OLD BUSINESS  4.

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 (See Cleanliness Attachment). 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:

Staff provided information at the April 4, 2018 NCAC regarding the results of the Cleanliness Index.  Additional information requested to support the discussion for a potential increase in resources for the improvement of citywide cleanliness includes the following:

     - Community Survey and Cleanliness Data comparison

     - Code Violation History

     - GMCVB Survey Data

     - Entertainment District Service Summary

     - Cost Estimates

Cleanliness data compared to Community Survey data reflects a deterioration in both cleanliness results and survey results from 2016 to 2017.  Both beaches and commercial area streets reflect the lowest scores since 2009 for both survey and cleanliness data.  Staff contacted the GMCVB regarding visitor survey data in regards to cleanliness.   GMCVB 2017 Annual Visitor Survey report includes information regarding cleanliness. The GMCVB survey asks visitors to rank things they like and do not like about Greater Miami. GMCVB tracks that question by total overnight visitors to Greater Miami and generates responses by domestic visitors and international visitors.  In 2017, cleanliness was mentioned positively by 3.1% of total surveyed visitors, and by 7.1% of surveyed international visitors.   In 2017, cleanliness did not make the GMCVB survey list of "Least Liked  Features."   The 2017 data is not city specific, and does not allow to view feedback specifically for Miami Beach.   Staff has requested consideration of a follow-up question to allow for segregation of feedback going forward.

GMCVB also conducted a survey of visitors to Ocean Drive the week of April 2-6, 2018.This was the first of four waves of surveys to be conducted on Ocean Drive in 2018 to determine both tourist and local residents perception of  Ocean Drive. Below are the responses of those surveyed about their perception of Ocean Drive where one (1) is very dissatisfied and five (5) is very satisfied.  Cleanliness rated a total score of 4.2 indicating satisfaction with cleanliness on Ocean Drive.  Areas leaning to dissatisfaction include traffic and parking.  A follow-up survey will be conducted in late June.

One of the concerns discussed at the last NCAC was the need to increase the pressure cleaning frequency in the area known as the Business Entertainment District to include Beach Walk.  The administration was tasked with providing several scenarios and the cost associated with the different levels of service.  The Public Works Sanitation Division currently provides pressure washing to the following areas:

• Ocean Dr. from 5^th Street to 15^th Street which is on a 10-day cycle

  • Scope of work includes (1) two-employee crew pressure washing all side streets to the alleys which includes:

    • Street furniture

    • Serpentine walk way

       

• Washington Ave from 5^th Street to 16^th Street to include side streets to the alleys

  • Scope of work includes (2) two-employee crew pressure washing on a 10-day cycle (crew may be pulled off their assigned areas to handle special request)

    • Street furniture

    • Hot Spots

• Collins Ave from 5^th Street to Lincoln Road to include side streets to the alleys on a 15-day cycle

  • Scope of work include (1) two-employee crew pressure washing

    • Street furniture

    • Hot Spots

• Lincoln Road from the beach entrance to West Avenue (not including the 1100 Block) all side streets to  the alleys on a 10-day cycle

  • Scope of work includes (2) two-employee crew pressure washing

    • Street furniture

    • Identify Hot Spots

• Beach Walks serviced from 14^th Street to 23^rd Street

  • Scope of work include (1) two-employee crew on a 15-day cycle (crew goes South of 5^th Street on an as needed basis)

    • Showers

    • Street beach entrances

    • Furniture

    • Hot spots

The Cleanliness Index surveys litter, organic material, fecal matter, and trash cans across Miami Beach public areas.   Cleanliness index data reflects most deteriorated scores in commercial entertainment areas in South Beach on the weekend during the night and late night hours (7:30 pm - 8:00 am).   The driver of these lower scores is litter related; however, this excludes alleys.   Alley litter and organic material continue to be a concern, specifically in the South Beach commercial entertainment area throughout the day, but most deteriorated during the late night hours (12:00 am - 8:00 am).  Current staffing does not include a weekend late night litter crew for any area of Miami Beach.   

Based on cleanliness data, a late night litter crew for commercial entertainment areas in South Beach is needed to address litter issues at an approximate cost of $300,000 in year one.  Code violation issuance appears to be trending down in comparison to prior years as well.  

Staff is also recommending a crew for the Collins Park Convention Center area.  The Sanitation Division currently covers this area with crews from Mid-Beach and North Beach and by adding a full-time crew staff can increase the level of service to this area; as well as, be prepared for the increase in pedestrian traffic once the Convention Center comes on board which will have a significant impact on cleanliness in this area.   Cost estimates are provided for review and consideration.  

Staff has also contacted the City of Marbella (Spain) and requested information on current service level cleanliness efforts.  As of May 11, 2018, information requested has not been received.

CONCLUSION:

The administration is seeking direction regarding potential resources to address cleanliness in Miami Beach.