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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2025-33732RESOLUTION NO. 2025 - 33732 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 EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF PURCHASING A MOBILE POLICE SUBSTATION TO ENHANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES, INCIDENT REPORTING, HIGH VISIBILITY AND CRIME DETERRENCE THROUGHOUT MIAMI BEACH. WHEREAS, at the May 15, 2024 City Commission meeting, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC") to report the findings and proposals related to the viability of creating police substations; and WHEREAS, the item was subsequently heard at the November 13, 2024 PSNQLC meeting where the item was moved to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation to refer the item to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee ("FERC") to explore the possibility of purchasing a mobile station; and WHEREAS, at the February 3, 2025 City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral to the FERC to discuss the potential funding for FY 2026 to purchase a mobile police substation to enhance law enforcement resources, incident reporting, high visibility and crime deterrence throughout Miami Beach; and WHEREAS, the item was 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, the item was heard at the June 25, 2025, City Commission Meeting, where the Mayor and City Commission directed the Administration to consider the purchase of a mobile police substation as part of the FY 2027 budget process; and WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Police Department ("MBPD") currently has one (1) police substation in North Beach that provides limited in -person services for walk-in reporting during business hours; and WHEREAS, a mobile substation provides strategic advantages in various locations without the constraints of a fixed facility, including increased law enforcement presence, community engagement opportunities, operational flexibility, and support for emergency response; and WHEREAS, prominently marked with MBPD branding for clear identification as a public safety resource, the mobile substation would be equipped with communication systems, workstations, and community outreach materials; and WHEREAS, the mobile substation option requires lower costs for maintenance, staffing, and space, in comparison to leasing or purchasing a fixed brick -and -mortar facility; and WHEREAS, initial costs associated with acquiring a mobile substation are approximately $450,000, including vehicle purchase and customization, communication and technology integration, and equipment and operational outfitting; and WHEREAS, the vehicle will be serviced and maintained by the City Fleet, and it will come with a warranty from both the vehicle manufacturer and the vendor responsible for the upflt to meet the city's design specifications; and WHEREAS, staffing one (1) brick -and -mortar substation would require a minimum of four (4) to six (6) officers and/or Public Safety Specialists ("PSS") to provide coverage from early morning and into the late evening with MBPD needing up to 16-24 additional police officers and/or PSSs when staffing is expanded to multiple facilities; and WHEREAS, the MBPD is budgeted for a total of 437 sworn officer positions and does not currently have unassigned available sworn or professional staff to work in brick -and -mortar substations throughout the city; and WHEREAS, reassigning existing staff from their current assignments or scaling back commitments to expand specialized police services in other areas to staff multiple locations would be necessary, having an adverse impact on policevisibility; and WHEREAS, the preferred option at this time is the acquisition of a Mobile Police Substation, as it offers the greatest return on investment with flexibility to be deployed anywhere in the city and will significantly enhance MBPD's ability to proactively address public safety concerns while minimizing costs and staffing requirements compared to a fixed facility. 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 purchase a mobile police substation to enhance law enforcement resources, incident reporting, high visibility and crime deterrence throughout Miami Beach. PASSED and ADOPTED this .iS day of 7N <2025 �� ATTEST: even Meiner, Mayor ZY FEB 2 0 2026 Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk w 500 GulE4 APPROVED AS TO FORM &LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION �1oaL nxomey Resolutions - C7IN 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, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PROCESS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF PURCHASING A MOBILE POLICE SUBSTATION TO ENHANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES, INCIDENT REPORTING, HIGH VISIBILITY AND CRIME DETERRENCE THROUGHOUT MIAMI BEACH. The Administration recommends the Mayor & Commission consider allocating resources for the acquisition of a Mobile Police Substation to enhance law enforcement presence, improve community engagement, and provide a flexible operational platform for addressing public safety concems in key areas throughout Miami Beach. The Administration recommends that while the Commission evaluates these resource allocations, 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 -tens 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 acquisition of a mobile substation align with the City's broader long-term financial stability and strategic priorities. If the Committee recommends funding a mobile substation, the Administration recommends it be considered as part of the FY 2026 budget process. BACKGROUNWHISTORY At the May 15, 2024 City Commission meeting, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral (C7 AK) to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ('PSNQLC") to report the findings and proposals related to the viability of creating police substations. The item was heard at the July 10, 2024 meeting and slated to return to the September 18, 2024 PSNQLC meeting to provide an update with possible plan phased out in fiscal years and including the possibility of substations in the City owned property in Altos del Mar, and partnering with Miami Dade County Schools. This item was heard at the September 18th PSNQLC meeting, and the item is slated to return to the October PSNQLC meeting. The Police Department was asked to return with three (3) 869 possibilities with cost and resources needed to be included for the following locations: 1. City Hall 2. Collins Park Area 3. A Mobile Station. The item was subsequently heard at the November 13, 2024 PSNQLC meeting where the item was moved to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation to refer the item to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) to explore the possibility of purchasing a mobile station. The Mayor and City Commission approved the subsequent referral (C7 AF) to FERC at the February 3, 2025 City Commission meeting and the item was deferred to the April 16, 2025 FERC. 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 (MBPD) has been exploring strategies to optimize police operations and community engagement efforts. A mobile substation provides a dynamic solution by enabling officers to establish a presence in various locations without the constraints of a fixed facility. Previous discussions have underscored the need for a visible and responsive policing mechanism, particularly in high -traffic and event -prone areas. Additionally, ongoing efforts by the Administration have been focused on identifying other viable office spaces. However, City Facilities have not been able to identify potentially viable, City -owned facilities at this time. MBPD currently has one (1) police substation in North Beach that provides limited in -person services for walk-in reporting during business hours. The remainder of the facility serves as a police briefing facility for North Beach police roll calls and houses offices for the Area Captain, Neighborhood Resource Officer (NRO), Beat Officers and the PO's Boston Whaler Marine Patrol Vessel. With the exception of the units assigned to North Beach, all MBPD personnel are deployed from the main HQ building located at 1100 Washington Ave. This location is staffed 24 hours a day to provide full -service, in -parson reporting capabilities. Deploying personnel are briefed during shift roll calls throughout the 24-hour shift cycle and full investigative services are available at the MBPD headquarters as well. MBPD additionally has the capability and routinely takes reports from residents and visitors via telephone and through an online reporting system called Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS). The DORS system allows the public to create police reports for certain enumerated minor crimes and be issued a MBPD case number. Mobile Police Substation (MPS) A Mobile Police Substation offers a strategic advantage by providing: • Increased Law Enforcement Presence — Enhances police visibility in high -crime areas and during major city events. • Community Engagement Opportunities — Serves as a direct point of contact between officers and the public, fostering trust and communication. • Operational Flexibility — Can be deployed in response to emerging crime trends, large gatherings, or special initiatives. • Support for Emergency Response — Functions as an on -site command post during critical incidents or natural disasters. The MPS would be equipped with necessary law enforcement tools, including communication systems, workstations, and community outreach materials, and also be prominently marked with MBPD branding for clear identification as a public safety resource. 870 Several advantages of this MPS option were identified, particularly when compared to leasing or purchasing a fixed brick -and -mortar facility: • Lower Cost: The cost of purchasing and maintaining a mobile unit is significantly lower than the expenses associated with acquiring, leasing, or maintaining a permanent, physical structure. The MPS eliminates the need for long-term property leases, construction, renovation costs, and utility expenses tied to a fixed location, offering a more budget -friendly solution. • Citywide Flexibility and Visibility: Unlike a stationary location, the MPS offers the unique ability to be deployed across various neighborhoods, increasing police presence and visibility throughout the entire city. This versatility allows the MPS to act as a proactive deterrent in high -crime areas, provide a temporary police presence at community events, or assist in ongoing investigations by positioning close to active incidents or concems. • Rapid Relocation and Targeted Deployment: The MPS can be relocated at any time, enabling law enforcement to respond to emerging issues dynamically. Whether addressing sudden spikes in crime, traffic concems, or community needs, the MPS provides an agile response that a brick -and -mortar facility cannot match. This mobility ensures resources are placed where they are needed most, at any given moment. • Backup Mobile Command Center for Emergencies: In the event of a natural disaster, large-scale incident, or other emergencies, the MPS can serve as a secondary or supplemental Mobile Command Vehicle. This dual functionality enhances operational readiness and provides the department with additional flexibility to coordinate response efforts in critical situations, ensuring continuous operations even if primary facilities are compromised. • Operational Efficiency with Minimal Staffing: Unlike maintaining multiple fixed substations, the MPS requires fewer staff to operate effectively. This means that essential personnel can remain focused on patrols, investigations, or other duties without being tied to a single location. The MPS can deliver the same or enhanced police presence without the overhead of staffing multiple physical locations across the city. • Minimal Footprint: The MPS requires minimal space for deployment, allowing for quick setup in various urban environments without causing significant disruptions to the surrounding area. • Public Engagement: The vehicle can be designed to allow for public entry and direct engagement with police staff. This feature enhances community relations by providing an approachable, mobile space for interaction with officers. • Dedicated Staff Space: The MPS will include a separate enclosed area specifically for police staff. This section would offer privacy and the ability to handle administrative tasks, meetings, or sensitive conversations away from public view. • Customizable Floorplan: The layout of the MPS is entirely customizable, allowing the department to design a configuration that meets its specific operational needs. Whether the focus is on community interaction, field operations, or emergency response, the floorplan can be tailored accordingly. • Startup Costs: The initial costs associated with designing and purchasing an MPS would be approximately S450,000. The vehicle will be serviced and maintained by the City Fleet, and it will come with a warranty from both the vehicle manufacturer and the vendor responsible for the upfit to meet the city's design specifications. 871 450 UZZ Staffing Considerations The MBPD is currently budgeted for a total of 437 sworn officer positions, of which 417 positions are filled. This filled position number includes all police officer trainees (still completed the police academy), police officers, detectives, sergeants, lieutenants and Command Staff personnel in the Department. To staff multiple substations, MBPD would be obligated to assign appropriate personnel to these facilities to provide initial contact and public safety services across multiple shifts throughout the workday and week. This would require a minimum of four (4) to six (6) officers/Public Safety Specialists at each facility to provide coverage from early morning and into the late evening and allow for breaks and days off. When those staffing requirements are expanded to multiple facilities as suggested during committee discussions, the MBPD may need up to 16-24 additional police officers or PSSs to successfully carryout this initiative and provide the level of services our community has grown to expect. MBPD does not currently have unassigned available sworn or professional staff to assign to work in substations throughout the city. If the decision is made to move forward with this project, MBPD would need to reassign existing staff from their current assignments or scale back commitments to expand specialized police services in other areas, to make staff available for this purpose. It is important to consider that removing police officers from the field to place them within substations would have an adverse impact on police visibility. To better gauge and decide upon the explored options, the Administration would benefit from a 872 dear definition of the goals and desired outcomes for the police substation expansion project. This collaboration would enable input from all stakeholders, allowing the exploration of alternative strategies that can achieve similar outcomes without negatively affecting MBPD's current staffing capabilities or disrupting other high -priority initiatives already identified by residents, elected officials, and MBPD leadership. By adopting a collaborative approach, innovative strategies can be developed to meet these goals, potentially through public -private partnerships, minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers while expanding MBPD's presence across the city. Rather than opening multiple permanent substations, the City could simultaneously explore alternatives such as establishing Neighborhood Engagement Offices or Police Field Workstations, which offer enhanced community engagement with reduced operational impact. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT The estimated cost for acquiring and outfitting the Mobile Police Substation is approximately $400,000 to $450,000, which includes: • Vehicle purchase and customization • Communication and technology integration • Equipment and operational outfitting Potential funding sources include: Grants — Federal and state programs supporting community policing initiatives Public -Private Partnerships — Local businesses benefiting from improved safety City Budget Allocations — Reallocation of underutilized resources and or budget enhancements. CONCLUSION The preferred option for consideration during the FY 2026 budgetary process is the acquisition of a Mobile Police Substation (MPS), as it offers the greatest return on investment and the flexibility to be deployed anywhere in the city. The MPS will significantly enhance MBPD's ability to proactively address public safety concerns across all neighborhoods while minimizing costs and staffing requirements compared to a fixed facility. While establishing permanent substations in other locations could provide a sustained police presence, the mobile option is the most cost-effective and operationally flexible solution. The MPS option offers several advantages over a traditional brick -and -mortar substation, including lower initial costs, enhanced flexibility, increased visibility, reduced staffing requirements, versatility in emergencies, minimal deployment footprint, customizable floor plans and public accessibility. This strategic approach aligns with the City's commitment to strengthening community -oriented policing and improving public safely outcomes. By investing in a Mobile Police Substation, MBPD can maximize its presence throughout Miami Beach while maintaining fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency. Applicable Area Citywide Is this a "Residents Richl to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond pursuant to City Code Section 2-777 Project? No uM 873 Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which. as defined in Code Sec. 2.481, Includes a principal enaaaed in lobbying? No If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Department Police Sponsor(s) Commissioner Alex Fernandez Co-sponsor(s) Condensed Title Accept Rec/Purchase Mobile Police Substation to Enhance Law Enforcement. (Fernandez) PD Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only) 874 WOM4, 1e:29PM Coversiwet Resol,tions-C7. _AK MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Ricardo J. Dopioo, City Atlomey DATE: May 15, 2024 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EXPLORE THE VIABILITY OF CREATING POLICE SUBSTATIONS, SIMILAR TO THE POLICE SUBSTATION IN NORTH BEACH, IN THE COLLINS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, AT CITY HALL, IN THE SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IN MID -BEACH, IN ORDER TO MAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES AND INCIDENT REPORTING MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READILY AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, AND TO MORE EFFICIENTLY ADDRESS CRIMINAL ACTMTY THROUGHOUT THE CITY. AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO REPORT THEIR FINDINGS AND PROPOSALS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE AT ITS JULY 10, 2024 MEETING IN ORDER FOR THE COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS (INCLUDING THE FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT) TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION IN ADVANCE OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET PROCESS. BACKGROUNDMISTORY Was Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined In Code Sac. 2-481, Includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No If so, specify name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): N/A ANALYSIS The proposed Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner Alex Fernandez. SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA N/A FINANCIAL INFORMATION Administration is requested to be prepared to address the fiscal impact of this proposed measure at the July 10, 2024 Pudic Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee meeting. Is this - -Residents Riah1W Know Item,_ ursuafdta �y rode Seel'on 2-14? No Laglslallve Tneking Office of the City Attorney $Rg1114[ Commissioner Alex Fernandez ATTACHMENTS' Description o Resolution Does this Item utilize G O Bond Funds No hupc'.I/miamibearA.nwusageMe.code-9andepuWidCoveSheetaepx%temID=352)98MeadnglD=1391 tl1 875 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EXPLORE THE VIABILITY OF CREATING POLICE SUBSTATIONS, SIMILAR TO THE POLICE SUBSTATION IN NORTH BEACH, IN THE COLLINS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, AT CITY HALL, IN THE SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IN MID -BEACH, IN ORDER TO MAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES AND INCIDENT REPORTING MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READILY AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, AND TO MORE EFFICIENTLY ADDRESS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO REPORT THEIR FINDINGS AND PROPOSALS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE AT ITS JULY 10. 2024 MEETING IN ORDER FOR THE COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS (INCLUDING THE FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT) TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION IN ADVANCE OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET PROCESS. WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach (the "City') is a unique, coastal community which, due to a myriad of factors, including the influx of throngs of visitors year-round, consistently experiences petty crime and quality of life offenses, along with other more serious criminal law violations; and WHEREAS, the protection of the health, safety, and general welfare of the City' s residents and visitors is am of the fundamental functions performed by the City; and WHEREAS, the City has approximately 80,000 residents and fifteen (15) square miles within its territorial jurisdiction; and WHEREAS the Police Department presently divides the City into four (4) distinct areas. Area 1 (south of Dade Boulevard); Area 2 (from Dade Boulevard to 63r° Street); Area 3 (from 6V Street to the North end of the City; and Area 4 (the "ADCD"), with its police headquarters located at 1100 Washington Avenue and a police substation located at 6840 Indian Creek Drive; and WHEREAS, the Police Department's consistent utilization of proactive policing strategies has proven to be effective in maintaining public safety and strengthening police -community relations Citywide; and WHEREAS, establishing police substations in various areas of the City will allow police officers to gain a better understanding of the needs of the area's residents and their expectations of the Police Department, and can provide police officers with more timely and accurate information concerning illegal activity occurring in their neighborhood; and WHEREAS, the presence of police substations in the Collins Park Neighborhood, at City Hall, in the South of Fifth Neighborhood, and in Mid -Beach may allow for quicker response times to certain incidents and help facilitate more effective communication between police officers and citizens: and 876 WHEREAS, the creation of substations also generally allows police officers to get more involved in the community and help build a sense of security in the community; as well as potentially preventing the occurrence of certain quality of life offenses due to the presence of a police substation within the area; and WHEREAS, additionally, police substations often serve as a resource for community members to seek assistance, report crimes, and engage with law enforcement in a variety of different contexts and ways including, but not limited to, community events and activations facilitated by the City and its Police Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the Mayor and City Commission hereby direct the City Administration to explore the viability of creating police substations, similar to the police substation in North Beach, in the Collins Park neighborhood, at City Hall, in the South of Fifth neighborhood, and in mid -Beach, in order to make law enforcement resources and incident reporting more easily accessible and readily available for residents and visitors, and to more efficiently address criminal activity throughout the City; and further, directing the City Administration to report their findings and proposals to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee at its July 10, 2024 meeting in order for Committee to provide its recommendations (including the fiscal and administrative impact) to the Mayor and City Commission in advance of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget process. PASSED and ADOPTED this _day of May, 2024. ATTEST: Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk Steven Memer, Mayor (Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez) APPROVED AS TO FORM &LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION s/Blcozf LIN A#MWV V / Dole 877