Approve the Resolution.

BACKGROUND

On January 13, 2016, the City Commission, after discussion, approved the revised South Beach Trolley route and service plan, and authorized staff to negotiate a new Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County to enable the City to operate the South Beach Trolley service upon the termination of the existing South Beach Local service by the County.

On July 20, 2016, the City Commission, after discussion, approved an amendment to the agreement with the City’s trolley service provider to expedite the purchase and delivery of 12 low-floor trolley vehicles needed for implementation of South Beach Trolley service, subject to the County’s approval of the Interlocal Agreement required for the City to operate this service.

From a regional connectivity perspective, on April 21, 2016, the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Governing Board officially adopted and endorsed the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan which includes the Beach Corridor Rail Connection Project. As part of the SMART Plan, the County is proposing Bus Express Rapid Transit (BERT) service across the Macarthur and Julia Tuttle Causeways connecting the City of Miami and Miami Beach as a short- term mass transit solution in advance of the proposed Beach Corridor Rail Connection Project.

Transportation Department staff has been coordinating with the County for approval of the Interlocal Agreement for the Operation of the City's Proposed South Beach Trolley Service.  The Interlocal Agreement is scheduled for approval by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) at its March 7, 2017 meeting (see attached County Memorandum/Resolution). The Agreement ensures no interruption of service between the termination of the South Beach Local and commencement of the South Beach Trolley service, as directed by the City Commission at the July 20, 2016 City Commission meeting.

The County currently covers approximately 2/3 of the annual operating cost of the South Beach Local service (approximately $2.6 Million) while the City covers approximately 1/3 of the cost (approximately $1.3 Million). The City is requesting that the County reallocate its current contribution to the South Beach Local service for use in connection with the implementation of a new enhanced or express bus service across the MacArthur Causeway and/or Julia Tuttle Causeway serving the City of Miami Beach upon commencement of the City-funded South Beach Trolley service and termination of the current Interlocal Agreement for the County’s South Beach Local service, anticipated to occur in November 2017 as part of the County's bus service line-up changes.

New County enhanced or express bus service connecting the cities of Miami and Miami Beach coupled with the City's ongoing efforts to improve mobility within the City is anticipated to have a significant impact on mobility by providing a more efficient and reliable regional mass transit alternative.  Additionally, the requested re-allocation of County funds from the South Beach Local to new express bus service in Miami Beach would ensure that the County's current resources are utilized for improved transit service in the City of Miami Beach.