C7C-Approve Citys Fiscal Year 2015-16 Federal Legislative AgendaCOMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution approving the City's 2015116 Federal Legislative Agenda
Kev lntended Outcome Supported:
Supports Multiple KlOs
Supporting Data: Community Satisfaction Survey: Nearly one out of four residents (23o/o) feels the
issue the City should focus on to improve the overall quality of life is parking and traffic. One out of five
residents (19o/o) feels the issue the City should focus on to improve the overallquality of life is improving
infrastructure. One out of ten residents (1 1%) feels that the best way to improve the overall quality of
life in Miami Beach is to address flooding problems. Responses from residents for the "Top 5 Ways to
lmprove the City" were: 'l-lmprove traffic; 2-lmprove infrastructure; 3-lmprove parking; 4-Speed up
construction: S-Address floodinq issues
Item Summarv/Recommendation :
Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's funding and legislative prioritles that will be
pursued by the City's representatives in Washington D.C. during the annual Congressional session.
The proposed priorities include project, authorization and policy requests, which will continue to evolve
as the Congressional process continues.
This year, the proposed agenda includes the following:o Coastal Flooding and Sea Level Riseo Transportation. Beach Renourishmento Miami Beach Convention Center. Education. North Beach Revitalization. Flood Insurance. Atlantic Greenway Networko Municipal Bond. Suooort of Local Fundino Proorams
Source
of
Funds
lmpact Summary: N/A
E
Financial
Financial lnformation:
Joe Jimenez, City Manager's Office/Judy Hoanshelt, OBPI
AGENDA .rili c7eMIAMIBEACHoere ro-lhtf155
g MIAMI BEACH
City of Miomi Beoch, l7O0 Convention Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 33,1 39, www.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
Mayor Philip Levine and Members
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
February 11,2015
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING
201 5116 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
COMMISSION OF THE CITY
THE CITY'S FISGAL YEAR
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's funding and legislative
priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Washington D.C. during the
annual Congressional session. The proposed priorities include project, authorization,
and policy requests which will continue to evolve as the Congressional process
continues. The proposed Federal Legislative Agenda below includes the following items:
Coastal Flooding/Sea Level Rise
The City of Miami Beach urges the Federal Government to identify and fully fund
programs to address coastal flooding caused by sea level rise, climate change, high
tides, and any other source. The City needs resources and funding support to deal with
flooding issues, including improvements and upgrading the stormwater system to include
stormwater pump stations, injection wells, and other technology that increases the
capacity flow of the stormwater system. Additional support to address coastal flooding
including dune system restoration and maintenance, and improving seawalls is also a
necessary component to achieve full infrastructure resilience. Areas with high
groundwater elevation and drainage basins that are barely above sea level should be a
priority, since flooding occurs in many of these basins during periods of high tides when
there has not been any rain. Recurring flooding has a significant environmental, health
and economic impact, causing businesses to be inaccessible and resulting in the
additional cost of replacing and repairing damaged property. The City of Miami Beach
urges the federal government to provide funding for a Federal lnteragency Partnership
related to Sea Level Rise. Additionally, the City strongly supports the establishment of a
National Catastrophe Fund.
Transportation
On December 16, 2014 the President signed the Consolidated and Further Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2015. The bill includes a $500 million authorization for National
lnfrastructure lnvestments, referred to by the U.S. Department of Transportation
(USDOT) as TIGER Discretionary Grants. The City is seeking funding through this
authorization for the following priority transpiration projects:
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
156
Commission Memorandum
February 11,2015
Federal Legisl ative Priorities
1. Beach Corridor Transit Proiect Development (Rapid Transit). The roadways between Miami and Miami Beach are typically heavily
congested. This high ridership corridor has been identified as a
candidate for consideration for premium transit to address east-west
directional travel demands.. The project will serve the cities of Miami and Miami Beach along a 6.5
mile corridor crossing Biscayne Bay to link downtown Miami to Miami
Beach.
2. Enhanced Transit Service (Trollev)
3. lntellioent Transportation Svstem. To relieve traffic congestion and improve traffic flow by retrofitting
intersections with Real Time Signal Control Technology, installing
cameras on high traffic demand/high incident zones and installing travel
time devices along arterial roadways.
Beach Renourishment
The City urges the Army Corps of Engineers to initiate this project and apply for the
necessary permits from the State of Florida to secure the necessary amount of domestic
sand. The City may also pursue options at the federal level to obtain sand from other
sources.
Miami Beach Convention Center
There is a need for federal support for high-impact tourism industry infrastructure
investments, especially in attracting an increased share of worldwide meeting and
convention business. lnfrastructure, such as convention and meeting facilities and related
support systems, including transportation access and energy efficiency are critical to
enhancing the United States' competitiveness in this international marketplace. Providing
support, especially for this large, transformational project will provide a significant return
on investment. The Miami Beach Convention Center is South Florida's third largest
economic engine after Miami lnternational Airport and the Port of Miami. Discussions
about enhancements to the Miami Beach Convention Center have been ongoing for
almost ten years, culminating in a plan of action that was agreed upon by the City of Miami
Beach and Miami-Dade County, in conjunction with interested stakeholders, to develop a
long-term vision and master plan for this regional facility.
The City is seeking to identify opportunities for Federal partnership related to:
o Economic Development with the Department of Commerce
o Water, Sewer and Transportation lnfrastructure with the Department of
Transportation/Convention Center Access and Infrastructure lmprovements
with the Departments of Transportation and Commerceo Security System with the Department of Homeland Security which will be a
Model Security System for Destination Cities.o Sustainability, LEED, Renewable Energy and Green Building Components
with the Department of Energy and the EPA;
o Debt and Equity Funding Opportunities through New Market Tax Credits and
the Department of Treasury;
157
Commission Memorandum
February 11,2015
Federal Legi sl ative Priorities
Education
The City is seeking to identify funds for educational programs through a coordinated
grant development campaign to include funding and legislation. Focus will be on Middle
School AchievemenUNautilus Middle School and STEM education (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics).
North Beach Revitalization
The City proposes to lead an effort to develop a comprehensive plan for revitalization of
the North Beach area of the City. This area is considered blighted and the revitalization
effort is designed to review existing conditions, prepare a vision for the area's future, and
design an implementation strategy to move towards the vision. Federal funds, in the
area of Economic Development are needed for this major revitalization effort.
Flood lnsurance
The City seeks to secure relief from Flood lnsurance changes inordinately affecting
Miami Beach residents, primary and secondary home-owners, and real estate markets.
Atlantic Greenway Network
The City seeks authorization of $12 million for the Atlantic Greenway Network in the new
Transportation Authorization Bill to provide continued funding for alternative modes of
transportation that connect the workforce and consumers with employment, cultural and
tourism centers, parking facilities, parks, and schools. Effective modes of transportation
are crucial to the City's continued economic success. The return on investment of
alternative modes of transportation in dense urban areas is significant since these areas
have already demonstrated the local population's acceptance of the modes.
Municipal Bonds
The City supports the current tax exemption for municipal bonds, and opposes its
elimination. The City further opposes the proposed cap of the exemption at28o/o.
Local Funding Programs
The City opposes funding reductions to programs such as the Community Development
Block Grant, HOME Housing Partnerships, Energy Efficiency Block Grant, Urban Area
Security lnitiative, Hazard Mitigation and Pre-Disaster Mitigation programs. The City will
monitor, report and advocate for full funding of budget allocations which fund social
services and other programs provided by Miami Beach organizations. The City strongly
encourages and supports the direct allocation of federal funding to local governments,
without state and/or county pass-through. The City further feels that this position should
be a key element of the White House's new Urban Policy. The City will pursue funding
under the following specific grant programs/agencies: 1) EDA - Department of
Commerce; 2) Environmental Protection Agency, and 3) Homeland Security.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the City's
fiscal year 2015116 federal legislative agenda.
JLM/JMJ/JMH
T:\AGENDA\201 s\February\Federal Legislative Agenda.docx
158
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CIry COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR
201 51 16 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AG ENDA
WHEREAS, each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's funding and
legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Washington D.C. during
the annual Congressional session; and
WHEREAS, it is important that the City of Miami Beach work with its representatives in
Washington D.C. to secure funding for City projects, to implement and change legislation that is
in the best interest of the City, and to liaison with federal agencies on issues that impact the
City; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the City's legislative consultant is aware of, and has a
list of, City priorities; and
WHEREAS, the City's legislative consultant has met with the Mayor and City
Commissioners, and the Administration to identify priorities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed priorities include project, authorization, and policy requests
which will continue to evolve as the Congressional process continues.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH that the Mayor and City Commission hereby approve and
authorize the City's Fiscal Year 2015/16 federal legislative agenda, as attached in Exhibit "A" to
this Resolution.
PASSED and ADOPTED this day of 2015.
Philip Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
JLM/JWJMH
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flffiffiq#s
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Exhibit "A"
Federal Legislative Agenda for Fiscal Year 2015116 includes, but is not limited to:
. Coastal Flooding/Sea Level Rise;. Transportation;. Beach Renourishment;. Miami Beach Convention Center;. Education;. North Beach Revitalization;. Flood lnsurance;. Atlantic Greenway Network;o Municipal Bonds; and. Support of Local Funding Programs.
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