The City Administration (“Administration”) recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (“City Commission”) approve the Resolution.

Pursuant to City Commission direction, City staff is in the design phase of the Slow Streets 2.0 Pilot Project (“Pilot Project”) in the Flamingo Park neighborhood. The goal is to increase pedestrian safety and reduce vehicular speeds and volumes, while also adding to the aesthetic value of the neighborhood. The Pilot Project will be implemented on Jefferson Avenue between 5 Street and 11 Street, and 13 Street between Meridian Avenue and Washington Avenue.

On Jefferson Avenue, the City is proposing a protected two-way bicycle lane on the west side of the street. Throughout the intersections along Jefferson Avenue and 13 Street, the City is proposing artistic pavement markings, including painted curb bulb-outs at intersections that feature community-selected and volunteer-painted asphalt art, with thematic designs relevant to the historical context of the neighborhood. On 13 Street, the City is proposing additional artistic pavement markings, including painted curb bulb-outs, painted chicanes (a serpentine curve in the roadway intended to slow vehicle speeds), painted medians, and rubber speed cushions.

The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (“DTPW”) has jurisdiction and purview over traffic control on local roadways and alleyways, including within incorporated municipalities. This authority includes artistic pavement markings on a local and collector residential streets operated, maintained and owned by the City.

The Pilot Project is currently at 90% design development and under review by DTPW staff. The artistic pavement markings are currently being developed based on community engagement and feedback received through a citywide survey.

The City and DTPW have been collaborating to finalize an Intergovernmental Agency Agreement (“IAA”) to grant authority to the City, pursuant to Sections 2-95 and 2-96.1 of the Miami-Dade County Code, for the installation and maintenance of artistic pavement markings on local and collector residential streets operated, maintained and owned by the City, provided the City submits signed and sealed engineering drawings to DTPW and receives written approval from DTPW.

Approval of this IAA will allow the City to move forward with permitting, installation, and maintenance, subject to DTPW approval, of various artistic pavement markings proposed as part of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Slow Streets 2.0 Pilot Program and other proposed tactical urbanism projects including, but not limited to, the South Beach Promenade/ Española Way East Short-Term Tactical Urbanism, thereby improving safety, aesthetics, and quality of life in the neighborhoods.

Should the City Commission adopt a resolution approving this IAA, in substantial form, the Administration will continue to work with the County to obtain approval from the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners for final execution.

Based on the 2022 Miami Beach Community Survey, 81% of residents expressed concerns with pedestrian safety (vehicles not yielding to pedestrians) when crossing the street at an intersection. Over half of the residents surveyed (56.5%) walk as one of their primary modes of transportation within the City. Furthermore, 52.2% of residents surveyed expressed that capital projects that involve more walking/biking friendly streets, greenways, and paths are among the top three most important types of capital projects.

City Commission approval of this IAA will allow the Administration to move forward with permitting, installation, and maintenance, subject to DTPW approval, of various artistic pavement markings proposed as part of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Slow Streets 2.0 Pilot Program and other proposed tactical urbanism projects including, but not limited to, the South Beach Promenade/ Española Way East Short-Term Tactical Urbanism, thereby improving safety, aesthetics, and quality of life in the neighborhoods.

The Administration recommends that the City Commission adopt the Resolution approving, in substantial form, an IAA with Miami-Dade County; and further authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute the final Agreement.