Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 121564

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 121564

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-814-12

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: CAMPAIGN ON GRASS CLIPPING AND YARD TRASH

Introduced: 8/3/2012

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 10/2/2012

Agenda Date: 10/2/2012

Agenda Item Number: 11A10

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO CONDUCT AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY’S CURRENT REGULATIONS RELATED TO LITTER, GRASS CLIPPINGS AND YARD TRASH

Indexes:

EDUCATI0N

Sponsors:

Rebeca Sosa, Prime Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	10/2/2012	11A10	Adopted				P

Infrastructure and Land Use Committee	9/12/2012	2D	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. In response to Commissioner Jordan’s question, Mr. Chris Rose, Assistant Director, Public Works and Waste Management Department, clarified that no additional fiscal impacts were associated with the reminders that were suggested to be mailed out, as outlined in this proposed resolution. He said that the reminders would be included in the on-going educational program on this issue. Commissioner Sosa further explained that many Miami-Dade County residents did not know that when they cut their grass they could not leave it in the middle of the road or just anywhere, because as a result of their actions the County had an additional expense to clean clogged drains during the rainy season. She said that this item was proposed to inform the public about what to do when they cut their grass, and it would save revenues because the drains would be clean. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as presented.

County Attorney	8/3/2012		Assigned	Abbie N. Schwaderer

County Attorney	8/3/2012		Referred	Infrastructure and Land Use Committee	9/12/2012

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO CONDUCT AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY�S CURRENT REGULATIONS RELATED TO LITTER, GRASS CLIPPINGS AND YARD TRASH

BODY

WHEREAS, residents and visitors in Miami-Dade County may see grass clippings and other yard trash dumped or blown onto areas such as roads, drains, gutters and sidewalks; and
WHEREAS, such dumping or blowing of grass clippings and other yard trash onto roads, drains, gutters, and sidewalks adversely affects the attractiveness, public health, safety and welfare of the community of Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, such dumping or blowing of grass clippings and other yard trash onto roads, drains, gutters, and sidewalks may also create a public nuisance by clogging or slowing drains; and
WHEREAS, in the Code of Miami-Dade County, including Section 15-1(z), 15-1(uu) and 15-1(lll), �litter� is defined to include �vegetative matter resulting from landscaping and land clearing operations;� and
WHEREAS, Section 15-6(b)(1) of the Code of Miami-Dade County makes it unlawful for any person to cause, let, allow, permit or suffer the dumping of litter on any public or private highway, road, street, alley, bridge, drain, gutter, lane, sidewalk, vacant lot, or thoroughfare, except in areas lawfully provided therefore; and
WHEREAS, although the dumping or blowing of grass clippings and other yard trash onto roads, drains, gutters and sidewalks is generally prohibited by the above-mentioned sections of the Code of Miami-Dade County, some landscaping and gardening companies may not be aware of these regulations; and
WHEREAS, if more landscaping and gardening companies are made aware of these County regulations and the potential fines for violations, that may reduce the instances of clogged or slow drains due to deposits of grass clippings or other yard trash, and generally have a positive effect on the attractiveness, public health, safety and welfare of Miami-Dade County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Mayor or designee is directed to conduct an educational campaign to inform the public of Miami-Dade County�s current regulations against the dumping or blowing of grass clippings and other yard trash onto roads, drains, gutters and sidewalks. This educational campaign shall also specifically target landscaping, gardening and lawn care companies, and as part of this campaign, the Mayor or designee is directed to send a written reminder of the above-mentioned regulations to the landscaping, gardening and lawn care companies at the addresses maintained by the County�s Finance Department.