Resolution 2025-33835 i
RESOLUTION NO. ZQZ533835
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
IDENTIFY AND PURSUE ALL AVAILABLE FEDERAL, STATE, REGIONAL,
AND PRIVATE GRANT AND MATCHING-FUND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT
WATERWAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, TO FINANCE THE DESIGN,
PERMITTING, AND CONSTRUCTION OF DOCKS AND PIERS TO SERVE A
FUTURE WATER TAXI NETWORK AS WELL AS PUBLIC FISHING AND
WATER-VIEWING AMENITIES.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach has long recognized waterborne transit as a
sustainable, congestion-reducing complement to road-based Iransportation; and
WHEREAS, on March 21, 2025 the City issued RFQ 2025-284-ND, and ultimately, the
Evaluation Committee unanimously selected Water Tazi of Fort Lauderdale LLC—an operator
with over 30 years of regional service and proven reliability—to LLC as the most qualifed and top
ranked opera[or; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission adopted a resolution,
authorizing negotiations with Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale LLC; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Transportation Planning Organization's Waterborne
Network Feasibility Study identified key docking locations—South Pointe Park, Venetian Islands,
Momingside Bayfront, and Sunset Harbor—and outlined requirements for ADA-compliantfloating
docks, fixed piers, seating, lighting, security cameras, vessel mooring hardware, and wayfinding
signage; and
WHEREAS, the City has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT) for operating ezpenses related to a cross-bay water taxi service, with
matching funds coMingent on approval during the Fiscal Year(FY) 2026 budget process; and
WHEREAS, on November 22, 2024, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution
No. 2024-33391, directing the Administration to take all necessary steps to apply for any and all
available state and federal grants to support the creation of a water taxi service between Miami
Beach and Miami; and
WHEREAS, regional and local agencies, private foundations, and corporate partners also
administer grants and cost-share programs that can finance design, permitting, construction,
environmental review, and resilience measures for waterfront facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Inland Navigation District Watervvay Assistance Program provides
grants covering up to 75 percent of eligible capital ezpenses for public watenvay access projects,
requires a local match of 25 percent, and offers technical supportfor permitting and environmental
review; and
WHEREAS, securing a diversified portfolio of grant and matching-fund sources will
maximize the City's fnancial capacity, accelerate project delivery, and ensure equitable public
access to waterbome transit and watertront recreation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE qTY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby direct the
City Administretion to identify and pursue all available federal, state, regional, and private grant
and matching-fund programs, including but not limited to the Florida Inland Navigation District
Waterway Assistance Program, to finance the design, permitting, and construction of docks and
piers to serve a future water taxi nehvork as well as public fshing and water-viewing amenities.
PASSED AND ADOP7ED ihis�day of J�, 2025.
ATTEST:
�/� f�J( ? r, 2075 teven Meiner, Mayor �
�U/
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsored by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez)
CoSponsoretl by Commissioner Laura Dominguez
APPROVED AS TO
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Resolutions - C7 AH
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Ciry Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: July 23, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTWG THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
IDENTIFY AND PURSUE ALL AVAILABLE FEDERAL. STATE, REGIONAL, AND
PRIVATE GRANT AND MATCHING-FUND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTFICT WATERWAY
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, TO FINANCE THE DESIGN, PERMITTING, AND
CONSTRUCTION OF DOCKS AND PIERS TO SERVE A FUTURE WATER TAXI
NETWORK AS WELL AS PUBLIC FISHING AND WATER-VIEWING AMENITIES.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Mayor Steven Meiner, and
co-sponsor, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Does this Ordinance require a Business Imoact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: https Ilwww miamibeachfl qov/citv-halllcitvc�erklmeetina-noticesl
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Aoolicable Area
918 of 1791
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riaht to Know" item. Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to Citv Code Section 2-77? Proiect?
No No
Was this Aaenda Item initiallv reauested bv a lobbvist which as defi�ed in Code Sec. 2�481,
includes a princioal enaaaed in lobbvina7 No
If sq specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Deoartment
City Attomey
Soonsor(sl
Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsorlsl
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
Condensed Title
Identify Grants and Programs for Funding Water Taxi Service. (MeinerlRosen Gonzalez) CA
Previous Action (For Ciri Clerk Use Onlvl
919 of 1791