FY 2008 Federal Legislative Agenda
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeochH.gov
FY 2008 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
APPROPRIATION AGENDA
Social & Economic Requests
National Heritage Area
After School Program
Homeless Program
City Center Housing
Interior/EPA
Justice
Labor/HHS
Transportation/HUD
$1,000,000
$1,950,000
$2,000,000
$5,000,000
Infrastructure Requests
Atlantic Greenway Corridor
West Avenue Bridge
Stormwater Infrastructure
Erosion Control Project
Beach Renourishment
TransportationlHUD
Transportation/HUD
Interior/EPA
Energy and Water
Energy and Water
$2,500,000
$3,200,000
$9,000,000
$3,000,000
$7,500,000
AUTHORIZATION AGENDA
National Heritage Area
Congressional authorization for the Department of
Interior to determine the feasibility of designation of
Miami Beach as a National Heritage Area.
West Avenue Bridge
Reintroduce H.R. 5689 to amend TEA-LU increasing the
authorization for the project.
Everglades Restoration
Support an increase of the authorized funding for the
"Tamiami Trail Sky Bridge" project, to enhance
restoration of the Everglades' water flow.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Telecommunications
Maintain and enhance local government franchise
authority, with specific focus on right-of-way, build-out
requirements, and fees.
Wireless Internet
Maintain and enhance the ability of local governments to
provide wireless internet access, and further ensure that
local governments that already provide this service are
protected in any proposed legislation.
Insurance
Support creation of a National Catastrophe Fund.
Washington D.C. Representation: Marion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B171 fmt@wdc.iordenusa.com
Miami Beach: Kevin Crowder, Economic Development Dept., 305.2B 1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeachfl.qov
We are committed to providing excellent public service and sofety to 0/1 who live, work, and play in our vibroni, tropical. historic communify
Fy 2008 Federal Legislative Priorities
Page 2 of 8
AGENCIES. GRANT SUPPORT AND RESEARCH
CDBG & HOME Increase funding levels of HUD's CDBG and HOME
programs.
Homeland Security Support efforts to secure the placement of a regional
Department of Homeland Security facility in Miami-Dade
County.
FEMA Grants Support increased funding of the Hazard Mitigation and
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Programs.
Urban Area Security Initiative Support full funding of the UASI Program.
Disaster Authority Maintain local authority over the initial response to a
disaster.
Renewable Energy Research innovative programs and funding opportunities
for potential renewable energy initiatives in Miami Beach.
Community Reinvestment Act Support efforts to increase the enforcement of the
requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act. The
Office of Thrift Supervision has published a proposed
rule to realign their enforcement regulation of the CRA
with other federal banking agencies' efforts.
FEMA I Affordable Housing Explore opportunities to make HUD supported affordable
housing eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Currently,
items that are under the authority of, or paid for by,
another Federal agency are not reimbursable.
Washington D.C. Representotion: Morion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B171 fmt@wdc.iordenusa.com
City of Miomi Beoch: Kevin Crowder, 305.2B 1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeachf1.qov
We ore committed to providing excellent public service and safely to all who live, work, ond play in our vibrant, tropical. historic community
Fy 2008 Federal Legislative Priorities
Page 3 of 8
SOCIAL / ECONOMIC ISSUES
After School Program (Teen Intervention Program) $1,950,000
The City seeks funding support in the amount of $1,950,000 in the Justice Appropriations
Bill for expansion of this program. The City of Miami Beach provides After School (2-6PM)
and Summer programming (8AM- 5PM for 9 weeks) to approximately 1,000-1,200 resident
youth. Participation in the recently created Teen Intervention Program in North Beach has
increased dramatically during the past year, as have the various programmatic offerings
by the City.
Continued After-School and Summer programs ensure youth "growing-up" within the
system. These youth are less likely to entertain outside and detrimental participation in
other unsupervised activities, such as involvement in gangs and/or drugs. Current
numbers show most participants return for subsequent years in the program. The addition
of smaller recreational facilities throughout the city would allow youth a legal place to
participate in various recreational activities without constantly being reported to Police by
concerned residents. The City has recently expanded the toddler programs, with additional
programming for 3 and 4 years old. This is part of an effort to encourage parents and
children to become involved in the program at an earlier age. Programs are also now
offered in each of the South, Middle, and North Beach neighborhoods.
Historical numbers document the demand for the City's current programs by both
residents and non-residents, as does the number of participants in the fee-waiver
program. Of the City's 900-1,000 participants in the summer and after school programs,
64% are on scholarship fee-waivers, due to the income status of the participant's family.
This is demonstrated by the Census 2000 results for Miami Beach, which showed that
while poverty dramatically reduced in areas such as South Beach, the number of
individuals between 5 and 17 years old that are below poverty in the North Beach
neighborhood grew from 1,500 to almost 2,100 between 1990 and 2000.
The $50,000 awarded in FY 2006 to the North Shore Park and Youth Center's Teen
Club has opened up a host of activities and programming opportunities that would not
exist without the funds. The North Shore Players (a drama group consisting of Teen Club
members) were encouraged to put their drama and entrepreneurial skills to the test and
perform their first ever outdoor Theater In The Park. The dramatic piece "NUMB" became
a reality because of the grant funds. The purchase of costumes, props and lighting
enabled the drama group to provide the community with a whole new way of experiencing
the theater.
The grant funds have also provided opportunities to introduce the teens to more cultural
and educational experiences such as attending Broadway shows, cultural festivals and
museums.
Miami Beach Homeless Program $2,000,000
The City seeks $2,000,000 in funding support from the Labor & HHS Appropriations Bill for
development of an Elderly Homeless Prevention component and a Mental
Health/Substance Abuse component of the Miami Beach Homeless Program.
Furthermore. the City will research the funding formulas related to Emergency Shelter
Grants and any potential waiver provisions.
Washington D.C. Representotion: Marion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B171 fml@wdc.iordenusa.com
City of Miami Beach: Kevin Crowder, 305.2B 1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeachfl.qov
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to 011 who live, work, and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community.
Fy 2008 Federal Legislative Priorities
Page 4 of 8
The increase in rental costs and condo conversions, coupled with the loss of housing units
associated with the recent hurricanes, have increased the number of displaced families
and elder residents in our City. While the City's homeless intervention resources can
effectively redress the needs of individuals, these strategies are not necessarily
appropriate for displaced families and elders. Furthermore, when relocation services are
found, displaced tenants are being increasingly relocated outside of the City.
With the elimination of Emergency Shelter Grant funds. the City lost its primary homeless
prevention resource. The City would like to prevent homelessness among families and
elder residents facing eviction by offering emergency rent and relocation assistance funds
as an alternative to having these residents enter the homeless Continuum of Care. While
the City has actively collaborated with existing community-based providers and has
worked to establish new resources among the faith community (including the obtaining of
work permits and legal identification for the homeless), there still remain significant gaps in
service to address the homeless afflicted by addiction and mental illness.
Last year, 20 percent of those accessing services suffered from mental illness. Twenty-
nine percent of those served suffered from drug and/or alcohol addiction. Twenty-six
percent of those served were chronically homeless experiencing homelessness for two or
more years or more than two times in the past year. These numbers only reflect those
homeless persons who accepted services. Disproportionately, those remaining on the
streets suffer from mental illness and addiction, and their conditions create barriers
preventing them from accessing services.
The need remains for coordinated mental health and addiction outreach and intervention
services to address the needs of the homeless in the City. This includes street-based
outreach to engage clients in need of services and specialized services to treat the
conditions (mental health, addiction) that contribute to the clients' homelessness -
espcially at night when they find refuge in our streets.
Miami Beach City Center Housing Initiative $5,000,000
The City seeks $5,000,000 in funding support from the Transportation, Treasury & HUD
Appropriations Bill for the development of an innovative workforce housing initiative. The
City, through the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency, has identified three properties
(160 units) for purchase by the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation. The
City has already appropriated a $500,000 down payment, and the City Commission will
consider approving the balance of the $13,700,000 purchase price at its March
Commission meeting.
This significant commitment of almost $14 million by the Miami Beach Redevelopment
Agency is unprecedented, and provides significant local resources to accomplish the
renovations that the building requires. Currently, renovation cost estimates are
approximately $12 million, and federal support of this project will ensure the retention of
affordable rental housing in a highly gentrified neighborhood. This $5 million request
leverages significant resources from other partners, and represents only 20% of the total
project cost.
Woshington D.C. Representation: Morion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B171 fmt@wdc.iordenuso.com
City of Miomi Beoch: Kevin Crowder, 305.2B1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeachfl.qov
We ore committed to providing excel/en/ public service and safety /0 011 who live, work, and ploy in our vibrant, tropical, historic community
Fy 2008 Federal Legislative Priorities
Page 5 of 8
INFRASTRUCTURE REQUESTS
Atlantic Corridor Greenway Network $2,500,000
The City seeks $2,500,000 in funding assistance from the Transportation, Treasury & HUD
Appropriations Bill for continued development of the Atlantic Corridor Greenway Network,
a citywide network of integrated bicycle/pedestrian/recreational corridors & trails which
interconnect Miami Beach neighborhoods with business centers, cultural/tourism centers,
parks, schools and beaches.
Although Miami Beach is geographically small (7.1 square miles), it has one of the highest
population and housing densities in the United States. Miami Beach ranks 29th in the
nation for population density, behind multiple cities and boroughs of New York City,
Greater Los Angeles, Greater Chicago, and the San Francisco Metro area. This population
density increases during the winter months, when seasonal residents occupy almost
10,000 housing units that function as second and third homes. Regarding housing unit
density, Miami Beach is ranked second behind New York City. The development of
alternative modes of transportation in such a dense, urban environment is necessary for
sustainable economic growth. The number of vehicles owned by residents of Miami Beach
has increased from approximately 20,000 cars in 1975 to more than 42,000 in 2000.
According to the 2000 Census, only 58% of the Miami Beach labor force drove to work
alone, and over 15% specified that they walked to work or used other means such as
bicycles and rollerblades, indicating their acceptance of other modes of transportation.
The Atlantic Corridor Greenway Network is a citywide network of integrated
bicycle/pedestrian trails. which will interconnect Miami Beach neighborhoods with the
business centers, cultural/tourism centers, parks, schools, the beaches. It will also
interconnect with Downtown Miami via the Venetian Causeway. This network will be
comprised of a citywide system of bicycle/pedestrian facilities, transit stops, and innovative
parking improvement programs. The overall Atlantic Corridor Greenway Network Project
will require approximately $28 million to complete. For the current year, we are requesting
$2.500,000 to match almost $23 million that has been earmarked or appropriated by local,
state, and federal governments, including $2.4 million authorized in TEA-LU.
The project will ultimately be linked with a regional network of bicycle/pedestrian trails
(North Dade Greenway) being developed by the MPO, as well as with a network of trails
that will extend from Florida to Maine, known as the East Coast Greenway. Once
completed these national and regional networks of trails will serve as alternate
transportation systems, major tourism amenities, and recreational facilities, which in turn
will spur significant economic development within the linked communities.
Through the development of the Atlantic Corridor Greenway Network, the City of Miami
Beach is creating a regional alternative transportation network which will interconnect key
area business districts, cultural/tourism centers, residential neighborhoods, parking
facilities, parks, schools and the beaches. The Network will be comprised of a citywide
system of bicycle/pedestrian access ways. enhanced public transit facilities,the
development of an intermodal center and innovative regional parking improvement
programs. Rest areas, vista areas, waterway access facilities, and interpretive signage will
be interspersed throughout the greenways to provide enhanced cultural/historical and
ecotourism amenities and recreational opportunities for trail users.
Washington D.C. Representotion: Morion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B171 fmt@wdc.;ordenusa.com
City of Miomi Beoch: Kevin Crowder, 305.2B 1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeachfl.qov
We ore committed to providing excellent public service and sofely fa 011 who live, work, and play in our vibranl, tropical, historic community
Fy 2008 Federal Legislative Priorities
Page 6 of 8
By connecting the Greenway trails with improved transit stops in strategic residential
areas, employment centers and regional parking facilities, the Network will encourage
greater utilization of public and alternative modes of transportation for daily commuting,
lowering transportation costs and freeing critically needed parking in the business districts.
Through the creation of innovative employee park & ride programs for local businesses,
the Network will shift additional cars away from key business and tourist centers to less
utilized regional parking facilities. As trail usage increases, there will be a corresponding
increase in the demand for services by the trail users, which in turn will stimulate the
growth of local tourism-based businesses such as hotels, restaurants, rental facilities,
retail shops, galleries and other small businesses.
West Avenue Bridge $3,200,000
The City seeks $3,200,000 in funding assistance from the Transportation, Treasury & HUD
Appropriations Bill for acquisition. design, and construction of the West Avenue Bridge,
which will help reduce the volume of traffic at the busiest Alton Road intersections, and
provide a safer venue for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. This project will help relieve
congestion on the adjacent SR 907/Alton Road corridor; in addition. it will assume regional
significance if West Avenue is served by a proposed streetcar (Bay Link) corridor.
West Avenue parallels the busiest segment of SR 907/Alton Road, where level of service
(LOS) E is normal occurrence; intersects with US 41/McArthur Causeway; with an urban
collector road (17th Street), and a minor arterial road (Dade Boulevard) which lead to the
Venetian Causeway and downtown Miami. A connected West Avenue would help reduce
the volume of local traffic at the busiest Alton Road intersections with 17th Street and Dade
Boulevard. In addition, it would provide a safer venue for cyclists, pedestrians and
motorists making their way to the Publix Supermarket or the Venetian Causeway, than the
existing traffic congested options.
The site proposed for right-of-way acquisition is known as 1231 17th Street, Miami Beach,
Florida 33139. This irregular-shaped property has 39,350 square feet or 0.90 acres; it is
level and approximately at street grade, and features a concrete seawall at Collins Canal.
The site fronts 170 feet, more or less, along the north side of 17th Street with a depth
northerly of 222.5 feet along the east properly line. The northerly properly line thence
extends a distance of 336.4 feet, more or less, along the Collins Canal. The westerly
properly line thence extends southeasterly at a diagonal for a distance of 138.8 feet, more
or less, to 17th Street. The Bridge will span Collins Canal, from Dade Boulevard at West
Avenue (north) to a point within the acquired ROW, where a connector will join West
Avenue (south) at its intersection with 17th Street.
This project requires the acquisition of properly currently owned by the Housing Authority
of the City of Miami Beach. The properly is triangular, and would present significant
challenges to any entity seeking to develop it. Besides enabling a very much-needed
bridge, acquisition of this property has the additional benefit of providing the Housing
Authority with additional resources to enable them to provide affordable housing
elsewhere in the City.
In addition to this $3.2 million request, this project was authorized in TEA-LU in the
amount of $800,000. The City further supports the reintroduction of H.R. 5689 to amend
TEA-LU, and inclusion of the language authorizing an additional $620,000 for this project.
Woshington D.C. Representation: Morion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B171 fmt@wdc.iordenuso.com
City of Miami Beoch: Kevin Crowder, 305.2B 1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeochfl.qov
We ore committed to providing excellent public service and sofety to 011 who live, work, ond ploy in our vibrant, fropico!' historic community
Fy 2008 Federal Legislative Priorities
Page 7 of 8
Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements $9,000,000
The City seeks $9.000,000 from the State and Tribal Assistant Grant (STAG) account of
the Interior & EPA Appropriations Bill for stormwater infrastructure improvements in the
North Beach area.
The City is responsible for distribution of potable water and providing stormwater
conveyance, treatment and disposal to a diverse permanent population of 93,535 people,
a seasonal population of approximately 20,000 people, and over eight (8) million annual
tourists. During the mid to late 1990s, the City of Miami Beach commissioned the
preparation of a Water Master Plan, Sewer Master Plan and Comprehensive Stormwater
Management Master Plan. These planning efforts evaluated the existing infrastructure and
recommended improvements to meet the needs created by changes in land use and aging
infrastructure. These Master Plans led to the creation of the City of Miami Beach
Neighborhood Right-of-Way Infrastructure Program ("Program"), the funded portions of
which the City anticipates to complete in 2007. The City is reconstructing aged watermain
and stormwater infrastructure in existing neighborhoods to maintain safe and reliable
potable water service, improve water quality in the Biscayne Bay aquatic preserve and
minimize stormwater flooding damage to public and private property. Individual
neighborhoods will benefit from infrastructure upgrade projects relating to watermain
replacement, sanitary sewer rehabilitation, and stormwater collection, treatment and
disposal facility improvements.
The majority of existing watermains in the City were installed anywhere from 50 to 80
years ago, and have reached the end of their useful life. Planned enhancements will
replace corroded galvanized pipes and pipes installed with lead joints and will improve
safety issues related to potable water distribution. Some water mains have become almost
"blocked" by a process called tuberculation, where deterioration of a pipe's interior wall
lining has occurred as result of chemical reactions with potable water. Excessive
tuberculation has significantly decreased the effective pipe diameter, thereby affecting
public safety through inadequate fire flows and by decreasing water pressure at the
household tap, or more drastically, causing pipe collapse or failure. The new or
rehabilitated watermains will improve water pressure and provide appropriate internal
pressure to safeguard against backflow contamination during fire flows or other peak use
situations.
While the majority of the Program is currently locally funded, requesting Federal cost
sharing is reasonable. The City is one of the few large Dade County communities to
embark on such a program before regulatory pressures require it. Typically, municipalities
have waited to make such improvements until either State or Federal officials used
regulatory reform or enforcement actions to force the issue through a consent degree,
administrative order or court judgments. In contrast, the City has already bonded
$60,000,000 for these improvements from local resources, which represents two-thirds
(2/3) of the total Program cost. Other additional funds have also been provided in order to
complete the proposed improvements to the infrastructure. The City is considered the top
tourist destination in Miami-Dade County, and one of the most popular in the world, as
evidenced by the media coverage leading up to Super Bowl 41. Regular flooding impedes
the commercial uses of the City and detracts from the City's reputation as a tourist
attraction. The City's system is not even capable of expelling stormwater at a 5-year
storm level, whereas most places in the nation are able to expel stormwater at that level.
Washington D.C. Representotion: Morion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B171 fmt@wdc.iordenusa.com
City of Miami Beach: Kevin Crowder, 305.2B 1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeachfl.qov
We ore committed /0 providing excellent public service ond sofety /0 all who live, work, ond ploy in our vibrant, tropical, historic community
Fy 2008 Federal Legislative Priorities
Page 8 of 8
The proposed improvements once completed will bring the level of drainage effectiveness
to the 5-year strom level.
Three neighborhoods have already been completed and another three are currently under
construction. Another eight neighborhoods are part of the overall imporvements program.
However, the City has limited its Funding Request to four neighborhoods that comprise the
City's North Beach area. These neighborhoods, including Biscayne Point, North Shore,
Normandy Shores and Normandy Isle, have very low Median Household Incomes (MHI).
Erosion Control Project I Alternative Sand Test Beach $3,000,000
The City seeks $3,000,000 from the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for continued
development of a series of artificial reef or breakwater structures to control beach losses
within the regional erosion hotspots.
In addition to their vital economic importance for an area like Greater Miami and the
Beaches, beaches are the front line defense for multi-billion dollar coastal infrastructure
during hurricanes and storms. When beaches are allowed to erode away, the likelihood
that the Federal government will be stuck with astronomical storm recovery costs is
significantly increased.
In 2003, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimates that at least 276
miles (35%) of Florida's 787 miles of sandy beaches are currently at a critical state of
erosion. This includes the entire seven miles of Miami Beach. As a result of the
continuing erosion process and more dramatically, recent intense storms which have
caused tremendous damage to almost all of the dry beach and sand dune throughout the
middle segment of Miami Beach. Three years ago, most of the Middle Beach dune cross-
overs were declared safety hazards and closed, as the footings of the boardwalk itself
were in immediate jeopardy of being undercut by the encroaching tides. If emergency
measures, costing approximately $400,000 had not been taken by the City, there would
have been considerable risk of coastal flooding west of the dune line in residential sections
of Miami Beach. As you can see, this example points to the commitment we as a beach
community have to our beaches, but federal assistance remains crucial. While we are
thankful of the substantial commitment made by the subcommittee in the FY02 Energy
and Water Conference Report, there is still much work to be done. Our beaches must be
maintained not only to ensure that our residents and coastal properties are afforded the
best storm protection possible, but also to ensure that beach tourism, our number one
industry, is protected and nurtured.
In 1987, the Army Corps of Engineers and Metropolitan Dade County entered into a fifty
year agreement to jointly manage restore and maintain Dade County's sandy beaches.
Since then, Metropolitan Dade County has been responsible for coordinating and funding
the local share of the cost for the periodic renourishment of our beaches.
In order to ensure that adequate funding will continue to be available, the City of Miami
Beach supports and endorses the legislative priorities and appropriation requests of
Metropolitan Dade County, as they relate to the restoration and maintenance of Dade
County's sandy beaches. Specifically, the City respectfully adds their strong support for
the efforts of Miami-Dade County and wholeheartedly supports their FY2006 request for
beach renourishment funds.
Washington D.C. Representotion: Marion Turner, Jorden Burt, 202.965.B 171 fmt@wdc.iordenusa.com
City of Miami Beach: Kevin Crowder, 305.2B 1.2279 kcrowder@miamibeachfl.qov
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety fa 01/ who live, work, and ploy in our vibrant, tropical, historic community