TITLE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES GRANT CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR THE MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR, RECEIVE AND EXPEND GRANT FUNDS AND EXECUTE CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, AND AMENDMENTS AFTER APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY

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WHEREAS, on May 18, 2010, this Board entered into a memorandum of understanding with the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) to apply for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Planning Grant program funds; and

WHEREAS, the SFRPC was awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Southeast Florida Regional Vision and Blueprint for Economic Prosperity; and

WHEREAS, participation as a consortium member is required to receive HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant program funds; and

WHEREAS, the County submitted a Scope of Services to the SFRPC to participate as a Subgrantee, as outlined in the Consortium Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the County desires to accomplish the objectives outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board authorizes the Mayor or the Mayor�s designee to (1) execute the Sustainable Communities Grant Consortium Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto; (2) apply for, receive and expend grant funds; and (3) execute contracts, agreements, and amendments, following approval by the County Attorney, necessary to participate as a Subgrantee consistent with the Scope of Services provided to the South Florida Regional Planning Council.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Joe A. Martinez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor

Subject: Southeast Florida Regional Partnership - HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approve the attached resolution that authorizes the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee to: 1) execute the attached Sustainable Communities Grant Consortium Agreement (Attachment 1) which would allow the County to participate in a collaborative regional partnership, with the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC), that received funding for the Southeast Florida Regional Vision and Economic Blueprint for Prosperity and 2) apply for, receive and expend grant funds, and to execute such contracts, agreements, and amendments necessary to participate as a Subgrantee, pursuant to the Consortium Agreement, and as provided in the County�s Scope of Services (Attachment 2). The Scope of Services as submitted to the South Florida Regional Planning Council in July, 2011, provides details on the County�s role as a Subgrantee.

Scope
In May 2010, the BCC authorized the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the SFRPC to apply for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Planning Grant program funds. The SFRPC was subsequently awarded $4.25 million for a regional planning initiative. Miami-Dade County is participating in a regional partnership through the SFRPC and TCRPC to plan, design, and implement a multi-jurisdictional regional plan for sustainable development. This seven-county initiative includes Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Monroe, and Miami-Dade. The attached Sustainable Communities Grant Consortium Agreement is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
As shown in Attachment 3, partners will be providing in-kind matching services through staff time. Miami-Dade County staff will be providing a minimum of $25,000 worth of staff time over the three year term of the project. The County expects to enter into an interlocal agreement to receive grant funding through the SFRPC. Participation in the South East Florida Regional Partnership will enable Miami-Dade County to receive bonus points for future HUD grant applications.

Track Record/Monitor
The Department of Planning and Zoning will serve as the lead department to coordinate County efforts and serve as the primary liaison with the Planning Councils, the six partner counties and other County departments including, but not limited to Office of Sustainability; Miami-Dade Public Housing Agency; Miami Dade Transit; Department of Housing and Community Development; Metropolitan Planning Organization; and Department of Environmental Resources Management.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
Background
The regional partnership will develop the Southeast Florida Regional Vision and Blueprint for Economic Prosperity to ensure that planning and investment decisions yield a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable region. The process will be the first comprehensive effort to develop a regional plan that spans the existing jurisdictions of two regional planning councils, multiple state agency sub-districts, six metropolitan and transportation planning organizations, numerous special districts, seven counties, over 100 municipalities, and a diverse mix of business, social and ethnic organizations.

Public, private, and civic partnerships will engender cooperation in guiding growth and development on a local level that will, at the same time, produce better benefits to the region as a whole. The fundamental objectives of the project are to:

* Develop a unifying vision for the Southeast Florida region that will result in a vibrant, resilient economy; livable communities; and sustainable development over the next 50 years. The vision will include implementation steps for local governments as well as recommendations for private and civic stakeholders;
* Initiate a broad educational effort to increase understanding of shared regional assets; issues, challenges and opportunities facing the region; and the necessity for cooperation to sustain the economy, environment, and quality of life as the region moves into the future;
* Achieve regional public participation and engagement in the planning process to engender community champions and supporters of the process who will translate the vision into reality;
* Expand the capacity of local governments and regional and community leaders from the public, private, and civic sectors to develop and implement the Regional Vision and Blueprint;
* Improve communication and build bridges to ensure participation in ongoing planning and decision-making in the region; and
* Ensure that all segments of the population are involved and engaged in the decision-making process, with particular emphasis on traditionally under-represented residents.

Attachments


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Jack Osterholt
Deputy Mayor