Special City Council Meeting

City of Miami Gardens Special City Council Meeting Agenda November 16, 2022 at 4:00 PM City Council: Staff: Mayor Rodney Harris City Manager Cameron Benson Vice Mayor Reggie Leon City Attorney Sonja K. Dickens, Esq. Councilwoman Shannon Campbell City Clerk Mario Bataille, CMC Councilwoman Shannan Ighodaro Councilwoman Linda Julien Contact: Councilman Robert Stephens Council Chambers Councilwoman Katrina Wilson 18605 NW 27th Avenue Miami Gardens, Florida 33056 Phone: (305) 914-9010 Fax: (305) 914-9033 Website: www.miamigardens-fl.gov Livestream: https://miamigardens.civicweb.net/Portal/Video.aspx Next Regular Meeting Date: December 14, 2022 Article VII of the Miami Gardens Code entitled, “Lobbyist” requires that all lobbyists before engaging in any lobbying activities to register with the City Clerk and pay a one-time annual fee of $250.00. This applies to all persons who are retained (whether paid or not) to represent a business entity or organization to influence “City” action. “City” action is broadly described to include the ranking and selection of professional consultants, and virtually all-legislative, quasi-judicial and administrative action. All not-for-profit organizations, local chamber and merchant groups, homeowner associations, or trade associations and unions must also register however an annual fee is not required. Page 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 2. INVOCATION 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. ORDER OF BUSINESS 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS 6. CITY BUSINESS 6.1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI 3-7 GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Page 1 of 7  Sponsored by: Mayor Rodney Harris Agenda Cover Memo #22-260 - Pdf 7. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 7 Agenda Item #6.1 City of Miami Gardens Agenda Cover Memo 22-260 Meeting: Special City Council Meeting - Nov 16 2022 Department Sponsored By Mayor and City Council Mayor Rodney Harris Agenda Item Title A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Staff Summary In preparation for the 2023 State and Federal Legislative Sessions, it is necessary for the City to establish its legislative priorities. These priorities will guide our Lobbyists' efforts. If additional items of interest develop during the session, our Lobbyist will advise City staff accordingly. Fiscal Impact None. Recommended Action That City Council approve the resolution adopting the 2023 City of Miami Gardens Legislative Priorities. Attachments Resolution - 2023 Legislative Priorities 2023 Legislative Priorities Page 3 of 7 Agenda Item #6.1 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2022____ 2 3 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 4 MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE 2023 5 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR 6 THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN 7 EFFECTIVE DATE. 8 9 10 WHEREAS, in preparation for the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, it is 11 necessary for the City to establish its legislative priorities, and 12 WHEREAS, it is important to establish legislative priorities so that the City’s 13 Lobbyist can focus energy into encouraging legislation that promotes the City’s 2023 14 agenda, and 15 WHEREAS, if additional items that may be of interest to the City develop during 16 this session, our Lobbyist will advise City staff accordingly, 17 WHEREAS, Mayor Harris is recommending the Legislative Priorities that is 18 attached to this Resolution as Exhibit “A” based upon input from various City Council 19 members and staff, and 20 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY 21 OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: 22 Section 1: ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas 23 paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby 24 made a specific part of this Resolution. 25 Section 2. APPROVAL: The City Council of the City of Miami Gardens hereby 26 approves the 2023 Legislative Priorities for the City attached hereto as Exhibit “A.” 27 Section 3: EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall take effect immediately 28 upon its final passage. Page 4 of 7 Agenda Item #6.1 29 (PASSED, ADOPTED, DEFERRED, WITHDRAWN OR FAILED) BY THE CITY 30 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS AT ITS REGULAR MEETING ON 31 _______________, 2022. 32 33 ___________________________________ 34 RODNEY HARRIS, MAYOR 35 36 37 38 ATTEST: 39 40 41 __________________________________ 42 MARIO BATAILLE, CITY CLERK 43 44 45 PREPARED BY: SONJA KNIGHTON DICKENS, CITY ATTORNEY 46 47 48 SPONSORED BY: MAYOR RODENY HARRIS 49 50 Moved by: __________________ 51 52 VOTE: _________ 53 54 Mayor Rodney Harris ____ (Yes) ____ (No) 55 Vice Mayor Reggie Leon ____ (Yes) ____ (No) 56 Councilwoman Shannon Campbell ____ (Yes) ____ (No) 57 Councilwoman Shannan Ighodaro ____ (Yes) ____ (No) 58 Councilwoman Linda Julien ____ (Yes) ____ (No) 59 Councilwoman Katrina Wilson ____ (Yes) ____ (No) 60 Councilman Robert Stephens, III ____ (Yes) ____ (No) 61 2 Page 5 of 7 Agenda Item #6.1 City of Miami Gardens 2023 Legislative Priorities Retrofitting “Septic Tank Communities” The City of Miami Gardens SUPPORTS retrofitting of “septic tank communities” with sewer lines. Approximately 7300 properties in Miami Gardens operate on septic systems. Therefore, the City requests funding assistance to coordinate efforts with the utility agencies (Miami Dade County and North Miami Beach) to upgrade the existing infrastructure to allow sewer connectivity to septic tank communities. Infrastructure Improvements The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, was signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2021. The legislation includes approximately $550 billion in new federal investment. The City of Miami Gardens encourages the State Legislature to follow suit. Specifically, the City of Miami Gardens supports legislation that provides funding for urban communities to implement, install, or upgrade infrastructure to include: broadband internet, roads, bridges, water and drainage infrastructure, and supports resilience projects. Water Surcharge Florida Statutes 180.191 currently allow municipalities that operate water and sewer outside their boundaries to set rates for consumers outside their jurisdiction at a higher rate than is charged to residents within their municipal boundaries. Therefore, the City supports legislation prohibiting municipalities from levying more significant surcharges for consumers outside their city limits when a municipality has water utilities in that other jurisdiction. Stormwater Grant Funding The City of Miami Gardens requests STORMWATER GRANT FUNDING for projects that will minimize flooding and enhance the quality of surface water runoff by reducing contaminates. These grants will also fund the implementation of best management practices to provide stormwater retention and treatment in the watershed, resulting in reduced volumes and enhanced quality of discharges to surface waters (C-8 and C-9 to Biscayne Bay). The goal is to minimize the existing flooding problems, thereby reducing flood damage and potential loss of properties. Stormwater Repetitive Losses – Flooding: State fund request $3M. Total project cost $6M. "Repetitive Loss" refers to a National Flood Insurance Program-insured structure with at least two paid flood losses of more than $1,000 each over ten years since 1978. These short-term improvement projects from the Stormwater Master Plan were identified by the existing conditions model, field visits, and input from the City and FEMA. The construction of new French drains for 24 repetitive projects would help attenuate the flooding issues and help improve the City’s water quality. Stormwater Improvements for Basin and Sub-Basins – Flooding Issues. State fund request $2M. Total project cost $4M. These grant funds will be for the planning, designing, and constructing of stormwater drainage systems, including structure, underground piping, outfalls, and swale drainage improvements. Community Sidewalk Replacement and Addition Project. State fund request $625,000. The total project is $1.25M. Grant funds would allow the city to focus on sidewalk repairs, replacements, and new installments throughout the City. Projects & Initiatives “On the Radar” Lobbyists and staff will meet with state and federal agencies to explore opportunities in support of and funding for the following initiatives: 1 Page 6 of 7 Agenda Item #6.1 Miami Gardens Higher Education Initiative Scholarship Program The Miami Gardens Higher Education Initiative (MGHEI) Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to high school graduates who require additional funding to actualize their dream of attending and graduating from an accredited institution of higher learning. The Scholarship Program will assist high school students by providing funding in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) to each eligible student. Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center The City is seeking funding to construct a 20,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center (PAC). The PAC will house a black box theater with a combined seating capacity of approximately 800 seats. Reentry University Reentry University (RU) is uniquely developed to serve as a comprehensive network of support services for residents returning to the community from the military or incarceration. This reclamation program is personalized to individual needs – from securing benefits, proper identification, job training/employment or housing, and everything in between. Therefore, the City of Miami Gardens wishes to secure funding to support Reentry University (RU) to establish a facility in Miami Gardens to receive, assess and help these individuals. Senior Programming The Seniors Craftology Club will allow seniors to explore new hobbies, reduce isolation and depression and improve their overall happiness and accomplishment. Activities will include: ceramics, sewing, photography, crafting, painting, and gardening. The funds of $600,000 will be utilized to hire expert instructors to ensure the seniors are engaged and gain a clear understanding of the activities offered. Programs will be offered year-round to provide a diverse selection for the seniors to explore to help reduce anxiety, build confidence and give them a sense of purpose. Expressly, seniors will receive ceramic pieces to paint, cameras to utilize with editing software (with a plan to create local historians to capture activities), sewing machines and materials, painting canvases, crafting materials to make gifts and air looms, as well as access to the garden to plant and harvest fresh vegetables in ADA compliant raised beds. Transitional Recreation Program: Men & Mental Health This program will provide on-site recreational activities and mental health services where men of color congregate in Miami Gardens. Being accessible by “meeting men where they are” will be crucial to the success of this program. Hence, Miami Gardens will partner with local businesses to house programs where professionals will meet and nurture the mental well-being of our men. Financial assistance is required to establish the program and develop safe spaces at local businesses. Veteran Services The City wishes to partner with local, state, and federal Veterans Administration Offices to provide programs and services at Myrtle Grove Park. This program seeks to offer a variety of activities and services to promote health, wellness, and overall support for our Veterans. Miami Gardens is seeking matching funds of $500,000 to assist with costs associated with constructing a recreation facility at Myrtle Grove Park. The intention is to utilize a portion of the facility to house a “One Stop Shop” that will offer veteran-centered services to those who require effective, timely, high-quality care coordination. 207 Street and 27 Avenue: Pedestrian Safety 207 Street and 27 Avenue is a bustling intersection on the north end of Miami Gardens. Several hundred vehicles traverse this intersection daily. 207 Street is also home to public schools and parks on either side of 27 Avenue. Several times during the week, it is difficult for school-aged children and families to cross this intersection to travel to and from school and the parks. Miami Gardens supports installing traffic control crossing devices and methods to ensure the safety of all pedestrians in these neighborhoods. 2 Page 7 of 7