HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2025-33733RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33733
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, AT ITS JUNE 4, 2025
MEETING, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER AS PART OF
THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET PROCESS EXPANDING THE MARINE
PATROL UNIT TO DETECT AND DETER CRIME AND 'QUALITY OF LIFE
OFFENSES IN BISCAYNE BAY.
WHEREAS, at the October 30, 2024, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and City
Commission approved a referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee ("FERC") to
discuss the potential funding for FY 2026 to expand the Marine Patrol Unit to detect and deter crime
and quality of life offenses in Biscayne Bay; and
WHEREAS, the item was subsequently heard at the June 4, 2025, FERC meeting and the
Committee unanimously agreed to move the item to the full commission with a favorable
recommendation to be considered as part of the FY 2026 budget process; and
WHEREAS, at the June 25, 2025, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and City Commission
directed the Administration to consider expanding the Marine Patrol Unit as part of the FY 2027
budget process; and
WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Police Department's (MBPD) Marine Patrol Unit consists of
one (1) sergeant and five (5) police officers responsible for patrolling the City of Miami Beach's
jurisdictional waterways, covering nearly 2,000 waterfront properties and approximately 12 square
miles of ocean; and
WHEREAS, expanding the Marine Patrol Unit to incorporate a second squad composed of
six (6) members would enhance the MBPD's coverage area and improve enforcement of livery
violations, derelict vessels, loud music and uniform boating citations and allow for a more efficient
response to water emergencies; and
WHEREAS, enlarging the unit would allow for multiple areas to include Star Island, Biscayne
Bay, Palm and Hibiscus Islands, Belle Isle, and Venetian Islands to be covered simultaneously and
additional resources would help address commission priorities including derelict vessel monitoring,
jet ski thefts, and residential burglaries, among others; and
WHEREAS, the Marine Patrol Unit budget enhancement request of $1,290,000 for Year One,
not including applicable pension costs that would be incurred commencing in Year Two, accounts
for approximate salaries and equipment for one (1) Sargent and five (5) Officers; and
WHEREAS, once officer recruitment has leveled and Indian Creek, ATV squad, bike patrol
and high visibility directives have been filled, the MBPD readily welcomes exploring the expansion
of the Marine Patrol Unit; and
WHEREAS, due to the current Marine Patrol configuration resulting in high enforcement
numbers, even with a renewed commission focus on water -related incidents, the Administration
considers that mandated, higher priority needs as outlined should be given precedence; and
WHEREAS, if funds are still available after the necessary initiatives are filled, the
Administration welcomes exploring the expansion of the Marine Patrol Unit, potentially expanding to
a second squad at a later time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, accepting the recommendation of the Finance and
Economic Resiliency Committee, at its June 4, 2025 meeting, discussing the potential funding for
FY 2027 to expand the Marine Patrol Unit to detect and deter crime and quality of life offenses in
Biscayne Bay.
PASSED and ADOPTED this .%Sday of T 41�2025.
ATTEST: D L..�+
even Meiner, Mayor
FEB 2 0 2026
Rafa E. Granado, City Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
4102 EXECUTION
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City Aborney Dots
Resolutions - C7 X
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE: June 25, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, AT ITS JUNE 4, 2025
MEETING, AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER, AS PART
OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PROCESS, EXPANDING THE MARINE
PATROL UNIT TO DETECT AND DETER CRIME AND QUALITY OF LIFE
OFFENSES IN BISCAYNE BAY, WITH A BUDGET ENHANCEMENT IN THE
APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $1,290,000 FOR YEAR ONE.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration considers that the addition of a second Marine Patrol Unit squad would
enhance enforcement of waterway violations of City ordinances as well as local, state, and federal
laws. The Administration recommends that while the Commission evaluates this addition, it also
carefully considers several critical factors that will significantly impact the General Fund budget,
beginning in FY 2026:
1. The City's increasing unfunded capital improvement program
2. Long-term General Fund financial projections indicating a potential shortfall in upcoming
fiscal years
3. The passage of Amendment 5 in November 2024. which increases the homestead
exemption and further constrains the growth of taxable property values
These considerations are essential to ensure that decisions regarding the Marine Patrol Unit
expansion align with the City's broader long-term financial stability and strategic priorities. If the
Committee recommends funding a plan, the Administration recommends it be considered as part
of the FY 2026 budget process.
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
At the October 30. 2024 City Commission Meeting, at the request of Commissioner Alex
Fernandez and later oo-sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine, the Mayor and City
Commission approved a referral (C4 Q) to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee
('FERC") to discuss the potential funding for FY 2026 to expand the Marine Patrol Unit to detect
and deter crime and quality of life offenses in Biscayne Bay.
The item was heard at the June 4, 2025 FERC meeting and moved to the full Commission with a
favorable recommendation to be considered as part of the FY 2026 budget process.
ANALYSIS
The Miami Beach Police Department's Marine Patrol Unit consists of one (1) sergeant and five
(5) police officers responsible for patrolling the City of Miami Beach's jurisdictional waterways,
881
which cover nearly 2,000 waterfront properties and approximately 12 square miles of ocean. The
unit is composed of a fleet of seven (7) vessels with the capability to actively patrol and take
maritime enforcement measures. Expanding the Marine Patrol Unit to incorporate a second squad
composed of six members will undoubtedly enhance the Police Department's coverage area and
improve enforcement of livery violations, derelict vessels, loud music and uniform boating citations
and allow for a more efficient response to water emergencies.
On any given day, three (3) Marine Patrol officers are on -duty with staggered hours to maximize
coverage. Enlarging the unit would not only allow for officer overlap, but also for multiple areas to
include Star Island, Biscayne Bay, Palm and Hibiscus Islands, Belle Isle, and Venetian Islands to
be covered simultaneously. The additional resources would also help address commission
priorities including derelict vessel monitoring, jet ski thefts, and residential burglaries, among
others.
Notwithstanding, recent City Commission mandates to assign officers and resources east of
Indian Creek, to an ATV squad on the beach, to bike patrol on Ocean Drive and to high visibility
details across the city and most recently with emphasis to the commercial corridors should take
precedence. The Police Department is actively recruiting and training police officers to fulfill
budgeted positions and hopes to reach a fully staffed department within the next couple of
years. Because the current Marine Patrol configuration is resulting in high enforcement numbers
(see chart below), even with a renewed commission focus on water -related incidents, the
Administration considers that mandated, higher priority needs as outlined should be given
precedence. Nevertheless, if funds are still available after the necessary initiatives are filled, the
Administration welcomes exploring the expansion of the Marine Patrol Unit.
Marine Patrol Arrests by Officer
January 1, 2024 — November 8, 2024
16
0
16
22
0
22
4
0
4
2
0
2
7
0
7
4
1
S
Marine Patrol Monthly Citations 2024
January February March April May June July August September October Total
®�am rm�®ww�$ ®
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed breakdown for the Marine Patrol Unit budget enhancement request of $1,290.000
for Year One, which does not include applicable pension costs that would be incurred
commencing in Year Two, is as follows:
One (1) Sergeant:
o approximate salary of $146,000 (includes pay allowances, health insurance, and
Medicare)
o approximately $98,500 for equipment
Up to five (5) Officers:
o approximate total salary of $572,000 (includes allowances, health insurance, and
Medicare)
o approximately $473,500 for equipment
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the Administration recommends accepting the recommendation for
consideration during the FY 26 budget process expanding the Marine Patrol Unit to a second
squad along with other commission priorities.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item,
pursuant to City Code Section 2.177
No
Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
Project?
No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which as defined in Code Sec. 2-481.
includes a Principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
Police
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Co-sponsors)
Condensed Title
Accept ReGFxpand Marine Patrol Unit to Detect/Deter Crime in Biscayne Bay. (AF) PD
Previous Action (For City Clark Use Only)
883
Committee Referrals - C4 R
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Alex Fernandez
DATE: October 30, 2024
TITLE: REFERRAL TO THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO
DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR FY 26 TO EXPAND THE MARINE
PATROL UNIT TO DETECT AND DETER CRIME AND QUALITY OF LIFE
OFFENSES IN BISCAYNE BAY.
RECOMMENDATION
Please place on the October 30, 2024 City Commission agenda a referral to the Finance and
Economic Resiliency Committee to discuss the potential funding for FY 26 to expand the Marine
Patrol Unit to detect and deter crime and quality of fife offenses in Biscayne Bay.
The City is a vibrant tropical community which, due in part to its ideal marine location and
popularity as a local hotspot, experiences a wide variety of vessels making use of its waterways.
Recently, the City has experienced a surge in boats and vessel activity on and around its
jurisdictional waters. Regrettably, many vessel operators and vessel rental businesses have not
been complying with local, state, and federal laws pertaining to vessel safety and business
regulations.
This ongoing nuisance has led to an increase in navigational hazards and vessel accidents and
injuries on the water, in addition to having adverse impacts on the environment and the residential
areas and islands along Biscayne Bay. Moreover, residents along the waterways continue to
request Marine Patrol in those areas to increase police presence and address home burglaries
and quality of fife issues connected with vessels in those waterways.
As part of this referral, I request that the City Administration be prepared at Committee to discuss
the possibility of, and costs associated with, expanding the Marine Patrol Unit to detect and deter
crime and quality of Irfe offenses in Biscayne Bay, especially in areas surrounding Star, Palm and
Hibiscus Islands, along with Belle Isle and the Venetian areas, for FY 26, in addition to any hurdles
or concems.
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Does this Ordinance require a Business impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: hftps,liw miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerklmeatinu-noticesl
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item. Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-177 Proiecl?
Yes No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which as defined in Code Sec. 2.481.
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
Office of Commissioner Alex Fernandez
S nsor s
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Ref: FERC - Potential Funding for FY 26 to Expand Marine Patrol Unit (Fernandez)
M