AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 106, ENTITLED "TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES," BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, ENTITLED "METERED PARKING," BY AMENDING DIVISION 1, ENTITLED "GENERALLY," BY AMENDING SECTION 106-55, ENTITLED "PARKING RATES, FEES, AND PENALTIES; EXCEPTIONS," BY AMENDING SUBSECTION (N) RELATING TO "SMARTWAY VEHICLE INCENTIVES;" TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERMITS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REDUCED PARKING FEE PERMIT PROGRAM, AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission hold the requisite public hearing and approve the attached ordinance amendment on second reading. 

COMMISSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

On January 17, 2018, the Mayor and Commission referred Item No. C4I, entitled, “Referral to Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) Regarding Parking Incentives for “Smartway” (ILEV – Inherently Low Emission Vehicles) Vehicles for a discussion regarding citywide parking permit for “Smartway” vehicles. 

On March 14, 2018, the SRC discussed the referenced item and approved a motion to:

1. Increase the quantity of citywide parking permits for “Smartway” vehicles from 500 to 1,000; and

2. Upon reaching the sale of 750 “Smartway” citywide permits, the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) shall take this matter under consideration and provide a recommendation to the City Commission.    

The Mayor and City Commission accepted the SRC recommendation on first reading. 

Since 2007, the City has developed and codified parking incentives for ILEV (Inherently Low Emission Vehicles) which are classified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as “Smartway” vehicles.

The City Code provides for a maximum of 500 citywide parking permits at $100, for qualifying “Smartway” vehicles.  Earlier this year, the 500 permit threshold was met.  This resulted in the aforementioned referral to and recommendation by the SRC. 

The following is the recommended amendment to the City Code:

Sec. 106-55. - Parking rates, fees, and penalties; exceptions.

(n)        Smartway vehicles incentive. The Smartway program will use the state ILEV list; EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) "Smartway" designation; and allow all street legal electric vehicles to qualify for participation in the program. Incentives to be offered to qualified and registered vehicle owners include:

1. One Thousand Five hundred city-wide parking decals, honored at metered spaces only, shall be available only to state-registered Smartway vehicles; vehicles receiving an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) "Smartway" designation; and all street legal electric vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of the Smartway city-wide decal is $100.00 per year. Upon reaching the sale of 750 “Smartway” citywide permits, the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) shall take this matter under consideration and provide a recommendation to the City Commission.    

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission hold the requisite public hearing and approve the attached ordinance amendment on second reading.