Resolution 2025-33905 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33905
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE
HEARING PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS
REFERENCED IN THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S
(FDOT) AUGUST 21, 2025 LETTER TO THE CITY, AND TO PURSUE ANY
ASSOCIATED APPEALS, IN RESPONSE TO THE FDOT DIRECTIVE TO
REMOVE THE CITY CROSSWALKS AT 12T" STREET AND OCEAN DRIVE.
WHEREAS, on June 30, 2025, Will Watts, P.E., Chief Operating Officer and Assistant
Secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT or Department) issued Engineering
and Operations Memorandum No. 25-01 to District Directors of Transportation Operations, District
Directors of Transportation Development, District Design Engineers, District Construction
Engineers, and District Traffic Operations Engineers, highlighting the Department's policy
requiring that all traffic control devices, including pavement surface markings, comply with the
FDOT Design Manual, the 2023 Florida Greenbook, and the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (MUTCD); and
WHEREAS, the memorandum suggests that pavement art including crosswalks on travel
lanes, intersections, crosswalks, and sidewalks would be non-compliant, and warns that
noncompliance may result in the withholding of state transportation funds; and
WHEREAS, on August 21, 2025, FDOT issued a letter to the City of Miami Beach
specifically ordering the removal of the "Pavement Surface at the intersection of Ocean Drive and
12 Street (three crosswalks)" by September 4, 2025, and stating that FDOT would remove the
crosswalks at the City's expense if the City failed to comply; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission previously authorized the installation of the crosswalks
that complied with traffic safety guidelines through Resolution No. 2017-29698, adopted on
January 11, 2017, following a competitive design process led by Savino & Miller Design Studio;
and
WHEREAS, the crosswalks have served as a proven public safety enhancement,
improving pedestrian visibility and driver awareness at one of the City's most heavily trafficked
intersections; and
WHEREAS, according to official City crash data, the intersection at Ocean Drive and 12th
Street has experienced only 15 crashes since the crosswalks were installed in 2018—fewer than
nearby intersections at 10th Street (37 crashes) and 13th Street (23 crashes)—demonstrating
that the crosswalks have not compromised safety and have contributed to improved outcomes;
and
WHEREAS, a major 2022 asphalt art safety study found that asphalt art installations—
including crosswalk art—resulted in a 50% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians or
vulnerable road users, a 37% reduction in injury crashes, and a 25% reduction in pedestrian-
vehicle conflicts, affirming the safety benefits of such treatments; and
WHEREAS, Miami Beach City Commissioners and community leaders have publicly
affirmed the crosswalks' role in promoting pedestrian safety, visibility, and community cohesion,
and have condemned FDOT's directive as unsupported by data and harmful to the City's values;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach desires to preserve the crosswalks and challenge
FDOT's directive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby authorize
and direct the City Manager and the City Attorney to request an administrative hearing pursuant
to Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, as referenced in the Florida Department Of Transportation's
(FDOT)August 21, 2025 letter to the City, and to pursue any associated appeals, in response to
the FDOT directive to remove the City crosswalks at 12th Street and Ocean Drive.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3 day of ���J�M�6�✓ 2025.
ATTEST:
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teven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez)
APPROVED AS TO
Co-Sponsored byCommissionerTanya K.Bhatt FORM & LANGUAGE
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Resolutions - R7 AB
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: September 3, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER
AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS REFERENCED IN THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S (FDOT) AUGUST 21, 2025
LETTER TO THE CITY, AND TO PURSUE ANY ASSOCIATED APPEALS, IN
RESPONSE TO THE FDOT DIRECTIVE TO REMOVE THE CITY CROSSWALKS
AT 12TH STREET AND OCEAN DRIVE.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner Alex
Fernandez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The legal expense of this measure is to be determined.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE)was published on:
See BIE at: https:/lwww.miamibeachfl.qov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to Citv Code Section 2-17? Proiect?
No No
Was this Aqenda Item initiallv requested bv a lobbvist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal enqaqed in lobbvinq? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Co-sponsor(s1
Condensed Title
Pursue Administrative Hearing and Related Appeals to Preserve Crosswalks. (Fernandez) CA
Previous Action (For Citv Clerk Use Onlvl