1. Appropriations Requests to the Florida Legislature for funding in the approximate amount of $2.4 million for the following projects:
75th Street Booster Station - $700,000
The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $700,000 for the rehabilitation of the 75th Street Booster Station. This Station was identified as one of the High Criticality projects in the Miami Beach. The project consists of the complete rehabilitation of the booster station, including mechanical upgrades, SCADA upgrades, structural repairs, HVAC replacement and replacement of the electrical equipment. The total cost of the project is $2.8 million; funding to complete the project in the amount of $1 million is available from Account # 418-0815-069357-29-418-561-00-00-00-28120, and the balance of $1.1 million is subject to appropriation in the FY 2021 Capital Budget Cycle. The House Bill number for this funding request is HB 2537.
Water Main Aerial Crossing along McArthur Causeway - $700,000
The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $700,000 for the rehabilitation of the water main aerial crossing along MacArthur Causeway which was identified as one of the High Criticality projects. This project consists of rehabilitation of the two water main aerial crossings along MacArthur Causeway between Terminal Island and Miami Beach, except for the portion of the southern water main that is being replaced under an emergency contract. The total cost of the project is $2.2 million. Funds to complete the project in the amount of $1,500,000 are available from Account #419-0815-069357-29-418-561-00-00-00-28520. The House Bill number for this funding request is HB 2539.
Alton Road Shared Use Path - $500,000
The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $500,000 for a bicycle-pedestrian shared use path that will run along the east side of Alton Road (State Road 907) on Miami Beach. It will consist of buffered bi-directional bicycle lanes and a walking path on the east side of the road. Alton Road has a high vehicular volume and this project will encourage a mode shift, decreasing vehicular volume and resulting in increased safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Bus stops along the road will improve accessibility to public transportation. The goal is to make the corridor suitable for pedestrians, bicyclists, vehicular and transit users of all ages and abilities. The total cost of the project is $1.8 million, and the City has $1.3 million in City of Miami Beach GO Bond Project #68619. The House Bill number for this funding request is HB 2445.
63rd Street Complete Streets Project - $500,000
63rd Street (State Road 907) is the second most continuous north-south roadway within the limits of City of Miami Beach. This corridor plays a crucial role in the City's transportation network, moving tens of thousands of people on a daily basis. Currently, 63rd Street has become a congestion point in the Miami Beach transportation network. The proposed enhancement of 63rd Street will include bicycle lanes, bicycle boxes, space for transit, improved traffic flow, enhanced sidewalks, a new connection to the beach and Allison Park, and a designated freight loading area. This enhancement will benefit all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. This Complete Streets Project will offer a safe mobility environment for all users. The total cost of the project is $2.2 million, the City's Capital Improvement Plan is programmed to have $1.2 million available in FY 2022 in City of Miami Beach GO Bond Project #68619. The remaining $500,000 is currently available within the project. The House Bill number for this funding request is HB 2459.
2. Florida Junior Golf Council, in the approximate amount of $6,000, for the Normandy Shores Youth Golf Clinic
Florida Junior Golf Council provides grants to junior golf programs in the State of Florida. The grant program is designed to assist organizations that introduce young people to golf, and through instruction and competition, teach the values and Rules of Golf, stress integrity, courtesy, self-discipline and other life skills.
The Normandy Shores Youth Golf program takes place throughout the school year at the Normandy Shores Golf Course. The City uses SNAG golf equipment to teach the fundamentals of golf at City Parks and Recreation facilities.
The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $6,000 to purchase additional SNAG golf equipment for the Normandy Shores Youth Golf Program. Matching funds are not required for this grant.
3. Knight Foundation, Knight Arts Challenge Grant Program, in the approximate amount of $50,000, for the Miami Beach Artist Academy
The Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots that invests in journalism and the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. The Foundation’s goal is to foster informed and engaged communities.
The Miami Beach Academy is an innovative cultural project that will pair vacant storefronts on the Washington Avenue corridor in Miami Beach with artists and cultural organizations in need of space. Privately owned vacant spaces will serve as workspaces, studios, galleries and communal areas. Through the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, property owners will guarantee one year minimum lease at no cost to artists and nonprofit organizations across multidisciplinary artistic practices. The project will address the need to revitalize Washington Avenue corridor and strengthen the artistic community in Miami Beach.
The total project cost is $200,000. The City is requesting funding in the amount of $50,000. The grant requires matching funds. The City and Washington Avenue Business Improvement District will provide an in-kind match of $25,000 and the Department of Tourism and Culture will request $125,000 for this project during the next budget cycle.
4. State of Florida, Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Grant Program, in the approximate amount of $400,000
Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) provides financial assistance for acquisition or development of land for public outdoor recreation to eligible entities with the responsibility for providing outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the general public. The City is requesting funding through for the following projects:
Maurice Gibb Memorial Park
The City is requesting funds to renovate Maurice Gibb Memorial Park. The project scope includes a new playground, picnic tables and lighting. The project will promote active and healthy lifestyle for park visitors.
The total project cost is $400,000. The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $200,000. Matching funds in the amount of $200,000 are required by this grant and the match is available from Fund 306 Middle Beach Quality of Life #306-0820-069357-26-410-546-00-00-00-28850.
Fairway Park
The City is requesting funds to renovate Fairway Park. The project scope includes a soccer field and new landscaping. The total project cost is $400,000. The City is requesting funding in the amount of $200,000. Matching funds are required by this grant in the amount of $200,000 and the match is available from Fund 302 PAYGO #302-0820-069357-28-410-546-00-00-00-20237.
5. Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, Tourism Advancement Program.in the approximate amount of $75,000, for the No-Vacancy, Miami Beach Project.
The mission of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) is to encourage, develop and promote the image of Miami Beach locally, nationally and internationals as a vibrant community and superb tourist destination. The MBVCA proactively recruits, develops, promotes and financially supports and partners with events, festivals, programs and activities that are innovative, high quality and representative of our city and garner positive or noteworthy media awareness and enhances the city’s reputation.
The Administration is requesting funding for ‘No Vacancy’, a contemporary art project that invites the public to experience Miami Beach’s hotels as destination art spaces by turning hotels into temporary cultural institutions. Art will be exhibited throughout ten hotels in Miami Beach and will be free and open to the public. The City is requesting $75,000 for artists, installation, marketing and project management. The funding does not require a match.
6. Target Community Engagement Fund, in the approximate amount of $10,000, for the Miami Beach Police Department Annual Christmas Toy Drive.
The Target Community Engagement Fund provides support for public safety agencies with crime prevention projects, programs, and events. Last year, the City applied to this program and was awarded funding for the Police Department's Annual Toy Drive. Similarly, this year, the City Administration is again requesting funds in the approximate amount of $10,000 to support the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) Annual Toy Drive.
The Toy Drive, which takes place at the Police Department every December, is attended by hundreds of children and provides the Police Officers with the opportunity to interact with the public on a personal level which positively impacts the public perception of our officers, police work, and community policing. Matching funds are not required.
7. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Mitigation Assistance Program and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, in the approximate amount of $2.8 million for mitigation projects.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA) was authorized by Section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, with the goal of reducing or eliminating claims under the National Flood Insurance Program. FMA provides funding to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. Funding is appropriated by Congress annually.
The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program was authorized by Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and is designed to assist in implementing a sustained pre-disaster hazard mitigation program. The goal is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on federal funding in future disasters. The City is required to apply through the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management for both programs, the State in turn selects and submits applications to FEMA for review and funding. FEMA’s priority is to fund repetitive and severe repetitive loss properties. Repetitive loss properties are those properties covered by an NFIP food insurance policy, for which multiple claims have been made or that have incurred damage which exceeds a specified threshold amount.
The City Administration currently has projects that were previously submitted to FEMA for funding and is proposing the following additional projects:
Bayshore Par 3 Retention Pond - $1.6 Million
The Administration is requesting funding for a Resiliency project to be located at the Par 3 Community Park. The project will be a community flood mitigation project that will create resilient infrastructure on land formerly utilized as the Par 3 Golf Course. The proposed flood mitigation and stormwater management activities will reduce community flooding and provide local flood control for the neighborhood; the project’s principal feature will be a water retention/detention pond. The estimated total project cost is $2.1 million. The City is requesting $1.6 million in grant funds and the matching funds, in the approximate amount of $540,000 will be available through the City of Miami Beach General Obligation Bond Program Project #15.
Bioswales Project - $500,000
The Administration is requesting infrastructure funding for bioswales to provide water quality improvements and attenuation of the runoff from developed areas of the City. As new infrastructure is being contemplated by the City to address climate resiliency, integrating stormwater best management practices, such as bioswales is one of the strategies that can be deployed to mitigate flooding and water quality issues. The City is requesting grant funds in the approximate amount of $500,000 and matching funds in the approximate amount of $162,500 are available in the City’s Stormwater fund, Account Number 429-0815-061357-29-418-564-00-00-00-28920.
Advanced Assistance for Repetitive Properties - $28,000
The Administration is requesting funding to provide sustainable, cost-effective methods to assist owners of residential and business properties to flood proof, elevate and harden their structures. The City is requesting approximately $28,000 in grant funding, and if awarded, matching funds in the amount of $9,000 will be requested by the Emergency Management Department during the FY 2021 Budget Cycle.
Emergency Generators - $647,000
The Administration is requesting funding to purchase emergency power generators to for the pump stations to ensure continued operation of critical city facilities and systems. And the appropriate levels of service for city residents and businesses during and after a disaster event. The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $647,000 and matching funds in the approximate amount of $367,000 will be requested by the Public Works Department during the FY 2021 Budget Cycle.
8. Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, in the approximate amount of $11,000, for the purchase of Fire Training Equipment.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation aims to impact the life-saving capabilities and the lives firefighters and their communities by providing equipment and prevention education tools first responders and public safety organizations.
The City is requesting funds in the approximate amount of $11,000 purchase to a firehouse that simulates fire to be used for fire safety prevention and public education, primarily for children. The goal is to prevent fires and in the event of a fire, to prevent injury and loss of life. This public education project will positively impact the lives of children by teaching them to be fire safe. Matching funds are not required for this grant.
9. Miami-Dade County, Street Tree Matching Grants Program, in the approximate amount of $50,000 for the City’s Reforestation Project.
The Street Tree Matching Grant Program is funded by Miami-Dade County with the goal of planting one million trees to increase the tree canopy countywide. The program provides funding to municipalities, non-profits, and community organizations to plant native or Florida-friendly trees on streets, corridors, gateways and parks.
The City is applying for funding in the approximate amount of $50,000 for the purchase and installation of high-quality salt-tolerant trees for canopy restoration in North Beach area. This project will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to Miami Beach by providing much needed shade along heavily traveled corridors in the northern area of the City.
Matching funds in the amount of $50,000 are required by this grant and are available from account number 393-0830-000342-29-402-518-00-00-00-66419.
10. Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department, in the approximate amount of $10,000, for the City’s Trap-Neuter-Return Program
The mission of the Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department is to save the lives of abandoned animals, protect animals from cruelty, reunite lost pets with their owners and to protect people and pets from health-related illnesses.
The City is applying to the County for funds to continue the Trap-Neuter-Return Program. Grant funds will be used for medication, traps, program supplies, food and marketing of the program. The City's proposal and request for funding will be presented to the Miami-Dade County Commission for review and approval. As part of this program, the County has committed to bringing its mobile unit to the City of Miami Beach once a month for surgeries. Matching funds are not required for this grant.
11. Florida Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Program, in the approximate amount of $2.6 million for infrastructure improvements at Miami Beach School
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is funded by Florida Department of Transportation with the goal of increasing the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove the barriers currently preventing them from doing so, such as unsafe or lack of infrastructure.
The program helps communities address their school transportation needs and provides funds for projects that help to remove barriers and address the safety needs children who walk or bicycle to school. Pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities and traffic control devices are all eligible under the program guidelines. The SRTS program is funded and managed through Florida Departing of Transportation (FDOT). All projects are awarded through a competitive process at the local FDOT level, they are then reviewed the District level for compliance with SRTS Guidelines. The City is required to seek approval from the Miami-Dade County School Board. Accordingly, the City’s projects were approved at the School Board meeting of December 9, 2019.
The Administration is applying for funding for the design and construction costs to update crossing signals to flashing beacons at the following schools: South Pointe Elementary, Feinberg-Fisher K-8 Center, North Beach Elementary, Biscayne Beach Elementary and Nautilus Middle School. The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $2.6 million. This grant does not require matching funds.
12. CareerSource South Florida in the approximate amount of $250,000 for a work readiness training and employment placement service
The Administration is requesting funding to provide an in-house, seamless, work readiness training and employment placement services for homeless people served in the City.
The Admiration is proposing to build on its current efforts to end homelessness by strengthening the connection between those who wish to leave the streets, and employment opportunities that can lead to sustainable income which, in turn, can fund independent housing. The City’s short-term employment program was designed to provide 32-hours of paid employment to those persons who accepted shelter and wanted to end their personal homelessness. Their employment harnessed their experience as homeless persons to engage people who remained on the streets. The program also allowed clients to acclimate to work schedules and employer expectations while strengthening their engagement skills.
The City is proposing to partner with South Florida Workforce to create a seamless connection between the homeless in our community who want to leave homelessness behind and the employers in our community who can provide meaningful and much-needed employment. If awarded, funds from this grant will enable the hiring of two people dedicated to screening, engaging, training and assisting homeless clients to obtain employment as they transition from the streets to shelter. The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $250,000. The grant does not require matching funds.