TITLE
RESOLUTION PROMOTING AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (�ADA�) AWARENESS; ENDORSING STRICTER REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF ADA PARKING PERMITS, AND SUPPORTING ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT AND MONITORING OF DISABILITY ACCESS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION; DECLARING THE THIRD WEEK OF JULY ADA AWARENESS WEEK

BODY
WHEREAS, the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in the full range of activities enjoyed by other citizens is a priority for the Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, as a County and as a nation, we must maintain vigilance in upgrading and enforcing programs designed to eliminate barriers and enhance mobility for citizens with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, in order to prevent abuse and ensure that accessible parking areas are available for those who need them, the state has tightened criteria for the renewal of ADA parking permits; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 30-447 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, the Miami-Dade County Office of ADA Coordination administers the County Parking Fines Reimbursement Program; and
WHEREAS, parking fine money generated from the issuance of citations for the misuse of marked spaces for people with disabilities is collected then distributed to the County and the municipalities pursuant to the established formula; and
WHEREAS, the monies distributed to both the County and municipalities must be used to improve accessibility and equal opportunity to qualified persons who have disabilities and to conduct disability public awareness programs,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct.
Section 2. The Board of County Commissioners hereby endorses the enhanced statutory criteria for the issuance and renewal of ADA parking permits pursuant to Section 320.0848, Florida Statutes.
Section 3. The Board of County Commissioners hereby urges all governmental entities with the responsibility to implement and enforce accessible parking programs to strictly adhere to all program guidelines and requirements.
Section 4. The Board of County Commissioners hereby declares the third week of July, 2009, as the first annual ADA Awareness Week, and urges the Miami-Dade County League of Cities, as well as all other local municipal and county governments to join forces with our County in promoting this effort to educate and sensitize our citizenry.
Section 5. The Clerk of the Board is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to the Miami-Dade County League of Cities, Inc. and all municipalities in Miami-Dade County.