| | | | | | | |  | Resolutions - C7 AI
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | | FROM: | Alina T. Hudak, City Manager | | | DATE: | January 31, 2024 | | | |
| | SUBJECT: | A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND FINALIZE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU), BETWEEN THE CITY AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA (COUNTY), SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS RESOLUTION, WITH THE FOREGOING MOU PROVIDING FOR THE CITY TO REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMPLOYMENT OF TWO (2) CRIMINOLOGIST TECHNICIANS, DESIGNATED TO PROVIDE DRUG TESTING SERVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT; SAID MOU HAVING AN INITIAL TERM OF ONE (1) YEAR WITH UP TO NINE (9) ANNUAL RENEWAL TERMS, UPON MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN INITIAL BASE SALARY FOR EACH TECHNICIAN, PLUS BENEFITS AND OTHER PAYROLL RELATED EXPENSES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000.00, SUBJECT TO INCREASES FOR PAYROLL EXPENSES IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE FINAL NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. |
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| | | | | | | | BACKGROUND/HISTORY
| | Mayor Meiner (then Commissioner Meiner) placed a referral to the Public Safety and Quality of Life Committee on the March 27, 2023 City Commission Meeting agenda to discuss the feasibility of the City establishing a crime laboratory to test suspected controlled substances impounded by the Police Department. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| The Miami Beach Police Department has been pursuing the feasibility of establishing a Crime Laboratory for the purpose of processing marijuana and other illegal controlled substances.
This initiative, directed by then Commissioner, now Mayor Steven Meiner, aimed to enhance law enforcement capabilities, streamline drug related analysis and investigations, and finally, contribute to the overall enhancement of public safety in the City of Miami Beach.
A feasibility study was carried out with the following scope:
- Objectives of the proposed crime laboratory
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Infrastructure requirements, costs and equipment
- Assess the staffing requirements, including skilled forensic analysts, technicians, and support staff. Determine the necessary training and qualifications for personnel
- Budgetary Considerations - Develop a comprehensive budget outlining both initial setup costs and ongoing operational expenses
- Technology Integration for accurate and efficient drug analysis
- Collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies (Miami Dade Police Department and Florida Department of Law Enforcement)
A feasibility study is a crucial step in understanding the viability and implications of establishing a crime laboratory dedicated to processing marijuana and other drugs. During this process, the Department was also considering alternative solutions that could achieve similar results.
As a result of several meetings with Stephanie Stoilof, Chief of the Forensics Division of the Miami Dade County Police Department, an idea developed to hire two Criminologist Technicians that would perform all the duties of drug analysis for the Miami Beach Police Department. The two Criminologist Technicians would essentially be employed by Miami Dade County, fall under the command of the Forensics Division and receive all the required training and equipment with the goal of working specifically on Miami Beach drug cases. The City of Miami Beach through a Resolution, would enter into an MOU to reimburse Miami Dade County for all costs related to the employment of the two Criminologist Technicians.
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| | | | | | | | SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
| | N//A |
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| | | | | | | | FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| | Provision of an initial base salary for two technicians plus benefits and other payroll-related expenses, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, subject to increases for payroll expenses in subsequent years. |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION
| | The Miami Beach Police Department is in support of this Resolution and believes it is the best choice in quickly beginning the effort of drug analysis to aid in the prosecution of drug offenses that occur in Miami Beach. It is the goal of the Department to improve public safety through proactive and creative initiatives as defined above. |
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| | | | | | | | | 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 | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| | Neighborhoods - Work with partners to address regional safety issues. |
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| | | | | | | | Legislative Tracking
Police |
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| | | | | | | | Sponsor
Mayor Steven Meiner |
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