NEW BUSINESS  26.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

KEY INTENDED OUTCOME:
Improve Cleanliness In High Traffic Residential And Pedestrian Areas, Including Maximizing Deployment Of Trash Cans On Every Corner

HISTORY:

The Miami Beach Public Area Cleanliness Index is an objective measurement of performance ranging from 1.0 (Very Clean) to 6.0 (Very Dirty) and includes assessments of litter, garbage cans/dumpsters, organic material, and fecal matter. The results of the assessments are used to monitor the impacts of recently implemented initiatives to target areas for future improvements, and assure the quality of services.  Quarterly sample sizes are set to ensure no greater than a +5.0 percentage point sampling error given the 95% confidence level for each of the public areas assessed. 

During FY 2006/07, the City tightened the target for the Citywide and area-specific cleanliness indicators from 2.0 to 1.5 – the lower the score on the cleanliness index indicates a cleaner area. This target continues to be the same from FY 2007/08 to date.  As important, the City also has a goal to ensure that 90 percent of assessments score 2.0 or better, with awareness to seasonal fluctuations.  The scores are compared to the same quarter in prior years to account for seasonal variations.

The program received the 2007 Sterling Quality Team Showcase Award.  All improvement action plans implemented are validated against the index. Cleanliness results at the end of each quarter inform stakeholders if the action plans have worked or if they need to be adjusted. Tangible benefits obtained as a result of the program include the city’s achievement of one of its strategic objectives to be cleaner.

ANALYSIS:

Positive and Stable Areas in FY 2017/18 Quarter 1

• Streets– Streets improved to 1.70 or 8.1% from the same quarter in the prior FY. 90.4% of streets are scoring 2.0 or better.  Commercial entertainment and commercial non-entertainment streets improved by 8.1% and 11.2% respectively when compared to the same quarter in the prior FY. 

• Parking Lots -   Scores at 1.90 improved by 10.8% from the same quarter in the prior FY.  The percent of assessments meeting the 2.0 standard declined to 77.5%.   Sanitation will continue to replace twist cans with larger green cans in select lots space permitting, as well as add additional cans as needed.  Sanitation will also review data on organic material to adjust weekend service frequency.
• Beaches – The percent of beaches covered by Miami Beach meeting the 2.0 target improved to 86.4% or 4.4% when compared to the same quarter the prior FY to a 1.90.  The issue appears to be litter and organic material in the beach spoil and beach entrances.  Sanitation and Greenspace will review data to identify patterns.
• Waterways - Scores improved by 22.5% compared to the same quarter in the prior Fiscal Year to 1.76. The percent of assessment meeting the 2.0 target improved by 18.3% or 85% when compared to the same quarter in the prior Fiscal Year.  Issues appear to be litter along the shoreline and organic material.  A new contract is out for bid which will include cleanliness data and fine issuance for not meeting established standards for litter.  
• Parks- Parks improved to 1.40 or 7.3% compared to the prior quarter and 8.5% compared to the same quarter in the prior Fiscal Year with 95.1% of assessments meeting the target.  Greenspace Management continues to recycle clippings such as leaves, grass, and other organic material onsite. Parks staff continues to work closely with contractors and three (3) positions were filled increasing service levels.

Areas of Focus in FY 2017/18 Quarter 1

• Alleys– Alleys improved to 2.14 or 10.8% when compared to the same quarter in the prior FY with 69.0% of assessments meeting the target of 2.0, a 12.9% improvement.  This remains a poor scoring area since program inception. Increase in code personnel of five (5) officers and a sanitation night supervisor for the entertainment area provide support.  Sanitation alley service operates Monday through Friday (5 days a week) every morning from 5^th Street to Espanola Way for litter removal with the number of code officers increasing to support this effort citywide with officers required to conduct one (1) hour of sanitation and alleyway inspections each day.
• Sidewalks– Sidewalks declined to 1.61 or 2.5% from the prior quarter and remained stable when compared to the prior FY quarter with overall percent meeting target at 89.5%.  Commercial entertainment areas declined to 1.59 or 3.2% and commercial non-entertainment areas remained stable at 1.62.  The primary issue continues to appear to be litter on the ground and organic material.  Sanitation added sixty (60) SMART cans along Washington Avenue.  This has permitted the reallocation of hauler resources to commercial non entertainment areas to address overflowing cans in other areas of the City.  The dome topper pilot program is still underway with fifty (50) toppers installed to curb household garbage disposal in public garbage cans on sidewalks.  Haulers continue to provide a truck for garbage can waste collection seven (7) days per week and sanitation has added a second shift of service in the late afternoon to identified neighborhoods to address overflowing garbage can issues. 

CONCLUSION:

Cleanliness was identified in our community surveys as a key driver affecting overall quality of life. In addition, in the 2016 survey, residents and businesses rated cleanliness as one of the services the City should strive not to reduce.  The City has implemented increases in service levels and community satisfaction levels have improved. Overall scores have improved by 12.8% from FY 2005/06 to FY 2016/17.