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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2005-762 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-7fo 'J- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING PUBLIC WATER TRANSPORTATION AND JOINING OTHER GOVERNING BODIES IN SUCH SUPPORT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, on November 18th the Long Range Planning Committee gave a presentation to the City Commission outlining a proposal by Metro Acqua Cats for the provision of public water transportation, and WHEREAS, it is the Commission's understanding, that the thrust of this proposal is to supplement buses and auto transportation with a water taxi system; and WHEREAS, the Commission viewed plans for docking and undocking of the water tax at a given point in the City and while no decision has been or will be made on that issue at this time, the Commission wishes to endorse the concept of a public water taxi system as in the best interest ofthe City and its citizens, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Endorsement of Public Water Transportation. The City Commission wishes to express its support of a public water taxi and transportation system to serve the City of Sunny Isles Beach and wishes to join other governing bodies in such support. Section 2. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of January 2005. J : ~~~..~~ ,Jane Hines, City G!etk " ...' .' r f- . , l / -. ." ~ J.. r , ' ATTEST:, ' , r -....r. .,. ., ;...< R2005-Water Taxi Support,Doc 1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY Vote: C;-o Mayor Edelcup Vice Mayor Thaler Commissioner Brezin Commissioner Goodman Commissioner Iglesias R2005-Water Taxi Support,Doc Moved by: tf Iw>>f\ l ';; ~ I o>\) V oe.. C ':l:tlD /I'l fW Seconded by: ll:D VY\ ~ ()V' ~ ttl\i- tie. v (Yes) V(Yes) V(Yes) ~es) ~(Yes) _(No) _(No) _(No) _(No) _(No) 2 I MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: . DATE: The Mayor and City Commissioners City of Sunny Isles Beach George "Bud" Scholl, Chairman, Mayor's Advis Council for Long Range Planning and Intergovernmental Affairs November 18, 2004 SUBJECT: Proposed IsSues Summary Report We are pleased to report that the Mayor's Advisory Council for Long Range Planning and Intergovernmental Affairs has conducted a number of meetings since mid-year and has looked at a variety of issues of potential benefit to our community. Below is a list and brief description of those issues that have been discussed and acted upon at our various committee meetings. Promote Reconsideration of Certain Aspects of the Florida Sunshine: The committee researched the ability of the City to advocate to the State legislature revisions to the Sunshine Law that would make it easier to conduct the administrative aspects of operating the City. We found several instances where the Sunshine Law thwarted the ability of government to conduct its affairs in a reasonable manner. We also found there were many instances where the Sunshine Law has created a very positive situation for openness and accountability. Our research revealed that the League of Cities was very supportive of trying to create some revisions. However, when they tried to make some technical changes over the past year they couldn't get a legislator to file the bill because of the negative press it would potentially generate. We ultimately decided to put the League on notice of how we felt and if they ever see an opportunity to change the law they would elicit our support. Regional Community Relations Board: We discovered that a similar Board was approved by Mayor Samson but never formally acted upon. A similar board was also being advocated by the County but we decided to go beyond what we perceived was the County's mission and decided it was best to have autonomy from the County. Committee member Sydney Davis has contacted and received positive feedback from the Mayors of most all of our surrounding communities. We anticipate organizing our first meeting early next year. This board will advocate issues at the County and State level of interest to the region as a whole, as well as serve as a liaison for issues arising between our neighboring cities and us. 58 The Mayor and City Commissioners November 18. 2004 Page Two School Incentives: The Committee wanted to investigate whether the City would be permitted to provide incentives to educators and school officials in our local school, being selective about how we provide those incentives in order to enhance the quality of life for our students within our community even though the School Board could fund the school. After coordinating with Bob Welsh from the Education Committee it was determined that, this Committee shared our interest on this issue and if the Education Committee needed help in this area, we would lend our support. Beach Preservation: Committee members have raised the issue of Beach Preservation and Renourishment. Member Art Kapel has had discussions with officials from the Army Corp of Engineers as well as academics in order to attempt to gain an understanding of the erosion and renourishment process. He reported to the Committee the complexity of the natural erosion process and is continuing to look into the matter. City Wide Wireless Broadband Internet Access: The Committee is looking into the feasibility of providing a City Wide wireless broadband network (WiFi) for use by City residents and businesses. The Committee has determined that the technology is available and the project feasible for a city of our size. If this project moves forward we would be the first City in South Florida to accomplish this providing inexpensive and citywide Internet access for all our residents and businesses. Public Water Transportation: Member Gloria Taft has researched the possibility of Sunny Isles Beach providing it's residents and guests with access to public water transportation. She presented to the Committee Peter Evans, the head of Metro Aqua Cats who has been working on a plan to provide service throughout the County. It was determined that the basic premise would be to supplement the buses and auto transportation by a water taxi system. It will be a mass transit system that will run throughout Biscayne Bay connecting various points throughout the County. A copy of a proposed wharf and parking area under the 163m Street Bridge selected by Mr. Evans as the first Sunny Isles Beach link is presented on the attached handout.