2000-23440 RESO
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-23440
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING
THE ADMINISTRATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE BUREAU OF
JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000, AND APPROPRIATING
SUCH FUNDS, IF AWARDED.
WHEREAS, the City's parks and recreation facilities have needed repeated repairs because of
vandalism and theft; and
WHEREAS, a long-term prevention program is needed to ensure that parks remain safe and available
for enjoyment by residents; and
WHEREAS, the City would like to create a Park Rangers Program to patrol parks and provide
educational outreach to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City would like to create a Park Rangers Cadet Program to engage youth in protecting
City parks; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Justice Assistance has announced its Concept Paper Competition for
innovative police partnerships for 1999/2000; and
WHEREAS, the funds being requested do not require a cash match.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Administration is hereby retroactively authorized
and directed to submit an application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in the amount of $150,000, and that
such funds, if awarded, be appropriated to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Culture.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 12th day of January, 2000.
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MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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APPROVED AS TO
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8. FOR EXECUTtON
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
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COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. I 'g -00
FROM:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
Lawrence A. Levy ~
City Manager
DATE: January 12,2000
TO:
SUBJECT:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRA TION TO SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FOR ITS
CONCEPT PAPERS PROPOSAL PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$150,000, AND APPROPRIATING SUCH FUNDS, IF AWARDED.
ADMINISTRA TION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
The City's $15 million parks bond program has begun the renovation of various parks and recreation
facilities, Several of the facilities that have been renovated have become victims of graffiti and
criminal mischief resulting in costly repairs, In response to this problem the City hired private security
firms to patrol several of the parks, The City has spent $249,747 on such efforts during FY 1998/99.
While private patrols have reduced repair costs, the cost of continuing such an effort is prohibitive
on a long-term basis, Furthermore, this strategy does not address preventative efforts to curb the
incidents of criminal mischief.
In response to a call for concept papers addressing crime issues, the Administration has submitted a
proposal to the Bureau of Justice Assistance seeking $150,000 in funds to create a pilot program
addressing park-related crime issues, The proposed program utilizes four distinct strategies to address
park-related crimes:
AGENDA ITEM~
DATE 1-/2-00
Commission Memorandum
January 12,2000
Bureau of Justice Assistance grant
Page 2
ANAL YSIS (Continued)
1) Hiring and training of park rangers who will patrol parks during those days and times in
which parks are most susceptible to criminal activity (as determined by police reports and
resident complaints) and conduct educational outreach to the community from a preventative
stance. Park rangers will patrol parks in electric-powered vehicles whose funding is sought
in the grant.
2) Utilizing youth arrested for non-violent crimes directed to serve their community service
hours within parks by landscape planting, cleaning graffiti and disposing of litter.
3) Creating an educational outreach program targeting area school children focusing on the
economic, social and environmental costs borne by the community when parks are abused.
4) Creating a Park Rangers Cadet Program targeting elementary and middle school youth to
serve as park docents.
This initiative involves a variety of City departments and community agencies including:
. Beach Police Department
. Department of Parks and Recreation
. Office of Children's Affairs
. Miami-Dade County Public Schools
. Various environmental action organizations
The cost benefits of this strategy include fewer repair and sanitation costs due to criminal mischief
and a reduction in private security service costs. The community will benefit from safer parks and
an educational outreach program that encourages park preservation. Community youth will benefit
from participation in the Park Rangers Cadet Program.
I t is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission adopt this resolution approving the
retroactive submission of an application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
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