HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2025-33965RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33965
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING AS COMPLETE THE IMPROVEMENTS
CONSTRUCTED PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT KNOWN AS THE "THE SUNSET ISLANDS 3 & 4 UTILITY
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT," PURSUANT TO SECTION 170.09, FLORIDA
STATUTES.
WHEREAS, on February 20, 2002, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2002-
24761, authorizing the City Administration and City Attorney's Office to proceed with the creation
of a special assessment district, pursuant to Chapter 170, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of
funding the undergrounding of overhead utility lines on Sunset Islands 3 & 4 (the "District"); and
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2012, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2012-
27842, which, among other things, approved and allowed the Sunset Islands 3 & 4 Homeowners
Association ("HOA') to proceed with the election requirement imposed by the City Commission in
or about 2002, which requires that, as a condition precedent to the final establishment of the
District, at least sixty percent (60%) of the benefitted property owners within the District vote in
favor of its establishment and the levying of special assessments to fund the costs of the
undergrounding of overhead utilities; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, eighty-one percent (81%) of the homeowners on Sunset Islands 3 &
4 voted in favor of funding the undergrounding of overhead utilities through the creation, by the
City Commission, of the District. Chapter 170, Florida Statutes, authorizes the City to create a
special assessment district to fund the undergrounding of electrical, Florida Power and Light
(FPL), telephone, AT&T (ATT), and cable television, Atlantic Broadband (ABB), services,
pursuant to voluntary agreements with the utilities; and
WHEREAS, the City provided advanced funding for the undergrounding work and
executed agreements with each utility company based on each company's binding estimate. The
City is to be reimbursed through the levying and collection of special assessments from the
District; and
WHEREAS, on September 10, 2014, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution
No. 2014-28749, pursuant to Request for Proposals No 2014-051- SR, authorizing the Mayor and
City Clerk to execute an agreement with Ric -Man International, Inc., for the Neighborhood No. 8:
Sunset Islands 3 & 4 Right -of -Way Infrastructure Improvements Project, the scope of work
included right-of-way improvements, as well as the installation of conduits and related
components for the future undergrounding of franchise utilities; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2015, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2015-
29180, creating, pursuant to Chapter 170, Florida Statutes, a special assessment district to be
known as the Sunset Islands 3 & 4 Utility Improvement District, for a term of ten (10) years, to
fund the undergrounding of utilities on Sunset Islands 3 & 4, at an estimated cost of $ 2,412,398.
The Resolution also provided for (1) the levy and collection of special assessments to fund the
improvements; (2) the manner in which such special assessments shall be made; (3) when such
special assessments shall be made; (4) designating the lands upon which the special
assessments shall be levied; (5) for publication of this Resolution; and (6) authorizing related
actions; and
WHEREAS, the City executed agreements with each of the three utility companies, FPL,
ATT and ABB (now serviced by Breezeline), the undergrounding of the overhead utility lines by
the respective utility companies commenced after the completion of the neighborhood
improvement project; and
WHEREAS, in September of 2025, the undergrounding and relocation project of electrical,
telephone, and cable television utilities within the District was completed and, pursuant to Section
170.09, Florida Statutes, the Mayor and City Commission must accept the project as complete,
by Resolution, in order to begin collection of the aforementioned special assessment; and
WHEREAS, this action formally completes the project, the improvements are in place, and
the aboveground utilities and poles have been removed; and
WHEREAS, the City obtained a bank loan to fund this project, no general fund revenues
or reserves were used for this project. When the City Commission adopted the Resolution to
create the District, the Administration began to secure financing for the project; and
WHEREAS, funding allocated pursuant to this assessment has been fully expended and
the collection of the assessment fees is now required to meet the associated debt service
obligations; and
WHEREAS, upon approval by City Commission of this Resolution confirming project
completion, the City may proceed with the levy and collection of assessments, from property
owners within the District, in the amount of $2,412,398.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept as complete the improvements constructed pursuant to that certain
special assessment district known as the 'the Sunset Islands 3 & 4 Utility Improvement District,"
pursuant to Section 170.09, Florida Statutes.
PASSED and ADOPTED this /% day of DeuW f ✓ , 2025.(
ATTEST:
nGr 2 2 2025
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
Steven Meiner, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM AND LANGUAGE
& FOR -EXECUTION
City Attorney �k
o zz 2DZSy
Date
Resolutions - C7 B
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE: December 17, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING AS COMPLETE THE IMPROVEMENTS
CONSTRUCTED PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT KNOWN AS THE 'THE SUNSET ISLANDS 3 & 4 UTILITY
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT," PURSUANT TO SECTION 170.09, FLORIDA
STATUTES.
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (City Commission) adopt
the Resolution.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
On February 20, 2002, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2002-24761, authorizing the
City Administration and City Attorney' s Office to proceed with the creation of a special
assessment district (Exhibit A), pursuant to Chapter 170, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of
funding the undergrounding of overhead utility lines on Sunset Islands 3 & 4 (the "District").
On February 8, 2012, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2012-27842, which, among
other things, approved and allowed the Sunset Islands 3 & 4 Homeowners Association ("HOA")
to proceed with the election requirement imposed by the City Commission in or about 2002, which
requires that, as a condition precedent to the final establishment of the District, at least sixty
percent (60%) of the benefitted property owners within the District vote in favor of its establishment
and the levying of special assessments to fund the costs of the undergrounding of overhead
utilities.
In 2012, eighty-one percent (81 %) of the homeowners on Sunset Islands 3 & 4 voted in favor of
funding the undergrounding of overhead utilities through the creation, by the City Commission, of
the District. Chapter 170, Florida Statutes, authorizes the City to create a special assessment
district to fund the undergrounding of electrical, Florida Power and Light (FPL), telephone, AT&T
(ATT), and cable television, Atlantic Broadband (ABB), services, pursuant to voluntary
agreements with the utilities. The City provided advanced funding for the undergrounding work
and executed agreements with each utility company based on each company's binding estimate.
The City is to be reimbursed through the levying and collection of special assessments from the
District.
On September 10, 2014, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2014-28749,
pursuant to Request for Proposals No 2014-051- SR, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute an agreement with Ric -Man International, Inc., for the Neighborhood No. 8: Sunset
Islands 3 & 4 Right -of -Way Infrastructure Improvements Project. The scope of work included right-
of-way improvements, as well as the installation of conduits and related components for the future
undergrounding of franchise utilities.
835 of 3458
ANALYSIS
On October 14, 2015, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2015-29180, creating,
pursuant to Chapter 170, Florida Statutes, a special assessment district to be known as the
Sunset Islands 3 & 4 Utility Improvement District, for a term of ten ( 10) years, to fund the
undergrounding of utilities on Sunset Islands 3 & 4, at an estimated cost of $ 2,412,398. The
Resolution also provided for (1) the levy and collection of special assessments to fund the
improvements; (2) the manner in which such special assessments shall be made; (3) when such
special assessments shall be made; (4) designating the lands upon which the special
assessments shall be levied; (5) for publication of this Resolution; and (5) authorizing related
actions.
The City executed agreements with each of the three utility companies, FPL, ATT and ASS (now
serviced by Breezeline). The undergrounding of the overhead utility lines by the respective utility
companies commenced after the completion of the neighborhood improvement project.
In September of 2025, the undergrounding and relocation project of electrical, telephone, and
cable television within the District was completed. Pursuant to section 170.09 Florida Statute, the
Mayor and City Commission must accept the project as complete, by Resolution, in order to begin
collection of the aforementioned special assessment. This action formally completes the project.
The improvements are in place and the aboveground utilities and poles have been removed.
The cost of the undergrounding project is based on the binding estimates provided by the
respective utility companies (FPL, ATT, and ABS) to the City. The total cost associated with the
undergrounding of the franchise utilities includes the amounts set forth in the binding estimates,
costs for the City's contractor to install the infrastructure conduits and related components, project
management fees, financing costs, and the City's administrative fees which total $2,412,398.
The City obtained a bank loan to fund this project. No general fund revenues or reserves were
used for this project. When the City Commission adopted the Resolution to create the District, the
Administration began to secure financing for the project.
Funding allocated pursuant to this assessment has been fully expended and the collection of the
assessment fees is now required to meet the associated debt service obligations.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Upon approval by City Commission of this resolution confirming project completion, the City may
proceed with the levy and collection of assessments, from property owners within the District, in
the amount of $2,412,398.
Does this Ordinance reauire a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: hftps:llwww.miamibeachfi.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
836 of 3458
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the City Commission adopt the Resolution.
Applicable Area
Middle Beach
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Project?
Yes
No
Was this Aaenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2481,
includes a principal enaaaed in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
Capital Improvement Projects
Sponsorial
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Accept Improvements, Sunset Islands 3 & 4 Utility Improvement District. CIP
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
837 of 3458
EXHIBIT A
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-24761
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING
THE ADMINISTRATION AND CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
TO PROCEED WITH THE CREATION OF SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT AREAS, ALSO KNOWN AS SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS, PURSUANT TO THE
PROVISIONS PROVIDED IN CHAPTER 170 OF THE
FLORIDA STATUTES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING
THE RELOCATION OF OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES
UNDERGROUND, ON EITHER A PORTION OR ALL OF
HIBISCUS ISLAND AND PALM ISLAND AND SUNSET
ISLAND 3 AND SUNSET ISLAND 4, RESPECTIVELY,
PURSUANT TO THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE
PROPERTY OWNERS OF THOSE ISLANDS; AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE,
TO MAKE ALL NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO
IMPLEMENT THIS INTENT.
WHEREAS, in areas of the City, utility lines for services such as telephone,
electricity and cable television exist overhead; and
WHEREAS, certain residential neighborhoods in the City have requested the
relocation of overhead utility lines underground; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that such relocations are generally considered an
improvement, which are unique to these certain neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the City supports neighborhood initiatives to relocate utilities
underground, but cannot provide direct funding or resources to any such individual effort
not enjoyed or pursued by the City as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes its inimitable ability to assist with said initiatives and
to provide a collection mechanism, such as those used with special assessment areas or
districts created pursuant to Chapter 170 of the Florida Statutes, at the request of
individual neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the City has received such requests from the Hibiscus Island and Palm
Island and Sunset Islands 3 and 4 neighborhoods, respectively, in the form of petitions, to
consider the establishment of these special assessment areas, also known as special
assessment districts, to provide financing for the relocation of overhead utilities
underground; and
_838 of 3458_ --_
EXHIBIT A
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2002, the Mayor and City Commission referred said
petitions to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee for consideration; and
WHEREAS, on February 19, 2002, the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee
considered said petitions and recommended that the City Commission declare its intent to
proceed with the creation of the applicable special assessment areas, or districts, pursuant
to Chapter 170, Florida Statutes for the Hibiscus Island and Palm Island and Sunset
Islands 3 and 4 neighborhoods, respectively; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission are satisfied that sufficient public
interest is served by the creation of said special assessment areas or districts.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and the City
Commission authorize the Administration and City Attorney's Office to proceed with the
creation of special assessment areas, also known as special assessment districts,
pursuant to the provisions provided in Chapter 170 of the Florida Statutes, forthe purpose
of funding the relocation of the overhead utility lines underground, on either a portion or all
of Hibiscus Island and Palm Island and Sunset Island 3 and Sunset Island 4, respectively,
pursuant to the written request of the property owners of those islands; and authorize the
City Manager, or designee, to make all necessary preparations to implement this intent.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of February 2002.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK OR
l 1�.1� • i
839 of 3458
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY '
Condensed Title:
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, declaring its intent to
create Special Assessment Areas, for the purposes of funding the relocation of overhead utifity lines
underground, on either all or a portion of Hibiscus Island, Palm Island, Sunset Island 3 and Sunset Island 4,
and to make all necessary preparations to implement this intent, including, but not limited to, the preparation
of a Preliminary Assessment Roll.
Issue:
Shall the City declare its intent to create Special Assessment Districts for the purposes of funding the
relocation of overhead utility lines underground on either all or a portion of Hibiscus Island, Palm Island,
Sunset Island 3 and Sunset Island 4 and authorize the Administration to make all necessary preparations to
Implement this intent.
Island 3 and Sunset Island 4 neighborhoods, in the form of petitions, to considerthe establishment of Special
Assessment Districts to provide financing for the relocation of overhead utilities underground. On January
30, 2002, the Mayor and City Commission referred these petitions to the Finance and Citywide Projects
Committee for consideration. On February 19, 2002, the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee will
discuss the petitions, the process involved and project details. It is expected that a recommendation will be
made to the City Commission to declare its intent to create the applicable Special Assessment Areas or
Districts, for the Hibiscus Island, Palm Island, and Sunset Islands 3 and 4 neighborhoods.
The Special Assessment District process can range from six months to twelve months and involves a series
of public hearings, public advertisements, and first dam direct mailings to affected property owners.
Advisory Bond Recommendation:
On February 19, 2002, the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee will discuss the petitions, the process
involved and project details. It is expected that a recommendation will be made to the City Commission to
declare its intent to create the applicable Special Assessment Areas or Districts, for the Hibiscus Island,
Palm Island, and Sunset Islands 3 and 4 neighborhoods.
Seems of
Funds:
F7
Finance Dept
sign -Offs:
Dep Director
Assistant nager
City Mssreger
AGENDA ITEM RJ fT
DATE 2
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor David Dermer and Date: February 20. 2002
Members of the City Commission
From: Jorge M. GonzaleD U
City Manager
Subject: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION
AND CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PROCEED WITH THE CREATION
OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AREAS, ALSO KNOWN AS SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS
PROVIDED IN CHAPTER 170 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE RELOCATION OF OVERHEAD UTILITY
LINES UNDERGROUND, ON EITHER A PORTION OR ALL OF HIBISCUS
ISLAND AND PALM ISLAND AND SUNSET ISLAND 3 AND SUNSET
ISLAND 4, RESPECTIVELY, PURSUANT TO THE WRITTEN REQUEST
OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS OF THOSE ISLANDS; AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO MAKE ALL
NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS INTENT
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
The Administration has received written requests from residents in the Hibiscus Island,
Palm Island, Sunset Island 3 and Sunset Island 4 neighborhoods, in the form of petitions,
to consider the establishment of Special Assessment Areas, also known as Districts, to
provide financing for the relocation of overhead utilities underground.
On January 30, 2002, the Mayor and City Commission referred these petitions to the
Finance and Citywide Projects Committee for consideration. On February 19, 2002, the
Finance and Citywide Projects Committee will consider the petitions, the assessment
process and project history. It is expected, that a verbal recommendation will be made to
the City Commission by the Finance Committee to declare its intent to create the applicable
Special Assessment Areas or Districts, for the Hibiscus Island, Palm Island, and Sunset
Islands 3 and 4 neighborhoods.
EXHIBIT A
CRY Commiss1W Memomndum
February 20, 2002
Special Assessment District
Page 2
Special Assessment Districts are funding mechanisms that provide for benefited property
owners to make direct payment in support of associated neighborhood -specific capital
improvements, such as the current requests to assist with the relocation of utility feeder
systems underground. Since the costs for such relocation can exceed $1,000,000, many
neighborhoods may request the City to utilize this method. Additionally the City may choose
to place the collection of the Special Assessment on the individual property owners County
ad valorem tax bill. However, the cost of service hook-ups from the feeder system to
individual properties are additional and solely the responsibility of each property owner.
Typically individual homeowners cannot be compelled to "hook-up" to the new underground
system. This means that while the"feeder'systempoles and components maybe disposed
of through the undergrounding effort, some poles may remain if some property owners elect
to maintain above ground service hook-ups.
The Special Assessment District process can range from six months to twelve months and
involves a series of public hearings, public advertisements, and first class direct mailings to
affected property owners. It is expected that the cost of preparing the required
advertisements, first class mailings, legal documents, etc. will be bom by the Special
Assessment District, unless these costs are covered by the neighborhood in advance.
Given the nature of the documents and process involved, the neighborhoods are advised to
hire an attorney experienced with this process to represent its interests. Each
neighborhood will have unique characteristics that will need to be incorporated into official
documents.
If the City Commission adopts the accompanying resolution of intent, each neighborhood
must, as a first step, prepare a Preliminary Assessment Roll. This will be done with the
assistance of the City. This roll must be publicly advertised in accordance with FS 170.07. If
the City Commission finds that the Preliminary Assessment Roll is property prepared and
that a public purpose is gained by its adoption, then the Commission will adopt the roll after
a public hearing. Upon adoption, each assessment district must finalize cost estimates, its
assessment role, and its financial documents.
After completing the public advertising requirements pursuant to FS 170.07, the City
Commission must approve the Final Assessment Roll. Upon approval, the Special
Assessment District is created. At this same time, the City Commission will also approve
any related financial documents.
It is anticipated and recommended that the City will submit the assessment documentation
to the Miami -Dade Property Appraiser to add the collection of the assessment to the tax roll.
This is a public process outlined in FS 197.3632. This collection mechanism is important to
the financing institutions and adds security for the City. Consideration of this collection
process will be coordinated with the Special Assessment District process, but it should be
realized that these are two distinct and separate processes.
- --- R42-e€ 3458 -
EXHIBIT A
City Commission Memorandum
February 20, 2002
Special Assessment Disinct
Page 3
Concurrent with the creation of the Special Assessment District but prior to the creation of
the Final Assessment Roll, the neighborhood must also work closely with Florida Power and
Light (FPL) Bell South and Charter cable to determine what the costs will be for the
undergrounding effort. First, the neighborhood requests that FPL identifies all existing
utilities since these are usually mounted on FPL utility poles. Once identified, each utility
company must agree to relocate their lines underground.
The neighborhood must then work with FPL to develop engineering design documents.
FPL charges for the design effort upfront, including requiring a nonrefundable engineering
deposit as set forth in Florida Administrative Code 25-6.115. Depending on the number of
residences participating, this deposit can range from approximately $2,500 to $15,000. The
process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on the size and complexity of
the project. The cost of design is expected to be paid by the appropriate homeowners
group, who can be credited forthe expense from project financing if the project proceeds to
construction.
Once a design is complete the City will contract with FPL and other utilities as needed to
complete construction. This construction is coordinated with any work being undertaken
through the City CIP program.
JMG:RM:TH:sek
T:WGENDAWOZFEBXGZCONSENn &H, SUNSET 3AND A UNDERGROUNDING MEMO.DOC