R7H-Accept Recommendations Adopt The May 2015 CMB Blueways Master PlanRevitalize Kev Neiohborhoods. startinq with North Beach and Ocean Drive
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc)
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution Of The Mayor And Commission Of The City Of Miami Beach, Florida Accepting The
Recommendations of The Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee and The Sustainability And
Resiliency Committee. Adoptinq The Master Plan.
!ntended Outcome
AGENDA ITEM R] H
Item Summary/Recommendation :
'Blueways are a system of canals, rivers, waterways and lakes connected with a similar enviropmental
theme. With a grant in the amount of $40,000 from the Florida lnland Navigation District, and matching
general fund dollars, the City contracted with EDSA, a landscape architectural firm, to conduct a study and
develop a conceptual master plan. The objective was to create a five-year planning document to be used to
increase the interaction of residents and tourists with the waterways in and around the City of Miami Beach.
This master plan document would serve as a living document and would be revisited and built upon as
needed.
Through the use of the proposed master plan document, the City has identified opportunities to revitalize
existing waterfront public spaces and create inviting and interactive experiences along the water. This
document also emphasizes the need to expand pedestrian connectivity throughout, allowing everyone to
travelfrom land to water.
The study included a public input process which began with a kick-off meeting held on April 17,2014.
Following this meeting, two additional input workshops were held on June 3, 2014 and August 5, 2014.
During the workshops key issues and opportunities were discussed.
At the March 11, 2015 City Commission Meeting a discussion on the Blueways Master Plan was referred to
the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) and to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee
(NCAC) for further discussion and modifications.
Administration recommends the City Commission accept the recommendations of the NCAC at its March 20,
2015 and the SRC at its April 22,2015 meetino to the Bluewavs Master Plan.
Advisory Board Recommendation :
t March 20, 2015 NCAC meeting moved by acclamation to send this item to Commission with positive
ion for formal adoption of the master plan.
the March 25, 2015, the SRC discussed the Blueways Master Plan and recommended that the plan be
ated to include sustainability standards. At the April22,2015 SRC meeting, the Blueways Master Plan
the recommended sustainabilitv standards continued to Commission bv acclamation.
Financial Information:
Source of
Funds:
Amount Account
1 $0.00
2
OBPI Total
Financial lmpact Summary: None
Clerk's
Department Director AssiflQtt City Manager N City Manager
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S\June\PARKS AND RECREATION\Adopt Blueways Master Plan - SUMMARY.
E MIAMIBEACH DATE590
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City of Miomi Beoch, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 33139, www.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: June 10,2015
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, I FLORIDA ACCEPTING THE
REGOMMENDATIONS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND THE SUSTAINABILITY AND
RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, ADOPTING THE BLUEWAYS MASTER
PLAN
BACKGROUND
Blueways are a system of canals, rivers, watenrvays and lakes connected with a similar
environmental theme. They connect people to the water at convenient locations allowing for
aquatic recreational opportunities and transportation by water within a community. With a
grant in the amount of $40,000 from the Florida lnland Navigation District, and matching
general fund dollars, the City contracted with EDSA, a landscape architectural firm, to conduct
a study and develop a Blueways Master Plan. The objective was to create a five-year planning
document to be used to increase the interaction of residents and tourists with the waterways in
and around the City of Miami Beach. This master plan document would serve as a living
document and would be revisited and built upon as needed. The goals were as follows:
. Create a sustainable and thriving environment;
. Revitalize waterfront public spaces;
. Connect people from land to water;
. lncrease interaction with the water; and
. Encourage healthy lifestyles
A kick-off meeting was held on April 17, 2014 with staff and the consultant, followed by two
public input workshops which were held on June 3, 2014 and August 5, 2014. Residents and,
business owners were encouraged to attend the meetings to share their ideas, desires, and
needs related to the City's wateruvays. During the workshops key issues and opportunities
were discussed. Attendees offered suggestions, posed what challenges they saw and what
desires they had related to connectivity with the waterways.
The most resonated suggestions and concepts were as follows:
. Access to the wateriaccessibility. lnclusion of the entire community in accessing the water. Wildlife - Natural habitats to be increased. Positive environmental impacts to be considered. Launch points needed
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City Commission Memorandum - Adoption of the Blueways Master PIan
June 10,2015
Page 2 of 2
This valuable feedback was compiled by the consultant and used to shape the final product.
Through the use of the proposed master plan document, the City has a guide of identified
opportunities to revitalize existing waterfront public spaces and create interactive experiences
along the water. This document also emphasizes the need to expand pedestrian connectivity
throughout, allowing everyone to travel from the land to water. The proposed plan reflects the
combined efforts of the design consultant, City staff and public stakeholders, creating a
foundation which will serve as a guide moving fonrvard.
The plan's suggested improvements starts by addressing underutilized spaces and suggesting
"low-hanging fruit" and less expensive renovations such as landscape and site furnishings that
address the appearance and usefulness of the City's open spaces. This includes installation
of bike racks and trash/recycling receptacles. Additionally, the master plan suggests
enhancements for each identified locations throughout the City, standardizing designs within
comparable locations to help reduce costs by not needing completely new designs. Some of
these recommendations include kayak launches, boat docking facilities, mangrove habitats,
living shorelines, improved maintenance efforts and pedestrian and bicycle networks.
At the March 11,2015 City Commission Meeting a discussion on the Blueways Master Plan
was referred to the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) and to the
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) for further discussion and
modifications.
At March 20,2015 NCAC meeting moved by acclamation to send this item to Commission
with positive recommendation for formal adoption of the master plan. At the March 25,2015,
the SRC discussed the Blueways Master Plan and recommended that the plan be updated
to include sustainability standards. At the April22,2015 SRC meeting, the Blueways Master
Plan, with the recommended sustainability standards, continued to Commission by
acclamation. (*Note:The bike racks in the plan represent the current standard; however, staff is
working on developing a new standard as wellas usrng custom bike racks where appropriate.)
CONCLUSION
The overall objective of the plan is to use the natural resources within the City in order to
connect people to the water at convenient locations, allowing for the enhancement of aquatic
recreational and water-based transportation opportunities within our community, as well as
providing additional opportunities for economic development.
The Administration recommends the City Commission accept the recommendations of the
NCAC at its Marcn 20,2015 meeting and the SRC at its April 22, 2015 meeting to formally
adopt the Blueways Master Plan, which is provided as an attachment. The proposed master
plan provides recommendations to be refined later into detailed site specific design documents.
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MEMO.docx
592
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAM! BEACH, FLORIDA ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND THE SUSTAINABILITY AND
RESILIENCY COMMITTEE AND ADOPTING THE MAY 2015 CITY
OF MIAMI BEAGH BLUEWAYS MASTER PLAN.
WHEREAS, a blueways master plan will serve as a five year planning document to
increase interaction of residents and tourists with the watenuays in and around the City of Miami
Beach; and
WHEREAS, the City received matching grant funds, in the amount of $40,000, from the
Florida lnland Navigation District to fund a blueways master plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ("City") retained EDSA, lnc., a landscape
architecturalfirm to perform a study and to develop a blueways master plan; and
WHEREAS, two public meetings were held on June 3, 2014 and August 5, 2014,
respectively, to solicit input from stakeholders and feedback was compiled and used to shape a
final blueways master plan; and
WHEREAS, at the March 11,2015 City Commission Meeting, a proposed blueways
master plan was referred to the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) and to the
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) for further discussion and modifications;
and
WHEREAS, at the March 20,2015 NCAC meeting, the NCAC moved by acclamation to
send this item to the City Commission with a positive recommendation for the formal adoption of
the proposed blueways master plan; and
WHEREAS, at its March 25, 2015 meeting, the SRC discussed the proposed
blueways master plan and recommended that it be updated to include sustainability
standards; and
WHEREAS, at the April22,2015 SRC meeting, the proposed blueways master plan,
as revised with the recommended sustainability standards, was approved by the SRC and
sent to the City Commission by acclamation; and
WHEREAS, the final May 2015 City of Miami Beach Blueways Master Plan serves to
identify opportunities to revitalize existing waterfront public spaces to enhance recreational
aquatic activities and water-based transportation opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Administration recommends that the City Commission accept the
recommendations of the NCAC at its Marcn 20,2015 meeting and the SRC at its April 22,2015
meeting and to formally adopt the May 2015 City of Miami Beach Blueways Master Plan.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CIry
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept the recommendations of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs
Committee and the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee and adopt the May 2015 City of
Miami Beach Blueways Master Plan.
PASSED and ADOPTED this _ day of 2015.
Philip Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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