The Administration recommends the adoption of the Resolution.

The City of Miami Beach applies for various grants and funding allocations from external agencies and organizations.  Information regarding the projects and funding sources is included in the Analysis section of this Agenda Item.

1. United States Department of Agriculture, Composting and Food Waste Reduction Program, in the approximate amount of $100,000 for a Community Compost Pilot.

Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, assist local governments with projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. Implementation activities will increase access to compost for agricultural producers, improve soil quality and encourages innovative, scalable waste management plans that reduce and divert food waste from landfills.

The City administration is applying for grant funding in the approximate amount of $100,000 for a pilot project that will expand existing compost programs, making composting more accessible to residents throughout the City. The pilot will be implemented in partnership with Compost for Life, which will establish carts at the Lincoln Road Farmers Market, create local community hubs, and host educational sessions to raise awareness about the environmental and economic benefits of composting. A match in the approximate amount of $34,000 is available from account #: 178-6886-000312-21-402-508-00-00-00-.

2. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, in the approximate amount of $63,000 for Homeless Outreach Team Support.

The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust serves as the applicant for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds, to assist Miami-Dade County municipalities in continuing care services. The City has received these funds since 2003 to support salaries of Homeless Outreach staff within the City’s Housing and Community Services Department.

The City administration is applying for a continuation of grant funding in the approximate amount of $63,000 to support Homeless Outreach staff salaries. A match in the approximate amount of $16,300 is available in the Housing and Community Services Department Operating Budget, from account #: 011-0560-000111-23-405-574-00-00-00-.

3. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Fiscal Year 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program (UASI), in the total approximate amount of $260,000 for two separate projects.

Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Program funds are intended to assist high-threat, high-density urban areas in building and sustaining the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. The federal government allocates funding to different Urban Area groups. The administration is applying to fund the following two separate projects this year, in the approximate combined amount of $260,000:

Compact 4x4 Enclosed Transport Vehicle

The Fire Department and Emergency Management Division is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $100,000 for a compact, four-wheel drive covered vehicle that can combat all forms of terrorism and targeted violence. In addition to moving patients injured in a Technical Rescue event, the vehicle can be used to move personnel and equipment. No matching funds are required for this grant.

Video Wall for Miami Beach Emergency Operations Center

The Fire Department and Emergency Management Division is requesting funding in the approximate amount of $160,000 to upgrade the outdated video display system in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). No matching funds are required for this grant.

In the 2022 Resident Satisfaction Survey, 39.4% of resident respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with City efforts to be a “green or sustainable city”.

In the 2022 Resident Satisfaction Survey, 20% of resident respondents stated that City “efforts to address homelessness were “excellent” or “good”.

In the 2022 Resident Satisfaction Survey, 45% of resident respondents stated that the City’s “emergency medical services” are “excellent”.

Based on the stated analysis, the Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution appropriating funding and approving and authorizing the City Manager or her designee to apply for and accept funds and execute all documents or agreements in connection with these grants, award programs and funding requests.