HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-161-3715_-_Legislative_Priorities_2022RESOLUTION NO. 2021-161-3715
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in preparation for the 2022 Florida Legislative Session, it is necessary for the City to establish its legislative priorities, and
WHEREAS, it is important to establish legislative priorities so that the City’s
Lobbyist can focus energy into encouraging legislation that promotes the City’s 2022
agenda, and
WHEREAS, if additional items that may be of interest to the City develop during this session, our Lobbyist will advise City staff accordingly,
WHEREAS, Mayor Harris is recommending the Legislative Priorities that is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit “A” based upon input from various City Council members and staff, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby
made a specific part of this Resolution.
Section 2. APPROVAL: The City Council of the City of Miami Gardens hereby approves the 2022 Legislative Priorities for the City attached hereto as Exhibit “A.”
Section 3: EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon
its final passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS AT ITS REGULAR MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 8, 2021.
________________________________
RODNEY HARRIS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
________________________________
MARIO BATAILLE, CMC, CITY CLERK
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Page 2 of 2 Resolution 2021-161-3715
PREPARED BY: SONJA KNIGHTON DICKENS, CITY ATTORNEY
SPONSORED BY: MAYOR RODNEY HARRIS
Moved by: Councilman Stephens
Seconded by: Councilwoman Campbell
VOTE: 7-0
Mayor Harris Yes
Vice Mayor Leon Yes
Councilwoman Campbell Yes
Councilwoman Ighodaro Yes
Councilwoman Julien Yes
Councilman Stephens, III Yes
Councilwoman Wilson Yes
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City of Miami Gardens
2022 Legislative Priorities
Strongly Opposes SB 280
SB 280 amends the legal standards and processes used by courts to assess the validity of municipal ordinances and imposes new
substantive requirements on municipalities for adopting and enforcing ordinances. The bill is a substantial unfunded mandate.
• The bill requires a municipality to prepare a business impact statement before adopting an ordinance. Emergency
ordinances are exempted. The statement must be posted on the municipality’s website concurrent with publication of
notice of the proposed ordinance.
• The bill requires a municipality to suspend enforcement of an ordinance that is the subject of a civil action, including any
appeals, challenging the ordinance’s validity on grounds that it is preempted by state law, is arbitrary or unreasonable, or is
otherwise prohibited by law.
• The bill authorizes the award of attorney fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff in a civil action commenced after October 1,
2022, in which the adoption or enforcement of an ordinance is alleged to be arbitrary or unreasonable, or prohibited by law
other than by express preemption (i.e., is impliedly preempted or is in conflict with state law).
• The bill specifies factors a court must consider in determining whether an ordinance is arbitrary or unreasonable
Division of Cultural Affairs Cultural Facilities Grant Program
The City is seeking state funding for the Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center. The City’s 2020 application is currently ranked sixth
(6th) of 30 applications reviewed. The initial funding request is $500,000, with two renewals, for a total funding request of $1.5
Million.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Grant: CMG HVAC Project at Betty T. Ferguson Complex
Summary:
• Grant is an allocation of CDBG funds administered by Florida DEO
• Grant amount requested: $412,246
• Scope of Work: Replace 3 HVAC Units at BTF in order to improve indoor air quality and filtering of airborne viruses and
bacteria
• Miami Gardens Pre-Application approved in August 2021, Full application due November 4
Background:
As a result of COVID-19, the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) received an allocation of CDBG funding
from HUD for entitlement communities. The grant provides for the upgrade of existing infrastructure specifically to improve indoor air quality and filtering at public facilities. DEO has determined that Miami Gardens will be entitled to up to $412,246 for these
improvements if the application is approved. The City intends to apply for the full CDBG-CV grant amount of $412,246, which will
fund the replacement of three (3) new HVAC units at the Betty T. Ferguson Complex.
If approved, the City intends to use the grant funding for the replacement of three (3) HVAC Units at the Betty T. Ferguson Complex:
RTUs 9, 10, and 11 which service the natatorium and surrounding areas of the building. The intent is to sequence the replacement of
the HVAC units with renovations in the natatorium area. The replacement of these units will improve indoor air quality and provide
better filtering of airborne viruses, such as Covid-19.
The total cost of the project is $560,429.00, so if approved, the grant would cover $412,246, and the remaining $148,183.00 would
be funded with other funding.
Florida Department of State African-American Cultural and Historical Grants Program. State fund request $1.5M
City has applied to support the construct of the Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center.
Retrofitting “Septic Tank Communities”
The City of Miami Gardens SUPPORTS retro-fitting of “septic tank communities” with sewer lines. Therefore, the City is requesting
funding assistance to coordinate our efforts with the utility agencies (Miami Dade County and North Miami Beach) to construct
sewer lines into “septic tank communities.”
Water Surcharge
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Florida Statutes currently allow municipalities that operate water and sewer outside of their boundaries the ability to set rates for
consumers outside of their boundaries at a higher rate than is charged to Residents within those municipal boundaries. The City
supports legislation that would prohibit municipalities from levying greater surcharges for consumers outside of their boundaries,
when a municipality has water utilities located in that other jurisdiction.
Deterring Vehicles Performing Doughnuts
The City encourages legislation that allows local authorizes to seize and impound vehicles when law enforcement witnesses such
action.
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Stormwater Grant Funding
The City of Miami Gardens requests STORMWATER GRANT FUNDING for projects that will minimize flooding and enhance the quality
of surface water runoff by reducing contaminates. These funds will also be used to implement best management practices to
provide stormwater retention and treatment in the watershed that will result in reduced volumes and enhanced quality of
discharges to surface waters (C-8 and C-9 to Biscayne Bay). The goal is to minimize the existing flooding problems, thereby reducing
flood damage and potential loss of properties.
NW 211 St between NW 27 – 37 Ave Road and Drainage Improvement Project. State fund request $50,000. The total
project is $130,000.
Roads in the area were checked as part of the Road Assessment Program and approximately 70% of the area is fair to
very poor road conditions to include flooding issues causing vehicles to hydroplane and becoming a safety issue.
NW 213 Street Drainage Improvement Project. State fund request $40,000. The total project is $100,000.
This area has flooding issues causing vehicles to hydroplane, becoming a safety issue.
NW 170 Street Stormwater Drainage Project. State fund request $75,000. The total project is $225,000.
This project mitigates the harmful effects of stormwater runoff causing flooding and erosion in the area, which is also
causing and will eliminate the FEMA Repetitive Losses on two properties.
Alleyways Drainage Improvement Project. State fund request $100,000. The total project is $300,000
Three alleyways belonging to the City off NW 2 Avenue between NW 189 to 191 Street. This area is fully overgrown with
vegetation causing a drainage problem and animal and rodents to breed. This project will clear the areas and drainage
improvements to be added to the alleyways (3). There will be no thru-street, only used for general maintenance and
stormwater maintenance.
Miami Gardens Higher Education Initiative Scholarship Program. State fund request $25,000.
The Miami Gardens Higher Education Initiative (MGHEI) Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to high
school graduates who are in need of additional funding to actualize their dream of attending and graduating from an accredited
institution of higher learning. The Scholarship Program will assist twenty-five (25) high school students by providing funding in the
amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) each, to eligible students.
Career Vocational Education Programming & Workforce Development
Technical Education and Vocational Training play a vital role in a community's human resource development. It creates a skilled
workforce, enhances industrial productivity, and improves the quality of life. An educated, local workforce is a useful tool for the
economic development of a community. As the City implements its Community Redevelopment Area Plan, a natural progression is
to begin to provide a workforce that can take advantage of the job creation born out of the development within the Miami Gardens.
Specifically, we should seek legislation that allows for the following:
• Request Career and Vocational Education Counseling for Residents (ages 15-30);
• Request Career Vocational Education Programming that would provide for workforce development in
employable areas (nursing, a/c repair, mechanics, construction management, EMT);
• Workforce Development seek funding that provides for employment training and counseling for
Residents/students of Miami Gardens (ages 15-30);
• Develop programs that develop communication skills necessary for successful interaction in the workplace; and
• Seek partnerships with organizations that can serve as training institutes, apprenticeships, internships and
apprenticeships.
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Summer Youth Employment Funding
The City of Miami Gardens wishes to provide youth employment opportunities during the summer months. There is evidence to
support that summer youth employment opportunities have the potential to reduce delinquent behavior, enhance academic
performance, and improve social and emotional development, in addition to building character and a sense of community
pride. These employment opportunities will also mitigate the financial strain on families.
Transitional Recreation Program. State fund request $500,000.
The City wishes to partner with Miami-Dade County Veterans Administration Office, as part of our Transitional Recreational
Program. This program seeks to offer a variety of activities and services to promote health, wellness and support among members of
our community, most specifically our Veterans. We are seeking matching funds in the amount of $500,000.00 for the costs
associated with the renovation/new construction of park facilities, a portion of which has been allocated through the City's Bond
Referendum. The intention is to utilize a portion of park facilities to house a Veterans centered One Stop Shop that will offer
veteran-centered services to those who are in need of effective, timely and high quality care coordination that results in easy
accessibility to information, services, support and resources.
Re-Entry University. State fund request $1M.
Re-Entry University (RU) is a 13-week personalized plan for returning citizens. RU serves as a comprehensive national network of
support services for returning citizens to help their reclamation to society within local municipalities. There is a need of
$1,000,000 to support the nonprofit organization, Community Connections for Life, within the City of Miami Gardens to host this
program.
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