Item Coversheet

NEW BUSINESS  6.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee Members


FROM:
Raul Aguila, Interim City Manager


DATE: February 24, 2021


SUBJECT:DISCUSS AREAS TO IMPROVE LIGHTING IN SOUTH BEACH’S RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS AS WELL AS SOUTH POINTE PARK AND LUMMUS PARK .

HISTORY:

At its February 10, 2021 meeting, the City Commissions approved agenda item number C4N, by Commissioner Meiner and Gongora,  a referral to the Neighborhoods and Quality of Life Committee to discuss areas to improve lighting in South Beach's residential and commercial areas as well as South Pointe Park and Lummus Park.

ANALYSIS

Public Works is currently overseeing multiple efforts to enhance lighting throughout the City of Miami Beach including: 

 

  • Engaging staff with Florida Power and Light (FPL) to have all City alleys retrofitted with energy-efficient Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting as part of the City's agreement with FPL. FPL had previously completed Ocean Court under this endeavor. All FPL street light conversions to LED have been completed citywide.

  • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is leading a project involving lighting enhancement improvements on Alton Road at the intersections between 6th Street and 20th Street, in an effort to improve pedestrian safety. It is important to note however, that Alton Road is a roadway under FDOT jurisdiction. At the request of Public Works, FDOT further expanded their scope and agreed to convert the current street lighting in the corridor to LED.

  • FDOT intersection lighting improvements and lighting LED retrofits in the following areas are ongoing:

         -Alton Rd, 5th Street to Dade Boulevard.

         -5th Street, Alton Road to Ocean Drive.

         -Collins Avenue North of 5th Street to 17th Street and along Mid and North Beach.

 

Additionally, at its November 14, 2018 meeting, the City Commission approved a Resolution (2018-30612) authorizing Johnson Controls, Inc,  to develop a Citywide Lighting Master plan.  

 

  • Phase 1A (engagement plan and lighting standards) of the Master Plan was adopted by City Commission on May 13, 2020. Phase 1B (Development and Design) was put on hold as a result of COVID-19 Pandemic. Moving forward with Phase 1B would require City Commission approval and a meeting has been scheduled with the Interim City Manager to further discuss the details.

 

South Pointe Park

The City's Parks and Recreations Department (Parks & Rec) is currently leading a lighting project at South Pointe Park.  This project consists of replacing the existing lighting fixtures at the park with LED lighting fixtures and bollards, which will improve the lighting and safety at the park.

 

The new lighting will be turtle friendly in the respective areas within the park. Parks & Rec staff are currently working towards obtaining the necessary approvals from State. Currently, there is a sample fixture installed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park as a possible replacement fixture if the State approves. 

 

Results from the 2019 Resident Survey show that 64% of residents rated street lighting as excellent/good.  In order to continue maintaining excellent standards in this area, the City intends to continue its lighting enhancements throughout the City.

CONCLUSION:

The following lighting enhancement update is presented to the members of the Neighborhoods & Quality of Life Committee for discussion and further direction.


Applicable Area

Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds?
Yes No