HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-124-1306 - Supporting the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
City of Miami Gardens Agenda Cover Memo Council Meeting Date: July 14, 2010 Item Type: Resolution Ordinance Other X Fiscal Impact: (Enter X in box) Yes No Ordinance Reading: 1st Reading
2nd Reading X Public Hearing: Yes No Yes No X Funding Source: N/A Advertising Requirement: Yes No X Contract/P.O. Required: Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid #: N/A Sponsor Name Danny Crew City Manager
Department: Planning and Zoning Short Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE SOUTH FLORIDA AND TREASURE COAST REGIONAL PLANNING
COUNCILS IN PREPARING A COMPREHENSIVE JOINT APPLICATION UNDER THE FEDERAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING,
ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT “A;” AUTHORIZING A TWENTY PERCENT LOCAL IN‐KIND MATCH IN FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Staff Summary: Background The South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Regional Planning Councils (RPC’s) are developing a joint application to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Planning Grants Program through a collaborative effort of the Southeast Florida Regional Partnership. The Notice
of Funding Availability is expected to be released at the end of May with the application due this summer. A key component of the Sustainable Communities Initiative is the development
of a “Regional Plan for Sustainable Development” for regions that lack a cohesive, integrated regional “vision” across issue areas and jurisdictional boundaries. This program is expected
to provide up to $5 million for large metropolitan regions to support the development of the Regional Plan. This Plan will serve as the framework for future federal investment and support
the efforts of individual counties, municipalities and other partners whose plans and projects further the implementation of the regional vision and plan. ITEM J-3) CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION
Regional Planning Initiative
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 Current Situation The City of Miami Gardens already engages in a number of sustainable/green initiatives. The RPC’s
Partnership is inviting cities such as Miami Gardens to partner in this effort towards sustainable development and redevelopment of Southeast Florida. The “Livability Principles” which
guide the work of the Partnership are: o Provide more transportation choices o Promote equitable, affordable housing o Enhance economic competitiveness o Support existing communities
o Coordinate policies and leverage investment o Value communities and neighborhoods o Enhance community resiliency to the impacts of Climate Change The City’s participation with the
Southeast Florida Regional Partnership provides a positive opportunity for the City to be recognized for our current efforts in the area of green initiatives and sustainable development
as well as support a regional coalition in these efforts. Potential additional funding for the region is also envisioned. Regarding the funds for this effort, a 20% local match requirement
is anticipated to be in‐kind. A proposed memorandum of understanding does not obligate the City in any way. Proposed Action: Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution supporting
the City’s participation in the Federal Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program with the Treasure Coast and South Florida Regional Planning Councils including transmittal of a
letter of support and signing of a memorandum of understanding. Attachment: Attachment A – Letter of Support Attachment B – Memorandum of Understanding
City of Miami Gardens July 14, 2010 Shirley Gibson Mayor Aaron Campbell Jr. Vice Mayor Melvin L. Bratton Council Member Oliver G. Gilbert III Council Member Sharon Pritchett Council
Member Barbara Watson Council Member André Williams Council Member Dr. Danny O. Crew City Manager Ronetta Taylor, MMC City Clerk Sonja K. Dickens City Attorney The Honorable Samuel Ferreri,
Chair The Honorable Joseph Scuotto, Chair Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council South Florida Regional Planning Council 421 SW Camden Avenue 3440 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 140 Stuart,
Florida 34994 Hollywood, Florida 33021 Subject: Federal Sustainable Communities Initiative Dear Chairman Ferreri and Chairman Scuotto: The City of Miami Gardens continues implementing
sustainable development programs within the City. From our proposed City Hall being LEEDS Platinum to our award winning Comprehensive Plan’s new urbanism approach within the City’s three
major transportation corridors, we are committed to green initiatives and similar programs to enhance our community. A list of our programs related to this effort is attached. By this
letter, we wish to express our support for a joint, regional application to the U.S. HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grants Program that will be submitted by the South Florida and
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils (Councils) on the behalf of the many public, private, non-profit, and other regional stakeholders from the sevencounty region of Monroe, Miami-Dade,
Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties. This application is being developed through a collaborative partnership of regional stakeholders including transportation
agencies, water resource, housing, environmental agencies; local governments, non-profits, academia, and private sector organizations. A key component of the Sustainable Communities
Initiative is the development of a “Regional Plan for Sustainable Development” that will serve as the framework for the creation of a more sustainable region. We recognize the need for,
and support the development of this multijurisdictional, regional plan and cohesive, integrated “vision” across issue areas and political boundaries in Southeast Florida. We support
your efforts and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Councils and other regional stakeholders in this important effort. Sincerely yours, Shirley Gibson, Mayor
Attachment: City of Miami Gardens Green Initiatives 1515 N.W. 167th Street ● Bldg.5 ● Suite 200 ● Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 ● Tel: (305) 622-8000 ● Fax: (305) 622-8001 ● www.miamigardens-fl.gov
• City of Miami Gardens Green Initiatives • City Hall: The City is currently in the process of constructing the largest, new construction City Hall in the United States expected to be
certified as LEED Platinum. LEED Platinum is the highest rating a building can achieve requiring state-of-the-art sustainability features from site generated electricity to use of wood
from certified sustainable forests. The $53 million, 120,000 square foot facility includes a City Hall, Police Headquarters and a 500 car parking structure. Currently in design, construction
is expected to be completed by early 2013. • In 2007 and in 2010, the City adopted ‘new urbanism’ principles for land use in the city. These included density credits for development
near existing public transportation nodes, pedestrian friendly standards for sidewalks and bikes, enhanced landscaping standards, and tougher stormwater standards for runoff. The City’s
first Comprehensive Development Master Plan adopted in 2007 won two outstanding innovation awards. The Plan envisions mixed use, new urbanism development along the City’s three major
transportation corridors. These three corridors, designated “Commerce Areas” in the Plan, were translated into a unique new zoning district called, “Planned Corridor Development” in
the City’s new Zoning Code adopted in 2010. • The City developed a Livable Community Study which included green principles for roadway and adjacent-to-roadway design. These principles
were incorporated as city-wide major corridor streetscape standards in the new Zoning Code. • During the 2009-2010 school year the City of Miami Gardens partnered with Kids Ecology Corp
to provide environmental education to 16 of the city’s 18 elementary public schools. The curriculum offered a unique hands-on presentations and eco-action programs that educate children
and youth about: keeping our oceans clean; the importance of trees; the role re-planting our coastal wetlands play in beach conservation; water conservation; pollution prevention; global
climate change and energy conservation; and protecting local natural habitats for native wildlife. It is a program we hope to provide for all of our school in the 2010-2010. • Keep America
Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program, takes place annually from March 1 through May 31, involving an estimated 3 million volunteers
and attendees. The hardworking volunteers donated more than 5.2 million hours in 2009 to clean, beautify and improve more than 32,000 communities during more than 30,000 events in all
50 states and beyond. Our City’s activities included beautifying parks and recreation areas, cleaning seashores and waterways, handling recycling collections, picking up litter, planting
trees and flowers, and conducting educational programs and litter-free events. The city has been participating annually since 2005. • Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance
that encourages tree planting and care. This is the fifth year Miami Gardens has earned its Tree City national certification. Miami Gardens also received a Tree City USA Growth Award
for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the following activity areas: • Education and Public Relations • Literature distribution • Local awards program • Youth
education • Planning and Management
• Tree-maintenance budget • Miami Gardens has planted over 5,000 trees throughout the city and have given away an additional 4,000 trees to our residents. • Earth Day is a day that inspires
awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Each year city volunteers remove litter, plants trees and beautify neighborhoods in recognition of Earth Day. • In conjunction
with Earth Day, the City holds a yearly art contest for various aged students to come up with an environmental themed work of art. Winners receive small cash prizes. • The City also
holds a “Trashion” show for school kids. Here, the students must make a fashion garment out of recycled materials. A runway show is held and winners receive a cash prize and recognition.
• An easy way to lower a water bill and save water is to participate in North Miami Beach /City of Miami Gardens Showerhead Exchange Program. This program is available to all Miami Gardens
residents. To participate, simply remove the old, water-wasting showerhead and bring it in to the city’s Public Works Office. Residents can trade in the old showerhead and receive a
new, high-efficiency showerhead with pulsating massage settings. • Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund) and is
held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards
the need to take action on climate change. Miami Gardens has taken this global effort one step further by giving away over 1,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (Low-energy light-bulb)
to our resident since 2009. • Through the KAB /Waste Management grant, Miami Gardens has outfitted 10 of the City’s most frequented parks with aluminum can and glass bottle recycling
bins. The city is also donating recycling bins to businesses, churches, schools and community organizations that are currently recycling or are soon to provide recycling services for
their property. The city provides paper recycling services to all of its office buildings. • Each year the city sponsors an environmental friendly art competition. The contest differs
from year to year, but the ultimate goal is to get young people thinking about their impact on our environment and how they can make our planet a cleaner place. • The City has hired
three Department of Corrections’ work crews to remove litter from our roadways. Each crew consists of 6 inmate volunteers who remove litter five days per week. This is funded by the
City’s Stormwater Utility at $55,000 per year per crew. Over the past three years, these crews have collected over 28,000 bags of litter destined for our waterways. • City funds an energy
efficiency retrofit program for residents – The City is leveraging $107,000 of DOE funds with $150,000 in CDBG-R funds for this program. The program consists of installing insulation,
replacing inefficient central air conditioning units, and replacing inefficient water heaters. The application deadline was Friday, June 25 and to date the City has received over 240
applications, 6 homes having receive new insulation and air conditioning and 4 homes are scheduled for installation next week. • City fund an energy efficiency retrofit program for businesses
– The City has budgeted $150,000 for this program, which will mirror our current Business Incentive Program. Eligible local business owners who are approved will receive a free energy
audit of their business location, and will be eligible for up to $15,000 in loan funds (in the form of a 5-year forgivable loan) to implement the energy efficient and conservation upgrades
that are identified in the energy audit. Staff is currently working on the policies and procedures and will be issuing an RFP for energy audit services within the next month.
• City is Developing Green ordinances (standards for rezoning and building design) – The City has budgeted $50,000 for this program, which will include first the review of and then the
enhancing of our current codes and ordinances in an effort to develop specific green design standards including rezoning, development standards, landscaping requirements, and plans for
incentives. An RFP will be issued within the next month for consulting services to assist us with this program. • City has funded the installation of Musco Sports lighting at City Parks
to reduce energy consumption of fossil fuel powered generator lighting – The City has budgeted $240,000 for this project, which includes the replacement of inefficient lighting at the
baseball field and installing new lighting at the football/soccer field at Miami Carol City Park. The replacement of the lighting will reduce energy consumption and green house gas emissions
currently being emitted by portable diesel fueled lighting. This project is underway, and installation of the lighting is scheduled to be completed in August 2010. • City has funded
development of an Energy Management System that will aid City in tracking its energy performance and setting energy savings priorities – The City has budgeted $50,000 for this program.
With all these energy efficient and conservation programs the City needed a system of tracking the energy saved, the green house gas emissions reduced, the water conserved, etc. This
program will include the development of a tracking program and any hardware or software that the City will need to purchase in order to be able to track our savings. An RFP for consulting
services to help us design and implement this program will be issued within the next month. • Weatherization. Over the past four years, the City has used CDBG and ARRA funds to assist
lower income households cut their energy costs through substantial weatherizing of their existing homes. • In 2007, the City used the proceeds of a HUD “Dollar” house to set up a program
where where the city would provide free florescent bulbs to families turning in old incandescent bulbs. • Shop with a Cop: The members of the City’s police department collect donations
from its officer to purchase energy star appliances for needy homeowners in the City. This not only helps the families by receiving a new appliance, but also contributes to a reduction
in their monthly energy bills.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGION I. Purpose The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to provide a mutual
understanding in support of the signatory agencies, organizations, governments, and individuals that will be working in cooperation to: 1) prepare a successful Sustainable Communities
Initiative (SCI) grant application; and 2) complete the work funded under the SCI grant. II. Background On June 16, 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joined
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to help improve access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower
transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide. A set of guiding livability principles and a federal interagency partnership agreement is intended to
guide their efforts in coordinating federal housing, transportation, and other infrastructure investments designed to protect the environment, promote equitable development, and help
to address the challenges of climate change. Congress provided a total of $150,000,000 to U.S. HUD for the SCI program to encourage regional planning efforts that integrate housing and
transportation decisions, and increase State, regional and local capacity to incorporate livability, sustainability and social equity principles into land use and zoning. From that total
amount, $100,000,000 is being made available to encourage metropolitan regions to develop integrated regional plans that articulate a vision for growth that federal housing, transportation
and other federal investments can support. 1
More importantly, the three federal agencies have made a commitment to utilize the integrated regional plans or visions to guide their planning and funding decision-making. Funding to
these metropolitan regions would generally be directed towards programs and projects identified in “Regional Plans for Sustainability” aimed at increasing transportation choices, reducing
combined housing and transportation costs for American families, improving the quality of life in communities, and improving the natural and built environment. III. Agreement Whereas,
there is a recognized need among the signatories for a coordinated, collaborative regional effort to prepare and carry out a successful SCI grant application and work program; and Whereas,
an SCI grant application and work program will be prepared and managed by the Treasure Coast and South Florida Regional Planning Councils in cooperation with the MOU signatories, including,
but not limited to, City of Miami Gardens, Florida, with the intent of establishing a comprehensive regional plan or vision identifying critical projects and infrastructure to: 1) improve
the Region’s sustainability; and 2) assist and guide federal funding agencies in prioritizing and focusing future federal investment in Southeast Florida; and Whereas, the signatories
agree to the best of their abilities and within the limits of their budgets to work cooperatively on the grant application and funded project; and Whereas, any private sector organization,
non-profit, academic or research institution, philanthropic partner, community organization, governmental entity, individual, or intermediary agency that bears responsibility for or
has an interest in the sustainable development and redevelopment of Southeast Florida may be a partner and signatory to this MOU; and 2
Whereas, each of the signatories to this MOU understands urban redevelopment and the promotion of infill development in Southeast Florida represents environmental, transportation, social,
and economic and community development strategies for restoration of the Everglades ecosystem and advancing the goals of the federal SCI program; and Whereas, each of the signatories
to this MOU is committed to following the Livability Principles relating to the sustainable development and redevelopment of Southeast Florida: 1. Provide more transportation choices.
Develop safe, reliable and economic transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, and promote public health. 2. Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location-and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races and ethnicities
to increase mobility, and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation. 3. Enhance economic competiveness. Improve economic competiveness through reliable and timely access
to employment centers, educational opportunities, services, and other basic needs by workers as well as expanded business access to markets. 4. Support existing communities. Target funding
toward existing communities through such strategies as transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling – to increase community revitalization, improve the efficiency of public
works investments, and safeguard rural landscapes. 5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment. Align policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding, and
increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy.
3
6. Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods – rural, urban or suburban. 7.
Enhance community resiliency to the impacts of Climate Change. Enhance community resiliency to the impacts of climate change through the development of mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Whereas, any regional plan document developed under the SCI grant will support these Livability Principles and should, to the greatest extent possible and where appropriate, be built
upon the foundation of work that has been accomplished and undertaken in the region where existing plans, partnerships, and processes enhance regional planning, coordination and efficiency,
reduce unnecessary duplication of effort and responsibilities, and add clarity and accountability to implementation processes. Now, Therefore, this MOU is established to create a framework
for coordinating efforts related to the preparation of a successful SCI grant application and successfully completing the work funded under the SCI grant. IV. Programming, Budgeting,
Funding and Reimbursement Arrangement a. This MOU is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any transfer of funds between parties may take place through existing authorities
and procedures. b. Generally, any endeavor involving the transfer of funds will follow normal procurement or other appropriate processes and will be affected in writing by representatives
of the organizations involved. c. This MOU in no way restricts the signatories from participating in similar activities or arrangements with other entities or agencies. 4
d. Nothing in this MOU shall obligate the signatories to expend appropriations, obligate funds or enter into any contract or other agreement. V. Effective Date This MOU will become effective
upon signature by any two parties. Any Party may terminate its participation in this MOU upon written notice to the other Parties. The provisions of the MOU will be reviewed periodically,
as appropriate, and amended or supplemented as may be mutually agreed upon. VI. Other Memorandum of Understandings There are no superseding MOUs on this topic among the Parties hereto.
VII. Signatures This MOU may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Each Party has signed this five-page agreement on a separate page. The original signature pages are on file at the South Florida Regional Planning Council, 3440 Hollywood Boulevard,
Suite 140, Hollywood, FL 33021; (954) 985-4416. 5
6 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGION By my signature below, my organization/agency becomes a signatory to the Sustainable
Communities Initiative Memorandum of Understanding for the Southeast Florida Region, dated _July 14, 2010. I understand that the MOU will be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which will be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. This original signature page will be kept on file at the South Florida Regional Planning
Council. _______________________________ Signature Shirley Gibson, Mayor______________________________ Name and Title Office of the Mayor, City of Miami Gardens__ Organization/Agency
July 14, 2010 __________________________ Date Please return to: South Florida Regional Planning Council 3440 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 140 Hollywood, Florida 33021