98-22716 RESO
RESOLUTION NO.
98-22716
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD TO
MAINTAIN THE EAST BASCULE BRIDGE ON THE VENETIAN CAUSEWAY IN
A CLOSED POSITION IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND
WELFARE UNTIL THE WEST BASCULE BRIDGE ON THE VENETIAN
CAUSEWAY IS COMPLETED AND OPERABLE.
WHEREAS, the Venetian Causeway in Miami Beach, Florida is currently under renovation; and
WHEREAS, the only access off the Venetian Islands is now via a temporary bridge located at the
east end of the causeway across the Miami Beach Channel since the West Bascule Bridge is presently closed
due to the renovation project; and
WHEREAS, the United States Coast Guard's policy will allow the opening ofthe new East Bascule
Bridge on the Venetian Causeway to boat traffic even though the West Bascule Bridge is still under
renovation; and
WHEREAS, during those times when the East Bascule Bridge would be opened pursuant to Coast
Guard policy, the residents of the Venetian Causeway would be stranded up to ten minutes for the complete
raising and lowering ofthe span in order for boat traffic to clear; and
WHEREAS, in an emergency, such delay caused by the opening of the East Bascule Bridge would
impede the prompt response of police, fire rescue, and other emergency vehicles and place the health,
welfare and safety of the persons living and working on the Venetian Islands at risk; and
WHEREAS, should an accident occur on the East Bascule Bridge or the Bridge becomes stuck in
an up position, persons living and working on the Venetian Islands could be stranded for significant lengths
of time which would also severely impact upon the health, safety and welfare of those who would remain
stranded on the Venetian Islands; and
WHEREAS, boat traffic has not been inconvenienced by travelling a short distance to the waterway
access provided through the West Bascule Bridge while the temporary pontoon bridge remained in a closed
position during restoration of the East Bascule Bridge, and boat traffic would not be inconvenienced by
continuing to use this route pending completion of the West Bascule Bridge.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the United States Coast Guard is
hereby urged to change its policy regarding the opening of the East Bascule Bridge on the Venetian
Causeway to boat traffic by requiring that the East Bascule Bridge remain closed during the remainder of
the time period in which the West Bascule Bridge on the Venetian Causeway is undergoing renovation so
that the residents living and working on the Venetian Islands are not put at risk with regard to their health,
safety, and welfare.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 15th day of
April
,1998.
111M
MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
=-~~ PCJActM
CITY CLERK
FIA nUITIJRN\RESOSIVENEllJAS.OPN
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SERGIO RODRIGUEZ
CITY MANAGER ~
NANCY LIEBMAN
COMMISSIONER
DATE:
APRIL 3, 1998
RE:
AGENDA ITEM VENETIAN BRIDGE
Please place this item on the April 15 Agenda for the Commission to pass a resolution to the US
Coast Guard requesting that the new east bascule Venetian bridge remain in closed position until
such time as the west bascule Venetian bridge is open to operation.
In addition to the resolution, I would request a report be given by the CountY and FDOT as to the
time table for completion of the Causeway Project, and an update from the City as to the life
safety measures in force f-or police, ambulance and fire service should this request to the U. S.
Coast Guard be rejected.
NLlml
Attachment
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20 :21 ;!d [- dd~ 86
04/r.2198 THU 11: 14 FAX 305 536 4101
US ATTORNEY
!4J 002
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VENETIAN
CAUSEWAY
NEIGHBORHOOD
ALLIANCE
TO: Mayor Neisen Kasdin and Commissioners, City of Miami Beach
Enclosed please find a letter we have sent to the Coast Guard, seeking a change in policy
regarding the opening of the East Bascule of the Venetian Causeway to boat traffic.
The bridge to Miami is under renovation. Therefore, the residents on the Venetian Islands are
being put at risk by the Coast Guard policy. We look to you as our representatives to help us in
this regard. As residents of Miami Beach, we are relying on you to assure us the unimpeded
critical access to public services.
Thank you in advance of your help.
Sincerely,
~4Jt- tj{ ~ ,''''''
Barbara K. Eisno
President
Venetian Causeway Neighborhood Alliance
305 961 9304
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16D1 ALTON KOAO. ,:Z,. '_I!lI,Hdl lEACH. I'LOlllDA 33tH
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04/Q'!I98 THU 11: 14 FAX 305 536 4101
US ATIOR\cY
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VENETIAN
CAUSEWAY
NEIGHBORHOOD
ALLIANCE
John Wmslow
Commander
Brodie Rich
Bridge Administrator
United States Coast Guard
TRANS:MITI'ED BY F ACSIMlLE: 305 530 7655
Re: Operation of East Bascule, Venetian Causeway, Miami-Dade CountyflvfiamilMiami
Beach, Fl
Dear Commander WInSlow and Mr. Rich:
On behalf of the residents of the Venetian Islands, I wish to take this opportunity to
express to you a grave concern the residents on the islands share.
.As previously stated in my telephone conversation with you, the residents believe that the
East Bascule Bridge should remain in the closed position unless there is an alternative way of
access off the islands. As all are aware, the only access on these islands now is via the temporary
bridge located across the :Miami Beach Channel. With the opening of the new bascule, the
temporary bridge will, according to present plans, soon be removed. Thereafter, while the West
Bascule is under renovation, dIe only access to the mainland will be via this new drawbridge.
OUf concerns are twofold. First, the possibility of an accident (such as occurred at the
West Bascule a few years ago) or malfunction involving this new bascule is not so remote as to
discount the frightening potential for residents to be stranded for a significant length of time.
We fully appreciate that the East Bascule is a completely new structure using the latest available
technology and design, but, like a new car, it can break down and surely may be involved in an
accident. Exposing the thousands of people living here to the real possibility of no police service,
no ambulance service. no fire service, just does not seem to make sense when the East Bascule
can remain closed as it has been for so long. Boat traffic would be no more inconvenienced than
it has been for the past year while the East Bascule was under renovation_ Indeed, as a short
distance to the west there is unobstructed waterway access through the west bridge, no boat ever
has to wait for the opening of a bascule. Thus keeping the East Bascule closed will not impede the
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II5CA YNE . SAN WARCO . SAN N.UINO . DEUDO . IUVO ALTO' Jau
1602 ALTON tOAD. . 11 . )4.IA.MIIlEACH. FLOJtIOA ))1}9
04.'02/98 THU 11:14 F.il 305 536 4101
US ATIOR.'iEY
141004
free fiow of boat traffic, which we understand is the concern of the Coast Guard.
Another concern is the unnecessary delay that will be caused by the opening and closing of
the East Bascule in getting help to the island residents in the event of an emergency. As you
know, it takes up to ten minutes for the complete raising and lowering of the span taking into
account the time it takes for boat traffic to clear the span. Sometimes it takes longer on
weekends. The emergency scenarios that come to mind - when no other access is available -
which could occur are endless. Think of the young wife whose husband is lying on the front lawn
dying of a heart attack, while the rescue personnel are idling at the bridge waiting for it to lower.
Think of the elderly people in the condominium who are trying to evacuate in the face of a serious
high-rise fire while fire trucks are waiting for the bridge to close. Think of the grandmother who
has a severe medical condition desperately in need of an ambulance, but the ambulance is waiting
for the bridge to lower. Think of the woman alone in her house at night when she awakens and
realizes there is a burglar in her home, but the police car is idling at the bridge waiting for it to
close.
The highest priority of government is to provide for the health, welfare and safety of its
citizenry. Why jeopardize this all important function when the alternative exists for the free flow
of boaters a little distance to the west?
I understand that your policy will be to raise the East Bascule on scheduled openings
during rush hours and otherwise on demand. I hope that the United States Coast Guard will
rethink its position and agree that tbis is not appropriate public policy.
Sincerely,
ahrt&o-,,- f{ ~ (~
Barbara K. Bisno
President
Venetian Causeway Neighborhood
Alliance
cc: Senator Bob Graham
Congressman E. Clay Shaw
Mayor Alex: Penelas, Miami-Dade County
Mayor Joe Carollo, City of Miami
Mayor Neisen Kasdin, City of Miami Beach
Commissioners, Miami-Dade County
Conunissioners, City of Miami
Commissioners, City of Miami Beach
2
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
TO:
Mayor and Commission
FROM:
Andrea M. Henry
Staff Assistant to Mayor and Commission
~
DATE:
April 10, 1998
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RE:
Item R7D-Commission Meeting of April 15, 1998
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For your information, attached is correspondence from the United States Coast Guard reg85ding -
their position on the Venetian Drawbridge issue (Item R7D).
Enclosure
cc: Sergio Rodriguez, City Manager /
ID:
APR 09'98
0:06 No.OOl P.Ol
U.S. Departmen~.
of Transportation
UnIted Statea
C08St Guard
Commandor
Seventh Coast Guard Disttlct
09 S. Eo First Avenue
iami. FI 33131
taft Symbol: (oan)
hone: (30$) 536-5621
; (305) 530-7655
Ms. Burbam K. l3isno
Presjdenl~ Venetian Causeway
Neighborhood Alliance
1602 Alton R()ud. #27
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Dear Ms. !liStlo;
Thil; is in response to your undated letter received by Our office on April 2, 1998. requesting
closure of the new East Venetian Causeway repiacemenl drawbridg across the Miumi Beach
Channel. mile 0.0, Miami llcach, Dade County, Florida. while the est Venetian Cuuseway
Bridge is being constructed,
w~ understand your r.;onccms for the protection of the Venetian I lands residents and fully
support (}perating restrictions that will ens:ure their safety witholl llnreasonably impacting
na vigalion.
The East Venetian Drawbridge is a new bridge with entirely new Opt!T ting systems. The design
will ensure the draws eWl be quickly closed should there be a power oss. If this should occur,
the draws would remain closed until emergency repairs arc e(lmpl ted and waterway traffic
would he rerouted through the Intracoastal Waterway system at the Wt! t end of the islands.
We will also continue the seasonal opening restrictions for the n 'VI East Venetian Bridge
throughout the construction project to ensure morning and aftcrno In commuter traffic has
minimum disruption.
Emergency vehicle transits arc specifically addressed in the Code of Federal Regulations,
Subpart 11 7.31 which states that when u drawtcnder is infomled by a reliable source that un
emergency vehicle is due to cross the draw, the drawtcnder shall take II reasonable measures to
have the draw elm:eu at the time thc emergency vehicle arrives at th bridge. The notification
process is uscd routinely by all cmergency services.
_. - _..
I f more rapid rC!>1Jonsc is needed for Venetian residents. consideration hould be given to staging
emergency fire rescue and medjcal vehicles 011 the i::;lunds. This has b 'n routine]y done at other
locations in Florida, when extensive bridge projects are undertaken.
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April 5~ 1998
lixtcnded c10surc of the East Venetian Causeway Drawbridge is considcred to bc all
unreasonable impact on navigation using the Miami Beach Channel Vessel restrictions have
been in effect for over a y~ar and fUf\,her closure of this waterway i unnecessary. We permit
drawbridges with the understanding that the bridges will open Upon si nal for navigation. Some
operating restrictions may be necessary but complete closure is incons stcnt with Federal Statutes
and can only be authorized for emergency conaitionso The current si uation does not appear to
warrant such actions.
Wc will closely monitor the opcration of the East Venetian Oruwbrid c to ac;sure prompt action
is takcn to correct any malfunctions and the bridge is maintained i the closed position until
repairs arc completed. We will consider additional operating r strictions if the Florida
Department of Transportation indicates they arc needed to maintain v llcu)ar truffic flow during
wcckday~,
If you muy have any further conecrns about this matter. please tccl .ee to contact Mr. Brodie
Rich of my staff at (305) 536-5117.
Sincerely, /
'J/d.. t
. WINSL~
'ef, Bridge Section
Aids to Navigation and
Waterways Management Branch
Seventh Coast Guard Distriet
By direction of the District Cornn ander
Copy: Florida Department of Transportation, Attn: Mr. Gabriel Roma ach
Dade County Public Works Department, Attn: Mr. .Tolm Patter n
2
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO, ~8
TO:
Mayor Neisen Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
DATE: April 15, 1998
FROM:
Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
#
SUBJECT:
A RESOL I N OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE UNITED
STATES COAST GUARD TO KEEP THE EAST BASCULE BRIDGE OF
THE VENETIAN CAUSEWAY IN A CLOSED POSITION UNTIL THE
WEST BASCULE BRIDGE IS OPERATIONAL.
ADMINISTRA TION RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND:
The Venetian Causeway Bridge RepairlRehabilitation Project has been under eonstruction since
December, 1995. Since the beginning of eonstruction, the east bascule bridge has been inoperable,
and a temporary bridge has been utilized to maintain traffic flow to and from the Venetian Islands,
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the east baseule bridge of the Venetian
Causeway is scheduled to be fully operational in May, 1998, and the west bascule bridge is expected
to be completed by May, 1999.
The residents of the Venetian Islands have expressed concerns related to ingress/egress if the east
bascule bridge is allowed to be operational. In case of a possible emergency or if the bridge
malfunctions, residents would remain stranded until such time as emergency personnel have aeeess
to the Islands. Additionally, evacuation of residents may be compromised in the event of a storm
requiring evacuation.
The Venetian Causeway Neighborhood Allianee has submitted a written request to the United States
Coast Guard to keep the east bascule bridge in a closed position until sueh time as the west bridge
is operational.
Representatives of Miami-Dade County Public Works and the Florida Department of Transportation
have been asked to appear at this Commission Meeting to report on the Causeway project. In
reference to safety measures, representatives of the City's Police and Fire Departments will be
present to address safety measures and/or answer any questions on this issue.
AGENDA ITEM
R'I\:)
.
<-)-IS-98
187
DATE
CONCLUSION:
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution
requesting the United States Coast Guard to keep the east baseule bridge of the Venetian Causeway
in a closed position until the west bascule bridge is operational.
~~.M;~~"
Attaehments
188