1. Approval to submit an application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Section 319(h) Program for a Bioswale Basis of Design Project within the West 59th Street right-of-way, in the approximate amount of $100,000.
The City of Miami Beach is investigating the use of stormwater infrastructure best management practices to address water quality issues for Biscayne Bay, which is designated an Outstanding Florida Water by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. As new infrastructure is being contemplated by the City for the La Gorce neighborhood to address climate resiliency, integrating stormwater best management practices such as bioswales is one of the strategies that can be deployed to address both water quality (treatment) and quantity (attenuation) concerns. As an initial investigation into bioswales, the City is seeking to implement demonstration projects as a means to test the efficacy and value of this technology to provide water quality improvements and attenuation of the runoff from developed areas of the City. The Project will be located within the West 59th Street right-of-way between Alton Road and Biscayne Bay within the City of Miami Beach.
The City will construct a series of three bioswales with plantings located within the West 59th Street right-of-way. Runoff from the impervious road and sidewalks will be directed to these depressional storage areas (bioswales) where the design volume runoff will be captured and not discharged to the stormwater collection system of underground pipes unless the storm event is larger than the targeted 1.5-inch design volume.
The City was previously awarded funding in the amount of $100,000 from the Section 319(h) program for the Everglades Green Alley project. However, the Everglades Green Alley project is unable to be completed at this time, due to underground utilities on the site. The Administration has negotiated diligently with the State and has secured approval from the State to transfer the previously awarded funding in the amount of $100,000 from the Everglades Green Alley Project, to the 59th Street Bioswales project; thus retaining the awarded grant funding.
The City will retain the previously pledged matching funds in the amount of $260,000 for the Bioswale project. The source of matching funds is Bioswale Project number 28920, account number: 429-0815-069357-29-418-564-00-00-00-28920.
2. Authorizing the City of Miami Beach to apply for a federal appropriation through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency in the approximate amount of $5 Million for Citywide Seawalls.
The Administration is requesting approval to apply for a federal appropriation through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for citywide seawalls. The project will address coastal flooding, storm surge and natural hazards, such as hurricanes. Seawalls are designed and installed to protect people and property from the energy of tidal action; they greatly reduce erosion and provide protection against surge flooding. Seawalls are built to protect areas of human habitation along the coast against tides, waves and sea level rise. Seawalls in Miami Beach play an important role in reducing the community vulnerability of storm surge and tidal flooding.
In January 2021, the City passed an Ordinance requiring all new seawalls to be built at an elevation of 5.7’ NAVD (North American Vertical Datum 1988) and failing seawalls to be re-built to this minimum elevation to be more resilient as per city code. The Administration is requesting funding to upgrade publicly owned failing seawalls. This appropriation request does not require matching funds.
3. Application to Bloomberg Philanthropies, Asphalt Art Initiative Grant Program in the approximate amount of $25,000 for an artist-designed pedestrian pathway.
Bloomberg Philanthropies, Asphalt Art Initiative grant program is designed to fund visual art interventions on roadways, pedestrian spaces, and public infrastructure in U.S. cities with the goal of improving street and pedestrian safety, revitalizing and activating underutilized public space, and promoting collaboration and civic engagement in local communities
Funding is being requested to create an artist-designed pedestrian pathway. The project will revitalize the streetscape with community-engaged art and will generate immediate attention to the sector, by creating a safe and connected visual pathway to two of the City’s most important historical districts, Ocean Drive to Española Way.
The application requires a Lead City Agency and a Fiscal Agent who is a 501(c)3, to receive the grant funds and be responsible for managing the distribution and procurement required. The project team consists of several City departments which are responsible for Logistical Coordination, Project Management and Curatorial and Oolite Arts, a 501(c)3, which in addition to the Fiscal Agent responsibilities will also provide Project Management and Community Outreach. The Washington Avenue Business Improvement District and a local Artist round out the project team.
No matching funds are required; however, the City has committed to an in-kind match of permitting, pressure washing, maintenance, and securing of public right of ways in order to implement the project. In addition, the City will market and promote the project through websites, social media channels and dedicated e-blasts.
4. Renewal of The Children's Trust After School and Summer Camp Grant Program in the approximate amount of $465,000, for after-school programs and summer camps for children in grades K-5.
The Children's Trust After School and Summer Camp Grant Program provides funding to support daily after school and summer enrichment services for at-risk populations in Miami-Dade County. The purpose of the program is to target resources to prevent negative risk factors for school- aged children and their families via programs that provide youth enrichment services and a nurturing and supervised environment while parents are working.
The City's Parks and Recreation Department has received this grant for its after school and summer camp program successfully for fifteen years. During the 2021-2022 Program Year, the program will provide after-school services to approximately 255 children and summer camp services to approximately 300 children in grades K-5 attending school in Miami Beach. The program offers activities to children including academic enrichment, literacy, physical fitness, social-emotional learning, nutrition, and family engagement. The goals of the program are to improve literacy, physical fitness, and social-emotional skills.
Matching funds are not required for this grant.