ANALYSIS:
From an operational perspective, periodic site inspections conducted by the Transportation Department staff have determined that the Concessionaire is in violation of various terms of the Agreement including compliance to type of the vessels, on-site monitoring, and schedule. As a result of reported incidents, a Contractor Incident Report was issued to the Concessionaire on July 7, 2017 (Attachment B). Subsequently, given the Concessionaire remained non-compliant with terms of the agreement, a Contractor Notice of Violation was issued to the Concessionaire on August 30, 2017 (Attachment C). While the Concessionaire was found to be in compliance with respect to the type of vessel and service schedule at Purdy Dock, the Concessionaire continues to not provide on-site monitoring and oversight at Purdy Dock. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Concessionaire shall hire an employee to be stationed at or near the Concession Area at Purdy Avenue Dock, whose responsibility is to provide on-site monitoring and oversight of the Pilot Program.
The Department of Marketing and Communications has been promoting the water taxi pilot service. These efforts include, but are not limited to, social media advertisement, communications e-blast, MB Magazine, MBTV, and a public service announcement on-board the Miami Beach Trolleys. Water taxi pilot program information was also shared with the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau for their dissemination. The water taxi operator has supplemented the City’s promotional efforts by mailing brochures to residents and businesses in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood.
The current agreement expires on November 30, 2017. Per the agreement, upon the written request of the Concessionaire at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the initial one year term, the City Commission at its sole and reasonable judgement and discretion can extend the term of the agreement for two (2) additional years.
Currently, the water taxi service is using one of the City's existing docks at Purdy for its operation. Funding has been allocated for the design and construction of a dock for motorized vessels and kayak launch at Purdy Avenue Dock. The new dock for motorized vessels will be used for water taxi operation. The construction of the new dock and kayak launch will be competitively bid. Once construction is completed, the Administration would recommend that a new solicitation be issued for commuter-based public waterborne transportation services.
It is worth noting that the County is currently working on updating a 2006 feasibility study on waterborne transportation solutions, including a plan for on-demand and fixed-route waterborne transportation. At this time, however, the timeline for completion of the County’s feasibility study and a potential solicitation for such services has not been determined.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Per the Agreement, the Concessionaire is required to pay the City a surcharge per ticket sold at Purdy Avenue Dock for the water taxi service. Based on the total number of tickets sold at Purdy Avenue Dock pursuant to the water taxi pilot program, the Concessionaire is subject to a $613 total surcharge during Quarters 1, 2 and 3. The Transportation Department has been invoicing the Concessionaire.