HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem J-3 Resolution: Suppoort Everglades SkywayCity of ~Vliami ~ard~ens
1515-200 NW 167~' Street
Miami Gardens, Florida 33169
Mayor Shirley Gibson
Vice Mayor Oscar Braynon II
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton
Councilman Aaron Campbell Jr.
Councilman Andr~ Williams
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett
Councilwoman Barbara Watson
MEMO UM
To: Honorable City Council
From: Shirley Gibson
Mayor
Date: January 24, 2007
Re: Resolution supporting Construction of an 11 Mile Everglades Skyway over the Shark
River Slough portion of the Tamiami Trail.
This resolution supports the construction of an 11-mile Everglades Skyway over the Shark River
Slough portion of the Tamiami Trail in order to restore the natural flow of water through the heart of
the Everglades.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Council approve this resolution.
J-3) CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION
ELEVEN MILE
EVERGLADES SYYWAY
RESOLUTION No. 2007-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF AN 11-MILE EVERGLADES
SKYWAY OVER THE SHARK RIVER SLOUGH PORTION
OF THE TAMIAMI TRAIL IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE
NATURAL FLOW OF WATER THROUGH THE HEART OF
THE EVERGLADES; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION
OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS
TO THE CITY CLERK; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
1 WHEREAS, the City of Miami Gardens supports the restoration of America's
2 Everglades, and
3 WHEREAS, the 70 mile two-lane stretch of Tamiami Trail that links the east and
4 west coasts of South Florida from Miami to Naples cuts through the heart of the
5 Everglades, interrupting the natural flow of water to America's most threatened wetlands
6 wilderness, and
7 WHEREAS, the City of Miami Gardens recognizes that, in order to protect and
8 enhance the natural flow of water to the Everglades and Florida Bay, the Tamiami Trail,
9 built in 1928, must be transformed into a modern Skyway and environmentally-sound
10 elevated roadway that would allow unrestricted flow and restoration to Shark River
11 Slough, the central artery of the Everglades, and
12 WHEREAS, the proposed 11-mile Skyway would be similar to what has been
13 built in Louisiana, where visitors to its majestic bayous can proudly view these natural
14 treasures on elevated highways while imposing minimal impact on water flow and
15 wildlife movement, and
16 WHEREAS, in 2001, the Science Coordination Team of the South Florida
17 Restoration Task Force recommended in a consensus letter to the Army Corps of
18 Engineers that the preferred alternative is to raise the en~ir~ 11-mile section and stated
19 that only by building the Skyway could full restoration be achieved, and
20 WHEREAS, the 11-mile Skyway over the Everglades would provide a substantial
21 economic benefit to Greater Miami through direct canstruction and by promoting
22 international tourism.
23 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
24 OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
25 Section 1. ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas
26 paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby
27 made a specific part of this Resolution.
2$ Section 2. EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT: The City Council of the City of
29 Miami Gardens supports the construction of an 11-mile Everglades Skyway over the
30 Shark River Slough portion of the Tamiami Trail in order to restore the natural flow of
31 water through the heart of the Everglades.
32 Section 3. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK: The City Clerk is hereby
33 authorized to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Florida Governor Charlie Crist,
34 U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez and U.S. Representatives from Miami-Dade
35 County recommending the 11-mile Skyway.
36 Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall take effect immediately
37 upon its final passage.
38 PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
39 GARDENS AT ITS REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JANtJARY 24, 2007.
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SHIRLEY GIBSON, MAYOR
ATi'EST:
RONETfA TAYLOR, CMC, CITY CLERK
Prepared by SONJA KNIGHTON DICKENS, ESQ.
City Attorney
SPONSORED BY: MAYOR SHIRLEY GIBSON
MOVED BY:
VOTE:
Mayor Shirley Gibson (Yes) (No~
Vice Mayor Oscar Braynon, II (Yes) (No)
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton (Yes) (No)
Councilman Aaron Campbell (Yes) (No)
Councilman Andre Williams (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Barbara Watson (Yes) (No)
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