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.     Florida Office of the Attorney General, Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), in the approximate amount of $443,900 for salaries and benefits of 5 victim advocates.  

The Florida Office of the Attorney General provides federal Victims of Crime Act grants to fund services to victims of crime. The VOCA grant program offers funding to local community providers for use in responding to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims, assisting victims in stabilizing their lives after their victimization, helping victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and providing victims with a measure of safety and security.

2.    U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, FY 2024 Low or No Emission Grant Program and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program, in the approximate amount of $17.7 Million for twelve (12) electric buses for the South Beach Trolley Service.

The purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.

The purpose of the Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. 

The City administration is applying to a grant in the approximate amount of $17.7 Million for the Transportation and Mobility Department to purchase twelve (12) electric buses and charging infrastructure to replace twelve (12) diesel-powered trolleys for the South Beach Trolley Service, all of which are high-floor models. The new vehicles would be owned by the City, unlike the current trolleys which are owned by a contractor. This project would align with three key City goals; 1) to begin the transition to a 100% zero-emission fleet, 2) the begin the transition to a City-owned fleet, and 3) to improve accessibility for disabled and elderly. The City is providing matching funds in the approximate amount of $2.98 Million from account #: 165-9615-069357-30-410-523-00-00-00-20200.

3.  U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the United Way of Miami-Dade County, Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), in the approximate amount of $100,000 for Rent/Mortgage/Utility Assistance, and Mass Shelter. 

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was established in 1983 with the signing of the Jobs Stimulus Bill. In its 40-year history, the EFSP will have distributed $6.158 billion to over 14,000 human service agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country. This year’s grant opportunity is for Phase 41 funding. 

The City administration is applying to a grant in the approximate amount of $100,000 for the Office of Housing & Community Services to provide assistance to residents in need. The funds may be used by low- and moderate-income individuals and families who are currently at risk of homelessness or eviction, for food vouchers, rent or mortgage assistance, mass shelter, or utilities. No matching funds are required.

In the 2022 Resident Satisfaction Survey, resident respondents rated “efforts to address homelessness” as a top priority for City services.

In the 2022 Resident Satisfaction Survey, 68.5% of resident respondents rated “traffic congestion” as the number 1 way tourism affects quality of life.

In the 2022 Resident Satisfaction Survey, “65.2% of resident respondents rated “quality of police services” as “excellent” or “good”.

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.

Lobbyist Disclosure

Was agenda item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): N/A