Item Coversheet

OLD BUSINESS  10.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee Members


FROM:
Alina T. Hudak, City Manager


DATE: March 22, 2023


SUBJECT:

DISCUSSION REGARDING LIMITING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS DURING HIGH IMPACT PERIODS.


HISTORY:

Commissioner Meiner placed a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) on the April 06, 2022 City Commission Meeting agenda to discuss limiting vehicles in residential neighborhoods during high impact periods.

ANALYSIS

During each high-impact period identified by the city, both the Police and Transportation & Mobility Departments put together Residential Zone Traffic Plans to limit cruising vehicular traffic on residential streets and neighborhoods. Additionally, the Transportation Department monitors traffic conditions in real-time and works with the Police to deploy mitigation measures. The measures include modifying signal timing, working with WazeGoogleUber, and Lyft to include the closures and restricted streets within their respective platforms, and deploying police officers and dedicated security guards managed by the Police Department to enforce any blocking of key intersections along major thoroughfares in the city. Traffic plans have been developed collaboratively among the Transportation and Police Departments and the affected neighborhoods.

Amid the neighborhoods managed during high-impact events including Art Week, the International Boat ShowMemorial Day Weekend, and large conventions such as the one recently held for Bitcoin, are the Palm View and Bayshore neighborhoods. With activities such as Spring BreakMemorial Day Weekend, and New Year’s Eve weekend heavily impacting the Art Deco Cultural District (ADCD), the South of Fifth and Flamingo Park neighborhoods are also actively managed. In both areas, tailored traffic plans (included in this item) are deployed, and key streets are strategically closed as needed to mitigate severe cut-through traffic and ensure the safety and quality of life of the residents in these communities.   


CONCLUSION:
The Administration along with the Police and Transportation & Mobility Departments continue discussing and exploring avenues to create legislation allowed by state statute with the City Attorney’s Office. The discussions focus more specifically on areas that do not directly about the ADCD, but for which closures could also prove beneficial and in the best interest of public safety.

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?
No No 

Strategic Connection

Neighborhoods - Prevent and solve crime for residents and visitors.
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
C4 P - April 06, 2022 Limiting Traffic During High Impact PeriodsMemo
Bayshore Neighborhood Sample Traffic PlanMemo
Palm View Neighborhood Traffic Plan - Art BaselMemo
South Beach Neighborhoods Memorial Day Weekend Traffic PlanMemo