1. Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Grant Program, through the Florida Department of Transportation in the approximate amount of $15.1 million.
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction and leasing of required supporting facilities. Funding for this grant is from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Administration is requesting funds to purchase 12 battery electric buses or trolleys, charging infrastructure, and other related items to replace trolleys that are currently owned by the City’s contractor. The new vehicles will be owned and controlled by the City. The buses will be 100% zero-emission. Since the City is not directly eligible to apply for these funds, staff contacted Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), an eligible applicant. FDOT agreed to submit the application to FTA on behalf of the City.
The City is requesting funding in the amount of $15,070,487.08 and the grant requires matching funds. The city will provide matching funds in the amount of $2,581,227.72 from FY 21/22 Transportation Fund.
2. Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority in the approximate amount of $90,000.
The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority's (MBVCA) mission is to proactively recruit, develop, financially support and partner with events, festivals, programs and activities that are innovative, high quality and representative of our City. Projects must garner positive media awareness and augment the reputation of Miami Beach.
The Aspen Institute, in collaboration with the City of Miami Beach and a diverse group of partner institutions in and beyond South Florida enlisted global and local policymakers, scientific experts, corporate leaders, inventors and innovators, artists, young leaders, influencers, and engaged members of the public to participate in “Aspen Ideas: Climate 2022”. The 2022 Aspen Ideas Climate Conference took place in Miami Beach from May 9-12, 2022 and featured a variety of main stage events, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, and excursions focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change. Topics included solutions to flooding and sea-level rise to new renewable energy technologies and from food and agriculture impacts of climate change to test drives of new electric vehicles. The Climate Summit Miami Beach Host Committee is responsible for organizing and operating the annual summit in Miami Beach, focused on education and policy discussions concerning climate change.
The VCA has awarded $90,000 to the City as the Fiscal Agent for the Climate Summit Miami Beach Host Committee. The grant funds are to be used for marketing, PR and advertising costs related to the Aspen Ideas Climate Conference. Matching funds will be paid for by the Host Committee and not the City.
3. Florida Department of Transportation, Public Transit Service Development Grant Program in the approximate amount of $1,408,000.
The Public Transit Service Development Program (TSD) was enacted by the Florida Legislature to provide initial funding for special projects.
South Beach Trolley – $1,250,000
The City is requesting State Fiscal Year 2024 funding in the amount of $1,250,000 to supplement approximately 25% of the annual cost of operating the South Beach trolley service, starting July 1, 2023.
The goal of South Beach Trolley Service (trolley) is to improve mobility, connectivity, service reliability and increase use of local public transportation service, particularly encouraging mode shift from personal vehicles to public transportation for choice riders. The South Beach Service completes a citywide interconnected trolley service connecting North Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach. The trolley improves transit service by providing collection, circulation, and distribution of local trips within the City of Miami Beach and to regional routes.
The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $1,250,000. The City will provide matching funds in the amount of $1,250,000 from Transportation Department Funds for the operation of the South Beach Trolley Service.
Middle Beach On-Demand Transit Service - $158,000
The City is requesting State Fiscal Year 2024 funding in the amount of $158,000 for the 3rd year operation of the Middle Beach On-Demand Transit Service, starting July 1, 2023.
The Administration is requesting funding that would assist offsetting approximately 50% of the cost associated with the annual operation and maintenance of the full turnkey Middle Beach On-Demand Transit Service. The project utilizes new technology/eco-friendly vehicles for providing an on-demand transit solution for the Middle Beach community which is not currently served by the Miami Beach trolley and underserved by the Miami-Dade County bus service. The service offers first/last mile connectivity to transit stops and hubs or between any 2 points within the service area. Service is offered exclusively within a geofenced area of Middle Beach, seven (7) days a week.
The City is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $158,000. The City is providing matching funds in the amount of $158,000 from Transportation Department Funds for the Middle Beach On-Demand Transit Service.
4. Florida Department of State, Cultural Facilities Grant Program in the approximate amount of $446,000.
The Cultural Facilities Grant Program coordinates and guides the State of Florida's support and funding of renovation, new construction, or acquisition of cultural facilities. It is intended for organizations whose mission includes arts and cultural programming.
The Collins Park Rotunda is one of the most iconic structures of the Collins Park Neighborhood and sits on the front lawn of the Bass Museum. The building, which is surrounded by a concentric moat, was constructed in 1961 by sculptor, Albert Vrana. The Rotunda is a central part of the Collins Park Cultural Campus and is currently vacant. The City is requesting grant funds to renovate the 1,960 square foot existing building and construct an 895 square foot addition, restoring its use as a Performing Arts Venue. After renovation, the rotunda, will provide a programming venue that is accessible, affordable and available to the community at large.
The grant requires $2 in matching funds for every $1 in grant funds (2:1 match). The City will provide matching funds in the approximate amount of $892,000 as follows: 140-0820-069357-00-410-556-00-00-00-20418 – Construction $492,000 and 302-0380-069357-00-410-546-00-00-00-20418 – Construction $400,000.
5. Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Community Planning Technical Assistance Program in the approximate amount of $73,000.
The City is requesting funding through the Community Planning Technical Assistance program for the creation of a Climate Resilience Communication Plan that will allow the Administration to effectively engage with and educate the community on the effects of climate change, the City’s response, the associated challenges and complexities, and why the City’s resilience program is necessary.
The Climate Resilience Communication Plan will be beneficial to the residents of Miami Beach, but also to a broader audience of tourists, investors, and County and State stakeholders. This Plan would create a communications plan that will allow the City to effectively engage with and educate the community on the effects of climate change, the City’s response, the associated challenges and complexities, and, most critically, why the City’s resilience program is necessary. The Plan will integrate innovative communication approaches and engagement. Matching funds are not required for this grant.
6. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the Local Board/United Way of Miami-Dade County for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds, in the approximate amount of $61,500.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established in1983 with the signing of Public Law 98-8. The program was created to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter. Congress also created a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that consists of representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, the Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ, the Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. The United Way Local Board is responsible for considering all applications, organizations and services to be funded.
The Administration is requesting funds from EFSP for families in need of assistance. The funds will be used to provide rent and mortgage assistance, and utility assistance to individuals. The City applies for EFSP funding each year, and this year’s application is for Phase 39 of the program. Matching funds are not required for this grant
7. Appropriation Request to the Florida House in the approximate amount of $400,000.
During the 2022 regular session, the Florida House included a new initiative in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 General Appropriations Act, HB 5001 (the state budget), for a Local Support Grants Program. This program was approved by the Governor and will enable House members to request nonrecurring funding for local governments, education entities, or privately operated programs to support local initiatives. The funding is capped at $175 million, and the grants must be approved by the Legislative Budget Commission.
The application process mirrors the Legislature's annual budget process during session. The nonrecurring sum of $205,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to Administered Funds for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 for Local Support Grants. Local Support Grants include grants to local governments, education entities, or privately-operated programs to support local initiatives. On top of the $175 million for local projects, Local Support Grants include $30 million for first responder bonuses.
As such, the Local Support Grants also provide one-time recognition payments of up to $1,000, after taxes, for each essential first responder employed by the local government as a sworn law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, firefighter, or paramedic. The Department of Economic Opportunity is tasked with developing an allocation method to distribute Local Support Grants to local governments based on the number of essential first responders employed by the local government as of May 1, 2022.
The City Administration intends to submit a request to the Florida House of Representatives in the approximate amount of $400,000 for the Sunset Islands Water and Sewer Replacement Project. The water and sewer pipelines that cross between Sunset Island 2 and 3 have had multiple breaks in the recent year. The water main was permanently placed out of service and the sewer main has had three breaks since July 2021 resulting in the emergency temporary replacement of subaqueous pipe. This project will replace the water and sewer mains to ensure potable water supply to the islands and minimize the likelihood of future sanitary sewer overflows. Matching funds are not required for this Appropriation Request.
8. Renewal of The Children's Trust Group, Individual, and Home Visitation Grant Program, in the approximate amount of $345,000.
The Children's Trust Group Individual and Home Visitation grant program provides funding to support group, individual, home visiting, and advocacy parenting programs for at-risk populations in Miami-Dade County. The program's purpose is to provide structured programs that follow evidence-based and promising curricula, address specific needs, and increase positive parent-child interaction and communication.
With the support of grant funding, the City’s Office of Housing and Community Services has been operating the Miami Beach Parent-Child Program successfully for the past 11 years. During the 2022-2023 Program Year, the program will offer Nurturing Parenting Program services to 97 Miami Beach families with children between the ages of birth to 18 years old. The Nurturing Parenting Program is an evidence-based, psycho-educational model of family/parent education that engages the whole family in either a group or home-based setting and results in decreased parental stress, increased positive parent-child interactions and increased parenting skills. The contract renewal will commence October 1, 2022 ending September 30, 2023 and will be the last year of the current five year contract cycle. Matching funds are not required for this grant.
9. Renewal of The Children's Trust Family Neighborhood Supports Partnerships Grant Program in the approximate amount of $500,000
The Family and Neighborhood Support Partnerships (FNSP) program offers comprehensive and individualized supports for children, youth, and their families experiencing challenges that may limit them from realizing their full health, social, educational, and economic potential. The program aims to amplify strengths and build resilience to counter the effects of adverse childhood experiences such as child abuse or neglect, exposure to family and community trauma and violence, family mental health issues, legal issues, and extreme poverty. This City's program was previously called Success University and will soon be renamed Family Pathways.
Partnerships include an array of services that engage parents and youth as partners in order to build on their strengths, address life challenges, and provide individualized supports. The City has been recommended for funding in the amount of $500,000 for the contract period commencing October 1, 2022 and ending September 30, 2023. This grant does not require matching funds.