On October 31, 2017, Resolution 2017-30078 authorized the Administration to negotiate an agreement with the School Board of Miami-Dade County Public Schools for the maintenance of the athletic field at Miami Beach Senior High School, in an amount not to exceed $22,000 annually. The agreement would allow for the City's possible usage of the athletic field during after-school hours and during weekends and be renewed for an additional two one-year terms following the initial 2017-18 school year.
On February 19, 2019, Resolution 2020-31152 authorized the City's commitment of $250,000 towards the renovation of the football field at Miami Beach Senior High School and additionally offered a matching grant not to exceed $100,000 in the event any other entitiy comes forward with additional donations for the field improvements. The field at Miami Beach Senior High School was improved in 2020, including a multi-use artificial turf field, lined for soccer, football, and a 50-meter running track, as well as batting cages. The total cost of the project was approximately $1 million dollars.
The Joint Use Agreement attached to this item is the culmination of years of negotiation with the School Board of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, allowing for the City's access to the field, basketball courts, and adjacent parking lot on Sundays. The City is also paying $32,740.53 for the installation of a chain link fence and landscaping that will secure the site. The City may request access to the field for additional use at the beginning of each school semester.
A partnership with M-DCPS may increase recreational field space for community youth after-school, summers and weekends when available. The City and M-DCPS have existing joint use agreements for other greenspaces located at Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School and Biscayne Beach Elementary School for use of park and playgrounds for recreational purposes. An agreement for use of the basketball courts at South Pointe Elementary was recently executed as well.