| | | | | | | | | Resolutions - C7 B
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | FROM: | Raul J. Aguila, Interim City Manager | | DATE: | January 27, 2021 | | |
| SUBJECT: | A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO WAIVE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 118-252(c)(4)
OF THE CITY CODE, THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ADVISORY REVIEW
REQUIRED FOR ONLY THE BEACHWALK COMPONENT OF THE NORTH
BEACH OCEANSIDE PROJECT, FINDING SUCH WAIVER TO BE IN THE BEST
INTEREST OF THE CITY.
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| | | | | | | | BACKGROUND/HISTORY
| North Beach Oceanside Park is located between 79 Street and 87 Street and spans an area of 27.89 acres. The project scope of the park includes site grading, restoration of pavilions, restoration of existing restroom, new landscape, irrigation, children’s playground, dog park, beachwalk and pathways, security lighting, vita course and fitness cluster.
The beachwalk portion of the project, the final segment of the City’s beachwalk system extending from South Pointe to 87 Street, is being partially funded by a grant from FDOT. In order to ensure that the FDOT funding was available and in place, the project was subdivided into the park portion and the beachwalk portion.
The City’s beachwalk system is part of the larger East Coast Greenway, a non-motorized walking and biking route stretching over 3,000 miles from Maine to Key West. This system of pedestrian paths and bikeways promotes alternative transportation and connects the community to parks, cultural institutions, and business centers.
This final segment of the City’s beachwalk extends from 79 Street to 87 Terrace and includes a 25-foot-wide, on-grade paver pathway, landscaping, and turtle-friendly L.E.D. pedestrian lighting.
On October 3, 2019 the City received a total of four (4) proposals for the construction of the park portion of the project, and on October 10, 2019 the City Manager rejected all bids for exceeding the available budget.
The design consultant, Calvin Giordano and Associates (CGA), and City staff met with each of the proposers in order to gain insight and determine the items driving the cost for the project. Pursuant to the terms of the contract for professional services, CGA revised the drawings in order to bring the project within budget using the insight gained through meeting with the bidders, and after identifying those cost driving factors.
Upon review of the proposed changes, the Planning Department determined that the project would be required to resubmit to the Design Review Board (DRB). The DRB had initially approved the original design of this project on September 5, 2017. A revised design package for the North Beach Oceanside Beachwalk was submitted by CGA on July 27, 2020 to the Planning Department for review and approval. The revised design package was scheduled for the November 3, 2020, DRB meeting.
On November 3, 2020, the project was deferred due to lack of quorum, and on December 7, 2020, it was heard and approved by DRB.
On December 22, 2020, as a result of a technical issue, the Planning Department received a complaint for improper notification of residents prior to the December 7, 2020 DRB meeting. The technical problem was identified and corrected, new notices were issued, and the project is scheduled to be presented to the DRB on February 2, 2021.
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| On December 16, 2020, the City received bids for the construction of the North Beach Oceanside Beachwalk. The award of the project is scheduled to be presented at the next Commission meeting and the project is scheduled to commence construction in Spring 2021.
The North Beach Oceanside beachwalk design is similar to recently completed beachwalk projects which have been vetted at multiple public meetings, and being that this is the final portion of the City’s beachwalk system, the Interim City Manager has determined that a waiver of the DRB advisory review requirement is in the best interest of the City in order to ensure that it is completed in an expedient manner. Further delays in the DRB process could impact the start date for the project, and more importantly the FDOT grant funding.
In accordance with Sec. 118-252(c)(4), upon a written recommendation of the City Manager, the City Commission may, by majority vote, waive the DRB advisory review required for the beachwalk component of the North Beach Oceanside Park project, if the City Commission finds such waiver to be in the best interest of the City.
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| | | | | | | | SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
| According to the 2019 Community Satisfaction Survey, 1/3 of the residents considered improvements to outdoor facilities important. |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION
| The Administration recommends that the City Commission approve the Resolution accepting the City Manager’s recommendation to waive the DRB advisory review requirement for this project. |
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| | | | | | | | Applicable Area
| North Beach |
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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? | | Yes | | Yes | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| Neighborhoods - Evolve parks and green spaces to meet the changing needs of the community. |
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| | | | | | | | Legislative Tracking Capital Improvement Projects |
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