid-size bus service, equipped with the latest platforms m accommodate the mobility aids and necessities of senior residents. It is worth notinq that the Administration is currently in concurrent negotiations with three (3) selected vendors for the implementation of a Citywide Municipal Transit Circulator Service to replace the current Miami Beach Trolley service which has been in operation since 2014. While all our current trolley vehicles in service (low-floor and high-floor) meet ihe Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") requirements, including being equipped with electric wheelchair lifts, kneeling capabilities, and ADA ramps, Ihe high-Boor vehicles used for the Mid-Beach and North 8each loops are particulady inconvenient for senior passengers with mobility challenges andlor small carts due to Ihe various steps required to board and disembark the vehicles. The forthcoming Citywide Municipal Transit Circulator Service is intended to provide a wodd-dass, reliable, eco-friendly, and customer-friendly service utilizing "next generation" low-Floor transit vehides Ihat are more comenientfor passengers, particulady senior residents, to 6oard and disembark. In addition to the Freebee Senior Service and ihe Miami Beach Trolley service, the City also provides the Senior Enhanced Transit Services ("SETS") program which has been a valuable resource for senior residents since its incepfion in 2007. The SETS program, managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, operates with an annual budget of $50,000 and provides iransportation for seniors aged 65 and older. The SETS program focuses on connecting seniors to community organizations and offering opportunities (or recreational oulings, such as irips to local thealers, parks, museums, movies, and other cWtural even[s. Its primary intent is to encourage healthy, active lifestyles that enhance the quality of life for senior residents. Based on recent conversa�ions wilh�he Parks and Recreation Department staff, there is a lack of resources to expantl the SETS progrem to include trips for essential needs such as grocery shopping. Additionally,the type o(vehicles currently used for ihe SETS program(e.g. school 6uses)are not ADA-compliant vehicles and lack ramps and other accessibility features required for seniors with mobility aids or grocery carts, which further limits their utility for senior trensportation services. At the November 13, 2024 PSNQLC meeting, ihe Committee discussed this item and recommended that the Administration continue working with the Mayor's Office to provide(urther input and refne a plan to enhance public transportation accessibility for senior residents ihrough a dedicated mid-size bus service. Pursuant to the Committee's recommendation, the Transportation and Mobility Department staff met with the Mayor's OKce staff to identify the key parameters tor the development of such iransportation service for seniors and potential next steps. At the January 29. 2025 PSNQLC meeting, the Commitlee discussed this item and endorsed a dedicated mid-size bus service to enhance public trensportation accessibility and eKciency at senior centers. The Committee moved the item to ihe Ciry Commission with a favorable recommendation. 2092 The diswssion item R9 AE was not reached during the February 26, 2025 City Commission meeting. The discussion item R9 U was not reached during the March 19, 2025 Ciry Commission meeting. The discussion item R9 R was nol reached during the April 23, 2025 City Commission mee[ing. The diswssion ilem R9 S was not reached during [he May 21, 2025 Ciry Commission mee[ing. ANALYSIS The City has received consistent feedback from senior residents expressing a strong desire for reliable transportation options to access essential services, particulady for monthly grocery shopping at Walmart. Based on input from the item sponsor, Mayor Meiner, a senior bus iransportation service could potentially be provided on a once-a-month basis, from/to senior housing facililies in the City, induding Rebecca Towers, Stella Maris, Four Freedoms, Council Towers, and Federetion Towers, and the Walmart Supercenter located at 1425 NE 163 Street in North Miami Beach. To operate this service, the Transporlation and Mobility Department could utilize the existing agreement with Limousines of South Florida, Ina ("LSF") for cilywide troliey service. Under the terms of the currenl agreement, LSF would provide dedicated, ADA-complianUlow-Ooor buses, each with a seating capacity of approximately 30 passengers, for monthly recurring round-trips from each paNicipaling senior housing facility to the Walmarl Supercenter in North Miami Beach. The Irips would be coordinated and pre-scheduied with each participating senior housing faciliry. It is anticipated that each round-trip from/to each senior housing facility and Walmart will take approximately four (4) to six (6) hours to complete, depending on passenger demand and operationai logistics, and billed at LSF's current coniract rate of$80 per hour, per bus for special event transportation service. Each participating senior housing facility would be responsible for assigning dedicated personnel to coordinate directly with the City and LSF for Vip-scheduling purposes and to serve as an on- site representative to assist and accompany senior residents on each bus trip. Should the City Commission adopt this Resolutioq the Transportation and Mobility Department slaff would coordinate with each participating senior housing facility to ascertain passenger demand and develop a tailored monlhly bus trensportation schedule (or each facili�y. In addition, City staff would coordinate with LSF to ensure the delivery of an efficient mobility service ihat meets Ihe needs of our senior residents. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT If approved by the City Commission, Ihe Administration could u�ilize Ihe City's existing agreemen[ with LSF to provide monlhly recurring bus Iransportation services for senior residents from/to fve (5) major senior housing �acilities and the Walmart Supercenter in Nohh Miami Beach. It is anticipated that lhe detlicated bus for seniors could operale between four(4) to eight (8) service hours per day, per facility, per month, at the contract rate of $80 per hour, per bus. Therefore, based on these parameters, the estimated monthly cost to serve the five (5) aforementioned senior housing facilities would range from $1,600Imonth to$3,200/month. This would result in an annual cost renging from$79,200 to $38,400. Note if passenger demand exceeds the capacity of one (1) bus (25 passengers seated�, additional buses may be required, which could increase Ihe estimaled cosl of the senior Iransportation service. Does this Ordinance reauire a Business Imoact Estimate� (FOR ORDINANCES ONLV) 2093 If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at ht[ps://www.miamibeachfl aovlcity-halUcitv-clerk/meetino-notices! FINANCIAL INFORMATION TBD CONCLUSION In response to teedback /rom senior residents, ihe Administration supports enhancing transit accessibility for senior residents living in senior housing facilities throughout [he City. As such, should ihe Ci�y Commission adopt�his ResoWtion, the AdminisVation could initia�e a new senior transportation service, utilizing the City's existing agreement with LSF for citywide trolley service. The new senior transportation service could oRer once-a-month, pre-scheduled bus trips from/to fve(5)major senior housing facilities in the Cily-Rebecca Towers, Stella Maris, Four Freedoms, Council Towers, and Federetion Towers — antl the Walmart Supercenter in Norih Miami Beach. Each senior housing facility would be responsible for providing dedicated stafl to coordinate passenger demand and accompany senior residenis on�he bus,ensuring both logistical effciency and passenger assistance throughout the Mps. The monthly round-irip service is anlicipated to operate for four(4)to eight (8) hours per facility, per month, billed at $80 per hour, per 6us, using LSF's ADA-complianVlow-floor buses. This new senior transportation service could help address a cleady identifed need among senior residents and offer a practical, fiscally responsible solution using existing conlracWal resources. The Transportation and Mobiliry Department staR would work with senior housing facilities and LSF to develop a schedule Ihat meets the needs o(senior residents. In addition, City staR would assess opportunities for service adjustments and potential expansion of the new senior Iransportation service based on community response and program performance. Applicable Area Citywide Is this a "Residents Riah[to Know" item. Is this item related to a G.O. Bond pursuant to Citv Code Section 2-17? Project? No No Was this Aaenda Item initiallv reQuested bv a lobbvist which as defined in Code Sec 2-481 inclutles a orincioal enqaqed in IobbvinaT No If so, specify the name o�lobbyist(s) and principal(s): NIA Deoartment Transportation and Mobility Saonsor(sl Mayor Steven Meiner CO-SpOfISOf(5) 2U94 Commissioner Laura Dominguez Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez Condensed Title Enhance Public Transporlation, Sr Centers Mid-Size Bus Service. (SM/LD/KRG) TR Previous Action fFor CiN Clerk Use Onlv) 2095