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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ALLOCATION OF SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS FIFTH SERIES FUNDING TO PUBLIC AGENCIES AND DIRECTING COUNTY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXPEDITE EXECUTION OF RELATED GRANT AGREEMENTS AND TO EXERCISE PROVISIONS THEREIN

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purpose outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, the County deems it important, desirable, and in the public interest that the Safe Neighborhood Parks bond program continue and expand, it is necessary to authorize allocation funding to specific entities for specific park projects; and
WHEREAS, the County in cooperation with the Citizens' Oversight Committee provided for in Ordinance No. 96-115, adopted by the Board on July 16, 1996 has determined the portion of the capital improvement program for improvements to, and acquisition of, neighborhood and regional parks, beaches natural areas, and recreation and heritage facilities to be funded; and
WHEREAS, the County intends to sell the fifth series of Safe Neighborhood Parks bonds in the fall of 2002, providing funding for an additional portion of the capital improvement program to be funded,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. This Board allocates fifth bond series funding to the entities specified in the Citizens' Oversight Committee Report attached and for the cost of issuance up to one percent (1%) of the principal amount of the bonds.
Section 2. Interest earned on bond proceeds shall be spent in accordance with the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds.
Section 3. This Board authorizes the County Manager to negotiate and expedite execution of related grant agreements following approval by the County Attorney's Office. This Board further authorizes the County Manager to exercise amendment, modification, renewal, cancellation and termination provisions of such grant agreements.

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TO: Honorable Chairperson and Members DATE:
Board of County Commissioners


FROM: Steve Shiver SUBJECT: Resolution Awarding Safe Neighborhood County Manager Parks Bond Grants

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the attached resolution, allocating $11,355,000 million in Safe Neighborhood Parks bond funds to three (3) public agencies and directing the County Manager to negotiate and execute the grant agreement and provisions.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
On July 16, 1996, the Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 96-115 which authorizes issuance, subject to approval by special election, of $200 million in general obligation bonds for park projects; establishes a Citizens' Oversight Committee and empowers it to administer the bond program; and designates entities and projects eligible for bond funding. At the November 5, 1996, special election, 67 percent of those voting approved the bond program.

On May 6, 1997, the Board of County Commissioners appointed the Citizens' Oversight Committee.
The Oversight Committee solicited and reviewed applications for Series 2002 funding and, in accordance with the master bond Resolution No. R-1193-97, has submitted the attached report recommending the allocation of $11,355,000 million in bond funds to public agencies for specific park projects (Attachment No. 1).


Included in this allocation are funds for the acquisition of approximately 14 acres of the historical Parrot Jungle attraction. This parcel is being acquired by the Village of Pinecrest with funds from Safe Neighborhood Parks, Florida Communities Trust and the Village. Approximately two acres, currently housing a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Unit, and approximately six acres of undeveloped land to the west of the Parrot Jungle attraction are also being purchased independently by the Village of Pinecrest. The independent acquisition of the property on which the Rescue Unit sits will prevent the dislocation of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Unit as required under the Safe Neighborhood Parks bond Ordinance.


A series bond resolution authorizing an $11,355,000 million bond sale will be scheduled for a future Commission agenda.

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