HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-26392 Reso
RESOLUTION NO. 2006-26392
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE
ADMINISTRATION AND THE CITY'S FEDERAL LOBBYISTS
TO PURSUE FEDERAL AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION
DIRECTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE DESIGNATION
OF MIAMI BEACH AS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA;
FURTHER PLACING DESIGNATION OF MIAMI BEACH AS A
NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ON THE CITY'S FEDERAL
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
WHEREAS, the National Heritage Area program is administered by the National Park
Service, a division of the Unites States Department of Interior; and
WHEREAS, a National Heritage Area is a region in which residents, businesses, and
local governments have joined together to conserve and celebrate heritage and special
landscapes; and
WHEREAS, successful designation of a National Heritage Area requires partnership
between many organizations and agencies at the local, regional, state and federal levels; and
WHEREAS, Miami Beach has a significant inventory of natural, cultural, and historic
resources; and
WHEREAS, Miami Beach's history, evolution and progress is a unique story that can only
be told in Miami Beach and is of national significance; and
WHEREAS, National Heritage Areas receive an annual appropriation from the United
States Congress in the Interior Appropriations Bill to manage and implement the program; and
WHEREAS, a National Heritage Area will be an additional asset to the tourism and
cultural industries in Miami Beach and have a positive impact on the local and regional economy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City commission direct the
Administration and the city's Federal lobbyists to pursue Federal authorizing legislation directing
the Department of Interior to conduct a feasibility study for the designation of Miami Beach as a
National Heritage Area, and further placing designation of., iami Beach as a National Heritage
Area on the City's Federal Legislative Agenda.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 6th
,2006.
Mayor
David Dermer
ATT~~ ~~
City Clerk
Robert Parcher
F:\ECON\$ALL\KEVIN\Correspondence\Resos and CMs\2006 national heritage area.doc
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR CUTION
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COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A resolution directing the Administration to pursue federal authorizing legislation directing the Dept. of
Interior to stud the feasibili of desi natin Miami Beach as a National Herita e Area.
Ke Intended Outcome Su orted:
Increase community rating of cultural activities and ensure well maintained facilities.
Issue:
Shall the Mayor and City Commission direct the Administration to pursue designation of Miami Beach
as a National Herita e Area?
Item Summary/Recommendation:
A National Heritage Area is a region in which residents, businesses, and local governments have
joined together to conserve and celebrate heritage and special landscapes. In these areas, the
culture and history shape the landscape. Each heritage area is a settled landscape that tells the story
of its residents, where the land and the local environment have shaped traditions and cultural values
in the people who live there. It is a place where the resident's use of the land has created and
sustained a landscape that reflects their cultures. This program does not involve Federal regulation of
private property.
The first step in the process is the introduction and passage of authorizing legislation. This action will
direct the Department of Interior to conduct the feasibility study to determine if Miami Beach is
suitable for designation as a National Heritage Area. Upon completion of the study, legislation will be
introduced that designates Miami Beach. Following designation, the management entity that is
identified to oversee the program will begin receiving an annual appropriation in the Interior
Appropriations Bill. Currently, heritage areas receive appropriation amounts that range between
$200,000 and $800,000 per year.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
I N/A
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account Approved
Funds: 1
c:J 2
3
4
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary:
Cit Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin
Kevin Crowder, Economic Development
n-Offs:
Department Director
City Manager
m
.....
MIAMI BEACH
AGENDA ITEM C7G-
DATE /~-,,-.t:)c.
~ MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
FROM:
Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~
December 6, 2006 {J ~
TO:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE
CITY'S FEDERAL LOBBYISTS TO PURSUE FEDERAL AUTHORIZING
LEGISLATION DIRECTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE DESIGNATION OF MIAMI BEACH
AS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ON THE CITY'S FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
A National Heritage Area is a region in which residents, businesses, and local governments
have joined together to conserve and celebrate heritage and special landscapes. In these
areas, the culture and history shape the landscape. Each heritage area is a settled
landscape that tells the story of its residents, where the land and the local environment have
shaped traditions and cultural values in the people who live there. It is a place where the
resident's use of the land has created and sustained a landscape that reflects their cultures.
This program does not involve Federal regulation of private property.
At the February 25, 2004 and July 28, 2004 City Commission meetings, the Mayor and City
Commission discussed the concept of pursuing designation of Miami Beach as a National
Heritage Area. Pursuit of a designation requires partnership between many organizations
and agencies at the local, regional, state and federal levels. In July 2005, the Administration
met with Department of Interior and National Park Service staff to discuss the potential
designation of Miami Beach. At the time, legislation was pending that proposed changes to
the designation process, which included completion of a feasibility study by the community,
followed by Department of Interior review and designation of the area by the U.S. Congress.
Discussions with the agencies indicated that this process could take between 3 and 4 years.
The four steps that must occur prior to designation are:
1. Completion of a feasibility study;
2. Public involvement in the feasibility study;
3. Demonstration of widespread public support;
4. Commitment to the proposal from key constituents.
Based on recent conversations with the City's federal lobbyists and the National Park
Service, the applicant is no longer responsible for conducting the feasibility study; rather, it is
conducted by the Department of Interior following passage of an authorization bill by
Congress that directs the Department to study an identified area. The Administration
believes that the designation of Miami Beach can occur in less than two years, a much
shorter time frame than originally anticipated.
The first step in the process is the introduction and passage of authorizing legislation. This
action will direct the Department of Interior to conduct the feasibility study to determine if
Miami Beach is suitable for designation as a National Heritage Area. Upon completion of the
study, legislation will be introduced that designates Miami Beach. Following designation, the
management entity that is identified to oversee the program will begin receiving an annual
appropriation in the Interior Appropriations Bill. Currently, heritage areas receive
appropriation amounts that range between $200,000 and $800,000 per year.
Successful designation of Miami Beach as a National Heritage Area will require a two-
pronged approach: Political and Organizational.
The political efforts will include strong support of the concept at the federal, state, and
regional levels, including both elected officials and administration. The City's state and
congressional representatives have already indicated their support, as have State tourism
and historic preservation officials. Additionally, the National Park Service has indicated
interest in the concept of a National Heritage Area in Miami Beach. This program has been
discussed in concept with some of the City's cultural stakeholders, and the Administration
anticipates that further discussions with the City's federal representatives and the National
Park Service will occur in late January.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the attached
resolution directing that the Administration and the City's federal lobbyists pursue authorizing
legislation that directs the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study to determine
the suitability of designating Miami Beach as a National Heritage Area.
JMG/HF/kc
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