C7V-Accept Recomm Conduct Survey Of City Employees Re- Use Of Water Taxi ServicCOMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution Of The Mayor And City Commission Of The City Of Miami Beach, Florida, Accepting The
Recommendation Of The Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee Directing The Administration To Conduct
A Survev Of Citv Em The Potential Use Of Water Taxi Services For Comm
Key lntended Outcome Supported: Commission a Comprehensive Mobility Plan Which Gives Priority
Recommendations (From Non-Vehicular To Vehicular And lncludinq Parkinq).
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): According to the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT), the Level Of Service (LOS) on the McArthur Causeway and Julia Tuttle Causeway during peak hours is
LOS F (Failing) and D, respectively. The existing public transportation system connecting Miami Beach to the
mainland is limited to using these congested highways. As recently indicated in the 2014 City of Miami Beach
Community Satisfaction Final Report ,28o/o of the City of Miami Beach residents would be willing to use alternative
forms of to access the mainland.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
Item Summary/Recommendation :
At the December 11,2013 City Commission meeting, the Commission accepted a recommendation by the
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) directing the Administration to further explore water taxi
service as an alternative form of transportation and gather more details regarding the service, such as possible
pick-up and drop-off locations, times, etc., and to bring the item back to the NCAC for further discussion and
refinement of the concept.
At the April 30, 2014 meeting of the NCAC, City staff provided feedback regarding potential locations for water taxi
terminals and recommended conducting public meetings in order to educate the communityand obtain their input
regarding potential water taxi dock locations. The NCAC recommended that prior to conducting any public
meetings, staff conduct a survey of City employees to determine if water taxi service would provide a suitable
alternative to commute to work.
This item is being presented to City Commission for acceptance of the recommendation of the NCAC directing the
Administration to conduct a survey and gather data to assess the need for water taxi service as an alternative
mode of public transportation in the City, and to bring the item back to the NCAC to report the results of the survey
and provide additional recommendations.
Additionally, the Administration will reach out to the Home Owners Associations (HOAs) surrounding the locations
that could potentially be used as terminals/stops for water taxi services, in an effort to obtain some feedback on
the integration of the proposed dock locations in the residential areas.
THE ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION.
Financial I nformation:
Department Director Assistant Gity Manager citytr rnager
JRG) ta6 rca&_JLI{(rvvl
T:\AGE N DA\20 1 4Uu ly\Water Taxi - Accepta nce of
/
by NCAC SUM.doc
AGEIIIDA nam 17 V& MIAMIBTACH o*,Te -?-23-/r504
4 MIAMIBEACH
City of Miomi Beoch, 1700 Convenlion Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 33,l 39, www.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
Mayor Philip Levine and Members the City
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
July 23,2014
A RESOLUTION OF THE MA AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE DIRECT!NG THE
ADMINISTRATION TO CONDUCT A SURVEY OF CITY EMPLOYEES REGARDING
THE POTENTIAL USE OF WATER TAXI SERVICES FOR COMMUTING
PURPOSES
BACKGROUND
A water taxi is a watercraft used to provide public transportation, usually, but not always in an
urban environment. Service may be scheduled with multiple stops, operating in a similar manner
to a bus, or on-demand to multiple locations, operating in a similar manner to a taxi. Aside from
being a memorable experience to tourists, water taxi service also has the ability to provide an
alternative mode of transportation for residents who commute daily to and from Downtown
Miami/Brickell area, and to connect various destinations in the City of Miami Beach and on the
Mainland.
The potential for waterborne transportation is expected to be further studied in the City's
Transportation Master Plan, which will review the City's transportation network, analyze existing
conditions and make recommendations for projected future conditions. Additionally, the City's
2025 Comprehensive Plan already includes a multi-modal transportation system as a stated
goal.
The City's Marine Authority Board discussed water taxi service and passed a Resolution in
January 2012 recommending that the City implement water transportation services within the
City and connecting to the City of Miami. The recommendation included development of a pier
or dock at the Lincoln Road street-end with potential for additional sites at Sth Street, 1Oth
Street, 14th Street, and the Purdy Boat Ramp.
At the December 11, 2013 City Commission meeting, the Commission accepted the
recommendation of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) directing the
Administration to further explore water taxi service as an alternative form of transportation and
gather more details regarding the service, such as possible pick-up and drop-off locations,
times, etc., and to bring the item back to the NCAC for further discussion and refinement of the
concept.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
505
Commission Memo - Water Taxi- Acceptance of Recommendations by NCAC
July 23, 2014
Page 2 of 2
At the April 30, 2014 meeting of the NCAC, City staff provided feedback regarding the locations
proffered by the Marine Authority Board and recommended conducting public meetings in order
to educate the community and obtain their input regarding potential water taxi dock locations.
The NCAC recommended that prior to conducting any public meetings, staff conduct a survey of
City employees to determine if water taxi service would provide a suitable alternative to
commute to work. The Committee passed a motion directing the Administration to conduct a
survey and gather data in order to properly evaluate the need for water taxi service as an
alternative mode of public transportation in the City.
Additionally, the Administration will reach out to the Home Owners Associations (HOAs)
surrounding the locations that could potentially be used as terminals/stops for water taxi
services, in an effort to obtain some feedback on the integration of the proposed dock locations
in the residential areas.
CONCLUSION
This item is being presented to City Commission for acceptance of the recommendation of the
NCAC directing the Administration to conduct a survey and gather data to assess the need for
water taxi service as an alternative mode of public transportation in the City, and to bring the
item back to the NCAC to report the results of the survey and provide additional
recommendations.
kxm
T:\AGENDA\2014\July\ Water Taxi - Acceptance of Recommendations by NCAC MEMO
506
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE REGOMMENDATION OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNIW AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AT ITS APRIL 30,
2014 MEETING AND DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
CONDUCT A SURVEY OF CITY EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE POTENTIAL
USE OF WATER TAX! SERVICES FOR COMMUTING PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, a water taxi is a watercraft used to provide public transportation and that
can potentially provide an alternative mode of transportation for residents of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, at the December 11,2013 City Commission meeting, the Commission
accepted the recommendation of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) to
direct the Administration to further explore water taxi service as an alternative form of
transportation and gather more details regarding the service, such as possible pick-up and drop-
off locations and times; and
WHEREAS, at the April 30, 2014 meeting of the NCAC, City staff provided feedback
regarding potential locations for water taxi terminals and recommended conducting public
meetings in order to educate the community and obtain citizen input regarding potential water
taxi dock locations; and
WHEREAS, at said meeting, the NCAC recommended that prior to conducting any
public meetings, staff conduct a survey of City employees to determine if water taxi service
would provide a suitable alternative to commute to work and to bring the results of such survey
back to the NCAC with additional recommendations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAM! BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby accept the
recommendation of the NCAC at its April 30, 2014 meeting and hereby direct the City
Administration to conduct a survey of City employees regarding the potential use of water taxi
services for commuting purposes and to report the results of the survey and provide additional
recommendations to the NCAC.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23'd day of July, 2014.
ATTEST:
RAFAEL E. GRANADO,
CITY CLERK
PHILIP LEVINE,
MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
7Lw
T:\AGENDAVOl4Uuly\ Water Taxi - Acceptance of Recommendation by NCAC RESO.doc
Dote
507